Mandalas, Golden Ratio, and Fibonacci Sequences

How Nature’s Sacred Arts, Symbols and Patterns Connect Us with Nature, Life and Something Greater than Ourselves

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Hello, Mentatrix readers!

I’m thrilled to continue a series of guest posts written by fellow Substack writers, here on Mentatrix, on our themes: reflection, inner journeys, nature, human relations.

It’s summertime in the northern hemisphere, and summer means lightness: our loose clothing fluttering with the breeze, our thoughts flying off to real or imagined destinations. Nature is closer.

Self-reflection? If it’s lighter, novel, unexpected — like a bubble of prosecco — it can round up a day at the beach, on a train, in a mountain cabin.

Today I’m bringing you Robin Motzer to think of just that: the wonders of nature.

Here’s what Robin says about herself:

My great grandfather was a farmer and friends with President Truman and my great aunt babysat his daughter. Another ancestor fought in the American Revolution. My partner, a physicist, Citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and I now own farmland- land that his family has owned since 1902. I am a writer, artist, a poet with a purpose, and an advocate for health, well-being, peace and connection with nature. My freelance writer-artist’s mission is to Restore Soils and Souls, help reduce harm, increase love in action, inspire and support freedom, and restore-conserve the biota.

Enjoy Robin’s WonderNature!

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Patterns in snowflakes, flowers, shells, and agave resemble mandalas and are symbolic of the universe in a sacred arrangement.

Mandalas are meditative, contemplative, therapeutic, and decorative. In Sanskrit, mandala means “circle”. China, Japan, India, Tibet, the Buddhists, the Mayans, the Celts all have their versions of mandalas.

Carl Jung used mandalas and instructed his patients to create their own in the individuation process. By mentally “entering” the mandala and “proceeding” toward its center, one undertakes symbolically the cosmic processes of disintegration and reintegration.

The numbers of the Fibonacci sequence occur throughout nature, such as in the spirals of sunflower heads, pine cones, the green spirals of plant stems, leaves, pineapples and animal shells. The twist of a DNA helix, the vortex of a hurricane, the shape of spiral galaxies are similar to Fibonacci spirals.  

Natural patterns include symmetries, trees, spirals, waves, foams, meanders, tessellations, cracks, fractals and stripes. Early Greek philosophers studied pattern and Plato, Pythagoras and Empedocles attempted to explain order in nature. Throughout the ages, mathematicians, biologists, botanists, physicists, chemists and artists have helped a modern understanding of visible patterns.

River networks, clouds, fault lines, mountains, animal coloration, blood vessel branching, crystals, are a few examples of fractal-like patterns that occur frequently in nature.

As a student, I lived and studied in Europe. Leonardo da Vinci’s and Pythagoras’ planning and construction of a building, demonstrate the golden ratio that has been an influence in my art and design work.

Pine cone; Romanesco broccoli; Spiral Triangulum; Fractal patterns in dried out desert

Calls for Growth, Peace, Connection, Advocacy and Freedom

Hiking, walking and exploring are some of the ways I get inspired through observations of nature. Nature’s “Sacred Arts” signify “As above, so below”- patterns repeat in nature and within ourselves. Their echoes call to me to reflect, connect, reciprocate and be a piece of the peace.

Nature’s awe-inspiring wonders keep me asking questions. Self-reflection, growth and a deepened sense that “we are Nature” strengthens love of Something Greater than Ourselves, a Supreme Intelligence, God, or whatever name has meaning for you. Connection reminds us that we are a part of it All, that we are interrelated, thus unified with all of life. Nature provides food, shelter, inspiration, protection, recreation, habitats, and nourishment- sustenance for all of life. Interconnection requires reciprocity and gratitude which increase inner peace- our path to freedom.

Imagine our world’s prosperity and peace if we all lived with a belief that we are nature.

Imagine if we all were taught to see the patterns, symbols, and mandalas throughout nature and ourselves.

What if we were taught that our connection with nature is allied with our purpose to unite, grow and sow the seeds of peace?

My immense love for such grandeur and connection with nature led me to speak for the rights of wildlife, the last free-flowing river in the desert southwest, call for habitat restoration, and work with refugees and children.

In my opinion, what we do to others, we do to ourselves. A universal call to all of us is to stop cruelty of animals in laboratories, farms and in long distance transports of animals.

Here’s over to you:

1.     How has a connection with nature improved your health and well-being?

2.     How can you reduce harm in your daily life?

3.     Would you be willing to use your voice to say no to the cruelty of animals?