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Fox Ground Down: Shifting Towards a New Phenomenology
On May 30 at Fox Ground Down a new spring formation appears to be
communicating the importance of whatever ‘four’ represents. Four
overlapping double circles form a background that conjures up the runic
swastika, but in round and softer format. Overlaid upon this dynamic
background is another circle, divided into four sections by a sun cross,
with each of the four sections housing spirals with squared-off pathways
and triangular centres. All lines or paths of this labyrinthine design
are accessible one to another with no dead ends, except for the triangle
centres in which one may turn back, returning to the outside from the
inner centre. The centre of the top design does not coincide exactly
with the centre of the overlapping circles design, suggesting either a
need for alignment, or the fact that nothing in life is precise and
exact as it seems in theoretical mathematics, etc. because life is in
constant movement.
So, we have ‘four’, the circle, the labyrinth and spiral, and the
ancient symbols for the sun and life energies: the Sun Cross and
Swastika–all creating one message. It is not a coincidence that this
formation happens to appear in a field named ‘Fox Ground Down’. The fox
symbolism has significant information to add to the message as well.
The number four as a symbol has shown up this year already at Macmillan
Way formation, so this new crop circle at Fox Ground Down reinforces the
importance of the number symbol and the orientation to Earth. Basically
‘four’ stands for order, organization, symmetry, wholeness (i.e. the
four directions–space, the seasons–time), and Earth. It is a ‘mystic’s
number ‘, ‘representing the physical existence of all things animated by
Ghimel and fed by the maternal waters, the origin of all life–Mem,
forty.’ Four is also the number for initiation and psychic development.
‘It is Jupiter’s number, who symbolizes living law, is master of
protection and justice, and organizer of everything that has been
created.’ (Julien 166 – 168)
Depictions of the four directions, the four seasons, the four elements
and a classic Islamic design for a four-fold garden all illustrate the
importance of ‘four’ energy in our life on Earth.
Circle symbolism is prevalent in almost all crop formations. A primary
feminine sign, it is associated with protection, sacred space, the
centre, a space in which all are equal, and the cosmos.
Both the labyrinth and the spiral contain the concept of movement. In
the labyrinth, the individual’s movement through winding pathways
overcoming obstacles and reaching a centre where a ‘monster’ is slain
represents a coming to higher consciousness, a death and rebirth, the
confrontation with and conquest of dark, negative psychic forces. The
spiral on the other hand represents the dynamic life- generating
movements within Nature and the cosmos; these energies wax and wane,
challenging our consciousness at times to adapt and change. The top
circle contains four spirals beginning on the arms of the central cross
that divides the circle into four. In this particular depiction we see a
possibility of change and growth that results in a wholeness or
completion with all aspects of life or the psyche being developed. The
result of these developments is stability and balance–more attributes of
‘four’.
Powerful energies in Nature such as galactic activity and hurricanes,
and beautiful natural functional forms all proceed in the spiral path in
order to maintain creation. The labyrinth is a man-made tool by which we
trace our own psychic energies to achieve higher consciousness.
The wheel cross or sun cross, seen on the top circle, began to appear
around the world at the beginning of the Bronze Age. The wheel aspect
symbolized the revolutionary changes in civilization that came with the
invention of the wheel. It was associated with thunder, power, energy,
and respect in China, and the sun god, Shamash in ancient Babylon. In
astrology and astronomy, a version of this cross represents Earth.
Both the ancient Hindu sun-chariot with its symbolic wheel and the
Neo-Pagan symbol for Earth represent the energies, formerly only
attributed to the sun, as harnessed by human thought and effort to make
changes on Earth.
The swastika in this formation appears with modified rounded arms
instead of sharply angled arms. It indicates the movement of time and
seasonal cycles that, in a rounded format promises gentler changes and
transitions.
The swastika is an ancient symbol, found throughout the world. It
symbolizes cycles of time and seasons, life and death. ‘The closed arms
[of the runic swastika, above right] may have conveyed the idea of a
return to the earth and a recycling which was the ancients’ usual
conception of death as a re-absorption into the womb of Mother Earth or
Mother Sea.” (Walker 60) The drawing of the curvy swastika made by the
overlapping circles in the formation suggests these transitions would be
relatively smooth.
The emphasis on Earth symbolism of cycles, growth, death and rebirth in
this formation is further accentuated by the symbolism of the Fox. Known
as a sly and cunning animal, the fox is also a creature of the ‘Between
Times’, dawn and dusk, when it is believed the two realms of Faerie and
our own living world intersect. The fox is generally associated with
feminine energies of life, nature, birth and death (the still magical
world of mysteries). The fox is a master of camouflage, invisibility and
shape-shifting, and its presence speaks of the need to develop and
awaken from these states of dormant potential. There are 21 species of
fox in the world. ‘Card 21 in the tarot deck is The World. It is a card
that reflects a new world opening up, that the process of creation is
beginning. It reflects that the world is growing and shape-shifting
itself into new patterns that will be beneficial. … this card can be of
benefit to understanding how fox energy will be helping with creation.
It can reveal what is growing and shape-shifting (or needing it) within
your own world.’(Andrews 271 – 272) The fox lives in burrows, so has a
strong relationship with Earth itself; it delves into the depths and
abides within the earth.
The fox is nocturnal and can be seen most easily at dawn and dusk, the
‘Between Times’. Its magical abilities are related to the ability to
camouflage itself, becoming one with the surroundings in order to live.
It has an association with the tarot card ‘The World’ which makes the
skills of shape-shifting and camouflage valuable for supporting changes
in personal lives for the benefit of all.
Perhaps this crop circle is an encouragement to accept all the changes
within and around, having confidence in the creative powers that drive
the life of the planet and the world. Perhaps we are being urged to live
and develop a consciousness that is derived from direct experience with
Earth and the powers of Nature rather than relying solely upon our
ability to measure out, count, divide and sell what we think we
understand.
Is there another way to survive, live, create? Can we know ourselves as
creatures of Earth instead of masters of creation? Are we willing to
submit to the Great Movement of change and evolution in the Cosmos and
Nature so that we may learn at a deeper level what our own role is and
will be? Do we want to align more closely with the primal forces of
Creation and awaken to the possibilities of human life as a New
Phenomenon?
The misalignment of the centers of the lower design of the overlapping
circles and the top circle design suggest that the only way to bring
about an alignment would be to ‘go with the flow’ of the movements for
change within and without, above and below–invisible forces much greater
than anyone or all of us. All these seem to be some of the questions and
issues this spring crop circle is offering to us.
Michelle Jennings
Sources:
Cooper,
J.C. An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols. Thames &
Hudson. London. 1978.
Julien,
Nadia. The Mammoth Dictionary of Symbols. Robinson Publishing.London.
1996.
Liungman, Carl G. Dictionary of Symbols. W.W. Norton & Co. New York.
1994.
Nozedar,
Adele. The Element Encyclopedia of Secret Signs and Symbols. Harper
Element. London. 2008.
Ozaniec,
Naomi. Tarot. Hodder Headline Plc. London. 1998.
Tresidder, Jack. Dictionary of Symbols: an Illustrated Guide to
Traditional Images,Icons, and Emblems. Chronicle Books. San Francisco.
1998.
Walker, Barbara. The Woman’s Dictionary of Symbols & Sacred
Objects.Castle Books. Edison, NJ. 1988. |
