Mandala 10 - "Fran"

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What does this one mean?

This mandala was created after several weeks bouncing around in my head. it isn't even "technically" a mandala, and is even different from most of my own work. First, if course, it wasn't done on black paper, which I almost always use. Also, there is a single image in the center, without much embellishment in other areas or around the border. Actually I wondered why the image was pressing into my attention, because it was rather different.

When the image first came to mind, it was slightly different, and I wasn't sure of the background upon which the image should rest. In fact, contrary to my usual method, I did not plot out the entire image before beginning the painting process. I painted the pearl in the middle first, then the leaves, and suddenly I "felt" it needed roots. But instead of the roots being hidden in earth, I needed to show the roots. Then, once it was nearly completed, it occurred to me that this needed a solid background, rather than an integrated single image. But even with that, I didn't really understand the meaning.

I debated whether to include this until I read my afternoon e-mail. A wonderful woman on one of my e-mailing lists had just been for a mammogram reading, and was told of a "problem". New films were to be taken to verify the dr.s suspicions. This woman has already been treated once for breast cancer.

One of the reasons I do what I do is to serve others. Suddenly, this image had a reason not only for being, but for being right now. I knew what it meant and who it was meant for. It is very rare that I create a mandala "fully bloomed". That is, normally I will simply see an image and then bring it to paper. As the process goes, colors, shapes and various elements will come to mind. Only when it is complete will I get a full interpretation. That's what has happened here, and in fact, I didn't get this interpretation until I knew who it was for.

The clear blue background suggests both mental clarity and clear seeing -- the ability to look beyond appearances and suspicions, to know deep within that everything inthe Universe is in its place. This isn't a resignation to doom, or acceptance of unacceptable circumstances. Rather, it is the acknowledgement that change can only come when facing reality on reality's own terms, whatever happens along the path. To live in denial, unreasonable expectations, blaming other people/places/thing, or self-recriminations over nebulous guilt for undefined "sins -- all of this clouds the thinking. Blue is the color of mental clarity, which is most definitely needed right now in my friend's life.

The single multi-leafed plant speaks of growing outward in the many aspects of our being, each leaf slightly different, yet connected to the core. There are seven leaves, but only five shadows. Seven is the number of imaginings, five is the number of change. The leaves represent the many aspects of my friend's life, the hats she wears, the roles she fulfills, Seven is also a mystic number in many sacred traditions, referring not to the absolute number "7", but a divine whole-ness, the 7 being a reference to the infinite possibilities. But there's only five shadows showing. Shadows only appear when light shines on a solid object, yet passes through imaginings and illusions.

There may be other interpretations, but what comes to mind is that some of the roles we "think" we are fulfilling in life are merely in our own imagination. They are nonetheless "real" in our mind, yet these roles have no substance. The leaves that don't cast a shadow may be those things my friend wants to be for others, those roles she wishes to fulfill, or perhaps feels responsible for being. They appear real, but they aren't. Thus, it is okay to let go the need to "be" what isn't in reality. Every one of us creates roles in our mind to be or do so something, and we invest energy attempting to solidify that part of ourselves. (For example, one of my life roles is "brother" -- yet I have no real on-going relationship with any of my siblings.) It is perfectly acceptable and quite healthy to let go the roles and relationships that aren't solid. It's called "pruning" -- removing the parts that sap energy without purpose, in order to gather extra reserves of resources for those parts of our life that truly need it.

As I mentioned, the number 5 is the number of change. (Look at the 5 pip card in any deck, and draw lines from corner to corner, through the middle. It forms an "X", or a crossroads). In relation to the elements that cast a shadow (the leaves of the plant, the many roles of one's life), it seems the roles of life are changing, or are due for a change, perhaps discarding those roles that aren't solid, which cast no shadow. I have no inside knowledge of this woman's life, and I cannot possibly suggest what needs to be changed. All I can see is what appears to be a call to change, to prune, to prepare for gathering internal resources.

The visible roots speak of our inner resources -- those secret reserves from which we draw our strength. The roots reach down in all directions, rather than straight downward. This speaks to me of a vast storehouse of nourishment and strength. The tiny roots at the end speak of being able to draw strength from a wide network of friends, family, and supporters, versus depending upon one or two individuals or sources.

The 'pearl' growing and resting in the center speaks to me of the gems and jewels that others find us to be, even while we ourselves might grate against the embedded "sand" -- those irritants of life that polish us and produce the jewel.

Finally, I notice that the tips of the leaves have gone "beyond the boundary", frayed and turned brown. Again, this speaks to me of the need to lightly trim and prune back a bit, to avoid overextending onesself, to perhaps withdraw and heal.

I don't know what the next round of mammo films will produce for my friend, but this image speaks to me of both healing and health. The visible leaves are green, without evidence of significant damage. It is a symbol (to me, anyway) of a strong support network (the roots), good nourishment and well-rounded life (the green and well shaped leaves), against a backdrop of informed decision-making ability. There are strong suggestions of the need for minding one's own boundaries, letting go what isn't necessary or fruitful.