Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The Spiral Dance

The Spiral Dance




This mandala done only in ink and layered to create movement reminds me of a circle dance a spinning but also the dance of life constantly moving inward and outward like a great dance. It also reminds me of string art where strands are layered to create a design from one point to the other. Is the movement coming from the center out or is it moving outwardly into the center? Maybe it is doing both and at the same time.I call it the Spiral Dance. It is an ancient dance to nature,the moon, the sun, life fertility.




The spiral is one of the oldest symbols known to mankind. Children turn in circles playing, making miniature spirals with their arms outstretched.   The is a circle sacred space. If we move constantly in a circle, we end up in the same place we start! Look at the world around us and at the cycle of the seasons and the skies. The universe moves in a spiral, coming back around on itself but never to quite the same place, circumstance, or conditions. Seasons come and go, the Moon waxes and wanes, the Sun moves farther and closer to the earth, and we all grow and change in a spiral.
The great dance of life is the spiral dance. As a ritual working, the spiral dance will raise energy and bring laughter and joy into a gathering.




While "spiral" and a "helix" are distinct as technical terms, a helix is sometimes described as a spiral in non technical usage. The two primary definitions of a spiral are as follows:[citation needed]
a. A curve on a plane that winds around a fixed center point at a continuously increasing or decreasing distance from the point.
b. A three-dimensional curve that turns around an axis at a varying distance while moving parallel to the axis.
The first definition is for a planar curve that extends primarily in length and width, but not in height. A groove on a record or the arms of a spiral galaxy are examples of a spiral.
The second definition is for the 3-Dimensional variant of a spiral, for example a conical spring (device) can be described as a spiral whereas a cylindrical spring or strand of a DNA are examples of a helix.
The length and width of a Helix typically remain static and do not grow like on a planar spiral. If they do, then the helix becomes a Conic Helix. You can make a conic helix with an Archimedean or equiangular spiral by giving height to the center point, thereby creating a cone-shape from the spiral.

Are Spirals a Sign of a Sacred Design?

The Golden Spiral plays a harmonizing role in the Universe. It represents two well known shapes in sacred geometry: the golden mean or golden ratio (phi) spiral and the Fibonacci spiral. The unique thing about Phi is that it seems to be a geometrical blueprint for life itself and can be found incorporated in all known organic structures; from the bone structure of human beings to the seed pattern of a sunflower .

"My new Hypothesis: If we're built from Spirals while living in a giant Spiral, then is it possible that everything we put our hands to is infused with the Spiral?" - Max Cohen in the motion picture Pi
ysics of the cosmos".



Spirals as Ancient Symbols of The Goddess
The spiral phenomenon within natural forms can be explained through mathematics. But mathematics alone can't justify the lure of the spiral to the human mind.

The Spiral, linked to the "Circle", is an ancient symbol of the goddess, the womb, fertility, feminine serpent forces, continual change, and the evolution of the universe. The spiral is probably the oldest symbol of the human spirituality; found at pre-historic sites across Europe.

Some Celtic art scholars, believe the direction of the spiral may be significant. Some say clockwise spirals, are associated with the sun and harmony with the Earth, while counter-clockwise spirals are associated with manipulation of nature in the form of Pagan spells.

Celtic spirals, are the symbols most often seen in ancient burial mounds and sacred places. Many believe spirals have mystical powers to prevent evil from entering into the sacred tomb of one who has passed onto the Otherworld.

In Ireland, there are double spirals, which are sometimes seen as representing the breasts of the Mother Goddess.

In other places, there are often found, a triad of spirals; known as the "triskele". Closely related to the triquetra, this Celtic symbol is composed of three interlocked spirals, that correspond to the three phases of womanhood. Known as the Triple Goddess to the Celts, it symbolizes maidenhood, motherhood, and the crone; it also represents the waxing, full and waning moons. The Spiral Dance by Starhawk

The Spiral, later came to represent the Holy Trinity in Christianity - God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Whatever its meaning, it is interesting that it is based around the number 3 - which is regarded as a sacred number in many ancient cultures.

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