 Jan Morgan Wood is a healer and artist, using the perspectives and techniques of shamanism, the ancient earth spirituality, in her work as a spiritual mentor and ceremonialist. In the visionary paintings and objects she creates, she depicts her own spiritual experiences and celebrates healing and balance, acting as creative midwife for that which Spirit wishes to birth. She is Editor of Sacred Hoop Magazine. You can find more about Jan's 'art' and 'people' work at www.janmorganwood.com .
Dear Friends,
I would like to speak of the needs of the heart, and of something that has happened to me recently that I would like to share with you.
I work a lot with the heart centre. As a counsellor and spiritual mentor I have heard many personal stories from hearts that have become bruised and are struggling on their journey through life. As a visionary artist my spiritual guidance also constantly brings me back to awareness of my heart centre, and I cannot sense the inner voice of Spirit which guides my artwork unless I am in a place of peace and loving kindness within myself. My heart must be open before I can connect with creative source and believe me, there have been some pretty frustrating times when I have tried to ignore or side-step this, resulting in awful 'creations' that were destined for the studio dustbin! But when I do connect from the heart, such beauty and love pours into the making process and I find my hands working almost without thought. This is not because I am an artist and have special skills, for in workshops with people (who often feel very unskilled and 'not artistic') this same power of love and beauty comes in.
But life can be a bumpy ride, and I would like to share with you what happened to me recently, after a very turbulent period of my life. I had come to a place where I felt cast adrift on a stormy sea with a slowly deflating lifejacket! In weariness and disillusion I asked Spirit 'OK, what can I turn to now?'
The answer that came back clearly, as it has down the years, was 'Love.'
This seemed enigmatic, simplistic and unhelpful to say the least! So I asked (or maybe challenged) my shamanic spirit helpers to show me what I needed specifically. I was taken to my inner 'soul garden', a place full of peace; love flows there as naturally as the rain and rivers of our beautiful earth home. Here I was patiently and gently told Love your actual heart it is still OK at the moment, it is surviving, but it will never be the same again. You must take care of it.
Without thought I replied 'But what can I do, my heart is broken what can I do if I have a broken heart?'
The reply came back instantly and firmly 'Mend it!'
Could a broken heart be mended? I realised this was a completely new idea to me. I thought of all the medical statistics of the epidemic of heart problems in our culture. I was aware of medical interventions, but I was now being asked to use my own resources to strengthen the rather battered and bruised seat of my emotions.
I was shown I must physically make a 'mended heart'. As I work a lot with ritual and creating images and objects for healing for other people, this made sense to me. I have experienced many times that when we add our intention to a sacred 'making' it becomes a powerful act of healing and a physical form of intent and prayer. My 'mended heart' had to be made from separate pieces joined and be as beautiful and decorative as possible. I decided to make it from fabric patchwork so that I could include things inside that would symbolise healing light and love. I knew that whatever I created, if it was done from that place of trust and open heart, it would be what was needed what I needed.
Nevertheless I made excuses and felt I could not do it well enough etc. etc. etc. But still Spirit gently nagged at me, popping into meditations and shamanic journeys the reminder 'Don't forget to make the mended heart'.
Eventually I had collected enough fabric to make a start and I began to collect beads and sequins and brightly coloured threads to decorate it; I was really getting connected with that little bundle of bright colours. During the making I found myself humming soft melodies into my work, like lullabies, and felt a real sense of comfort and, well . . . mending.
Now finished, my mended heart is about four inches across and sparkles on my altar, reminding me to take time for my own heart's needs and to turn to Spirit for the nourishment of love on a regular basis.
But the story doesn't stop there. Spirit is now urging me to offer the idea of making 'mended hearts' to others. The more mended hearts there are around the better, as far as I (and my spirit helpers) can see. So why not make one for yourself? Perhaps for healing a relationship break-up or personal loss, to reinstate your beauty, or to claim the right to own and celebrate your feelings, or you may need a boost after 'losing heart' in some way. It does not replace the necessity of letting stored-up or suppressed feelings flow a necessary part of any healing; but it may give you the strength to face that process. If it is made in a sacred way, the process will help uncover the healing thoughts, tears, laughter and joy that your heart needs. Indeed, my own heart has a rainbow crystal and feather hung beneath it to symbolise the continuing flowing of feelings and lightness a healthy state for any heart. I am sure I will make more repairs, additions and decorations as life goes on . . .
A 'mended heart' can be as simple as a shape stuck together from decorative papers, or woven patched strips of favourite cloth; it may be sewn with treasured buttons or painted with colours that represent whatever gladdens and so strengthens your heart. You could stick or sew on pictures or symbols of protection and love, stuff it with sweet herbs or include a guardian crystal or gemstone, tie on rainbow ribbons for blessings or bright feathers for lightness. Whilst making it you might listen to your favourite music, anoint it (and yourself) with water from a sacred source, or surround yourself and your work with incense or a favourite perfume. When it is finished, put it where you will see it often or even wear it on a ribbon round your neck!
Keep it simple, but magnificent hearts, as you know, are like that. Hearts can be mended, but it is not automatic after the wear and tear of living they may be very thankful for this act of beauty and nourishment. And remember to give yours a regular check-over it might need another beautiful patch or some golden thread to reinforce a seam that has got a bit frayed that way a mended heart gets bigger and more beautiful all the time!
Walk in Beauty, Dear Hearts!
With love,
Jan Morgan Wood
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