Bellingham WA Henna Moon

Henna Art based in Bellingham, WA

The official website of henna artist and photographer Chele Eva Armstrong.

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Imbolc is..Balance

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Posted on : 31-01-2010 | By : Chele

Imbolc is the white
All colors of light
After the snow storm
Seconds before the thaw
The blank page before you begin to draw
Imbloc is also dark and dense
the presence
of all color and possibility
the fresh laid garden before seeds and sun are added
The moment between lightning and thunder
                     between the joke and the laughter
The universe precisely one second before the big bang
Anticipatory emptiness
                     emptiness full of expectation
Silence…. empty…. waiting
The tingling of something about to happen
A ready receptacle awaiting the seeds of our abundance
A tipping point is occurring
The balance of Brigid’s creative, healing love
A hanging sensation as we wait
For spring to break

Chele 30JAN10

Blessed Brigid’s Day
Chalice well Photo Credit unknown

It is the beginning of a new year…as it is every 6 weeks or so…

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Posted on : 16-01-2010 | By : Chele

16-Jan 2010  

I celebrate the Wheel of the Year, eight holidays around the calendar. Following the seasons and turning the Earth. Last night I was part of a celebration in which all eight were represented and honored. Each person was the embodiment of their chosen holiday.  At each tuning I felt the quiet cold of spring, the intense heat of summer, the sweet crispness of fall and the little death of winter..I was honored to manifest Yule and it was quite an experience for me. As the wheel we danced around the Goddess and Holy King! I felt as if the Earth was singing with us, knowing we were honoring her in her full aspect. It was beautiful!

Today I feel invigorated recharged and ready to continue through the rest of the dark time of this year. Ready to meet each of these points on the wheel again as we turn to meet them. On Monday Dec 21,  Winter Solstice, the Earth will pause in its journey of tilting away from the sun, then it will start to tilt back and as it journeys around the sun the Northern half will turn to face it. In Australia they are celebrating the longest day while here in the North it is dark and cold.

Each turn of the wheel has an inherent beginning and ending with in it as does each day of our lives has a sunrise and sunset. Beginnings and endings are built into everything we do and the Wheel of the Year brings that home.

I feel so blessed to be a part of the Stella Maris Community and I want to thank all of the people who made last night a wonderful experience for us all.

I’m further blessed by the opportunity I had in meeting a new friend and experiencing her Solstice tree that she lights with actual candles. Each candle is lit with a wish and we watched them burn down, playing music, taking photos, doing Henna (of course!) and enjoying each other’s company. I was in awe of this sight. Each candle was held on by an antique holder and we all had the job of watching the tree to be sure a fire did not start.. what a sight!

Welcome Holy King Lord of light!! Bless us all on this night.

Happy Winter Solstice and for you down south Happy Summer Solstice!

PS: I am so looking forward to the new year of Henna and friends of Henna. I’ll be at the Farmer’s Market again this year, SummerStar, Northwest Lammas Festival and the Psychic Fair up at the UU Church on Yew Street. I’m very excited to get working again.

Here is looking forward to the 1st day of Spring , Feb 2 Imbloc!  Stay warm out there! Love to all…

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Posted on : 24-09-2009 | By : Chele

New Moon Over AtlantaHey hello everyone! I know it has been awhile since I have blogged.. been low as of late, missing good friends but it is now Mabon or the Fall Equinox and the wheel turns.  The Moon is new and things can always get better. Deep breath in, breathe out, repeat until done. Everything is as it should be. Blessed Be.

Currently I’m in Atlanta for a SharePoint Conference or “geek” Heaven or Hell depending on who you talk to.  Luckily two Henna artists near and dear to my heart live in Atlanta and were sweet enough to come see me last night.Barbara of Admired Beauty

 Barbara of “Admired Beauty”  and

Samantha Ramos Henna OdysseySamantha from “Henna Odyssey”.  I had the pleasure of meeting them in California at the Henna Caravan conference. Barbara arrived covered in hers and Samantha’s beautiful Henna designs. Samantha was Henna-naked and ready for painting.  We went out to dinner to get reacquainted and then were attacked by a parrot before we returned to make with the Henna!  I wish my window could open as the Atlanta night was filled with sweet sounds of what Samantha calls “an abundance of critters”.

I was so honored to design Sam some slippers and Barbara gave me 2 beautiful designs on my foot and hand.  Barbara also make beautiful jewelry of which I was gifted a piece. Soon she will be up and ready to sell. They are both so talented! Too soon the night was over. I miss them already. We had such a great time. I gave Samantha my “Kree cone” as she has issues with RMS as well and now I do not have Henna to play with for the rest of my stay.  :( (Come back Girls!!! I miss you already!)  It was bittersweet visit as I wish they lived closer and hope (hope hope) they will come out my way some day. I tell you what, I will be seeing them at any conference they intend to attend. I love you ladies!

Turn o' HennaI’ve worked the last 2 weekends at the Farmer’s Market and this weekend, September 26 will be my last Market day until Halloween.  Mabon(fall equinox) and Samhain (Halloween) are my favorite holidays and I will be doing it up for the booth this year as market day actually falls on the big day.  After Oct 31, my Market season will be over but I believe the BFM continues until mid December. There you can find many many gifts for your loved ones. Also gift wise, I suggest you check out Etsy. Etsy is a fantastic site full of homemade and handmade goods from all over the world. On Esty there used to be a “buy local” special search. I can’t find it now but how cool if you could keep to your searches in your area. A fine site to spend money on. In December I will blog more about local gift giving and gift making as I am a firm believer of staying away from the “soul sucking mall” as much as humanly possible.  

On Flickr I have posted many new photos for you to play with … I hope I will see you this Saturday for More Henna fun.  Here’s some love for you from Atlanta!

XXOO

Chele

Summer Sun .. Touch of Autumn…

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Posted on : 14-08-2009 | By : Chele

SUN!Happy Friday night B’Hamsters! The theme for this summer was certainly SUN!  How did you like your heat wave? I liked it NOT!  While I did get a chance to swim in Whatcom Lake and the Nooksack River I still got a touch of heat stroke, not fun.

I hope you all stayed cool out there while we were on hiatus. I went on many adventures, Vancouver Washington to see “She Who Watches” (Petroglyphs  along the Columbia River) among other things, A tour of Washington’s many volcanoes. I communed with nature and friends for Lammas the Harvest of the 1st fruits. And realized just how hard I had been working that I had lost touch with so many great people. Love to you all and thank you for your patience, unwavering faith and caring.

I saw bats emerge from their sleep under the full moon at Hovander park, Almost got eaten by a Bear in the North Cascades National Park (sounded like a bear I swear) and saw the new baby Beluga whale at the Vancouver Aquarium. Of course I Hennaed many, many long distance friends. I was very busy during my time away from the market and have many new designs to share with everyone.Mixed Motifs

I was looking over my email and received a nice note from Rick, Coordinator for the Farmers Market. He wanted to be sure I had not melted and stated, “your customer base have constantly been asking for you”. Thanks for sharing that Rick! How sweet to be missed and wanted. :) I look forward to seeing everyone again too!

And soon! We are coming back to the Market tomorrow! I just made a fresh batch of Henna with frankincense, sweet orange and bergamot, yum yum! Now it is sitting under some rose quartz soaking up love and under the Tarot card “the Sun” soaking up the happiness just for you :) . I tell you, Jenny and I am well rested and ready to get back to work.  Looks as if Saturday will start out cloudy and turn into mostly sunny, so dress in layers and come see us.

I want to hear all about your heat wave stories.. Isn’t it great the world is back to normal?.. i.e. wet. :)

Semmiahmoo

Meet Jenny Gerfen :)

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Posted on : 11-07-2009 | By : Chele

Jenny GerfenIndependence day was incredible! What a great day .. sunny, full of happy people ready to play! And it was Jenny’s 1st day at the booth. She was fantastic! we had a great time and her designs are so fun and different. you have to come and check her out. You can see some of her designs on her flicker page. Jenny Gerfen. She’ll be here with me again today , the sun’s out again.. come down and get some cooling summer Henna.. See you there! Chele

Happy Independence Day!

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Posted on : 03-07-2009 | By : Chele

John Adams 2nd President of AmericaLately husband and I have been watching the HBO Miniseries “John Adams”. I’m so amazed what people were able to accomplish without flush toilets and running water. Seriously though, I’m so grateful to our forefathers for our independence. However imperfect, they sacrificed much for what we have today. One of my favorite quotes from Adams was “I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. So that their sons [and daughter’s] will have the freedom to pursue art and poetry.” I’m pursing that very thing, thank you!

Seth & Sarah

I’ve been a very busy bee since I wrote last, please check out my all new flicker page which I revamped and added a lot more photos for you to look at. On June 20, Midsummer, we Drove to Eugene, OR. There I Hennaed the belly of friends of mine about to have their 1st child. We almost didn’t make it in time as the false contractions had us thinking she was having that baby that day! Finished Belly

 

 

 

 

Then onward to Ashland, Oregon for the RawUnion festival. Ashland was beautiful, the food was amazing, I felt incredible eating it and I was re-inspired to gain better health. I discovered this fabulous website RAWFU http://www.rawfu.com/. They have a fantastic online community of people supporting each other in good health. Recipes, photos, ‘facebook’ like interface, everything! Check it out if you are interested. Henna Moon BoothI had a Henna Healing booth at RawUnion and I felt it was a big success. I really enjoyed connecting with people and helping them with their various transitions. (More to come on Henna healing at this website soon.)

 

Henna Healing at Raw Union

This Saturday I’m back at the Bellingham Farmer’s Market and I am very excited. One of my favorite holidays and there are many events going on in town and I hope you make the market one of your stops! This weekend I will have a new addition to my booth, Lately I have been so busy at the market I have reluctantly had to turn people away. Luckily Jenny Gerfen has come into my life and has agreed to work with me at the market. She is a great artist and has a style all her own. Her positive and bubbly personality fits right in with me and I know you will love her too. Come see me and meet Jenny. I miss everyone; I sure hope I will see you there. I’m only bringing Red, White and Blue glitter and we are going to have a rockin’ time. Whatever you do decide to do I hope you enjoy your weekend! Yours Chele

 

 

Thank you Obama for giving me back my flag

Off to Ashland to See the Raw Wizards

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Posted on : 17-06-2009 | By : Chele

 

Beets yumBeet Juice.. isn’t it beautiful?  Seriously good for your liver too. That is why I drink it in a wine glass.
 
Living TreeLast week was the Metaphysical Faire at Woodside Spiritual Center. I had a wonderful relaxing day, chatting and Hennaing many open, positive people. Doing Healing Henna’s with runes and meditation. It was just what I needed.
Happy Famous Sarah
 
I also got a chance to get to know my new friend Jenny Gerfen. She will be joining me July 4 as a second Henna artist. She is a fabulous artist with her own unique style, which I strongly encourage! This sun is one of hers. She has a sunny positive attitude and is a very bright soul. I know you are going to love her.
Jenny's Sun
 
Well ‘Hamsters I’m off to the Raw Food Union Festival in Ashland OR. Ooh Boy! I won’t be back in town until June 23. and I wont be back to the Farmer’s Market until July 4th.  I hope you all have a wonderful couple of weeks.
 
Blessings to you on the coming Summer Solstice.
Yours,
Chele

Metaphysical Fair This Weekend :)

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Posted on : 12-06-2009 | By : Chele

Beautiful EyesHello all I hope you had a wonderful week. It was sure a beautiful one!  This week has been super busy for me. I had the Market Saturday where I did some really great work and had only a tiny bit of memory on the camera to take photos~! I did lots of feet this time and really enjoying it!

 

Then I had another private party and pregnancy belly!

 

 

 

 

Sun for the new Son

 I just love doing Bellies!..

 

This weekend will be the beginning of a 3 week break from the Farmer’s Market. I will not be back until July 4th.  I decided I needed a change of scenery.

 

 

 

 

Love FeetInstead come see me this weekend at the Woodside Spiritual Center’s Metaphysical Fair and Silent Auction. This will be 8 hours of spiritual awakenings! Come see Tarot readers,

 Crystal healers, massage therapists, Aura readers and much more.  I will be offering Henna healings and Mainstream Henna as well.  The event is free admission so please come and join us!

 

 

 

 

 

Extreme Gratitude

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Posted on : 31-05-2009 | By : Chele

Balanced BeautyIt was SO good to be back in Bellingham for the Saturday Market. I was so blessed ALL day long as people I loved and admired came by to chat, get Hennaed, help, hang out or  just say hi! It made me feel SO loved and appreciated! Especially on the heals of visiting family all week, which can be rough emotionally. But it was easy to let that go because the day was beautiful, sunny and there were so many happy smiling faces, hugs and love. Darcy, Krystaline, Rebecca, Jerry, Erica, Reese, Graham and Whitney came to chat and give me love,  Christos took my picture :) . Rainbow brought me green snap peas and did a little dance for me in her new orange outfit! Gene gave me his good news and a chocolate covered Strawberry! How can something be so naughty and wonderful at the same time? Elaine came and offered her support and help which I was so grateful for because I was SO busy with many beautiful happy clients!
Youth Brigade
She also brought her lovely daughter Chloe, her friends and the nieces who filled my booth with their young divine energy. I got to meet Elaine’s handsome brother and hug her sweet Mother which is always a pleasure.
Sweet Sarah Back for ButterfliesSarah and Zephryn got some Henna. And I gave hugs to everyone! I’m so happy and grateful that so many positive, happy friendly folks are in my life. I love and bless you all!!! Thank you for the homecoming. May your lives be filled with three times all the love and joy you give :)

Good to be Home!!

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Posted on : 30-05-2009 | By : Chele

Blessed Be My Grandmother's HandsIt is so good to be home!! I was just in Rochester MN. Last night visiting my Brother, my Father and my Grandma who is 97. Dutchie is a beautiful person, one I really look up to and it was difficult seeing her so infirm but I think she had a great run. At 97 she has slowed down a great deal, only has a touch of arthritis and no other pain. Her worst problem is Aphasia. Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder that impairs a person’s ability to process language, but does not affect intelligence.”  It is very frustrating for her. She was a flapper and a hairdresser in the 30’s. Then married Archie, an engineer in Roschester MN and had four great kids there begining in 1941, months before they bombed pearl harbor. She raised her kids during the war and never complained. She still lives in Rochester to this day. We spent many a Christmas with her and Archie and they are such great Grandparents to me and my brother. (We lost Grandpa in 1995.) She is a fantastic cook and we never, ever went hungry going to Grandma’s. :)   She always used to say “Well, La de da!”, “You are just wonderful!” and ” I could get used to this!” My Grandmother always operated from a perspective of abundance. She is one of my role models and she will be a motivating force in my life for many years to come.  I think she enjoyed our visit. I’m saddened because I am sure that is the last I will ever see of her. I love my Grandma, I already miss her.
Archie and Dutchie
 
But how wonderful! Look what I have come back too! I loving husband who met me at the BLI airport at midnight with tea, water and ice ( I burned my hand on Starbucks tea in Seattle.. TOO HOT DUDES!), and he took me home to a clean house! My kitty The Monker who, of course, got in a fight while I was gone cause he won’t come in at night unless I’m here.  *sigh* But he had many purrings for me. My boys missed me a lot and I can’t tell who missed me more. :) (I’m going to say it was the husband!)
 
And today is a spectacular day!! Wow!! I’ll be at the Farmer’s Market this morning and I can’t wait.
 
 
 
 
Kylie and SarahLast weekend was fantastic, all day at the market with a steady stream of happy souls, and then Roxanne’s Wedding. She was so beautiful in her Sari and he handsome in his tux. All the brides Maids we fabulous and the guests decadent. What a wonderful day. I can tell today is shaping up to be fRoxanne Read Sailorsantastic too. I hope I see you today. I’ll be giving out lots of Hugs. I sure missed my town!
 
See you in a few..