June marks the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere (the day when the Earth's Northern Hemisphere is most tilted toward the sun, marking it as the longest day of the year). The solstice makes me think of cycles and circles, or as NASA refers to them, orbits. Cycles around the sun are significant in sacred geometry due to the alignment of the sun's position and the symbolic meaning attributed to the geometry of the Earth's rotation at this time.
Circles are among the oldest symbols of human understanding. They represent the way the energy of creation organizes itself, from the spirals of galaxies to the intricate designs of a water molecule freezing into a snowflake. Circles and spirals can represent wholeness, continuity and the cycle of life that connects all kin (human and non-human) across time and space. In the 4th century B.C., Plato described the universe as a perfect circle, embodying the harmony of the cosmos, a shape both finite in form and infinite in meaning (e.g., the Fibonacci Spiral).
We know from studies into biophilia that the human mind finds tranquility and unity in natural forms, including circles and fractals. Research suggests that viewing fractal patterns, which are self-repeating patterns found throughout nature, can have a calming effect on the mind, potentially leading to a more tranquil state by reducing stress levels significantly. Fundamentally, our brains seem to be naturally wired to respond positively to these patterns, making them visually soothing and conducive to relaxation.
When we pause to recognize these patterns as cyclical, we tap into something deep within us. They become an invitation to reimagine life as an ongoing spiral of new growth and regeneration. Reimagining the circles in your own life journey brings you back to yourself with deeper understanding. In recognizing the circular nature of life, we can honor the fluidity of existence, knowing that life will come full circle and that each revolution brings us closer to the essence of who we are.
Dr. Jean Larson is the manager of Nature-Based Therapeutic Services at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and is faculty lead of the Nature-Based Therapeutic Studies at the Earl Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing of the University of Minnesota.