Back in the late 90s I first started learning about sacred geometry, and was immediately very drawn to begin exploring the subject in greater depth.
I began by reading several books on the subject, only to discover that one of the best ways of really immersing oneself in the study of sacred geometry was through the practical application of the principles via the use of a compass and straight edge.
Not having owned or used a compass since being in grade school many years earlier, I decided to go out and buy a high quality one, along with a couple of large pads of paper, a mechanical pencil, an 18” ruler, and a good eraser. I also got a protractor, which ended up coming in very handy.
I started practicing drawing circles and arcs and connecting points to draw straight lines. This soon led to the spontaneous creation of circular mandalas, and I ended up spending hundreds of hours over the course of several years hand drawing all sorts of patterns and designs.
This practice felt very illuminating, and seemed to imbue within me a deep sense of the harmony and beauty that underlies the design of the natural world.
What is Sacred Geometry?
If I were to attempt to explain as succinctly as possible what sacred geometry is, I’d say this: sacred geometry is a variety of harmonic universal archetypal patterns, forms, symmetries and ratios which are replicated as energy steps down, informs matter, and takes shape within material manifestation in this 3D density.
Said another way, sacred geometry is fundamentally a blueprint.
It’s like an architectural plan upon which the physical universe is built, and through which the subtler, metaphysical energetic forces from which all matter is created are expressed into material form.
For example sacred geometry is in play when hydrogen and oxygen atoms coalesce to form themselves into a six sided physical snowflake here on planet earth. Those oxygen and hydrogen atoms were originally formed from cosmic, non-physical energies generated by and created within stars.
Visual Meditation
One of the things I like most about studying and practicing the art of sacred geometry by drawing mandalas is that it is very centering, and can also be very relaxing.
Being a writer, I find that playing with shapes is a wonderful counterpoint to working with words, and that these patterns and shapes, when visualized, often tend to foster a sense of balance, order, and accord within the mind, heart, and body.
Gazing upon sacred geometric shapes and forms can be a meditation in itself. In fact yantras like the Sri Yantra below, which are ancient geometric mandalas, are said to have been created to be used for open eyed meditations.
Holistic Health Connection?
So what has all this got to do with holistic approaches to healing and wellness?
Well, most all health practitioners, holistic or otherwise, recognize the benefits of meditative practices that help to relax, calm and center the body/mind. And after many years of immersing myself into the subject, I must say that I most definitely consider the practice of sacred geometry, as well as the enjoyment of art created using sacred geometric principles, to be such therapeutic pastimes!
