Friday, January 22, 2010

News Flash: Hermit to Wed

I am participating in Leslie Avon Miller's six week program on Re-Freshing your creative practice. Each week there is a group phone call, plus we have a private blog and homework assignments too. This week we were to create a ceremony to wed or acknowledge or commit to our creativity. What follows is my ceremony.

(pre-ceremony photo)

from the Frozen Tundra Times:

Suki (aged 64), self-professed hermit, recluse and ordinary person as monk and mystic, came out of her ice hut seclusion today to announce plans to wed her muse (ageless).

Friends voiced surprise. "Suki has been single for years. I was just taken aback by the news," says Lucia Carruthers, a close friend and fellow tea drinker. "She tried marriage once years ago and has always said, 'once was enough', said poet Armand Flight. "She hates committing to anything. I can't imagine what changed her mind."

Suki and Muse will join hands in a brief ceremony later today. The bride is wearing her trademark red beret, her Ecuadorian rainbow jacket (thrift store $3.00), her black corduroy jeans (real store $80.00) and her black wool clogs. She will carry a bouquet of icicles and pine boughs. Music provided by Anoushka Shankar. Green tea wil be served after the ceremony.

The couple plan a quick trip to Brattleboro to cruse the shops, restaurants and galleries during this lovely January thaw. They then will return to their ice hut until the spring sun and flowers arrive.


Wearing the above outfit, I performed my wedding ceremony alone but for Muse, in the warmth of my kitchen. I created an altar of some numinous objects which I will keep on a side table for six weeks to remind me of my vows. The little statue is of Ganesha, remover of obstacles.

A bowl of snow which reflects the great outdoors at the moment but which will soon melt into water: rivers, streams, ponds, lakes and even the ocean, if I add a dash of salt.

Myself at 4? Keeping the child within alive.

Raku house and ceramic bird nest and eggs signifying my desire to buy and settle into a home soon. Where I can create to my heart and muses content.

The red heart I purchased from Leslie in New Zealand. I bought it for Mom's 91st birthday. She died several days before her birthday, but I had given the necklace to her early. The grey stone heart was sent to me recently by a friend. The amber heart is from another friend to aid in my house search.

The rings I have worn since I married myself two years ago. (Am I now a bigamist???) The plain ring I have worn for years. The garnet ring I bought purposely for my engagement to myself. These rings are now symbols also of my Muse marriage today.

(Photo post ceremony)

Here are the vows I wrote (I awoke from sleep this morning and dashed for paper as these words were already in my head):

Dear Muse, Dear Creatrix:

In joy and respect, I think of you today,
you who have led me to dance, to sing, to seek,
to embrace the gifts loaned to me
for my short journey on this earth.

I thank you for all you have given
ever since I was a babe,
through dark times, through light:
that desire to express myself
whether by paint or pen, by voice or prayer.

I thank you for your clarity,
for your mystery,
for your talent at sensing below the surface
into the depths, beyond the visible
into the unseen.

And I pledge to honor you
and care for you from now
until the day I pass from this human
form into the great grazing field of
universal consciousness.

29 comments:

Kim said...

Congratulations Suki, this is so beautiful! I love this idea of marrying your muse and making the commitment to yourself! I have to say your words, Suki, are incredibly moving. You are an amazing writer and I can't seem to get enough of your word art (in all the forms it takes). I love the symbols you have carefully chosen to represent your life and your intentions. The best part, though, are these photographs of YOU. While I am sure they do not do justice to the real person inside that body, those photos seem to glow with a joy which is coming deep from inside.

I am sure you and Muse will have a lovely honeymoon in Brattleboro - there is nothing like walking hand-in-hand allowing Muse to lead the way. :-)

Congratulations Again!

studio lolo said...

I-love-this!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a fantastic idea and promise to yourself. Your words inspire me. I also love the objects you've chosen. I saw the red heart right away. I know that keeps your mother close by.

I think I have a book called Marrying Your Muse. Now I want to go searching for it!

Congrats Suki! Now perhaps things will fall into place just as it should be ;)

layers said...

This is an amazing post-- the more I read the more I found out about you-- you have an indomitable spirit and strength and your creativity shines through everything you have gathered that means something to you.
Leslie is a good friend of mine and her positive warmth comes through her as a coach.

Lynn Cohen said...

Mazol Tov! May you and your Muse live happily ever after creating, bearing, wonders to the world!
Where will you go on your honeymoon? So beautifully written (this whole wonderful story) rocks my heart with joy to see you embracing each other, your selves...looking forward to what comes from this match obviously made in heaven! PS The bride looked stunning in her wedding garb.

Merisi said...

Kudos to you and your muse! :-)

(Your headline pulled me all the way from Ohio, Willow's blog!)

Cathie said...

Oh Suki - every time I visit your blog, something I find here warms my heart and brings a smile to my face. This is no exception.
I hope Muse knows how lucky (s)he is as you are one special, special lady. XO

Umā said...

Woah! This is an amazing, inspiring post. The vows you've written are incredibly eloquent. I think even I, runner-away-of-marriage, could commit to the muse.

Mim said...

This is just wonderful!! congradulations on your newly married state - what a great idea

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

Congratulations Suki! This is a wonderful commitment and one I can tell you have taken to your heart. This is your step forward, this is your beginning...again congratulations!!!!
Mary Ann

sukipoet said...

thanks everyone for your kind words.

Lynn, the "honeymoon" is the trip to Brattleboro which I havent done yet but maybe on Sat.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Congratulations to the Bride and Creatrix. I love that word Creatrix. You make a perfect pair. You are beautiful and your Muse brings out the beauty for the world to enjoy. May you have a creative lifetime together. It is just perfect that you have acknowledged each other in such a way.

soulbrush said...

what a wonderful post suki. i laughed out loud, i almost cried, i gasped when i saw mom's red heart, i was amazed when i saw you married yourself, now THAT is quite the most brilliant idea i have ever heard, in fact this post ticked all my boxes. you rock!and so does that little red beret.

Annie said...

Suki, this is my favorite post ever! I love these photos of you, you are full of joy and glee. As one hermit to another I love that you married your muse. Congrats!!!!
Love to you, dear Suki. xoxo

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Suki
this ceremony was so charming.
I loved the snow and the house
I hope your Muse will grow stong and powerful with you.

patti said...

This marriage is clearly so good for you Suki. You look fabulous!! I hope you keep going with the flow and that it leads you to the house and home you want so much. Happy honeymooning in Brattleboro :)

(I think I need to connect with Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, too!)

Katiejane said...

Well, my,my! This is something new and different! I've never heard of something quite like this. Sounds good, though. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of something so special. (Although I got a litte rush when I read your blog caption. I thought you were actually getting married!) I can't wait to see what comes from this blessed union!

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

What a fun post. Happy wedding to you and your muse. May the creative babies come.:))

old pajamas said...

Beautiful 'header'. Glad, at last, to see what you look like. I'm happy that you are feeling energized. Keep it up...

Lilacrobin said...

Congratulations Suki - to you and (of course) to your Beloved Muse!
This is a charming idea.....and you captured the day perfectly - both in words and pictures.

You look wonderful in that outfit...what a find the jacket was! It suits you perfectly.

I love your new Winter header....especially the small path of blue sky....it says, "Spring is coming....and you will soon have your new home"!

Robin

Unknown said...

Suki, you and your muse are sparkling! I love your poep and the reporterstyle-like introduction which made me smile...This is a really creative commitment, congratulations, love,
Andrea

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

So wide the arms, so big the smile...your wedding feels a lot like the handfasting that Mike and I did after our "civil" ceremony.

I love that you are in love and the photos tell a lovely story, too...

(Ps: I bought my first beret--raspberry)

~Babs said...

Congratulations,Suki, and like Cris said: May you have many many wonderful offspring from this union!
:-)

Mary Richmond said...

congratulations! this is awesome and i have no doubt that something wonderful will arise from this union ;-)

Leslie Avon Miller said...

What a fun post this is Suki. You have so many wishes for your happiness I am sure you will be dancing and singing into the future!

Natalya Khorover Aikens said...

congratulations!!!

Cathie said...

Hi Suki. Thanks so much for the lovely, lovely card. What a special surprise. So happy your book brings you JOY! Babs just e-mailed me and said mine is on the way back to me. Can't wait. I'll be sure to share. Hope all is well and you are smiling today.

old pajamas said...

To Susan's friends:

We had a long, lovely talk tonight; over an hour, a lot of listening and speaking for a man. We've known each other for what, now, must be decades. She'll know how long. We talk five times a week. Always, I am on her side, of course, convinced that when she's
ready, Susan will make the decision right for her (and cats) regarding buying a place to live and to enjoy.....Best wishes.....

Anonymous said...

This must be my favorite post of yours. I broke out in a big smile upon seeing your beaming face with arms wide spread. Congratulations.

marianne said...

Oh wow Suki! What a positive post!
Congrats on this marriage! Pprobably the best ever!
I enjoyed reading this
You look lovely!
Hope this will be a long a happy marriage!!!!!

♥♥♥
>M<