Squares for a dreary Saturday in Melbourne.
I did two squares today as part of my mental health strategy to avoid the state by state updates.
In the forefront of my mind was the quote for today on my Facebook page by J. Vernon McGee – ” Being a square keeps you from going around in circles.” However, I did have to laugh as the pattern for the first of the squares had a freehand circle in it!
Squares
The first of the squares was predominately red in colour. 
This is the colour of the Root Chakra (Muladhara). When you look at the various meanings for the colour red, they range from health and courage as positive aspect to anger or aggression for the negative aspects. I felt that the energy of this square needed to be lifted by the inclusion of yellow – this bright yellow symbolizing happiness and positivity, with a touch of green for growth and good health in the corners.
Both squares took a little longer than the 5 minutes that I anticipated as today I decided to create something more structured. This second square evolved by creating triangles in the corners and rotating the paper in a circular fashion.
Green is associated with the Heart Chakra (Anahata) and is about balance and growth and the emotion of love. The Heart Chakra is the bridge between the lower and upper Chakras.
Colour can influence our emotions in a number of ways. For instance, the warm colours (red, orange, yellow) often evoke strong emotions – both positive in energy and negative in that these colours can overwhelm a sensitive person. Green, blue and purple are classed as cool colours and can evoke calmness. Blue in particular, is often associated with sadness or depression. Reaction to a colour can be based on personal experiences with a subconscious association to an event (either happy or sad). Some colours have a deep cultural significance, such as the meanings attached to black and white. For example, black is used for mourning in European countries and white for mourning in some Asian countries.
Using just a blue marker today and straight and curved lines to fill the spaces. Light blue is the colour of the throat chakra. The throat chakra governs the ability to communicate, to speak your truth and if you find that difficult, it means that this energy centre is blocked. If you are in lockdown and finding that you are eating unhealthy food, a mini detox diet may help in rebalancing your energy.
Art therapy is a great way to reduce stress. This five day challenge is designed so you can take five minutes or so to focus on a shape and change it with simple lines and colours.
Walking amongst the trees to observe their seasonal change and growth was the one thing I really looked forward to during the second lockdown here in Victoria. These trees were planted many years ago and the park is part of a precinct that now includes an art gallery and a library. The trees were most likely planted by some settlers of Irish origin who took up farming in the area who may not have envisaged the growth of the urban sprawl that has since happened.
Creating a work of art…. how often have you heard (or even told yourself) someone say that they are not creative or they are “no good at art”?
Art helps with feelings of sorrow, particularly the medium of photography. It can convey the immediacy of a situation and captures – particularly in black and white – to the collective and subconscious emotions of the viewers.
outcomes, it is time to pick up a pencil, a brush or some clay and allow the subconscious mind to have a play. Likewise, we don’t have to be an accomplished musician to enjoy the benefits of music. The notes can transport us to a different time and place as the subconscious retrieves the memories of times gone by. An added benefit of being able to play an instrument is that it engages the kinaesthetic as well as the aural senses. The powerful effect that art and music have on the psyche and our wellbeing cannot be underestimated.