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Working with Deborah Koff Chapin’s Soulcards
RATTLESNAKE AWAKENING
Image Swimming is a term I invented for a series of literary meditations inspired by visual work — in this case, the work of Deborah Koff Chapin, creator of Soulcards. I’m using the cards from Deck 2. Please visit https://touchdrawing.com/ for more on this transformative process.
In the spring of 1997, I was in the last throes of a dramatic legal battle with my ex over money. We had divorced in 1994, but there remained a big conflict to resolve. It was a brutal time, and I did what I do during such times…I found a way to ritualize my way through it.
I signed up for a vision quest held in Eastern Washington. I bought all my gear: stainless steel water bottle, tent, rain gear, whistle, everything on the list. I prepared to eat very sparingly for three days. I brought with me a ziplock sandwich bag of almonds soaking in water which would serve as my source of nourishment.
The day finally came, and I left my home for this five-day adventure. Once we arrived at our base camp (the drive, the bus, and the hike took around twelve hours), we checked in with one another around the fire, shared our intentions, and then we enjoyed what would be our last normal meal for the next three days before…
