Bob Findle died of cancer on March 16, 2012. A regular at Tish Sjoberg’s Expressive Arts Studio in San Diego, Bob was inspired by a Daily Art Show at the studio to begin his own daily art project. But within weeks of starting it, he learned he was dying. That might have been a good excuse to stop creating art, but instead he kept going – because he wanted to be present to the process of dying and show up for it.
This determined man’s daily artmaking continued for 107 days, until just before his death. Though he didn’t realize this would happen, Bob’s art project turned into an exhibition at the studio. “The Art of Dying” inspired many people. As Tish says in her wonderful book, Artist is a Verb: A Daily Reader to Support You in Building a Creative Practice and Inspired Life, “It was an amazing tribute to see people take time to look at each piece and read what was written. We cried, laughed and were changed because this amazing man showed up for his Creative Practice.”
How did Bob accomplish this? He developed his “show-up muscle,” as Tish calls it. He spent time (at least five minutes each day) working on his art, until it became an ingrained habit. And along the way, he developed discipline – not in a militaristic sense, but spiritually, as in “becoming a disciple unto oneself.”
I don’t know Bob’s chart, but he was working with Virgoan themes like habit, devotion and patience. He didn’t rely on inspiration to get his butt into the chair. He knew that habit is more dependable and can sustain you whether you’re inspired or not. As Tish (Sun-Pluto in Virgo) puts it, “Let go of the idea that you need to be inspired to show up. Keep showing up so you can catch inspiration when it arrives.”
Whether or not you’re an aspiring artist, showing up – sober and clear-eyed – is a good way to handle the Virgo Full Moon eclipse (March 3, 3:38 a.m. PT). The Moon at 12 Virgo conjoins the South Node at this Blood Moon eclipse, which will be visible in many parts of the world. A South Node eclipse pulls us back to the past. Now we get to examine and release stubborn health habits or unhelpful patterns like self-flagellation. It’s a good time for a physical or emotional cleanse, as Virgo is all about purity and purging.
The North Node, Sun, Mercury and Venus will all be in watery Pisces at this eclipse, opposing the Moon and South Node in Virgo. You may feel pulled between pursuing a dream and handling the realities of daily life. And, something may be drawing to a close in the Virgo area of your chart. Just take one step at a time and have patience. This could be tricky as Mercury in Pisces rules the lunation. Turning retrograde on Feb. 25, the communication planet remains in its wonky stationary phase through early March before it turns direct on March 20 at the astrological New Year. Then, all systems are Go. In the meantime, we’re called to deeply examine the past for clues about the future. Additionally, restless Mars squares erratic Uranus on Feb. 27, just three days before the total lunar eclipse. That week is a tricky time for travel. Be prepared for last-minute changes. And be sure to back up your hard drives! Thankfully, the Moon sextiles Jupiter in Cancer and the Sun trines it at the eclipse. Good luck is available, if we follow our instincts.
Lunar eclipses can trigger big emotions, especially since we’re all still trying to adjust to the new Saturn-Neptune in Aries energies. Since Virgo is earthy, lie on the ground or pull some weeds. Make healing teas and hearty soups to revitalize your body. And honor the Piscean water element by taking long, hot baths with Epsom salts. If you have an artistic practice, devote yourself to it – even if you’ve only got a few minutes, or you think you’re not talented enough. Now is not the time for perfectionism. Now is the time to honor the past and the future, life and death, no matter how much time you’ve got left – as Bob Findle so beautifully modeled for us. For help with creating a daily practice, check out Tish Sjoberg’s manifesto, Artist is a Verb: A Daily Reader to Support You in Building a Creative Practice and Inspired Life.