Introducing the
Mandala Magic School
Home of the transformational membership program for enquiring creatives.
About the School
The Mandala Magic School is home to a monthly membership program dedicated to sharing resources that encourage the development of creative practice to find meaning and create connection through the symbolic art of the mandala.
We believe that everyone is creative – creativity is a natural human instinct. Through the cultivation of regular creative practice and engagement of the creative imagination, we believe we can better meet the demands of being human in a shifting environmental, social and economic landscape.
Central to our aim is the provision of materials that can be accessed across geographic boundaries by people of diverse backgrounds, creative experience, capabilities and financial resources.
The monthly membership model offers instant access to a mix of online tutorials, signature courses and supporting information for the creative individual as well as a place to gather and build community with like-minded folk from across the world.
The Mandala Magic School is an organisation based in Scotland, with an international base of students and faculty members.
Our Core Values
Creative
At the heart of the School is a belief in the creative capabilities of all humans as a fundamental condition and our offerings include different types of creative content delivered over a range of media. We encourage the development (or reengagement) of regular creative practice for both participants and faculty.
Inclusive
We consider conscious creative practice an essential component of contemporary life, not limited to those with any special talent or formal arts education so there are no entry requirements to join. The Mandala Magic process is especially available to those who believe, or have been told they are ‘no good at art.’ It can be undertaken with limited art materials and financial inclusivity is further supported by a scholarship program.
Curious
What we are sure of here at the School is that we don’t have all the answers. We aim to encourage critical thinking and personal agency amongst both faculty and participants when engaging in the Mandala Magic process. All materials are offered in the spirit of invitation.
Kind
We believe in the goodness of people and commit to embracing kindness as a default in all actions and communications both internally and outside of the organisation.
Non-dogmatic
Although the mandala is also common to specific spiritual practices across time and cultures, our work has its fundamental roots in European psychology (see our Mandala Magic page) and is non-dogmatic. We honour the teachings of all traditions that engage or have engaged with mandala as a spiritual practice, whilst presenting offerings outside of these that can be adapted and translated to suit individual belief systems, cultures and geographies.
Restorative
We believe that a radical response to current ecological crises is required by all business leaders today. As a SoulTrees Partner, we have embedded nature restoration into the heart of our business model, culture and educational content.
Purposeful
The Mandala Magic School’s vision is for personal and cultural transformation to take place through creativity. This means we encourage faculty and members to take account of the bigger picture whilst creating, especially concerning the health of the planet and all its inhabitants.
Meet The Team
JULIE GIBBONS | Founder
Based in Scotland, Julie Gibbons is a symbolic artist who believes wholeheartedly in the power of the creative imagination as a means to activate the personal and cultural transformation we need to live in troubled times.
Qualifying in Communication Studies at Edinburgh’s Napier University, with a final year project dedicated to the symbolic art of the Picts back in 1990, Julie later came to develop the Mandala Magic process as a result of her personal creative practice and encounter with the psychology of C.G. Jung. The School has been a decade and thousands of Mandala Magic students – Mandala Magicians – in the making.
ANNE ELLIS | Psychology
After successfully setting up an all-graduate female brokerage in Glasgow’s stock exchange, Anne went on to build a number of high-growth companies focused on people development, whilst travelling the world as a motivational speaker.
With an expertise based on the psychology of C.G. Jung, Anne held a teaching fellowship in the psychology department at the University of Westminster, London, where she was part of the team that created the first Masters in Business Psychology(MSc) course. She is currently the Psychology Director for PeopleMaps and is a specialist advisor to The Mandala Magic School.
AMY GIBBONS | Social Media Intern
Amy is a 17-year-old, fresh out of school and eager to learn the magical systems and processes of the mandala. She has experience running social media campaigns at South Lanarkshire College as well as designing a website for her course. Amy is looking forward to putting her technical skills to the test and as she has grown up in the generation of social media she has a natural flare for using it. She is excited to be able to use her skills to share and introduce mandalas to the next generation.
Amy aspires to continue her education by studying event management at university.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mandala Magic for?
Available to all creative folk, Mandala Magic serves both beginners and experienced art-makers.
You don’t have to be a trained or ‘naturally gifted’ artist : Mandala Magic is accessible to everyone, especially if you’ve ever been told, or felt like, you aren’t ‘good’ at art.
Mandala Magic is right for you if you resonate with the mandala symbol and want to create art and journal pages to help you make sense of your life and the world around you.
Do I need to be good at drawing to participate?
One of the most wonderful aspects of the Mandala Magic process is that you will come to recognise your unique creative voice.
Everyone is creative by nature and each of us has our own way of drawing. With practice, you will improve your drawing skills over time and through the process, you will learn to appreciate your particular style, however that looks in the moment.
Not every Mandala Magic exercise requires you to draw and some will invite you to engage with other means of art-making, including more organic techniques like abstract mark-making, collage with patterns and textures, colour and shapes.
What if I’m already an experienced artist or art journaler?
Mandala Magic offers the more experienced practitioner a valuable tool in your artistic kitbag.
You will be able to apply your particular art-making skills and techniques to the process to create unique mandala art journal pages that feed into your existing practice and help you discover even more purpose through your work.
What equipment or materials will I need?
Mandala Magic has been designed so that as many people as possible can participate.
At the basic level, you will be expected to have available some paper, a pen and pencil and colouring materials, such as a watercolour set or coloured pens/pencils.
You will be encouraged to use what is available to you before you head out to buy more specialist materials. Often, Mandala Magic invites you to engage with existing household items, like cups (for circle templates) and salt (for interesting paint effects.)
If you don’t have any art materials available to begin with, ask your friends and family if they have any spare – even materials designed for children will be enough to get started with.
Although it isn’t necessary for all Mandala Magic exercises, a set of drawing compasses and a ruler will be useful. These don’t have to be fancy – a simple student set like those used for basic geometry at school is adequate.
When you join the school you’re provided with a list of recommended materials. Where any specific materials are required for the purposes of an exercise, these will be listed, as well as ideas for alternatives.
Some of the core values of the Mandala Magic School are financial accessibility and ecological responsibility and we’re increasingly taking this into account when devising exercises.
How is the content delivered?
The content is delivered through a range of media, including written material on this website and streamed audio and video, so you will need a reliable internet connection with decent connection speeds.
If you are already watching YouTube or videos hosted on platforms such as Vimeo, you should be able to connect to the exercises. It is recommended that you use the latest version of your operating system and internet browser for best connection.
You can participate via a desktop or laptop computer, tablet or smartphone.
Can I join from any location?
Mandala Magic is delivered to you online, so as long as you have access to a valid email and internet connection, then you are good to go from anywhere in the world, in the comfort of your own home, coffeeshop or local library (with earphones!)
Do I need to attend classes in real time?
Most tutorials, workshops and programs are delivered on-demand, so you can join in no matter your time zone.
Where an occasional promotional or other special event is broadcast live at a specific time, there will usually be a replay available for those unable to attend live.
Is Mandala Magic an art therapy practice?
The School has been created to promote Mandala Magic as a means to develop a meaningful personal practice that helps ignite the creative imagination and provide purpose through creative practice.
It is not designed as a substitute for professional healthcare or medical advice.
Due to the nature of the self-inquiry process, we recommend you have in place a suitable support network before engaging with any of these types of exercises and inform your healthcare provider if you are working with one.
(Many students share their mandala work with their therapist or counsellor with meaningful results.)
If you feel that you need the support of a healthcare professional, please engage an accredited service provider who can offer you the right type of support.
Do you offer scholarship options?
Scholarship options are made available with a view to accessibility for those from diverse backgrounds and financial means.
This is in keeping with one of the core values of the Mandala Magic School, whilst still recognising the costs and creative effort that have gone into the creation of our materials.
There are currently a limited number of limited-duration, part scholarships available. To apply, please send an email to: hello@mandalamagicschool.com with the subject heading: scholarship application and an indication of why you wish to join the Mandala Magic School.
Please do not enclose any financial information – thank you!