The Wheel turns, and it’s New Year’s Eve once again.

I spent Christmas week down with a bad cold. Once I surrendered to it, I began to enjoy the deep rest. I read, napped, and watched old seasons of Downton Abbey on my iPad. I wasn’t online much and didn’t even pick up my phone-camera. I curled up on the sofa, sinking into the dark stormy days and long nights lit with candles and twinkle lights, while others bustled around me making Yuletide meals. I wish we could all give ourselves that kind of rest without first getting sick.

This week, I’ve been immersed in making art, putting in long, joyful days at my drawing table. Somewhere in there I managed to look back at 2015 and do my annual life review.

2015 was a pretty great year for me. I woke up every day thankful for good health, for my home, for the closeness between my husband and me, for my friends and community, for the work I am honored to do in the world. There were no major upsets this year — no new grief, no new trauma. In some ways, 2015 was a “golden year,” one of those years you look back on with a contented sigh, because it was so beautiful. I’ve lived long enough by now to know not to take such periods for granted, because they never last. Some kind of challenge always comes along, it seems, to shift and change the pattern of our days. And so I hold every golden day close to my heart.

And yet — it would be wrong of me to live in fear, asking myself: How long can this possibly last? — as I am often tempted to do.

Instead, I am practicing trust. I am trusting that this golden time, and the way I have savored it and honored it, is the foundation and launching pad for whatever comes next.

My key goal for 2015 was to finish the manuscript of a book I had been working on since late 2012, with the working title Wheel of a Woman’s Life. I didn’t finish it by April, my original goal, but I did finish it by the end of August. Hooray! It is sitting and marinating now, awaiting revision, as I work on the art for the book (see a sample here) and write the book proposal.

It became very clear to me in 2015 that I want to shift the focus of my work life away from services (reading, teaching, etc) to products (creating more art, books, decks). It feels like I have this creative fire burning in my belly that just wants to erupt after too many years of being tamped down. This realization — as well as a summer away from teaching, that allowed me to finish writing my book — led me to commit to three new major projects: 1) Wheel of a Woman’s Life manuscript, art, and book proposal; 2) a new majors-only tarot deck done in beeswax collage; and 3) a new tarot deck that I’m creating in collaboration with a friend. It’s still under wraps; we’re not quite ready to unveil it and show people what we’re working on.

My key goals for 2016 are to 1) finish the manuscript, art, and book proposal for the Wheel book  and find a publisher; 2) finish the majors-only tarot deck and self-publish it; and 3) finish the artwork for at least half, if not more, of the 78 cards in the new deck.

When I mapped out my calendar for 2016 — a true act of magic — I gave large swatches to time (at least two weeks a month) to art-making time. This feels very daring to me! And very exciting.  I will continue to teach my online courses and lead retreats (also the work of my heart), but this year, making art is in the top priority slot.

So may it be!

Looking Back at 2015 . . .

January
Planned out the year, giving lots of space and time to the Writing Muse.
Created first 30 Day ecourse, “30 Days of Brigid.” Thrilled with the response.
Worked on Wheel book.
Did the Whole30 food program. Felt great.

February
Created first Sacred Art video course, “Lady of the Radiant Flame: Make a Mixed Media Prayer Painting (Icon) for Brigid.”
Worked on Wheel book.
Created a tarot art video course, “Personal Tarot Icon,” for 21 Secrets.

March
Hosted Gaian Soul Retreat with Lyn Belisle at our beloved Aldermarsh.
Loved learning mixed media techniques from Lyn.
Welcomed Spring with lots of walks around the island.
Created “30 Days of Persephone’s Return.”
Worked on Wheel book.

April
Replanted, restored my herb garden at Heron House.
My mother-in-law died in Spokane. We sat vigil at her bedside for her last days.
Visited granddaughter Grace in Maine. We made lots of art together!
Went to the Readers Studio in New York after an absence of several years. Had a truly wonderful time.
Created “30 Days of Bringing in the May.”

May
Played with beeswax collage.
Gave birth to ideas for two new tarot decks.
Created a video class on making Spirit Dolls for Bri Saussy’s Spinning Gold course.
Worked on Wheel book.

June
Hosted EarthDreaming Retreat with James Wells at Aldermarsh, my first retreat for both women and men. It was lovely.
Co-hosted the best Summer Solstice celebration ever.
Worked on Wheel book.
Signed contract with Schiffer Books for new edition of Gaian Tarot, to be released in March 2016. Edited book and art files for them.
Started work on a new tarot deck with a collaborator. Keeping it mum.

July
Worked on Wheel book.
Met with collaborator once a week to work on new deck.
Spent a lot of time outdoors, with friends or alone. Went to the beach a lot. A perfect island summer.
Bought a bike!  Went bike riding around the island every day.
Took online encaustic (beeswax collage) class.
Did the Whole30 food program again with two friends, and had weekly Whole30 potlucks. Really fun and tasty.

August
Continued meeting with collaborator once a week to work on new deck.
Went to BATS and gave a talk that was well-received on “Reading the Book of Nature.” Had a grand time.
Rode my bike a lot and spent as much time outdoors as possible.
Finished!!! the manuscript of Wheel book and sent it off to my writing mentor for feedback.

September
Hosted Gaian Soul Retreat at Aldermarsh. Lovely, as always.
Created “30 Days of Harvest.”
Continued meeting with collaborator once a week to work on new deck.
Created first card for the new tarot deck.
Delighted in island life and spent a lot of time outdoors.
Created videos for new online course on making Ancestor Prayer Cards.

October
Visted Grace in Maine.
Visited Lyn Belisle in San Antonio and had three days of one-on-one tutoring from her in beeswax collage. This was beyond fun!
Went to Padre Island with Lisa Blinn for a mini-retreat. Love those Gulf waters.
Created “30 Days of Hecate.”  Gobsmacked by response, as over 400 people registered for it. Created a Facebook group for the class on request, which became very active and very healing for those who participated in ti.
Taught the Ancestor Prayer Card class.
Continued meeting with collaborator to work on new deck.

November
Created art for the Wheel book, “Dark Madonna & Daughter.”
Found myself “called” by Guadalupe, the Blessed Mother. Began a new devotional practice.
Continued meeting with collaborator to work on new deck.
Made plans for 2016:  Key priority is making art!

December
My devotion to the Blessed Mother grew.
Created “30 Days of Yule.” Wonderful response to it.
Hosted three holiday gatherings at my home.
Felt very nourished by the dark days and long nights.
Created three more cards for the new tarot deck.

I hope (as we all hope) to have another golden, blessed 2016.

May your New Year be full of good health, prosperity, and soul-shaking joy!

So shall it be!