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Creating Mandalas with Susanne Fincher, Decatur, GA (2026)

03/10/2026

✨ Remarkable Women and the Great Round continues THIS FRIDAY as we learn about the American dancer and choreographer, ISADORA DUNCAN, in relation to TURNING TOWARDS THE JOURNEY / Stage 3 of the Archetypal Stages of the Great Round of Mandala ✨

Each month, we are honoring and celebrating trailblazing women from around the world whose lives and stories personify qualities and experiences of the Archetypal Stages of the Great Round of Mandala.

This month, we're excited to have CMCP Graduate, Anna Sardina, share all about this month's remarkable woman.

Anna shared…
"I am a visual artist, dancer, and facilitator based in the Monterey Bay / Big Sur area and the creator and founder of Rite of Passage Art and Rite of Passage Dance.

Drawing inspiration from my ancestral stories and myths as road maps to healing, my art and movement practices delve into the metaphorical journey of descent and ascension and themes that express deep layers of identity and belonging.

I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts with a major in Ethnobotany and a minor in Dance, a Masters of Fine Arts Degree with an emphasis in Mask Making and Dance Ritual Theatre. I am a certified facilitator in the Chakradance healing movement modality and am currently working towards a PhD in Women's Spirituality.

My interest in Mandalas and The Great Round began when I discovered Creating Mandalas in 2023 and participated in the Creating Mandalas Certification Program.

I am currently offering in-person one-on-one and group Chakradance sessions. I am also offering one- on-one and group online and in-person Rite of Passage Dance facilitations. Soon to be offering Chakradance, Rite of Passage Dance, and Fire Poi retreats and workshops in the U.S. and Internationally."

Join us *THIS* Friday, March 13 at 10am-12pm Eastern Time (U.S.)

Get the zoom link at the 🔗in the comments.

(Mandala art, “Growing Light” by Anna Sardina, inspired by the experience of Turning Towards the Journey / Stage 3 of the Great Round.)

01/28/2026

Upcoming offerings from Susan Paul Johnson -

01/07/2026

A new journey around the Great Round has arrived! Join us THIS FRIDAY as we step onto the path of ✨ Remarkable Women and the Great Round ✨

Each month, we’ll honor and celebrate women worth knowing from around the world whose lives and stories personify qualities and experiences of the Archetypal Stages of the Great Round of Mandala.

This month, we’ll begin with the Mexican artist, FRIDA KAHLO, in relation to RESTING IN THE DARKNESS / Stage 1 of the Great Round, led by Susanne Fincher, CM Founder & Team Member.

From Susanne…
“More than 40 years ago I discovered my love of creating mandalas. In 1976 during a time of grieving, I found that sketching circular drawings made me feel calm. Someone told me that I was creating mandalas. I began studying the writings of psychoanalyst C. G. Jung because he had described circular drawings, which he called mandalas, in his work with patients. My interest grew and I found my way, thanks to a tip from Marilyn Clark (my sister), to the MARI (Mandala Assessment and Research Institute) training of Joan Kellogg, an art therapist living in Baltimore, MD.

Joan’s ideas inspired me: rooted in ancient concepts, yet useful in contemporary mental health work. She became an important mentor for me and encouraged me during the writing of my first book,�Creating Mandalas. I obtained training and licensure to offer counseling and art therapy as a Licensed Professional Counselor, and a Board Certified-Registered Art Therapist.

In my therapy practice, and through my books, lectures, classes, and workshops, I have introduced thousands of people in the US and beyond to the spiritual, psychological, and health enhancing dimensions of creating mandalas. I continue creating mandalas as a personal reflection dedicated to healing myself, my fellow beings, and the planet we all share.”

Join us *THIS* Friday, JAN 9 at 10am-12pm Eastern Time (U.S.)!

Sign-up 🔗 in the comments

(Mandala art by Susanne Fincher, inspired by Frida Kahlo’s moving self-portraits.)

10/25/2025

🌟 100% of our ETCO students shared that they would recommend our mandala intensive to a friend in their final survey. 🌟

Hear more about what students loved most t...

THE SMALL GROUP EXPERIENCE • "I love that the cohort is at a small cozy number giving everyone a chance to be heard."

THE SCHEDULE • "I really felt it was one of the best online schedules I have been exposed to."

THE COLOR EXPLORATIONS • “I feel I gained insight into a better understanding of mandala making, due to the time that was spent on colors. I especially enjoyed looking deeper into my own understanding of color meanings - writing my own descriptive words and then hearing from others. I will never again feel the same about [certain colors]."

THE MUSIC • “The music during creating was wonderful! When the music started I felt my anxiety fade and my emotional creativity flow. The discussion about how you choose the music was fascinating and helped me visualize the stages in another way."

THE DAILY RECORDINGS • “I get to catch up on sessions that I have to miss due to time difference. Also gives me the opportunity to revisit some information and take more in-depth notes."

🌸 We've designed Entering the Circle Online to work for YOU!

As an ETCO participant, you will receive/have access to:
* 8 days of live instruction
* A dedicated course portal
* Recordings of each day's live call available for a limited time after ETCO ends
* 70+ page ETCO Workbook with informative handouts, bibliographies of book, articles, and music selections, as well as ample space for guided and freeform note taking
* Optional 1:1 meeting time with the CM Team, credentialed professionals in mental health and expressive arts with decades of experience teaching and guiding mandalas
* ETCO Certificate of Completion
* Become part of and learn with an international community of mandala enthusiasts
* Qualify to apply for the CM Certificate Program (limited availability)

ETCO registration closes TOMORROW, Sunday, Oct 26 at midnight ET.

☀️ Join our circle today! Link in the comments.

05/07/2025

✨ Celebrations of Nature and the Great Round continues THIS FRIDAY as we learn about the celebration of MAY DAY in relation to Claiming Selfhood / Stage 5 of the Archetypal Stages of the Great Round of Mandala ✨

This month, we're excited to have CM Team Member, Marilyn Clark, share all about this month's celebration.

Marilyn shared…
"I have led mandala workshops and retreats with Susanne for many years, and have used the mandala with psychotherapy clients. My primary work has been as a psychotherapist and trainer of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery & Music. Both of these modalities provide means of accessing our rich inner worlds and enable us not only to deepen our relationship with ourselves but also to share those worlds with others."

Join us *THIS* Friday, MAY 9 OR Tuesday, MAY 27. DM or comment MONTHLY MANDALAS and we’ll send you the link for zoom access — or 🔗in comments!

*MONTHLY MANDALAS is an expressive arts community gathering facilitated by CREATING MANDALAS Team Members and CM Certificate Program graduate scholars to bring the Great Round of the Mandala to your life.

Monthly Mandalas is offered on a pay-as-you-can basis, with a suggested minimum of $25 per meeting. Proceeds from these monthly gatherings go to the CM Scholarship Fund that aims to increase opportunities for persons to learn about and enjoy Creating Mandalas.

(Mandala art by Marilyn Clark)

05/02/2025

“My mandala, Hopeful Spring, was created as a Stage Four Mandala. It depicts my mother and myself, and reminds me that notwithstanding the family of origin challenges that ensued, it all began with a young mother who was filled with excitement and hope and joy, loving and caring for her young baby. I used an old family photo as a prompt, and it really helped me frame my origins as being borne of positive, loving energy.”

“Hopeful Spring” mandala art featured by Michael Carpenter, CMCP Grad & April 2025 MONTHLY MANDALAS co-leader, which was inspired by Embracing the New, Stage 4 of the Great Round.

Thanks to all who came, explored, and created mandalas with us at April’s MONTHLY MANDALAS gatherings. And, a big thanks to Michael, for helping us learn more about the ways the Thai New Year, Songkran, helps us see and understand ourselves and our lives through the Great Round and celebrations of nature from around the world.

Did you attend this month’s gathering? Share about your mandala in the comments below and/or tag us and

And, look for our post in the coming week about next month’s celebration for our 2025 Monthly Mandalas series!

03/11/2025

✨ Celebrations of Nature and the Great Round continues THIS FRIDAY as we learn about the Hindu celebration of Holi, in relation to Turning Towards the Journey / Stage 3 of the Archetypal Stages of the Great Round of Mandala ✨

This month, we're excited to welcome our CMCP Graduate, Connie Bennett , who will be sharing all about this month's celebration.

Connie shares about the featured mandala art…
This “mandala is titled “Bura na mano, Holi hai" ("Do not mind, it's Holi”). It’s connected to Stage 3 & the Holi/the Hindu spring celebration of colors reflects the increasing energy, excitement, and intuitive aspects of Stage 3.

About Connie…
Connie Bennett is enjoying writing, making art, and following the path of her curiosity in Fort Collins, Colorado. She graduated from the Creating Mandalas Certificate Program in 2022. Her individual project was writing a play about Joan Kellogg, a pandemic-era recording can be viewed on YouTube via Flush Ink Productions, “She Speaks 2022 Women's Work Women's Words”.

Join us *THIS* Friday, MARCH 14 OR MARCH, FEB 25. DM or comment MONTHLY MANDALAS and we’ll send you the link for zoom access — or visit the 🔗in our bio.

*MONTHLY MANDALAS is an expressive arts community gathering facilitated by CREATING MANDALAS Team Members and CM Certificate Program graduate scholars to bring the Great Round of the Mandala to your life.

Monthly Mandalas is offered on a pay-as-you-can basis, with a suggested minimum of $25 per meeting. Proceeds from these monthly gatherings go to the CM Scholarship Fund that aims to increase opportunities for persons to learn about and enjoy Creating Mandalas.

01/31/2025

“While creating this mandala I was thinking about what it must have been like before science when comets appeared. People would have been amazed, excited, and probably afraid. The figures in this mandala register these feelings. They might be Mary and Joseph reaching protectively for the newborn baby Jesus. Or they might be the Wise Men who traveled to Bethlehem, led there by a moving star, wanting to lay their rich gifts at the feet of the young king predicted by the stars. The title ‘Star is Born’ also refers to the birth of Jesus, who grew up into a charismatic teacher whose followers established Christianity.”

“A Star is Born” mandala art featured by Susanne Fincher, CMCP Founder / Team Member & January 2025 MONTHLY MANDALAS co-leader, which was inspired by the celebration of nature of Three Kings Day and Resting in the Darkness, Stage 1 of the Great Round.

Thanks to all who came, explored, and created mandalas with us at this month’s MONTHLY MANDALAS gatherings. And, a big thanks to Susanne, for helping us learn more about the ways Three Kings Day helps us see and understand ourselves and our lives through myths and the Great Round.

Did you attend this month’s gathering? Share about your mandala in the comments below and/or tag us and

And, look for our post in the coming week about next month’s celebration for our 2025 Monthly Mandalas series!

01/29/2025

🌑 Grounding and Growing 🌑

From Susanne’s reflections in this month’s newsletter…

What’s your plan for 2025?
Ready to let mandalas be a part of it?

Join us as we plant seeds for the new year with a new mandala creation…

It’s natural to think about beginning something new the first of the year, but sometimes we over think it.

We feel we should have a specific plan for what we will do, when, and how it will be done.

At the beginning of a process, things are often not so clearly defined. You may only be able to take the next right step as you see it at the time.

Clarity may even come in hindsight after you feel your way through the process of creation.

Still, identifying in broad brush strokes the direction you want to take with your new initiative sets something in motion that feeds the process, and helps define the next appropriate actions.

It’s like planting a seed, even when you cannot know exactly what the plant will be like when it germinates.

This month’s mandala - Planting Seeds for the New Year - is designed to support you in the less defined, but important, early stages of formulating new projects.

Comment or DM us JAN2025 to receive the directions and journaling prompts for this month’s mandala exploration.

Tag us in your mandala creations and share something that surprised you with this mandala!

(Mandala art by CM Team Member, Susanne Fincher)

01/06/2025

It’s a new year, which means we have a new theme for MONTHLY MANDALAS! Get ready to go on a journey into ✨ Celebrations of Nature and the Great Round. ✨

For MONTHLY MANDALAS 2025: Celebrations of Nature and the Great Round, we’ll explore nature-based celebrations from cultures around the world.

Since ancient times our ancestors have celebrated the turning of the year with festivities that built community, offered spiritual sustenance, made prayers for a good harvest, and built trust in the reliability of the natural cycle itself, helping people remember and hold hope that spring would arrive again after winter. Our exploration will be secular, and we hope that learning more about seasonal celebrations can help us feel closer to Nature - and each other.

Each month we’ll introduce a new nature-based celebration as inspiration for the group’s mandala making, reflections, and group discussions. The monthly presentations will give information about the cultural context of the celebrations and explore its connection to the corresponding Great Round stage of the month. And, of course, we will enjoy experiencing Marilyn’s curated music selections as we create our mandalas!

We’re excited about these 2025 MM gatherings, designed to give you fresh inspiration for creating your mandalas - all the while deepening your understanding of the Great Round and how it can enrich your life. We look forward to having some of our CM Certificate Program Graduates join as co-presenters again, too!

If you haven’t already, we invite you to join us for MONTHLY MANDALAS by signing up at the link above. All are welcome!

👇 If you joined us for Monthly Mandalas in the past, share a favorite memory, mandala, or topic in the comments.

(Mandala art by CM Team Member Paige Scheinberg)

01/06/2025

Celebrating 🌟 84 🌟 MONTHLY MANDALAS gatherings - and a new 2025 theme!

🌼 12 Stages
🎆 12 Short stories
☀️12 Goddesses
🦹🏽‍♀️ 12 Myths & Legends
🌀 4 full journeys around the Great Round
🎨100s of mandalas created during Monthly Mandalas!
🫶 Over $14,000 raised for CM Scholarships!
🥳 84 Monthly Mandalas gatherings!!

Wow, CM community!

Thank you to everyone who has joined us for MONTHLY MANDALAS - and for being such an engaged member of our inspiring international community of mandala enthusiasts!

When we dreamed up Monthly Mandalas in 2019 we didn’t know exactly where it would take us...

Our main goal was to create more opportunities to connect and create mandalas more frequently with our community. (This includes having MM proceeds going to our CM Scholarship Fund.)

Our hope was that people would be interested and we’d all find new and meaningful ways to understand and live the Archetypal Stages of the Great Round of Mandala. We’re grateful to say our goals and hopes have been exceeded!

✨ MONTHLY MANDALAS has become a monthly ritual for each of us that grounds and inspires us, sparks curiosity, honors our creativity, and brings healing and insight - all through creating mandalas and community. ✨

Join us this year for another journey around the Great Round!

(P.S. You don’t have to know what the Great Round is 😉 This gathering is perfect for all levels AND we have some great resources for you!)

*Cover artwork by CMCP Grads and Monthly Mandalas co-presenters, Connie Bennett, Gisela Garcia, Michael Carpenter, Jennifer Storey

Creating Mandalas with Susanne Fincher

03/10/2026

01/28/2026

01/07/2026

10/25/2025

05/07/2025

05/02/2025

03/11/2025

01/31/2025

01/29/2025

01/06/2025

01/06/2025

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