MANDALA MAGIC : ALIGNMENT
reclaiming symbols + rhythms of the solar cycle
Join me to explore the symbols + rhythm of the 8-fold year in your art journal + beyond.
In Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT we will return to an old way of being, in new ways.
Marking the quarter days of each solstice + equinox, together with the four fire festivals of ancient Scotland and beyond, we will work magic by way of heedfulness.
Together, we will connect to the old ways + create meaningful art as we follow the solar cycle through story-telling, mandala-making + journaling.
Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT is an invitation to your curious, creative and capable self to honour a natural rhythm in your creative process.
The meanings of life aren’t inherited. What is inherited is the mandate to make meanings of life by how we live. – Stephen Jenkinson
This video is 04:40 minutes long and is supported by Closed Captions in English.
Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT is a year-long creative program that combines art journaling with mandala art and symbolism, following the cycle of the 8-fold year.
It’s an evolution of the original Mandala Magic program, where we followed the Great Round of Mandala and its archetypes in twelve parts.
This time around, we will work with eight seasons in a liturgy of nature and its long-standing milestones – a pattern of ancient Scotland and beyond.
Mandala Magic ALIGNMENT combines offerings in a variety of formats, including film, story-telling, mandala-making and other creative prompts delivered in eight parts, beginning at the midwinter solstice in December, through to Samhuinn at the end of October.
MANDALA MAGIC : ALIGNMENT
reclaiming symbols + rhythms of the solar cycle
Mandala + Art Journaling
Combining the mandala symbol with the practice of art journaling is an incantation that speaks to our longing for creativity with purpose.
In the journal, we are invited to make pages full of creative content, suffused with personal and cultural wisdoms and trespasses, without the pressure of an audience.
The mandala as symbol speaks to our longing for wholeness and orderliness even as our human souls experience the messiness and vicissitudes of life in these times.
An age-old symbol from across civilisations, cultures and traditions, the mandala offers us an opportunity to challenge the status quo as we make meaning from the way we choose to live + create today.
In this work, we will use both imagery and words in ways that activate our mythic imagination, subvert the dominant cultural narrative and re-energise our relationships.
Establishing or re-engaging with this practice is a devotional act and the structure of the 8-fold year allows for us to honour an age-old pattern through regular practice, creating pages full of purpose.
The 8-Fold Year
The 8-fold year is an ancient practice of heedfulness to the natural rhythm of life, marked both personally and in the community.
There are many stone monuments here in my homeland of Scotland that attest to this practice being millennia old and although the prevailing culture is bereft of most of it throughout its lands of origin, there are pockets that survive here and there in a folk culture strongly tied to the stories and myths of the local landscape.
Following the traverse of Earth around Sun, the 8-fold year divides this cycle into not twelve parts, but the eight that fall between the solstices and equinoxes and their mid-way points – in the Gaelic calendar ; Samhuinn, Imbolc, Bealltainn and Lughnasadh.
This 8-fold rhythm is remnant of a culture where the rate of change was practically non-existent between generations and matches eight distinct seasons throughout the year.
Returning to this rhythm we can attend to a creative practice where we relearn how to slow down, tend to our relationships both personal and beyond, reconnect with our creative imagination and face the issues of our times – together.
Paying attention is a form of reciprocity with the living world, receiving the gifts with open eyes and open heart.” – Robin Wall Kimmerer
MANDALA MAGIC : ALIGNMENT
is your invitation to your creative, curious + capable self to;
Commit to a regular and focussed art + journal practice, with prompts, guidance + extra resources.
Create imaginative pages full of life-enhancing content, taking old stories into a more balanced future.
Align your inner experience and outer world through the fresh awareness gained as part of your creative process.
Explore your natural rhythms and the age-old wisdom of the 8-fold year.
Reclaim symbols that hold deep meaning for us all and make them count for new times.
Join a community of like-minded creatives in a safe and welcoming container.
MANDALA MAGIC : ALIGNMENT
is a program designed to offer opportunities for you to;
Ignite (or re-ignite) and engage your creative passion and relax into your world experience.
Engage with and understand the mandala principle as it applies to your individual life and the world situation.
Explore old symbols and stories and make them relevant to your time and place.
Experience symbolism as a reflection of the phenomenal world and a useful aid to finding meaning in it.
Exercise your creative imagination to visualise, name and enact a world where you are deeply connected and where your relationships (both human and more-than-human) are mended.
In Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT you will practice creating mandala art + journal pages full of meaning and purpose.
Your practice will develop over the course of a year so that your journal becomes the living symbol of you – a record of your deepening relationship with all aspects of your life, both personal + beyond.
You will come to recognise and understand the natural rhythm and symbols of the 8-fold year, which offers ancient wisdom for living a meaningful contemporary life.
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Some Artwork Submissions (Session 2019/20)
Mandala Magic ALIGNMENT Feedback
Some Artwork Submissions (Session 2019/20)
Is Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT Right For You?
Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT is right for you if you resonate with the mandala symbol and wish to create art + journal pages that help you make sense of yourself and the world.
You can be a beginner artist, with no previous experience, although this program is not a traditional art class and isn’t for you if you simply wish to learn art techniques.
The focus is on creating a cohesive, meaningful art + journaling practice that truthfully reflects your life experience – the grief and the joy and everywhere in between.
The emphasis is on practice – it is an experiential program, working with both visual imagery and sensory experience first and foremost.
You don’t need a Scottish or European heritage to join in with this work – the 8-fold year holds wisdom for everyone.
Any of the benefits and invitations listed here are only possible if you engage with the practices – this program is about practice, not reading and digesting written material alone.
Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT is open to everyone with an internet connection and email address. There is no limitation on age (except, over 18’s only!) gender identity or location – and you can use whichever art materials you feel most comfortable with.
I offer this work to you with the intention of openness, fairness and equality. I have an ongoing practice to unpack my own unconscious biases and aim to present work that is rooted in an attitude of decolonisation, feminism, and social justice, delivered from a non-dogmatic animist perspective. There is no place for elitism, racism, spiritual bypassing or cultural appropriation in this work and if you feel my work ever crosses these boundaries, please be in touch.
The eight modules are delivered to you according to the structure of the 8-fold year (see dates below) and the content is available for you to download for access beyond the closing date (the program is open from 7th December 2020 – 30th November 2021 – all downloads need to be complete by closing.)
Your invitation is to join me for a year-long adventure through one cycle of the 8-fold year. The program offers best value if you are able to participate in real-time. Although the materials are available for you to download for future reference (+ easy access) I encourage you to mark the release dates in your diary and schedule creative time to participate as we move through…. make a commitment to your creative practice as a vital component of your everyday life.
Mandala Magic ALIGNMENT Feedback
Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT Schedule 2020/21
CLASSROOM OPENS : GETTING STARTED: 7th DECEMBER 2020
WINTER FAIR/OPENING PARTY : LIVE ONLINE EVENT : 13th DECEMBER 2020
MIDWINTER : MODULE 1 : 21st DECEMBER 2020
IMBOLC : MODULE 2 : 2nd FEBRUARY 2021
SPRING FAIR : LIVE ONLINE EVENT : 28th FEB 2021
SPRING EQUINOX : MODULE 3 : 20th MARCH 2021
BEALLTAINN : MODULE 4 : 1st MAY 2021
SUMMER FAIR : LIVE ONLINE EVENT : 30th MAY 2021
MIDSUMMER : MODULE 5 : 21st JUNE 2021
LUGHNASADH : MODULE 6 : 1st AUGUST 2021
AUTUMN FAIR : ONLINE WEEKEND RETREAT : 3-5th SEPTEMBER 2021
AUTUMN EQUINOX : MODULE 7 : 22nd SEPTEMBER 2021
SAMHUINN : MODULE 8 : 31st OCTOBER 2021
CLASSROOM CLOSES : 30th NOVEMBER 2021
Some Artwork Submissions (Session 2019/20)
Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT : What’s Included
Detailed Getting Started Information.
Essential + Recommended Supplies.
Membership Classroom Access until end Nov 2021.
Private Facebook Group for sharing, witnessing + discussion
(optional participation – no content will be delivered via FB.)
LIVE events, including a launch party + seasonal fairs.
(optional participation – a community building exercise.)
Online weekend retreat.
(optional participation – supplemental information only.)
Each of the 8 modules includes at least;
Introduction Film (exploring themes + symbols.)
Mandala Practice Exercises (between 2-4 projects per module.)
Journaling Prompts to accompany, lead and respond to your art-making practice.
Downloadable PDF to save.
Supplemental Creative Invitations + Prompts.
Sonic Mandala (music playlist) specifically crafted for each theme.
Additional Recommended Resources to continue your own research.
Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT : First Fifty Subscriptions
SORRY! THIS OFFER HAS EXPIRED
FIRST 50 SUBSCRIBERS RECEIVE A THANK YOU BUNDLE BY POST!
A wee thank you from me to you – the first 50 folk to subscribe to Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT 20/21 qualify to receive a bundle of goodies containing :
🔸A6 notebook filled with blank pages + made from recycled paper
🔸 Set of 2 x art postcards with inspirational quoations.
🔸 A6 sheet of temporary tattoos.
(design + quotes by Julie Gibbons)
Frequently Asked Questions
+ Terms and Conditions
Who is this program designed for?
Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT is designed for curious, creative folk who want to engage with and deepen their art journaling practice through an understanding of the mandala + the symbols of the 8-fold year.
You don’t need to have any special skills, experience or qualifications to participate, but will benefit best if you are willing to engage in each of the modules throughout the year.
You’re likely to have an interest in creative expression through visual art and are attracted to the mandala as symbol. In this regard, you may be a beginner or an experienced artist.
If you are looking for a structure to contain your art + journaling process and to connect your creativity with your living experience, then this program is perfect for you.
Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT is open to everyone with access to an internet enabled device and an email address. There is no gender limitation or age limit (over 18’s only – thank you!)
Do I need to be an artist to complete this program?
You don’t need to have any special skills, experience or qualifications to participate, but will benefit best if you are willing to engage in the creative art of mandala-making as part of your practice.
This means you’re likely to have an interest in creative expression through visual art and feel called to work with the mandala as symbol. In this regard, you may be a beginner or an experienced artist.
You don’t need to be ‘good at art’ to participate, simply willing to engage with the process and see what shows up for you. There are no good or bad pages – just a process from which you discover more about yourself.
What supplies do I need to participate?
You will definitely need a compass, a pencil, a ruler and an eraser- and a journal!
You may work in your preferred medium. That can include watercolours, gouache, inks, acrylics, illustration/paint pens or collage and you may wish to use a mix of these to explore mixed media – the choice is yours!
Your chosen journal will ideally be A4/Letter size or larger, although you can choose to create smaller images if this suits your style.
You will also benefit from a companion journal, for note-taking and additional research.
If you’re a beginner, then I suggest you work from a limited range of materials until you decide what works best for you. Although it’s tempting to go out and collect a whole boatload of new shiny supplies, it’s not necessary to have a comprehensive range to join in.
You will find a guide to my favourite + recommended supplies in the Getting Started Guide information which will be available when the class opens.
Can I join in from my city?
This program is delivered to you online, so as long as you have a valid email address and are able to access a computer/device with internet access, you are able to participate from anywhere in the world.
The content will be delivered on this website with a mix of writing, some video and audio, so you will additionally need to be able to stream video and audio.
Do I need to attend classes in real time?
The content is hosted on the website for you to access at your own pace. There’s no need to show up at a specific time, so you won’t miss out if you’re in a different time zone, or need to login after your day’s work.
The content is released eight times throughout the year (see above schedule) and is available to download for you to keep and access at a future date.
All downloads need to be completed before access to the classroom closes on November 30th 2021.
How long will each lesson take?
Depending on your experience, you’ll need to allocate 1-3 hours to watch each of the lessons and complete your own pages.
If you choose to create more pages with more detail, then you’ll need to allocate a longer period of time 🙂
What happens when I register?
STEP ONE: After payment, you will immediately be transferred to the registration page for the Julie Gibbons classroom/membership site to create your unique login and password.
You need to complete this registration to access the classroom/membership site. Please click the SUBMIT button only once – it may take the system a short while to respond – thank you!
Please contact hello@juliegibbons.com with your PayPal receipt details + email address as soon as possible if you are unable to complete your registration after payment – thank you!
STEP TWO: Further to registration, you will be sent a confirmation email from the classroom, confirming your login + password for the website, including the URL you need to access the classroom. Please keep this safe as you will need to use these details if you have any questions about the program in future.
STEP THREE: You will receive an email asking you to subscribe to “Mandala Magic ALIGNMENT Membership Emails (2020)” : Please confirm your subscription to make sure you receive all membership emails, thank you 🙂
You will be able to access the classroom immediately upon registration.
Do you provide therapy or counselling?
Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT is a self-guided creative program and is not intended as therapy or as a substitute for healthcare or medical advice.
Due to the nature of working with a self-inquiry process, please ensure you have in place a suitable support network and inform your healthcare professional if working with one that you are taking part before you commit. Many participants share their mandala work with their therapists and counsellors with meaningful results.
I do not offer therapy or counselling as part of my work, however 1-2-1 sessions are available for participants who wish to discuss their creative response to the material within any of my programs. The cost of these sessions is not included in the fee for Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT and is payable separately.
Exchange Rates + Payment Processing
Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT is a year-long program.
You can choose to pay for the program in one single payment, or select the monthly payment plan of twelve monthly instalments, beginning from the date of your initial purchase.
The cost of MANDALA MAGIC : ALIGNMENT is £216 paid in 12 monthly instalments of £18 or £180 in a one-off payment.
The SUMMER SALE is on! Purchase the 20/21 Session (including all published modules) at over 50% discount between Friday 9 – Sunday 11 July 2021.
The cost is £36 paid in 3 monthly instalments or £90 in a one-off payment.
The cost of Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT is listed in £GBP and *all other currency listings are approximate and depend entirely on the daily exchange rate – check www.xe.com for currency conversions.
All payments are processed by PayPal, who will automatically calculate your local currency.
When your payment transaction is complete, you’ll receive a receipt from PayPal by email. Please keep your receipt in a safe place – it acts as your proof of purchase.
If you choose the Monthly Payment Plan, please note that this is not a subscription service. You agree to completing all 12 3 payments throughout the year, unless otherwise agreed with Julie Gibbons in writing. If you forfeit payments, your classroom access will be discontinued immediately.
Refund Policy + Payment Plan Terms
Due to the digital nature of the program, no refunds can be given after the start date. You may cancel your participation in the program at any time.
Please bear in mind that Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT is not a subscription program.
This means that when you select the Monthly Payment Plan, you agree to completing all twelve payments, unless explicitly agreed with Julie Gibbons in writing.
If you forfeit payments, or cancel membership your classroom access will be discontinued immediately.
Further Terms + Conditions
You can change your subscription or unsubscribe from all emails sent by Julie Gibbons at any time by following the Manage Your Preferences + Unsubscribe links at the bottom of each email.
All content provided on this website + in the Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT program is owned by Julie Gibbons and is made available to you for private consumption only. Under no circumstances should any of this material be replicated or delivered to any third party without explicit permission in writing. If you share content created during the workshop, please respect the source and mention Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT + Julie Gibbons in your post.
Thank you for supporting my small business and helping me preserve my artistic integrity!
When you register for Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT you automatically agree to these terms and conditions. Thank you!
Further terms for participation in the website classroom can be read here.
Still have questions?
Send me an email to hello@juliegibbons.com and I’ll reply as soon as I’m able – thank you 🙂
Magic doesn’t sweep you away; it gathers you up into the body of the present moment so thoroughly that all your explanations fall away: the ordinary, in all its plain and simple outrageousness, begins to shine — to become luminously, impossibly so. Every facet of the world is awake, and you within it. – David Abram
Some Artwork Submissions (Session 2019/20)
