New "Inspire Yourself" Mandala Series: Precious Stones

Precious Stones

In conjunction with the most recent introduction to the Appalachian Luna Love line of our “Adorn Yourself” Mala beads, I found my Mandalas taking on a completely different appearance than those of the “Moon Phases” series. I was influenced by the varying deep and vibrant hues of the same precious stones Shelly uses to craft our Mala beads, and even more inspired by the energy each stone carries because I found the colors I used charged me with the same energy of the complimentary stone by which the mandala was influenced.

In the production of this series, I actually ran into several complications. In a tarot card reading done with the Motherpeace Tarot during the creation process, I received the Ten of Discs card, a card illustrating a community gathering as a mother gives birth to new life. The position of the card in my reading indicated that there would be difficulties experienced in the birthing process. Producing artwork is very much like giving birth, and this card appropriately forecasted the atmosphere surrounding the birth of the Precious Stones series.

Trial and error, trial and error, I found myself exasperated, frustrated, and at times ready to scrap the entire series and start over. But, with little reasoning other than trying to trust the process, I persisted. So much can be, and was, discovered in the process of artistic exploration. As the mandalas started to take shape, I found myself less concerned with hiding “technical errors” or perceived flaws, I found myself wanting to capture the difficulty and the labor experienced through the birth. Each Mandala began to tell it’s own story of it’s birth in the layers of textures, colors, and patterns. In their completion, the difficulty of the journey in each Mandala is felt, but what is also felt is the vibrant energy of each stone by which it is inspired. Either the optimism of Citrine, the self- confidence of Red Beryl, or the trust in the unknown of Lapis Luzuli, each Mandala embodies the energy of these stones.

Reflecting on the series, I found myself reminded, this is life. This is the journey of life. We are born, at first, simple, only lines on a blank page. Over time we gain experience, we are dragged through mud, we are colored with bruises and darkened with scars, but this only serves to enhance the colors of our enduring spirit. The yellow-orange of optimism is even brighter against the dark black lines.

On the back of each Mandala of the Precious Stones series, I included the stone that inspired the piece and the properties each stone carries as well as a brief meditation practice to help channel the energetic properties of each stone. My hope is that viewers of Mandalas from the Precious Stones series will feel the connection to the aspect of themselves that can endure all and learn to have faith and trust in the unknown.

Inspired by and written with Luna Love

Namaste,
Marcy

Phases of the Moon: The Intention Behind Marcy's Mandalas

Phases of the Moon

It is with much excitement and gratitude that I introduce a series of mandalas I have been working on titled Phases of the Moon into the Bristol Yoga studio. 

For the members of the Bristol Yoga Sangha, especially those who have seen behind the desk what we now refer to as our “prayer flags” (layers and layers of expressions of love written on sticky notes bordering the desk), these designs may look familiar. It started with instructors leaving daily love notes to one another, displaying them on the desk for all to receive, then we began writing mantras, sacred words or sounds charged with intention used to aid in meditation, for reminders to carry through the day, and then we began drawing mandalas.

Mandala translates from Sanskrit to mean “circle”. The circular structure of most Mandala designs is meant to represent the cycles of nature; the cycles of life and death, night and day, cycles of the moon, and rhythms of the season. It is believed that within a Mandala the microcosm of the harmony of the universe is contained.

Mandalas are among one of the most ancient art forms and, in some cultural traditions, are used as a form of meditation, both in their creation and in viewing. In their creation, Mandalas encourage the creator to determine where they are and how to move in order to orient themselves within the cosmic rhythms of the universe. For the viewer, Mandalas can be used as meditation. When choosing a Mandala for meditation, one may choose based on either the meaning behind the mandala, or finding one that is visually stimulating. For the viewer intending to use the Mandala for meditation, take a moment to set an intention before gazing into the mandala, then allow yourself to become absorbed by the patterns, colors, and designs, letting your mind wander. When your wandering mind returns to grocery lists, to-do lists, or work obligations, come back to the space of the Mandala and allow yourself to fall into its design. Relax and float with the thoughts and feelings as they come to you.

I was under the heavy influence of the moon, well-supported by my birth family and my chosen family, and feeling full with love when I determined to the create these Mandalas. I had been spending many nights bathing in the light of the moon and gushing with love over its beauty with Shelly Bullock, Bristol Yoga studio owner and my soul sister. It was during one of these nights, sitting underneath the moon light next to a bonfire, burning out old, negative habits and journaling new intentions that Shelly and I dreamed up Appalachian Luna Love. We wanted to create products using wisdom from Appalachian wise women and other ancient traditions to encourage individuals to become more embodied, hoping to inspire individuals to take time to connect with themselves, take care of themselves and create practices of loving themselves.

In the meditations through which my Mandalas were born, I was most inspired by the influence of the cycles of the moon on the Earth’s natural rhythms; the tides, the habits of animals, women’s menstrual cycles, and even human behavior. I found myself repeating the mantra, “Be in the flow,” in the Brazilian accent of Lydie Ometto, a dear member of the Bristol Yoga Sangha. This paired well with the watercolor medium used to bring the designs to life. Under the observation of the last quarter moon, a period for releasing and forgiving, my meditation became a practice of letting go; letting go of the desire to control, letting go of attachments to outcomes, and most importantly, recognizing and learning to let go of the fear, doubt, insecurity, uncertainty that comes from displaying my artwork. I came out of the process recognizing heavy, unnecessary expectations I place on myself. With a heart of forgiveness for myself, I determined that there is no freedom or truth in perfection, it is much better to surrender to the tides of change, to “be in the flow,” in order to better your chances of swimming. 

And now, here we are. Just in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday and the Full Moon, a period of completion, when everything comes together, when the gardener is able to step back and reflect on her efforts. Appalachian Luna Love is now open to the public and Phases of the Moon is available for viewing in the Bristol Yoga Studio. Stepping back to reflect on what has been birthed, the anxiety, fear, doubt, and uncertainty I had before has dissolved into gratitude, an overwhelming amount of gratitude. I am beyond grateful for the support of my fellow moon sisters of Bristol Yoga who each influenced the series in their own way and to my moon sisters outside of Bristol Yoga who support and inspire me in their beauty of being. I am full of gratitude for the family that was gifted to me by birth, for their patience and support through this journey of unfolding that is 26 years in the making. I dedicate this series to all lovers of the moon and to all seekers, those who seek to know, to witness, to feel, to live, to love, to understand, and to appreciate. I hope this series serves to bring you closer to yourself, your authentic self, and with that a deeper connection to the harmony of the universe.