A restful day of meditative art practice, inspired by the beauty, medicine and symbolism of the rose.
Guided visualisation, the sacred geometry of nature, traditional herbalism and Ayurvedic wisdom, will be part of our journey, exploring the qualities of rose from it's inherent pentagonal geometry to numerous medicinal uses.
The Rose
'The Rose is a great deal more
than a blushing apology for the thorn' - Rabindranath Tagore
Wild roses are the crowning glory of a Midsummer’s day; delighting the senses and gladdening the soul.
Heart shaped petals scatter like confetti along hedge-lined paths, falling from trailing stems armed with perfectly fierce thorns, teaching us caution as we reach to pluck the delicate blossoms.
Rose medicine is truly a wonder in the world of healing teacher plants; cooling, calming, clearing, harmonising, rose offers relief for inflammatory conditions, is restorative, rejuvenating, supports immunity and is a tonic for heart and mind.
Rose, symbolic of Love, expresses the archetype of the Sacred Mother:
Within her softly sensuous fragrant healing blooms, her beauty and perfection;
Within her sharp thorns, that are the sword of the Warrioress, the strength to withstand attack, protecting the vulnerable and piercing complacency. ​ Mother of Life and Mother of Death, holding perfect balance.
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In this workshop we'll explore some of these qualitites, drink rose tea and experience other rosey delights!
Mandala Painting with Anne
This creative retreat centres around the practice of mandala making, an ‘artistic meditation’ that involves a careful, quiet, prayerful kind of attention, helping you:​
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Feel more balanced and centred in yourself
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Be a bridge between your conscious and unconscious self
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Improve concentration and develop mindfulness
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Enhance your sense of colour, spacial awareness and perception of shapes and patterns
We learn how to create our own, unique designs using geometry, with the ancient tools of compass, straight edge and pencil.
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Your design is a journey of exploration, as you extend your curiosity outwards from the centre and inwards within your self. The process is in itself a wonderful metaphor for Life's journey: How we navigate pathways, intersections, follow lines of interest, pause to step back and contemplate the whole, trust the gradual unfolding without knowing the end result.
The design may be completely instinctive, or you can work with an affirmation. The completed mandala becomes a focus for meditation, a personal shield or sigil.