*Clay Archetype Exercise: Egg → Teardrop → Flame

Materials & Setup

  • One piece of clay formed into a smooth sphere
  • Work can be done in-hand or on a surface (personal preference)
  • Session spans ~20 min; reserve final 10 min for cleanup

Egg – Birth & Beginnings

  • Reshape sphere into an egg
  • Archetype of potential, new life, fresh starts
  • Hold up finished form for quick group check

Teardrop – Full Spectrum of Life

  • Transform egg into a 3-D teardrop
  • Symbolizes grief, loss, healing, renewal, and “tears of joy”
  • Consider physiological flow: weight at bottom, taper near top (eye)

Flame – Death, Transformation & Rebirth

  • Evolve teardrop into a flame shape
  • Represents destruction and creation, passion, knowledge, spiritual enlightenment
  • Capture final form for documentation

Reflection & Documentation

  • Photograph each stage before altering (sphere optional; focus on egg, teardrop, flame)
  • Exercise explores metamorphosis through archetypal forms: birth → life → death/rebirth
  • Integrates tactile, cognitive, and emotional learning (mind–body connection)
  • After photos, clean workspace and prepare for next session