I answered.

In that answering
I opened.

Before Love called me
I didn’t know
what my true name was.

I couldn’t hear it
through the all the other sounds
that called to me.

Without my name
in my own mouth I didn’t know
what was mine to say.

Now that Love has called me
I know what I did not know.

I know that I am called.
From death and rejection
through lies and disbelief
I am called to beauty.

I am called to Love
as I have been loved.

My teacher told us
To Love One Another.

We don’t have to know
how to do that.
The love that flows through us
will show the way.

Our job is to listen
for the Master’s voice.

And I do.
Now I listen through you.

Love is calling you
by your true name.

Do you hear the call in you?
I do.

~Shiloh Sophia

Dedicated to the Magdalene
inspired by greeting her Lord in the Garden.

WATCH THE SLIDESHOW BELOW 
(which if you are viewing in your email you might not see)

Dear Ones,

I had such an incredible day yesterday working with close to 100 creative beings across the globe in painting their sacred dreams. It continues to affirm for me what is possible when we truly listen and do the work, the sacred work to take it deeper. I am very pleased with the series this month and would love for you to join me if you are looking for a deeper connection with the Divine through creative practice.

Paint with me this month in our Mystery School,  The Red Madonna and explore the Sephira of Beauty with Caron McCloud and Havi Mandell who teach from the Tree of Life. Come listen for your true name…

In the spirit of love,

Shiloh Sophia

THE RED MADONNA

http://www.shilohsophiastudios.com/the-red-madonna-2013-3/

JOHN 20 from the Holy Bible

 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master

Our time
to dream the world awake.

Dear Ones,
I am so pleased because in just a few short hours I will be creating the first ever open to the public livestreamed class.
This feels cutting edge to be ABLE to offer education this way and work with so many that I haven’t been able to reach in the past.
I am so happy to share this with you…

with love,

Shiloh Sophia
Join us today to paint, or purchase the class, The Sacred Dream by midnight tonight.
My links aren’t working anymore in wordpress, go figure, but here’s the URL you can paste into your browser.

http://www.shilohsophiastudios.com/the-sacred-dream-a-virtual-live-painting-poetry-salon-may-31/

Sometimes this suffering is caused

by expecting things to be different

than they are.

By thinking if something goes wrong

that something is wrong. Wrong is normal.

Accepting this is a strange kind of freedom.

An openness to possibility comes.

Things have been going wrong

for many thousands of years

and we have always known it would be hard.

It has always been so.

Look around. Can anyone say,

it is easy?

Yes it is often good. Really good.

But easy? When did easy become

so popular and for sale in ten easy steps?

I long for easier days just as much as you.

And I also know what our

Forefather and Foremothers

knew. This world is in need

of love and a heapin’ dose of fixing.

We are the hands of God

fixing it, breaking it, fixing it, breaking

it open once more.

When we can choose to look upon what is

as ‘what is’ instead of bad or good

we can free ourselves from the prison

of invented meanings about things

we really have no clue about.

I surrender knowing.

Or needing to know.

I embrace being in the space

of not knowing.

My attachment then becomes

to create a field of hope

regardless of what the reality

is, while knowing what reality is.

By reality I do mean,

the hurt child, the warming ice,

the tragic corn and the invention

of corporate interest cloaking

the truths which hurt all of us.

There is another reality at work in us,

it is the one that is always true,

and yes it is Love.

Love for what is

right now, just how it is.

In this acceptance,

strange freedom is ours.

I’ll take it.

When we accept

what is, we can dream

the sacred dream that is ours.

I don’t know how this all works.

I just want to know

how to make the openings

open, so I can invent

in the open spaces.

Shiloh Sophia

~~~
Dear One,

I am inventing in the open spaces!

This Friday I am sharing something new with you – If you are around this weekend, I would love to paint with you. On Friday I am doing a livestreamed painting class from Cosmic Cowgirls University. IF you cannot join the stream on Friday you can still download the class and work over the weekend, or anytime you want to! The class is yours to keep! On Friday I will be interacting with you and I have one of my Color of Woman graduate teachers who will be ‘womaning’ the wall to help you with your painting questions.

You can get all the information right HERE

Shiloh Sophia

A Mama Day Blessing

This day we honor and celebrate
the women who have given life to us,
the women who give life to ideas,
the women who died giving life,
the women who wanted to have a child,
but didn’t get to,
the women who right now
are tilling their fertile soil for new seed,
the women who choose
not to have a child but have many children,
the women who are in captivity,
the women who are free,
those who were mothered well,
and those who had crazy mamas,
because any mama that did not love you well,
was not well enough,
the women who are struggling
this moment to care for their babies,
and the women who right now
snuggle with little ones under feather comforters,
for those whose mamas have gone on,
and for those who are mamas to be,
for women who miscarried precious life,
and those who carried many,
for single mamas who want their mate,
and for married mamas who want to be seen and heard,
for those who never got to have a mama hold them,
and for those mamas whose children
will not speak to them,
for happy mamas and sad mamas
and the Great Mama of all,
and the Mama who gave birth to God
and most of all…
for all women and men
who are in need re-mothering.

We unite in our love for all of our
quests for wholeness, connection,
belonging, nurturing and home.

All women today, we honor.
All life today, we celebrate.

Blessed Mother of life, hear the prayers
of your children this day.

Open our hearts to hear
that which you are speaking to us
and through us.

Shiloh Sophia McCloud

©2013

A Mama Day Blessing pdf to share

The Legend Lives in Her Heart © Shiloh Sophia, 2011

Wow, it is all about making and sharing art right now! I am so in my element!

I am very excited to share my article, published yesterday at WNN – Women News Network – with you. It shares information about the work we are doing as a creative global community and gives context historically for why creating art in this way is SO important during the times we are in, worldwide. What it means for us to be artists – artists are the historians of culture.

I connected with Lys Anzia, founder of WNN, during my recent trip to the United Nations in New York, being introduced by the very dear and brilliant, Lois Herman of the Women’s United Nations Report Network. Lys and I have had POWERFUL mind and heart altering conversations over Google Hangout since our in-person meeting. (And yes I gave her a red thread while in the lobby of the Waldorf Astoria.) Rumor has it I left one behind, and so Lys shared that with the woman in her next meeting. This is how we roll, with the red thread of connection. In fact, the day before, we gave Red Threads to all the presenters on the panel, thanks to Leslie Nolan who brought a basket full of them to share.

Following our conversations about art, self expression and human rights, Lys invited me to share some of the work our community is creating around the world. The Color of Woman Teachers and Cosmic Cowgirls Tribe are working globally and creating workshops, art experiences and showings of work that are so inspiring that I wanted to share them with you.

I am working on an entire series called the “Red Thread Chronicles” for WNN where I will share the work of intentional creativity active in the lives of women artists I know. This is the launch article for the section, which will feature art and its creation worldwide by many different writers and I would love to share my article and WNN with you. This work has been going on for a long time in various forms throughout our creative communities – and there are new and global and inventive shifts happening all the time – as we progress with this Global Tribe of Creatives called the Red Thread Nation we will share even more of this work with you. We are very happy to be able to participate in this way through WNN and WUNRN. United Nations, we will be back.

Making art is more than intention: It’s about communicating with the self

(WNN) Santa Rosa, California, UNITED STATES, AMERICAS: In the global upsurge of world creatives finding their way to the camera, the canvas, the clay pots as a means of not only creating art but of healing themselves and the world, women are creating art as a tool for personal and collective transformation.

Women, regardless of income, heritage, or geography are intentionally seeking an experience with art-making as a way to recover from a history of violence, trauma and broken lives.

The impact of hardship for women worldwide often causes both men and women to silence ourselves as we no longer speak of what has happened to us or how it feels. Over time this impact continues to harm us and our choices unless we can find a way to express ourselves, to transform and release the damaging images we hold inside us. Often, the most damaged image for women is the one too many women hold of themselves.

CLICK HERE TO KEEP READING

***

As the kick off for a Global Tour of art making (more on this later) I am writing to you from the creative mecca of Toronto! I am here with my love Jonathan at the Gladstone Hotel and I am surrounded by art! How completely inspiring to be in an area, West Queen West that is filled with artistic beings! Tonight I meet with Effy Wild of Cosmic Cowgirls and other sisters from Red Madonna and the feeling of being globally connected is truly truly filling up my soul, with smiles. To follow more of what I am up to on a daily basis, find me on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/shiloh.mccloud and post what you are creating at https://www.facebook.com/Artist.Shiloh.Sophia

The Red Thread Cafe has traveled here to be a part of International Soul Art Day – you can join us LIVE tomorrow and create with us! In my suitcase I have 6 hats, 6 scarves, two pairs of cowgirl boots, a jar of varnish, a ball of red thread and a book of my poetry.

Sending you big red threads to connect us,

Shiloh Sophia

CALL TIMES: 12pst 3est

Dear Ones,

I am so excited to invite you to a wonderful conversation with Lys Anzia, the Founder of WNN – Women News Network. We have been in touch since the trip to the United Nations and have had wonderful conversations about self expression as a human right. We decided to share our thoughts with you in this free global tele-class – join us live or get the recording.

Shiloh Sophia

SIGN UP HERE

Freedom of expression is the cornerstone of all democratic rights and freedoms worldwide. Important to human dignity and acceptance, personal expression through the arts, our religious communities, social media, the internet and through activism as well as in all walks of life are key to building a better society. In its very first session in 1946, before any human rights declarations or treaties had been adopted, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 59(I) stating “Freedom of information is a fundamental human right and … the touchstone of all the freedoms to which the
United Nations is consecrated.”

Join us in this important talk covering how personal expression and human rights can build a better world.

Hosted by Mary MacDonald

]]> http://ourladyoftheredthread.com/2013/05/03/self-expression-your-human-right-a-free-global-tele-class/feed/ 0 shilohsophiahouse WNN Call Graphic 4 http://ourladyoftheredthread.com/2013/05/01/invoke-your-inner-mystic-paint-hildegard-von-bingen-with-me-and-100-women-in-may/ http://ourladyoftheredthread.com/2013/05/01/invoke-your-inner-mystic-paint-hildegard-von-bingen-with-me-and-100-women-in-may/#comments Wed, 01 May 2013 17:53:49 +0000 Shiloh Sophia http://ourladyoftheredthread.com/?p=3592 Read More →]]>

I am Wisdom. Mine is the blast of the resounding Word through which all creation came to be, and I quickened all things with my breath so that not one of them is mortal in its kind; for I am Life. Indeed I am Life, whole and undivided — not hewn from any stone, or budded from branches, or rooted in virile strength; but all that lives has its root in Me. For Wisdom is the root whose blossom is the resounding Word….

I flame above the beauty of the fields to signify the earth — the matter from which humanity was made. I shine in the waters to indicate the soul, for, as water suffuses the whole earth, the soul pervades the whole body. I burn in the sun and the moon to denote Wisdom, and the stars are the innumerable words of Wisdom.

The Holy Spirit as Caritas (Grace/World Soul & Wisdom/Creatrix) 
St. Hildegard von Bingen 

This month we are also exploring the Sephirah of Netzach in the Tree of Life as it is connected to our own gifts and those of our Mystic Saint Hildegard – Sign up to join us for $97 (try it out for a month and keep the download of the video)

I heard a voice saying to me, “This Lady whom you see is Love, who has Her dwelling place in eternity. When God wished to create the world, He leaned down, and with tender Love, provided all that was needed, as a parent prepares an inheritance for a child. And thus, in a mighty blaze the Lord ordained all His works.

Then creation recognized its Creator in its own forms and appearances. For in the beginning, when God said, “Let it be!” and it came to pass, the means and the Matrix of creation was Love, because all creation was formed through Her as in the twinkling of an eye.

The Holy Spirit as Sapientia (Wisdom/Creatrix)
St. Hildegard von Bingen

Painting by Maya Telford

Dear Ones,

True to San Francisco style – there is a Magdalene Weekend happening at the purple church called Her Church! I will joined there with many Cosmic Cowgirls and friends tomorrow  – I wouldn’t miss my dear Katie Ketchum in her one woman performance. There are TONS of Magdalene inspired paintings – including many by the Color of Woman Graduates. IF you are in the Bay Area this weekend, come on over and rock with us,

Shiloh

MARY MAGDALENE Weekend at HerChurch

April 27-28, will feature music, a poetry salon, art, dance, a scholar’s tête-à-tête and cabare!

Saturday at 2:00 PM in the A Woman’s Eye Gallery Annex, adjacent to herchurch, several poets will present their new work on Mary of Magdala.  The afternoon is curated by Poet Kit Kennedy and will include wine and finger food as well as conversation with the poets.  Judith Lavender Dancer will provide improvisational dance which will lead the gathering to and through a maze of original modern Magdalene Iconography.

Throughout the weekend this collection of modern depictions of Mary Magdalene, original works of art, will be displayed in the herchurch sanctuary.

 ART EXHIBITION “The Many Faces of the Magdalene”

Icons of Mary Magdalene by contemporary women artists

“Featured here are 21 paintings of the Magdalene by 18 women artists who engaged with Mary Magdalene and with their canvases with sacred intention. Many were blessed before, during and/or after creation. Some of these artists are professionals, and some have only recently claimed the title “artist.” Many did not experience a connection to Mary Magdalene before creating their paintings, while others have been in relationship with Her for years.

Among the artists are Christians, those on a Goddess path, priestesses of Isis, women with eclectic spirituality and those who rebuke religious labels all together. What we share is a connection to the Divine Feminine and to creating sacred art in Her honor.

Whatever your interpretation of the Magdalene, the enormity of her value is apparent in these sacred renderings. The medicine therein is palpable; the sanctuary virtually vibrates with it. Step into this sacred container and see the Divine Feminine in you, via Mary Magdalene, reflected back. May She reverberate in your soul. ”  Jennifer Mantle!

“THE MARY MAGDALENE STORIES“ a musical by Katie Ketchum presented by herchurch, Sunday April 28th at 2:00PM  An introduction by renowned Magdalene scholar and mythologist Kayleen Asbo.  Local scholars will be available for conversation during the reception.

Free-will offerings to go toward the “Mary Magdalene Opera Ticket Fund” which will help persons have the opportunity to attend the San Francisco World Primer Opera, by Mark Adamo, opening in June.

“THE MARY MAGDALENE STORIES” features Mary Magdalene in her many roles throughout herstory.  The play revolves around a modernized version of the Gospel of Mary of Magdala found in Egypt 100 years ago featuring the character “Marlene” a Rockabilly singer from the fifties.  Katie’s musical,  also includes a bevy of traditional biblical characters, and some not so traditional characters, including the Jewish follower, an Egyptian goddess initiate, the prostitute, and present day rapper, all passionately played by one person: Katie Ketchum.

Katie Ketchum is a multi-dimensional musician and artist working with the mediums of voice, piano, acting, composing, writing and painting. A National Endowment for the Arts recipient, Katie has recorded 16 albums of her compositions, written six plays with music and performed over 4,000 concerts  receiving critical acclaim and many standing ovations.  She has performed at many colleges and Universities including Boston University and Northwestern University.  She tours the east coast regularly with Cranberry Coast Concerts and is a featured performer and visual artist for herchurch in San Francisco.

herchurch (the purple church)

678 Portola Dr.  San Francisco, CA  94127

www.herchurch.org

Can you believe these organs called hands?

I am astonished at their useful beauty.

This morning I see my hands as if for the first time

for what they are. Tears come as I write this to you.

How grateful I am to have them to speak with

to love with, to write with, to craft soups with,

to pick roses with, to paint with.

To praise God with.

This morning as I spoke with my Love,

Jonathan

about hands over morning readings

and cups of sweet Saturday coffee,

we spoke about hands and tools -

I told him how I remember

people’s hands photographically – more

than faces or eyes, even. For years

and years I can see hands clearly -

including both of my grandmother’s hands.

I never knew that I was tracking hands in this way.

Stop now. And look at your own hands.

See them and praise them for

what they are for you.

Without

them we could not even grasp

the cup of tea. Or stitch the

world together with red threads.

In praise of hands

I live this day.

Shiloh Sophia

The hand is the essential organ of culture,

the initiator of humanization – Ernst Fischer