A Mandala Solstice
Winter solstice is upon us once again here in the northern hemisphere. It's time for the waning days of the Holly king to dutifully hand over to the waxing Oak, readying the coming of the light.
It's been six months since the blazing summer solstice. Six months since I have been silenced after receiving two of the most incredible birthday gifts.
I often find myself concentrating on where I am on the planet. Working outside gives you so much opportunity and time to think and feel connection with all things. I'll often pull myself out of my immediate space whilst picturing this island that I stand on, just off the western main land of Europe. My roots grow deep into this lush green island of my birth. I grew up in the heart of it and yet I feel like I've fallen into its forests, mountains, rivers and seas many lifetimes over. A profound sense of connection is the most beautiful thing to feel. This year two objects were gifted to me that resonate so strongly with that same sense of profound connection that I have been utterly overwhelmed since receiving them.
Thanks to Sach two powerful mandalas had now entered my world, each hand painted by the truly inspirational Celeste Cole on stunning Macrocarpa and Elm wood plates turned by her husband Mike. Two mandalas from the hands and hearts of two beautiful souls living on an island on the opposite side of the world. Artists that I have followed and admired for years. Artists who chose to create these two pieces by listening to the music I have sent out into the world and then conjuring their art in a direct response. A response that has echoed round the world and landed so deeply in its return to these shores.
Celeste named the first mandala 'Shine right where you' re stood' after a lyric from my song 'Giving'. The original tree was felled over 20 years ago by Mike in the forests of Taranaki. It had stood among the many Macrocarpas that were planted as shelter belts for the settlers. It's also the same tree he used to build their kitchen which just makes me love it even more if that's possible. With many of those original houses long gone Macrocarpa trees now grow wild and free. Apparently most kids in New Zealand have climbed one.
The second mandala was an unexpected twist...a surprise gift from Mike and Celeste from their home to ours. Named 'Home' after a song from my album 'Fell For The World'. This mandala has so much power and depth it moves me every time I hold it. Mike felt that, given the scarcity of Elm here in the UK, it was only fitting that a piece of the English Elm that he had felled in their neighbours garden five years ago should make it's way home.
After sending the mandalas off around the world Celeste posted this:
"It’s all a gift, isn’t it... the seed gifts life to the tree... the tree gifts itself, as wood, to Mike... he gifts the wood his skill and then gifts it to me... I take all the patterns and love of design that was gifted to me, and gift a piece of my soul upon its grain... then someone gifts it to their precious one as a symbol of their love..... divine🌟circle"
These incredible mandalas have the all the vibrance of beautiful souls woven within them. They echo powerful intentions released with pure heart. Only today I'm I finally ready to release them from my studio sofa, where they have patiently waited like honoured guests since their arrival on the summer solstice and hang them with gratitude and love on the walls of my studio and our home. Today marks the winter Solstice and I hold these mandalas in my hands once again... I feel honoured to feel the ‘wairua’ (spirit) and ‘Mahi’ (work) of the two souls that have brought them into being. Now a kind of ley line runs from my feet. It criss crosses the earth, under oceans and through mountains. With the universe looking on, it reaches a vibrant island in the Pacific ocean and courses through a quiet homestead in the woods of Taranaki filled with love...Home.
After a tough few months battling anxiety and doubts surrounding writing and performing music these mandalas will forever encourage a strength and connection for me. I am so unbelievably grateful for what they represent.
They will always be a deep reminder to me to be confident with the gift of music that I have been given in this life and to continue to put soulful intention and heartfelt music into the world.