Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Tending the Secret Garden


Okay, so I haven't been in the secret garden in any physical sense lately, because it has been so cold and wet! (Spring, where did you go?)  But I have definitely been tending my metaphorical secret garden, nurturing myself with art and escaping into fantasy novels and just enjoying the 'being'. I have been pruning that in my life which no longer serves me, or that doesn't make me feel good. I have been planting seeds of creativity and watching them blossom and grow. My garden feels wild and abundant and I am enjoying all the fruits of my labour....

I have been struck down with some nasty bug, which has confined me to the couch, pretty much, but I am grateful, for it has forced me to ignore the chores that are beckoning, and to just quiet my mind and spend some quality time with myself.  I treated myself to this little water colour set yesterday, and I'm so happy I did! The little brush fills up with water, so it's totally portable, and I can paint now wherever I am. It's like I have been possessed (in a good way), and I can't stop drawing and painting! I am in love...

I have taken out my journals, which I have neglected for a while, and unleashed my new found muse upon them. This is purely play, my friends, and I find myself creating mandalas, and losing (finding) myself in them. Now that I think of it, the dreamcatcher from last week got me thinking about circles...perhaps that is why I have mandalas bursting from me! If you don't know much about the magic of mandalas, I suggest you read this description

They are traditionally used for meditation and healing, and I really urge you to have a go and see where they may take you. Carl Jung believed that they accessed deeper levels of our consciousness, and are used for healing.

To make one, just begin with a 'seed'...or a little circle in the middle of your page. Now here comes the fun part - just make a mark around your seed. It can be anything. The whole point is not to think too much. Perhaps an S shape, or a C, or a diamond...you get the idea. After a while, you will find that the mandala will 'tell' you what mark to make next. That's the magic of them...you are getting out of your head (ego) and drawing from a deeper place (your authentic self, or soul). I love to put on some chill out music to draw, but everyone is different, and what is right for me, may not be right for you. I love mandalas because, truly, there are no mistakes, and every one is different.

"What you are is God's gift to you; what you do with yourself is your gift to God" - Danish proverb



Still scared to draw? Just place your hand on a piece of blank paper and trace around it with a black sharpie pen. This was a lot of fun, inspired by a gorgeous vintage palm reading poster I found in a shop (and which both my daughter and I are coveting!) I had a little giggle to myself when I realised that I had drawn another mandala inside the palm...I love this!


Remember the dreamcatcher swap I did last week? Well, I posted mine off, and received the one my swap partner made me yesterday! Her name is Nola, and she is such a sweetheart...she doesn't have a blog, but judging by her beautiful handiwork, perhaps she should! I love that it has a little bell attached, and a clay heart dangling down. It is hanging above my bed, to capture my sweet dreams...thankyou Nola x

Before I crawl back to my couch, I wanted to let you all know that I am having trouble again with Blogger, and I have tried to leave comments on some of your blogs, but am unable to...grrrr...so please don't think I have forgotten you - I love peeking in to see what you have all been up to. I hope this is fixed soon...

"The time will come...when, with elation, you will greet yourself arriving at your own door, in your own mirror, and each will smile at the other's welcome."

21 comments:

  1. Lovely.I finally managed to follow you.I haven't done anything on my blog as yet ,so don't bother going to it.I too am feeling a bit unwell today,may have a little nana nap soon.Hope your better soon and I look forward to reading your Blogs.X Sandie.

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  2. I hope you feel better soon. Your journal is beautful and so is the dreamcatcher that was made for you. I have kept a journal, but have never drawn in it. Maybe I will now after seeing what you have done. Of course mine will not look as nice since I am no artist. HA! HA!

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  3. Welcome Sandie! Sorry to hear you are under the weather too...and Willow, I am happy to have inspired you. Remember, what you see in others exists in you!

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  4. I love your drawings!! :)
    You know, to be able to leave comments ( I used to have this problem too) when you sign into your account, untick the "remember me" box, then you can leave comments.
    Hope this helps.
    xxx

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  5. What a beautiful post to read. I too am feeling under the weather and worrying about all the things I need to do doesn't make it any better!

    I feel a bit better reading this and might just go and draw me a mandala!

    I'm having problems on some blogs too - don't know what's going on. My comments just disappear into thin air! Let's hope this one stays put!

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  6. Oh I do hope you will be feeling better soon, but at least some good has come of the chance to slow down :)

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  7. Oh TIna... you gave me tears of love and appreciation for your beauty and your sentiments. You spoke so truly and eloquently! All you said is so true! I left a message for Dawn over at Bohemian Valhalla saying that I have been so busy with weddings that I haven't been able to take the time to leave comments, I just pop in for a quick look before I collapse into bed at night. Yours is ALWAYS on my peak-in-for-a-quick-treat list. And as tired as I am your words are so apt! I really am needing some time for myself lately and to create with no goal in mind, just for fun! I LOVE your drawings! Your hand picture makes me think of the beautiful intricate hand of Fatima images from Morocco. I find when I am procrastinating or on the phone my hand automatically doodles mandellas. It would be fun to intentionally do one. January, when things slow down I will play more. I am sorry you are sick however it sounds like it has been a good time for rejuvenation! How lovely.
    I have sort of rambled all over in this message, bit like my brain at the moment, hope I make some semblance of sense. Thank you as always for your beautiful post and your beautiful self!
    Blessings,
    Tricia

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  8. Hello sweet Bettina...wow..wow!!..thank you for this massively beautiful and inspiring post..yoru images are magic ,your beautiful art is fantastical...your photos stunning!

    I too love mandalas so deeply..they are powerful...when i was ill at a time in my life..i began drawing them( not really knowing at first what they were) and other symbols.. and these creative-maps brought me much healing and began weaving me into a new world each time...it is amazing how your body-mind-spirit can respond to them..understand them and become reborn through them! Your gorgeous mandalas bring me shining peace and harmony and pure blissful spirit...gorgeousness!!

    Thankyou for sharing your journeys always! you are my sacred sister across the oceans..and hugs..we are going through the same energy-shift..i have been under the weather too for a while now...get well..and shine bright soon!
    Sorry for your bloggy troubles...it happens to me all the time too..sending cyber sparkles your way!
    thanks for inspiring my heart with wings today!
    hugs
    V~

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  9. what a beautiful post - your mandala pics r just gorgeous - so inspirational...i am heading off to the country for a few days, i shall take a little notebook & attempt to draw whilst i'm away, thanks for the inspiration - love the dreamcatcher u received - i hope u feel better soon hon.xxx (ps: i had similar problems before with blogger using internet explorer / i now use firefox & havn't had any probs since.)

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  10. Just discovered your blog - STILL am visiting the Gypsy Dreams Party blogs - I am so behind. Anyway, I love your mandalas the colors are wonderful. I'm going to follow you. Love, Linda

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  11. Oh my goodness! What a beautiful journal! So bright and pretty and magical!!! Your dreamcatchers are astounding, too. Sometimes it is really important to head to your Secret Garden for grounding and self-love. Thank you for a beautiful post!

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  12. Oh Tina.....you are SO talented!!! Your paintings are beautiful!!! How wonderful to treat yourself as a Secret Garden.....magical!!

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  13. I Love Mandalas and yours are stunning. Thank you also for coming by with such encouraging and loving Words during my Dark Post. After I got it all off my chest I felt such a weight lifted as I sent it out into the Universe and just let go... Today was a great day and the G-Kids and I went to the opening day of the State Fair... oh how I Love a good Fair or Carnival... how can you NOT be uplifted and joyous in such a festive atmosphere?!?!? We attended from Morning until Sundown and saw an amazing display called "Body Works".

    Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

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  14. What great post.
    Your journal is beautful .
    Hugs

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  15. Oh, wow, what a beautiful post. I have not been raised in a creative setting, so stepping into this type of world is often intimidating for me. I have wanted to do some mandalas, but have never tried. You have inspired me, thank you. xxx.

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  16. funny, i've been drawn to details this past week as well. drawing mandalas and doodles. i love mandalas, discovered that i enjoyed them by the way of zentangles. i enjoy the meditative kind as well as the more focused arty kind. just so beautiful.

    your journal looks lovely.

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  17. I absolutely love your mandalas and especially your tribal hand. You have a creative gift for watercolors; not many are so comfortable letting the paints take flight. Thank you for visitng after my very long absence. I am so filled with joy to be back amoung such beautiful people again. Peace. Brianne.

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  18. Thanks for the Blessing to my Crew... they are quite deserving of every Blessing abundantly!

    Coming to your Mandala Post gave me Serenity... I really should start a Mandala Journal... and "borrow" Princess T's Watercolors! *Winks* I've saved your Beautiful Images to my favs, just Beautiful!

    Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

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  19. Dearest friend, it seems that many of us have been tending our inner gardens :0) Your drawings, your words, your message. They are simply beautiful. Hope you are feeling better and that Spring has returned to your corner of the world. Hugs!

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  20. Hi Tina,
    The dreamcatcher swap - such a good idea - I love where you placed it!
    I too love mandalas and there Spiritual gifts to us as we make them.
    Your drawings are soooo beautiful, the watercolours done so delicately and with such nice colours.
    What pretty cards the designs would make too.
    Love and butterflies
    Kat x

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  21. My very first visit, unable to take it all in on one visit, I'll be back.

    Your return dreamcatcher looks perfectly able to catch your wayward dreams.

    Wonder art and photography. Fun on fun.

    I'm thinking I'll drag out my watercolor pencils and teensy weensy brush and give it a try. Creativity is spiritual, spiritual art works, they take us far.

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"We are each of us angels with only one wing...and we can fly only be embracing each other." Thankyou for taking the time to visit. Please leave me a comment, as I love to read them x