Welcome to week 4
#moon2mooncreative cycle
Animal Power
Last quarter moon
A perfect time to release, let go, forgive and trust. The moon is waning and the nights are dark and peaceful, we can turn inward and surrender to our dreams and visions. 
DAY 22 
Find your wings
Do you have a winged animal that you are especially attracted to? A particular type of bird or butterfly, bat, dragonfly or insect?  I would love to draw or paint animals from life, however I often don't have access, so I like to use a photograph that I have taken as a reference. Sometimes that is not possible so I might use an image from a nature book or the internet. Explore some winged creatures and choose something that you love. Focus on the design of the wings, the spread of feathers or network of veins, You might like to draw with a pencil, ink or pen (for a fine detailed line) or feel free to express your wings in any way.

"It's a good idea to watch the animals, for they bask in their freedom and don't worry about their limitations. A cat or a dog can teach you a lot. A cat really enjoys its catness, just as you should enjoy your creaturehood. Even a fly buzzing around the ceiling loves its own reality and is free in it."  Jane Roberts
DAY 23 
Discover your strength
Indigenous cultures believe that everything alive is filled with power and wisdom. Shamans believe that everyone has power animals - animal spirits who are with us adding to our strength, protecting us and sharing their wisdom with us. If you are interested in reading more about shamanism here is a link www.shamanlinks.net  Do you already know your spirit animals? You might like to contemplate, meditate or dream of your animal guides today.

"Knowing my power animals gives great comfort. I do not walk alone."  Alison Stormwolf 
DAY 24  
Silhouette Dream
Yesterday we opened ourselves to the possibility of our power animal and have had some time to absorb the feeling, purpose and pure instinct of the animal. Now we will express the form.  Create a background first with paint, crayons or coloured paper. It could be sunset colours or any colour combinations that you feel the urge to use. To make the animal you need to imagine a clear defined shape, a profile might work, you could use a photograph of your animal to help you remember the form. Use black paper or darken some paper with paint, ink or crayon and cut it out to stick onto the background. You could use your cut out animal and hold it up in front of a light source (sun or moon) to create a photographic silhouette.

“Mystery is at the heart of creativity. That, and surprise...As creative channels, we need to trust the darkness. ”  Julia Cameron
DAY 25 
Go with the Flow
What do you need today? An intuitive walk with no planned destination or direction, listening to your inner longing to turn this or that way, allow yourself to be led down a new path... An intuitive painting, not knowing the outcome can give you enormous freedom or maybe you would like to try writing a stream of consciousness (writing any thoughts or emotions that pass through your mind) releasing the creative flow. As you move through the rest of the day you may find yourself flowing with grace.

“The psyches and souls of women also have their own cycles and seasons of doing and solitude, running and staying, being involved and being removed, questing and resting, creating and incubating, being of the world and returning to the soul-place.”  Clarissa Pinkola Estés
DAY 26 
Magical night animals
There are many wonderful animals around us that are active through the night. What animals live near you that come alive at night?  Starting with a dark night background (layers of paint or pastels or dark paper) and drawing with chalk, light pastels or white and light paint, draw the highlights of your animal. Keep it really simple, soft and shadowy, sometimes a suggestion is more powerful than the whole story...

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science....pause and wonder and stand rapt in awe."  Albert Einstein
DAY 27 
Monkey around
Have a bit of fun...be silly...play...sing or dance. Release your inner monkey. 

“Play keeps us vital and alive. It gives us an enthusiasm for life that is irreplaceable. Without it, life just doesn’t taste good”  Lucia Capocchione
DAY 28 
A frog finalé
Frogs are a favourite of mine and an animal that represents transition and transformation. As this is our last day of moon2mooncreative I wanted to offer something joyous and renewing.
The frog totem symbolizes the cycles of life, Its own journey through life, from tadpole to adult, reminds us of the many cycles of transformation and rebirth in our lives. Frogs are active at night and are also connected to moon energy, intuition, feminine energies, and the magic of nature and the elements. Draw or paint, collage or photograph some frogs.... 

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."  Howard Thurman