Follow your highest intention. Set your compass on love. Something in you knows this is always the way.
                                                                  Jack Kornfield

Co-Creative Mandalas have a vibration that
anchors, activates specific qualities, and
represents something about ourselves,
the natural world, and the energy in the Universe
at a particular time. This year the mandalas support Choosing Love’s Presence within,
with the rhythms in nature,
and with the Great Mandala.

The mandala archetype for this month is Clarity.

It's been fun, illuminating, and surprising to explore Clarity and all the ways it supports
Choosing Love’s Presence.

Love’s Presence within mind, body, and spirit is seen, felt, and experienced by listening to
your inner guidance
and finding joy, peace, and wonder.

How is Clarity calling you to embrace
Choosing Love’s Presence?

This Co-Creative Mandala—Clarity—is from a photograph of a glad (symbolizes clarity) and zinnia (symbolizes deep connection) and is associated with the root, solar plexus, heart, throat, and crown chakras. It reminds us that sometimes we think clarity arrives first. But often clarity shows up after movement, after we take action. After experimenting. After allowing a messy beginning. After trying...maybe failing...maybe succeeding. After following a small creative urge that doesn’t fully make sense yet. Release the need to know. This is the time to stay in curiosity and acceptance. Open to and trust the next small steps.

I’m late with writing my May blog post. Aaargh! Even though I’ve been reflecting on what Clarity actually means, I’m finding it amusing and frustrating that I can’t get clear about writing about clarity. According to an AI search, my dilemma isn’t uncommon.

Writing about clarity is notoriously tricky—it’s the classic "meta" problem. It's like trying to bite your own teeth or see your own eyes without a mirror.

Okie, dokie, artichokie...that explanation feels on target with how I’m feeling. And, somehow comforting.

Ms. Chat also suggested that I start with what Clarity isn’t, i.e., it’s not big words or man splaining. Okay, got it.

Second, present what I want to say as if the reader is a 5 year old. Well, that’s insulting, right? But maybe she’s on to something, so here goes.

So, what is Clarity? I have come to realize that Clarity is an awareness of our true nature, our Wholeness. While co-creating the Sacred Mandalas: Mandala Messages for Aligning with Inner, Nature, and Universal Wisdom oracle card deck and guidebook, I had a felt sense of Clarity. I embodied my soul-guided purpose. I knew I was meant to steward the deck into the world. I realized the truth of my being and all beings—we are all connected. Clarity is one of the aspects, one of the qualities, of Love’s Presence. And, it's also the path to choosing Love's Presence. Those insights were profound and life changing.

And, sometimes I lose sight of that Clarity. Lately, that’s been an overarching feeling.

From what I’m hearing from clients and seeing in the world, I’m in good company. Misery loves company, right?

We’re in a transition time...individually and collectively. We know change is the norm these days, but don’t know what the change(s) will bring. Our go-to strategies no longer serve us. Love’s Presence can feel distant. Self-judgment may grow louder. Relationships may feel strained. We lose touch with the warmth and aliveness of our own hearts, with out soul-guided purpose.

Without Clarity, we can feel adrift.

Even though this is the season (metaphorically and in nature) for embarking on a different path in life or perhaps stepping into a new era, one where you can do things differently than you have in the past—a new path hasn’t revealed itself, yet.

The future isn’t visible. This time gives us an opportunity to step into our dreams, our vision...surrender to the unknown and trust the unfolding of something new. We are asked to give ourselves the gift of not knowing, even if the uncertainty is uncomfortable.

I’ve come to see Clarity as something quite simple and immediate. It’s the willingness to turn inward, moment by moment, and ask ourselves one essential, compassionate question:

What do I need?

The interesting thing is that the answer is not always the same. But it will always bring Clarity.

Clarity has a way of revealing the path while we’re walking it. Clarity comes when we stay in conversation with Wisdom...inner, nature, and the Universe.

Different moments require different forms of Clarity.

Sometimes the most helpful response is to turn toward the uncertainty. And say, with gentle compassion, “I don’t know”. And, then stay with the discomfort to help us learn that uncertainty is tolerable.

Often choosing Love’s Presence with compassion involves learning how to be with emotional discomfort directly, without trying to make it go away.

But compassion isn't one-size-fits-all.

Sometimes staying present with the feelings of discomfort doesn’t work for our nervous system in that moment. We might need to move our attention away from feelings of uncertainty and fear altogether, particularly when we’re feeling overwhelmed.

What is needed isn’t deeper presence with the difficult feelings, but grounding.

Grounding comes in many forms: Breath work; scanning our environment; meditation; Yoga; gardening; time in nature...just to name a few.

Early in May in the  Sacred Mandalas Oracle Card Reading for the Collective, we offered a simple, grounded way to use oracle cards to quiet the noise and gain real Clarity about where you are right now by revealing the influences that limit and expand Clarity. The foundational belief behind the reading, i.e., you are your own oracle supports you in reconnecting with your inner guidance so that you can shift out of overwhelm into a greater sense of steadiness and trust.

The three card reading practice i.e., what you need to cultivate (Inner Wisdom—the Chakras), what guidance you are ready to receive (Universal Wisdom—Archangels), and a possible future (Nature Wisdom—the Seasons) you learn how to receive insight, inspiration, and Clarity in a way that feels authentic, supportive, and immediately applicable to your life journey.

This is why I think Clarity and asking the question “What do I need?” is so important.

Sometimes Love’s Presence asks us to bravely stay with difficult emotions.

Sometimes Love’s Presence asks us to ground, orient, stabilize, and care for ourselves by stepping back from difficult feelings.

Choosing Love’s Presence and finding Clarity isn’t about following one rigid formula. It’s about learning to listen wisely and compassionately to our mind, body, and spirit.

It’s not about transformation...it’s about emergence.

When I was seeking clarity about Clarity. I found this website. I appreciate her simple, straight forward and profound approach toward finding and living spiritual Clarity. Maybe you'll find it helpful, too.

As we move through the various life challenges we will inevitably encounter, my hope is that we can all pause, moment by moment, and ask ourselves the quintessential compassionate question: 

What do I need to emerge into my most expansive self?

May you find Clarity in the midst of uncertainty.

Blessings,

Sacred Mandalas: Mandala Messages for Aligning with Inner, Nature, and Universal Wisdom have a vibration that anchors, activates specific qualities, and represents something about ourselves, the natural world, and the energy with the Great Mandala at a particular time.

This year each monthly mandala supports Choosing Love’s Presence, our intention for 2026.

The February mandala archetype is Clarity.

My spirit remembers what my mind forgets.
                                                             Annonymous

Happy May, Kindred Spirit:

May is a very powerful month.

The 1st of May - May Day, and in Celtic tradition, Beltane, the mid-point between spring equinox and summer solstice--celebrated life, growth, and abundance—and marked the beginning of summer. It also arrived with the full Flower Moon—celebrating the bountiful blossoms this time of year.

We’re in one of the brightest turning points of the year. The days are longer. The bees are collecting spring flower pollen, birds are singing louder--bringing the feeling that something is awakening. So many of us are craving ways to gather, to mark the turning points.

This month asks us to Cultivate Clarity...about what wants to grow — What needs nurturing. When we soften, trust divine timing, and tend the soil of our becoming with compassion, gentleness, and gratitude—our visions take root and grow.

May is asking you to cultivate Clarity about what feels aligned, what truly nourishes you, how to trust your inner knowing, and choose Love’s Presence. This month’s Sacred Mandala Oracle Reading for the Collective is a beautiful place to do exactly that.

Can you feel how we’re moving towards summer: longer days with more sunlight, so much growth in our gardens, the trees in full bloom?

And layered within it… is something even more symbolic.

If you imagine the year as a life cycle, this is the time when changes in nature reflect the changes that take place in our own lives now and throughout the year. Celebrating and marking these points of noticeable shifts in nature helps us honor and integrate these transitions into our lives and bring body, mind and spirit into harmony with the rhythms of nature.  

The intentions we set earlier in the year are no longer just ideas. They’re ready to blossom. Not all growth is visible — some of it is quiet and sacred. Even in the unseen, life is preparing its next beautiful expression. Right now nature’s energies invite you to focus on the hopes and dreams you would like to see blossom in your life over the next months.

This is the most beautiful time to create, to tend your garden (inner and outer), and connect with something bigger than ourselves. Right now, you might be feeling like something is shifting… but you may not know what to do with it.

You may be pulled toward growth, but also holding yourself back. You may be tired of staying in the same place, but unsure how to move forward. When something inside you says: “Now is the time for growth” it’s not the time for overthinking or endless planning.

This is the time to step forward and act. That quiet inner voice doesn’t go away. It lingers. Pulls at you. Reminds you… there’s more you’re meant to allow to awaken. This time of the Great Mandala brings more than flowers and sunshine. It brings courage.

It brings expansion. It asks for Clarity. Without Clarity – it’s easy to ignore, overthink what is unfolding for you, or simply let the moment pass. This is the moment in the year when life begins to fully bloom --and you’re being invited to do the same. This is the perfect moment to pull a three card spread, a gentle, creative way to step into this energy and embody it.

And this is exactly why I love doing Sacred Mandalas: Mandala Messages for Aligning with Inner, Nature, and Universal Wisdom card readings. Not because they give all the answers or predict the future, but because they bring us back into alignment with our inner, nature, and Universal wisdom that illuminates what’s already trying to come through. They help you see what you might not be seeing. Feel what you’ve been disconnected from. And reconnect with your Clarity in a way that feels grounded and real. 

If you’ve been feeling like you’re in that in-between space… Where something is shifting, but you can’t fully name it yet… Or you’re ready to move forward, but don’t want to force your way there… This is exactly the kind of space this card reading is meant to meet you in.

When I sit down to do these readings, I ask the Universe and Archangel Ariel to show me/us where there is Clarity in our life and to reveal a map that helps us navigate our lives with hope, and intention as we choose Love’s Presence and move toward living our soul-guided purpose.

When I pull the oracle cards and I sit with them and intentionally see the colors, the essence, and absorb the mandala meaning, something shifts within. Everything settles. The noise in my head becomes quiet, followed by Clarity. I can see truths I may have been too overwhelmed to notice before.

This card reading supports Choosing Love’s Presence, receiving guidance as you grow into your next chapter, and discovering new ways to bring the magic, mystery and power of Clarity into your life.

Come back to this reading whenever you’re feeling stuck, seeking clarity, or when you're ready to Choose Love’s Presence—and experience Clarity within, in nature, and with the Universe.

This is a three-card reading. Before I pulled the cards I asked:

How does Clarity support moving forward toward choosing Love’s Presence—today, throughout May and the year ahead?

The first card, the Focus Card, is selected from the Chakra Suite—Inner Wisdom--practical wisdom, and reveals what we are called to cultivate and expand.

What do we/you/I need to cultivate that supports Clarity and moving toward  Choosing Love’s Presence in May and beyond?

The 2nd card supports the Focus Card, the allies and helpers who guide use and is selected from the Archangel Suite—Universal Wisdom—cards. 

What guidance are we/you/I ready to receive that supports expanding Clarity as we/you/I move forward toward Choosing Love’s Presence?

The 3rd card supports our next steps toward moving forward toward Choosing Love’s Presence and is selected from the Seasons Suite—Nature Wisdom—cards. 

What do we need to know that supports a possible future?

Like nature right now—we have access to our rich and fertile energy. We can use this energy to continue to grow, to evolve, to meet the changes and challenges that shape our current reality with grace and joy. This is the time to nurture our winter dreams, the visions, ideas that are bursting forth.

Even if what’s blossoming is small or it doesn’t look the way you expected, allow yourself to embrace the present instead of forcing the future.

Take a moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect with where you are right now. Because even if it doesn’t feel like it yet… something is opening. And you don’t have to rush it. This isn’t about forcing growth. It’s about being present and flowing with what is awakening.

When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.
                                                                            Rumi

Wishing you a beautiful beginning of summer season, — full of aliveness, possibility, and quiet becoming.  

May what is stirring within you continue to grow, and may you step into summer feeling inspired and fully alive.

May all your dreams and wishes come true!

Sending you love, light, and blessings.