New Moon Solar Eclipse in Scorpio: Rebirth

BY SHERENE SCHOSTAK OCTOBER 31, 2013 11:03 AM EST

On November 3, a new Moon solar eclipse will occur in the passionate waters of Scorpio. This lunar event ties back to themes from last April's eclipse, and is right on the heels of the fourth Uranus-Pluto (exact) square.

Our hearts are being split open -- one way or another. We're learning the value of loyalty and devotion. Everything is shifting at a rate our psyches and bodies can barely contain. No wonder everyone is feeling beyond exhausted, weary and dead. We're all coming out of some sort of chrysalis. Themes of passion, death, rebirth, power, jealousy, transformation, taxes, debt, secrets, shadow and seduction abound.

There is something incredibly magnetic and hypnotic about the current Scorpio planetary immersion. At the time of this new Moon eclipse, we have the Sun, Moon, Mercury (still retrograde), Saturn and the North Node all pushing into our own shadowy depths. Scorpio always brings a do-or-die, all-or-nothing energy to the mix, so it’s best not to half-ass anything right now.

If you're heart and soul cannot commit all the way, step to the sidelines. We're being asked what makes us burn? Where do we blaze? What sets us on fire? What would we die for? There's such a deep level of potential renewal going on at the moment that it should be easy -- if not mandatory -- to let go.

In fact, this is one of the gifts of Scorpio: the beauty of release. What are you clinging to and why? Why cling to something (or someone) that no longer serves your highest? If there's no hope of transforming to the next level, better to relinquish the grip. Prepare for the rebirth!

Furlough

In our Absence is Presence
Finding light in our darkness,
In our despair, hope.

After two years of rediscovering myself, my work, my life, I am finally comfortable putting it out there again.  It has been a journey, nonetheless, and I am feeling energized about the future.  Learning how to own my creativity has been the hardest part for me, always evolving, not sure what to coin "MY STYLE".  Patterns, shapes, sizes, colors, themes, so many variables with ceramics.  Here are just a few snippets of what I have been working on the past two years...

This technique is called Mishima, which is essentially done by etching the surface of greenware body and applying an underglaze.  Once the underglaze has dried, you wipe it off with a damp sponge exposing only the carved surface.  While I really like the end result, it is very tedious work and room for error on the artwork is minimal.

Which led me to the next technique, Sgraffito.  This process is done by scratching thru the underglaze to expose the white stoneware, allowing more freedom of the pen.  Really enjoy this process, very cathartic and expressive for me.