TO DO LIST:

In October:

Open my shop on Etsy where I will be selling my original digital mandala art prints, greeting cards, printed tiles and other products
Approach local stores about carrying my mandala prints. Learn how to mat my art
Take an introductory class in shamanic journeying
Write and send out a newsletter introducing my Etsy shop and my 2010 calendar
Create art for and maintain three blogs
Keep up with social networking (FB and Twitter) as a tool for marketing my art
Have some fun
Stay healthy. Learn new eating habits.Sleep. Spend time with friends.
Be happy.

Life is good and lots is going on. See above. Two days ago I thought I would close down my Xanga, but a couple of people suggested very good reasons to keep it open. It would feel good to me to have my art still available for viewing. If I had a hankerin' for some Greeley or Dosmangoes' educational wisdom, I wouldn't have to open another account just to read and post comments. And if I ever decided to come back and blog here, I wouldn't have to start all over. I don't think the latter is likely to happen, though.

I'm on a big exciting sometimes scarey journey requiring me to trust the Universe while pursuing my dreams. Really folks, everything I posted here for the past year was cross posting from my other blogs. If you miss me and don't have a Facebook account, come look me up here

SACRED CIRCLE MANDALAS
SUE DOODLES
AWARENESS APPRENTICE

I know that there is a life outside of Xanga!

I love each and every one of you who crossed my path here and hope that I was able to spread a little light your ways as well. In keeping with be_the_rain's current idea about updating your timestamp(if ya got nothin to say), I am updating one of my happiest memories on Xanga, the celebration of my 55th birthday. Read the comments and understand why I love y'all.

See ya on the roundabout, my fellow Xangans.

Many blessings,
 
Sue

Amaterasu Medallion (Goddess series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image: Japanese maple leaf

Amaterasu is the Japanese Goddess of the Sun worshipped in the Shinto religion. In the myth, Amaterasu and her two brothers were responsible for governing the Universe; her brothers were jealous of her because she was favored by her father. Amaterasu, as the sun goddess, was responsible for making sure the rice crops thrived. She was also a skilled horsewoman and weaver of fine silks and brocades and was known for her beautiful kimonos. One day during a fit of jealousy one of her brothers killed one of her horses and Amaterasu fell into a deep depression. She crawled into a dark cave and the rice crops began to fail. The gods and goddesses decided to trick the radiant goddess out of her cave when all other attempts to coax her out had failed. A large bronze mirror was placed in front of the mouth of the cave, whileUzume, a lesser goddess of dance and mirth, danced on an overturned tub. Her dancing was very bawdy and suggestive; she lifted her kimono up over her head and everyone laughed and clapped. All of this noise and laughter roused Amaterasu's curiosity. She came outside the mouth of the cave where she was dazzled by the brilliance of her reflection in the mirror. Immediately the gods and goddesses rolled a large bolder in front of the cave to keep Amaterasu from going back in, and Amaterasu's grief was dissipated by the revelry around her. Light was once again restored to the land and the rice crops were saved.

I wanted to share this story as we enter into Autumn to remind us all to continue to let our lives shine. When things get dark, find that mirror and be dazzled by your own radiance. If your spirits are low, grab a drum, put on some music and dance dance dance. Dare to be bodacious. Let your energy soar.

What do you do to take care of yourself when life starts to get you down?
(Mandala prices include shipping and handling)

Amaterasu Mandala

8.5"x11" $35.00             13"x19" $55.00