tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24203914480939254092024-03-04T21:37:30.446-08:00Spirit & SolThe journey and art of Catie Atkinson, capturing the beauty and spirit of birth and beyond.Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-29867735067782600882016-05-09T07:43:00.002-07:002016-05-09T07:43:52.000-07:00Growing & Glowing Pregnancy Ecourse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pnaQ4Ycg07g/VzChQn0PgOI/AAAAAAAAKM4/OenS4077c90kWOQl39RO1GWPCS3Ooa1WwCLcB/s1600/small_growingandglowingmain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pnaQ4Ycg07g/VzChQn0PgOI/AAAAAAAAKM4/OenS4077c90kWOQl39RO1GWPCS3Ooa1WwCLcB/s400/small_growingandglowingmain.jpg" width="342" /></a></div>
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After many moons of work, I'm so happy to announce that the <a href="https://coursecraft.net/courses/z9Qnz" target="_blank">Growing & Glowing Pregnancy Ecourse</a> is now open for enrollment! Created by myself, Stepha Lawson (@doulascienceandsoul) and Genevieve Slonim (@genevieve.family), this course is truly a heart offering.<br />
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Packed with soul wisdom from our two doulas, plus engaging journaling prompts, printable playsheets, creative art activities, guided audio meditations, and a relaxing prenatal yoga class, this self-paced E-course will keep you excited and engaged.<br />
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<inline style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #31859b;">This course was created to celebrate you on your journey to motherhood and help you get in touch with your own strength and power and wild potency.</inline></div>
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Whether you’re planning to give birth at a hospital, birth center, or at home (or if you’re unsure!) you will find relevant information and activities here that will prepare you for your journey to motherhood.</div>
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Pregnancy is a time of deep radical change and transformation. Cross-culturally, many social groups do not consider a girl a woman until after she has given birth. As you begin to shed your identity of “maiden” and move into the role of “mother” you begin to experience that sincere force to become someone completely new. Graced by the significant and fierce capacity to merge into the being the woman you have always envisioned. <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />You have a chance to examine old baggage, beliefs and values you are holding onto and unravel how they are helping you or not. You have a chance to let go of those that cease to serve.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Preparing for birth and motherhood often brings us face to face with deep and heavy fears. If we face these fears with mindfulness and awareness, learn to work with fear as a trusted ally, we can use them to illuminate our path and to make us stronger mothers. </div>
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We all experience pregnancy in different ways, and each pregnancy can vary. You may be over the moon with joy and excitement, or you may be anxious and have mixed feelings about the big changes ahead. Your pregnancy may have been planned and much awaited, or it may have been a complete (and overwhelming!) surprise. This may be your first baby, or it may be your fifth. </div>
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We can't wait to hear your feedback and support you through this course! You can share your journey with us by tagging @spiritysol @doulascienceandsoul and @genevieve love and using the tag #growingandglowing </div>
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Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-30984839028827194982016-04-18T12:28:00.000-07:002016-04-18T12:28:07.209-07:00SPRING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Spring is here and I've got babies and bellies and blossoms on my mind!!</div>
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<br />Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-22340172949056871022016-02-21T09:41:00.000-08:002016-02-21T09:41:02.494-08:00MOON CALENDAR PLAYSHEET// FREE DOWNLOAD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I recently created this moon calendar playsheet to track my physical and emotional shifts throughout the month-- and I thought it would be fun to share with you. </div>
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When I was recovering from my first miscarriage a few years ago and trying to get pregnant with Tai, I became very focused on the moon cycles. I would spend a few minutes outside every evening, letting my body sync with mama moon. Watching the moon change made feel more connected to the cycles of growth, death, and rebirth in the natural world. After a month or two of simply tuning in to the moon, my cycles regulated-- I began to ovulate on the full moon and bleed at the new moon. And a few months later, I became pregnant with Tai!</div>
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While I'm not currently trying to get pregnant, I am hoping to reconnect with mama moon and tune in to her influence on my energy levels, moods, and heart feels. I'm excited to see if any patterns emerge over the months!</div>
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If you'd like to track your own moods and physical manifestations of the moon power, simply download and print the playsheet below. (Left click, "Save" and the print.)</div>
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Begin by filling in the dates for the moon phases of the month. (You can google these pretty easily.) </div>
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To track your emotions---use the moons at the bottom of the page as a key. Label each with a different emotion that you commonly feel and color each with a shade that you associate with this feeling. At the end of each day, color a moon in the middle circle with the color of the feeling that marked your day. </div>
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To track physical changes and bleeding cycles, color in the moons in the inner circle on the days that you bleed. If you're currently not bleeding due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, hormonal birth control, or other health factors, use the inner circle of moons to track your energy levels. </div>
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I'd love to see how you're using your moon playsheet! Share with us on Instagram by tagging me (@spiritysol.) Enjoy!</div>
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<br />Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-50630818689763011672016-01-21T11:19:00.003-08:002016-01-21T11:19:45.664-08:00COLORING BOOK COVER HELPThe Spirit&Sol coloring book is so close to being done-- but I need help with the cover! Do you want to see your art on the front of a birthy/goddessy coloring book?? If so-- download this coloring sheet, give it some colorful love, and then email it to me at catieatkinson@hotmail.com. I'll choose my favorite image for the front of the new coloring book-- and the winner will get a free copy!<br />
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Please send all images by Sunday 1/24 and include your name (and IG name, if you have one.)<br />
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(And here's the small print for legal purposes......By submitting the coloring sheet to me via email, you agree to have your artwork printed on the cover of the Spirit&Sol coloring book. Winner will receive one free copy of the coloring book but no monetary compensation nor proceeds from the coloring book. Coloring sheet is for personal use and may not be reproduced, copied, or shared without permission.)Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-20468692088385489382016-01-18T13:16:00.000-08:002016-01-18T13:16:04.952-08:00SOMETHING BIG IS COMING!For many months now, I've been working on a big project that I'll be releasing on the next full moon (Jan 23rd.) Are you on the edge of your seat? Is the suspense killing you?? Drumroll please.......<div>
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GROWING & GLOWING: The Goddess's Guide to Peaceful Pregnancy and Blissful Birth</div>
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What is this, you ask? Growing and Glowing is an ecourse designed to celebrate the journey from maiden to mother. Through journaling prompts, written content, art projects, rituals, activities, exercises, guided meditations and more, expecting mamas are invited to dive deeper into the experience of pregnancy and prepare for a peaceful, powerful birth.</div>
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A few examples of the topics covered:</div>
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"Incorporating Self Care into Your Daily Life"</div>
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"Using Fear to Illuminate Your Path"</div>
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"Reframing Your Beliefs About Pain"</div>
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"Practices for Postpartum Wellness"</div>
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This course was designed to engage, inspire, and promote growth through art projects, guided meditations, movement exercises, recipes, and thought provoking invitations to dive deeper into th experience. </div>
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The course also comes with:</div>
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-3 guided audio meditations that you can download to your phone </div>
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-10 coloring sheets that you can print out</div>
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-4 full color birth affirmation posters to download and print</div>
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-an illustrated guide to labor positions </div>
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-6 "playsheets" for fun self exploration</div>
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-a printable birth plan that you can customize </div>
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-an extensive resource guide with books, websites, and videos on peaceful, powerful birth</div>
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-2 prenatal yoga classes that can be done at any point during your pregnancy</div>
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Still have questions??</div>
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FAQS</div>
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How long is the course?</div>
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This course is self paced, meaning that you can spend as much time as you want to complete it. How long it takes will depend on where you are in your pregnancy and how deeply you choose to engage with the content. </div>
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How do I use it?</div>
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You can use this course however you like! You may want to set aside a special time each week for "classes" or you may just want to drop in to the website whenever you feel like it. </div>
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What is covered?</div>
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This course focuses on the spiritual and emotional aspects of pregnancy and birth. We explore our beliefs about birth, our fears, our hopes, and our expectations. The course also covers information on self care, hiring a doula, creating a birth plan, partnership, preparing for the postpartum period, and more. There are visual guides for labor positions and babywearing tips, information about managing stress, and pain management tools and techniques. </div>
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What is not covered?</div>
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This is not a childbirth education course. While there is some information on the technical aspects of birth (such as labor positions and pain management) this course does not cover the developmental process of pregnancy, the stages of labor, or "what to expect when you're expecting." Most mothers will want to supplement the info in this course with books about pregnancy and birth and/or a childbirth education course (recommendations for these are listed in the resources section of this course.)</div>
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I'm planning on having a cesarean section-- is this course for me?</div>
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YES! This course is for any mother, planning any kind of birth (or even those who don't know what kind of birth they want!) The focus of this course is on preparing ourselves for a peaceful and powerful birth-- however and wherever it takes place. </div>
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Is this course for me?</div>
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If you are a pregnant mama looking to dive deeper into the experience of pregnancy and prepare for a blissful, empowering birth, than this course is for you! </div>
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Who is this course NOT for?</div>
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This course is not for you if you are not interested in getting in touch with your spiritual/emotional self or if you aren't interested in self exploration and growth. </div>
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What do I need to complete this course?</div>
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All you need to complete this course is an open mind and heart. You'll also probably want to have a journal on hand, as well as a few simple art supplies and access to a printer, but those things are all optional. :)</div>
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How much does it cost?</div>
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The course is $40- and I promise to make it every penny! :) </div>
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Ready to sign up?? I'll be opening registration on January 23rd-- please keep an eye on our FB and Instagram page for the official registration announcement. </div>
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Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-44989498540260653532015-11-03T13:51:00.001-08:002015-11-03T13:51:17.613-08:002016 CALENDAR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The 2016 calendar is now available! </div>
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( You can<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/252138719/2016-calendar-preorder-birth-art?ref=shop_home_active_5" target="_blank"> order it here</a> )</div>
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Here's a peak at what's inside</div>
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<br />Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-59690827428926255272015-08-03T20:25:00.001-07:002015-08-03T20:25:41.499-07:00WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEKIn honor of World Breastfeeding Week, I'll be sharing some of my favorite breastfeeding paintings this week, along with some photos and my own journey breastfeeding my two sons.<br />
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It's no secret that I love breastfeeding :D -- if you're familiar with my art, you know that many of the paintings I do feature mamas nursing their little ones. To me, there's nothing more beautiful than the intimate connection and bond between a mother and her child, and the breastfeeding relationship highlights this love.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTFYv4TfDWymzUEU_QQzKxF23UGz6FiGqCpZSiyDA6qy9iNRSvtGUyJsYv1gJVlhMleBRxMErg0htMffExemnQjPT9D0YOOwngpClyV4qkttXQjsj5knHjuYDEfUILINZqTFDAOMuyC6F/s1600/DSC_0662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="breastfeeding art spiritysol Catie Atkinson" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTFYv4TfDWymzUEU_QQzKxF23UGz6FiGqCpZSiyDA6qy9iNRSvtGUyJsYv1gJVlhMleBRxMErg0htMffExemnQjPT9D0YOOwngpClyV4qkttXQjsj5knHjuYDEfUILINZqTFDAOMuyC6F/s640/DSC_0662.JPG" title="breastfeeding art spiritysol Catie Atkinson" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PXGRfjnkhbs/VcAuGk0_wXI/AAAAAAAAKDc/Y1l5rie4WEc/s1600/DSC_0761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="breastfeeding art spiritysol Catie Atkinson black mamas breastfeed" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PXGRfjnkhbs/VcAuGk0_wXI/AAAAAAAAKDc/Y1l5rie4WEc/s640/DSC_0761.JPG" title="breastfeeding art spiritysol Catie Atkinson black mamas breastfeed" width="484" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-snxjrAl6AJc/VcAuGqjHmuI/AAAAAAAAKDY/tvR5ZQdgHtI/s1600/DSC_0780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="breastfeeding art spiritysol Catie Atkinson" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-snxjrAl6AJc/VcAuGqjHmuI/AAAAAAAAKDY/tvR5ZQdgHtI/s640/DSC_0780.JPG" title="breastfeeding art spiritysol Catie Atkinson" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7b42uSY_eSQ/VcAuHX2t2OI/AAAAAAAAKDo/RyUMpHh8o34/s1600/DSC_0782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="breastfeeding art spiritysol Catie Atkinson" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7b42uSY_eSQ/VcAuHX2t2OI/AAAAAAAAKDo/RyUMpHh8o34/s640/DSC_0782.JPG" title="breastfeeding art spiritysol Catie Atkinson" width="491" /></a></div>
<br />Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-64473214168168778162015-08-02T15:33:00.000-07:002015-08-02T15:33:55.285-07:00BLUE MOON<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oEfnPRXAe5k/Vb6X0LU1JkI/AAAAAAAAKDA/qykbz-iQwew/s1600/bluemoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="blue moon dancing goddess art Spiritysol Catie Atkinson" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oEfnPRXAe5k/Vb6X0LU1JkI/AAAAAAAAKDA/qykbz-iQwew/s640/bluemoon.jpg" title="blue moon dancing goddess art Spiritysol Catie Atkinson" width="640" /></a></div>
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Happy blue moon mamas! I hope you've celebrated with deep cleansing and releasing-- tuning in to your soul's desires and showering yourself in love and reverence. My sister Naomi Grace has recorded the sweetest of rituals for us over on <a href="https://soundcloud.com/tribedemama" target="_blank">Tribe de Mama</a>--- grab a pen and paper, clear some time for yourself, and let Naomi's words massage your soul and you bask in the bright light of the powerful blue moon. <3 <3 <3Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-59058942695848652982015-07-17T16:00:00.001-07:002015-07-17T16:00:51.154-07:00BIRTHING STONES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tai and I always collect cool rocks while we're out on walks, so I have a big collection of beautiful river stones lying around. Today I got inspired to paint them as "birthing stones". At my blessingway, I was given a beautiful piece of jade that I kept with me through the end of my pregnancy. Every time I felt worried or anxious, I would hold the stone in my hand and rub my is smooth surface. Something about the gentle weight of the stone in my fist was very soothing-- I felt grounded and connected to the earth when I held it. </div>
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Each of these stones was created to do the same---center, ground, and connect you with the earth and with your inner power. They make great meditation stones throughout pregnancy and fit perfectly in your fist to grip during labor (and give your partner's hand a break!) Each stone is one of a kind with a unique handpainted image of a birthing goddess and a powerful mantra on the back. And as I painted each, I sent thoughts for peaceful and powerful labors to the mamas who will hold them in their hands. </div>
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<br />Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-70556347281840303562015-07-09T14:23:00.001-07:002015-07-09T14:23:15.871-07:00MUSHROOM MAGIC COLORING PAGE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had lots of fun drawing this mushroom fairy wonderland so I thought I'd share it with you-- just download, print, and color away!! Share with us on Instagram by tagging me (@spiritysol) and #mamasmakingart Have fun!!</div>
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<br />Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-51010563382551803212015-07-02T13:34:00.000-07:002015-07-02T13:34:09.249-07:00NEW PIECES// JUNE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
June was wild and busy and fast. We celebrated Koa's birthday and I poured my heart into painting, in hopes of capturing this beautiful chapter of my life-- sweet summer as the mama of two little ones (who are growing faster than I can handle.)</div>
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<br />Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-14050748841760117672015-06-23T14:26:00.000-07:002015-06-23T14:26:39.118-07:00FLOWER BATHS AND SUMMER LOVE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Summer is here-- bringing with it long, warm days and evenings spent soaking in a cool bath with my little one. Is there anything better than a flower bath with a babe??</div>
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Koa's birthday came and went and I found myself deep in a haze of nostalgia. The smells and sensations of summer sent me right back to a year ago-- to his peaceful arrival earthside and the glorious days afterwards when everything was new and bright and raw. </div>
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Summer is for loving. And for new babes. And for long baths and soaking up all the sweetness that life puts on our plates. <3</div>
Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-58318154950312448622015-06-13T10:38:00.001-07:002015-06-13T10:38:28.879-07:00HONORING ALL BIRTH EXPERIENCESThese thoughts have been bouncing around in my head for a long time now, so I figured it was time to put them down on paper.<br />
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I strongly believe that birth is a natural process and that our bodies know how to bring our babies into the world without interference. I believe that most of us are able to have safe births without any need for medical intervention. And I also believe that c-sections are invaluable, life-saving operations that can be necessary to ensure the safety of mama and babe. I am grateful for our access to this procedure and for all of the lives it has saved.<br />
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I've long felt that the natural birth movement needs to work harder to honor all birth experiences. In our quest to break down the culture of fear and de-medicalize birth, we must be careful not to demonize c-sections, thereby marginalizing and demoralizing the mothers who deliver their babies this way (whether by choice or necessity.) We need to shatter the illusion of a hierarchy of birth, in which natural, unmedicated birth is put on a pedestal and any experience that falls short of this is viewed as a failure. Wherever and however birth takes place, it is a sacred event that requires tremendous strength and surrender.<br />
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Rising c-section rates make me angry because they point to an increased attitude of fear surrounding birth in this country. Women have long been led to believe that birth is a medical emergency, requiring constant monitoring and intervention by a team of nurses and doctors. We have subtly been force-fed the belief that our bodies are not capable-- that we must trust medical professionals with the task work of birthing our babies. And these medical professionals are often so intertwined with legal teams and insurance companies and pharmaceutical corporations that they don't always have a mama's best interest at heart.<br />
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I am angry at the system that has led to a csection rate of 30% in this country. But I have only the utmost respect and admiration for the mothers who have birthed their babies via csection. I honor every mother's experience-- whether she births unassisted on her bedroom floor, chooses to have a scheduled c-section, or anything in between. My dream is for every woman to begin her journey of motherhood feeling supported and empowered.<br />
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While it may seem like pulling in opposite directions, I very much believe in our ability to champion natural birth while also honoring all birth experiences. We can celebrate, honor, and support mothers who deliver via csection without supporting the system that promotes fear-based birth.<br />
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My goals, as part of the natural birth movement, are to:<br />
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* Transform the attitude of fear that surrounds birth in our country,<br />
* Encourage and empower women to trust their bodies, strength and the process of birth<br />
* Change the outdated practices, so common in many hospitals, that lead to a spiral of intervention and unnecessary c-sections. Make hospitals more birth-friendly--- allow mamas to eat, drink, and move freely throughout labor and to deliver in the position of their choice. Limit monitoring and respect the unpredicable timeline of natural birth. Encourage doula-attended births.<br />
* Make c-cestion (and all hospital births) more gentle and "mama-centered". Allow mothers to witness the procedure and ensure immediate skin-to-skin time (whenever possible.) Make sure that the mama's hands are not strapped down and that IV lines are put into her non-dominant hand so that she can hold the baby.<br />
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Thank you for reading, if you made it this far!!<br />
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<br />Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-45153251182398349892015-06-06T13:48:00.002-07:002015-06-06T13:48:32.189-07:00TRUST THE JOURNEY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<<Trust that the journey will take you exactly were you need to be>> </div>
<br />Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-37762296126052838532015-05-20T09:06:00.003-07:002015-05-20T09:06:32.570-07:00FREE COLORING PAGES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm working on a pack of coloring pages and thought I'd share a few of them here. I've always found coloring to be a very calming, meditative activity-- it settles my mind and gets my creativity flowing when I'm feeling anxious or stuck. And of course, kids love coloring too!Tai and I color a lot together-- I find that when we're both busy with markers in our hands, conversation flows freely and we're both able to open up and connect. These coloring pages are all pregnancy/birth related and would make a great way to open up the conversation of where babies come from and help soon-to-be siblings transition into their new role. I hope other mamas find these coloring pages to be fun and calming-- they'd also make a great activity for your little ones while they wait at the doctor or midwife's office with you!</div>
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Just download, print, and color away!! I would LOVE to see your finished work-- please share them with us on Instagram or Facebook with the tag #spiritysol</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2rwXDaMlORI/VVyu-EzFHWI/AAAAAAAAJvY/g18VRveB5mo/s1600/coloring4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2rwXDaMlORI/VVyu-EzFHWI/AAAAAAAAJvY/g18VRveB5mo/s640/coloring4.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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*These images are for personal use only. Please do not copy or distribute.</div>
<br />Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-81021383024745205512015-05-19T14:02:00.001-07:002015-05-19T14:02:10.019-07:00ROAR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mama, you are a lioness! You are a powerful, glorious, birthing goddess and your strength can move mountains. Stand in your power. Sing, moan, yell, rock, dance, squat-- follow your body's lead. Rip your hospital gown off and dance on the exam table if that's what you feel called to do. You are a volcano and sunshine. Beautiful. Powerful. And about to do the hardest job on earth. Let it all out mama! Connect with the infinite source of strength within you and ROAR!!! </div>
Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-24499891238842917802015-05-17T16:30:00.001-07:002015-05-17T16:30:26.242-07:00WELCOME<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0jrTJiEZCgk/VVkkBY4yPvI/AAAAAAAAJuU/-bW3ErsCHo8/s1600/logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0jrTJiEZCgk/VVkkBY4yPvI/AAAAAAAAJuU/-bW3ErsCHo8/s320/logo.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
I've been working on a logo for a wonderful midwife-- birth workers are my favorite clients because I get to paint what I'm most passionate about!Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-61900072784964513542015-05-04T20:08:00.000-07:002015-05-04T20:08:09.213-07:00ZEN <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbrawqdouj8/VTemWazffYI/AAAAAAAAJo0/9h4pDCMPeKo/s1600/DSC_0583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbrawqdouj8/VTemWazffYI/AAAAAAAAJo0/9h4pDCMPeKo/s1600/DSC_0583.JPG" width="634" /></a></div>
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"The power and intensity of your contractions cannot be stronger than you, because it is you" - Unknown</div>
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Birth can be our greatest meditation-- the most intense and demanding experience of surrender. When we give in to the waves and rushes-- when we allow ourselves to become one with them-- we also become one with our own strength. Our bodies instinctively know how to birth-- our hardest job is to give in to that knowledge, to quiet our mind and let our body take the lead. </div>
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There is a state in birth where we seem to disappear--we become one with the energy of the moment and the infinite chain of birthing mothers. We are both deeply inside ourselves and also floating somewhere above, witness to the unfolding events. </div>
<br />Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-69797008278753489592015-05-03T06:05:00.002-07:002015-05-03T06:05:33.156-07:00FULL MOON// MAY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EpdNnm-Fboz9k6L2-QLQRIserSqQRxqV4czbSXFLg2MUAqBJVoVWJzBJySbvjhEYzQ8JhAix15ahVTJNSqKhjkS1DflJHixJm8TlknotZLy4ep1ZXQSQvM8sKU0KPZZU9KvwDRjSSxek/s1600/DSC_0611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="full moon goddess art spiritysol" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EpdNnm-Fboz9k6L2-QLQRIserSqQRxqV4czbSXFLg2MUAqBJVoVWJzBJySbvjhEYzQ8JhAix15ahVTJNSqKhjkS1DflJHixJm8TlknotZLy4ep1ZXQSQvM8sKU0KPZZU9KvwDRjSSxek/s1600/DSC_0611.JPG" height="538" title="full moon goddess art spiritysol" width="640" /></a></div>
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Setting intentions for tonight's full moon. With the arrival of spring, I can feel a stirring in my soul. I'm ready to CREATE, to BLOSSOM, to MANIFEST the wild and wonderful ideas I've had swirling in my head for the past month. I can't wait to see what kind of magic we brew this month. :)</div>
<br />Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-61660333060973064622015-05-02T09:42:00.002-07:002015-05-02T09:42:38.030-07:00THE TENTH MOON<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YVwkbtfYReE/VUT7eNFft8I/AAAAAAAAJrk/7rYhY5ov8a8/s1600/tenthmoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="postpartum #takebackpostpartum motherhood art " border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YVwkbtfYReE/VUT7eNFft8I/AAAAAAAAJrk/7rYhY5ov8a8/s1600/tenthmoon.jpg" height="640" title="sacred postpartum #takebackpostpartum motherhood art" width="640" /></a></div>
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So much of my work deals with pregnancy and birth, but recently I've begun diving into the world on the other side of birth-- the postpartum chapter, or tenth moon, as I like to call it. Our society pays very little attention to this intense period of new motherhood-- once the baby is on the outside, s/he becomes the center of attention and the mother's well-being is often overlooked. New mamas are expected to be beaming symbols of joy and happiness-- after all, with a healthy baby, why wouldn't you be happy? But for many women, this period of time is one of intense emotions and adjusting to new roles and realities. We may feel ecstatic and in love, and yet also vulnerable, scared, and sad. If our birth experience didn't go as we'd hoped, we may feel deeply disappointed, let down, and angry. And even if we can't articulate why, we may feel a deep sense of sadness. Hormones obviously play a strong role in these emotions, but I also believe that women feel so deeply around birth because it a sacred and spiritual event. Both our bodies and our hearts open to bring new life forward, and in doing so, space is created for all kinds of energy.<br />
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To all the new mamas: I hope you know that it's ok to grieve. It's ok to mourn the experience you didn't have, it's ok to feel disappointment, anger, regret, and sadness. It's ok to grieve if you'd wished for a little girl but now have a beautiful baby boy in your arms. It's ok to miss your round, full belly, to mourn the loss of your pre-baby body, or to feel out of place in your own skin. It's ok to feel sad that your baby is no longer just yours-- s/he is out in the world now and that sacred bond of one-ness that you shared has been broken. Anything and everything you feel is ok.<br />
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You've just crossed the sacred threshold of birth. Life came through you. This is huge. There is space for everything you're feeling. Your sadness and grief and disappointment don't make your joy and excitement any less real. These heavy feelings don't negate your love for your baby or make you any less of a mother. Your heart has wide open with love and newness and in this wide open space, you will feel it all.<br />
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Be gentle with yourself. Let your heart pound with rawness. Ask for help-- for support and company and backrubs and time to take bubble baths. Know that you are not alone-- your tears and joy tie you to the ancient stream of motherhood. You are unconditional love-- in all its painful, messy glory.<br />
<br />Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-72047282421254268992015-04-22T06:46:00.000-07:002015-04-22T06:46:17.063-07:00APRIL// NESTING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Df4yuXADiccLcmREL0Fww2b-6qd1D35yZqMXf8zXfvxw1Ew3NpsEiDycGiVpod6-juq7aP47AoAUxiBVmA1xPqDtyGfakKVQlJMUfnSwk76YO-fCiHVM3pqdx26zT0bAqg1qJN4UDJKq/s1600/DSC_0585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="nest painting spiritysol birth art" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Df4yuXADiccLcmREL0Fww2b-6qd1D35yZqMXf8zXfvxw1Ew3NpsEiDycGiVpod6-juq7aP47AoAUxiBVmA1xPqDtyGfakKVQlJMUfnSwk76YO-fCiHVM3pqdx26zT0bAqg1qJN4UDJKq/s1600/DSC_0585.JPG" height="640" title="nest painting spiritysol birth art" width="512" /></a></div>
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I've always had a love affair with nests. My dad used to bring them home from work--everything from small neat robins nests to enormous messy crow's nests. I felt such a strong connection with the mama birds, who carefully collected twigs and grass and yarn and thread and weaved them into cozy homes for their babes. </div>
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Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-49802582736517707072015-03-09T15:24:00.001-07:002015-03-09T15:24:07.077-07:00LOVED<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just a little reminder, in case you needed it today. << You are loved >> Never forget that! <3</div>
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<br />Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-79412855501334538122015-03-08T16:09:00.000-07:002015-03-08T19:19:24.643-07:00CROWN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Crowning. "The ring of fire" as it's commonly known. For me, this stage of labor was the most powerful physical sensation of my life. Squatting at the end of my bed, I felt my son's head emerge, and in that moment, it felt as though the whole universe was rushing through me. More than the pain, I remember the feeling of awe. The pressure was intense-- but I didn't feel like I was splitting open or pushing through fire (the stitches that I needed afterwards are a different story....) Instead, it seemed as though time stopped and my baby and I were suspended in a moment between two worlds.<br />
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Recalling that moment of birth, I began thinking-- what if we replace fear with curiosity? Rather than fearing "the ring of fire" (or any part of birth), we can choose to be open to the new experience. It might be painful, but it might also be the most powerful, beautiful experience of your life. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6q2_w3ZjfM8/VPzTlRrSFLI/AAAAAAAAJmo/CgDaLBzRqDc/s1600/spiral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="birth art natural birth catie atkinson spiritysol" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6q2_w3ZjfM8/VPzTlRrSFLI/AAAAAAAAJmo/CgDaLBzRqDc/s1600/spiral.jpg" height="640" title="birth art natural birth catie atkinson spiritysol" width="494" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fULMP4CrHR0/VPzTXeeN63I/AAAAAAAAJmg/IrPZYlmxryw/s1600/universe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="birth art natural birth hypnobirthing catie atkinson spiritysol" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fULMP4CrHR0/VPzTXeeN63I/AAAAAAAAJmg/IrPZYlmxryw/s1600/universe.jpg" height="640" title="birth art natural birth hypnobirthing catie atkinson spiritysol" width="482" /></a></div>
<br />Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-47015959236362513252015-03-07T12:29:00.000-08:002015-03-07T12:29:09.842-08:00SWEET GOLDEN DREAMS <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V-YD6vQWLP4/VPtZiLrqvRI/AAAAAAAAJlQ/PszFwE4pkTY/s1600/fairy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V-YD6vQWLP4/VPtZiLrqvRI/AAAAAAAAJlQ/PszFwE4pkTY/s1600/fairy.jpg" height="640" width="488" /></a></div>
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Dreams of fairies and magical boat rides, wrapped in golden light and baby snuggles. Love paints pretty pictures in my eyes as I watch my little ones sleep. </div>
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I hold the paintbrush- love paints the pictures. </div>
Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2420391448093925409.post-40592222216471208242015-03-06T09:30:00.002-08:002015-03-06T09:30:52.575-08:00TWIN MAGIC <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So much love and admiration for all the mamas who breastfeed multiples. I can only imagine the work of sharing your body with two little beings (or more!!) </div>
<br />Catiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732862256676641316noreply@blogger.com0