Wishing all a peaceful, inspiring, creative, magical and fulfilling 2016.
If January has seemed like a slow start to the year, take comfort in the fact that Mercury has been in retrograde nearly the whole month (stationing direct on Jan 25), that some key themes for January 2016 have related to rebalancing, recalibrating, reflecting and RESET (Lena Stevens/Power Path), and, have always found that the new year REALLY kicks into high gear with the magical spark of Imbolc (traditional: Feb 2, actual cross quarter for 2016: Feb 4) and the New Moon/Lunar Imbolc on Feb 8, 2016 (Chinese New Year of the Red/Fire Monkey – remember, the Chinese astrological calendar doesn’t even start until then!)
So make the most of the illumination and insight the Leo Full Moon brings this weekend (Jan 23-24), pay attention to what is revealed, especially in relation to how and what you create in the world (hint: focus more on authentic expression than dramatic attention), then prepare to release whatever is no longer serving your highest purpose, vision, and self after this full moon and get ready for a refined seed vision to emerge in your mind’s eye in the next few weeks. Make sure to “enchant the earth” ~ literally and metaphorically if possible ~ so that your foundation for the year is clean, fertile, and primed for new planting, and also nurture your seed vision with love and care over the next few weeks in preparation for spring equinox/activation. There is still time to refocus intentions for the year ahead…
Here, I am re-dedicating myself to my lifelong musical endeavors, not only with my long-unfinished album still tugging at my wings, but an entire new project now bubbling into being and captivating my curiosity… excited to see what else comes forth from the void…
Personally, some of the greatest motivations for me this winter have been reading Elizabeth Gilbert’s BIG MAGIC (check out her Big Magic Guide here with some great exercises for you to do right away!), Heatherash Amara’s Warrior Goddess Training: Become The Woman You Are Meant To Be, the unfortunate passing of many musical icons (especially David Bowie, triggering deep reflection on mortality, magic, and creativity via Blackstar), and numerous long walks in nature, taking time to listen to the wisdom of Gaia. After much purging/release at Samhain, and a contemplative, transitional Winter Solstice, insights and breakthroughs have been coming like lightning flashes of divine inspiration!
Finally, Gaia Grove is holding space for a creative open house/retreat for artists, musicians, creatives, witches, healers, shamans, and all others who wish to recharge and be inspired by the beauty and healing power of Gaia Feb 11-15, 2016 at the AMAZING Baja Off The Grid home (www.bajaoffthegrid.com), perched high on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, just a 2 hours drive south of San Diego in La Bufadora, near Ensenada, Mexico. Make a date with your Muse, and spend this weekend communing with nature, the unknown, and your creative spirit. Very limited space; please email gaiagrove@gmail.com to express interest, inquire about rates, and hold space. More details forthcoming, but announcing before full moon as if you are without a current passport, LA based folks can get an expedited one via an appointment with the Federal Passport Agency in West LA if you feel called to visit this magical place 🙂
With Love, Music, Magic, & MUCH Inspiration :),
Gaia Grove founder & Creatrix,
Amy Clarke
____________________________________________________________
Soulful songstress Amy Clarke crafts powerful vocal & piano-driven music with lyrical depth, consciousness, and *magic*. Skillfully blending classical training with modern influences, she is a dynamic and compelling stage presence – whether solo acoustic, experimenting live with guest artists, or mixing effects on her synth keyboard. Her own label MAAT Music references the Egyptian goddess of truth, justice, and balance.
“beautiful, magical, original” – Mary Ishimoto Morris, The Washington Post
“full of dark, quirky and experimental sounds and complex lyrics” – Pete Harris, Indie Sounds NY
“a gifted musician with a lovely voice” – The Eclectic Collection: A Celebration of Women in Music
ARTISTRY
As a creatrix, oracle reader, and priestess of the moon, Amy brews music, healing arts, ceremony, & nature into a promising and potent alchemical blend. While primarily a solo artist, Amy enjoys experimenting with other musicians and artists, at times producing unique concerts and events to benefit sustainable non-profits and local organizations with her evolving collective GAIA GROVE (www.gaiagrove.org). Amy has opened for and shared stages with a diverse & inspirational collection of artists and projects including Starhawk, Poe, Amanda Sage, Occupy Love, Dave Greene (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Joe Walsh, Steve Ferrone Band), La Palabra, played an impromptu set at Lilith 2010 in Irvine, CA in the Yamaha tent, and was appointed the Nettwerk Social Media Ambassador by CEO Terry McBride for the penultimate Lilith concert in her hometown Washington, DC.
Inspired by many muses, Amy has interviewed Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan, the Indigo Girls, and more in person on creativity, songwriting, and touring, and she has shared her own music and taught workshops on creativity, sound healing, astrology/tarot and more from major festivals (Sacred Spaces Village, Burning Man, SXSW, etc) to local collectives, schools and community gardens (primarily Micheltorena Garden in Silver Lake, Los Angeles). Amy is also a Priestess with Reclaiming, has been published in the Reclaiming Quarterly, has shared her work at the International Alchemy Conference.
DISCOGRAPHY
Since independently producing and releasing her debut After The Fall EP mostly from her laptop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 2006, Amy’s music has been featured on national, cable & internet TV; FM Radio, internet radio, Sirius Satellite Radio, she has been interviewed on TV & radio and local press, and performed in countless high-profile gigs in both top NY/LA/DC venues (see below) & on festival circuit (SXSW, Burning Man (twice), LA Burning Man Decom (3 times), San Diego Burning Man Decom, South Park Music Festival, Temple of Visions, Cross Pollinate, & Sacred Spaces, to name a few). Amy earned a Certificate in Electronic Music Production from SAE-NY in 2005, and has also received 5 ASCAP Plus awards for songwriting.
Amy released the single “MARY (her story)” in 2009 as a preview from her future album, and followed that up with the Winter Solstice 2012 release of “We Are The Web”. She now plans to release her full album in 2016, along with another new project.
PERFORMANCE
In New York City, Amy has performed at The Cutting Room, The Bitter End, Rockwood Music Hall, Pianos, Rose Live Music, CBGB’s 313 Gallery, Marion’s on the Bowery, Mo Pitkins House of Satisfaction, Caffe Vivaldi, The Triad, The Duplex, P.S. 122, M Shanghai Den (Williamsburg residency), BAP (Bushwick Art Project), Hope Lounge, and in events for Tree People, Direct Relief, Theatres Against War International, Planned Parenthood & Habitat for Humanity International. Amy has also starred Off-Broadway and been featured and interviewed on television, Sirius Satellite Radio, and cable. In Washington, DC, she has performed at the Studio Theatre, Georgetown University, Catholic University, The National Theatre, and from the indie underground scene of the Black Cat and The Red & The Black all the way to The White House. Amy has been selected as Artist of the Month at Busboys & Poets U St and was featured at All Souls Unitarian Church, 16th St, DC. In Los Angeles, CA she has performed at The Viper Room, Hotel Cafe, The House of Blues, Temple of Visions, The Big Art Church, LA Burning Man Decompression Festival, Playhouse, King King, The Silver Lake Picture Show, Sunset Triangle Plaza, Los Globos, Genghis Cohen, El Cid, The Derby, Tangier, The Verity Room, MethodFest Film Festival, Burbank International Film Festival, Los Angeles Convention Center, LA State Historical Park, and has opened for Starhawk three times at Fais Do Do.
Amy is grateful for the loving support of many wonderful friends, family, and community members. “Love is the way” ~
http://www.youtube.com/scorpfaery
http://www.myspace.com/amyclarke
http://www.reverbnation.com/amyclarke
http://www.facebook.com/pages/AmyClarkeMusic
http://www.twitter.com/amyclarke
http://www.instagram.com/scorpfaery
Gaia Grove ~ healing circles ~ music, ceremony, magic 