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

Winter Meditation

Winter Meditation

source images

The day had been filled with the expectancy of an approaching rainstorm. I saw lots of grey light and grey clouds. But the bushes with red berries brought cheer to the dreariness. That is the mood I hoped to capture in this mandala. I hope it gives you a soft place to rest your eyes and meditate upon in the dark days before winter Solstice (in the NH).

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.

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

Ya Gotta Have Heart

I am thrilled to be included in Andrea Schroeder's Mandala Blog Hop.  This post also marks my return to blogging in over a year. I will be posting more often now, as Spirit moves me.

Since many of you might not know me, here is a little background. I began creating digital mandalas in 2006. I had found the website earthmandalas.com in 1999. It took a while for everything to come together - the right computer, my own version of Photoshop, and two semesters of digital art classes. I knew when I first saw Komra Moriko's website that someday I would be creating digital mandalas as well. And once I started, I couldn't stop. I loved capturing the everyday beauty I saw around me in mandala form.

But as time went on and my practice deepened, I began to understand that the bigger picture of this mandala art is really a transmission of Love.

You might  know that one meaning of 'mandala' is containing essence. The love that Nature offers us (whether flower, or tree, or crystal, or feather, or cloud, or maybe even bug) expresses the essence of its Love for humanity in mandala form. I am in service to humanity by being its conduit.

At the time of the March New Moon this year, I asked in meditation what most wanted to come forth. This is how I most often begin my mandala meditations these days. I felt the theme of Love wanting to be explored more fully. I chose these four source inspirations - rose, bleeding heart, antherium, and succulent leaf. I created mandalas from each of these sources and blended them together until satisfied with what was before me.

I have created hand drawn mandalas, but I love the magic and thrill of the unknown when I import images of nature into Photoshop and begin the transformation process.

                       

This was the first mandala to find form. I love the three hearts in the center.  Ya Gotta Have Heart is also the name of this love exploration series.

                                                  Ya Gotta Have Heart

     ( This image will also be part of my upcoming 2015 mandala calendar, Circles of Love.)

                                                        Love's Vibration

I was intrigued by the lines in the succulent (which I later found out was an infection caused by insects).  Personally, I saw a message inscribed in the leaves. What do you see?

                                                        Love Light

                      I embedded the word Love in one of the layers of this mandala.

I don't attempt to interpret the mandala images. Instead I leave it up to you to find  your own stories about the mandalas so the images are personally meaningful to you. And I offer it all with Love.

Mandala blessings,
Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas



Pssst! Don't forget to click on the graphic below to read the rest of the offerings in this radical mandala sharing!






The Magic of Mandalas Blog Hop is a radically inspiring sharing circle, with artists from around the globe sharing the stories behind their process of creating mandalas. Our mission: To inspire you to see new possibilities for your own creative practice.  Click HERE for a full list of the participants

AHH Mandala -second in a series - with poetry by Maureen Kwiat Meshenberg

AHH Mandala V2 (Circle of Being Series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2013

source images:auralite and hydrangea flowers

A couple of months ago I related the story of receiving a vision to blend the inspirational energies of Auralite crystal and hydrangea blooms into a series of mandalas. This is the second in that series of images.

I have been blessed to partner with the lovely poetess,Maureen Kwiat Meshenberg; the uplifting and inspiring words that poured out of her upon viewing this mandala are shared with you here. You may read more of Maureen's poetry on her Facebook page, Heart's Calling.

find that point of joy,
when all else falls away-
a center surrounded by,
love unfolding,
holding you-
when layers of resisting patterns,
come to reduce you-
make you numb.
and sorrowful.
to find that point of peace,
when shaken by your world-
like layers of light,
unfodling colors,
blending,
into serenity touching-
sweet consciousness.
when those moments,
fall from you-
and your smile comes form your soul,
completeness of being-
when all is unseeing,
and what you do see,
becomes melted into-
love's flowing.
grateful for all that has become,
the rest,
will make you-
don't let it break you,
breathe into your point-
of being,
it is there waiting for you-
the part of you,
that you already are.
Heart's Calling
© Maureen Kwiat Meshenberg~

I have closed down comments on my blog. I would still love to hear from you. You can find me on Facebook or Google+

Many blessings,
Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

Vernal Equinox Mandala

Vernal Equinox Mandala (Circles of Being) Sue O'Kieffe © 2013

source images: forsythia, white plum blossoms, tabular crystal

bloom,
as spring seeds emerge-
through earth,
poking through-
green reaching towards,
the suns warm rays against blue.
bloom,
that word that brings-
growing,
bringing life-
rebirthing.
bloom,
coming to me,
I see my fields turning-
I see my sky aching,
to push through in bloom.
waking in this moment to see,
my bloom and changes that-
bring me,
to my opening.

© Maureen Kwiat Meshenberg

https://www.facebook.com/Heartcalling

(I've turned off the comments on my blog. I'd love to read your responses on my Facebook page or profile)

AHH Mandala - First in a Series

Ahh Mandala (Circles of Being Series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2013

source images: auralite crystal, dried hydrangea flowers

For the past year and a half, I have been honored and privileged to be an advocate for and caretaker of Auralite crystal, an amazing and most unusual high frequency 1.1billion year old stone that is emerging from the earth at this time. I credit Auralite with significantly assisting me twice in restoring my life, by coming to me at times when receiving its healing energies were critical, and I am blessed to be able to assist it now in walking out on the earth at this moment in our history.  

I meditate or spend time with one or more pieces of Auralite daily. I wear an Auralite pendant and feel  a part of me is missing when I take it off. This crystal has bonding properties that I have not experienced with any other stone.

Recently, while in a meditative dream state I sensed the Auralite make a request to create a mandala using his photograph (my gender preference) and combine it with the energies of hydrangea. I was so pleased with what came through, that I have decided to create a series of mandalas based on these two very giving sources – Auralite crystal and hydrangea blossoms.

Ahh Mandala is an acronym for one part Auralite mandala and two parts hydrangea mandala. I have been using this technique of blending  seemingly disparate imagery to create new multi-dimensional, high frequency patterns since the end of 2012. If you follow my blog, you might have seen other examples of this new focus here and here.

I love the feeling of expansion and opening in this mandala. Spring is beckoning and life forces are stirring. Take a deep breath, spread your arms wide  and go Ahhhhhhh. Perhaps the subtle vibrations of the Fruit of Life sacred geometry pattern embedded in this mandala adds to the feeling of lushness and renewal as well.

When fellow soulful cohort Sarah H viewed this mandala in one of my Facebook groups, she commented: 

What I feel is a powerful surge through the solar plexus and crown...and a unification of the chakras through the core energy (activating those above the body and below, as well as within). Love the playfulness yet powerfulness. Thank you for a lovely experience, Sue

Her comment was especially meaningful to me because she so beautifully tapped into  the inherent healing energies of the Auralite itself.

~Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas


Interested to learn more about Auralite crystal? Come visit me on Facebook page True Spirit Stone.

All of my mandalas are available for purchase. Contact me via email (sidebar to the right), on Facebook, or find me at my Etsy shop!

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

Mt Shasta Messenger 12 12 12

Mt Shasta Messenger (Mandala Messages) © Sue O'Kieffe 2012

source images: Mt Shasta pine, clear quartz crystal, pink rhododendron

I began to feel that familiar stirring and knew it was time to be still and listen for what wanted to come through.

In meditation, with selenite crystal on one knee, danburite on the other, and black tourmaline on the chair cushion between my legs, I got quiet and went inside. Immediately, I saw the pines on Mt Shasta reaching up up up in my mind's eye. Not only did were they offering grounded support, but they also held the high vibrational energies of the mountain itself. Inquiring further, I asked if anyone else wanted to come forth. A clear quartz crystal that was one of my mother's stone friends, clearly showed itself to me, as well as a pale pink rhododendron now in bloom outside my door. I also heard the number eight.

I searched through my photographs for tree photos I captured on my last visit to Mt Shasta in 2010, and snapped up the crystal and rhodies while the sun was out.

I felt the quartz held messages from the other side and the rhodie was offering pink for Universal Love. Eight is the number of infinity, reminding us that we have available to us an endless supply of whatever we need.

It took a few days for the mandala to reach completion. This morning, on this most auspicious day, I sat down again with my crystal companions and asked for a message. What I heard was

We are here to celebrate all of humanity on this most joyous day.

Whatever this day holds for you, I hope you find time to do something that is meaningful for you.

Bright 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.