Karen L French - BLOG Karen L French

THE SPICE OF LIFE - Oxfordshire Artweeks - May 2022

5/20/2022

Oxfordshire Artweeks celebrated its 40th year in 2022 and the turnout to all the art exhibitions in May was incredible! Thank you to everyone that came to The Spice of Life, behind the Spice Lounge restaurant in Summertown.

It was wonderful to be able to exhibit 'Porthole', 'Sun Light Codes' and 'Sacred Geometry Bots' from my Spring Collection - Circular exploring the sacred geometry of the circle and colour symbolism, as well as some older favourites.

May 04th, 2022

5/4/2022

The Logo Decoded by Lora Starling
Amazon Books

Recommended Read this week is 'The Logo Decoded' by Lora Starling. In her words, 'Exploring the power of logos and the effect that they have on our decision taking process as well as our own well being.'

Every part of a logo has a subconscious effect on us - colour, geometry, numbers, theme. Subconsciously we are drawn to certain brands because of our subconscious (sometimes conscious) association we have with them, such a designer brands for the affluent. By favouring these brands they become part of our ego identity. And, just about everything has a logo, a symbol representing the person, company, product, group, country (flags)....etc.

'This book explores alternative viewpoints including quantum thinking, brain plasticity and the power of each of the logo elements – symbols, colours and words as well as straplines (or mantras) and proposes that we would be wise to choose consciously the logos we choose.'

'Logos connect us to the heart of the brand. I have always specialised in corporate design, focussing on the logo at the core of the brand message. The design of the logo is so much more than a pretty face simply identifying a business from its competitors.

The allure of the brand comes from identity and the things that people use to identify themselves, their gang, their kingdom, their company, etc. They use symbols and emblems, designs and motifs, colours, words and noises to make their identity specific and agreeable to those whose respect they want, and need. They are creating their brands. The process is an emotional thing, and emotions run deep as they say. In fact these emotions of identity are so powerful and run so deep they touch the soul.

If design is one of the important parts of creating and expressing identity, then it makes sense to start designing from the soul outwards, rather than from the surface inwards.'

March 23rd, 2022

3/23/2022

Wooden Books
Publisher

Recommended Reading this week are the beautifully illustrated titles by the Wooden Books imprint, of which there are currently over 60. They publish a wide range of short taster books on sacred geometry topics and related subjects. Plus the beefier 'Quadruvium' and 'Sciencia' pictured here. Wooden Books specialises in 'age-old' topics. It won Best Non-Fiction Series at the 2007 New York Book Fair. It's series of titles continues to grow.

Most of the books are written by John Martineau, founder of Wooden Books. His MA project focussed on geometry and harmony in the solar systems. It was then the basis of his 'Book of Coincidence'.

March 11th, 2022

3/11/2022

The Secret Language of Astrology by Roy Gillet
Watkins Publishing
978-1-78028-008-0

Recommended Read this week is 'The Secret Language of Astrology' by Roy Gillett, published by Watkins Publishing. Lavishly illustrated primer for anyone who wants to start their journey into astrology. It even includes links to an AstrolableA' website created exclusively for the book, enabling you to create a detailed birth chart for yourself, or for family or friends, with advice on interpretation.

Roy Gillett outlines the layers of astrology and complex interplay of influences that shape each of us, our unique place in the stars that guides our life path. Firstly he summarises the history of astrology from antiquity to the present day. Then, in the second part of the book, The Elements of Astrology, he looks at the Planets, the Star Signs, the twelve Houses and the Aspects. The third part, Putting the Pieces Together, he shows you how to apply all this information when reading a full birth chart and interpreting it.

"Roy Gillett is a renowned astrology, the president of the Astrological Association of Great Britain and regularly lectures on astrology throughout the United States and Europe. He is the UK representative of Astrolabe™ astrology software, which is recommended by leading astrologers around the world, and is the author of Astrological Diaries and Astrology and Compassion." Watkins Publishing Ltd

February 23rd, 2022

2/23/2022

The Book of Numbers by William Harston
John Blake Publishing (Metro Books)
978-1-86066-112-9

Recommended Read this week is 'The Book of Numbers' by William Harston, a mathematician and industrial psychologist, published by John Blake Publishing. Personally, as an avid collector of information and data, I enjoyed his fun reference book about the meaning of specific numbers, in literature, art and music, statistical information, coincidences, oddities, and numerical historical facts. Was Douglas Adams was right about 42 being the answer to life, the Universe and Everything?

The author, William R Harston, is a journalist who writes the Beachcomber column in the British newspaper the Daily Express and is an accomplished chess player. He played chess competitively from 1962 to 1987, with a highest Elo rating of 2485. Randomly, during his time as a PhD student at Cambridge, Hartston became the first person to stack the pieces from an entire chess set on top of a single white rook.

For many years Harston has been a TV commentator for chess tournaments, such as the BBC Play Chess, and other TV credits. He is involved in a number of creative areas, running competitions in creative thinking for The Independent newspaper and the Mind Sports Olympiad. Harston has numerous book titles to his name, a large number of which are about chess.

CELESTIAL GEOMETRY by Ken Taylor

2/16/2022

Celestial Geometry - Understanding the Meanings of Astronomical Sites by Ken Taylor
Watkins Publishing Ltd
978-1-78028-386-9

Recommended Read this week is 'Celestial Geometry: Understanding the Meanings of Astronomical Sites' by Ken Taylor, Watkins Publishing Ltd, 2019. Ken Taylor's extensive research explores over 60 archeological sites, some well known and others less so. Each site 'enshrines remarkable achievements' of ancient astronomers around the world. A fascinating book linking the Earth to the Heavens using mathematics and sacred geometry. There is the occasional mention of the various sites' uses, rites and ceremonies. More detailed specifics about the sites, such as materials used, is not really covered. Nevertheless the book is excellent!

Ken Taylor has an well founded reputation for thoroughly researched books on ancient traditions. With experience as an archaeologist he has written extensively on Palaeolithic alignments, celestial events, earth energies, astronomy and mythology. Ken Taylor has also worked as a freelance journalist, website editor and runs a small publishing business.

He has written 6 books and has co-authored a further 6 in partnership with his wife Joules. Titles include:
Early Heaven Oracle (Rider,2002 )
Tarot for Today (London House, 2000)
Werewolves (2009) and Ghosts ( 2010) for Spruce.

THE EYE: THE SEER AND THE SEEN by Francis Huxley

2/10/2022

The Eye - The Seer and the Seen by Francis Huxley
Thames and Hudson
978-80500-810347

Recommended Read this week is 'The Eye - The Seer and the Seen' by Francis Huxley, Thames and Hudson. Not a huge book but a good general overview of the importance of the Eye as a symbol in different cultures. Also because Huxley was an effective advocate and activist for indigenous peoples and the Eye is my favourite symbol.

Francs Huxley (1923 - 2016) was an anthropologist and botanist with diverse interests and a lifelong interest in shamanism and the altered states of consciousness often experienced by sacred 'healers'. In the 1950's his pioneering fieldwork among the Urubu people of the Amazon basin and his book 'Affable Savages' (1956) resulted in new personal reflective approach to the study of culture, rather than objective. He was also an activist for indigenous peoples, founding Survival International with fellow anthropologists. Survival International provides a platform for exposing genocide, violence, slavery and exploitation.

Francis was the son of Julian Huxley, biologist and first director general of Unesco. He was part of a dynasty that included Julian’s brother, the author Aldous Huxley, and half-brother, the physiologist and Nobel laureate Andrew Huxley. Francis was also the great-grandson of Charles Darwin’s friend Thomas Henry Huxley.

Works of interest
The Invisibles: Voodoo Gods in Haiti (1969), he describes his encounter with possession, magic and psychic healing.
The Way of the Sacred (1974) he expands this personal perspective on healing to include the study of myths, religious rites and sacred symbolism.
With his fellow anthropologist, Jeremy Narby, he co-edited Shamans Through Time (2001), a collection of five centuries of writing on the subject.
Tribes of the Amazon Basin in Brazil (1973), identified groups threatened by Brazilian economic expansion and described the sad impact on their religious, spiritual and psychological health and wellbeing.

February 04th, 2022

2/4/2022

A Beginner's Guide to Constructing the Universe by Michael S Schneider
H arper Perennial
978-0-06092-671-7

Recommended Read this week is 'A Beginner's Guide to Constructing the Universe' by Michael S Schnieder published by Harper Perennial.

Another book that is a readable and informative introduction to sacred geometry. Schnieder focuses on the drawing/construction of the geometric principles created by 0, 1 to 10, sequentially. He includes relevant quotes, examples in nature, the human body, myths, art and architecture. Plenty of interesting material about each of the numbers but he does not draw any conclusions.

Calling himself 'an educator and writer who encourages a love of learning' on his website Schnieder provides numerous workbooks and CDs about 'the intersections of mathematics, nature, art, science and culture'.

January 26th, 2022

1/26/2022

Pattern of Eternity by Malcolm Stewart
Floris Books
978-086315-712-7

Recommended Read this week is Malcolm Stewart's (1939-) 'Patterns of Eternity - Sacred Geometry and the Starcut Diagram', published by Floris Books.

This is a classic sacred geometry text, well researched, insightful, covers a lot of ground, includes plenty of examples from many cultures. If you are serious about understanding the mathematics of sacred geometry then this needs to be in your library.

Stewart proposes that the Starcut Diagram has very interesting mathematical properties and that it could possibly be the source of the ancient number system used to build ancient sites.

Malcolm Stewart's varied career includes - priest, singer-songwriter, editor and book jacket designer, UN project co-ordinator, NGO relief-aid and refugee organiser, freelance artist and stained glass designer, lecturer and author.

Recommended Read: CYMATICS by Hans Jenny

1/19/2022

Cymatics by Hans Jenny
MACROmedia Press
978-1-88813-807-8

Recommended Read this week is 'Cymatics' by Hans Jenny (1904 - 1972). It is a primer for understanding the history of the field of cymatics (physics of sound), the geometry within sound waves and their creative influence. Probably best to read this first before last week's Recommended Read 'Interference Theory'.

Even our early ancestors knew that sound and its impact on us at a cellular level were highly important. Our depth of our understanding of the science of cymatics grows every day. The significance of sound in the creative process and its influence on us is becoming more mainstream since Jenny's early work. John Stuart Reid's cymascope has contributed significantly to this field.

I have included a couple of YouTube videos at the end of this blog for those of you who are new to the subject. These stunning geometric patterns are like animated mandalas.

This original hardcover edition now seems to be a collectible item and secondhand copies are quite expensive. It is currently reprinting and is due out March 2022 - Floris Books.

Gateway to the Heavens
A glorious work that fires the imagination and helps us appreciate the truth of our reality.
NEXUS magazine

Do you realise you actually shape your destiny and shapes influence your destiny. If you want to understand how this works ask Karen to give a talk about it or read her excellent book. You may have hated even the mention of geometry at school, but Karen's simple and illustrated explanations will give you a real insight into this fascinating topic.
Jo Pelle, NSFH

The Hidden Geometry of Life
The harmony in our world and the cosmos is awe-inspiring, and is brilliantly portrayed here in images and words which reveal the connection between art, geometry, science, consciousness and spirituality.... An illuminating book indeed!
NEXUS magazine

The attentive audience was enthralled by Karen's introduction to the principals of this truly multi-dimensional topic ... The energy in the room, by the end of the evening, was well and truly charged!
Inspired Events