Hunter Family Mandala ca.2007
When I first got the idea to create custom zodiac mandalas I had no idea how deep the process would actually take me. It was sometime in 2001 and I had been reading a book about mandalas that went beyond the traditional symmetrical circles that most people think of.
The book is called MANDALA: Luminous Symbols for Healing by Judith Cornell, PH.D. (https://www.amazon.com/Mandala-Luminous-Anniversary-Meditations-Exercises/dp/0835608476).
In it she explores mandalas from many traditions and shares detailed information, meditations, and workshops exploring the mandala as a way to explore the subconscious mind and creative process. It also clued me into the work of Carl Jung and his work with mandalas as a tool for therapy and transformation. I was hooked!
All of my life I have loved making art and no matter what else was going on around me, art has always been my healing place. There have been times where I have had a formal studio, there have been times that I have had nothing but a piece of paper and some crayons and made scratchboards to satisfy my urge to pull myself out of the funk. Making art is a non-negotiable for me in my life. If I am not making art it is a symptom of being out of balance for me and I know that I need to adjust accordingly.
Art is also the reason that I began to practice Reiki, as well as walk an esoteric path. I LOVE SYMBOLISM and the images and traditions of Tarot, Astrology, Religions (ALL!) and belief systems, as well as Indigenous forms of Spiritual expression from all over the world. It is fascinating to explore these traditions and understand how deeply we are ALL CONNECTED.
Zodiac Mandalas began as a fun way to learn more about astrology but soon became so much more. I worked at a restaurant and I would bring them in and show my friends and regular customers and soon I was taking commissions and creating them one after another. Fun fact: I "sold" my first mandala to a server from the restaurant next door for two homemade key lime pies. ;)
Here's the initial sketch: Pam. Birthday Jan.10. Capricorn.
Each one got a little more involved than the last. I added deeper readings, made them more complex, offered them for birthdays, weddings/anniversaries, families, etc...for quite a few years. I also created one for each zodiac sign and made a line of cards and prints that I sold at our local Saturday Market for another few years. (I just put those on some candles in my shop and they make me so happy!) https://www.endoluminous.life/candles
Somewhere around 2009 I slowed down. They took more time and energy than I felt comfortable asking for them and it wasn't realistic to keep it up. Not to mention that life took a new direction and I shifted my artistic focus to writing and illustrating my book (which took almost 5 years!) and then things took a turn for the digital and I began creating graphics, promos, websites, classes, and courses for other people. It's been quite a journey for sure!
So, here I am, 20 years since I began creating them and I am BACK AT IT! Dipping my brush (and hands) back in the paint feels GREAT! I have offered a limited amount of Zodiac Mandalas (only 7 between now and the end of the year because they take TIME!) and I am having a BLAST! My style has grown, my knowledge has grown, and these little beauties engage ALL of my interests and roll them into one. Every mandala is a new journey and an exploration of the uniqueness of the person/people I am making them for.
The best part? I like to say that because my birthday is New Year's Eve and everyone celebrates it, this is my way of celebrating back!
Current work in progress. #yay #aries #customzodiacmandala
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