Truth Blossoms Mandala

 

Truth Blossoms Mandala (Circles of Spring) © Sue O'Kieffe 2010

source image: California lilac (ceanothus)

I had a strong expansive experience in my body while creating this mandala. I could feel all the various shades of purple and blue being absorbed into my upper body, especially my throat and face. Sometimes, as this conduit for the art that comes through me, I need more perspective on what is being created. I was curious how others experienced this mandala, so I took my question to my Facebook fans and followers. Many of those dear people who took the time to answer also reported feeling the energy in their throats and upper bodies.Antoine of Chimbre Shamanic Retreat told me the mandala was bleautiful. (I smiled alot ) Julia Chambers of  The Seekers Round Table told me that the number seven (seven petals in this mandala) related to  being a seeker, scribe, and preserver of truth. I asked for help naming the mandala as well, and Cassandra came up with the name, Truth Blossoms,  that resonated for me most. I loved interacting with everyone this way and will definitely do it again. Oh, the influence of blue and the spirit of communication!

Being willing to speak the truth is not only a matter of integrity but also one of self trust. It is a journey of the spirit. There comes a time when holding  back from speaking your truth out of fear becomes debilitating; learning how to speak with clarity rather than reaction is a process. During this re-awakening time of spring, what can you do to prune away old stories and beliefs in order to create a clearing for a blossoming of your  truth? This is how Truth Blossoms Mandala speaks to me.

Bright blessings on your path this day!

Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

Rise and Shine Mandala

Rise and Shine Mandala (Circles of Spring) © Sue O'Kieffe 2010
source image: Potentila fruiticosa "abbotswood"


Flowers, more fleeting, more ethereal, and more delicate than the plants out of which they emerged, would become like messengers from another realm, like a bridge between the world of physical forms and the formless. They not only had a scent that was delicate and pleasing to humans, but also brought a fragrance from the realm of spirit. Using the word ‘enlightenment’ in a wider sense than the conventionally accepted one, we could look upon flowers as the enlightenment of plants. ~ Eckhart Tolle,  A New Earth

Spring is definitely in the air on the North Coast of California. Life is waking up all over the place. One of my current joys this spring is discovering flowers new to me. Last week while walking on the campus of Humboldt State University, I discovered this lovely blooming shrub of 5 petalled white flowers which I'd never seen before. Life is full of unexpected pleasure as long as we remain open to receiving them. Ain't that the truth?

 

Spirit suggested I create a 6 petaled mandala from the photo of these flowers. Six is a number of creativity and balance, and I love the balance that is in the Spring cycle. Life unfolds with Love, offering inspiration, desire, joy, beauty, and a gift of themselves from the world of Spirit. 

 

This mandala reminds us to open our arms, open our hearts, and receive all the beauty that Life has to offer during this spring time of transformation, regeneration, and resurrection. 

 

Rise and Shine Mandala is available for purchase at my Etsy shop

 

 

Bright blessings to you on your path!

 

Sue O'Kieffe

Sacred Circle Mandalas

 

Boldness of Being Mandala

Boldness of Being Mandala (Circles of Awareness) © Sue O'Kieffe 2010
source image: red maple leaves
© photo courtesy of Becca Allison
   
It wasn’t until the mandala emerged from the printer that I understood the story it wanted to share was about the power that comes with boldness.

         Whatever you can do, or dream you can,
         begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and                  
         magic in it. ~Wolfgang Johann van Goethe
                                
The maple tree, with its shimmering red leaves, reflects qualities of both groundedness and  inspiration. I can imagine the branches reaching up towards the sun while the roots dig deep into the earth. This is classic imagery of what it means to be present.

The thirteen petals in this mandala suggest a new beginning as well as an ending. In classic numerology, twelve represents the end of a cycle, while thirteen points to  the beginning of another. Our culture tends to see thirteen as unlucky, while ancient cultures considered it a number of power. I see this thirteen pointed mandala telling us it is time to  wake up to the powerful forces within us after having experienced long periods of trial and confusion.

Be bold!

Do you remember a time when you took that leap and how good it felt?


~Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

Circle of Love Series #2 - Love's Canopy

Love's Canopy Mandala (Circle of Love Series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2010
source image: willow tree leaves

Nature is an infinite sphere of which the center is everywhere and the circumference nowhere~Pascal

I was walking across the grocery store parking lot when I felt something about the willow tree planted there calling to me. It had been raining and the wind was still softly rustling. The leaves were all sparkly and wet. I started taking photos from underneath the tree, forgetting that I was shooting straight into the light, so the feelings I was hoping to capture standing there were totally backlit. I can remember as a little girl playing underneath a willow tree's flowing skirt and loving that feeling of hide and seek and being held in the love of that tree.

Trees are the big mamas of nature and I will never tire of the love they offer. The pastel rainbow adorning her leaves in this mandala is a symbol of spring -- light, refreshing and a sign of renewal.

Sometime go stand under a willow tree and look up, and be nourished by all the love offered to you there. And remember to give her a hug and say thank you.

Bright blessings to you this day.

Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

Circle of Love Series #1 - Prayer of Light Mandala

 

Prayer of Light Mandala (Circles of Love Series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2010

source image: rhododendron plant parts

Love says: There is a way; I have traveled it thousands of times ~ Rumi

Usually when I am out on a photoshoot, I focus on photos of flowers in their entirety. The naked remains of this rhododendron flower caught my eye, though, and I was pretty sure it had a wonderful story to share with us. Pistils and ovaries still hold plenty of energy even though the petals have fallen away. The cycle of beauty is continuous. 

My guidance suggested I create an 11 petaled mandala. In numerology, 11 is a master number and represents intuition and wisdom.  

I love being enveloped in all of the greenery that surrounds us this time of year. Green represents the heart chakra, growth and abundance, and offers harmony, balance and a sense of well being. What could be a more perfect color for a mandala? While I was creating this image, I felt uplifted and heart centered. Recently, with all the physical disasters that have been occurring, I have wanted to create art that celebrates humanity's love for each other, and so it is with great happiness that I have started a Circle of Love series that will continue at least through 2010. My art has always been about embodying Love in all its many forms, but now I am setting that intention in a more direct way.

Sue O'Kieffe

Sacred Circle Mandalas

Light of the World Mandala

Light of the World (Circles of Healing 2010) © Sue O'Kieffe 2010

source image: ceanothus

Light of the world shine on me love is the answer

Shine on us all set us free love is the answer

~England Dan and John Ford Coley

Thanks to everyone who participated in my recent give-away. Congratulations go out to lucky winner Kate. I can hardly wait to see which of the mandalas she chooses for her living space.  I also want to thank those of you who signed up to receive my monthly newsletter. Don't forget, I do a  give-away each month to one of my subscribers for three of my greeting cards.

I spent much of this past weekend creating mandalas to send out prayers and energy for those impacted by the 8.8 quake in Chile. The impact of this quake hit a little closer to home, since tsunami warnings were issued for Hawaii and the west coast of the U.S.   I was relieved there was no bad news here, while saddened about the losses for our neighbors to the south.  10% of any sales for this mandala will go to Doctors without Borders. You can find this mandala in my Etsy shop.

And when you feel afraid(Love one another)
When you've lost your way(Love one another)
And when you're all alone(Love one another)

And when you're far from home(Love one another)
And when you're down and out(Love one another)
And when your hopes run out(Love one another)
And when you need a friend(Love one another)
And when you're near the end(Love)
(We've got to love)
(We've got to love one another)

~Sue O'Kieffe

Sacred Circle Mandalas

Love Is The Answer - England D...