BIRDS

​It is estimated that around 10,000 species of bird exist on the planet today.  They are daily present in our lives as part of the nature which surrounds us, whether we live in cities, suburbs, or in rural areas.
​
Birds have been companions of humans throughout history. Their symbolism dates back to the times of the first humans who depicted them on cave walls.  Birds were important symbols for many ancient civilizations such as ancient Egypt, Rome, and Greece.

​COMMUNING WITH BIRDS
Come and
 
  • explore the ancient history and mythology of birds
  •  contemplate quotes, poetry and prose about birds
  •  delve into bird symbolism and meanings
  •  discover or find out more about your totem bird
  •  ​create your very own ‘Bird Council’ using SoulCollage® and receive the wisdom your birds have for you
10 weeks, 10 iconic birds
  1. Owl
  2. Raven
  3. Eagle
  4. Crane
  5. Swan
  6. Peacock
  7. Dove
  8. Sparrow
  9. Magpie
  10. Cockatoo

PLUS

Each week create a SoulCollage® card of one bird of your choice

These 20 birds will become your 'Bird Council'

We will be looking at the birds as archetypes, members of our Council Suit... companions suit

​explain how Bird Council came about...

Such Singing in the Wild Branches

It was spring
and I finally heard him
among the first leaves--
then I saw him clutching the limb

in an island of shade
with his red-brown feathers
all trim and neat for the new year.
First, I stood still

and thought of nothing.
Then I began to listen.
Then I was filled with gladness––
and that's when it happened,

when I seemed to float,
to be, myself, a wing or a tree––
and I began to understand
what the bird was saying,

and the sands in the glass
stopped
for a pure white moment
while gravity sprinkled upward

like rain, rising,
and in fact
it became difficult to tell just what it was that was singing––
it was the thrush for sure, but it seemed

not a single thrush, but himself, and all his brothers,
and also the trees around them,
as well as the gliding, long-tailed clouds
in the perfect blue sky–––all of them 

were singing.
And, of course, so it seemed,
so was I.
Such soft and solemn and perfect music doesn't last
​
for more than a few moments.
It's one of those magical places wise people
like to talk about.
One of the things they say about it, that is true,

is that, once you've been there,
you're there forever.
Listen, everyone has a chance.
Is it spring, is it morning?

Are there trees near you,
and does your own soul need comforting?
Quick, then––open the door and fly on your heavy feet; the song
may already be drifting away.

​~ Mary Oliver,  Owls and Other Fantasies: Poems and Essays,
Beacon Press, Boston, 2003, pp. 8-9
Why do the Course?

To ?. 

​In this course you will discover how:
  • ​​? 
  • ?
  • ?
  • SoulCollage® can be used to further understand, envision and embody birds and how you can discover your wisdom, change your world.
Content of the Course

Overall, the Introduction and subsequent ten week course consists of:
  1. An introductory overview of birds, via an illustrated PDF document.
  2. A definition and comprehensive explanation of each of the ten birds, via 10 illustrated PDF documents.
  3. A concluding round-up, via an illustrated PDF document.

For each bird, in addition to the the readings, there are several practices provided:
  • SoulCollage® practices: (a) reviewing your existing SoulCollage® cards (if you have any) in light of each of the birds and (b) creating and reading one or more new SoulCollage® cards for each of the the birds.
  • Reflection & Journaling:  questions which help you reflect on each of the birds in relation to your life.​                                                                                      
Process of the Course

Upon your registration and payment (see below), I will email you the Course Introduction PDF. On course commencement day,  I will then email you Week 1: ? and then the remaining Birds and the course round-up will be emailed to you over the following weeks.  

During the week you read the PDF and consider the specific birda in relation to your life, respond to the questions asked and journal your responses, do the suggested practices (which are provided to you via audio and/or video files, and explore and create your SoulCollage® cards.  This all remains personal to you unless you wish to share with other course members and myself in the private Facebook group, membership of which you will be offered when you join the course. 

FACEBOOK: 'Such Singing in the Wild Branches' (Private Group)

Each week, making a SoulCollage® card for the bird is one of the key practices.  It is optional, but highly recommended, that you join the private Facebook group and post an image of your SoulCollage® card each week, together with its reading, as this is a way of sharing your creation and its wisdom with myself and the other participants of the course.  You are also free to share any other reflections or insights resulting from the course material and practices.  In this way, our closed and private Facebook page acts as our Sharing Circle.
The Resources You Need to Participate in the Course
​
  • An email address to receive each week's PDF.
  • Adobe Reader or another PDF reader on your device, in order to read each week's PDF.
  • Access to the internet to use Facebook and websites and view videos.
  • ​An MP3 reader on your device, in order to listen to the audio files.
​​
For Journaling:
​
  • A journal or notebook and pen to record your reflections and answers to the weekly questions.

For SoulCollage®:

  • A selection of at least 30 images from magazines, old books, or any other paper-based resource that you feel strongly drawn to.  You will need background images and especially, but not solely, images of various birds.
  •  10 or more 5” x8” blank mat-board cards.  You can purchase the SoulCollage® branded ones, and other SoulCollage® products,  from Hanford Mead Publishers in the US, or you can order them from, eg., a Picture Framing shop, or you can create your own blank cards using thick cardboard or similar.
  •  Glue or glue sticks.
  •  Scissors – one small pair, one medium pair, and one larger pair are useful.
  •  Cutting blade and cutting mat (optional).
  •  5” x8” frame to use for selecting a desired piece of large imagery.  You can create this yourself out of a piece of cardboard.
​
For Meditation: 

  • ​A comfortable chair, meditation stool, floor cushion or similar for the meditation practices. 
  • A blanket, shawl or similar covering for the meditation and Yoga Nidra (relaxation) practices.​
New to SoulCollage®?

This course is your opportunity to create SoulCollage® cards for ten iconic birds that will become important, meaningful and inspirational Neters (guides, allies and challengers) in your new or existing SoulCollage®deck.  Do not worry if you are new to SoulCollage®.  By visiting and exploring the SoulCollage® website and reading the book SoulCollage® Evolving you will have enough information to get you started.  You can also choose, for an additional cost, to participate in my in-person or online 'SoulCollage Dip' (SoulCollage® Introduction) session.

SoulCollage Website:  www.soulcollage.com
Explore this comprehensive official website and all its rich resources and this will give you a great insight into the wonder that is SoulCollage®.  This page of the website, “Making a SoulCollage®Card in 5 Easy Steps”, by Sue Gelber, is very helpful for newbies to the process.  Be aware however, that there are numerous methods of making a SoulCollage® card and we all find our favourite way.

SoulCollage® Evolving: An Intuitive Collage Process for Self-Discovery & Community by Seena B. Frost
This wonderful book (194 pages) by the creator of SoulCollage®, is available in paperback and Kindle formats (readable on various devices) from amazon.com or from the publishers Hanford Mead in the US.  It is the most comprehensive guide to SoulCollage® available anywhere.
YOUR INVESTMENT

$150 (AUD - Australian Dollars) buys you:

  • 1 introductory overview of Birds - via an illustrated PDF document.
  • 10 weekly illustrated PDF documents - a comprehensive ? of each bird, including questions for you to reflect on and journal your insights and discoveries. 
  • 1 concluding round-up, via an illustrated PDF document. 
  • SoulCollage® practices which result in you having at least 10 new SoulCollage® cards, 1 for each of the birds, and which involve you in reviewing your exisiting SoulCollage® deck (if you have one) in relation to the birds.
  • ​​My additional help and support as and where required.
EXCHANGE RATE:  Currently (16 February 2020), AUD$150 is US$100.
COURSE REGISTRATION & PAYMENT
DELETE THIS AND COPY OVER BUTTONS ETC FROM OTHER COURSES

Step #1 PAY: Click here

Step #2 REGISTER: Click here to pay by PayPal.

COURSE PAYMENT BY Direct Deposit (Australia only): Email me and I will provide you with my bank account details.​

​Thank you.

Once I receive and process your registration I will email you the Course Introduction PDF. Remember to check your email inbox.
"I pray to the birds because they remind me of what I love rather than what I fear. And at the end of my prayers, they teach me how to listen." ~ Terry Tempest Williams