Masks and Me

Masks and Me by Judith Ashley

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nurture the soul.

There are several ways to interpret Romancing The Genres topic “Masks”. The masks we wear around other people to protect ourselves, the masks we wear to fool ourselves, the masks we wear for Halloween and Carnival, if we celebrate those holidays.

Judith with Snowy Owl Mask

Another type of mask is one we make and wear or, in my case, one that was made for me.

My power animal is the Snowy Owl. One of my gifted Circle sisters decided to make masks of our individual power animals. She’s made Bear, Coyote, Snowy Owl and is in the process of making her own – Badger.

Over the years I’ve made several masks for myself. They are carefully wrapped in tissue and stored away.

However, my newest mask is a different story. I want to be able to see it without the hassle of getting it out of the bag I store it in.

So, I’ve been on a quest to find something. I checked a plastic store and found the storage cube they sell when someone has a collectible or favorite football helmet. I’ve also found a small cube at a merchandise display store. I’ll take the mask there to see how it would look/fit.

Why a protective shell for it?

Feathers.

I won’t be able to vacuum it and in my house, no matter what I do, there is still some dust.

The plastic cube will allow me to see it while protecting it. I plan on opening it up every couple of weeks because the idea of my Snowy Owl mask being kept in an airless space is unsettling.

Will I wear it? Of course I will. Perhaps not constantly everyday but on those occasions when I want to feel closer to my power totem.

What are your spiritual practices that bring you comfort and peace?

Judith Ashley without Mask

You can learn more about The Sacred Women’s Circle series on my website.

Check out my Windtree Press author page.

Follow me on Twitter: @JudithAshley19

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© 2016 Judith Ashley

Lessons From "Ashley"

By Judith Ashley, author of The Sacred Women’s Circle Series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual practices that nourish the soul and celebrates the path from relationship to romance.

I remember very clearly the first time I had a mammogram – I was 50 years old. My very best friend had said if I didn't make the appointment myself, she’d make it for me and see that I went.

Embarrassing!

So I made the appointment and went and my life changed with a few words from the technician. “There is a suspicious area and the doctor wants you to have an ultra sound.”

I’m very fortunate because the two lumps that were found were not cancerous – one was precancerous and the other benign. The lumps were removed, I was checked every three months and then every six months and all was well.

In March 2013 my routine mammogram was clear. In April 2013 I felt two lumps in my left breast – of course on a Friday night! I was already envisioning parts of Ashley’s story at that time. I promised myself I’d remember how I felt, what I thought, how I dealt with knowing I had two lumps but also had over 48 hours before I could make an appointment.

And then I didn't. Didn't remember any of it other than that it happened and I was frightened. I wasn't in denial. I was in a protection mode. If I could put it aside until Monday when I could call and make an appointment for another mammogram it would be better than stewing, fretting, worrying about what was to come.

Did I tell anyone?

No, because that would mean acknowledging the reality and having it front and center. I spent the entire weekend staying busy distracting myself from the lumps – although I remember surreptitiously checking to see if they were still there. Of course they were!

Again, I’m very fortunate that the two lumps were not cancer.

How does this play into this book? I know from first-hand experience that we do not always do what is “reasonable” when under duress.

As I was editing Ashley  and contemplating a suggestion my editor, Kelly Schaub made, I also realized we can also forget our own part in our healing process. At this point in the story, Ashley was no longer using her spiritual practice to support her as she battled the cancer and the devastating effects of the treatment. Not only had Ashley forgotten the healing power of spiritual practices, so had her circle sisters.

What was my lesson from this? I've spent the majority of 2013 battling respiratory problems that started as allergies and developed into asthma. As I was writing a scene to show the shift to her being more pro-active in her healing process, I was struck with the truth- neither was I using my personal totem to support my own healing.

Finished with the scene, off I went to find a snowy owl. Not that I don’t already have them around me, but I did not have one in my writing space nor close to my bed or in my car.

That has all changed.

Ashley Ann Carlyle Kenner, a stay-at-home mom, finds herself and her three children abandoned by her husband as she fights for her life in a second battle with breast cancer. When circumstances force Ashley to rely on Daniel, she must face the reality he means more to her than just a father-figure for her children.

Daniel Charles O’Donnell fell in love with the Kenner children but kept hands off their mother – she was married and he doesn’t poach. He protects his heart by being a part-time friend to the children. When he is given temporary guardianship of the children, part-time is no longer an option and he must face the demons from an old tragedy.

Dragon and damselflies, Ashley’s power animal, guide her through the dark days as she struggles to win the war against the cancer. How can the flickering light of her dragonflies show her she is worthy of unconditional love and illuminate the path to her soul mate?

My goals are that readers of The Sacred Women’s Circle novels find a spiritual practice that “speaks” to them, that they see a different way through a difficult time in their lives, that they are inspired to search for their soul mate, that they know with a certainty there is always a path to unconditional love.

Ashley  is available here.

You can also visit my website and learn more about The Sacred Women’s Circle series.

© Copyright 2014 Judith Ashley