Crystal Blossoms Mandala

Crystal Blossoms Mandala (Circles of Winter 2011) © Sue O'Kieffe 2011
source image: hail frozen on car

The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event ~Anonymous

Living on the North Coast of California, sometimes I get smug in winter. I try not to scoff when the east and mid west are buried in snow, and we are enjoying first sightings of plum and magnolia blossoms. And really, I do enjoy posting photos of our first signs of spring to offer hope to you bundled up like the Michelin man, shovel in hand, wishing your eye glasses would defog and your nose would stop running, just for a minute or two. Well, just like the rest of the U.S., we had our come uppance the past couple of days and were blasted with cold winds, rain, and what?...is that really snow?Yes, it was, and hail and sleet, and all manners of other cold  frozen particles falling from the sky.
I woke up to stuff frozen on my car this morning, ran out and took a quick close up of it all. And then I went searching for the beauty and this is what was revealed to me!

Spread Your Wings Mandala

 

Spread Your Wings Mandala (Power Shield Series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2011

source image: turkey feather

 

And the voice said,

Step into the circle. 

Breathe into your heart space.

Feel your Love.

Always Love.

You are Love.

Rejoice!

Hold hands.

Look each other in the eye.

Feel your Love.

Always Love.

You are Love.

Rejoice!

Spread your wings.

Feel the power of the wind

Supporting you.

Be uplifted. You are One.

Feel your Love

Always Love.

You are Love!

Rejoice!

Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

Wordless Wednesday: Angel Wings Mandala

Angel Wings Mandala (Circles of Healing 2011) © Sue O'Kieffe 2011
source image: white hydrangeas

Spring Prophecy Mandala

 

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

source image: blooming plum tree

Every January I wait for the appearance of the first pink buds. They are, for me, the indication that the wheel has made a few more rotations and the seasonal shift has begun.  The sighting of that initial first tight pink blush of a bud against a gray winter sky lifts my spirits like nothing else. Right now, almost a month after the first blossoms began to tease and entice, the plum trees are lining city streets with their delicate pinkness. I'm afraid the predicted rain that is coming our way will probably knock the petals onto the ground, and we will be blanketed with charming pink snow.

When I created this mandala, it reminded me of the Mayan calendar. It is a portal, a gateway. We are moving from something we have  known into a time of something new. Numerologically, the seven points suggest an introspective and mystical energy. I am reminded of something I read about gateways. Before we move through, it is a time to do nothing but pause and reflect on what came before and what we are moving toward. Are you ready for this?  The plum trees are here to remind us to open our arms wide, breathe in the heart love of their sweet pink blossoms, stay grounded and firm, and rejoice, not only for what was but what will be. When you are ready, you will know.

Sue O'Kieffe

Sacred Circle Mandalas

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: Voice of Spring's Return

 

Voice of Spring's Return  (Circles of Spring 2011) © Sue O'Kieffe 2011

source image: hebe

Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

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

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: Life is for Growing

Life is for Growing (Circles of Healing) © Sue O'Kieffe 2010 

source image: yarrow leaf

FRIDAY FIND: Some Children See Him

Some children see Him lily white,
The baby Jesus born this night.
Some children see Him lily white,
With tresses soft and fair.
Some children see Him bronzed and brown,
The Lord of heav'n to earth come down.
Some children see Him bronzed and brown,
With dark and heavy hair.

Some children see Him almond-eyed,
This Savior whom we kneel beside.
Some children see Him almond-eyed,
With skin of yellow hue.
Some children see Him dark as they,
Sweet Mary's Son to whom we pray.
Some children see him dark as they,
And, ah! they love Him, too!

The children in each different place
Will see the baby Jesus' face
Like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace,
And filled with holy light.
O lay aside each earthly thing
And with thy heart as offering,
Come worship now the infant King.
'Tis love that's born tonight!
~Alfred Burt and Wilha Hurtson ©1951

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY : Be Blessed Now

Be Blessed Now (Circles of Winter) © Sue O'Kieffe 2010

source image: eriogonum leaf

FRIDAY FIND:Mandala Quartz Crystal Singing Bowl Energy Healing Video

Feeling holidazed? I know I sure am! Take a moment and let the soothing qualities of the vibrations from this quartz crystal singing bowl meditation bring you back to inner peace.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: Festival of Light

Festival of Light (Circles of Winter) © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image: dahlia

Abundant Blessings of Light Mandala

 

Abundant Blessings of Light (Circles of Winter 2010) © Sue O'Kieffe 2010

source image: cotoneaster

I grew up in Minneapolis, and every year at Christmas time there was always something in the news about the Festival of Lights and the celebration of Santa Lucia. I can remember seeing photographs of a blond haired girl with a crown of candles in her hair. When I finished creating this mandala, the words Santa Lucia came to mind and so I did some googling  to learn a little more.

In Sweden, the shortest day of the year is today, December 13th, and so the tradition of the Festival of Lights is grounded in the celebration that the days are growing longer. Santa Lucia was a wealthy Italian woman born in the 3rd century A.D.who was martyred for her Christian beliefs. She is one of the few Catholic saints worshipped in the Lutheran church.

Lucia was known for her kindness. When I breathe into this mandala and feel its gift to us, what comes back to me is light filled compassion. I feel that energy that hums with Love.

Please know that your lives are blessed with abundant Light and Love.

Bright blessings
Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

FRIDAY FIND: Gratitude Mandalas

 I am sharing one of Atmara Rebecca Cloe's amazing kaleidoscope videos with you for today's Friday find. I first met Atmara  on Facebook as a fellow mandala creator. This fall I had the pleasure of meeting her face to face. Atmara's supportive and radiant nature shines both on and offline. Her mandala videos captivate me. Their beauty and capacity to uplift and spark the soul is apparent  whenever I view one of them. I hope you enjoy her gifts as much as I do.

Please be sure to visit her website, New World Creations and her YouTube channel, Artwork for the Soul, for more  of her mandala goodness.

Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: Peace Mandala

 

Peace Mandala (Circles of Awareness Series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2009

source image: wild onion blossoms

Mandala Coeur Joyeux

 

Mandala Coeur Joyeux (Circles of Love series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2010 

source image: beet ends

I've been sitting with this finished mandala for a few days now, breathing into the image and seeing what is reflected back to me. There was a sense, at first, of the upcoming holidays -- visions of sweetness and frosting, snow and winter wonders, peppermint candy and sugarplum fairies all spoke to me. But I think the message of this mandala goes deeper, right to the heart.

This mandala  throws open a window, inviting the self to meet the Self. The  heart at the center of this image glows with light, joy and innocence. Look at me here, the Self seems to shout. I am dizzy with Light and radiating with Joy and Delight.

And really, I really do believe that this is who we all are, filled with this Light and Love.Have you felt a knocking at your heart? Have you noticed that  quickening, a desire to let loose with the glow of who you really are?

I do not speak French, and so I asked Google to help with the translation for Joyous Heart Mandala. I wanted to title it in French, which after all, is the language of Love.

I would, as always, love to hear your impressions on how this mandala speaks to you.

(And here's a little technical aside, for those of you who like these things:

I created this mandala using the Illuminate photoshop action I downloaded at Paint the Moon Photography's Facebook page. I am always looking for ways to add more light to my mandalas. So, merci, Annie Murray Manning, for figuring all these details out so I don't have to.)

Bright blessings,

Sue O'Kieffe

Sacred Circle Mandalas

Mandala Coeur Joyeux is available now in my Etsy shop (20% off through 12/6/10)