love your body (as is): art journaling video

(from our archives)

Do you love your body . . . as it is?

For as long as I can remember, I've struggled with body image. My weight has fluctuated throughout the years and although it's easy for me to tell YOU that your worth is not determined by your size, your shape, your body . . . whew, it's hard to tell myself sometimes.

I know we are so much more. We are glorious phoenix souls, made strong and beautiful in our continual search for all that is true. We are already (more than) worthy. We are already (more than) valuable, precious, and irreplaceable . . . no matter what shifting shape our bodies may take.

It's our souls that shine.

A few months ago, I shared part of my body acceptance story and my journey toward more active wellbeing in The Phoenix Soul: Radiant. If you've read the issue, you know that I've also been working on a special art project in exploration and celebration of these themes.

I'd received an inspiring Lane Bryant catalog in the mail, focused on their theme of #thisbody (a luscious array of curvy women). Since creativity has always been a force for healing in my life, I decided this catalog was the perfect opportunity for me to dive into body positivity. I altered the catalog in my own messy/colorful style, getting raw and real as I let the images call forth my story.

Throughout this project, I filmed my process. And guess what? Today, I'm delighted to share that video with you for free. It's definitely a vulnerable moment for me, especially since my body-positivity journey is still in progress. But you know how important authentic connection is for me and for The Phoenix Soul. I'd love to spark a conversation and encourage you to take a closer look at your own body image. Creative expression is an exciting and effective way to explore these questions and to write your own affirmations.

I'm so excited (and nervous) to share this video with you!

Psst, be sure to click HD and select the highest available option. And turn your sound up to hear my narration. Thanks, love!

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"I was captivated by the images of women in all shapes, sizes, colors. They were beautiful—exactly as they were."

"This would be the perfect way to explore the questions and heartache and joys that were on my mind."

"However you want to approach it, creativity is always a force for healing. A safe space where you can question and explore. There is no wrong way—there is only YOUR way."

"I hope you can begin to see, as I have, that you are beautiful . . . just as you are, in all your messy glory. In all your so-called imperfection. You are a unique phoenix soul, and this world needs you."

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Phoenix, I would love to hear your own body image story.

Our free soul-family sanctuary is a tenderhearted, brave space where you can connect with me and your fellow phoenix. You are more than welcome here—exactly as you are.

with love & awe,
Amanda
TPS creator, editor, publisher

I'm Still Here: IJ Arora

I’m Still Here
by IJ Arora

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this is a moment
I have been through many
fighting, clawing, dirt under my nails
looking for a semblance of hope

this pain has broken me down
I have emerged broken and bloody
raw and new
yet somehow, I’m still here

I hear the melodies in my head
and make them into compositions
using this pain and pouring it out
little pieces of my heart wrapped up in song form
pretty and angry and melancholy songs
fit for human consumption
and I like that—
taking something absolutely horrible like trauma
the pain, the rage, the unspeakable horrors
banging my fingers against cool ivories
songs with no words
the music speaks for itself

this poem transforms all that rawness
that gasping for breath raggedness
and hits me right in the gut
this year is a new start for me
and this past year has been one for reflections
I am striving to be authentic to myself
not who other people want me to be
I am committed to cutting toxicity out of my life

no longer a scared child hiding in the corner
crying my eyes out from fear
jumping at every loud noise, running away
no more crushing my spirit, swallowing my words
I refuse to play by their rules

this has been a year of changes
some good, some really hard
still in the grieving process
mourning over everything I lost and how I’d never get it back
the relationships with certain family members
how those never happened the way I wanted and will never happen
unless we address the elephant in the room
that makes me ache inside
places that are filled with sorrow and unimaginable pain
old pain, built from years and years of ongoing shit

somehow, I have to make do with this
and realize that
yes, it sucked, but the rest of my life doesn’t have to be that way
I can make the rest of my life what I want it to be

I am tossing everything I learned in the trash
setting it on fire and watching it burn into oblivion
and from those ashes, I’ll make a new life
I have gained skills as a survivor
I would never have learned elsewhere
resilience, bravery, strength, vulnerability
crying, grieving, raging, screaming
dancing alone in my room
writing, reading, music
these are all things that have kept me thriving and surviving

I say, no more hiding parts of myself for other people’s comfort
I am a queer, non-binary, mixed race, neurodivergent, abuse survivor and damn proud of it
all these intersecting identities make me who I am
if anyone doesn’t like it, too bad
accept me in all my multiplicities
because I accept myself as I am
with all my strengths and flaws and messy bits that nobody sees
I am like a phoenix, born in fire and ashes
rising above all the violence and hatred of this cruel world
and succeeding
and thriving
and living

Unapologetic: Nolwenn Petitbois

Staff artist Nolwenn Petitbois joins us today to share her word of the year for 2019: unapologetic.

artwork by Nolwenn Petitbois

Hear her thoughts on this powerful word and enjoy watching her create artwork to commemorate this “Soul Whisper”:

Soul Whispers: custom word paintings

Nolwenn offers affordable, vibrant custom mixed media paintings to celebrate your word of the year. What a gorgeous way to support yourself AND an independent artist. Start building or boost your collection of original artwork today!

artwork & image by Nolwenn Petitbois

WORD! Claiming Your Year with Purpose and Pizzazz: Danna Schmidt

WORD! Claiming Your Year with Purpose and Pizzazz
by Danna Schmidt

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Choosing a guiding Word versus a New Year’s resolution has become a popular way to be more intentional about ways of being, doing, and having. Google “word of the year” and you will discover countless resources that hint at how resolution-setting is so last millennium.

I first began theming my year in 2008 and since then have expanded this theming into a methodical branding system. Not only do I name and claim my year with high vibrational words, but I also create taglines, a yearly soundtrack, a vision board, and pair it with a visual talisman (a decorated stick, stamped necklace, or inscribed rock, for example). Adding these touchstones helps me keep my word(s) and intention for the year alive and thriving.

Should you feel inspired to carry a word or words with you for 2019, here are my top 10 tips for doing so.

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Top 10 Tips

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1. SAY FAREWELL TO 2018.

Take stock of where you’re at by writing a letter to your year, noting categories such as your joys, sorrows, activities, travels, successes, milestones, detours/roadblocks, stressors, support, moments of flow, and peak moments. Express hopes for the future and gratitude for how this year changed or marked you. From this letter, you may glean insights into an emerging theme.

image by Danna Schmidt

2. ENGAGE IN WORDPLAY.

Spend some time searching out words that express your 2019 intention/wish. Consult a thesaurus, hit up a word-nerd friend, look up the etymology, and spend time seeking out high-vibe verbs, or words that are both noun and verb, words that are an imperative, and my personal favorite, portmanteau and hybrid words. Printing out the thesaurus and dictionary listing of your word can also be very inspiring, as can making an acrostic poem of it.

My favorite new wordplay trick is to type my word or words into an online anagram site, choose the most relevant and intriguing ones, and then go to a word cloud site to digitally collage all the lively words these anagram tools elicit.

image by Danna Schmidt

3. YEARNING/LEARNING/CHURNING DESIRES.

Pay attention to these desires. What are you longing for? What is constantly on your mind as an area of growth and opportunity? What is it you want to manifest and create?

4. IT'S ELEMENTAL.

Consider your word from an elemental perspective. A few years ago, I chose Airworthiness (pairing the notions of dreams taking flight with self-worth). Another year, my element was fire, which meshed beautifully with my dance-themed word.

image by Danna Schmidt

5. EMBODY YOUR WORD.

This somatic approach is another tool that has really inspired me. I consider how my chosen words align with a chakra and sensory perception. This year, my theme is about creative voice, so I am paying heed to my throat chakra and my sensory perceptions that relate to expression.

6. LET OTHER WORDS GUIDE YOU.

Source poetry, song lyrics, inspirational quotes, and even your own journal entries and writings for clues. One year, my theme was Rise Up Rooted… (which included the dot dot dot), partially inspired by Rainer Maria Rilke’s poem about rising up rooted and Peter H. Reynold’s renowned picture book, The Dot.

7. ALLOW NATURE ITEMS & SYMBOLS TO INSPIRE YOU.

I don’t often choose my visual symbol first, but if I resonate with the pairing of my word and a certain talisman that helps me keep my word alive and thriving, that’s often a sign that my word will empower me all year long. Examples of how I’ve made symbols work for me include choosing a feather during my Airworthiness year, and moss as my touchy-feely thing. Another year, the image of Snoopy dancing felt inspiring.

If you’re stuck, look around at symbols or your own personal icons (compass, tiny music box, a poker chip, a bird, a nest, a small mirror, etc.)—inspiration is everywhere! Other tangible items that can help support you include a themed vision board, word jewelry charms (bracelet, necklace pendant, or keychain charm), custom word art pieces (small canvas, door wreath, decoration or other wall hanging), painted rocks, a custom art journal, or even a miniature prayer flag.

8. BORROW A PAGE FROM YOUR OWN CALENDAR.

Sometimes the upcoming milestones, travels, places and events in your life offer clue enough. I knew that in the year I turned 50, I would be venturing on a solo pilgrimage journey to Europe, so I allowed that to help guide me with my theme of being more earth-based. The year prior, I was launching my business and creating my marketing tools, so my theme naturally morphed into one of taking flight, building confidence, and tackling issues of self-worth.

9. SEAL THE DEAL.

My SEAL of approval, which helps me know if my chosen word has enough oomph, is to ask myself if it’s [S]exy, [E]nergizing, [A]mbitious and [L]asting. If it doesn't give me goosebumps, make me smile like a Cheshire cat, scare me a tiny bit, and have the potential to be a story I can still talk about years later, it won’t get my SEAL of approval.

10. SIFT THROUGH OLD WORDS.

I have more than a decade of cool word choices. Sometimes our soul is way ahead of our heart, mind, and body in the choosing of a word. If you’re stuck, go back through previous years and see if there is any residual longing and energy with previous choices. I know people who have lived their word two years in a row, especially if there’s big work to do. My word choice of Airworthiness one year was born from my 2014 Dubstep year (which contained 12 monthly W words including Worth). My epiphany from doing my year in review work at the end of my Dubstep year was that I needed to keep working with Worth. Claiming that word for the next year proved to be a very, well … worthy endeavor.

image by Danna Schmidt

Turning Point

Claiming an intention has helped me shape my story, add meaning and momentum to my journey, and learn more about myself.  

My chosen word pairing for 2019 is Turning Point. The words turn and point function as both nouns and verbs. This theme reminds me to go against myself, sidestep roadblocks, and shift gears where needed, and acts as an imperative for me to lend focus and direction to my dreams. Turning Point holds many other intriguing and relevant words such as toning, touring, ignitor, tuition, origin, intuit, uniting, print, union, putting, grin, pining, pruning, outing, etc., and deeply resonates with me around issues of focus and redirection.

Turning Point embraces what is real and raw for me at this epoch in my life, at the start of what is my first full empty-nesthood year. It IS my turn!

And so, with all this said, I now turn and point to you and whisper: your turn! What word or words are calling out to be claimed by you this year?

word of the year: TPS staff

Hi, friends! How’s 2019 unfolding for you so far?

Many phoenix souls like to choose a word or phrase for the year—an intention to guide their coming days. (Coming soon: Danna Schmidt shares her top tips on choosing your own word, “Claiming your Year with Purpose and Pizzazz.”)

Some of our TPS staff wrote about their choices for 2019. I get an expansive, hopeful feeling as I read them together, and I bet you will, too.

Keep an eye out soon for a special post with staff artist Nolwenn Petitbois’ word, including a video of her painting a companion piece—and an opportunity to purchase your own custom artwork from her (affordable, unique work that supports both artist and owner? You know I swoon for that!).

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my word for 2019

artwork by Amanda Fall

I’ve been writing lots about journey, my 2019 guiding word, on my Patreon (including a few weekly soul-prompts exploring further).

I’m reminding myself to enjoy the journey this year as I work toward some Big Dreams, not to get so laser-focused on the Destination that I lose sight of lessons and joy in the here and now. I’m also working with ideas about forward movement, how and when to leap (or not) when I feel ready (or not), taking one little step, and much more. I can already tell journey will stretch me this year!

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TPS staff

I offered three prompts to our staff. You might enjoy considering them, too:

• What’s your word or phrase for 2019?

• What are you embracing in the new year?

• What are you letting go?

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De Jackson

My word for the year is “Wake.” As in awakening more fully to God’s presence in my life. I want to: Wake up. Show up. Power up. Grow up. And of course, the mermaid in me loves to feel the ocean’s pull. I hope to spend more time in its wake this year.

This year I am embracing my own body, flaws, awkwardness, and strengths. I am letting go of the world’s expectations and ideas of “success,” and redefining them for myself. I am embracing quiet. And stillness. And simplicity. I am longing for rest, and full refreshment, and the ability to awaken each day with energy and wonder.

image by De Jackson

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Kyeli Smith

My word for 2019 is SHINE! I'm terrified and excited to see what it will bring my way.

I'm embracing possibility. I've been struggling for a few years, and I feel like I've finally turned the corner.

I am letting go of feeling like I don't deserve goodness or happiness or riches of all kinds. Hail and farewell to that bs!

image by Kyeli Smith

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Maureen Helms Blake

For several years, a word or phrase to guide the next year almost chose itself. Shine. Radiance. Sparkle. And it didn’t matter when daily work on those words faded after a few months, because it was like they’d already achieved their purpose: their essence was now a part of me. Other times, interaction continued throughout the calendar year, like with What if? and No Regrets.

This year surprised me. Not only was I not getting any sense of a guiding Word for the Year, but I was also feeling this gritchy pushback against the whole concept. What???? Had I been infected with some post-holiday Grinchiness???

Then a newly-acquired habit nudged me: sit with the uncomfortable feeling. Ask what it has to teach me. After a few days, insight bloomed.It was the “for the next year” part. I’m currently in the midst of the biggest personal upheaval ever, sorting through a lifetime of belongings and memories, deciding whether to physically move away from Familiar to Scary New, and wondering what the next chapter of my life will hold. How could I possibly pick one word for the next 12 months, when I barely knew which direction to walk each day?

And then. One morning while I still snuggled under warm blankets, in the shimmering between asleep and fully awake, I heard this: do you trust Me?

I want to. Do you trust Me? I’m trying to. Do. You. Trust. Me? . . . [long exhale] Yes.

There it is: trust.

image by Maureen Helms Blake

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Your turn!

What’s your word? Share with us in the comments!

New to this practice or need some guidance? Look forward to Danna’s piece soon, and Nolwenn’s inspiring video. I also recommend Susannah Conway’s free e-mail course, Find Your Word (and don’t miss her beloved Unravel Your Year resource to contemplate 2018, if you haven’t done so already).

Happy 2019—and may this year unfold with deep blessing.

Holy Liberation: Julia Fehrenbacher

Holy Liberation
by Julia Fehrenbacher

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I will declare it out loud—decidedly,
mightily, quietly, steadily, with the kind of fire
that burns through all
but the truest things.

I will howl it to the wild midnight
moon. I will say it silently
to the darkest part of night.

I
am
enough.

I will gather up the flame, the fury,
every fear and fallen warrior, the tiny, afraid,
trying-to-be-good girl
who kept getting knocked down
and forgot only her own legs
could lift her back up.

I will whisper to her in the night:

You are a warrior.
Look at how far you’ve come. You never
needed to be anything other.

I will tell her, over and over
again that I am ready to be, that I will forever
be her greatest believer. I will promise
her with my pinky.

With a fierceness
only liberation can muster, I will hush
each voice that makes me feel anything less
than beautiful.

I will declare, claim, reclaim
as many times as it take:

I
am
enough.

With a roar that quakes and shakes
the whole sleeping world awake,
I will stake my flag to the ground.

I will be a soldier for my own rising heart.

It will be the most epic
homecoming ever.

Daphne's Daughters: Jenna Whittaker

Daphne’s Daughters
by Jenna Whittaker

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…[Daphne’s] limbs grew numb and heavy, her soft breasts
Were closed with delicate bark, her hair was leaves,
Her arms were branches, and her speedy feet
Rooted and held.
….
[Apollo] placed his hand
Where he had hoped and felt the heart still beating
Under the bark.
…
‘Since you can never be my bride,
My tree at least you shall be! Let the laurel
Adorn, henceforth, my hair, my lyre, my quiver’
…
The laurel,
Stirring, seemed to consent, to be saying Yes.
—Ovid, “Apollo and Daphne,” Book 1, Metamorphoses**

We are Daphne’s daughters—
her limbs breaking bark.

We are the roots
untangling
this tiger from the earth—

the roar
of branches bursting open,
of arms flinging wide, feet bounding free,

of thunder
forgetting to tiptoe,
truth
refusing to whisper.

The earth is our drum
and we are its warrior-song—

the vibrations
of worlds long-denied—the stirring
of constellations awakening
like fireflies in the night
sensations that dance
down to the bone
where the flames
of a thousand stories burn.

We are the braille
that teaches the night sky how to spell
its own light.

We are Daphne’s daughters—
that unuttered howl
trapped between her ribs—

the no
that has never
meant yes.

We are the untamable wild,
the resistant
persistent she
no longer the silence
crowning he.

We are centuries of poems
rippling across
a heart that beat
beneath Apollo’s hand
that never ceased to dream
of something more.

And we are rising.
We. Are. Rising.

*In the classical Ovidian myth of Apollo and Daphne, the Olympian god Apollo aggressively pursues Daphne, a beautiful young nymph. He chases her until she is exhausted and can go no further. She comes to the river of her father and, desperate to evade Apollo’s lust, she cries out for her father to change her form.  Her father grants her request, and, just as Apollo is about to seize her, she turns into a laurel tree.

**Prefatory quote from Ovid: Metamorphoses, translated by Rolfe Humphries, Indiana University Press, 1955: 19-20.

welcome: we rise

Come in, phoenix soul.
Come in, tender-heart. Over-thinker. Big-sky-dreamer.
Come in, you holy mess of a human, you divine spark of light (we’re a mess too, and we love you not despite your you-ness, but because of it).
Come in, sacred-seeker, love-believer, joy-finder, heart-on-your-sleever.

Welcome.
As you are.

Come in, exhausted one, and drink deep of soul-nourishment.
Come in, joyful one, and multiply your cheer.
Come in, aching one, and let us whisper love.
Come in, trembling one, and know you are (more than) enough—as is.

Welcome.
As you are.

Come in, and let us celebrate your trueness, in all your ache and beauty.
Come in, and let us tend your tired places, in every overwhelm.
Come in, and let us meet you exactly where you are, in all your hurt and healing.
Come in, and let us companion you in the way of transformation, in every tiny victory.

Welcome.
As you are.

(with gratitude and apologies to Shel Silverstein’s “Invitation”)

Dear one, with great joy (and fingernail-chewing-nerves), I welcome you to our new collaborative space.

The Phoenix Soul online community is raw and real, tough and tender, full of grit, grace, and every gasp between. Our digital magazine has always celebrated these qualities (over seven years of publication—all 64 issues still available here), and now we’re throwing the doors wide open as we create this fresh collaborative space (read full story here). In a time of deep ache and exciting transformation in our world, we offer this collaborative blog as a sanctuary—a free, open-to-all, tenderhearted, progressive space that honors our collective and individual being.

You’re invited . . .

We invite you to explore soul-deep questions with us, to find comfort and uplift, to raise our lanterns in the dark together. You’re welcome to visit, to submit your own offerings, and of course to browse our catalog of 64 published digital magazine issues (similar themes to what we’ll explore here, but in self-contained, carefully curated, ad-free, wildly colorful PDF issues). You can also connect more closely with me, Amanda, on Patreon (starting with weekly soul-prompts for only $1/month, plus vibrant handmade art mail at higher tiers). (Psst—Patreon helps fund this new free venture, so if you believe in our mission, thank you for your support!)

What can you expect in this collaborative space?

Artwork—bold, colorful, from the soul. Gaspworthy poetry. Brave essays. Thought-provoking flash fiction. Inspiring artist profiles and Soul Rise Stories interviews. Videos to brighten your day or spark your soul. Community and staff round-ups with evocative questions and answers. And much more! (Sounds like your kind of thing? Read our themes and guidelines here to submit your own work.)

We’re so excited . . .

I’m thrilled to connect with you in this new format, and hope you find encouragement and kinship here. Think of this as your virtual bonfire. Grab a cup of your favorite hot drink, step into the circle, and cozy up with us. Let’s whisper truths into one another’s ears. Let’s nod and sigh at the ache and beauty of us all. Let’s laugh and weep and wonder. Let’s plan to meet up again soon, soon, soon.

With deep appreciation and gratitude,

our next rising: TPS 2019

Seven years ago today, heart galloping and hands trembling, I launched our first issue (then called Sprout online magazine).

Our theme? Celebration. Through 60 bright, colorful pages (many hand-painted), I spilled my heart in ink and paint and pixel, and invited guest contributors to do the same.

November 15, 2011. I was 27. I felt as if I’d finally figured out what I was born to do.

After yearning as a pre-teen to create a print zine “for kids, by kids,” yet never daring to pursue that passion (fear? lack of self-confidence? yes and yes) . . . digital possibilities finally allowed me to bring a fresh version of that dream to life. My magazine was real, at last.

We continued to bloom and grow over the next few years.

Then, in 2014, my world shook off its axis. Loved ones struggled with intense physical and mental health issues, my own depression deepened, and then, the unthinkable: the sudden, unexpected loss of my mother-in-law. I crumbled. While somehow still pulling together issues of Sprout magazine, I felt stifled, changed, in the throes of transformation like I’d never before experienced.

I began sharing my grief stories via social media, seeking some kind of freedom and lightness in my weary heart and head. I wasn’t okay, and I couldn’t hide anymore.

I was raw, real, open, letting my heart be on my sleeve more than ever before. (As someone with social anxiety and introversion, this is a Big Deal.)

“This is a story about a woman who then lifted a lantern in the dark, howling with ache, and heard you calling back. This is a woman who heard you leading her all the way home. You who also sought sanctuary in telling the truth. You who also yearned to be your true self, no matter what that looked like. You who also believed our howls are holy, our sighs of soul are sacred, our wandering and wondering are necessary, our shouts of joy are multiplied by echoing together. You who have journeyed with me.”

— My Story, The Phoenix Soul: Sacred Voice

What I discovered? You—the dear ones in this digital community, readers and friends of the magazine—responded overwhelmingly with love and acceptance. You said yes, yes, yes, me too, me too. You didn’t want to hide your hurts anymore, either. You craved connection that was real and true, even/especially when that was messy and tear-soaked and full of irreverent laughter and insistent joy. You wanted real. So did I.

So, in the beginning of 2015, I dared to burn my fears, to toss my plans on the bonfire and embrace my transformation wholly. I rebranded our magazine and community as The Phoenix Soul. We shifted our focus to welcoming the wonderfully messy bits of our lives, believing that healing spirals from inner revelation to outer revolution. We weren’t hiding anymore.

“I am weeping. I’m not ready for the next phoenix rise. But she is ready for me.”

— my art journal, two months ago

Two months ago, I experienced another epiphany about The Phoenix Soul that turned everything upside down.

In the span of a few hours, I journeyed from weeping, shaking my head, refusing to listen to my gut . . . to fully embracing the idea with fiery conviction, all the way to my core.

(Thank goodness for my magic-mama, taking over childcare at a moment’s notice, understanding when I said with desperation: I have to go figure this out!)

In those breathless hours, I scribbled and spilled and cried and—at last—rejoiced. This idea is needed. I’d recognized that truth almost immediately, despite my initial hesitation and worry. The work of those few hours was more about convincing my head to catch up with my heart.

“What if they are upset—” “But I’ve worked so hard—” “What if I lose everything—” “I don’t want to change!”

Those thoughts? They were fear, keeping me small. Keeping US small.

“I don’t feel ready . . . But what if I’m dragging my phoenix wings in the dust and she is begging to fly?”

— my art journal, two months ago

Love, you’ve waited long enough: here’s our exciting news. Our next phoenix rising.

After seven years of digital publication via PDF (64 vibrant issues of 60 pages each: a whopping 3840 pages! Whaaaaat?!), we are more than ready to break free of outgrown methods, to expand, to reach more wild phoenix souls than ever before.

In 2019, we will be completely changing format. After overhauling our website, I’ll begin publishing new content FREE on our blog.

We’ll still be the same vibrant, real, tenderhearted, trembling-and-true, ragged-and-rising community we’ve always been . . . but now we’re throwing our doors wide open, welcoming all who crave soul-to-soul connection.

In a time when our world feels full of chaos, fear, hatred, bigotry, and oppression, I want The Phoenix Soul’s healing message to reach farther and wider than ever before. I want to offer a readily accessible place where you are welcome and honored as your TRUE self, whatever that looks like. (You’ve always been welcome within the pages of our magazine, but access will have fewer barriers now.)

Our collaborative blog will be free, more easily shareable, and as full of tender truth as our magazine has always been. Sounds good, yeah? I thought so!

Frequently Asked Questions

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Why are you changing? I love the magazine as it is!

Me, too! But our mission has always embraced intentional transformation when it’s necessary for growth. After seven years of publishing in our current format, I’m ready to break free of self-imposed limitations. This shift will allow us to reach even more phoenix souls who love living with depth, telling tender and true stories, claiming so-called vulnerabilities as strength, and connecting with fellow phoenix. We’ll raise our lanterns in the dark together. We’ve always done this within the tenderhearted pages of our digital magazine, but now our lights will shine further than ever before.

I already subscribed. What happens to me?

Don’t worry, sweet soul! I’ll take care of you, of course. If you haven’t received an email from me already, please check your spam folder, and if you still don’t see a message, contact me here and we’ll settle up.

Will back issues of The Phoenix Soul still be available?

Definitely! Our timeless themes remain as powerful now as they were upon publication (although of course we hope to have grown and evolved with every issue). Check out fiery issues like Sacred Voice, Passionate Purpose, Wholehearted Living, Brave First Steps, and more in our shop, along with great deals on bundles.

Will you ever publish the magazine again?

Maybe! I don’t want to say no, because I love our magazine in its “old” format, but for right now we’ll be focusing on growing our new free library of content (as well as continuing to offer back issues, connecting with you on Patreon, building our RedBubble shop, and creating yummy new offerings like e-courses). If and when we do publish in our “old” format, it’ll be a special edition, and I’ll announce that when the time comes.

Can I submit for publication on the collaborative blog?

Yesssssss, please do. We need you to make this possible! See submission guidelines here. I’ll be seeking the same kind of tenderhearted, vulnerable-yet-strong, personal, vibrant work as we’ve always loved to feature in TPS magazine. Poetry, essays, flash fiction, photography, artwork, and more are all welcome. Our new format will also allow for video submissions, spoken-word submissions, and other innovative creations. Have fun with it! We’d also love to see art tutorials, flip-throughs, and behind-the-scenes artwork creation. Questions? Contact me here.

I love your mission! How can I help?

Bless you—and I adore you, too! Thank you for your continued support. You can help by submitting your heartfelt creations, sharing our posts, spreading the word, and supporting financially. Since TPS will now be mostly free, I’m taking the financial burden on myself. Any support helps: one-time donations, recurring patronage on Patreon (where we get to connect more closely, like via my love notes and art mail), and purchasing our vibrant back issues. I’ll also be selling original artworks, opening a RedBubble, and creating e-courses (which high-tier Patrons will get included with their rewards—woohoo).

Pssst: I’ve added a new tier on Patreon in honor of our seven-year anniversary! Join for $7 to receive a handmade art postcard every month, along with weekly soul-prompts and other yummy goodies! Samples below.

Dear friends, I am honored to have journeyed with you these past seven years.

I look forward to our next collective rising with much joy and anticipation. I hope you’ll continue to flock with us. See you in 2019 (and pardon our virtual website dust as I revamp in the coming weeks)! In the meantime, I’d love to connect with you on Patreon, in the pages of our back issues, in our free private Facebook gathering, on our public Facebook page, and on Instagram.

With love, gratitude, & awe,
Amanda
your fellow phoenix soul
creator, editor, publisher

I hear you // The Phoenix Soul: Sacred Voice

Sweet fiery soul, I hear you.

I hear you in your weary-heart tenderness.

Your raging never-agains.

Your long-buried secrets coming to light.

I hear you in your held-breath hurts and your won’t-give-up healing.

You are seen here.
Heard. Believed.
Trusted. Loved. Supported.

 

Dear kindred, it’s new release day here at The Phoenix Soul! The theme of our new issue of our digital magazine feels more necessary than ever (though I scheduled it long before current events ramped up): Sacred Voice.

Our collective voice is crying out. We will be heard. We believe, at last, our voice is sacred…even when much of the world tells us the opposite. Our stories matter. WE matter.

You are valued here, phoenix soul, and you aren’t alone. Whether you’re lifting your voice in public realms or you’re crying out in the secret chambers of your own heart and home, YOU MATTER and you are so needed. We want to journey with you. We want to lift our lanterns together. We want to travel through the shadows arm-in-arm, lighting up the night together. Together, we are fierce. We are gentle power. We are love.

Join us for 60 boldly colored, ad-free pages (PDF) of art, poetry, essays, interviews, photography, creative prompts, and more. We companion one another. We stoke the fire. We tend our wild phoenix souls.

Read more details about Sacred Voice and join us here.

You are so welcome here, phoenix.

with deep love & appreciation,
Amanda
creator, editor, publisher