THE CAVE

a creative online coworking & coplaying space for myself and others

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Ana Von 2023

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I’m a Libra Sun, Mars and Rising. In the Zodiac Libra is the one that is all about the other. Libra wants connection, community, and fairness, using diplomacy and intellect. But Libra also loves to indulge in Artistry and Beauty - being ruled by Planet Venus after all.
What about the Libra Vibes in our lives?
Often the Arts suffer from money cuts first, same like the social sector, including community centers and other spaces where people come together to enjoy each other’s company. Maybe it’s the strong Libra placements in my Astrological Chart that make me especially aware of our needs and our deficiency. Or I’m just a human like those I observe more and more & again and again, the people around me, and in the stories I love, they crave…

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𓃘 c o m m u n i t y

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People who support us, people who we can support.
To me there is a vast difference of doing something alone vs. either doing it surrounded by people who care or doing something in collaboration - and as the Libra spokesperson I am claiming myself to be right now- this does not get the attention it needs, neither in creative, wellness or business spaces.
There is a good chapter in Beth Pickens’s Make your Art no Matter what (linked in the list below) about asking for help as an artist, but it is adaptable to every part of life. And I am tired of trying to make myself do things on my own when I just need a little help from my friends - either by being my witness, which goes A LONG WAY or by inviting them to play a part in my projects according to their interests and their skills.

Like all the talent and visioning out there and here I keep on struggling alone like a bug on its back?

As an artist & writer and an explorer or the inner world & spiritual cosmos, as a person, I have often felt alone. I’m not talking the very important conscious choice of solitude that everyone needs in different doses and phases of their life. I mean more a general reoccurring dead-end: I feel I am expected to make it alone, to be vastly independent, that it’s a badge of honor if I have done it all alone. And frankly explaining the world to myself alone, making sense of things, fighting for myself alone, facing the challenges of life alone, is to be only one step away from being left alone, being excluded, and by that touches some big chunk of my personal trauma. And haha I know I’m not alone with that…

But, may it be the Libra in me, my years as a yoga practitioner, or what I often condemned myself for - my extra neediness for human interaction and witnessing -
I do believe that we are not separate. We are meant to come together, to share laughter and pain, to grow together, to inspire and complement each other.
We can respect our need for hermit mode AND our desire for companionship. The fact that we are all connected and simultaneously in a deep state of longing for connection is a power. It is not a fault.

I am consciously deciding against making it alone and for unlearning that me prioritizing the people in my life as much needed parts for my “happiness” (big word which I try to use carefully) is because I am weak or scared. It’s not true.

If giving up my desire for the other was necessary to be successful, I’d rather be a loser. I’d rather love and be loved and live life surrounded by the wonderful beings that are in my friend circle and my wider community, than reaching whatever top of the world alone.

Also I believe community building is an antidote for the harms of capitalism, and a real revolutionary tool.

We are stronger and we are better when we are together.

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𓃘 s t r u c t u r e & a c c o u n t a b i l i t y

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I wish I could tell myself to start painting or writing at 9am, better 6am right? And just do it with nobody caring, nobody watching, only for me. But for now, the bigger part of my days it doesn’t come from that place. My creative output finds space spontaneously some times, but if not, if something gets in the way, it just doesn’t happen. And I am left being congested with all the words and colors that need to get out. It’s not good.

My perception changes when I look at the task at hand not alone but together. I’m having trouble with staying on track or even getting started at all when there is only me I need to fool. I could go to therapy for that (and I do <3) but I could also create a space where these challenges get reduced. Where the presence of others elevates me and peels me out of my loneliness cocoon, while stepping into my creative cosmos resourced and supported.

And that is what I envision with THE CAVE. I did not at all invent the wheel, but I followed a few examples I have already seen around the internet.
There are two which I am already a participant of:
1) the fairly new online co working sessions by Emmie Rae in TDR-Studio
and
2) Landscapes by Cody Cook-Parrott

I am immensely grateful for and inspired by people who invite others to community building by hosting spaces for them.

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𓃘 f a c t s

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THE CAVE is an online co playing & co working space.

For now the we meet on Mondays, Wednesdays & Saturdays 9am WET (London) which is 5am in New York, for the east coast early risers (or don’t rise, stay in bed, and join from there) and 8pm in Sydney, for those who like a later creative shift. With more times being added (probably 8pm WET), and more sessions to come around the holidays.

Everything is here on this notion page, which will be updated regularly:

THE CAVE

Meetings have started, and you can jump in anytime.

You don’t need to subscribe or anything, just show up and do your thing. But you won’t be doing it alone. I will be there, others will be there and if you want you can share what it is you are doing. You can show your face, your workspace, your familiar with your camera on, or you don’t. It’s up to you what you make of the 2 hour space.

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𓃘 Why THE CAVE?

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• Capital letters, because it’s a big thing for me. And sometimes capitalizing letters is just THE VIBE.

• I love the nook cosy safe feelings I get from imagining a cave. It typically has one entrance, which makes it easy to go in and out: Entry is at the beginning of each call. And at the end you’re invited to exit consciously. (You can arrive later or leave early anytime, but it’s the framework I offer you and that I will follow.)

• When we are in THE CAVE we decide what is going in and what isn’t. Meaning we make a little CAVE MAP in the first minutes of each call and try not to let other distractions enter our precious space. I say we try - and if it doesn’t work, we again try to be gentle with ourselves.

• THE CAVE can go deep, and hold all the treasures, and oh I am so here for it.

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Ana Von 2023

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THE CAVE is something I myself need first, and allowing me that has been a journey, an ongoing one. Maybe you need a place where you explicitly allow yourself to rest, to get the ugly things done, to write, create, dance, be yourself. I would love to meet you there.

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something new i’d like to try:

𓃘 the donkey list 𓃘

I’m reading Swell. A travel diary by a surfer who sails the world. I want to read more real life adventure / travel stories. Any recommendations?

I’m reading Make Your Art No Matter What by Beth Pickens

I’m watching the second season of The Old Man and I think it is a must for Jeff Bridges fans, fans of political spy stuff and complicated family pasts.

I’m listening to this podcast episode and now want to read all books by Devon Price.

I’m listening to this album again and it takes me back to my +10 years younger self.

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That’s it for today

Your donkey

Ana

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