Commemorative Mandala

“Let us green the earth, restore the earth, heal the earth….” -Ian McHarg

“Commemorative Mandala” for Mike Marxen

Commemorative: an object such as a stamp made to mark an event or honor a person.

This mandala honors you and your 41-year contribution to the planning, conservation, and restoration of eco-systems from Minnesota, Iowa, the Pacific Northwest to the Hawaiian Islands.

Forty-one years of “walking your talk,” being a “believer,” symbolized by the outer ring—the walkway—so prevalent in our wildlife refuges—with 41 footsteps intertwined with the tracks of bison, bear, wolf, deer, otter, and duck family. Because of your dedication, you created and restored natural environments where animals and humans can co-exist.

Ancient civilizations practiced the sciences of Alchemy and related the different metals to specific planets. Copper is ruled by the planet Venus and is associated with the matters of love and symbolizes characteristics like charisma, artistic creativity, affection, caring, and balance. It is also considered a healing metal that teaches about living a fulfilling life. Silver is connected to the Moon and associated with philosophical traits of intuition, self-reflection, and inner wisdom—like your Cancerian self. It is symbolic of attributes such as vision, clarity, awareness, focus, persistence and subtle strength.

Being a stamp collector as a youth, I chose the stamp as a commemorative symbol for your journey beginning in the direction of the East. Minnesota where you were born, with Loon, the state bird. The Loon relies on water and water is a symbol for dreams and multiple levels of consciousness, thus Loons teach us to follow our hopes, dreams and wishes. Which you have done! Showy Lady Slipper is the state flower of Minnesota.

To the South: I sensed a deep pride in your work on behalf of the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge. Here, through your contribution with the USFWS, you restored the tall grass prairie, brought back the Bison, Elk, and created habitat for critically endangered monarch butterflies. The Wild Prairie Rose is the state flower of Iowa.

In the West: Your journey brought you to Oregon and here you made many contributions to the health of our forests, rivers, estuaries—our ecosystems—around the Pacific Northwest. You shared your joy of salmon fishing with your son. Though the Oregon Grape is the state flower, I chose the ground cover cornus canadensis as you mentioned its significance to you around your farm.

To the North: The last stretch of your 41-year career brought you to the magical islands of Hawaii. Though separated from your beloved Kim, you were able to contribute to the development of a marine monument, educating and protecting marine animals like the monk seal, and contributing to the cultural preservation of Midway, the home of our beautiful, magical Albatross. An albatross as a spirit animal is attributed to grace, stamina, monogamy, loyalty, faithfulness. The yellow hibiscus is the state flower of Hawaii.

In the center of the mandala, Leech Lake, the place you most love—on the lake, fishing (next to being in the garden in summer). Here, the sunset symbolizes the end of this particular chapter and offers a new beginning back in Oregon to the West, reunited with your beloved, to live happily ever after!

It was an honor to create your soul symbol mandala for you, Mike. Thank you for all your work on behalf of our Earth and all her creatures!