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Sparks of Loving Change in the Fields:
Standdaarbuiten and Gripp Patch
In
the formations (at Standdaarbuiten, nr Oudenbosch, The
Netherlands, reported 30th July and Gripp Patch, nr
Chirton, Wiltshire, United Kingdom, reported 31st July)
following one after the other in the two different
countries that (it seems according to all the documentation) have been
the host and hostess of most of the crop circles in the Northern
Hemisphere, and perhaps in the world, we see a symbolic pair
representing the hieros gamos, the sacred marriage of the alchemic
tradition of the Middle Ages in Europe, the Middle East and Taoist
philosophy.
The
numerical symbolism in particular, and the reference to an old (and
perhaps misunderstood) alchemical symbol indicate hints at some kind of
message related to the esoteric Western traditions of the Tarot and
Alchemy. With reference to these systems, we can discern at least one of
the many purposes and functions these formations must fulfill.
The
triangular form of Standdaarbuiten with the large circles at each apex
is a symbol used in 18th century chemistry for what was known
as ‘phlogiston’. The concept of phlogiston evolved between 1650 and
1850. “Phlogiston was considered to be a substance that existed in
different proportions in other substances, a kind of fixed fire showing
up and disappearing when a substance burned. It was thought to be the
element of fire in its pure dormant form (note that ∆ is the alchemical
sign for fire).” (Luingman 346)
“A
hypothetical colorless, odorless, weightless substance once believed to
be the combustible part of all flammable substances and to be given off
as flame during burning. In the 18th century, Antoine Lavoisier proved
that phlogiston does not exist.” (thefreedictionary) Explanations of the
phlogiston theory included ideas close to our modern understanding of
the combustion process. The value in the phlogiston theory is that it
“permitted chemists to bring clarification of apparently different
phenomena into a coherent structure: combustion, metabolism, and
configuration of rust. “ (wiki) All these processes result in drastic
change of substance.
The application of heat by fire was a primary alchemical method for
inducing transmutation of matter. Phlogiston was thought to be the
innate combustion catalyst of flammable substances.
This
lengthy explanation comes because, although it was disproven, in the
context of the formation at Standdaarbuiten, we can see that the symbol
is used as a metaphor for a ‘heat’ energy catalyst coming from ‘within’
that would result in some kind of transmutation. The physical process
credited to phlogiston is actually a perfect metaphor for explaining the
process of creation, transformation and enlightenment when it is applied
to traditional symbols in Masonry, Alchemy and the Tarot.
The power of fire as a symbol for gestation, transformation and creation
is illustrated in these symbols: the Masonic Zodiacal Egg; the
Alchemical idea of transmutation; Vesta, Greek goddess of hearth, Earth
and Nature.
Once
the idea of transformative ‘heat’ is implied as part of the symbolic
triangle at Standdaarbuiten, we proceed to the number three and all of
its implications, including the connection to the Tarot Key III, The
Empress of the Tarot.
Number three is the universal metaphor for the trinity as manifest
creative dynamic. The complexity of the alchemical trinity can be
basically expressed as: Sulfur (soul) and mercury (spirit) combine to
beget salt (form). Form mediates between the two, balancing and
reconciling the opposing principles. Spirit invades and penetrates form
and soul that it unites and controls by natural heat. (Melville
70 – 71) This same dynamic of three in one and one in three is found
all over the world in religious symbols: Christian, Buddhist, Celtic,
Ancient Egyptian, Graeco-Roman, Hebrew Qabalism, Hindu, Scandinavian,
Teutonic, Sumerian. The essence of the Trinity idea is that it
is a metaphor for the Active Creating Force in the Universe.
The Trinity symbol and image of a Creator Being is found worldwide and
over millennia.
The
metaphor of the Empress of the Tarot, as High Priestess after she has
united with the Magician in the sacred marriage, gives us an idea of the
effect of the ‘fire within’ that is transforming Earth and all of us
whether we know it, like it or don’t really care:
‘I am
enthroned in my own kingdom that is the natural world. I am sovereign
here. The Earth and the physical laws that operate here are but part of
a greater reality. I am here as the Earth Mother of your world. I am
within every birth whether of child or star. I am the Great Mother, the
Empress of the World. …I am the mother of the corn. I show you the cycle
of renewal that is ever present. At the harvest the corn is reaped, but
in the seed corn there lies your future. When you attend to my cycles
you will flourish. The further we become estranged, the greater
your peril. …See my heart-shaped shield. The circle of spirit surmounts
the cross of matter. Spirit and Matter are conjoined in me. Look upon
the natural world and see my living forces flowing in every tree and
plant. Embrace my world with open heart and you will touch the life I
offer you.’ (Ozaniec 122-23)
The
Empress symbolizes “the productive, generative activities in the
subconscious after it has been impregnated by seed ideas from the
self-conscious. The subconscious has control over all the steps of
development in the material world; therefore the Empress represents the
multiplicator of images [ideas].” (Gray 24)
We
have a definite connection to Nature and the Unconscious represented by
the Empress, Key III. She is the archetype of all that is and can be–The
Potential.
The
crop circle found at Gripp Patch is characterized by the number four,
circular and square design and a connection, through four, with The
Emperor, Key VI of the Tarot. Here we are presented with a harmonious
design of the cross with each arm ending in a large circle. A large
circle encloses the whole design, and the centre of the cross is
encircled with a smaller circle, making it like a Celtic cross. Between
the large circles we see pairs of smaller ‘helper’ circles. The familiar
cross and four arms indicate the four directions of the cosmos, the four
elements, the four winds. Quaternities are metaphors for balance,
harmony, stability, the Earth, the world of matter. Four is all about
management of the life energies in their manifestations.
Throughout the history of civilization, the quaternity is a prevalent
symbol of life, man and the elements: the Navajo cardinal directions
surround humanity; the quaternity as depicted in the 9th
century; the four humours of human nature and the four winds.
The
Emperor symbolizes this harmonizing character:
‘Wherever society and community are to be found I will arise. Great
Power is put at my disposal by others who seek leadership and direction.
I have the best interest of the whole kingdom [world] at heart. My
rule reflects cosmic law. … I bring order to chaos and regulate the
formless with pattern. My power lies in the principles that structure
and create, build and transform. … I am your ability to take control of
your own life and make wise and meaningful judgments.” (Ozaniec 123 –
24)
As
partner of the Empress, the Emperor acts within the limits of Nature’s
principles and the archetypes underlying the order of the cosmos. “In
the Emperor’s left hand (the passive, female side) is the globe of
dominion, showing that only through the feminine power of love can he
balance Spirit and Matter and thus have the true power to rule.” (Gray
26)
The Emperor represents the Ordering Principle of the Universe. Balance
and Harmony can only exist when things are run in accord with Cosmic,
Natural Law. This goes for each individual as well as the World within
the Universe.
At
Standdaarbuiten and Grip Patch we have symbols for the Creator Mother
and the Creator Father who work in unison to produce the Child: our
Earth, the cosmos, the universe. They represent the Great Duality that
continually unites on cyclical bases at all levels: daily, monthly,
yearly, over decades, and eons within our sphere of understanding and
beyond. The union of the Great Principles brings about change, the NEW,
and allows us opportunities of time and space to live in harmony and
plenitude.
What’s not to be more thankful for? What’s a greater reason for
celebration? What more can we ask?
The
triangle formation’s creative energy directs itself from within outward
to the apexes; there, we see that there are even smaller iterations of
the formation of three that then send energy outward. The creative, in
smaller degrees, is made available to us as well. To maintain the
stability required for the human entity to be creative and thrive, the
circle/square formation reminds us of the order and balance that must
reign to allow life to flourish.
To my
mind, these two crop circles are a statement of a promise of Hope and an
invitation to participate in the wonderful Sacred Marriage of the Two
Great Principles and the Birth of the New Earth. All we must do is let
it flow. The transformative heat will do the rest if we let ourselves be
moved by its Spark of Love. That’s a lot easier than turning up a heat
of resistance and then finding you can’t leave the kitchen!
I
want to express my gratefulness for the wonder of the crop circles in
this lifetime, for the amazing peoples of ancient times and their legacy
left to help us with interpretation, for those who have made this
website possible and for all who have written, created and analyzed the
fantastic phenomena, and will be doing so in the future. I have learned
and benefited so much from all…
Meegwetch!
Michelle Jennings
Sources:
Ann, M. &Dorothy Myers Imel. Goddesses in World
Mythology. Oxford University. Press. New York. 1993.
Bruce-Mitford, Miranda. The Illustrated Book of Signs & Symbols.
Reader’s Digest. Montreal. 1966.
Cooper, J.C. An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols. Thames
& Hudson. London. 1978.
Encyclopédie des symboles. Michel Cazenave, red. Le Livre de Poche.
1996.
Walker, Barbara. The Woman’s Dictionary of Symbols & Sacred Objects.
Castle Books. Edison, NJ. 1988.
Gray,
Eden. A Complete Guide to the Tarot. Bantam Books. New York. 1970.
Hall,
Manley P. The Secret Teachings of All Ages. The Philosphic Research
Society, Inc. Los Angeles. 1977.
Liungman, Carl G. Dictionary of Symbols. W.W. Norton & Co. New York.
1994.
Melville, Francis. The Book of Alchemy. Barron's. Hauppauge, NY. 2002
Nozedar, Adele. The Element Encyclopedia of Secret Signs and Symbols.
Harper Element. London. 2008.
Ozaniec, Naomi. Tarot. Hodder Headline Plc. London. 1998.
Walker, Barbara. The Woman’s Dictionary of Symbols & Sacred Objects.
Castle Books. Edison, NJ. 1988.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phlogiston_theory
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/phlogiston
http://blog.physean.com/blog/tag/triple-goddess/
http://blog.opovo.com.br/sincronicidade/2012/09/
http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Places/Property/1117962
http://www.flickr.com/groups/lord_buddha/pool/ridoneko/
http://www.alchemywebsite.com/auror-6.html |
