Slip off your shoes, peel off your socks, curve your foot towards you and look at the sole. How many spirals do you see?
From fingerprints to ferns, from snail shells to sunflowers, from whirlpools to galaxies the spiral is the very stuff that nature is made of.
The spiral is one of the earliest expressions of human creativity, appearing on petroglyphs since prehistoric times. Ancient peoples all around the planet created spirals in their art, carving this sacred fingerprint into stones, rocks and cave walls.
The spiral conveys the message of nature and the message of the Soul: it shows the rhythm of the seasons and the Soul’s journey towards eternal life. Spirals are used in sacred ritual and healing to this day. Creating a spiral satisfies a tribal need that’s as much a part of us as our fingerprints are.
Instinctively at Beltane this year we felt guided to create a little spiral in the garden from flat, rounded river stones. After making it, we realised that the energy of the garden had cleared. It was as though the entire garden had experienced a release; a huge sigh of relief.
This garden spiral feels like a psychic sink that is allowing negative energy to release down a drain. When I find an energy block during healing, my finger instinctively draws a spiral to unravel it, to pull it out. My feeling is that the spiral in the garden is doing exactly the same.
The garden feels lighter, more spacious, more joyful and I do too. I’ve lived with the spiral for a month and my energy levels are high, I’m buzzing with ideas and enthusiasm and I can’t remember the last time I felt this happy.
You can create a simple outdoor spiral with stones or shells, flowers or leaves. This can be in your own garden, or even a local park or favourite area of wildness for others to find.
If you’re artistic draw a spiral with permanent marker or weatherproof paint on a flat circular stone for your garden, balcony or windowsill. Think big and paint one onto a paving stone, fence or even the wall of your home! Spiral mosaic anyone…? Got green fingers? Create a spiral of small plant pots with favourite herbs or a spiral of beautiful flowers in a special part of your garden or window-box.
Your spiral can be big, small, intricate or simple. As you create it your fingerprints are touching the very fingerprint of the earth. Can you feel your connection to the fingerprints of all the people who have ever lived on this land as your spiral takes form?
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loved your article on the sprials. i have just come back in from the garden after making my own, thank you for the inspiration
Wonderful! I’ll be interested to hear how things change for you and your garden over the next few weeks.