East Field nr. Alton Priors, June 2, 2013:

Directions for a New Dawn 

This lovely, first-sighted and long-awaited East Field formation in the UK greets us with a delicate combination of traditional symbols that informs us about balance and harmony on Earth, and how we can go about working for it. 

The familiar symbols arranged in this new design include: the star cross, the sun star, a square, the earth diamond, the crescent, an alchemical sign for mercury and the number four. All are recognizable within the unity of the formation and, in relation to each other, give us a clear, straightforward and gentle direction.  

The centre of this formation is a square standing on a point when viewed as if the N-S axis runs through the two crescents. The square is emblematic of the four corners of the earth. When standing on a point and with diagonals joining opposite vertices, the square is known as the Earth Diamond. In the case of this formation, the diagonals are implied by continuation of the lines of the arms of the star. As a symbol it represents “Virgin Earth, that is, Mother Earth at the beginning of creation.” (Walker 50) 

The Earth Diamond and Wotan’s Cross represent the Earth with the four directions meeting at the centre.  

Surrounding the square centre we see a four-pointed star, resembling the Cross Etoile. “For a long time it [cross étoile or star cross] was accepted as a sacred symbol invoking the powers of the four corners of the earth.” (Walker 48) This cross is seen as part of the 8 directional pointer on a compass. Although the likeness is not exact, the similarities are enough to make an association. This star is also reminiscent of Lamat, the Mayan symbol for the planet Venus and the Native American symbol for the Morning Star.  A four-pointed star in its particular ancient Babylonian form, represented the highest god, the sun god Shamash, in the Tigris-Euphrates region. (Liungman 315) Samash was also known as the God of Justice, implying balance, truth. 

The Cross Etoile and the Morning Star symbol of Native America are very similar. Lamat is the Mayan symbol for Venus, the morning star. The symbol for Shamash, the Babylonian sun god, is a four-pointed star.   

The equal-armed cross with circles at the end of each arm is known as a ‘button cross’ in Christian symbolism, or a cross pommé. It reminds us of the four seasons, the four evangelists. This cross is also an alchemical symbol for ‘argent vif’, quicksilver or mercury. (Liungman 480) So in this formation, it could be an indirect reference to that quixotic god Mercury/Hermes, symbol of the intellect.   

Mercury/Hermes is a very complicated deity. As a winged being, he can travel quickly between realms of the conscious and unconscious. Balance between the Yin and Yang energies through the intellect is his mission. 

There are two crescents of differing size in this formation: one arching over the star exactly, along the E-W axis;  the other, cradling the star with points touching the arms of the cross halfway between the small circles and the points of the star along the E-W axis. The crescent is a strong symbol of the moon that, in turn, is the quintessential symbol of the Great Mother, the Feminine, Goddess. I have noticed that many other years of crop circles have begun with some reference to the Great Mother Goddess as well.  

The two crescents curve inwards in this formation, perhaps emphasizing the idea of ‘inner’ spiritual energy at work for us, in us, even around us. Usually the two curvatures of the crescent symbolize the waxing and waning of the moon when found together in a symbolic context.  Since both are found in this crop circle, and the even-armed cross is also present, we might find some help getting a message by looking at The High Priestess card of the Major Arcana of the Tarot. This image presents us with a woman enthroned before a veil, between the two pillars of Life, Boaz and Jachin, holding a scroll. She is crowned with the full moon and the two crescent moons. She wears a solar cross, with arms of equal length, on her breast.  The Priestess governs the realm of inner wisdom and intuition. The pillars are the yin and yang energies of Life. 

The Moon represents the Feminine Principle that also supports balance in life, but through the faculties of intuition, meditation and imagination. 

Finally we notice that the number four is prevalent in this crop circle: the arms of the cross, the four-pointed star, the square with four sides and four vertices, the four circles on each arm of the cross. “Four is the number of order; the four directions of space were the earliest method of orientation known to man, on earth as on the sea, and became a symbol through sun worship. Originally, four represented the solstices and equinoxes, the seasons, the elements, the cardinal points, the phases of the moon, the winds in the heavens and the rivers of paradise.” (Julien 166) Four is also related to symmetry. “Four non-coplanar points define a minimum system and a unique sphere. We find that a minimum of four points (corners, vertices) is required for existence within three-dimensional space.” (Burley 368) The pyramid (tetrahedron) is the earliest solid figure and is based on the quaternary. (Julien 166). This may be the reason for the association of the number four with WHOLENESS.

These diagrams from Paul Burley’s book (pages 367 & 371) illustrate the necessity of FOUR points to realize a 3 dimensional object. Three points define a plane and one more point outside that plane renders a solid shape, the first one of the Platonic solids being the tetrahedron.  

The tetraktis (4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 10) was considered sacred by the Pythagoreans and seen as a sign of Hermes as infallible reason. (Julien 168) Four is prevalent in many basic living systems defined by humanity: biological life in Hippocrates and the Kabbalah; psychological functions in Jung; symbol of strength in material in ancient and medieval Europe; Earth, as it is associated with the square in China; initiation in Buddhism and Sufism. The Sufi initiate passes through the same number of stations as there are elements: The Shariat (the word)–knowledge of the book–the element air; The Tarquiat (the book)–discipline of order–the element fire; The Marifet (gnosis)–mystic knowledge, wisdom–the element water; The Haqiqat (plane of truth)–becoming one with God–the element earth. (Julien 170) Four is inextricably linked to life in the third dimension, earthly existence, and human systems of thought applied to living in the world. 

And now back to East Field near Alton Barnes! Within this beautiful image we see a harmonious and unified combination of all the above symbolism. The central square and the number four reference the Earth and Her living systems. The cross, in its variants can represent the Sun, the four directions, Venus as Morning Star and perhaps Mercury through alchemical association. The crescents, arching over and cradling the cross with the central square, are symbols of the waxing and waning moon, and thus, the Great Goddess. Through association with the High Priestess card, they also convey reference to mystical knowledge, inner wisdom. Four holds sway as the number of sacredness, balance, Earthly existence.  

So, are we being shown that here on our Earth we may be able to share the secrets of Life itself? And if so, how? (See answer below) The balance indicated by the cross and the two crescents (the equal references to the Feminine–moon, Venus and the Masculine­– sun, Mercury) presents the idea of actual BALANCE in our lives, whether that be in terms of politics, health, social relationships or our relationship to the Earth. When we take, we can give back; when we understand our way, we can acknowledge that there are other ways of understanding. The enclosing of the design by the two crescents is an encouragement to seek knowledge, balance, wisdom, through the inner channels: our intuition, listening to and observing Nature, our dreams, our own creative solutions and emotional responses, meditation, etc. Nature brought us forth, so why do we have so much difficulty heeding its principles (i.e. the ‘give and take’ rhythm of Life)?  

Perhaps this crop circle is letting us know that this ‘inner knowledge’ is actually arising from within the Earth nurturing a new type of consciousness inside the protection of the lunar arch symbols of the ‘Feminine’. This consciousness does not remain localized, for as we see, the arms of the cross take us out to other circles of activity. There are much greater future implications for our leap in conscious living, but for now we must focus on refining our way of living on Earth. 

An aside:

The 2-dimensional crop designs we view are representations of our sphere of living, and also the sphere of the Universe.  It is important to remember this when we are trying to extract meaning from the wonderful formations that arrive in the ‘fields of barley’. Most formations have a centre from which emanates the rest of the design, suggesting a surrounding sphere. With this in mind, we can look to the Native American traditions of the sacred hoop and the medicine wheel to help us in our understanding of the importance and meaning of these formations. The genius of these crop circles is that they combine ancient symbols of many different world cultures to present brand new rebooted messages for us on Earth. Let’s look, listen and learn. 

The Stone Altar of the Lakota as it is described by Black Elk (below), and the Sacred Hoop of Native America are both symbols of the entire universe.  

Black Elk, Medicine Man and Holy Man of the Lakota Sioux describes the formation of a Lakota stone altar:

“One of the rocks…is placed at the center of the round altar; the first rock is

  … at the center of everything…The second rock is placed at the west… the next at     the north, then one for the east, one for the south, one for earth, and finally the hole is filled up with the rest of the rocks, and all these together represent everything that there is in the universe.” (from Burley 80) 

Answer to above question about secrets of life:  I feel that perhaps we learn the secrets to the extent that we can listen to the Universe with some kind of faith. We can never figure out the Ultimate Mystery of Being, yet, as Amy Edmundson notes regarding Buckminster Fuller’s views:

“As a unique pattern integrity, each of us evolves with every experience and thought. So, the total pattern of one’s life is extremely complex and ultimately eternal. We cannot completely describe this pattern; rather, Fuller leaves the transcription of our lives to the “Greater Intellectual Integrity of Eternally Regenerative Universe.” (in Burley 372) 

Perhaps the crop formations are an illustration for us of Eternal Regeneration taking place on Earth–A NEW DAWN NOW! 

 Michelle Jennings 

Sources: 

Burley, Paul D. The Sacred Sphere. Beaver’s Pond Press. Edina, MN. 2012. Chevalier, J. & Alain Gheerbrant. The Penguin Dictionary of Symbols. Blackwell        Publishers. London. 1994.

Cooper, J.C. An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols. Thames       & Hudson. London. 1978.

Gray, Eden. A Complete Guide to the Tarot. Bantam Books. New York. 1970.

Julien, Nadia. The Mammoth Dictionary of Symbols. Robinson Publishing.       London. 1996.

Liungman, Carl G. Dictionary of Symbols. W.W. Norton & Co. New York. 1994.

Ozaniec, Naomi. Tarot. Hodder Headline Plc. London. 1998.

Walker, Barbara. The Woman’s Dictionary of Symbols & Sacred Objects.        Castle Books. Edison, NJ. 1988. 

http://mikonmark.com/2009/12/lamat-mayan-glyph-of-venus/

http://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-american-symbols/morning-star-symbol.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamash

http://www.crystalinks.com/gemini09.html

http://www.ambrosiasociety.org/hermes__hermeticism.html