Significance of the Vesica Pisces in Crop Circles: on the recent Milk Hill (2), Nr Stanton St. Bernard, Wiltshire,

Reported June 11 formation, beside the pictograph formation.

by Michelle Jennings

As a universal mathematical and religious symbol, the Vesica Pisces carries the connotation of the origin of the universe as manifest creation.  In mathematics this is appropriate because it is a basic form which gives rise to a multitude of geometrical forms and relationships many of which we have seen in crop circles of past years and this year as well.   The Vesica Pisces formation on Milk Hill (reported June 11th ) can be seen as having a direct relationship with the rectangular, pictographic type form which arrived in May.  The second, larger formation is the context and overall field of operation in which the first, smaller formation is to be realized.  One interesting thing is that the great ‘Y’ (why?) in the first formation could be seen as answered by the second one. 

In order to establish this meaningful relationship, we must consider the various and multicultural significances these symbols are given and then put them altogether in an elegant, fairly clear understanding of ‘meaning’ apart from the pure awesomeness of the whole phenomena.  It seems that many of the crop circles invite humanity as a whole to contribute the meanings they personally and collectively derive from the symbols.  Then, if we take a close look at what has been understood we often get a universal, worldly view which bears truth to many different faiths, traditions, and practices.  A real convergence of minds and disciplines!

 Before checking out the Vesica Pisces, the pictograph warrants a closer look in order to establish the relationship.  Pythagoras’ idea of the 'Y’ being humanity (‘man’) who has the opportunity to make a choice about how it participates in a relationship to Life and the Creator, is nicely illustrated in the graphic ‘Champ Fleury’ of 1529 (Tory in Cazenave 205) that shows ‘Y’ with the right arm representing ‘good’ (peace and harmony ruling) and the left, ‘evil’ (imbalance and suffering predominant). Once again, the idea of choice is reinforced.

 

Another graphic from an alchemical engraving of 1617 (Cazenave 30) illustrates the ‘Y’ as symbolizing the Androgyne, which when both masculine and feminine aspects are integrated in a balanced way, becomes the ‘true’, whole human being, that which has been hoped for in a New Creation.  It has throughout the ages and in many traditions been associated with the myth of birth.

 

In India the androgyne, the single personality with dual sexuality symbolizes the primal force,–the light from which life emanates.  The lingam within the yoni is the representative symbol for this force.  It is even depicted on the front of the chariot in the Tarot card number 7, The Chariot.

 

In the figure of Quetzalcoatl, the Mayan God, the laws of opposites and the two sexes are united.  The androgyne is closely related to the Gemini archetype and the card number 6 of the Tarot, ‘The Lovers’.  In general it is a symbol not only for bi-sexual being, but for the union of any opposites:  light/dark, life/death, male/female, spirit/matter, good/evil(imbalance), etc. (Cirlot 145-7).  This ‘marriage’ is very effectively and aesthetically portrayed in the Chinese symbol of the Yin-Yang relationship.  In this image, one might actually sense the idea of a dynamic between the two balanced opposites.

 

                                                       

The main idea of the androgyne as union of opposites is that it results in a New Being, or Way, or Creation.  Already, with the symbol of the androgyne, the relationship of the two crop formations on Milk Hill is established.

 

This Vesica Pisces formation, which represents the yoni or the feminine creative force on its own, has a dot in the middle of it. The dot is a symbol of the male creative spirit, the solar deity, the 'bindu' or spark of creation (as in the lingam). So this formation is also a symbol, in effect, of the union of the masculine and feminine principles, just as the 'Y’ in the field of squared circles symbolizes the union of opposites as it can be achieved in humanity. 

When considered vertically, the Vesica Piscis is known as the mandorla or aureole in Christian and Buddhist traditions.  Both the Risen Christ and the Enlightened Buddha are presented as sitting in or emanating from the centre of the mandorla.  Both these figures can be said to symbolize a ‘New Humanity’.

 

 When viewed as a horizontal image, the vesica pisces with the dot could be seen as a great eye.  In religious and philosophical traditions, there are also symbols using the vesica pisces in this position.  In the Islamic tradition, there is an image of the ‘eye of wisdom’, representing a spiritual gateway that leads to the soul and to ultimate truth and wisdom.  The smaller circle inside the iris stands for a person’s true spiritual centre. ( Bruce-Mitford 72)  So it is an eye that sees from the soul’s point of view,–an eye that can ‘revision’ reality. It can also be seen as the all-seeing eye of God, protection, the power of the Creator, as in the Eye of God in the Pyramid on American money.
 

 

 

 All in all, the two formations placed side by side have definite references to choice, balance, union of opposite forces, creation of something ‘new’, a ‘revisioning’.  The symbols that have been mentioned here are all ancient and belong to established traditions or esoteric systems, yet somehow the way they are juxtaposed and presented in a field of barley for so many to witness, yet no one to control or ‘own’ them, points to a revolutionary new message making that is meant for all as one and as one for all. These rather ‘serious’ interpretations can coincide with more fun ones like puns and lovely figures and designs and patterns.  Totally ingenious! Don’t you think?  ‘Y’ wouldn’t I? 

 

Sources:

Bruce-Mitford, Miranda.  The illustrated Book of Signs and Symbols. Reader’s Digest.   Montreal.  1996.

Cazenave, Michel, ed.  Encyclopédie de symboles.  Livre de Poche. Traduction de l’  Allemand, Librairie Générale Française.  1996.

Cirlot, J.E.  A Dictionary of Symbols.  Routeledge & Kegan Paul Ltd. London.  1971.

Gray, Eden.  A Complete guide to the Tarot.  Bantam Books. London.  1970