Book
of Shadows~Orange You Going to Try This?
By Natalie Zaman
Orange Crush. Can you find your belly button? If you can, you can also locate your Sacral chakra--it's right underneath it! The Sacral chakra (Svadhisthana for our Sanskrit scholars) is in charge of reproductive organs, hips, sacrum (aha--that's where "sacral" comes from!), lower back and bodily fluids.
Bright and bold--the Sacral chakra!
Fluids?! That's right--but don't be grossed out. The Sacral chakra is closely linked to emotions and the element of water. When your Sacral chakra is in good shape, you "go with the flow," connect easily to other people, and move with grace. This chakra is closely connected to creation (remember, it's in charge of the body's reproductive centers, where life is created)--so be creative, and you'll strengthen this energy center!
Mandarin Magnet. I know that one of the best feelings I get is when I come up with a good idea and then put it into action. Many people make the mistake that "creativity" only applies to art--this is NOT true! Being creative is being able to see things from different points of view, coming up with solutions to problems, and being open to and using new and unique ideas.
Have you ever experienced a creative rut? Maybe you're doing homework, and the answers just don't come to you. It's hard to think. You feel bored, and it's difficult to focus. When this happens, there's something you can do to kick-start your creativity. Open your Book of Shadows to a clean page and draw a circle. Now, think about YOUR creativity--remember, it doesn't have to be artistic creativity. Are you a problem solver? How about an organizer? Maybe you enjoy exploring--all of these are ways of expressing creativity--and there are many more!
Write about your creativity in the circle; you can write about accomplishments, how being creative makes you feel--before, during and after the process. But WAIT! Before you put pen to paper, HOW you write is as important as WHAT you write. Start at the edge of the circle (at any point) and write so that your words go towards the center--you can do it as a spiral, or as spokes on a wheel. Which ever way you chose, work clockwise (to the right).
Why do it this way? You're creating a mandala with your words. A mandala is a meditative tool people use to focus; the design they create--and the creation itself--helps to concentrate energy on an intention. By writing your words clockwise, and directed towards the center of the circle, you're not only getting your ideas down and helping to make them real, you're PHYSICALLY working to focus as well--a double dip of magic that will draw creativity to you--and we're going to take it a step further!
Hint!--Stuck for what to write? One of the organs that the Sacral chakra is associated with is the tongue (Remember those bodily fluids? Saliva?). The sense of taste is ruled by the Sacral chakra. Eat an orange or drink a glass of OJ for a little pick-me-up. Besides the vibrant color which will feed the chakra, the Vitamin C will awaken your senses and get your brain moving!
Tangerine Touchstone. Make a mandala to draw creative energy to you. You'll need:
Paper
plates
ORANGE
glitter, markers, crayons, pictures, beads, paints and other art supplies (remember
to recycle!)
Glue
Hole
Punch
ORANGE
yarn or ribbon
The paper plate will be the perfect base for your mandala because of its round shape. Before you start creating your mandala, make sure that all of your supplies and your Book of Shadows are within easy reach.
Some people outline their mandalas; they draw complex geometric designs, and then fill them in (click here to see a neat one being made by Tibetan monks!). You don't have to do this. Thinking of the things you wrote about creativity in your Book of Shadows, start filling your mandala from the center outwards. Let your mind guide you. You may want to have a central image or scene. You may want to draw free form lines or create patterns. Keep working until the whole plate is filled with bright ORANGE, always keeping the intention of drawing creative energy to you in your thoughts.
This mandala was made using crayons, feathers, glitter and glue. The person that made it centered it around a VERY serious, concentrating face!
Allow the mandala to dry if you used glue or paint. Punch a hole near one of the edges and thread the ribbon or yarn through the hole and tie it to form a loop for hanging. Place the mandala in an area where you spend alot of time, or you can hang it in the window to catch the extra energy of the Summer sun. When you get stuck for an idea, look at your mandala to refocus your energy and clear your mind.
Citrusy-Sharing! As June turns to July, keep alert! Have you noticed more creative sparks than usual? Do new ideas come easily? Why or why not? Keep track of your progress through your Book of Shadows.
Mandalas are meant to be shared. The Mandala Project is a non profit organization dedicated to promoting peace through art and education. Visit their website to submit your mandala for their gallery--flip back to your Book of Shadows to tell the story of your mandala--why you created it, and what it has done for you. You can also see other people's mandalas--and they have a free downloadable coloring page to print out!