Dancing the Dream Mandala

Dancing the Dream Mandala (Power Shield Series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2011
source image: guinea fowl feather

Dream, the voice whispered, and cautiously they opened their hearts, a little at a time. The drumbeats started, and soon they were one with the healing  the drumbeats offered.

Dance, the voice encouraged. The drumbeats carried them, and their hearts opened wider while their feet stomped and caressed the earth.

Feel, the voice offered, and Love burst forth as bright as the stars and deep as the seas. And they knew they were safe to feel everything their hearts desired.

And they danced all night to the sound of the drums and the stars and the ocean waves, and they  remembered forever who they were.

Bright blessings,
Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandala

Dancing the Dream Mandala is available for purchase now in my Etsy shop

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: Essence of Spring Mandala

 

Essence of Spring Mandala (Circles of Spring 2011) © Sue O'Kieffe 2011

source image: plum tree flower buds

Love is My Guiding Star Mandala

Love is My Guiding Star Mandala (Power Shield Series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2011
source image: pigeon feather

 

Pigeons are closely connected to doves, and both have strong associations with Love. From a shamanic perspective, pigeons represent a return to the love and security of home.Pigeons have a strong homing sense and they know how to find their way back, no matter how far away they have gone. Pigeons show us how to find our  way.

When this mandala was finished, my first thought was that this was like a Northern Star, always guiding us with Love. Whether it guides us back to a physical locality or that place inside that is our spiritual home, Love in the symbolic form of  pigeon energy shows us the way, gently, peacefully and with great Light.

How do you find your way back home? What does that mean to you, to return home? Won't you share a little with me here, if you feel inspired?

Bright blessings,
Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

Love is My Guiding Star is available for purchase now in my Etsy shop!

In Praise of All That Is Mandala

In Praise of All That Is (Earth Mystery Mandala series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2011

source image: oak leaves

In Praise of All That Is Mandala was created in honor of all the ancient cultures who brought to us reverence for nature and life and for the turning of the wheel. Can you imagine these celebrations -- drumming and dancing with invocations to great spirit?  The creation of this mandala is a thank you to those who came before, the ancestors, and those who continue on with these traditions all over the world.

Oak trees have a long history in the Druidic tradition, during the Solstice and Equinox celebrations, and are referenced in many other cultures as well. From the book A Tree in Your Pocket by Jacqueline Memory Paterson I learned that the oak tree's qualities are courage, strength, solid protection, and that these trees are considered doors to the mystery.

I felt a deepening inside as I created this mandala and more so when it was completed. I listened to and experienced many different stories during its creation. This is one of those mandalas where I am having difficulty summoning up language to accompany the image. Your stories and feedback would be most welcome for the circle who gathers here.

Are you willing to be in the mystery?

Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: Blessing the New Year

 

 Blessing the New Year (Circles of Healing) © Sue O'Kieffe 2011 

source image: eucalyptus flower

Prosperity Mandala and Words for the Year

 

Prosperity Mandala (Circles of Prosperity) © Sue O'Kieffe 2011

source image-red camelia

I woke up on New Year's Eve day remembering a dream. I was approaching a round red door. It was huge. I was hearing the words Prosper. Power.Passion. I saw the circular door as a portal. I felt in awe of the power in the red before me.

I've been thinking about this dream for the past couple of days and knew that I wanted to create a mandala to commemorate and celebrate the feeling from  the dream. I don't know a lot about feng shui, but I do know that in the East, red represents prosperity and in the West it represents love and passion. This is all simplified, I know. Maybe some of you know about these concepts and can fill me in a bit.

So here we are at the end of the old year/beginning of the new year reflection part of the program:

I'm proud of what I accomplished in 2010. I lost 30 pounds (now 40 pounds in total), got my art out in the world, (etsy. three art shows. 7 local greeting card vendors. 3 calendars) and really began to focus on what prosperity means to me. I spent an awesome 90 days in a Prosperity Consciousness Raising class with Sage Taylor Kingsley-Goddard. (By the way, she is having free TelAttunements teleseminars tomorrow January 4th and January 18th.Here's the details. I am sharing this with you as a recommendation. I am not an affiliate of her program right now). And what I have I learned from this program?  Love myself first. Everything else follows.

For the past three years I have chosen a word of the year instead of making resolutions that don't work. I don't know if these words work either, but they do give me some focus. I taped them on my computer monitor so I won't forget. I don't remember last year's word. It appears I never wrote about it. But this year I choose to Love and Prosper.Active, powerful verbs, filled with lots of juicy red, methinks.

Happy New Year, everyone. May it be filled with your heart's desires!

Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas