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Sunday, October 05, 2008

Divine Wisdom and the Power of Women

Divine Wisdom MandalaPower of Women Mandala - (Women and Peace Project series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2008
source image - escallonia flower

I don't often write about my images. I like to let the images speak for themselves. My intent had been to create a mandala with 9 rays, but it turned into 18. Next time I'll know how to do it. Still, the power of nine remains prevalent in this image.18 in Tarot is the Moon (authenticity, mysteriousness, integrity, openness). 1+8=9 is the Hermit(introspection, completeness, resolution, recognizing what is heartfelt and meaningful). When I create my mandalas, there is always some voice, some nudge that calls to me. Intuition beckons me.

I am honored to be participating in the Mandalas for Peace Project, a collaborative effort conceived over at the Mandala Oasis. A group of us will each be creating a series of nine images based on nine different themes over the next nine weeks. A webring for the project is in the process of being birthed.

So what is it about the number nine that is so powerful? In her book Creating Mandalas, Susanne Fincher writes:

Nine represents a band of angels, careful synthesis, and the enigma of human existence. Jung writes that by ancient tradition nine represents "a company of gods." The Bible mentions that there are nine choirs of angels. The most mysterious element of the Trinity, The Holy Ghost, was symbolized by the number nine. Nine has been a traditional symbol for benevolent spiritual beings...the number nine symbolized truth in mystic Hebrew tradition. (pp.106-107).

Kate Jobe, a member of the Project, told us 9 was the number of the Divine Feminine.

Being a knowledge- seeking woman, I decided to dig a bit deeper. In his painting of The Creation of Adam on the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo portrays Sophia, Divine Wisdom, as being present at God the Father's left hand side when Earth was created.

From the Greek Old Testament Septuagint (circa 285 B.C):
For wisdom, which is the worker of all things,taught me: for in her is an understanding spirit,holy, only one, manifold----”
( Septuagint Wisdom VII: 22 )

and from the Bible:
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding, for the gain from it is better than gain from silver and its profits better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Prov 3:13-15
(from Holy Spirit Divine Feminine)

Other information on Sophia:
Sophia: Goddess of Wisdom and God's Bride
The Sophia Foundation of North America
Sophia: Hidden Goddess of the West
-------------------------
The Power of Women
...Strength, Wisdom, Mystery...
......Breast, Womb, Blood......
.........Nurturing, Healing, Restoring.........
............Creating, Birthing, Releasing...........
------------------------

I thank Holy Spirit and the Wisdom of Sophia for helping me create this gift for peace.

9 comments:

Kate Jobe said...

Very Interesting and informative narrative, Sue, and an incredibly beautiful and powerful mandala...Kate

Doe Grozs Art said...

Sue, thanks for sharing all this info with us. It strongly get this message of the Divine Feminine here and I love the music you've chosen to go with it.
Peace and Love,
Doreen

Anonymous said...

lovely image - quite deep and emotional. j.ohn

cjbc said...

Fabulous!

Anonymous said...

Sue,
This mandala is amazing.. I feel its warm glow, its aura. The colors are perfect..and unique. I see the center ring as the circle of "us"..all of us in the world who, in our own way, are creating more peace in our world.

I'm so glad you're a part of the project.
~Cheryl

healingmagichands said...

I love this mandala, it is so warm and embracing. And so intricate. I feel like the dark ring around the central circle is like a boundary that protects the inner spirit.

Stacy Wills said...

such a feminine, strong mandala. there was a time i would not pair those words - seeing them rather as a contrast. but that was "then." now, i see the strength of the feminine.

Anonymous said...

I left you something in typo.land....regards,john

shayndel said...

Beautiful mandala.
I have just started an attraction to mandalas and the worlds they open.
I have been making rough mandalas out of discarded product wrappers. Rather basic and processey , but its finding something in the everyday...
thanks for your inspiration.