A Rose by any other name

The Unfolding Lotus
Donna M. Wocher, PhD

It is that time of year again.  Time to set big vision and measurable goals.  There are all kinds of systems and approaches for writing goals and mapping out next steps.  But I like something creative and dreamy.  I like creating my own Compass Rose.

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What is a Compass Rose?
A compass rose is a navigational device used on a compass and on maps.  It helps you stay on course.  I like the idea of creating  a personalized compass rose with words and images that suggests how I will move through the year.  I can use  it as a sort of medicine wheel as I move from new beginnings of the North moving clockwise around to the East, to the herald of the Spring towards the waning light of South autumn arriving at the West of winter's solstice. 


​Writing + Questions = New Beginnings
I create my compass rose by answering two questions.  

1. What do I really want?  
2. What do I want to learn create, and experience this coming year?  

Then I start free writing.  Free writing is what the name implies.  You start writing without a care for grammar or order.  The idea is to write whatever comes to mind in a stream of consciousness.  I like to do my free write over the course of a couple of days.  I like to re-read what I have written and invite myself to go deeper.


What's Coffee, the Unconsciousness & Pinterest
got to do with it?

Free writing gives you words but I also like images.  Images communicate with the unconscious mind so why not add that to the mix.  I like to design my compass rose by gathering all of my source images, free writes and assorted supplies. I use images from magazines, Pinterest and photographs of my art work.  I gather all of these into a nice big pile.  Next, I get all my supplies and lay them out.  I use glue, matte medium, scissors and a variety of mark making materials (e.g., oil pastels,  pens, etc.).  Then, I get myself a nice cup of coffee, put on some smoothing music and start.


​Art Practice:  
Making a Compass Rose

Step 1:
I begin by reading what I have written during my free write.  
I circle key words and sometimes I cut them out.

Step 2:
I look at the images I've collected and pull out the ones that speak to me.  I cut out sections or pieces of the images that I like.  I move them around on my template until I am satisfied.   I don't worry about perfection.  I just go with my initial reaction.

Step 3:
I start to glue images down on the paper.  I add key words that remind me of my goals.

Step 4:
I start to embellish my Compass Rose.  I write words using a jelly roll pen in write  I circle and outline different features.  I doodle and dapple in various places on my Compass Rose until I am happy with the result.

Step 5:
I finish my Compass Rose off with a layer of matt medium and wait for it to dry.

Step 6:
I hang my Compass Rose up in my studio where I can see it every day as a reminder of where I am going.  


What are your plans and dreams for 2020?

How can you capture those on a Compass Rose?

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