2017 Libra New Moon Mandala

Libra New Moon Mandala
October 19, 2017
The Strength of a Woman

“When we say things like “people don’t change” it literally drives scientists crazy… because, change is literally the only constant in science. Energy… matter… it’s always changing… morphing… merging… growing… dying. It’s the way people try Not to change that’s unnatural. The way we cling to the way things were instead of letting them be what they are. The way we cling to old memories instead of forming new ones. The way we insist on believing despite every scientific indication that anything in this lifetime is permanent. Change IS constant. How we experience change that’s up to us. It can feel like death or it can feel like a second chance at life if we open our fingers, loosen our grips, go with it … it can feel like pure adrenaline. Like at any moment we can have another chance at life. Like at any moment we can be born all over again.”

Meredith Grey, closing monologue
Grey’s Anatomy Season 7, Episode 1

 

The Mandala

Note: I am sharing a photo of the mandala this cycle as it does not scan well.

This mandala radiates such a peace and calm – desperately needed in this cycle! There is something so deeply comforting about this one. I don’t know why it took me so long to color it…I knew right away what color it was, and yet I procrastinated. From the center, then…

Two interlocking squares have always symbolized change to me…as if turning the world on its head…the stability of ground introducing or birthing something new and earth shattering. We find this symbol at the very center of this mandala. I recently learned that this symbol is Hindu in origin and is called the Star of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity. “Each point of the star represents the eight kinds of wealth bestowed by the Goddess.” In researching this symbol it seems to me that the eight points represent the eight incarnations of the goddess who bestows 16 kinds of wealth: knowledge, intelligence, strength, valor, beauty, victory, fame, ambition, morality, gold and other wealth, food grains, bliss, happiness, health and longevity, and virtuous offspring. I chose magenta for these squares: “In the meaning of colors, magenta represents universal love at its highest level. It promotes compassion, kindness and cooperation and encourages a sense of self respect and contentment in those who use it.”
~The illustrated Signs & Symbols Sourcebook, An A-Z Compendium of over 1000 Designs by Adele Nozedar.
~https://www.thoughtco.com/forms-of-lakshmi-1770371
~http://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/color-magenta.html

Echoing eight once again, an eight-petal lotus in white (purity) and pink (unconditional love) surrounds the star.

8 symbolic of harmony and balance, ability to make decisions, abundance and power, infinity, Cosmic Christ.
~https://mysticalnumbers.com/number-8/

The outer ring hosts twelve additional interlocking petals. 12 – symbolic of cosmic order. These petals create 12 mandorlas (meaning almond shape) or vesica piscis (Vessel of the Fish or vagina.) “Pythagoreans believed it represented a similar intersection of the spiritual and material worlds, a sacred doorway between two state of being…and is often used to frame figures in religious iconography.”
~ https://mysticalnumbers.com/number-12/
~The Illustrated Signs & Symbols

Three rings emanate from the center.
3: With all the goddess symbolism in this mandala what resonates most is the embodiment of the female principle that symbolically links the Heaven with Earth and who carries within her the ripe aspect of the Goddess as virgin, mother, and crone.
~The Illustrated Signs and Symbols

The entire mandala is then divided into four sections…perhaps, like the cardinal directions, this crosscut symbolizes the four the cardinal signs of which Libra is one: Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.
~inspired by The Illustrated Signs & Symbols

 

The Month

The cycle ended as it began, in the company of family. Having just made the decision to leave ministry after 45 years of service at the end of the last cycle (at least for now and for an unspecified period of time) and feeling a bit adrift it was wonderful to be surrounded by and to celebrate family.

A highlight of the cycle was a women’s retreat that I attended at the Marianist Cape May Family Retreat Center. The topic of this year’s retreat: The Strength of a Woman where we shared stories of the strong women in our lives, and processed labels that have held us bound. The Saturday evening ritual was very moving as a Christ figure removed these labels from us. It was a very restorative and healing experience.
~ http://capemaymarianists.org

This “gathering of women” was echoed later in the cycle when the Prayer Shawl Ministry that I facilitate recognized that I could use some additional support and presented me with my own shawl.  It was a very touching moment and I am grateful everyday for this loving and generous-beyond-measure group of women.

Another highlight during this cycle was the continued exploration of natural/circadian/feminine/ time with Donna Iona Drozda – what a lovely, sweet spirit she is! Feeling so grateful to have her as a guide.
~ http://www.donnaionadrozda.com/

I have come to know that the beauty of this particular cycle if one is open and paying attention is the bestowing of a gift… an insight into what the next year holds.

“Change” is a keyword for me in the coming year. And as I reflect on this cycle the word “feminine” also come to mind. It will be interesting to pray in the coming weeks for Sacred Words…one that nourishes and one that challenges.

An out-of-season “newness” is in the air as I have seen symbols of Springtime in this autumn season:

And a feeling of comfort and protection at the sight of this Holly holding all these pine needles:

More on Holly here:  http://www.whats-your-sign.com/celtic-meaning-holly.html 

 

On a morning walk this also caught my eye…

A new path is being presented…what that means exactly I do not know, but to stay on the old path feels like a betrayal to my self. The new path is gifting me with space – to contemplate, time – to journal and relish family, freedom – to travel with Lovie as finances and his schedule allow. I am feeling, however, a bit uncertain… of not knowing where I’m going, and am contemplating (as if for the first time without any outside, human influence) who I am in this new world. Never before have I needed to make such a leap of faith. What I know: that I am guided by the Hand of The One Who Knows and that what is needed will be given in its appointed time.

In the meantime, I let go, I watch. I listen. I wait and wonder in faith and love… open to what comes… for,

“When I let go of what I am , I become what I might be.”
~ Lao Tzu

Love, Hugs and Blessings,
Lynn  xoxxx