Founder of Fourth Friday Readings, Ruth Marcus has published a collector’s edition of “Haiku &Mandala: The Wedding of Ancient Art” (Wide Awake Publishing).
“An idea conceived in the middle-of-the-night,” Marcus said. “The Creative Muse spoke: ‘Publish a book of haiku and mandalas.’”
Artists, writers and creative types know the Muse’s voice. “It was one of those ‘must do’ experiences,” Marcus said. The next morning, she selected 32 mandalas of the many she has drawn over 20 years.
“Mandalas are sacred art dating back to the fourth century in Tibet. I draw a particular style of mandala that uses high quality, black charcoal paper and Prisma Color pencils. You begin by drawing a circle and placing one white dot at the center, symbolic of creation.”
As a psychologist and spiritual enthusiast, Marcus has facilitated mandala drawing retreats. “It is remarkable to turn from the outer world and journey inward, allowing yourself to draw shapes and colors and images that arise.”
She noted, “Renowned psychologist Carl Jung found mandala drawing useful for self-reflection and self-discovery. Mandalas are sacred circles found in ancient rock carvings and meaning tools for meditation and healing by Buddhist monks, Navajo Indians and many other cultures.”
Marcus admits, “This book was a stretch for me. I love haiku, but consider myself a beginner. I wrote and rewrote the haiku many times. And, each poem contains only three lines. This project has been a spiritual and psychological journey, culminating as a printed book within three months. Several poet friends and friends who support the arts encouraged my process.”
Haiku is a Japanese poem traditionally written in three lines with 17 syllables. Its brevity includes reference to a season and includes color, texture, sound and smell to heighten the reader’s experience. Contemporary English haiku has evolved to include themes of family, human rights, death, humor and philosophy and is most often expressed with varied line lengths.
“This ‘wedding’ of two ancient arts was a labor of love — a challenging and exhilarating journey,” added Marcus.
For the past seven years she has focused on writing poetry and flash fiction. There is an upcoming memoir and novel along with a collection of her Sequim Gazette columns. Marcus hosts a free Spontaneous Writing Group from 9:30-11:30 a.m. every third Monday of the month at the Sequim Library. She also hosts two writing critique groups in Sequim.
The collector’s edition of “Haiku &Mandala” is available at WideAwakePublishing.com. It also will be available at the Soroptimist Gala Gift Show from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Boys &Girls Club in Sequim.
A book signing from 1-3 p.m. Sunday Dec. 18, is planned at Dungeness Barn House B&B, 42 Marine Drive, Sequim. Signed copies of the full-color, hardbound book also will be available at local bookstores in January and now is available on Amazon.
On Jan. 19, Marcus will host a mandala drawing retreat at the Lodge Media Room, 660 Evergreen Farm Road, Sequim.
To sign up, email Marcus at Rmarcus@olypen.com or visit www.wideawakepublishing.com.
Marcus also is offering a private multi-media show and discussion about spirituality, creativity and living an inspired life to spiritual groups, churches and other organizations.
