Arianrhod's Tower

Everyday:

Journalling

Yoga

Meditation

Reading

Daily re-cap/roundup

Walk somewhere

Post a story

Do a sketch/creative ritual

Every Phase:

Ritual

Do a dedicated, purposeful exercise (swim, walk etc)

Shadow work

Video essay notes

Empty and review instagram, pinterest & YouTube saves

Post on aureatori

Create something

Plan the next phase

Every Cycle:

Moon cycle goal/plan

Complete a piece

“We don’t imitate the surface of the natural world, we rebuild nature’s logic into a digital landscape of our own making. Nothing is an accident. Everything is the outcome of underlying rules. We play with natural and biological rules within digital spaces, reconfiguring them to create something of nature, yet distinctly new. Digital ecologies evolve from inputs we define: pressures, repetitions, attractors, noise. The results are then grown—artifacts that emerge from bespoke systems. Not human, not nature, something between. Shaped by growth patterns that never existed in biology. 

Through additive manufacturing processes and art-techne translations these digital forms take on physical life: evidence of a parallel evolution, a speculative ecosystem where nature is not only observed, but rewritten. These digital forms, made manifest, take root on the human body, shaping its physical architecture in ways foreign yet familiar. 

Our work is not a mirror of the organic—it is a reimagining.”

Heal - Kirsten Tingle

Kirsten began researching alternative options. Amongst old painting recipes she came across lavender essential oil. Frequently used in renaissance Italy as a solvent alongside turpentine it fell out of fashion due to its high cost compared to turpentine. 

Researching the lavender plant Kirsten discovered its ability as a phytoremediation plant - a type of plant used to clean up soil contaminated with hazardous pollutants. Lavender is a hyperaccumulator for lead making it a frequent candidate for heavy metal phytoremediation. 

Synthesising this research Kirsten realised that she could simultaneously heal soil, and heal herself by growing lavender upon contaminated soil, and then distilling it for essential oil for painting. 

the origins and history of barre and yoga

convergence of moral worth and bodily appearance - robert Crawfords "healthism" - illness is not just a medical condition it is now a moral failure, so is being fat.

You are not necessarily told be thin, just to be the 'best version of yourself' to 'look after yourself' - makes it seem like a form of self-neglect

Foucault

Understood the body as a site of power, anatomical political power - producing bodies that are useful and obedient, achieved through 'surveillance' and the organisation of space, movement and time.

disciplinary space - gym : organises bodies in areas and rows orientated towards a mirror, watching yourself and other people whilst being aware that they can see you

In a gym you are aware that your body is exposed to the judgement of others and your value is that space becomes a metric of ability - how much you can lift, how many sets, how far, how long

You begin to police your own behaviour and progress, you quantify your body as well as observing it aesthetically

Judith Butler - 'styles of the flesh' : gender is not what we are but what we do repeatedly

Pixel Flesh - Ellen Atlanta: Women fragment their bodies into components to be fixed or maintained, whereas men view their bodies as single units, as what they can do.

Anyone systematically alienated from their own bodies has been alienated from a fundamental source of authority - the capacity to know from within how you feel and to let it guide and inform you, it makes you easier to govern and sell to and fulfillment must be a metric and justified validated through an external force

fragmentation comes from extreme compartmentalisation and organisation - the 'self' as a whole holistic entity becomes innacessible

"achievement society" - produces compliance through possibility and permission, you are not forbidden from anything you are encouraged to do EVERYTHING, optimisation (burnout society)

self-care Vs self-coercison

makes people their own overseer, more efficient than the "obedience society" before the 70s

every moment become an opportunity to improve - it must be quantified and tracked by yourself (self-policing)

you stop living in your body and instead manage it

being obsessed with metrics is not knowing yourself it makes you more estranged from youself and unable to recognise how you feel and your own self-worth

When you quantify the body into a set of outputs, you translate it into a language understandable to systems of management and consumption - the efficiency of a toaster , how fast, how hot, how sleek:

You lose fluency in the bodies language, pleasure, desire, exhaustion

you simplify your experiences and emotions and they becomes states to overcome rather than experience, empties the self of meaning - giving an account of something and having a memory which you can't have if you do not 'experience' it to begin with

you become transparent and easily legible, you lose your complexity and depth

Being a person is strange, uncertain and absurd thing- you have so much capacity for feeling which is eroded by quantifying our experiences which is what makes life exciting and interesting

Illness as Metaphor - Susan Sontag

The Power of Story

to be able to connect to the world and the people around you, feeling connected to something larger than yourself can be the catalyst to change - 'thinking too much about yourself'

What's happening:

Rising Oestrogen boosts: serotonin (mood), Dopamine (motivation and focus), Endorphins (energy and well-being)

rising oestrogen improves insulin sensitivity, making your body more effective at using glucose for energy, prioritize carbs like fuit, honey and granola to fuel movement

fermented foods assist the body with oestrogen clearance to maintain balance, ferments and cruciferous vegetables have been shown to reduce severity of cramps and PMS.

nettle tea is a nutrient-dense tonic that is incredibly supportive during this phase, replenishing minerals lost during menstruation.

light increases, body is lighter and renewed

increased inspiration & motivation

thoughts and awareness focused on the outside world

more attractive to connect with others

socialize & collaborate

hearts to hearts and connected with others can be powerful

mental sharpness

Nutrition:

Lean Proteins (Supports follicle development and tissue repair)

Fresh Greens and vegetables (Assist estrogen clearance via the liver)

Citrus and light fruits (Vitamin C for collagen and ovulation prep)

Fermented foods (Suports gut-hormone communication)

Complex carbohydrates (Fuels rising energy and brain function)

Healthy fats (Supports estrogen responsiveness without overload)

Shopping list:

mangos

bananas

kiwi

blueberries

lemon

Carrots

avocado

mushrooms

asparagus

bell pepper

bitter greens

cruciferous vegetables

sauerkraut + fermented vegetables

coconut yoghurt & kefir

kombucha

Pumpkin seeds

flax seeds

walnuts

cashews

eggs

salmon

oily fish

lentils

chickpeas

tempeh

tofu

Herbs: Nettle, maca root, shatavari, red clover, alfafa, goji berries, lemon balm

Movement, routines & rituals

• energy, coordination and recovery are at their peak, HIIT and cardio feel more sustainable here and the body is efficient at using carbs for fuel

Boxing, pilates, HIIT classes, Hiking, vinyasa and hatha yoga

Work:

plan/ productive journalling. rising oestrogen means better dopamine sensitivity, supporting improved focus, curiosity, and forward thinking. perfect phase to plan the month ahead

try something new! this phase is naturally curious and open-minded, trying a new hobby, class or creative activity feels exciting during this phase 

Self-care:

exfoliation, b vitamins, accupuncture mat, writing exercises, yoga

What's happening:

Estrogen and testosterone peak,making it the perfect time for connection, communication and creativity

light and outer world are dominant

body is open & ready to create

allow creation & projects to unfold naturally

feeling primal, sensual & fully in your beauty

energy is still moving outwards but also pulling you in - honour your emotional needs here

Nutrition:

Eat fresh and light - choose hydrating meals, smoothie bowls, and vitamin-C-rich fruits. Cooling foods help balance hormones and support your glow from within

High quality proteins: seafood, eggs (Supports egg quality and cellular signalling)

Anti-oxidant rice foods: berries, beetroot (Protects eggs cells from oxidative stress)

Omega-3 fats: Oily fish, oysters (supports inflammation, balance and ovulation quality)

Colourful vegetables: capsicum, tomato, greens (provides micronutrients for hormone signalling)

Light balanced meals: protein + carbs + fat (provent blood sugar dips during peak estrogen)

Hydrating foods: soups, fruit, mineral water (support circulation and cervical fluid quality)

Shopping list:

Berries

Citrus fruit

Papaya

Kiwi

Spinach

Zucchini

Asparagus

cucumber

carrots

cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli, kale

fennel

beetroot

tomatoes

Salmon or trout

eggs

prawns

oysters

sardines

lentils

quinoa or brown rice

Almonds

Walnuts

Flaxseeds

Chia Seeds

Hazelnuts

Coconut & coconut water

Olive oil

cacao

Herbs: Basil, turmeric, green tea,

Movement, routines & rituals:

High intensity workouts (HIIT) or dance to make the most of your bodies energy and resilience

Lifting - low reps with heavier weights and resistance training

Hip releasing yoga - connecting to your feminine essence through expressive movement

work:

Creative projects, write, design, brainstorm

self-care:

Networking, ideal time for meeting & collaborating

Socialize and glow - in this phase we glow and radiate so much feminine energy, go out, dress up and connect with loved ones, let yourself be seen and flirt with life, enjoy this vibrant outward phase

What Happens:

All hormones at their lowest - low energy

Starts on day one of your cycle (the first day you bleed). When the body recognises that you're not pregnant, progesterone and estrogen production drop as menstruation begins. You may feel more tired than usual and have cravings for iron and magnesium-rich foods. Take as much time as you need during this phas e to rest, recharge & restore.

Focus on replenishment and repair. Iron-rich protein sources help replace what is lost during bleeding, while healthy fats support hormone production and satiety.

This phase is best for low-intensity, restorative movements because hormone levels are at their lowest. yoga helps reduce cramping, improve circulation and support relaxation.

Likely low-interest in sex. Needs nurturing romance and alone time.

Symptoms:

abdominal cramping

lower back pain

breast tenderness

fatigue/ decreased energy

headaches or migraines

digestive shifts/bloating

skin changes (breakouts etc)

sleep disruptions

irratibility and mood fluctuations

feelings of sadness and anxiety

difficulty concentrating

stronger need for rest and alone time

Nutrition:

Warm, easily digestible, nutrient dense food high in iron and magnesium.

iron rich foods

vitamin c

omega 3's

magnesium rich food

fruit and veg: kale, spinach, collard greens, turnip greens, swiss chard, beet, mushrooms, peppers, carrots, sweet potato, tomatoes, sea vegetables, blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, concord grape, cranberry, citrus, watermelon, bananas

carbs: buckwheat, wild rice, water chestnut, black rice

proteins: catfish, clam, crab, lobster, mussel, squid, octopus, oyster, sardine, scallop, adzuki beans, black turtle beans, edamame, kidney beans, tofu, tempeh

extras: pumpkin seeds, flax seeds (ground) , chia seeds, poppy seeds, hemp seeds, dark chocolate, nut butters, miso broth

herbs: yarrow, nettle, cramp bark, spirulina, chaga, tumeric, red raspberry leaf, hibiscus, chamomile, rose

meal/recipe ideas:

Nut butter toast with honey

warm cinnamon oats

dark chocolate and nuts

miso soup (with tofu, greens and mushrooms)

golden milk

cacao

raspberry leaf tea

seaweed snacks

buckwheat porridge

sauted greens with lemon

roasted root vegetables

raw seed energy balls

wild rice and cranberry salad

roasted beets

mussels with white beans

fish salad bowls

Movement, Rituals and Remedies:

Gentle movement as desired, such as stretching and restorative yin yoga, yoga nidra, womb yoga, or light walking.

Warm baths with magnesium & sage, and hot water bottles are very soothing at this time. Try resting, reading, and journaling.

work:

Gratitude/reflective journalling. emotions can feel heightened during this stage, a daily gratitude ritual can help ground and centre you.

Closer to a full moon: perfect for introspection, self-evaluation and shedding unwanted energies

Closer to a new moon: Ideal for releasing and making room for something new.

Make new potions, mental observations, journalling, planning/organisation

selfcare:

Hot Epsom salt baths help ease cramps and bloating by relaxing uterine muscles. bath before bed also supports restful sleep.

Alone time is much needed during this phase. focus on filling your own cup. embrace stillness and mindfulness in this phase to help ypur mind and body recharge.

Castor Oil pack

radical acceptance:

distress tolerance skill - keeps pain from turning into suffering by acknowledging situations we can't control without judgement

the diary of anais nin

ties into the obsession of certainty, we want to be sold certainty. - productivity culture

: "just because you could do more doesn't mean you're not doing enough already"

happiness is not a constant state for any human being, selling the idea that it is is a rejection of reality.

accept the fact that we do have limited time - do not reject that fact (productivity culture)

rejecting who you are RIGHT NOW and your current reality by buying into the idea that 'following these steps ...' etc. will guarantee the 'life you deserve' is bullshit

build trust in yourself - step 1) do the things that you say to yourself you will do, hold yourself accountable - meet yourself where you're at, stop self-shaming tactics

the plan you follow through on is better than the 'better plan'

when you break promises, it breaks your trust - if you can come from a place of self acceptance and make promises to yourself from there it will feel better than rejecting the reality of your circumstances (that you're tired or things don't feel good right now)

But get in touch with the faculty of illusion, the power of levitation, escapism. - accepting reality as it is doesn't mean living in a world without fiction

What happens:

Introvered Energy - Preparing to rest

Progesterone increases to prepare for a possible pregnancy. If pregnancy doesn't occur, hormone levels drop, leading to PMS and menstruation

Metabolism increases and blood sugar becomes more sensitive, combining complex slow-digesting carbs and healthy fats is essential

Rise in progesterone can increase perceived effort, fatigue and heat sensitivity. Low intensity and steady movement is ideal, walking helps maintain activity levels without stressing the body.

Symptoms:

Mood changes or increased irratibility

Heightened emotional sensitivity

Reduced energy or motivation

Trouble concentrating

Breast soreness or swelling

Bloating or fluid retention

Headaches or mild abdominal pain

Cravings, particularly for carbs or chocolate

Changes in bowel movements

Slight increase in body temperature

Nutrition:

Focus on warm, grounding and nutrient rich foods:

Complex Carbs: sweet potatoes, squash, brown rice, millet,

Healthy Fats + oOega 3's : avocados, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pine nuts, walnuts, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, olive oil, sardines, spirulina

Lean Proteins: eggs, sardines, tofu, salmon, trout, chickpeas, black beans, white beans

Magnesium-rich foods: dark chocolate, dark leafy greens (mustard greens, collard greens, chard, spinach, watercress), pumpkin seeds

Fruit and Veg: celery, parsnips, carrots, bananas, apples, pears, dates, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, radish, leek, onion, garlic

Herbs: vitex, motherwort, lemon balm, dandelion leef

Recipe Ideas/Inspo:

Sweet potato cacao brownies

Ramen

Sauted bitter greens

Stuffed squash

Warm brown rice snd quinoa bowls

raw seed energy balls

Red raspberry leaf tea

Chamomile tea

Sweet potato bowls

Stewed apples and pears

Egg and avocado toast

Roasted root vegetables with tahini dressing

Chickpea cauliflower curry

Bean soup

Caramelized banana oats

Sweet potato toast with almond butter

Chia pudding

Movement, Rituals and Remedies:

First Half:

Pilates

Strength training

Yoga

Outdoor walks

Gentle swimming

Second Half:

Self-massage

Outdoor walks

Womb massage

Yoga nidra

Yin yoga

Gentle breathing

Castor oil packs

Magnesium baths

Work:

Intuition is best during this phase, dream journalling and stream of consciousness writing are powerful tools during this time of menstruation

Editing, organising and deep work are supported by the rise in progesterone as well as an inward focus. Your brain shifts to detail-oriented, critical thinking mode.

Completing tasks and to-do lists, nesting, self-care, organising

Relationship: Evaluate Issues, chill date nights, slower sex

Spiritual Introspection: In depth tarot, journalling, planning, reflection meditation

Practice writing, reading non-fiction in bed

Self-care:

Cosy night in/comfort ritual. Spend the night doing all your favourite cosy activities. Bake something, pamper yourself, treat yourself. Your body is working hard right now and deserves a rest.

Treat yourself to a homemade version of your favourite dessert. Your body benefits from higher calories overall during this phase, with an emphasis on carbs. Indulge sensibly.

Red raspberry leaf tea tones the uterus and prepares your body for a healthy period and supports strong ovulation. May also help ease menstrual cramps

Oil levels may increase, leading to the need to shampoo more often. Ideal for hair colouring.

Early bedtime, at home pedicure

Woody scents, cinnamon, vanilla, chalcedony, adventurine

Songs that are about mother nature:

river man - nick drake

darkeve - lutalo

mother big river - jessica pratt

morning sun - dave bixby

sandy toes

early blue - f.j. mcmahon

i like to be with you in the sun - bridget st john

little green apples - cleveland francis

in ear park

berry on a briar - will fox

pink moon - nick drake

manifest - andrew bird

poison tree - grouper

where mountain meets the ocean

The Story of Pearl's Mother

'Les Amours de Pierrot' - Raphael Kirchner - 1916

A series of paintings for Flo Ziegfeld's Century Theatre depicting Ziegfeld's showgirls as the various loves of Pierrot. Each woman represents a deadly sin (Sloth and Dream above), with the final being Expiation, depicting his head on Salome's platter.

Pigment Chromatography

Ksenia Sandesko

Practising yoga off the mat (ig: Yasminayoga):

Working with your hands - dharana - one-pointed concentration

In flow creativity state - dhyana - full presence, effortless awareness and flow

Nourishing your body - niyama - self discipline and care

In moments of stillness - pratyahara - turning inwards and quieting external noise

In expansion of your prank - pranayama - regulating your nervous system through breathwork

In what you choose to fight for - Yama - your morals and how you interact with the world around you

In moments that I am one with the universe - samadhi - complete unity, connection with something bigger

Ley Line Locator - The Megalithic Portal

Josephine Illingworth - sound artist and folk singer:

London's Hidden Art Galleries (ig: lesserknownlondon):

Raven Row (spitalfields)

YDP (bloomsbury)

Lyndsey Ingram (mayfair)

Hypha x Eastern City Studios (city of London)

songs that inspire movement:

planet caravan - black sabbath

moons melt milk light - anenon

no quarter - led zeppelin

el jardin - hermanos gutierrez

velvet leaves - anja ngozi & maxwell owin - cashmere mix - puma blue

driftwood palace - spoonbill

songs that feel like shavasana:

albatross - fleetwoo mac

immortality - ana roxanne

Step 1 Motivation - You need to feel like you HAVE to create. Like you were sent here to create YOUR way.

Dispel with previous notions of 'what it is to be an artist'. - Refer to old CHS notes

Figure out your OWN schedule and way of doing things, if you enjoy leisure it will enrich you and when you do sit down to create you will be better for it

Invaluable to be surrounded by inspired people

Reach out to people! People, especially artists want to talk about their art and be inspired and motivated and collaborated

FEEL the guilt when you don't make art and 'waste time', sit with it and understand what that feeling is, let it drive you

Question your negative emotions - they come from somewhere (earthworm card) and let them drive you to remedy them

Work through the unenjoyable feeling,dont'e turn from it

Watch things that aren't entertainment, and force yourself to work through it

Art is work - it will be hard. It's "difficult beauty"

DIY, low-impact, low-waste approach

Works often not representational - allows the materials or landscape to inform/direct the image created.

lets go of expectation of nature and relinquishes control

"photographic expansiveness and fluidity, while simultaneously maintaining careful relationship with materials and place, brings me into deep connection with our ecosystem. It is a process of looking and listening, a process of being perceptive and conscious." - in relation to reusing leftover materials from previous works - much like the transfer of energy in nature and the carbon cycle etc. (cell absorption etc.)

What Remains: The Root and The Radical, 2018-2020

Charles Darwin suggested the tip of the root acted like the brain of some animals - since then plant intelligence has been increasingly researched.

Peter Wollheben suggested the roots of the trees is where the tree equivalent of the brain is located. - They're in control of all chemical activity within the plant, absorbing and releasing essential substances.

Fletcher has been experimenting with subjecting plants to photographic chemicals to try to understand what, if any, of the photographic material can be processed. - Aiming to visualise the unobserved and unseen cognitive proficiency of the roots.

Relevant to analogue photography processes:

Ph level sensing in roots:

Able to understand what soluble chemicals are in the soil and absorb large amounts of undesirable compounds (heavy metals) to improve soil health.

Known as 'hyperaccumulators.'

Fletcher uses this to explore the potential power of plants to absorb silver particles from photographic fixer and then be harvested without damage to the plant. - Few seem to be able to do so in large enough amounts (unlike nickel)

Sense water levels:

architecture of the root system is influenced by the location of the water source. Roots can signal to other parts of the plant when water levels dro so it caan focus its energy into root growth deeper into the soil searching for new water, they seek it out through 'sound' and 'taste'. (Tactile senses as opposed to mental/emotional)