After creating primarily geometric shapes in the mandalas I was doing, I began to feel the need for more organic, living symbols. Having worked with animal medicine for years, I decided to start with the butterfly, an ancient symbol of transformation as well as transmutation. Changing shapes is a powerful and important skill in the shamanic world and the butterfly can be an important reminder of this capacity in all of us.

In creating this mandala, the butterfly started to take shape and led to a wonderful process of spontaneously developing the shapes surrounding her. The wave shapes in the Circle were hand drawn and represent light waves in motion interspersed with jewels of light. Later, the diamond shapes presented themselves and lastly the Circle and the Star of David. This mandala was dedicated to my friend Isabela whose friendship inspired this artistic opening for me.