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

All Hallow's Harvest

All Hallow's Harvest Mandala © Sue O'Kieffe

source inspirations:

A couple of nights ago, while meditating, I saw what looked like a gathering of costumed trick or treaters. Then I wondered if maybe it wasn't a group who had already passed over, showing up in this seasonal garb, so I might recognize  how thin the veil is this time of year.

I've been wanting to create a mandala for a while using images of plants that were dried and past their prime. I can't help but mourn the passing of the vibrant dahlias and other summer flowers that have filled my eyes with such bright beauty, but these dried plants have their own subtle charm and even a little mystery. It just takes a willingness to look deeper.

(And if you look closely, you might even see clown faces, and fairies, and spirit dancers and other magical beings showering us with their love!)

But what do you see? And how do you feel looking within? I'd love to hear back from you.


Mandala blessings,
Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas


(All of my mandala art is available for purchase. You can contact me via email for ordering details)

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.

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

Flower of Now Mandala

Flower of Now © Sue O'Kieffe 2012

source images: cotoneaster berries and leaves, desert rose selenite

And now let us believe in the new year that is given us-- new, untouched, full of things that have never been ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Grounded in the Fruits of Your Labor

                                Grounded in the Fruits of Your Labor 

                                               (Circles of Intuition) 

                                                Sue O'Kieffe © 2012

source images: pine cone, auralite crystal, unknown berries

This morning in meditation I connected with one of my spirit guides and asked for specific information about what most wanted to come through for a new mandala and what was the message spirit wanted to share. My guide pointed me to some photos I had taken recently of a humongous pine cone and some unknown to me berries, as well as suggesting I use a photo of auralite crystal that had been calling to me for a while anyway. And then I heard Stay grounded in the fruits of your labor. Later these thoughts came trickling through: 

Don't give up on what it is you want to accomplish. You didn't get to where you are now overnight. Lasting change is a steady thing.  We love you.

That is the message Spirit brought forth for me as I was grumbling  about not enough time and too much to do. Too often I am thwarted by overwhelm. How about you?

I am grateful for the loving reminder from Spirit this morning as well as this earthy, light filled mandala that spilled forth from their guidance. May it speak to  your life as well.

Bright blessings,
Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

Earth Spirit Mandala

Earth Spirit Mandala (Crystal Vibration series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2011source image: auralite amethyst crystal

Learn to be quiet enough to hear the genuine within yourself so that you can hear it in others ~ Marian Wright Edelman

Circles for Ascension - Auralite amethyst mandalas

The past few months have been quite a journey.
Five years ago, after major surgery on my carotid artery, I first learned about auralite amethyst from a man who had direct contact with the owner of the mine deed up in Ontario Canada. The time that I spent learning about and viewing photos of these crystals was a big part of my post operative healing process. This spring I reconnected with this man again on Facebook and was given an opportunity to start selling and working with this stone, using it not only in mandala creation, but learning about its amazing healing properties.Auralite exudes Love and encourages us to get in touch with our deep Truths.


I have known for a very long time about the great shifts our planet and its inhabitants was going through, but I only felt minimally involved. Since the stone entered my home and my life, my awareness has gone through major shifts. I believe that auralite  is being revealed now to assist humanity with its evolutionary ascension process, and I know that part of my life's purpose is to be of assistance to others in this process, both through my art and through being a promoter and caretaker of auralite amethyst.





Individual prints of the auralite mandalas are available for purchase at http://SacredCircleMandalas.etsy.com. Auralite crystals are available for purchase by contacting me here. There is a link for my email address on the right hand side bar.
The awesome soundtrack for this video was graciously and generously provided by Yatri. You can hear more of her crystal singing bowl music at http://crystalmusic.com

Bright blessings to all of you who find this video. May you be filled with Love and Light!


Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

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

REMEMBERING WHO WE ARE

Remembering - (Mandalas for Peace Project) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2008
source image: bearded lichen

When you see thirteen in your mandalas, perhaps the message conveyed is that you have moved into a new phase in your life. Thirteen might also be telling you that the weight of the past may hamper the new direction in your life, especially when you do not bring closure to what has gone before. Thirteen in your mandalas may be a clue that a powerful process is in force within you, and that you might do well to prepare for a freeing of your energy after what seems like a time of tribulation, hard work, and confusion. ~ from Creating Mandalas by Susanne E. Fincher

A friend of mine recently told me the story of her near death experience. By all accounts she should have died 10 years ago when she was trapped in a car rear ended by a semi. When she was rescued from the burning car, she told the EMTs who pulled her out that she was sitting on the laps of angels. I am not going to go into the details of her story, because it is her story. The effect of hearing her story, though, seemed to release me from a funk I had been experiencing for the last six weeks or so. I was uplifted. I felt at peace.

The message I heard her telling me through recounting her tale was Remember who you are. Express yourself. Do what you are called to do. Life is short. Death is an elevated state of consciousness. Shine on.

I created this mandala from the energy of my friend's inspiration, and I hope it will assist others to help them remember as well. I felt drawn to create a mandala with thirteen rays because thirteen is a number indivisible...a number unto itself. Unique.

Shine On.

~Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

LIKE SANDS THROUGH THE HOUR GLASS...

Somewhere in my travels in the blogosphere I found this really cool website: this is sand

While I understand the lesson in Tibetan sand mandalas is about the impermanence of nature, I am equally fascinated by the possibility of creating sand mandalas from digital sand. You can read more about the website here

If you go to the website and play, (be warned...it is hugely addictive play), click on the grey square in the upper left hand corner.

The following mandalas were created from my sand drawings (how to? save on a pc using the alt+prtscn buttons, then ctrl+v on a new file in your favorite digital imaging program). Im not sure how to save a screen image on a mac.

Have fun!


Lotus Sunrise - (Sand Mandala series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2008
source image: digital sand


Mandala Abstraction - (Sand Mandala Series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2008
source image: digital sand



Joyous Colors Mandala (Sand Mandala Series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2008
source image: digital sand


Synchronously, I just found an interview on ColourLovers (an amazing blog all on its own) with the creators of the This is Sand website



Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas