Peace on Earth Good Will to Everyone - © Sue O'Kieffe 2008

HOLIDAY REDS AND GREENS

First Frost of Winter - (Circles of Winter series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2008

WINTER SOLSTICE SUN

Winter Solstice Sun -(Circles of Winter series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2008
source image - red clover gone to seed


Every day I learn something new. Today I learned solstice means standing still sun. This was probably elementary science when I was a youngster, but science never held much interest for me when I was a lass.

On the night of winter solstice, as seen from a northern sky, the three stars in Orion's Belt align with the brightest star in the eastern sky Sirius to show where the Sun will rise in the morning after winter solstice. Until this time, the Sun has exhibited since summer solstice a decreasing arc across the Southern sky. On winter solstice, the Sun ceases to decline in the sky and the length of daylight reaches its minimum for three days, during which the sun does not move on the horizon. After such a time, the Sun begins its ascent into the northern sky and days grow longer. Thus the interpretation by many cultures of a sun reborn and a return to light. This return to light is again celebrated at the vernal equinox, when the length of day equals that of night. (from wikipedia)

I guess if I am going to celebrate Solstice as a holy day, it's good to understand some of the factual stuff too.

I have been away from the blogosphere for a week. Last Sunday I came home to a computer that wouldn't start up. A new power supply and larger hard drive solved that problem. While my computer guy was under the hood, I asked him to add another gig of RAM, so I practically have a new machine. It's so interesting how one problem solved creates a host of others. After bringing the pc home on Tuesday, it crashed a couple of times, so back to my friendly pc doc it went. Wouldn't ya know though, after three days he couldn't consistently reduplicate the error. So back home she is for some test driving with fingers crossed. So far so good. Only one error since Friday night. Perhaps holiday magic has saved the day!

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

SOFT AS A LAMB MANDALA

Soft as a Lamb Mandala - (Winter Series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2008
source image - dusty miller

I don't have a lot to say about this particular image except I like it. When perusing some of my older photographs, I stumbled upon a picture of some dusty miller, one of my favorite wooly garden plants. Who can resist running their fingers on that velvety texture? I'd always wanted to create a mandala from one of those photos, and so I did. My heart and soul really needed that softness and to see that angel light emanating from the six points of the configuration.

I am still digesting the effects of AEDM. It did have a very positive impact on my growth as an artist. I have been contemplating for quite a long time how to begin to get my art out in the world in a bigger way. Having returned to work a year ago after a five year hiatus has put a bit of a damper on left brained planning activity after work, but I am beginning to take notes again about directions. Over the next few weeks don't be surprised if I muse on this topic here on my blog.

If you are interested in ordering one of my Sacred Circle Mandala Calendars, all I have to say is, well, what are you waiting for? I was looking at Lulu's shipping schedule today. Lulu.com is a print on demand company, so it takes 3-5 after an order is placed for it to be shipped. I ordered something today to be shipped Media Mail, and that choice is not guaranteed to be delivered by Christmas. Just so you know.

The link to the ordering page for the calendars is on the sidebar, top right. Thanks for your interest.

I have a rare bout of insomnia tonight. At 1:30 AM, I think Im finally feeling sleepy. Gonna try round three with that pillow.

Mmmm, dreaming of one as soft as a lamb. How about that?

~Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas