I have always tried to live by the 'awe principle.' That is: Can I find awe, wonder and enchantment in the most mundane things conceivable?
Craig Hatkoff
Each month, we share insights, inspiration, and all the ways the cycles of the Great Mandala uplift and support you. We draw upon the metaphors and messages of each season to explore and celebrate our individual and collective personal growth journeys.
Life goes in circles...all aspects of life...expansion, contraction, every part is equal, valued, necessary to be in balance...
The seasonal cycles play a significant role in our daily lives, influencing our moods, energy levels, and overall well-being. The annual and monthly Co-Creative Mandalas have a vibration that anchors, activates specific qualities, and represents something about the natural world and the energy in the universe at a particular time. The mandalas support aligning ourselves with the natural rhythms of the Great Mandala and enhance our sense of connection--within, with each other, and the world.
This month's mandala is Enchantment.
This Co-Creative Mandala, from a photograph of moon flower (symbolizes mystery), is associated with the sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown chakras. The Enchantment mandala reminds you that wonder, awe, and joy are blossoming in your life. Everything in nature, and in the universe, is acting in your favor. Enchantment is whispering to you. You don't need spells or magic wands to experience Enchantment, it's all around you if you only invest the time to notice the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind, the vibrant colors of a blooming flower, or the soothing sound of running water. The gift of Enchantment brings us back to the best version of our self and invites a sense of ease, self-care, self-compassion, well-being and joy and brings the beauty of your spirit into this world. When you find Enchantment, it grows and frees you.
Are you basking in the vibrant energy of May, a time when nature is in bloom, and we're reminded of the beauty & power of awakening, rebirth & growth? I know I am!
As the world around you bursts into life, you can harness this energy to stretch, grow & reach towards the light. It's a time to embrace your own potential & align with the unstoppable force of nature.The mid-point between spring equinox and summer solstice on May 1st reminded us that this is a meaningful time to experience Enchantment, connect with our deepest wisdom, find magic in the mundane, in our ordinary, extraordinary, daily life and the vibrant life force within and all around us in nature.
Nature grounds us and reminds us that we have a place in the world, that we belong. By spending time in nature and immersing ourselves in its beauty, we embody Wholeness, reconnect with our true self and with nature's rhythms and create a life filled with meaning and joy.
This month's mandala serves as a much needed reminder for me to stop overthinking (typically a Gemini quality) and start listening to and trusting inner guidance. There is something innocent and magical about Enchantment — something that recalls the energy of childhood. Give yourself permission to really play around in this magical energy. By simply embracing the synchronicities--"uncanny coincidences that seem to be meaningful" (Jung), we discover that Enchantment is always trying to work with us to live a joyful life. It aligns your true self with the next right step on your path so that you feel more connected with the rest of the universe and the people in it.
During this time of awakening (individually, collectively, and in nature), you may yearn for change and look for something that offers hope. The essential ingredients for activating and remembering Wholeness remain exactly the same for everybody: Curiosity, Courage, Connection, Calmness, and Enchantment, qualities that are universally accessible. They support genuine heart connections and compassionate understanding and hold the power to make a difference--in your life and in the world. Which doesn't mean that it's always easy; it just means that it's always possible. It's never too late to begin again.
Through the lens of Enchantment, you awaken to the unfolding of transformation and clarity, the beauty of Wholeness--the fullness of your being--which foster a sacred space where wonder and blessings are present. Enchantment is sending messages in every form it can--through the beauty and wonder in nature and through signs in dreams, clues, and coincidences, through déjà vu and serendipity, in flowing waves of attraction and reaction. You embody Enchantment when you feel the goose bumps on your arms, the chills that run up your spine, and the hair that stands up on the back of your neck, through the excitement of something new and surprising and with inspired ideas that keep you awake at night . . . whatever works. It's always trying to find us even when we lose sight of it.In our fast-paced and often chaotic world, finding moments of Enchantment is becoming increasingly essential. We just have to open our hearts and minds to receive.
Some days, especially when we’re at our busiest, we get lost in the world of our challenges and changes. It's easy to miss the signs. It's easy to overlook the awe-inspiring beauty of nature that surrounds us. I trust that you've had moments of synchronicity when you just knew you couldn't make that stuff up. Or when you gazed up at the stars on a clear night and felt a sense of awe at the vastness of the universe. Or witnessed a breathtaking sunrise and been filled with wonder at the beauty of the natural world. Or were bathed in the shimmering colors of the Aurora Borealis. Awe and wonder are powerful emotions that fill us with a sense of reverence and gratitude. By investing the time to notice and appreciate the small moments of wonder in our everyday lives, we activate Wholeness, cultivate a deeper connection to nature and the world, and shift our perspective toward finding joy in the ordinary.
There is transformative power that emerges when when we individually and collectively say YES! to Enchantment. It gives us the gifts of manifesting our best life, where creativity is enhanced, and deeper, heartfelt connections are fostered.
Because the truth is, I believe that creativity is a force of enchantment—not entirely human in its origins...This is who you are, this is what sets your soul on fire and helps you find meaning and value in life. Find a way to give yourself that joy again.
Elizabeth Gilbert
So, take a moment today to pause, look around, look for the signs, and appreciate the Enchantment in your ordinary, everyday life. You may just find that the mystery and magic of Enchantment are close to home.
Enchantment Exercise
Intention:
The real power of the exercise is the intention you place behind it. Start your day with gratitude and by setting the intention that you are dedicating time for self-care, and for activating your Wholeness. Create a space in your experience into which the energy of Enchantment can emerge.
Are you willing to listen to your inner guidance, open your heart to your true nature and activate your Wholeness? Then this two part Enchantment exercise is for you!
The Enchantment Exercise:
Allow yourself plenty of time to complete this exercise. You can use this exercise throughout the day and the weeks and months ahead. Remember, as you co-create this exercise, be gentle with yourself as you discover what nurtures and sustains you.
Before you begin the exercise:
There are two parts to this exercise. You'll need paper, pen, pencil, color crayons, colored pencils, and/or a journal. I invite you to write, draw, color, and/or create music that reflects your experiences as you complete each step.
Preparation:
Invest time toward moving into stillness.Create your sacred space. Light a candle. Create an altar that contains items that bring you joy, delight, peace and Enchantment. Include items that reflect the season--lilacs, willow branches, crystals.
Take a few deep breaths to ground & center.
When you are ready, invite any subtle colleagues, allies, your guides and helpers to join you in your sacred space. Wait a moment for that connection and alliance to form.
| mandaladescription.pdf |
Part 1: Power of Mandala Meditation
Incorporating mandala meditation into your routine gives added support to experiencing Enchantment. Mandalas are sacred geometric patterns that can help focus the mind, induce a sense of calm, and unlock deeper levels of self-awareness.
Step 1: Bring an intention, a central focus, to the meditation. Perhaps you have a question you'd like answered or something that is in need of healing or you'd like to know how you can co-create miracles in your life. Ask yourself: What message does the mandala have for me? What does it want me to know? How can I incorporate Enchantment into the mandala of my life?
Step 2: Sit comfortably, read and reflect on the Enchantment mandala, the description, and the message. Let your gaze fall gently on the mandala. Take a few moments to observe its intricate details and patterns. Then, gently close your eyes and bring the image to your mind's eye. As you visualize the mandala, allow your attention to rest on each shape and color, observing, without judgment, any thoughts, emotions, or sensations that arise. Use your breath as an anchor, returning to it whenever you find yourself getting distracted. It's okay to feel distracted--simply gently return your focus to your breath and to the mandala.
Continue this practice for few minutes, gradually increasing the duration as you become more comfortable.
Step 3: Journal, draw, create music...about any thoughts, feelings, or insights you have.
Part 2: Enchantment Exercise: Nature Meditation
This exercise follows the same steps as Part 1, only you'll go outside into nature and find your spot--under a tree, next to a stream, a quiet place in the sun. Listen for the answers to your question, feel the Enchantment all around you.
Over the next days, weeks, and months ahead, be sure to revisit the Enchantment mandala and/or return to your sacred spot in nature. Bring a new inquiry, journal about your experience, what you learned about yourself, what surprised you? What delighted you?
My major focus in this blog, in my practice as a Transformational Coach, and in Co-creative Mandalas is on cultivating spiritual courage--for my clients and for myself. I support clients in creating a spiritual path and finding the courage to take brave steps in the world. This includes finding purpose and meaning through heart centered practices toward oneself, each other and the world. If
you’re curious about connecting more deeply with your Spirit Child--the source of goodness, joy, peace, and Wholeness, becoming more present to your life, and uncovering your authentic feelings…the practices I share will be helpful for you! Contact me...I would love to co-create with you!
In the meantime...here's a little story to remind you that
Anything is possible...
And miracles are happening now...
| the_whispering_willow.pdf |
May you embrace the enchantment we all had as children and step bravely into new territory--inner and outer.
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