Renewal Mandala

Renewal Mandala

Signs of spring are regularly showing up now on my walks and field trips around the North Coast of California. I spotted this candytuft at a local nursery, and the vibrant magenta daisies were blooming proudly in a neighborhood garden. How can you not feel excited by that gorgeousness?

I love how well the two sources played together. Spring colors honoring Oester came through, pale and hot pinks, soft blue and electric aqua, hints of lavendar. The symmetry of 6 speaks of balance, harmony and compassion. Spring is a time of renewal, of course, after those winter months devoid of color. Inhale deeply and soak it in.

Mandala blessings,

Sue O'Kieffe

Sacred Circle Mandalas

Flora Magia Mandala

 Flora Magia Mandala

source inspirations:

Flora Magia speaks to me of the power of magic and transformation. Hellebore, one of the flowers used as a source for this mandala, is used in witchcraft for banishing spells as well as for emotional healing. Since they bloom in late winter and early spring, it would follow that they do assist with making the winter doldrums disappear, don't you think? I am grateful to Ranunculus, who also added her pale pink love vibes to this magical mix.

Mandala blessings,
Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

Joy in the Morning Mandala

Joy in the Morning

I'm not sure how it got to be February already.  I've been busy with a 48 day creativity challenge on Facebook. I've also been having  some computer problems that prohibited me from posting. I'm glad to be back.

Over the weekend I went to one of our local garden centers for a photoshoot. I discovered these charming blue double primula. The color really lifted me up. I had found the yellow yarrow in bloom earlier, and I wondered how they would blend together for a new mandala.

I felt my mood lift as the mandala came through, and I hope it brings you joy as well. For those of you in the dreary grips of winter here in the Northern Hemisphere, may it remind you that spring will soon be on the way.

Mandala blessings,
Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

Winter Magics Mandala

 Winter Magics Mandala

© Sue O'Kieffe 2014

Some plants come  decked out for the holidays. How could I resist this invitation to honor them in mandala form? Winter Magics Mandala is also imbued with reiki and Light Language, a language from the higher realms that some people are now remembering, and is also enhanced with the energies of Metatron's cube.

Happy Holidays. Doesn't it feel good to be heading back towards the Light again?

Mandala blessings,

Sue O'Kieffe

Sacred Circle Mandalas

Tripping the Light Fandango Mandala

Tripping the Light Fandango

© Sue O'Kieffe 2014

 source inspiration:

I don't live in a place where maples are turning riotous shades of red and orange right now, so I turned to the bright beauty of Scottish heather for some wonderful eye candy in magenta and rose for the creation of this mandala.

When I asked for a name, I heard Tripping the Light Fandango.  Wikipedia tells me that the fandango was a couples dance accompanied with much hand clapping that originated in Iberia. 

Hmmm.

I see a dance of light and color with much merry movement capable of bringing out feelings of happiness and joy.

What do you see?

Mandala blessings,
Sue O'Kieffe

Sacred Circle Mandalas

This mandala, or any of the pieces I post on my blog, are available to purchase. Send me an email for ordering details. 

Circles of Love 2015 Calendar is Now Available for Pre-Order

I am very excited to tell you about this year's mandala calendar, Circles of Love 2015

Circles of Love Calendar contains multi-dimensional nature mandala art created from two or more of my own nature photographs. The mandalas reflect my understanding of Nature's unconditional love.

The video shows each month's mandala offering

Each mandala is accompanied by quotes from Rumi, Coehlo, Gibran and other inspirational writers on the topics of love and loving. We need these reminders in our lives now more than ever. I chose each mandala with care to resonate with the energies of the month it represents.

The calendars are full color, printed on 100# gloss finish paper with white coil bindings. Dimensions of the calendar closed are 8.5"x11".

Circles of Love 2015  make a thoughtful and timely gift for the holidays.

Here are the deets : 

U.S. Customers only:  Calendars are $19.99 each plus shipping. Shipping for 1-3 calendars is $6.00, 4-6 calendars ship $12.00, etc. I ship Priority Mail and accept payment through PayPal.

California residents will be charged applicable sales tax. Once I shop them out, you will receive your orderin 3 to 4 days. I'm going to sign each calendar that goes out, too.

Gifting someone? Want me to mail directly to your giftee? I can do that. Just give me the necessary info with your order.

Live outside the US?   I  recommend ordering directly from the publisher, so you receive your calendar before the first of the year: http://www.lulu.com/shop/sue-okieffe/circles-of-love-2015/calendar/product-21806703.html

Rather just order yourself? Not a problem. Lulu.com has a 3-5 day printing turn around, and shipping ground FEDEX takes about a week.  Use this link to order directly from them: http://www.lulu.com/shop/sue-okieffe/circles-of-love-2015/calendar/product-21806703.html

The deadline for ordering is November 30th.

To place your order, please email me with the number of calendars you want to order and  your Paypal email address , and I will send you an invoice. Please also tell me where you live. Got questions? Just let me know.

Mandala blessings,
Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

Passages Mandala

Passages Mandala - Circle of Being Series - Sue O'Kieffe © 2014

source inspirations:

I have been watching and enjoying my neighbor's garden from the time the bulbs she planted first appeared. Then the dahlias and crocosmia bloomed. Sometimes hummingbirds came to visit. Her little herb garden also flourished. I enjoyed some pesto she made from her basil, and a number of photographs were inspirations for different mandala creations. Today I looked at her garden with a different eye. Everything speaks of Autumn's big shift. Indian summer is over,  and I can feel the pull of inward - going hibernation in my soul. I wanted to take the time today to honor these passages with the last of her garden and to thank it for the joy it has brought me.

Namast'e.

Mandala blessings,
Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

All of the mandalas on my blog are available for purchase. Does one of the images particularly resonate with you? You can contact me via email (link in the right side-bar) for ordering information.

Deeper Mandala - A Fall Equinox Offering

Deeper Mandala - © Sue O'Kieffe 2014 - Circle of Being series

 source inspirations:

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better ~ Albert Einstein

Thank you for being here. Deeper Mandala is my offering to you for this first day of autumn (for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere). 

During my morning meditation, I imagined myself walking into the depths of this mandala. I walked straight to the center, a representation of the Self. This was the self meeting the Self meeting the self, as it were. And then I walked deep into darkness where the mystery of All Life Is. I felt very secure and safe in this place and stayed for a long while before returning to ordinary reality. 

If you feel moved. you might meditate on this mandala in this way yourself. Light a candle, burn some incense, call on  spirit to be with you. 

May this meditation be meaningful and fill you with the abundance of life, which is this harvest season.

In Love.

Mandala blessings,

Sue O'Kieffe

Sacred Circle Mandalas

Change Mandala

 Change Mandala - Circles of Being Series -  © Sue O'Kieffe 2014 

Change is in the air. Can you feel it? This morning, when I awoke at 6:00 am, it was dark outside. Seems like a couple of days ago it wasn't. But the wheel keeps on turning. Do you embrace change, or are you resistant? The more I am able to soften to the prospect of change, the more peaceful I feel. How about you?

source inspirations:

This is my offering to you today. With love.

Sue O'Kieffe

Sacred Circle Mandalas

Many Blessings Mandala

Many Blessings Mandala - Circle of Being Series - © Sue O'Kieffe 2014

For whatever reason, yesterday  - 9/11/2014 - was a hard day for me. I felt out of sorts and depressed. I wondered how many other people out there remembering that day 13 years ago were having a hard time of it as well, and so I turned to the healing power of mandalas to offer some soothing relief.

source inspirations:

I felt drawn to use autumnal colors. This particular variety of heather and these maroon-brown coral bell leaves spoke of transition and change. I created the mandala in eight segments to remind us that our abilities to heal are infinite.  What came through, as I massaged the various layers in Photoshop, was quite unexpected. Purple for spiritual healing, red for grounding, and pink tones for the heart all came out to play. These are Nature's offerings here for us to take in however they are  most needed.

Many Blessings.

Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

Inviting the Christ Light Mandala

Inviting the Christ Light Mandala © Sue O'Kieffe 2012

source images: hawthorn branches, rose quartz, yellow rose

Christmas Eve morning, before I woke, I had a dream, and I heard these words.

So many of you keep thorns around your heart, keeping Love out. My message to you is to do some pruning. Open up. Let the Love and Blessings of Christ Consciousness fill your heart.

And I saw what looked like a nest made of thorns. Luminous yellow petals floated into the center.

Petaled droplets of Love. Pure Love.

I heard myself ask what wants to come forth, as I witnessed the mandala being created in my dream state. Hawthorn and rose quartz showed up, as well as the number 8, and then I wakened to my day.

It just so happens I have a small hawthorn tree right outside my apartment. And I will tell you that the thorns on that tree are formidable. But hawthorn also contains chemical components that regulate arterial blood pressure, making it an excellent heart stimulant. This is a tree for the heart.

Rose quartz is a dear beloved friend to me by now, having offered many ways to open the heart in appreciation of all things. I love that she once again offered energetic support for this creation.

In my waking state I was faced with the decision of what else to use, and yellow rose, long regarded as a symbol of  Love, said Yes! to me as a representation of Christ Consciousness.

It came a flowret bright, amid the cold of winter, when half spent was the night.

So this is my gift for you on Christmas Day and for this Solar Return as well. 

Brightest of blessings,

Sue O'Kieffe

Sacred Circle Mandalas

Fierce Transformation Mandala

Fierce Transformation Mandala (Mandala Messages) © Sue O'Kieffe 2012

source images: butterfly, red shouldered hawk feather, danburite crystal

I sat down, took a few deep breaths, and asked What most wants to come through right now? And then I waited.

Celestite rested on one knee; danburite rested on the other. And black tourmaline hung out on the chair cushion, between my legs. These are my crystal trinity. I waited some more.

And then  Butterfly floated into my vision.

What? Oh great, I muttered. Where am I gonna find butterflies? I mean, it’s winter here. And raining.
And then....

Oh wait. Yes. I did capture some photos of a butterfly a while back, didn’t I?

I felt something nod and smile at me.

And then Hawk swooped and soared. I heard Hawk's cry as he headed straight for my third eye. Yikes!

Could I use a feather for this? I wondered. Show me.

And a red shouldered hawk feather appeared in my inner eye. And I felt an incredible feeling of fierceness wanting to be expressed.

More deep breaths. More waiting. I’m starting to feel fidgety and impatient. My mind wants answers. NOW, darnit.

And then I saw soft, soft pink surrounding it all.

Rose quartz? I wondered.

No. Danburite. This friend in my hand had something she wanted  to share.

More listening.  And I’m feeling the danburite is sharing the energy of the Divine Feminine. This is a high vibrational love coming through. The message I’m getting is

Love, No Matter What.

So here we are at the beginning of December. Twenty some days before the world is supposed to come to an end.

I don't believe that for a moment. Do you? I think the world is about to begin, that we are transforming bravely with a great strength and fierce courage to a world where love is all there is. I'm not sure how easy this will be for many of us, but I do think it's worth it.

Love is our first priority.

This is the message that most wanted to come forth.

~Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas


I am so happy to be offering these mandala messages to share with all of you. If this message resonates for you, remember, that we are all one. Are you interested in commissioning me to create a mandala message based on this process for yourself? Please send me an email for further details. I am happy to ship your art anywhere in the world.

Bright Friday Mandala

Bright Friday Mandala © Sue O'Kieffe 2012

source images : sunflower, swan feather, local black river stone

This is the message I received from Spirit and my prayer for the days ahead:

May we become an embodiment of joy and abundant light, may we  open up and allow grace to flow through us. If we become frustrated, may we remember to ground and offer our negativity to the Earth.  She gratefully receives our anger and transmutes it to positive energy. And may we remember to offer Love and Light to those in need, including ourselves! May it be so. Amen

*Many thanks to Janice Masters of Everyday Joy for inspiring me with the title for this post and mandala. 

Opening to Infinite Joy Mandala

Opening to Infinite Joy (Crystal Vibrations series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2012
source image: agate

Lately,  have been focusing on what makes me happy and when I feel happy to say so outloud. Or write it down. Being critical, feeling critical, surrounding yourself with critical people saps the soul. Happy is intoxicating and liberating. I'm telling my cranky, bitchy, critical self that it is really ok to feel blissfully wonderful. I totally recommend this practice.

This mandala makes me happy. I love the joy that radiates from it and the piece of agate that I've known for over thirty years which provided the inspiration. I've always loved agates, since I was a little girl. I love the patterns in agates. What an amazing work of art nature provides for us.

I'd love to know what makes you happy. 

Free Mandala Wallpaper

All Paths Lead to One Mandala © Sue O'Kieffe 2010
source image: honeysuckle blossom

I love offering gifts whenever I can.

I created desktop wallpaper in three different sizes for all of you who follow my blog and anyone who happens to find their way here in the future.

The original mandala, All Paths Lead to One, symbolizes a philosophy I want to embrace in my own life, when I feel conflict with another person's beliefs. I know that we are all connected and that we are all one. We are Love.

There is a great awakening on this planet at this time and great shifts are occurring. May this wallpaper remind you that we are all part of each other whenever you turn on your computer.

The wallpaper was created in three different sizes, depending on your monitor resolution. Here are the links:
800x600=http://www.box.net/shared/eyejltipdd
1024x768=http://www.box.net/shared/8zm9uxgxj4
1280x960=http://www.box.net/shared/oinn7c516n

If you aren't sure how to install wallpaper on your computer, here are some instructions

MAC OS 9
1. Download image according to your monitor resolution
2. Go to Apple menu > Control Panel and select "Appearance".
3. Select "Place picture" and locate the appropriate picture.
4. Click "Set Desktop".
MAC 0S X
1. Select the picture you want in the resolution which matches your display.
2. Save image to desktop.
3. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Personal section and select "Desktop".
4. On the "Collection" pulldown menu, go to "Choose Folder" and locate the appropriate picture.

WINDOWS 7 and VISTA
1. Select the picture you want according to the resolution which matches your display
2. Download image and save to your desktop
3. Right click on desktop and choose personalize.
4. Browse to the mandala image and click on it. Make sure picture position is set to fill screen
WINDOWS XP
1. Select the picture you want according to the resolution which matches your display
2. Download image and save to your desktop
3. Right click on desktop and choose properties
4. Click on desktop tab. Browse to mandala image and click on it

Bright blessings to you on your path this day!

Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

WHO WANTS TO MAKE A MANDALA?

Are you interested in creating digital mandalas in Photoshop using your own photographs? I have created a mandala tutorial blog where I am offering personal tutoring via email to help you in the mandala making process. I am charging the unbelievably low price of $25 USD payable thru PayPal for my assistance as your instructor. I will work with you until you have finished your first mandala.

I just finished teaching my first student. We were able to sort through some good problem solving and we both came away feeling satisfied. I love to teach and I love to encourage people in their creativity and I love sharing my love of mandala making.

Because of the intense personal instruction I am offering, I do not want to work with more than three students at a time. If you are interested, let me know via email link on my side bar, and I will give you access to the blog. You must have Photoshop any version (Photoshop Elements unfortunately does not work), and a basic knowledge of working in layers and the Photoshop tool box would help. I will help you with whatever else you don't know.

Update 6/16/09: I have decided to do one class per month. Three people have expressed interest for July; please contact me if you are interested and I will add you to the waiting list or contact you if anyone changes her mind.

I have written other Photoshop tutorials that are posted on this blog. I write with the beginning user in mind. They are easy to understand. You can take a look at some of my other tuts to get a feel for my style.

I know that for some reason unknown to me, at this point in space and time, many people are being called to the mandala making process. If you have always wanted to know more about this calming, centering exercise, come join me for some mandala fun.

~Sue O'Kieffe

1.

BEING PRESENT

Presence Mandala - (Mandalas for Peace Project) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image: ornamental plum tree blossoms

I have been following a neighborhood ornamental plum tree since here and chronicling its progress in photographs and mandalas. After a week of rain followed by some yummy sun, the buds have fully opened. I can't remember when I have followed any growth quite so closely or been so intimately connected with a non- human living thing. I felt joy watching the honey bees already gathering pollen. Trees buzzing in February. Hurray for longer days of light.

I hope you aren't toooo tired of pink by now (but February is the LOVE MONTH after all, and nothing says love like pink)

The mandala speaks to me of being present, open, ready for life. It says, Yippee I'm here.

When we operate from our hearts, then life really feels like a gift. That's why they call it The Present, yanno.

I would love to hear how this mandala speaks to you.

Oh yea, and I am playing Neko Case today because she sings like spring.

OPENING THE HEART

Love Vibrations - (Spring Series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image - hydrangea bud

My desire was to have this post ready for Valentine's Day email, but we all know how life sometimes get in the way of our best intentions. Instead this arrived in my email this morning:

At dawn on February 14th , the day dedicated to St.Valentine, the patron saint of Love, the moon in Libra enters the seventh house of relationship. And Jupiter and Mars are aligned in Aquarius in the twelfth house of spiritual transformation. Forty years ago the intuitive words of a song called Aquarius brought the dawning of the New Age into our collective awareness:

When the moon is in the seventh house
And Jupiter aligns with Mars,
Then peace will guide the planets,
And love will steer the stars.

At dawn on 14th February the Cosmos actually embodies this perfect alignment to support our collective manifestation of love and peace and dawning of the Age of Aquarius.

The Aquarian chart of 14th February reveals an incredible concentration of cosmic influences blending with the energies of Aquarius in the 12th house. Expansive Jupiter and energetic Mars are aligned with the higher purpose of the North Node. The presence of Chiron the wounded healer offers us the opportunity to heal the schisms that have separated us for so long. Neptune emphasizes collective humanitarian movements and the co-creation of social justice. And the presence of the radiant Sun enlightens the entire alignment.
(thanks to my friend Lorlyn for sending this email)

I have been feeling my heart expanding and softening and opening to the world around me. I witness nature getting ready to burst. While capturing this hydrangea bud, I could almost feel it vibrating with new life and begging me to notice it. I especially love taking photographs of nature when the sun first comes out after a long rainy stretch . Sun on raindrops is a fine combination.

Nature shows us how to buzz with new life. Sleep for a while and then stretch yourself into a brand new day. Open your arms wide. Breathe in and out. Put your hand on your heart.Breathe in breath out ahhhhhhh.

Everyday is such a fine time to be alive.

Happy Valentine's Day, whenever you read this!

CALLING ALL ANGELS

Calling All Angels - (Mandalas for Peace Project) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image - plum tree blossom buds

While I was creating this mandala, I saw three angels hovering around the triangular center, which I see as a power symbol. The image in the very center of the triangle looks like some kind of horned animal, perhaps a bull or ox. The bull is central to the Cretan labyrinth myth, and this is the year of the Ox in the Chinese New Year .

I was even more surprised when I looked at this image from a distance. If you back up from the computer four or five feet and look at it again, it takes on a whole different characteristic. Then it speaks to me of firebird. The power in this image is unmistakable.

It wasn't until I added the language around the mandala that I felt like this image was actually finished. Indistinguishable, perhaps, but still embedded in the image are partial lyrics from Calling All Angels, by Issa (formerly known as Jane Siberry.) I am playing her music on my blog for this posting as well:

calling all angels
calling all angels
walk me through this one
don't leave me alone
calling all angels
calling all angels
we're cryin' and we're hurtin'
and we're not sure why...
© Issa 1993

I almost didn't finish this mandala. The angels intervened.

SIGNS OF SPRING

Spring Burst Mandala - (Circles of Spring Series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image - ornamental plum tree leaf buds

Yesterday on a morning walk I noticed the ornamental plum trees are starting to bud. When I first moved to California more than twenty years ago, watching these delicate pale pink flowers blossom while the world east of this coastal paradise was blanketed in snow excited me no end. I would suspect that by this time next Saturday the trees will be totally in bloom.

I hope over the next couple of weeks to follow the progress of this plum tree's opening. It is such a pleasure for me to record the natural beauty of my surroundings that inspire me so.

This is my 241st blog post. When I reach post #250 in about two weeks, I will be announcing details for an opportunity to win a mandala intuitively created by me for the winner. Stay tuned for more details.

And don't forget to visit my analog blog, Sue Doodles. Change is in the air!