Beauty Heals!

Feather of a Male Indian Peafowl                                 Michael Maggs

Indigo Lactarius                                                                                   Dan Molter

African Grey Parrot Peeking Out From Under Its Wing                                      Avenue

Great Egret Nest with Three Chicks     Mike Baird

Henbit Deadnettle               Masaki Ikeda

Physalis                                                               Rudiger Krutz

The Antelope Canyon in Arizona                  Lucas Loffler

Swan with Nine Cygnets                                                 S Sepp

Lilium martagon                                                                                Bohringer Friedrich

Most of the photos and artwork on this blog are my own, but it is always wonderful to be able to share what I think are some of the most beautiful photos on the internet, through Wikimedia Commons! Thank you to all the great photographers who choose to share in this generous way!

Nature beckons to us continually... come closer and see the intricate, exquisite artistry of life all around us! It invites us to slow down, breathe deeper, and to feel our oneness with our beautiful, sacred earth and all life! We can breathe in the brilliant shimmering color, explore the exquisite patterns, get lost in magical light and be charmed by the graceful lines of the natural world. We can let beauty have her way with us! Greater contentment, inner peace, connection to the earth and to your true, eternal self, are the gifts she gives in return.

When you really allow beauty in, you also are recognizing the ephemeral nature of life and the preciousness of every living thing, every moment. Gratefulness will naturally well up in your heart and that is a good thing. 

The other night I heard a new bird singing, with a lovely trill at the end. I was listening with joy when I suddenly burst into tears. I didn't expect that! But the bird's song was just so perfect, yet so vulnerable. It made me want to protect the earth and all its life even more. I also felt blessed by the beauty all around me and sent out a prayer that more will be able to deeply connect to the beauty of our earth and find the healing that is waiting for them there.

Connect to mother earth 

to breathe more deeply

Breathe more deeply

to connect with beauty

Connect to beauty

to open to gratitude

Open to gratitude

to focus on what is working

Focus on what is working

to draw more if it to you

Draw more of it to you

to follow your heart 

Follow your heart

to live your soul's purpose

Live you soul's purpose

to be you.

Rare Sights and Sounds of Our Mysterious Universe!

Mountains on Saturn's Moon Iapetus                                                   NASA

Saturn's Rings with Its Moon Enceladus                                                   NASA

NASA has traveled farther and captured more incredible photos in just the last ten years than ever before, but sadly, they rarely make the news in any big way. From moon mountains and Polar Aurorae to the existence of a little moon called Enceladus, located in Saturn's rings, here are a few photos to intrigue and remind us of the miracle of our breathtaking universe!

Saturn's Aurora at Ultra-Violet Wavelengths                   NASA

North Pole Aurora of Saturn Seen with Infrared Light    NASA

An aurora is caused by charged particles streaming along the magnetic field lines of a planet into its atmosphere, like we see on Earth with the Northern and Southern Lights. Scientists working with data from the Cassini probe called Saturn's Aurora at its North Pole "a fantastic surprise" that showed that there was something "special and unforseen" about the planet's magnetosphere.

Come to find out the auorae are linked to an electrical connection between the Ringed Planet and one of  its smallest moons, Enceladus. Enceladus is only one of three planetary bodies in the Outer Solar System that has eruptions- in this case, huge geysers of heated liquid and organic particles.

Processed Blue so we can see the individual jets gushing from Enceladus  NASA

 Raw, unprocessed photo from Cassini of the plumes shooting out of Enceladus!

 Scientists have even recorded the sound of these two heavenly bodies interacting!

As if all that were not fascinating enough- there is more. Did you know that there is a mysterious, hexagon shape at the top of Saturn? It has been there for at least the last 20 years!



And I leave you with the photo I liked the most of Enceladus!

Enceladus with Saturn's Rings                                                                 NASA

As I said in another post-

"The universe we live in is one integrated, whole; all is connected, all is sacred. May its splendor continually blow our minds and shatter the illusion of our fear-based egos, so we can see once again that we are whole, good and intimately connected to the one, great web of life."

Our Waking Planet and the Double Rainbow

Crescent Earth                                                                                           NASA

" A revolution of love is sweeping the planet. Fear has material resources, but love has cosmic support. Ultimately, love will prevail because only love is real."   Marriane Williamson.

What an exciting time to be alive. We are on the cusp of a great awakening- a spiritual renaissance that will forever change the way we view one another, our earth and most importantly ourselves. We are remembering that there is divinity in all life- in every person, in every living thing and in our own hearts. When we embrace our inner sacredness, the holiness of all creation lights up around us. Then we joyfully can claim more of our ability and responsibility to protect the earth and to work for a more just, sane and compassionate world! 

The Double Rainbow in the Waking Planet Image                      B Upton

I designed the Waking Planet World Flag to represent the new world we are in the process of creating. I found that sometimes as I softly gazed on the flag that the center circle, representing the earth, would divide into two and overlap forming an almond or vulva shape in the middle. I called it the Double Rainbow and saw it as an auspicious sign symbolizing the portal to peace we are now walking through. Also, because it is something that happens through our own mind and observation, to me it represented the power we have within to change perspective, to create and to transform.

I later learned that I had created a Vesica Piscis, the most powerful symbol of sacred geometry, representing the union of the Divine with the world of matter, the blending of heaven and earth- a source of great power and energy for thousands of years!

Waking Planet Flag                                                        B Upton

Waking Planet Mini Meditation

You might try gazing at the Waking Planet image above- don't try to see the Double Rainbow- just relax, breath deeply and on every exhale, let go of tensions in your body and breathe out any worries. Breathe in the colors and let them energize you. Breathe in the harmony of a world which respects the inherent dignity of all people. Breathe in the beauty of an earth that is protected and revered once again. Breathe in the balance between the sun and the moon, your masculine and feminine sides. Breathe in the unconditional love that is being birthed on our planet now. And maybe when you least expect it, there it will be- the Double Rainbow, the vesica piscis, the womb of the new earth we are creating. 

Let the image of Waking Planet put you back in touch with your own beauty, brilliance and inner harmony. The colored rainbow figures not only represent the people of the world coming together in mutual respect and caring, they also represent your chakras or energy centers that serve as a conduit for divine life force energy. Imagine your energy centers brightly colored,  spinning with health and vitality from the base of your spine to the top of your head. Imagine more light filled energy filling you and radiating from you. Whether you see the Double Rainbow or not is not important, but I hope this little exercise leaves you feeling more peaceful and renewed! I have found meditating on the Waking Planet image to be very centering and healing (I also dream more in color when I do)!

My flag, my art and me                                                   B Upton

We all chose to be here at this critical juncture in time and the world needs us to be in our power and light. Claim yours and let it shine!

A shower of loving blessings to you,

Barbara

"Human Angels"

I always love videos about our spiritual nature and Enya, the singer, is one of my favorites. I hope you will go through your day as the angel, you in truth are!

(and please check out my new album on Facebook and join the Waking Planet group if you haven't yet!)

Sweet Pansies

 

One of my joyful, Spring rituals is to visit a local farm market and buy some pansies to photograph or paint! I love their bright little faces, swirling graceful petals, brilliant colors and dramatic markings. They seem so fragile yet they are very hardy! After a rain, they seem the perfect symbol of freshness, renewal and new beginnings! The Johnny Jump Ups growing against the rocks (2nd to last) come up every year. I think of them as wild little pansies. I love that they are the first to appear and the last to leave (as I documented here.)  I also like the little white specks on the black centers of the pansies that give a cosmic feel! You feel drawn into their starry depths.

Here is a painting I did a few Springs past. Not pansies, but they seem somewhat related. These flowers are very small and with incredible detail (some of which I left out, out of sheer laziness). A 10 x 10" giclee print on wrapped canvas is available of this painting, for $60 on the Waking Planet site. 

Another Spring Flower                                                                                                   acrylic by B Upton

Hope they all brighten your day! Keep Faith

Beauty in White!

Baby Owl Feather                                                                                   B Upton

 Detail from "Our Waking Planet"                                                                                              B Upton                                                                                 

Sombrero Galaxy  M104                                                                           NASA

Portland White Rose                                                                              B Upton

Barred Owl in the Sun                                        B Upton

Birch                                                                                                      B Upton

Mountain Laurel                                                                                             B Upton

Super Moon                                        B Upton

Detail "Our Waking Planet"                                              Acrylic by B Upton

Another Portland Beauty                                                                                             B Upton

A mini-mini meditation for you, inspired by the color white!

White Light Meditation

Take three deep breaths. Inhale peace, exhale tension, growing more relaxed with every breath you take. Imagine you are in a beautiful forest that smells of pine and cedar. Hear the rush of a waterfall and go closer until you can feel  the refreshing mist from the waterfall on your face. Now imagine this mist is filled with a glowing white, light filled with love, that gently surrounds you and comforts you. Let this light flow into your heart and then spread through you bringing vitality, harmony and health to your every cell. As you breathe the white light in, a growing sense of calm and well being flows through you. 

Imagine a symbol of white that is beautiful to you. Let its beauty fill your heart as you give thanks for the blessings of this earth. Return to your day refreshed, calm and content!

If you enjoyed this series check out Beauty in Blue and Beauty in Red.

Peacefully...

More Spring Unfurling!

Does anyone know what the name of the plant is in 1, 3 and 6? It has the most amazing vitality- a burst of bright green in a dark forest. This last one is the Trillium I spoke about. It even has a nodding bud! So exquisite...Stay tuned for blossoming!

Thought for the Day-
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” Dr. Seuss

Photos from April 11 11

 

 

Happy Spring! It is so wonderful to hear a gentle rain and the sound of peepers as I write. The long, hard winter is over. New life and colors are sprouting everywhere and I love chronicling the changes. I hope the trillium comes up again in the woods by the drive. I'll be sure to get a photo of it for you- it is a most rare and delicate flower. 

May the Spring breezes bring you renewal and a new sense of hope; may the scent of the warming earth bring you peace, the sounds of the returning birds bring joy and the emerging beauty of returning life remind you of the eternal beauty that exists at your core! Attune to the Spring energies and feel the new possibilities of life beckoning you.

As Robin Willimas said, Spring is nature's way of saying "Let's party!" Enjoy!

Universe in a Brain Cell

 

 The universe is us, we are the universe. 

All is divine, the divine is all. 

As above, so below.

Fascinating to see that the human brain cell looks uncannily similar to a simulated picture of our entire universe! One is micrometers wide; the other spans billions of light years. Yet a pattern is retained. There is a correspondence between the great and little worlds. 

Seeing the microcosm in the macrocosm helps us to shift our perspective. We are part of a much larger whole. We are all made of the same divine substance. Those we share this spinning planet with are in fact our true brothers and sisters! Silly us, how could we forget? 

"Emergence"                                                                                              B Upton

You are a reflection of me, I am a reflection of you. The same divine light that shines at your inner most core, shines at mine. 

You are my sister, my brother: I am your sister. I believe these are the truths awakening in millions of us on our "small blue dot". May we have faith and courage to do the work that is asked of us in our collective quest for a better world.

I painted "Emergence" a few years ago, before seeing either of the other two pictures. I was striving to represent the divine mystery and deep beauty of our universe... and of ourselves!
 

Blessings of the Very Small and the Very Large!