Karen L French
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February 23rd, 2022

2/23/2022

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

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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.

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CELESTIAL GEOMETRY by Ken Taylor

2/16/2022

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

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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.


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THE EYE: THE SEER AND THE SEEN by Francis Huxley

2/10/2022

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


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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.


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February 04th, 2022

2/4/2022

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

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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'.



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January 26th, 2022

1/26/2022

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

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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.



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Recommended Read: CYMATICS by Hans Jenny

1/19/2022

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

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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.



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Recommended Read: INTERFERENCE THEORY by Richard Merrick

1/16/2022

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Interference: A Grand Scientific Musical Theory by Richard Merrick
published by Richard Merrick
978-0-615-20599-1​

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Recommended Read this week is Richard Merrick's book "Interference Theory", which falls into the field physic's cymatics, the science of sound.  He analyses how our auditory system recognises sound as simple shapes. His Harmonic Interference Theory supports the view that sound and its geometry are the creative force; that matter is essentially crystallised harmonics, founded on geometry. A fairly technical read.

Reminds me of John Stuart Reid's research into how dolphins communicate using sonic sound bubbles using his cymascope.

Sound and silence in general (natural sound, musical, harmony, etc) is a fascinating subject area, notably its link to geometry.

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Recommended Read: MAND AND HIS SYMBOLS by Carl G Jung

1/9/2022

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Man and His Symbols by Carl G Yung
Publisher keeps changing

0-613-92267-0

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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
​

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Recommended Read: THE POWER OF LIMITS by G Doczi

1/5/2022

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The Power of Limits: Proportional Harmonies in Nature, Art and Architecture 
​
by Gyorgi Doczi

Shambhala Publications Ltd
978-1-59030-259-0

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'The Power of Limits' by Gyorgi Doczi (1909 - 1995) is a staple textbook for sacred geometry fans. With a emphasis on the recurring and ever popular Golden Mean spiral.

​There is no interpretation of the meaning of geometry, rather a detailed study of patterns and order in nature, art and architecture. Doczi main interest is harmony and so he looks closely at the important link between music (sound) and form.
György Doczi (1905 - 1995) practiced architecture in Hungary, Sweden, Iran, and the United States. He initiated a permanent exhibit on form in nature and art at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, and was a founder of the Friends of Jungian Psychology Northwest. 

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Recommended Read: YANTRA by Madhu Khanna

12/29/2021

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Yantra - A Tantric Symbol of Cosmic Unity by Madhu Khanna
Thames and Hudson
​978-0-50027-234-3

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'Yantra' by Madhu Khanna is a brilliant book about the science, meaning and purpose of the ancient sacred geometry of yantras and their mantras.

​A must for anyone who is serious about understanding sacred geometry as these amazing 'thought forms' have ancient origins.
Madhu Khanna is a noted Indian people historian of religion and noted and tantra science based in Delhi, India. Her first degree was from Oxford and she has several other academic accolades and awards. She has written several books, 'Yantra' being the most popular, and has contributed to three national projects, as well as several research projects for the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts

Mahu Khanna - Google Scholar


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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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    • The Gateway Series >
      • Gateway to the Heavens: How geometric shapes, patterns and symbols form our reality >
        • LOOK INSIDE Gateway to the Heavens
        • FIRST EDITION Gateway to the Heavens
      • The Hidden Geometry of Life: The science and spirituality of Nature >
        • LOOK INSIDE The Hidden Geometry of Life
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