Friday, August 27, 2010

KJ's mandala

This birth mandala I made for KJ as a present for my visit to P-town.

In my birth mandalas I always include an animal.

For KJ's I chose the grasshopper.

As I had never used this animal before I looked up it's symbolic meaning after I painted the mandala and I was so pleased this matched KJ so perfectly (in my eyes).

What do you think?

The grasshopper moves to its own rhythm and tune, indicating this creature is a advocate of intuition and listening to our inner voices. The grasshopper encourages us to listen to our own stirrings – those beautiful chirping lullaby’s that sing in our hearts are indications of our inner beauty and creativity. The grasshopper totem reminds us these inner musings must never be silenced – rather, they should be nurtured, and always remain as the background music to the performance of our lives.

As with most insect totems, the grasshopper keeps itself to the ground. As such, this is a grounding totem, and the grasshopper can teach us stability, patience, security, and solidarity.

The grasshopper chooses those of us who are innovators, forward-thinkers, and those who progress in life by unorthodox methods. This is because grasshopper symbolism recognizes tremendous leaps of faith, impressive jumps in progress and consistent forward momentum. Those with this totem are likely to aim high, and achieve amazing feats – they take great leaps where others fear to tread (or jump, in this case).

Another special feature of the grasshopper totem is that it calls to those who have natural clairvoyant abilities. Just as the grasshopper uses thousands of tiny eyes to formulate the “big picture” so too do those whom the grasshopper is called. In other words, those with this totem are visionaries. They see things intuitively, seeing beyond what the concrete world holds, and they use this special vision to see the world with a childlike wonder.

We can call upon the grasshopper when we need a sense of adventure in our lives. When we feel stuck in a rut, the grasshopper can bounce us into magical viridian worlds filled awe and joy.

The grasshopper can also help us when we need a little creative inspiration. If muses kept pets – the grasshopper would certainly be a first choice.

13 comments:

  1. Marianne, this is so beautiful! And it is perfect for Kj! And yes the grasshopper is the perfect animal for her mandala. You were spot on. Have a wonderful, restful weekend.
    xoxo

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  2. gulp. i am just this minute looking at the original of this incredible mandala and i am sure i am a very very lucky duck.

    but i am not going to comment yet. i'll be back at the end of your visitors.

    oh, but one thing, marianne: i quite miss you!!! okay, two things: there could not be a more special gift from one friend to another than this.

    love
    kj

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  3. Mmmmm! This is absolutely stunning...another precious gem from your artistic heart...lucky KJ!

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  4. Ach, Susse Marianne....with each new Mandala, I am awed....not only are you an ARTISTE SUPERB - but you see into the heart and soul of the person you paint the Mandala for.

    With KJ's Mandala, the first thing I noticed (rather than the hearts) were the Grasshoppers....a favourite insect of mine..

    "We can call upon the grasshopper when we need a sense of adventure in our lives. When we feel stuck in a rut, the grasshopper can bounce us into magical viridian worlds filled awe and joy".....

    Ja, Ja, das IST unsere KJ! Ganz perfeckt!

    Schoene Wochenende, mein Freund!

    Kuss alle die Tiere...(aber zwei Kusse fur Sjmimmie....Ich kann das nich helfen)!

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  5. beautiful mandala and so fascinating about the grasshopper. I need a bit of a grasshopper in my life right now.

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  6. I love that it is surrounded in LOVE! All those hearts and the grasshoppers sing to me. So to KJ too. I am only just getting to know her so do not know her traits as yet to comment on that. But I can tell she is smitten with this work of art by the Mistress/Queen of Mandala!

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  7. to suki: you can have me, suki! i'll be your temporary grasshopper! :)

    now, marianne, thank you for everything. i will say that this does sound like the positives of me. i don't know how my sometimes wimpy sensitivities fit in, but i will wear the grasshopper mantel with pride. thank you marianne. i am not going to get mushy with you here on the blogs, but please know i love and treasure you, and that is for keeps.

    i'm still looking at my mandala right now. it glows. it almost moves.

    thank you so much, xoxox
    kj

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  8. Thanks Annie and Margaret!

    Dankeschön Robin!

    Hi Suki, you can bring some grasshopper energy in your life by printing out a grasshopper image and hang it on your fridge door.....
    Just try...

    Thanks Lynn! I do love those hearts as well. KJ and I have the same birth path number and I used this in my mandala as well.....

    And yeah KJ that mantel fits you perfectly!
    I am so happy you liked your mandala dear! Made it with love for you!

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  9. I have never met KJ but your intuitive birth mandalas always hit the mark. This one is no different in that regard. Beautifully executed.

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  10. I do not know KJ either, but your mandala is beautiful and sounds like it was greatly appreciated. You are very kind to make something so unique and personal for her.

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  11. lovely share and beautiful piece. I love the care you take not only in your creations, but in the research and meanings behind them as well.

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  12. here I am, trying to catch up on posts!!!

    I'm so glad I was there when she unwrapped this special gift. You do have a magical way of tuning in to people!

    That was a very, very special weekend Marianne. One none of us will ever forget. Thank you so much for being a part of it.

    xoxox
    Lo♥

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  13. This one is so pretty too, Marianne!!!

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