This artwork is a handmade ritual object.

The work combines ancient + contemporary media + processes. It consists of plant-based materials, including recycled paper, handcrafted paint made from blue butterfly pea (clitoria ternatea) flowers + water, five blue butterfly pea seeds, rice starch glue, foraged agave fiber, printed text with digital code that led you to this web page + a blessing for letting go. 

Circles signify cycles of ending + beginning.  Blue-green denotes connections of earth, water + sky. Five symbolizes harmonious unity of body + cosmos. 

The work is made for hanging display + ceremonial burning.  Fire rituals have existed for millennia, as humans observed + duplicated cycles of burning + renewal occurring in nature. Ceremonial fires are an aspect of many cultures’ sacred practices. 

To perform the ritual:

You can do this ritual any time you want to.  Often, fire/cleansing rituals are done when there is a new moon – a time of new beginnings. 

·      Remove seeds from the paper. Save the seeds for planting in warm weather.  See planting directions below.

·      Think of what you want to let go.   What is burdening you, taking up space + energy in your heart + soul that you need to dedicate to something more positive?  Think of what you need to release + leave behind, what you want to say goodbye to.  Think of an obstacle preventing you from thriving in heart, mind, body + spirit.  What is getting in the way of you being your best self? Write or draw on the paper to symbolize what you want to let go.