Sacred Geometry: Deciphering the Code

/ Sacred Geometry by Stephen Skinner This is the best of all the books on the subject. The extant texts were becoming dated and a new book was long overdue. It consists of 160 pages, and about 1/5 to 1/3 of each and every page is illustrated, and most are color illustrations. The author devotes about 2 to 5 pages to each subject. The author indicates that GEOMETRY is considered sacred because it shows the ARCHETYPAL patterning of things. This carries over into the realms of Architecture, Mathematics, Conceptual Abstractions and of course, NATURE. The author begins with the Greeks of course, and continues on into the Middle Ages, where the basic curriculum for study was the TRIVIUM (three subjects): LOGIC, GRAMMAR, and RHETORIC. These subjects expanded into the QUADRIVIUM, which added GEOMETRY to LOGIC, GRAMMAR, and RHETORIC. By page 22, the author gives consideration to MUSIC, VIBRATION and WHOLE NUMBERS. Those 2 pages are followed by FRACTIONS. By page 26 (the number of LOVE and the NAME OF GOD in Gematria, the author introduces a favorite of many, ERATOSTHENES, the "man who measured the earth". Egypt and early measurement follows, and then PRIME NUMBERS, and this chapter delightfully includes a very important graph for us all, the SIEVE OF ERATOSTHENES, by which Primes are discovered. By page 34 the author introduces the GOLDEN MEAN, and this section includes the FIBONACCI SEQUENCE. The author reserves in depth discussion of EUCLID until page 40, and by page 44, moves into THREE KEY TRIANGLES, the Equilateral (three equal sides), the Right (90 angle at base) and the Isosceles (whatever the heck that is! NO, just kidding. Two equal sides!) Page 46 shows three ancient geometrical problems: (1) Squaring the Circle, (2) Doubling a Cube, and (3) Trisecting an Angle. Page 48 covers CURVES & LOGARITHMIC SPIRALS, and by page 52 consideration is given to GEOMETRY OF IRRATIONAL NUMBERS. Page 54 covers THE FIVE PLATONIC SOLIDS. Page 56 covers the THIRTEEN ARCHIMEDEAN SOLIDS. The lucid color illustrations on these pages are fantastic, each solid being shown in vibrant yellow, orange, green and red. Page 58 covers the FRACTALS, and page 61 shifts into the GEOMETRY OF NATURE, including PLANT GROWTH, CRYSTAL STRUCTURE, LIVING SPIRALS, LIVING WATER, SNOWFLAKE WONDERLAND, GEOMETRY OF GENETICS etc. Page 75 introduces GEOMETRY IN ASTRONOMY and COSMOLOGY and ends in Significant Sky Markers. Then comes MAPPING the WORLD and LATTITUDE & LONGITUDE. MEASURING TIME BY SUN & MOON is on page 84. Then the HIDDEN CONNECTION BETWEEN TIME & LENGTH. By page 89 we are shown THE GEOMETRY OF THE MANMADE WORLD, SACRED GEOMETRY & THE LANDSCAPE which covers some material on Alchemist John Dee and sites such as Glastonbury, etc and other sites. Page 202 covers ASTRO-ARCHAEOLOGY, a favorite subject of many, and covers other English sites, and finally STON

This book is well-written, gorgeous, printed on fine paper with extraordinary illustrations. It introduces sacred geomentry in art, architecture, nature, and the history of science. A fine text for a layperson with acalculia! Obviously to learn more about a particular application of sacred geometry would require additional books that focus on the reader's area/s of interest.

Sacred Geometry: Deciphering the Code From cover to cover, this book is packed with information about sacred geometry. The difference between geometry and sacred geometry is easily explained, "When it was pleasing to the gods, it became 'sacred'." (p. 6) This book also explains how sacred geometry can be used in landscaping, architecture, and in art. This book is not just for mathematicians. It is for anyone who is interested in creating sacred space or just a space that is pleasing to the mind, heart, and spirit.

This glorious book has been written by Stephen Skinner - who introduced Chinese Geomancy (or Feng Shui if you prefer) to the West in the 1960's with his ground-breaking (literally!) book "The Living Earth Manual". Since then he has produced a number of highly respected books on a variety of Feng Shui, Geomancy and Magical topics. This new book brings together his broad knowledge of many different religions, sacred philosophies and magic, and his expertise in mathematics and geography. Dozens of different sections with glorious photography and elegant line drawings show you how nature is based on elegant equations and then leads you through the millenia of ancient mathematics, as the geniuses of the past 2 or 3000 years intricately link mathematics and architecture. Whether it is the Fibonacci series, or the Greeks PI, or the circles of Dante's Hell - everything is clearly explained - you are thrilled at how Nature takes advantage of some of the most beautiful pure mathematics and the scale of the intellects who designed and built these magical places. Stephen Skinner's book is a wonderful place to start - and will, no doubt, be the spur for many trips and explorations. If you enjoyed the "Da Vinci Code" - get this book and read about REAL codes, enigmas and mathematics that can be found hidden in some of the world's most amazing buildings. This book is for those of us who revel in the glorious elegance and simplicity of mathematics as applied to ALL good design (whether Natural or Human) - and is not aimed at mathematicians specifically.