What is the meaning of connection?
In many traditions of the world, there is a belief and philosophy that everything is connected. Connection is a relationship. A relationship where a person, thing, or idea is linked with something else. Connection is about relatedness and interrelation, interconnection and interdependence.
CREATING A NATURE MANDALA IS A WONDERFUL WAY TO CONNECT WITH THE NATURAL WORLD
While foraging and gathering plants to create nature mandala art designs, I have found the experience of connection in such a soft and gentle, but deep way. When I am outside in the forest and in the fields and gardens, I feel like the plants guide me to be more present in these moments of my life and inspire me to share the beauty I witness.
One of the ways I deepen into this experience of connection is by engaging all of my senses. When gathering plants, I take a moment to feel their texture, notice their colors, smell and perhaps taste them (if I know they are safe to eat!) and even listen. I listen to the sounds in the garden or forest or even the sound of the plant as I harvest it or place it in my harvest basket. In this way I feel like I am receiving welcome from the natural world.
INSPIRED BY THE BEAUTY OF FORESTS, FIELDS AND GARDENS OF VERMONT
I have been living in Vermont for over 20 years. My art is inspired by the beauty of this place and the incredible diversity of plants that grow here. The root of my mandala art is connected to the many years that I have been ‘learning from the plants’ as a gardener and herbalist. The plants that grow in Vermont and my relationship with them have been an integral part of developing a sense of place and home that I have not known to the same extent anywhere else.
THE STORY BEHIND THE “CONNECTION” NATURE MANDALA
I made the “Connection” Nature Mandala on my 41st birthday. For me, entering my 40’s was an invitation to pause, reflect, think about what I wanted in the next decade of my life, and set some intentions.... Intentions to deepen into the experience of connection and beauty.
This art form of creating nature mandalas has been incredibly heart-centering and joyful — and helps me share and connect with nature and others in a more authentic way. One of my hopes as a visual artist is that this art inspires others to connect more deeply with the natural world and perhaps even make a nature mandala of their own.
MORE ABOUT THIS NATURE MANDALA
The Connection Nature Mandala is made with the following:
European Ginger
Lupine
Fleece Flower
Solomon’s Seal
Star Flower
Centaurea
Chive Blossoms
Nature Mandala Plant Spotlight :: Chive Blossoms
This nature mandala includes chive blossoms picked from my herb and flower garden. In Vermont, chives begin to bloom in late spring or early summer.
When I gather chive blossoms to create a nature mandala, I not only take a moment to connect with its aromatic smell, I also enjoy nibbling on a few. These lovely edible flowers are part of the allium family, which includes onions, garlic and leeks. Chive blossoms are a fantastic addition to a spring salad with their mild-tasting onion flavor.
I just love this photo from my garden of a Canadian Tiger Swallowtail butterfly with chives.
CONNECTION Meditation
I walk I sing
I sometimes sit still
to notice the beauty
of the leaves
the beauty of the stems
a petal or a seed.
I let my mind be quiet
in these moments
of connection
and notice peace.
The “Connection” Nature Mandala is part of my Nature Mandala Meditation Oracle Deck. Each mandala in the oracle deck is visual meditation with the invitation to choose one card each day, pause and reflect on its meaning for you.
Nature mandala art, photography and writing by: Michelle Wallace
Michelle Wallace is a visual artist living in Vermont. She has been creating handmade art designs called nature mandalas since 2017. You can find her art in stores across New England and via her online Nature Mandala Shop.