Comments on: About Her

By: Katie Ketchum

Katie Ketchum — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 16:25:27 +0000

Reading your new entries with my cup of tea in hand! I liked what you said about Jesus being the best “deal” after trying all the alternatives. That makes me giggle because I feel the same and like how off hand the wording is. I found the spool of thread in Mary’s hand fascinating too-thanks for showing us that. I brought multicultural chanting to herchurch to bring the faiths together and I respect all traditions, but I find the Christian tradition so rich in stories and imagery. One of my friends on facebook said there was nothing to seek, no where to go, nothing to find. If she interfaces in that way I send my blessing and respect. For me it is more interesting if there is an adventure, an image, a song, a heroines journey. And then there is of course that deep voice I hear from Christ and Magdalene. Some friends argue that the voice is really ourselves. All I know is that the “Voice” doesn’t usually sound like me. I noticed I was billed down at herchurch as a Priestess of Isis! Actually the day I was ordained a priestess by the Leader of the International Isis Foundation, Lady Olivia, the words that came out of my mouth were that I was here to restore Mary Magdalene as the founder of the first Christian church. Actually I am a priestess of Magdalene. I love your web sites and have offered them as a link on my new web site. Thanks for your art, writing and Color of Women Art Training. I find I’m vibrating at a different frequency as DJ would say.

By: Rene

Rene — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 18:20:40 +0000

Well no wonder the Mother speaks to you! The Orthodox church emphacizes her more. My mother was raised Greek Orthodox, but raised me in the watered down Protestant world of what she thought was the American version of the same religion. It’s a slightly different spiritual path and she didn’t figure that out until I was long gone and “grown up.” I might have stayed within Christianity if that had been the version I grew up in. Holy mystery speaks to me more than the dry (to me) discourse of Protestant services. WASP ones, at least.

One odd thing I discovered in my lifelong reading of the world’s spiritual paths: The myth of Isis and Osiris, which existed long before Christianity, had many many images of a large goddess holding a tiny manchild. This image was created out of the tradition and understanding of the Divine Mother in the same region as the birth of Christianity. Paul, himself, was born and raised in the 2nd largest Jewish community of his world: Alexandria, Egypt.

I think it’s fascinating that the iconic art of the Orthodox church depicts Mary and Jesus the same way ancient Egypt depicted the male and female aspects of the divine.

I hope I didn’t offend anyone. I surely didn’t mean to

By: Katie Ketchum

Katie Ketchum — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:32:17 +0000

Thank you Shiloh for your inspiring painting, faith and writing!
When anyone is negative about following the path of artistry, I mention your name and your success! The positive energy you have created around creativity brings peace.
When I am a guest soloist in San Francisco at herchurch I look at your painting on the altar and am inspired. I have taken many friends on pilgrimages to your gallery. I have been a singer/pianist/composer/artist/playwright all my life and yet reading your stories of faith, love and creativity are sparks that compel me to “go deeper” within. They challenge me to follow my deepest mission. Thank you.

By: Wild Iris Rose

Wild Iris Rose — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 23:48:52 +0000

Hi Shiloh…I attended the Big Dream Cafe tea party today and was thrilled to hear Shakti’s voice, again. “C.V.” was my first step into that “other realm” of non-ordinary thinking/believing in ordinary reality back in ’87. Thank you for the reunion. I intend to join the 30 day Spark! Just found out I have to move (again) so rather wrapped up in that. But there are paintings to be finished and a growing business to nurture so I command my new next to manifest NOW!!!

I so enjoy being connected to you and the gals and THE WORK. I met you years ago when I was caretaker @ Hearts & Hands in Mendo. I was also a friend of Lynn Butler’s and came to her show at your studio.

Blessings….Wild Iris

P.S. My credo is: “I imagine, I believe, I create.”

By: tmcferran

tmcferran — Mon, 03 May 2010 09:34:30 +0000

It is refreshing to find a gifted, creative, “wild woman” who is willing to openly share her Christianity with all of us. Fantabulous!!!

By: Anna Sophia

Anna Sophia — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:15:57 +0000

Dearest Shiloh,

I never knew there were others like me until my friend directed me to your blog. I was chrismated this past Pascha, and am very much like you in all other ways as well. I’d love to correspond with you and share our journeys, if that would be all right with you. I have loved your art for a long, long time, never knowing how alike we had become. Praised be.

Thankful to meet you,
In the Theotokos,
Anna Sophia

By: gypsygrl24

gypsygrl24 — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:14:31 +0000

Dearest Shiloh,

I wrote about you in my journal today. I asked the question what it would be like if you had never owned your power and chose NOT to show up to do and BE what you were made to DO and BE: to create. To create breathtaking, life changing work with your paintbrush and with your words.

And to inspire.

When I was 20, I wrote my own mission statement. It read,
“My mission is to heal, promote, and inspire recovery within women.”

Today at 25, I know that this mission has not changed. But for 5 years, this mission has been sitting around waiting for me to give it a hearty answer: a sturdy yes or a firm no.

How could I say not to being in alignment with what The Universe has planned for me to do? I have my read thread from the Cosmic Cowgirls Conference hanging in my apartment. Perhaps it is time to slip it back on my wrist,
utilize the purple crayon, and show up.

Showing up and staying when it gets choppy, boring, or instant gratification is nowhere in sight is the hard part.

Too many times I have collapsed in fear of who I was made to be. Its a large responsibility to create. It requires guts, faith, and unwavering effort. And falling.

But as someone close to me pointed out this week: what would happen if Sue Monk Kidd, Sark, or Oriah Mountain Dreamer decided NOT to own their power? What if my therapists whose support pulled me through, decided they just didn’t want to do the hard work? Where would I be?

Still sick.

I choose to write. To create. To live in alignment with The Universe. And NOW. I choose NOW. Not 20 years from now when I think there will be more money or time or I will be smarter and more knowledgeable. I choose….NOW.

Love and dark chocolate,

Megan Okkerse

P.S. I saw one of your paintings in a friends house here in North Carolina the other day. I cried.