Wendy Sterndale

ook around and notice one or a combination of the following geometric shapes: circle, square, triangle, hexagon (six-sided shape), pentagon (five-sided shape), or Vesica Piscis (the overlap shape of two circles, similar to a fish). Boil water and watch the shapes that form in the water as it begins to heat and the bubbles as it boils. Notice patterns in the steam. Now look at a tree trunk or the main stalk of a plant. These shapes and patterns, along with their movements, are found in our bodies, Nature, and the Universe. Mathematics is a tool to illustrate and measure these characteristics in life and the cosmos. This understanding of geometry found in Nature and in the body transfers to creating beautiful art and music, because we tend to perceive these balanced structures as beautiful.

Sacred Geometry is the name given to this system of spatial relationships and proportions. The six basic shapes are fundamental tools to study astronomy, navigation and building. The shapes existed and interacted before humans came onto the planet and before the language of math was used to understand them.

The word “sacred” refers to holy spots and their surroundings. When we enter a sacred place, we are said to be inside a three-dimensional representation of our innate wholeness, our highest, greatest self. “Geometry” is a system to measure and illustrate these angles, triangles, perimeter, area and volume. Once documented, these shapes were intentionally used to create places where harmony can more easily be experienced. This outwardly demonstrated harmony continues to be the foundation to design sacred structures, and to understand sacred places, regardless of their architectural style and period.