Adapted from an article by Marcia Clark.

Kaleidoscopes offer an opportunity for healing, a primary element resting within the multitude of colors at the end of the scope. Ancient healing systems long have held that the varying wavelengths of different colors contain healing properties for targeted organs. GREEN, for example, is associated with the heart and healing. A person seeking to calm and strengthen the heart might spend quiet time viewing a scope featuring greens. Someone seeking energy may want a scope with the warm colors of RED, ORANGE, and YELLOW.

Focus and Calming

Gazing into a scope has the beneficial effect of focusing diffused energy. When the visual field is reduced, it helps energy become contained and laser-like. Not only are distractions minimized, but also the presence of a defined geometric field enhances the ability to organize information. For example, a child fascinated with the slow flow of an oil wand scope relaxes for short periods of time. This is also an active art in which an individual participates ~ he/she looks at the scope, engaging a sense of joy. As the viewer turns the scope and patterns change, the mind is occupied and the right and left brain engage, aiding in focusing, creativity, and relaxation.

Example: in the United States in the late 20th century, teachers working with hyperactive children hypothesized that if they could get them to look through a kaleidoscope, increased calmness and attention would result. They found that if the child looked through a scope for 2 minutes, they would gain the child’s attention for 2 hours. This simple activity lowered the child’s blood pressure, heart rate, and excitability levels, centering the youth. The colors used in the kaleidoscopes were the cool colors of blue, green, and purple or a combination of pastels.

The power of the kaleidoscope to aid in calming, focusing, relaxation, and decreasing stress is attributed to the mandala pattern in the 2-mirror configuration of some kaleidoscopes. The mandala (flower pattern) has been used in religious meditation for thousands of years in the Middle and Far East. It is also represented in the rose windows in major cathedrals in Europe.
Example: a corporate executive who received a kaleidoscope took it to his office and placed it in a drawer. After returning from a meeting, the executive found it difficult to relax and focus on work. He took out the scope and looking through it found that this simple activity enabled him to make the transition from being diffused to being focused and balanced and thus able to return to his work.

Beauty and Healing

The beauty of the colors and patterns within the kaleidoscope restores the spirit and opens the soul to joy. When struggling with an acute or chronic illness, beauty provides a welcome change and can stimulate endorphin release aiding in healing. One woman who took her kaleidoscope into her chemo treatments reported that she felt calmer during this stressful time.

Creativity and Problem Solving

Kaleidoscopes are an avenue to creativity. Most people hold the kaleidoscope to their dominant eye but switching the scope to the non-dominant eye stimulates the right hemisphere of the brain and unlocks creativity. This is comparable to drawing with your non-dominant hand, producing greater detail and creative perspective. With greater access to our problem-solving abilities, we can better manage our health, work, and family and explore beneficial alternatives.

In summation, looking through the kaleidoscope
• fosters calmness and balance,
• helps us focus,
• enhances creativity,
• raises our spirits,
• aids us in relaxing,
• reduces stress, and
• engages both right and left sides of the brain, aiding in problem-solving.

Kaleidoscopes are indeed an art form for the body, mind, and spirit.

Adath Israel's annual Chanukah Bazaar

Sunday, November 19, 2023

10 am to 3 pm

3201 E. Galbraith Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45236

See you there!

September 23, 2023, 10 am - 5 pm

Kosztalascopes will have a booth at the first annual Fall Festival at Anthology Senior Living in Blue Ash.

Local craft vendors, a petting zoo, raffles, live music, and food trucks await you!

Wednesday, October 20, 4-7 pm. 4351 Sycamore Creek Dr., Blue Ash, OH 45242.

More info: Anthology Blue Ash

Kosztalascopes will have a booth at this popular annual art show sponsored by Springfield Township's ArtsConnect.

ArtsConnect brings the community together with a two-day celebration of the arts. We will return to the The Centennial Barn, located at 110 Compton Road, where we will hold a gallery of artwork from the community and surrounding cities.

The art show will kick off on Friday, November 12th with an evening artist reception. Light appetizers, live music, silent auction, raffle and a "People's Choice" award will fill the evening and give neighbors a chance to mingle and enjoy the art.

There will be artistic performances and some added surprises. Most artwork will be available for sale.

The gallery will reopen on Saturday, November 13th from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. for art lovers to take a closer look and leisurely enjoy the art.

Admission to the art show is free.

More info: ArtLocal Art Show

September 25, 2021 in Milford, OH. Great crowds, great show!

Saturday, September 18, 2021

Kathryn Felice purchases one of my Paris Wheel Kosztalascopes.

Join Kosztalascopes at this fun art fair

Saturday, June 12, 2021

10 am to 4 pm

Saturday, June 5, 2021

10 am to 5 pm

Augusta, KY

KOSZTALASCOPES will have 3 pieces in the ART LOCAL Show at the Springfield Township gallery.

Article in Hyde Park Living

KOSZTALASCOPES has had a booth at the following local art fairs:

• Annual Northminster Fine Arts Fairs

• Hyde Park Art Show

• Duveneck Show

• Augusta, KY Art in the Garden

• Milford Art Affaire

• Art Local at the Centennial Barn

• Veterans Creative Arts Exhibit

• Essex Studio Art Walks