The Sacred Life of 'G'

Hello Vocal Community! My name is Galynne, a.k.a."G" and this is my debut story of how sacred geometry art turned depression and creative avoidance into happy, healthy, creative connections. I had no idea when I started this craft it would result in transforming my life in such a sacred and inspirational way.

Depression, anxiety, and isolation are not easy things to talk about in a public setting. We’ve collectively created this standard that we are only allowed to show our best selves and hide the rest. Yet, I'm learning that by offering up my own journey of healing, I’m able to allow others who might be struggling to know they are not alone. One of my favourite saying is "any work we do on healing ourselves is a gift to the world..our healing benefits all.”

For me, I’ve gone through the gamut of depression. The pendulum has swung between sadness, disconnection, addiction, to persistent toxic thought patterns about my (lack of) self-worth. All of these things kept me from reaching out and gradually put me further and further out of touch with my family, friends, neighbours, community. The longer I avoided people, the harder it became to reconnect and the more depressed I found myself. It was quite the catch-22 for me.

In the fall of 2018, I started searching for ways to pull myself out of this dark hole I created for myself. Guided meditations with spinning sacred geometry visuals seemed to have a calming effect on me and brought me a sense of inner peace. Because of this feeling of peace, I thought it might be helpful for me to have more geometric figures spinning in my house. I google-searched “sacred geometry art” and found two beautiful forms of the craft that instantly spoke to me and sparked my creative curiosity.

The first was Himmeli sculptures. Himmeli is a Finnish tradition known as “the geometry of the heavens.” It is simply creating geometric mobiles out of straw or reeds. These sculptures are traditionally hung over the dinner table at the end of summer to ensure a good harvest. It’s been said, the more elaborate the himmeli, the more abundant the next year’s crop. I was fascinated by the idea of them being crafted with pure intention of the best possible outcome. This concept was in direct line with my own long-standing belief of the importance of visualising the best outcomes in all aspects of life by using clear & focused intention.

Straws, Fiskars, thin wire, and cutters were all I needed to make these beautiful mobiles. I began treating this craft as a sacred ceremony -- bringing my best self to the table and offering loving intentions into each creation. Cutting the straws in perfectly equal lengths, and thinking of all the people in my life who would love to have one of these hanging in their window or on their wall. I loved making baby mobiles and giving to expecting parents to hang over their baby’s crib. I found the most joy in getting together with family and friends to teach them how to make them. I was creating new kinds of connections with people which was feeling really good for my well-being.

The second art form I found was making “flower of life sculptures.” There is a plethora of sacred geometry artist, making intricate pendants and beautiful wooden or metal sculptures. But I was looking for something that didn’t involve investing large sums of money in soldering tools, laser cutters, expensive metals, or holding a PhD in Geometry. I only found one medium that used paper towel rolls cut into ¼ inch strips and glued together. They looked awesome! I sent my daughter a picture of my very first paper towel creation and she loved it! Her only thought was how big they were and suggested I try making them different sizes. I totally agreed with her sentiment, and immediately began to figure out how I was going to make that happen.

It didn’t take too long to discover all I needed was any kind of paper, a dowel, some Fiskars, and glue. My first prototype was using vintage white paper rolled onto a dowel, cut into small vesica pisces shapes and glued together with a hot glue gun. I was so excited about discovering a brand new way to create more diversity with size, colour, sheen, thickness.

My dedication to making these flower of life creations is where my personal transformation began. Every time I sat down to make a new flower of life, it became a meditation and sacred form of ceremony. Not only did I incorporate the ‘himmeli’ concept of creating with loving intention, I also found myself contemplating the metaphors of shadows and light. I love holding them up to the light, or next to a wall to see their shadows. I love how they disappear for a brief second when spinning in a window. I love how they look like silhouettes in a certain light.

“There are no shadows in darkness. Shadows are created by light, and only exist in the presence of light. Refusing to acknowledge our shadow leads us to deny the presence of light in us.”― Franco Santoro

This creative process has not only offered me emotional and spiritual growth but it’s also been a form of prayer, rediscovery, and divine guidance. Making these precious, sacred paper creations has:

• Gifted me with self-compassion
• Refined my sense of sacred purpose
• Given me clarity on unresolved conflicts
• Brought me newfound joy and happiness
• Invited me into a new paradigm of creating sacred space
• Offered me a second chance to reconnect with people I love and miss
• Restored my faith in myself and the Divine

At this point, I’ve only gifted these creations and have not begun selling them -- it brings me so much joy to share them as gifts. I find the gifting process most fulfilling when I make for someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one or pet. They have become a bridge of reconnection and a source of love. It’s been an ever-expanding means of spiritual and emotional growth and a passionate craft I will continue to offer others in the form of in-personal gatherings as well as hosting online creative sessions.

I offer this, my debut story, as an entry into the Fiskars “Create Your Happiness” contest. I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity to share my healing journey by means of creating Sacred Geometry Art.

May this story bring joy, comfort, inspiration, or healing to anyone who may be struggling with depression or sadness.

In the words of Elizabeth Gilbert, “Do whatever brings you to life. Follow your own fascinations, obsessions, and compulsions. Trust them. Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart.”

Love, G