Contextual background

Perhaps it has taken a global pandemic for us humans to wake up to the reality that we need to care much more for the Earth and each other, far more than we have done previously. There is no doubt that during the pandemic there has been an emergence of community spirit all around the globe and this energy to support others and help where help is needed seems to be growing.

​Certainly, during the many months when there has been a need to spend time at home or close to home during the various lockdown periods, folk have noticed they have more time on their hands. This seems to have significantly contributed to a resurgence of the traditional crafts, pottery being one of these. Of course, the reality British television series ‘The Great British Throw Down’ showed invited potters pitting their skills against one another in exciting competitions that covered all manner of skill sets. Interestingly, much of the ceramics created were based on themes related to nature.

Research is evidencing how nature and a sense of well-being quietly and organically entwine. Being and moving in nature has for many years been understood and accepted by artists, potters, poets, photographers, philosophers and the like as connecting with a spiritual resonance.

Let’s turn our thoughts to our ancestors who lived fully immersed in appreciating and paying homage to their natural environment where they depended solely on the elements for their existence. Worshipping the land - the Earth played a crucial role in physical and spiritual survival - Earth being referred to as Mother Earth. Not surprisingly, we come full circle to appreciating all that Planet Earth offers, as a living and breathing entity and to be reminded that the Earth is the root of itself – radix ipsius.

Sensing our presence and knowing our minds through touching clay – working, playing and modelling with the medium that we are composed from can be a very special experience. Working, modelling and playing with clay helps us to open to the stories we hold about our present context, our muddles, difficulties or concerns.

Touching clay can lead to restorative and regenerative moments, for working, playing and modelling with clay helps us to know and understand ourselves more. Clay is forgiving and can be reworked and reworked as it responds to the energy we have at that moment in time. In so doing we are working towards maintaining a healthy balance in life, and a sense of equilibrium may be noticed.

Creating with clay is ancient. Pottery is an ancient craft. Talking when working and playing with clay is pretty ancient too! Nothing new here then! We have grown up in a time of disconnection from that which we come from and that which sustains us - the Earth. But, here comes the difference – Clay Conversations matter when being listened to by a trained Clay Conversations Facilitator for the Facilitator will help you to explore whatever unfolds when using clay​

We have moved dangerously far from our roots where our bodies and souls need to feel in touch with our natural world – where earth clay is the foundation of all and the very ground upon which we walk is known as the ‘radix ipsius’ (root of itself).

It is not surprising to hear how working, playing and modelling with earth clay is a naturally mind stimulating and imaginative process because of the connection between our hands and our brains. When the hands are engaged in pushing, squeezing, pinching, squashing, pummelling, bashing, stroking or smoothing earth clay for the simple fun of it, or for getting rid of unwanted feelings, or even wishing to make something from this wonderfully malleable medium, then our hands and brain are in communication with each other. Amazingly, this complex process instigates a creative response for an array of our bothersome and confusing muddles, worries and or difficulties. The hands know how to shape our stories and show that which is hard to put into words. ​