The original use of mandala artwork was to depict the cosmos as understood by the artist. It is therefore that we begin with placing moon at center since the moon steadies the Earth's axial wobble to allow life to exist on our planet. The classical elements attributed to their neopagan cardinal direction points and the rampart of John Dee's Watchtower symbolism from Elizabethan Magic encircles the whole, separating us from the void. Within the temperate growing seasons and the cosmic observances of solar and lunar interplay are depicted. 

It was fun. 😁