An Eye On Intentional Creativity:: Guild Gathering

McMinnville, Oregon

In 2018 our teacher, Shiloh Sophia revived the medieval practice of gathering those who have developed proficiency in an art of trade, into a guild of Journeywomen. Our preparation includes the yearlong Color of Woman Teacher training in Intentional Creativity, completing our thesis, and creating our initiate book summarizing assignments and offerings we’ve given. There are now over 250 Guild members worldwide. Check our Directory for someone near you! 

Nearly 20 Guild Gals currently live in Oregon and Southern Washington, and several of us met for the first time in classes, at graduation, during travels, or in an in-person gathering. In November, I invited the local gals to a gathering at the studio in MECA Gallery, McMinnville Center for the Arts. We set it for the afternoon, and Jan from Southern Washington, 3 hours away, chose to stay overnight! 

While we use red thread in circles when gathering with students and beloveds in our broader community, we use a Purple Thread of Leadership when meeting with other Guild members. I’ve shared purple thread with several SiStars as they traveled through Oregon, weaving strands of connection. It is always a delight when we gather, and this was no exception!

We shared chocolate and tea, warmth and SiStarhood. Our Muses must have consulted, as our the colors we wore were delightfully coordinated! We passed the thread, shared insights from our year and dreams for the future. We planned to share a Metacognitive drawing practice, (Uma is taking the Motherboard Training), but after our check-in round we just kept talking! We talked, laughed, commiserated, until we finally said our find goodbyes, with a stronger sense of connection and sisterhood.

We’ve made plans to meet again quarterly, likely in Portland or Olympia. Each time we’re together, in person or virtually, the connections strengthen, We’re just a thread away…

I used the purple yarn from this and other circles with my Guild SiStars to crochet this little cuff bracelet. It’s both decorative and a wonderful reminder I can just give a tug, and the support and love from my sisters is on the other end!