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Tuesday, October 30, 2007

MANDALA FOR THE CELTIC NEW YEAR

Transistions Mandala - (Seasons Series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2007
Source image: lilac leaf

Sometimes I am lucky to be able to watch a plant in different phases of the growing season. A friend of mine has a luscious garden. This year her lilac bush flowered for the first time since being planted, and the photograph I took of its flowers gave me this mandala.

I had no idea how beautiful their autumn leaves were until this year. It is such a pleasure, as an artist and participant in nature, to be able to witness this beauty and soak up this energy like some animals store up food for winter.

This time of year is significant to me. Two years ago I started blogging here. In Celtic tradition, the end of October and beginning of November mark the end of harvest time and the beginning of the descent into winter. It's a good time to take stock and review all that we have accomplished. This time last year I was facing major surgery. Today I am in start up phases of a new art business and nurturing life long dreams. I am grateful for all that life has shown me so far and will continue to show me moving forward.

I've been amiss in visiting most of my readers of late. I will come by and say hi as soon as I can.

Happy New Year, everyone!
*Tossing dried leaf confetti in the air*



6 comments:

Deb Kirkeeide said...

Happy New Year to you Sue! We are very much of the same mind. Love this mandala it reminds me of Batik.

Teri said...

This mandala is so beautiful but your lilac one knocked my socks off with its beauty!!

artandtea said...

Happy New Year, Sue! Your mandala has a beautiful tribal feel to it. An ancient Celtic tribe.
Your lilac mandala took my breath away with its purple beauty. I used to have a garden with many lilac bushes and I treasured their fragrance wafting in the windows every spring.
The gradient paper I used for my photo was borrowed but I think you can obtain it on the internet. Try www.ezcube.com and click on the Backgrounds link.
-Karen

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful mandala! Would love to have been looking over your shoulder as you made it...the frame around it is intriguing
Barb

Bobbie said...

I love the way this lilac has made an appearance in your mandalas. Like the circle of life, and the changing seasons, it has a deep and primal feel and perfect for the Celtic New Year.

dianeclancy said...

Hi Sue,

I love the lilac too and this is very striking.

I am so glad you are where you are this year ... rather than last year!! And I know you too!

Here's to a great year!!

~ Diane Clancy
www.dianeclancy.com/blog