I’m sat on my sofa, clothed in my favorite embroidered sweater, and wrapped in my rosebud quilt as I listen to Lost in the Cedar Wood –a wonderful album by Johnny Flynn and Robert MacFarlane. It’s the album I listened to as I crafted my favorite magical embroidery – the one I gifted to a person very dear to my heart. There was something almost alchemical and ritualistic in this task of piercing linen fabric with needle as silk threads took shape into an image that took on a life of its own, a life inspired by the folklore embedded in that musical album. Two different art forms separated by time yet coming together in that single moment. Artists inspire artists. Isn’t that beautiful?
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the mythic undercurrents of my life and wondering about the threads that bind me to different people. I’ll talk about this more in a moment but first I have some rather important news! My poetry chapbook, True North, has made its way into the world. It’s available as an e-book and as a paperback. I also have a few signed copies available that you can purchase directly from me. If you choose this option, I will include a bonus handwritten poem and a little love note. I promise it will be magical. Just email me at caitgemmell@gmail.com and we can arrange it.
I’ll admit it was scary birthing this book into the world at a time when so much was going wrong in my life, and especially at a time when my social media following shrunk from over 3K to just barely 300. In case you didn’t know, I’ve been locked out of my main Instagram account for quite a while now. I’m now posting to what started out as my bookstagram account -- @icapturethestory. Although the task seemed daunting, I have been showered with nothing but support and kindness from so many people. My wonderful early readers and reviewers, dear friends on Instagram, and so many others have shared news about my book, pre-ordered it, sent encouraging messages, and requested signed copies. I am so grateful.
Now the journey I was on with this book has ended, I’m considering my next project without landing on any one thing. The fog is surrounding me forcing me to rest. Forcing me to let go. I must fully release this project and cut the thread before I can discover what’s next.
Autumn is a magical season for me. It is a time of cocooning and gleaning magic, the perfect season for gathering the pieces that will eventually become my next book. We just celebrated the autumn equinox, or Mabon, and it was a quiet celebration as I was in the midst of my book launch and was feeling rather poorly as I dealt with a chronic pain flare up. No matter the flavour of celebration, Mabon was still a special day for me. I baked chocolate cake, made soup, lit candles, and traveled through the world of my imagination. Though excited about my book launch, I also felt restless and uneasy. The question, “Now what?” kept pestering me.
One project’s thread knotted, the next not yet begun. It’s a strange feeling. I can see a faint glow of the as yet unknown thread leading me to my next task.
These threads have become more visible for me the past few years. Over the years, I’ve spent lots of time journeying through the dreamworlds and weaving magic in this world, but it’s only recently that Elen of the Ways has visited me in such a solid sort of way. I believe she is helping me to not only see the threads connecting me with different souls and places, but also how to manipulate them, how to weave them into the tapestry of my life. There are certain threads that have grown faint, or brittle. Some of them fall away naturally, others become knotted. There are threads I’ve decided to cut, and one’s I’ve decided to revivify. It’s an intuitive process.
I used to feel like my life was already mapped out, fated, and while I still believe this to be true to a certain extent, lately I’m enjoying co-creating my personal mythology with the divine. I may not get to add new threads, but I can work with the ones I was born with. I can braid them into any pattern I choose. My next project isn’t clear, yet, but I will follow it. The seed is there. I’m looking forward to growing it, once I know what it is.
Congratulations on the release of your new book Caitlin. So very happy for you!! If it doesn't sound strange, I'm also very proud of you for many reasons. One thing I do know and am convinced of 100% is that you will be successful and gain new heights and vistas. 👏👏🌹
“I can braid them into any pattern I choose”-so powerful. I love that this in between time holds so much potential. I hope you get to spend lots of restorative time letting whatever new magic awaits come to you (if that makes sense). Congratulations again on your newest book baby! I’m so proud of you❤️