THE FOUR FOLD WAY

Four Fold Way Mandala - (Mandalas for Peace Project) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image - coyote brush

Coyote Brush, a chapparal plant related to the sunflower, grows abundantly all along the coast of California and up into Oregon. It is resistant to predators because it has a soapy taste and resistant to fire and land clearings because of its deep root system. Coastal Miwok Indians used the leaves to reduce swelling and the stems for arrow shafts. (from Blue Planet Biomes).

I have Coyote Brush growing in my back yard and on a recent sunny day was able to capture photos of its flowers, which have now gone to seed. When the sun shines on the dandelion - like fluff, it glows like angel wings.

I have taken my time in publishing this mandala because I wanted to see what messages it had to share; today I hear it saying: Be resiliant, be creative, be open, be nurturing. These
words also embrace my intent for more balance in my life. I know
that the other component of intent is the action to carry out this
intent.

What does this mandala say to you?

(credit must also be given to Angeles Arrien and her book The Four-Fold Way:Wallking the Paths of Warrier, Teacher, Healer, and Visionary as another influence in the naming of this mandala)

STAYING IN BALANCE

New Year Miracle - (Holiday series) - © 2009 Sue O'Kieffe
source image - dandelion gone to seed

When considerng creating a mandala for 2009, I wanted to make one using a basic four rayed structure, because 1/1/2009 breaks down to 4 numerologically (1+1+2+9=13 1+3=4). Fours are the number of structure and stability. During these shaky times we are facing, I think it is good to assume we are stabilized and work towards the change we need to make it so in our lives.

I have been contemplating my intentions and the theme I want to embrace for the coming year. Last year I explored Wonder and Mystery a lot in my art. Not only has my digital art grown in depth, but I have also embraced the non-digital world with gusto. I hope you have discovered my doodle blog in your wanderings. Letting go of my fear of drawing has been liberating and given me the courage to be free to explore whatever I want. Possibilities are limitless!
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Well, I had hoped that this would be posted in time to go out with FeedBlitz's Jan 1st mailings, but it didn't and I think it's just as well. As I was thinking and writing upon rising this morning (Happy New Year everyone!), I realized the word I have been looking for is Balance. It has been showing up for a much of this past year with all of my green mandalas. Green is the color of the heart, the fourth chakra, the balance point between mind and body.

When I look at this image, I see the old being swept out and the new being welcomed in.

Balance means

• being willing to step up to myself
• being willing to let go of old stories that no longer serve me
• being willing to change the structures of my life to shift where my life is "out of balance"
• being willing to keep my heart open while maintaining my boundaries and listening to my gut
• being willing to become more transparent
• being willing to share my feelings more honestly
• being willing to include care of the physical and financial body, as well as the emotional, mental, spiritual, and creative bodies; when one of these is out of balance, the rest of me suffers
• being willing to investigate ways of opening up and expanding my art business

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Last night I heard a local DJ read this article on her radio program about the numerological aspects of 2009. It echoed for me the basic feeling I have at the pit of my stomach that we are shifting into a better, more hopeful year. Take the time to read it. It's good stuff.

~Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

SACRED LIFE SUNDAY - BALANCE

In Balance Mandala - (Watercolor Series) - © Sue O'Kieffe
source image - white rhododendron

Everything comes to us that belongs to us if we create the capacity to receive it. ~ Rabindranath Tagore

We can want peace, but unless we are spiritually at peace ourselves, we dont mean it.
It is our thoughts which keep that part of the universe where each of us stand out of or in balance. ~ Little Crow

There are no choices that are really a detour that will take you far from where you're wanting to be -- because your Inner Being is always guiding you to the next, and the next, and the next. So don't be concerned that you may make a fatal choice, because there aren't any of those. You are always finding your balance. It's a never ending process. ~ Abraham Hicks

Now I walk in beauty,
Beauty stands before me
Beauty stands behind me
Above and below me.
~Navajo prayer


I am continuing to play with different approaches to the backgrounds on my artwork. This time I experimented with *grunge brushes* that I downloaded from this site, applying different colors on different layers and then playing with blending modes to get to the desired effect.

Balance...integration...release...transformation...growth...during these challenging times when life calls us to be present, what are we willing to receive? I like the quote from Abraham Hicks above...our soul knows what we want, and like some kind of internal GPS, it will keep us on track.