Anne Heck

Chrysalis

 

We are evolving into something new. The interruptions to routine, the isolation, the slower course of movement -- all of this is serving the essential work of quieting ourselves so that we can more easily follow the wisdom of our inner knowing. 

I’ve been tucking in for long periods as I listen to the still small voice, which, for me, often comes in the form of dolls. It’s an interactive process -- the dolls guiding me through their own creation and feeding me insights and reflection as I bring them into form. They are the receptacles for my emotion and visions, and they become my teachers, my guides.

 

This video highlights my newest doll “Chrysalis” who is giving me hope about what’s to come. Here's a snippet of her message:

 

. . . and as our world leans increasingly into instability, become silent, listen to your inner truth, remain open to unimagined possibilities, and take heart-powered action to create a new, supportive and sustainable world. Stay grounded and pay attention; good things are happening! You are growing your own wings . . .

If you’d like to learn more about my intuitive doll process, read “A Fierce Belief in Miracles.” Available here.

Stillness Is An Action

I was recently asked to quiet myself--not by another human, but by a small voice within me. I resisted. I was enjoying facilitating online classes and was actively involved in my own learning and growth circles. But the voice was persistent, and I could feel a growing turbulence in my center that was urging me to slow down and to pay attention; something needed tending. 

So, I've been taking a break from my activity, and I'm listening closely to those inner nudges, paying attention to the messengers who are guiding me to my next steps. Pushing into life, for me, is taxing; its results dissatisfying. Pushing rarely feels in tune with my soul's music. Listening--allowing myself to be lured by the sweet notes that feel in harmony with my inner wisdom--is vitalizing.

I remember a time years ago when my inner and outer lives felt severely out of sync. Nothing seemed to speak to me; I couldn't find a direction that felt right. I was pushing the river, rather than flowing with the current. My teacher offered, "don't just do something, sit there" -- an encouragement to wait and listen until I was certain of my next steps. This "not doing" is counterintuitive, especially in our culture. We've been domesticated to believe that meaning and purpose come from taking clear and directed action steps, not from stillness. But the necessity of stillness is inherent in nature: there's calm before a storm; there are still lakes and quiet afternoons. The frogs and insects hush, winds whisper, and the sun silently retreats.

Meanwhile, we're all figuring out how to be in our re-opening world. In many places, masks are being removed; we're stepping into social situations anew, and navigating the awkwardness that comes with relating in a not-quite-the-same manner. This requires presence, asking good questions, gaining clarity, and being true to ourselves. This requires listening. And yes, stillness is an action.

Healing Doll Journey

Dolls have been used for thousands of years and across many cultures to hold intense emotion and doll making as a way of doing deep healing work.

Join me as I share slides and stories of my healing journey through the making of dolls. Here I explain how I've used the medicine wheel - a transformative symbol from indigenous cultures - as a map to navigate my creative healing journey.

Learn how intention, creative expression, and listening can facilitate your healing.

Spiritual Dowsing

Everything is energy. Spiritual dowsing is a way to interact more closely with that energy.

Learn how human energy affects our work and living space and how to create more harmony and flow for yourself.

Dowsing is an extension of one's natural feeling, and intuitive perceptions. Once used primarily for finding water, dowsing is also used for finding and transmuting energies, clearing spaces, and as a healing tool.

The diagram at the right represents the human energy pattern and can be dowsed to find strengths and imbalances. Learn more by watching this video:

You can access the handout with resources HERE.

 

 

 

Presence Practice

In this video, I share a daily practice that’s been my steadying force for years, one that will create more balance, ease, and flow in your life, and ground you to be present to your inner guidance. Abrupt shifts and changes in our world are leading many people to seek spiritual mooring—a way to ground and center in the midst of the unknown.

Listening to your inner guidance will support you in navigating what’s before you; such listening begins with being grounded and present. When I’ve shared this practice in the past, those who’ve utilized it have reported experiencing more peace, centeredness, synchronicity, and magic in their lives. The Presence Practice blessings mentioned in the video are available HERE. 

 

Featured on Pretty Wellness Podcast

This just out - "Lighting the Way" on Pretty Wellness podcast.

Please subscribe and take a listen HERE.

 

Much gratitude, Caryn Sullivan, for featuring my story. I appreciate your good work in the world.

 

Roan

I

My book of magical forest verse is in the works; I'm seeking an illustrator. PM me if you know someone ~

This little elf—his name is Roan
‘cause on his head, red hair has grown—

has eyes so tiny, fingers three
and just adores hot rooibos tea

he lives among the spruce and pine
(is tattooed where the sun don’t shine),

his pocket’s filled with acorn caps,
and teeny, tiny gingersnaps

in warmer months, Roan hides and seeks
on forest trails and near the creeks

his tiny friends who live nearby
are seldom seen and camera shy

but Roan is apt to show his face
in open fields near Queen Anne’s lace

so if you’re hunting chanterelle
be sure to bring along a bell

some littles, when they hear a jingle
come out to the fields to mingle

please bring some rooibos, just perchance
dear little Roan comes out to dance

 

[art doll by Anne Heck]

Local Elven Folk

within the trunk of this old oak

there lives a group of elven folk

 

who traded vintage acorn wine

for high-end custom door design

 

looking for a door unique

they called me up just last week

 

requesting the design I cast

be one that’s made with skill, but fast

 

I met them there beneath the tree

was greeted by a PhD

 

who specialized in mushroom spores

and didn’t know a things ‘bout doors

 

to cut just once, I measured thrice

not asking for the doc’s advice

 

he kept his tongue, I later learned

5-star reviews had just been earned

 

“with fresh pine bough, this door’s the bomb”

says fairy yelp and doors.com

 

tis not a hoax, this happened true

as clear as stars ‘gainst midnight blue

Wooden Doors for Forest Homes

wooden doors for forest homes
are what I make for elves and gnomes

this door’s just been repaired by me
so I’ll return it to its tree

to keep the breeze from blowing in
on little peoples’ kith and kin

so, if you see a door with wear
just call up Fairy Door Repair

I offer service free of fees
but in return, if you please,

take a sec to offer thanks
near large oak trees and riverbanks

to winter breeze and rising moon
sunshine in the afternoon

to creeks that babble, stones that shine
cardinals perched on berry vine

to leaves that crunch beneath your feet
to trees immersed in bittersweet

to trails that call you in to roam
for beauty in this place called home

and lastly, with sweet thought sincere
thank little people living here

A Doll and its Healing Message

This video shares the message of a doll I made that feels relevant to these times. It's about how our rules and judgments can prevent us from experiencing a more colorful and creative life.

Who Feeds You

“Who feeds you? Is there an elder or ancestor who helps guide your life?” The queries were unexpected; my answer was not. I was having tea with my friend Amanda when she asked me these questions. As a gift, she planned to make me a shrine to honor that someone who positively impacted my life and whose teachings continued to guide me. Without hesitation, I answered, “Will Rockingbear.”

I’d arrived on Will’s doorstep through a series of synchronous events and seeking to have him help retrieve my soul. At the time, I wasn’t familiar with soul retrieval, but I was following my intuition, and it led me to Will.

After this work, I joined one of Will's circles. For six years I traveled weekly on Wednesdays—two hours round trip—to sit around the fire with other community members and with this generous and wise Cherokee medicine man.

Though Will has now passed, his teachings whisper to me daily. If I’m facing a challenge, I call on Will and ask him to share his wisdom. Will is not a man of many words, but those he shares are clear, potent, and memorable. He listens deeply in our conversations, has an uncanny ability to pinpoint core issues needing attention, and addresses issues with a question or statement that greatly simplifies whatever is seemingly difficult or painful.

We can all tap into such wise guidance. It’s as simple as getting quiet, remaining open, and beginning the conversation. Especially during these confusing and stressful times, it’s important to have someone we can call on to support us, to help guide our life, to feed us.

Who feeds you? I'd love to know.

I share more about Will in my book, A Fierce Belief in Miracles. (available here: https://tinyurl.com/yxjpaw7j)

(Amanda’s beautiful and heart-inspired matchbox shrines can be found here: www.firestartershrines.com)

 

The Power in You Mentoring Circle - Begins January 2021

You hold an innate power; it roots you in the knowing of who you are, of what you’re here for, and of what calls to you.

As you develop in our culture, you’re affected by many strong influences that either support your innate identity or override your inner compass. Over time, you may feel yourself molded into a fabricated version of you, shaping you to be someone you think you need to be rather than encouraging you to feel into the moment and your unique position within it.  You may lose track of your authentic self, your unique voice and consequently, your power.

You’re invited to join with a small circle of women on a 7-step journey (via Zoom) as we explore and expand your inner knowing and gain comfort with trusting your authentic self.

We will gather for stimulating dialogue and reflection that connects you with your unique power. In this circle, we will focus on:

• Paying attention
• Speaking and listening from your heart
• Trusting yourself
• Identifying your heartwork
• Supportive Practices: grounding, inner listening, discernment, curiosity

The Power in You Circle offers opportunity to:         

•   Slow yourself and listen
•   Find your spiritual mooring
•   Awaken to your authenticity
•   Honor and trust your intuitive knowing
•   Connect with your unique voice
•   Be supported by a reflective circle of intentional women

This is a unique opportunity to gift yourself with a safe, sacred space and connection with your own powerful knowing and heart calling. 

I ask for your commitment to be fully present for yourself and others when you come into community; the amount of attention and intention that you devote to Circle will determine what you gain from it.

Circle is intimate and space is limited. We will begin our next session on January 14.  It will consist of seven 75-minute small group mentoring circles which will meet weekly on Thursdays (via Zoom) through February 25. Meeting time will be 11 am - 12:15 pm ET. There will be two one-hour Q&A/discussion sessions that will be interspersed with our weekly meetings. Timing of these to be announced.

If you're interested, reserve your space now by contacting me.

Book Launch

The launch of A Fierce Belief in Miracles took place on the evening of Sept. 22, 2020. I've uploaded the recording of that launch to youtube. I thought it was appropriate that I unknowingly recorded it in gallery view. Fifty people showed up to support the launch; others emailed, called, and sent flowers. I felt incredibly loved and supported seeing friends from all parts of my life and many different places. This journey has taken a village, and I'm grateful to all of you ~

Watch Zoom Launch now.

Dropping In Interview with Diane Dewey

I was interviewed by Diane Dewey, host of Dropping In to Find Our Common Threads on Voice America Internet Talk Radio. Diane is a skilled interviewer and had some thoughtful questions. I hope you'll take time to listen to our conversation. 

 

Awakening Women

I just completed a five-week virtual training with Lynne Twist. My time with this special group of women was both thought-provoking and inspirational.

A few of the valuable take-aways from this course were:

Feminine archetype leadership isn't measurable; it builds relationships.

All positions create opposition; it's time for us to move from positionality to vision. To gain vision, we must relinquish our points of view.

Vision will pull us forward; you don't need to know how.

We also had special speakers: Leymah Gbowee and Iyanla Vanzant. This from Iyanla:

"If you don't have a strong 'no,' you'll have a weak 'yes.' You gotta have forty-five ways to say 'no.'"

"Put yourself first. Psalms says 'my cup runneth over.' What's in that cup is yours. If the cup is running over, that's what other people can have. Make sure all aspects of yourself are fed."

And Lynne, who's had the privilege of working beside Mother Teresa shared this quote from her: "The unadulterated love of one person nullifies the hatred of millions."