PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION
through MANDALA SYMBOLISM
Art Journaling the Archetypal Wheel of the Year
Mandala Magic: ALIGNMENT is a creative program that combines art journaling with mandala art and symbolism, following the cycle of the 8-fold year.
In ALIGNMENT, we follow the archetypal patterns of the Scottish folk calendar in a liturgy of nature and its long-standing milestones—a pattern of ancient Scotland and beyond.
Mandala Magic: ALIGNMENT combines offerings in various formats, including film, story-telling, mandala-making and other creative prompts delivered in eight parts aligned with the Solstices, Equinoxes and cross-quarter days in between.
ALIGNMENT is the signature program of the Mandala Magic School and is available to all members with a current subscription, alongside a full program of workshops, tutorials and live events.
The meanings of life aren’t inherited. What is inherited is the mandate to make meanings of life by how we live. – Stephen Jenkinson
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Welcome! My name is Julie Gibbons and I’m a symbolic artist and founder of the Mandala Magic School.
I’ve been sharing Mandala Magic for over a decade and the ALIGNMENT course is our signature programme here in the Mandala Magic School.
It’s a comprehensive programme designed for you to follow over the course of a year, with themed modules aligned to the eight festivals of old Scotland.
Each contains an archetypal character that translates into particular mandala forms and symbols.
Join our amazing Mandala Magic School community for instant access to ALIGNMENT, create LIVE with me in our next MAGIC CIRCLE, discover your personal mandala symbols and SO MUCH MORE🌀
>> Join the Mandala Magic School and get INSTANT ACCESS to ALIGNMENT TODAY!
MANDALA MAGIC : ALIGNMENT
reclaiming symbols + rhythms of the solar cycle
Mandala + Art Journaling
Combining the mandala symbol with the practice of art journaling is an incantation that speaks to our longing for creativity with purpose.
In the journal, we are invited to make pages full of creative content, suffused with personal and cultural wisdoms and trespasses, without the pressure of an audience.
The mandala as symbol speaks to our longing for wholeness and orderliness even as our human souls experience the messiness and vicissitudes of life in these times.
An age-old symbol from across civilisations, cultures and traditions, the mandala offers us an opportunity to challenge the status quo as we make meaning from the way we choose to live and create today.
In this work, we will use both imagery and words in ways that activate our mythic imagination, subvert the dominant cultural narrative and re-energise our relationships.
Establishing or re-engaging with this practice is a devotional act and the structure of the 8-fold year allows for us to honour an age-old pattern through regular practice, creating pages full of purpose.
The 8-Fold Year
The 8-fold year is an ancient practice of heedfulness to the natural rhythm of life, marked both personally and in the community.
There are many stone monuments here in my homeland of Scotland that attest to this practice being millennia old and although the prevailing culture is bereft of most of it throughout its lands of origin, there are pockets that survive here and there in a folk culture strongly tied to the stories and myths of the local landscape.
Following the traverse of Earth around Sun, the 8-fold year divides this cycle into not twelve parts, but the eight that fall between the solstices and equinoxes and their midway points—in the Gaelic calendar; Samhuinn, Imbolc, Bealltainn and Lùnastal.
This 8-fold rhythm is remnant of a culture where the rate of change was practically non-existent between generations and matches eight distinct seasons throughout the year.
Returning to this rhythm we can attend to a creative practice where we relearn how to slow down, tend to our relationships both personal and beyond, reconnect with our creative imagination and face the issues of our times—together.
Paying attention is a form of reciprocity with the living world, receiving the gifts with open eyes and open heart.” – Robin Wall Kimmerer
MANDALA MAGIC: ALIGNMENT
is your invitation to your creative, curious + capable self to;
Commit to a regular and focused art journal practice with prompts, guidance and extra resources.
Create imaginative pages full of life-enhancing content, taking old stories into the world as it stands today.
Align your inner experience and outer world through the fresh awareness gained as part of your creative process.
Explore your natural rhythms and the age-old wisdom of the 8-fold year.
Reclaim symbols that hold deep meaning for us all and make them count for new times.
Join a community of like-minded creatives in a safe and welcoming container.
MANDALA MAGIC: ALIGNMENT
is a program designed to offer opportunities for you to;
Ignite (or re-ignite) and engage your creative passion and relax into your world experience.
Engage with and understand the mandala principle as it applies to your individual life and the world situation.
Explore old symbols and stories and make them relevant to your time and place.
Experience symbolism as a reflection of the phenomenal world and a useful aid to finding meaning in it.
Exercise your creative imagination to visualise, name and enact a world where you are deeply connected and where your relationships (both human and more-than-human) are mended.
What If 2025 Was the Year Your Creative Practice Reflected Your True Self?
So many times we are inspired to create but our technical skills don’t live up to the picture in our mind. What if you could learn a process that helps you get what’s in your mind onto the page and learn to love what you create, no matter your skill level or experience? That’s what Mandala Magic teaches…
“Mandala Magic and Julie’s guidance on journaling through the 8 fold year has been an invaluable addition to my art journaling and growth for myself and my art.”—Beth Welch. Read Beth’s Member Spotlight here.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
👩🎨 In Mandala Magic: ALIGNMENT you will create mandala art journal pages full of meaning and purpose.
☀️ Your practice will develop over the course of a full solar cycle so that your journal becomes a living symbol of you—a record of your deepening relationship with all aspects of your life, both personal and beyond.
🌟 You will come to recognise and understand the archetypal rhythm and symbols of the 8-fold year, which offers long-standing wisdom for living a meaningful contemporary life.
🌀 Each mandala prompt results in a mandala that holds personal meaning, no matter your skill level—the Mandala Magic process is structured for you to follow, whether you are a beginner or a more advanced artist.
🌍 Exploring the archetypes and symbolism of the wheel of the year is applicable no matter our geography, so even if you live below the equator, you can find meaning in this way of working.
🙌 The invitation for everyone is to explore your personal and cultural heritage and experience whilst taking account of the collective and universal.
⚡️ It’s a transformational practice you can repeat ad infinitum for greatest impact and is especially grounding at a time when the environment seems particularly volatile.
ALIGNMENT Student Art
Mandala Magic ALIGNMENT Feedback
ALIGNMENT Student Art
Is Mandala Magic: ALIGNMENT Right For You?
Mandala Magic: ALIGNMENT is right for you if you resonate with the mandala symbol and wish to create art journal pages that help you make sense of yourself and the world.
You can be a beginner artist, with no previous experience, although this program is not a traditional art class and isn’t for you if you simply wish to learn art techniques.
The focus is on creating a cohesive, meaningful art and journaling practice that truly reflects your life experience – the grief and the joy and everywhere in between.
The emphasis is on practice—it is an experiential program, working with visual imagery and sensory experience first and foremost.
You don’t need a Scottish or European heritage to join this work—the 8-fold year holds wisdom for everyone. We will encourage you to deepen your connection with nature, the people and the landscape you call home.
Any benefits and invitations listed here are only possible if you engage with the practices—this program is about practice, not reading and digesting written material alone.
Mandala Magic: ALIGNMENT is open to everyone with an internet connection and email address. You can use whichever art materials you feel most comfortable with.
The eight modules that make up the core of the program are made available to you as soon as you join the Mandala Magic School and you can begin with any of them, although we recommend you work through each module chronologically.
Mandala Magic ALIGNMENT Feedback
Mandala Magic : 8-Fold Year Calendar
MIDWINTER
IMBOLC
SPRING EQUINOX
BEALLTAINN
MIDSUMMER
LÚNASTAL
AUTUMN EQUINOX
SAMHUINN
MIDWINTER
ALIGNMENT Student Art
Mandala Magic ALIGNMENT Feedback
Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT : What’s Included
Every element of ALIGNMENT is thoughtfully designed to guide you through a year-long journey of creativity, reflection, and transformation. Here’s what you’ll receive:
✔️ Detailed Getting Started Information
Clear instructions to set you up for success, whether you’re new to mandalas or a seasoned creative.
✔️ Essential + Recommended Supplies
A simple guide to gathering the materials you’ll need for your art-making and journaling practice.
✔️ Title Page Exercise
Begin your ALIGNMENT journey by creating a title page that sets your intention for the year ahead.
✔️ Life Wheel Exercise
Gain a clear snapshot of your life as it is now, laying the groundwork for self-awareness and transformation.
Each of the 8 Seasonal Modules Includes:
🍂 Introduction Film
Explore the themes, symbols, and archetypes for each seasonal gateway in the 8-fold year.
🎨 Mandala Practice Exercises
Dive into three creative projects per module that bring the seasonal themes to life through mandala-making.
📖 Journaling Prompts
Engage in thoughtful reflection with prompts that guide, accompany, and respond to your art-making practice.
✨ Supplemental Creative Invitations + Prompts
Take your creativity even further with optional exercises designed to deepen your exploration of each theme.
🎵 Sonic Mandalas
Enjoy two Spotify music playlists per module, crafted specifically to accompany your creative process.
📚 Additional Recommended Resources
Expand your understanding with curated suggestions for further research and inspiration.
ALIGNMENT is more than a course—it’s a creative journey that aligns your art-making and journaling practice with the archetypal energies of the seasons.
ALIGNMENT is available to everyone with an active subscription to the Mandala Magic School, where we gather at each of the gateways in the 8-fold year for Magic Circles.
By becoming a member of the Mandala Magic School, you’re not just enrolling in one course – you’re joining a vibrant community of artists and embracing a holistic approach to creativity and self-discovery.
ALIGNMENT is your key to unlocking a year of artistic exploration, personal growth, and meaningful connections. Membership provides access to the full library of courses, workshops, live events & replays.
Join the Mandala Magic School to start your ALIGNMENT journey today.
“Before Mandala Magic School, I didn’t take the time to be creative regularly or practice mindfulness as often. The classes and resources inspire and encourage me to put down my responsibilities and busy modern life and just relax and explore my artistic urges and my personal imaginative world. It is escapism, within which I find the true parts of myself. It enriches my life on a level that without it, I don’t think I would find the time to nurture. It is something I am very grateful to be a part of, with others who are like minded and generous with their sharing. It is a learning platform where I find I am able to meet some of my self-care needs.”
—Julie-Ann Booker, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this program designed for?
Mandala Magic: ALIGNMENT is designed for curious, creative folk who want to engage with and deepen their art journaling practice through an understanding of the mandala and the symbols of the 8-fold year.
You don’t need to have any special skills, experience or qualifications to participate, but will benefit best if you are willing to engage in each of the modules throughout the year.
You’re likely to have an interest in creative expression through visual art and are attracted to the mandala as symbol. In this regard, you may be a beginner or an experienced artist.
If you are looking for a structure to contain your art journaling process and to connect your creativity with your living experience, then this program is perfect for you.
Do I need to be an artist to complete this program?
This means you’re likely to have an interest in creative expression through visual art and feel called to work with the mandala as symbol. In this regard, you may be a beginner or an experienced artist.
You don’t need to be ‘good at art’ to participate, simply willing to engage with the process and see what shows up for you. There are no good or bad pages – just a process from which you discover more about yourself.
What supplies do I need to participate?
In each lesson I provide a full list of the materials I use, but encourage you to use your favourite supplies + what you already have!
If you’re a beginner, then I suggest you work from a limited range of materials until you decide what works best for you. Although it’s tempting to go out and collect a whole boatload of new shiny supplies, it’s not necessary to have a comprehensive range to join in.
You will find a guide to my favourite + recommended supplies in the Getting Started Guide information which will be available when the class opens.
Meantime, the following is a rough guide:
1. Sketchbook/Paper:
I recommend using paper or a journal designed for mixed media or watercolour. The work is best recorded in a format of UK size A4 or US size 12×9”.
Here are some of my favourite journals: Moleskine A4 Watercolour Album ; Seawhite A4 Watercolour Travel Album ; Strathmore Mixed Media Journal ; Stillman & Birn Zeta Journal ; Canson Mixed Media.
2. Compasses:
Any drawing compasses, with a radius to fit your chosen paper size will work. For some hints + tips on compasses, please see a video I created on this for a previous Mandala Magic event.
e.g. Ecobra Universal Compass ; Helix Drawing Set ; Rotring Convex Compass
3. Ruler:
Any 30cm/12inch ruler will work. I often use a t-square ruler.
4. Pencil:
Any ordinary graphite pencil will work.
I prefer to use erasable coloured pencils like these from Prismacolour.
This is my favourite pencil sharpener.
5. Eraser:
Any eraser you use to rub out your pencil marks will work.
These are some I use in the workshops; Derwent soft art eraser ; Tombow MONO Zero.
6. Pens:
A range of pens is useful for journaling and any fineliners, gel pens or pigment pens will work in this event, though I prefer to use a dip pen and ink for writing, in the main.
Here are some I like to use: glass dip pen ; uni Pin fine line ; Uniball Signo broad pigment ink pen.
7. Paints/Markers:
Basic colouring supplies will work for this event, and I use a range of paints, inks and markers to offer flexibility throughout. Please adjust to suit your current supplies and preferences.
If you’re brand new to this work, a basic set of watercolours will be more than enough to get started with.
Here are some of the materials I like to use: Pitt Artist pens ; Tombow Dual Brush Markers ; Winsor & Newton Drawing Inks ; Winsor & Newton Designer’s Gouache ; Coliro Finetec Watercolour Shimmer.
8. Extras:
Scissors + a glue stick or glue tape – for some collage work.
A selection of literature you can use to cut up that contains words and images. You will also find it useful if you have access to a printer and can print off some images of the moon, but this isn’t a requirement.
In my demonstrations I also use some drawing templates – a template with different sizes of circles, and a template with pentagons.
These are not necessary, and you can trace around household objects or work freehand to achieve the same effect.
Don’t forget some brushes if you choose to work with ink or paint!
You will also benefit from a companion journal, for note-taking and additional research.
Can I join in from my city?
This program is delivered to you online, so as long as you have a valid email address and are able to access a computer/device with internet access, you are able to participate from anywhere in the world.
The content is delivered on this website with a mix of writing, some video and audio, so you will additionally need to be able to stream video and audio.
Do I need to attend classes in real time?
The content is hosted on the website for you to access at your own pace. There’s no need to show up at a specific time, so you won’t miss out if you’re in a different time zone, or need to login after your day’s work.
How long will each lesson take?
As a rough guide and depending on your experience, you’ll need to allocate roughly 1-3 hours for each creative exercise.
If you choose to create more pages with more detail, then you’ll need to allocate a longer period of time :)
There are a minimum of three mandala exercises in each module = 27 mandala exercises in total.
Still have questions?
Check our ABOUT page for more FAQs or Contact Us.
Magic doesn’t sweep you away; it gathers you up into the body of the present moment so thoroughly that all your explanations fall away: the ordinary, in all its plain and simple outrageousness, begins to shine — to become luminously, impossibly so. Every facet of the world is awake, and you within it. – David Abram
ALIGNMENT Student Art
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Select Your Course: Alignment is our signature course that takes you through a full year of immersive learning (or start with Circle Magic—a course for absolute beginners.)
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As a member of Mandala Magic School, you’re not just joining a course; you're stepping into a supportive and enriching community, designed to foster your meaningful creative practice.
