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Sacred Geometry in Ancient Goddess Cultures, by Richard Heath

Sacred Geometry in Ancient Goddess Cultures: The Divine Science of the Female Priesthood, by Richard Heath
Inner Traditions, 1644116553, 256 pages, March 2024

Sacred geometry, the divine language of geometric patterns, numbers, and shapes found throughout the natural world, has long been revered as a key to understanding the universe and our place within it. At the heart of this mystical tradition lies the belief that these geometric codes and patterns are fundamental to the creation and structure of the cosmos, embodying the unity between the physical and spiritual realms. Sacred Geometry in Ancient Goddess Cultures: The Divine Science of the Female Priesthood by Richard Heath embarks on an exploratory journey into the sacred geometry origins within ancient goddess cultures, unveiling the profound spiritual wisdom and technological sophistication these societies possessed that has been lost in modern times.

Heath begins by teaching readers about the origins of megaliths in the Mesolithic cultures, “people of the Middle Stone Age”1 who lived in matrilineal societies, in order “to study astronomical time.”2 He challenges the idea that it was Neolithic societies that created megalith in western Europe, noting how they “would have been completely preoccupied with finding and farming good enough land to feed their families.”3 IHe asserts the archaeological timeline and history point towards self-sufficient matriarchal tribes that were already established through self-sufficient foraging.

Heath delves into the symbolic significance of geometric patterns and shapes found in artifacts, monuments, and architectural designs from these ancient civilizations, noting that these geometrical designs were not merely decorative but held deep spiritual meanings and were integral to the daily practices and celestial worldviews of these societies. Heath writes, “Where megalithic art has survived, it is congruent with the art of the goddess in general.”4 He then traces the path of this sacred geometry wisdom passing from the megaliths Gobekli Tepe in Turkey to those in the southern Mediterranean island of Malta to the maritime culture of Crete, drawing the “conclusion that the matrilineal tribes build the Mediterranean megaliths and –extrapolating from that–the Atlantic megaliths, too.5

Through the book there is lots of discussion about the role of women in these ancient societies, suggesting that the reverence for the goddess figure and the use of sacred geometry in rituals and art reflect a societal recognition of the importance of women and the feminine principle in the creation and maintenance of life, most notably through a focus on birth and fertility rituals. Heath’s work invites readers to reconsider the significance of sacred geometry in these ancient civilizations, seeing it not just as a mathematical curiosity of the Pythagorean, Ptolemaic, and Platonic traditions, which have come to dominate in the realm of sacred geometry,  but as a vital component of spiritual practice and cultural identity of these earlier goddess-centered cultures too.

As readers, we need to change our vantage point to better understand how sacred geometry evolved from these cultures, and Heath does a wonderful job explaining how the world would have been seen from these ancient cultures. From pointing out that Mesolithic astronomers wouldn’t have used decimals but still relied on factorization to their focus on whole-number numeracy, readers gain insight into the mathematical mindset that was used to build their society’s megaliths to monuments. There’s a lot of nuances to understand, yet Heath moves slow enough for readers to gain a comprehensive understanding of how geometry and astronomy came together to create calculated celestial patterns that were then mirrored in the landscape.

“Using horizon astronomy, prehistory could only hope to measure average time periods between repeated celestial events. In contrast, natural science and physics has developed instrumentalities, such as the degree circle and telescope, to directly measure angels in the sky without using horizon astronomy and its limits to gain data only at those limited moments when the Sun or Moon rose or set. This has made modern science blind to how the average periodicities uniquely express significant patterns such as the Fibonacci golden mean ratios or the musical intervals between celestial periods.”6

In particular, I enjoyed reading about how the mysteries of numbers and sacred geometry shifted from goddess-centered to focused on a biblical god, as up until now I’ve mostly studied “modern” sacred geometry. Heath writes, “Modern sacred geometry discounted numbers-as-length, perhaps because arithmetic was a different department to the traditional arts. In a 3-4-5 triangle, numbers-as-lengths are sublimated through the abstract numbers and are often given in the center of each line. This shows us what number symbols are-an intensive magnitude rather than an extensive length.”7

He cover topics the Neolithic origins of the Bible, numerological calculations of Easter, sacred geometry of Roman and Orthodox churches, the Chaldean model, and how these calculations have evolved into dominant belief systems. Yet there’s so much history hidden in the ancient past, which has been carefully revived by Heath in this book, that reveals the secrets needed to restore balance once again. There’s a lot to take in, and this is definitely a book someone could take months to integrate.

“The heliocentric and geocentric models of the planetary system were two views of the same phenomenon, but the heliocentric was taken to be the only adequate view of reality, and, because of that, the spiritual view connecting the Earth to the cosmos was rejected by the recently civilized mind. This shut down the meaning of spirituality for the vast majority, who instead serviced desires for economic growth and an improved standard of living.”8

Might we need to rediscover these ancient hidden truths of the natural world in order to make necessary changes in the modern area? Seems like it is a good start!

Overall, through a rich tapestry of historical accounts, archaeological findings, and theoretical insights, Sacred Geometry in Ancient Goddess Cultures reconnects modern readers with the ancient wisdom of overlooked matriarchal cultures, offering a new perspective on the origins of sacred geometry. By understanding the principles and practices of ancient goddess cultures, readers are invited on a transformative journey to rediscover the sacredness embedded in the astronomical patterns, once revered by these societies, encouraging a deeper connection with the natural world from this ancient perspective. This exploration not only pays homage to the visionary women of these ancient societies but also illuminates a path toward spiritual harmony with the cosmos, guided by the enduring legacy of sacred geometry, to create a better aligned future for humanity’s development.

For those interested in learning more about these topics, Heath’s areas of research include sacred geometry, megalithic astronomy, and cosmology. His previous works are Sacred Number and the Origins of Civilization, The Harmonic Origins of the World, Sacred Number and the Lords of Time, Matrix of Creation, Precessional Time and the Evolution of Consciousness, and Sacred Geometry: Language of the Angels. You can learn more about him on his website.

Crystal Grids, by Nicola McIntosh

Crystal Grids: Master the Secrets of Manifestation, by Nicola McIntosh
Rockpool Publishing, 9781922785510, 185 Pages, March 2024

I was recently at a local health and wellness festival, and the most memorable display table there was a woman selling gorgeous crystal grid paintings. The energy of the crystal layouts was palpable; I could feel the different effects of the alignment radiating outward as I took my time gazing at each one. Immediately, I knew this was something I wanted to do for my own home and altar space. Crystal Grids: Master the Secrets of Manifestation by Nicola McIntosh synchronistically was sent to me right after; the Universe quite literally brought it to my doorstep!

“My intention with this book is to give you the necessary information to guide you in making your own grids, strengthening your communication abilities with your clair senses and helping you manifest what you wish to create in your life.”1

McIntosh is a magical writer and oracle deck creator, as well as a Chinese and Western herbalist and practitioner of Celtic shamanism. She has previously published Apothecary Flashcards, Celtic Spirit Oracle, and Mushroom Spirit Oracle. Even with her success, she is very attuned to the readers she serves, sharing her story of budding passion for crystals and the circumstances in which she began creating her own products. I enjoyed this introduction to the book because it made me feel connected to McIntosh, feeling inspired that I too could use the power of the crystals and other energy-changing tools to bring my own dreams to life.

There is a nice foundation laid in this book, with each chapter building upon the next to provide a holistic understanding of how crystal grids work and how to create your own. McIntosh begins by teaching readers about  what she calls Source, “the term I give to the energy that creates all life; that is all life, the all that is, or God if you like to name it thus.”2 She explains how vibration is what gives everything form.

“You can start to imagine that we are walking in a sea of energy. We are in a state of constant flow; nothing is solid, and we are all fluid. If you can push your thinking out further, you can begin to imagine how you would then be able to interact with other energies around you, for they are also the same.”3

McIntosh then moves onto the language of spirit and the ways in which readers can communicate with other realms, specifically focusing on the honing clair sense, listening to intuition, and connecting through meditation as methods that can be utilized. This section is helpful for those looking to enhance their ability to hear the messages of spirit.

Once this underlying belief system is explained, McIntosh moves into explaining what crystal grids are, including their historical significance, and how they work through geometric resonance. Above all McIntosh encourages readers to listen to their intuition when creating their grids, but she does share how she likes to keep it simple, use ritual, and intentionally select colors with energies and colors aligned with the intended outcome of the crystal grid. She describes how crystal grids can be used for healing, health, prosperity, divination, and more.

There’s even an entire chapter on chakras so that readers understand the energy of each chakra. McIntosh details the energy within the body and soul each chakra influences, providing readers with insight into which chakras might be the best for them to focus on for their manifestations. For example, if someone is seeking to feel more confident expressing themselves, creating a crystal grid enhancing the energy of the throat chakra would be beneficial for them. McIntosh includes crystals that correspond with each chakra too.

There’s a general overview of crystals, but the focus is more on connecting with the crystal spirit rather than going by traditional meanings. McIntosh does a quick overview of crystals, most notably describing the different crystal formations and their significance, but those interested in working with crystals will definitely want to seek out supplementary information about the healing properties of various crystals to fine-tune the energy of their crystal grids.

My favorite chapter in the book focuses on the geometric templates based on sacred geometry. McIntosh talks about the power of ley lines and the earth’s grid, as well as geometric patterns such as the flower of life, medicine wheel, fibonacci spiral, and infinity symbol. She also teaches how you can create a grid for your home or room by placing crystals in different corners, which I think is so neat! Another fun thing in this chapter is creating elixirs by infusing water with the crystal grid. McIntosh teaches how to place the crystals and includes plenty of pictures for inspiration!

The final chapters focus on the art of manifestation and setting intentions and how to actually create the grid (preparing the space, cleansing/charing/programming the crystals, activating the grid). This is the real how-to, hands-on section of the book, and McIntosh does a lovely job of providing the readers with all they need to know to begin their process of manifestation with crystal grids.

All in all, Crystal Grids is a wonderful resource for those feeling called to working with crystals in a meaningful way. McIntosh’s process of manifesting perfectly blends intuition, the power of crystals, and the sacred geometry, allowing readers to better communicate their desire with spirit and bring about the changes they wish to see in the physical world. The colorful photographs alongside McIntosh’s gentle and easy-to-understand writing make this book perfect for beginners. I especially recommend it for those who already have an interest in crystals but have yet to take the steps to learn how to commune with the crystal spirits and direct energy through divine alignment. For those who enjoy McIntosh’s crystal grids, consider also checking out her Crystal Grid Oracle!

Sacred Geometry, by Richard Heath

Sacred Geometry: Language of the Angels, by Richard Heath
Inner Traditions, 1644111187, 288 pages, January 2021

There are countless stories of aliens gifting humans with higher intelligence, changing the course of human history (we’ve’ all seen an episode or two of Ancient Aliens), but angels? In his book Sacred Geometry: Language of the Angels, Richard Heath puts forth the idea that perfect radios numerical relations are what lead to megalith buildings that encapsulate the divine wisdom of a harmonic creator.

“Angels have the role of bringing about the manifest universe through their direct imagination of ratios and geometries. Once the megalith builders, in their astronomical journey, started using (a) alignments to the Sun and Moon, (b) the counting of days in longer cycles, and (c) the comparison of results within geometrical forms, humans developed minds similar to but different from those of angels.”1

Richard Heath is a well-established author on this topic, and some of his previous books include Sacred Number and the Origin of Civilization (2006) and The Harmonic Origins of the World (2018), which I also reviewed here. He writes about and believes that numbers are the origin of human’s religious cosmologies and that these sacred proportions were shared with humans by a higher intelligence, in this case what he describes as angels.

The heart of Heath’s theories in Part One: The Universal Will is that geometry draws on rational measures of the world externally, but there are also ratios that bring order to life, not simply the numbers themselves. Within these divine proportions, the great connection to the sphere of planets occurs. By drawing on the ancient systems of measurement, along with reconstructing their musical tuning theories, larger patterns reveal themselves.

Heath delves into sacred sites to show these proportions, as well as demonstrate the connection between geometry and planetary movements. He begins by explaining different triangles and their symbolism, and then he explains the squaring of circles in monuments such as The Great Pyramid of Giza and Stonehenge. Also explored in this section are Sanchi Great Stupa and the Hagia Sophia.

Part Two: The Cosmic Individuality explores made me recall a lot of information from his previous book The Harmonic Origins of the World, but added lots of new information still. I really found it fascinating to reflect on Pythagoras’s development of a cosmological theory based on numerical tuning, which included Tetractys, or pyramidal arrays of numbers  which create octaves.

I do hope I am explaining this correctly, as even writing the review is a process of synthesizing the material for me! To be honest, I am not going to pretend like I fully understand the concept, as there’s a lot packed in here, but it got my mind thinking about the relationship between ratios in sound and the physical world.

“The inner story of the power of the octave to provide a unified God and creation provided the outer story of the Bible. And its inner numerical metaphor of numbers preserved an inner doctrine of astronomical harmony surrounding the Earth.”2

Pondering a relationship between musical cosmology, the movement of the moon and outer planets, and sacred geometry is truly mind-blowing to me as an astrologer. As Heath explains, megalithic astronomers used measurements based on horizon events, such as sunrise, sunset, and eclipses.3 Using this method to establish what he named a Lunation Triangle, the synod of Jupiter can be measured.

The cycles of Jupiter allowed for a ratio to develop, which revealed a harmonic ratio between the Jupiter synod and lunar year. There is also a ratio of the Saturn synod, which when looked at in conjunction with the synod of Jupiter, plays a role in the story of Jesus and how his symbolism happened through the “planetary world of time and its harmony.”4

As the book progresses, Heath spends immense time on elucidating the sacred geometry of Glastonbury, along with Islam. It was fascinating to read about the harmonic codes of the Kaaba. He even delves into the development of egoism, and how this too is a part of planetary harmony.

I realize by now your head may be spinning, as not only is the math complex (I doubt I will ever understand Heath’s calculations), but there’s also an assertion of higher intelligence in the world which links religious symbolism, great buildings, and music all through the sacred power of geometry. It’s a lot to take in, but it’s truly a fascinating topic that I am happy to have explored in this book.

I like how the manifestation of religion and other facets of society can be explained through the underlying principles of planetary harmonic resonance, numbers, and geometry. It brings a whole new dimension to our existence. And while it may not seem like a spiritual view point, I have truly found embracing this information to be paradigm shifting for my own journey.

Reading this book has made me grapple with concepts such as the influence of planets on human events, the true nature of the universe, and the magnificent, though forgotten, geometry behind sacred sites. I will admit it took me well over a month to make my way through this book, and oftentimes I had to reread a section multiple times, wondering if I was truly comprehending it. However, it has been a worthwhile pursuit that I’m happy to have made my way through.

My only complaint is that at times, it feels like the numbers are supposed to speak for the information in the book, and I think a little bit more discussion would have helped me to understand the context of the calculations a bit better. Like I see the math, but I don’t know how to translate it or jump to the conclusion that Heath has reached. If there was a bit more detail about how the information was extrapolated from the math, I might have had an easier time following along.

I can also say I am grateful to have read Heath’s prior books as well before diving into this one. I had a greater understanding of the general concepts he was presenting, and I am not sure it would be so easy to dive into this book first. For this reason, I recommend it to people who have prior exposure to Heath’s work or are very comfortable with detailed mathematical calculations.

All in all, Sacred Geometry frames the foundation of the universe, physical building, and human life in an entirely new way. By focusing on the mathematics of that time, rather than the abstracted forms used now, a new perspective emerges. I am open to the possibility of a higher intelligence imparting the template for humanity to grow, and I enjoyed how this book pushed the boundaries of what’s commonly accepted in many fields, from religion to science to math.