BLOG Karen L French - KAREN L FRENCH

August 11th, 2022

8/11/2022

Design and Form: The Basic Course at the Bauhaus by Johannes Itten
Thames and Hudson

Recommended Read 'Design and Form: The Basic Course at the Bauhaus' by Johannes Itten (1888 - 1967), published by Thames and Hudson. A very interesting book into some of the basic theories of colour, tone and shape that were taught at the highly influential Bauhaus school, in the earlier part of the century. Most of the book comprises of images of artwork from artists of the time.

Johannes Itten was a Swiss artist, writer, teacher and theorist and was part of the Expressionistic movement. He was Mazdaznan, a strict vegetarian and meditated to develop inner understanding and intuition.

Originally he trained as a school teacher incorporating new theories of teaching, notably including the practice of not correcting his students' creative work individually, so as not to crush their creative impulse. He chose certain common mistakes to teach the whole class.

From the influence of Hölzel, Itten chose a series of basic shapes (the line, the plane, the circle, the spiral) as a means from which to begin creation. His students did gymnastic exercises before class to relax! Later music and other relaxation techniques.

Itten had a HUGE influence on the use of colour in modern art and even the cosmetics industry. He taught the preliminary course at the innovative Bauhaus from 1919 to 1922 - the basics of material characteristics, composition, and colour. He theorised 7 types of colour contrast. These were hue, value, temperature, complements, simultaneous contrast (Chevreuil), contrast by saturation, contrast by extension.

CROP CIRCLES - History, Research & Theories

7/11/2022

Crop Circles: History, Research And Theories by Eva-Marie Brekkesto
Wessex Books

Recommended Read 'Crop Circles: History, Research and Theories' by Norwegian author Eva-Marie Brekkesto, published by Wessex Books. A brilliant book on crop circles! Includes some excellent examples of the thousands that have appeared, including a personal favourite 'the basket' (see below). This is the first book about crop circles that you should buy.

'The basket' appeared in Bishops Cannings, Wiltshire, UK on 6th August 1999. Over 50m in diameter it comprises ENTIRELY of flattened corn that has all been woven together in rings of progressively increasing diameter.

How could this possibly be created without being seen?

Though a small number of crop circles are man-made the majority are not. Stems of the crop are bent, rather than broken. Beautiful weaves are formed around bird nests so that they are not damaged. Some are enormous, yet appear without being seen or evidence of disturbance in the vicinity. 2012 was an interesting year as it was very wet. Fields were sodden and crop circles still appeared. The surrounding mud was undisturbed.

July 01st, 2022

7/1/2022

Sacred Geometry: Symbolism and Purpose in Religious Structures by Nigel Pennick
Abe Books

Recommended Read 'Sacred Geometry' by Nigel Campbell Pennick, currently published by Abe Books, is a classic starter to scared geometry. Indeed it was the first book I bought on sacred geometry! It is only a short book with some basic sacred geometry and light on examples. A nice quick read.

Nigel is a marine biologist, who writes about a variety of topics - over 50 books and papers on occultism, magic, natural magic, divination, subterranea, rural folk customs, traditional performance, Celtic art, runosophy, European arts and crafts, buildings, landscape, customs, games and spiritual traditions. But Nigel is most known for his knowledge of sacred geometry, geomancy, labyrinths, spiritual arts and crafts, esoteric alphabets and Germanic runic studies. He is also an artist, notably of Celtic artwork and creating labyrinths.

DECODING DESIGN by Maggie Macnab

6/14/2022

Decoding Design by Maggie Macnab
How Design Books

Recommended Read 'Decoding Design' by Maggie Macnab, published by How Design Books. A greta book for appreciating the power of sacred geometry in logo designs. Maggie covers the core simple basic shapes - circle, square, triangle, cross, spiral and principle of duality. There are case studies of familiar mainstream logos and some of her own designs. Underlying this is her passion and source of inspiration, nature.

"Words are the language of the head, but visuals carry the intuitive language of the heart. The language of nature is universal and it is our first and primary language. Design by Nature is about recapturing the lost art of reading nature to create better visual communications—as well as give a better understanding (and appreciation) of nature."

DESIGN OBSERVER - Maggie Macnab founded Macnab Design in 1981 and received highest honors from the American Advertising Federation ADDY for logo design in 1983. She has continued to receive national and international recognition for creating design that focuses on meaning, beauty and usefulness. Her unique approach integrates symbolic information into design to create effective and accessible visual communications that translate into any language and any culture.

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

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: MAND AND HIS SYMBOLS by Carl G Jung

1/9/2022

Man and His Symbols by Carl G Yung
Publisher keeps changing
0-613-92267-0

Another Recommended Read if you are keen on symbolism. In fact this is probably the first book I would suggest you get.

'Man and His Symbols' by Carl G Yung (1875 - 1971) - Yung covers a wide range of subjects from early times to modern. Naturally I like the numerous examples of symbolism in art. Importantly, it covers archetypes, accessing the common consciousness and synchronicity, which are fundamental to the vital essence and purpose of symbols.

Also read his collection - Archetypes and the Collective Unconsciousness

The great psychologist dreamed that his work was understood by a wide public, rather than just by psychiatrists, and therefore he agreed to write and edit this fascinating book. Here, Jung examines the full world of the unconscious, whose language he believed to be the symbols constantly revealed in dreams. Convinced that dreams offer practical advice, sent from the unconscious to the conscious self, Jung felt that self-understanding would lead to a full and productive life.
GOOD READS

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!
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