Mandalas, Golden Ratio, and Fibonacci Sequences
How Nature’s Sacred Arts, Symbols and Patterns Connect Us with Nature, Life and Something Greater than Ourselves
Hello, dear friends. Breathe, be gentle with yourself, and trust that you are a part of nature- from the soils to the stars. You are loved, you belong and have a right to be here. Be in joy of the wildlands within yourself as you connect with nature’s wildlands.
We are nature, and our connection brings a sacred opportunity to live consciously, simply, and symbiotically. While you are outdoors, notice the patterns and spirals in nature and note that your body is filled with them, too. The spirals of your DNA, the fractal formations in your body, tissues, vessels and cells reflect the patterns in nature. Be humble and grateful and know that we are each a part of Something Greater than Ourselves.
Each life must be free to live and express and do what is unique to them.
Be well, my friends, be a lover of life- be generous with your heart and skills to help others, whether feathered, finned, winged, scaly, two legged, or unseen like the beings (souls) in our soils! You are a piece of the peace. You matter in the matter.
I’m thrilled to share my guest post that was featured in Mentatrix, with our themes: reflection, inner journeys, nature, human relations. It is a pleasure to discover other writers who resonate with us. Reading expands our horizons and helps us learn more about ourselves and our choices.
If you would like to be a guest writer on Wildlands, or would like me to be a guest writer, podcast guest, or have an idea for collaboration, please contact me. And, you will learn more about Zoe Carada of Mentatrix in her guest writer essay in Wildlands in August.
May your days be filled with friends, family and fun connections with nature. Enjoy and reflect on the fact that we are nature and how you can reduce harm.
All Blessings to you, I appreciate you and your support- we are growing together!
Robin of Wildlands
Patterns in snowflakes, flowers, shells, and agave resemble mandalas and are symbolic of the universe in a sacred arrangement.
Mandalas are meditative, contemplative, therapeutic, and decorative. In Sanskrit, mandala means “circle”. China, Japan, India, Tibet, the Buddhists, the Mayans, the Celts all have their versions of mandalas.
Carl Jung used mandalas and instructed his patients to create their own in the individuation process. By mentally “entering” the mandala and “proceeding” toward its center, one undertakes symbolically the cosmic processes of disintegration and reintegration.
The numbers of the Fibonacci sequence occur throughout nature, such as in the spirals of sunflower heads, pine cones, the green spirals of plant stems, leaves, pineapples and animal shells. The twist of a DNA helix, the vortex of a hurricane, the shape of spiral galaxies are similar to Fibonacci spirals.
Natural patterns include symmetries, trees, spirals, waves, foams, meanders, tessellations, cracks, fractals and stripes. Early Greek philosophers studied pattern and Plato, Pythagoras and Empedocles attempted to explain order in nature. Throughout the ages, mathematicians, biologists, botanists, physicists, chemists and artists have helped a modern understanding of visible patterns.
River networks, clouds, fault lines, mountains, animal coloration, blood vessel branching, crystals, are a few examples of fractal-like patterns that occur frequently in nature.
As a student, I lived and studied in Europe. Leonardo da Vinci’s and Pythagoras’ planning and construction of a building, demonstrate the golden ratio that has been an influence in my art and design work.
Calls for Growth, Peace, Connection, Advocacy and Freedom
Hiking, walking and exploring are some of the ways I get inspired through observations of nature. Nature’s “Sacred Arts” signify “As above, so below”- patterns repeat in nature and within ourselves. Their echoes call to me to reflect, connect, reciprocate and be a piece of the peace.
Nature’s awe-inspiring wonders keep me asking questions. Self-reflection, growth and a deepened sense that “we are Nature” strengthens love of Something Greater than Ourselves, a Supreme Intelligence, God, or whatever name has meaning for you. Connection reminds us that we are a part of it All, that we are interrelated, thus unified with all of life. Nature provides food, shelter, inspiration, protection, recreation, habitats, and nourishment- sustenance for all of life. Interconnection requires reciprocity and gratitude which increase inner peace- our path to freedom.
Imagine our world’s prosperity and peace if we all lived with a belief that we are nature.
Imagine if we all were taught to see the patterns, symbols, and mandalas throughout nature and ourselves.
What if we were taught that our connection with nature is allied with our purpose to unite, grow and sow the seeds of peace?
My immense love for such grandeur and connection with nature led me to speak for the rights of wildlife, the last free-flowing river in the desert southwest, call for habitat restoration, and work with refugees and children.
In my opinion, what we do to others, we do to ourselves. A universal call to all of us is to stop cruelty of animals in laboratories, farms and in long distance transports of animals. As you spend time connecting with nature and others, consider these questions in your self-reflection:
1. How has a connection with nature improved your health and well-being?
2. How can you reduce harm in your daily life?
3. Would you be willing to use your voice to say no to the cruelty of animals?
About Robin
My great grandfather was a farmer and friends with President Truman and my great aunt babysat his daughter. Another ancestor fought in the American Revolution. My partner, a physicist, Citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and I now own farmland- land that his family has owned since 1902. I am a writer, artist, a poet with a purpose, and an advocate for health, well-being, peace and connection with nature. My freelance writer-artist’s mission is to Restore Soils and Souls, help reduce harm, increase love in action with advocacy, inspire and support freedom, and restore-conserve the biota.
My Guest Columnist article was recently published in the news. And, my art, essays and poetry are seen and read around the world in shows, magazines and other media.
Please, tap your heart in this essay and share to help others find Wildlands: A paid subscription supports health, well-being and connection with nature. Wildlands’ first guest writer, Zoe of Mentatrix: character-driven and creative nonfiction about inner journeys, nature and local culture, for self-reflection and awareness, will be featured in August. Thank you, Zoe, for the shared opportunity to be a guest writer!
Thanks for restacking my essay, Hudson, I appreciate your support!
Sharing from Amy E. who sent this comment, "Beautiful message, merci, dear Robin."