10 SACRED PALINDROMEs TO CONTEMPLATE
Palindromes have been revered and held sacred since antiquity. So you may be asking, what is a palindrome and why have they been held as sacred? Palindromes are words, symbols, phrases, numbers, or a poem with a particular sequence and pattern or meaning that reads the same backwards as it does forward.The Palindrome has been a sacred concept in ancient times and cultures today, serving as a divine quality, a sign of harmony, balance, of wholeness and spiritual enlightenment.
I fell in love with palindromes when I was young, noticing the syncronicity of numbers that would show up in my world, or words and phrases. I found it interesting and peculiar, yet as if something was trying to grasp my heart and mind from beyond. Then right before I turned thirty I had a dream, a remembrance occurred that ushered my heart from the thievery of our forgotten nature, this palindrome grounded me into love, awakening my intuition once again. A story I promise you will want to hear.
As a side note, the day I decided to write this blog, was the day I realized we were in a calendar of palindromes (52025-52925) and serendipitously saw this beautiful red leaf with a large perfectly circular water drop on it as I was walking down the street one morning. This ten day journey of palindromes is a collection of symbols, numbers and sayings, as well as philosophical concepts.
CIRCLE
The circle is a visual palindrome, a symbol of wholeness. If you trace your gaze around the circle, starting at one point, you end at the same point. The circle is a mirror of itself, denoting the smoothness, where no rough edges exist. Thus, the circle is a reminder of our origin, our inherent eternal nature that is balanced, whole and unified. One with all of existence, in comparison to our human ego nature that often feels broken, severed and separate from other beings.
In Hinduism and Buddhism you see that mandalas, which are tools for meditation and contemplation are created in circles to not only represent wholeness and the continuous cycle of birth, life and death, but an artistic guide that inspires one to seek truth within the labyrinth and cycle of life. To grow spiritually and discover the true self.
EYE
The Eye in english language is a palindrome, but the shape of the eye in itself is also a palindrome. The eye is also a sacred symbol used in all religious, spiritual and esoteric paths that represents our 6th sense, our intuition, our ability to receive luminous clarity and insight that goes beyond the sense of outer sight.
The eye itself as an organ is a roadmap to all that is occuring within our body. Iridology is an ancient way of diagnosis that has always been perfect in analysis, in my experience. Simultaneously the organ of the eye is what allows us to navigate our outer world, meanwhile the inner eye, known in many traditions as the third eye, the seat of intuition that is most notably known as the Pineal gland, is the gateway to the unseen world, our hidden subconscious. When fully activated it unveils all of creation, the thousand petaled lotus, the truth of who are, in which the beginning of time unfolds into clear and holy sight.
I love the Biblical passage where Jacob goes into the wilderness, a vision quest to seek inner revelation.
““And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.””
Anna Rivers, first drawings of sunshine, third eye beings.
In the Gnostic Bible in the Gospel of Thomas it says, "Jesus said, 'The man old in days will not hesitate to ask a small child seven days old about the place of life, and he will live. For many who are first will become last, and they will become one and the same.” My eldest daughters first drawings of beings were always with third eyes, wrapped in a circle of light, often with sun hands and feet.
When she was 1.5, before she spoke in sentences, we were looking up at the stars, lying on our backs. Anna said something in very audible other worldly language. We asked her several times what she was saying and she repeated in another language. Finally she said as she starred into the sky, “God is everywhere.”
"The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." - Matthew 6:22
An image taken from the Hubble Space Scope
VESICA PISCES
While Vesica Pisces is not a palindrome word, it is in visual symmetry and mirrored shape where one side reflects the other. A geometric shape formed by two circles uniting where each lies on the circumference of the other. The center creates an eye, what is often called a fish bladder or the mandorla. The mandorla is an almond shape, a symbol in religions that refers to sacredness, divine light, holiness and glory.
The Vesica Pisces is a the play of opposites, of duality, the marrying of both sides of polarity into oneness. Thus the one circle represents Spirit and the other matter, their union in the middle is an almond shape, like that of the yoni and the eye. Each circle also represents the feminine and masculine, and the center the Divine Child.
When turned horizontally it has the shape of a yoni in the center, birthing into life. When turned vertically, the center of the two circles merged are that of an eye, symbolic of birthing into Spirit. As we learn and perfect ourselves to be fully in life and the Spirit that lives in all things, maintaining relationship with both, we become fully human, the Divine Child.
This image is from the Vatican in Italy. Personally this feels energetically off and symbolic of the structures in place by the Vatican that pierce through, defile and attempt to cover up the sacredness and truth of who we are and all the ancient wisdom that is now resurfacing. All apart of the cosmic cycles we will touch upon in our very last Palindrome.
LOVE
Yes, Love is not a palindrome. But there are philosophical phrases and poems, ways in which when we begin to see life from within, using our inner eye, the seat of intuition, we see, feel and know that…
Love Is Everywhere, Everywhere is Love.
Love is Everything, Everything is Love.
Love is Everyone, Everyone is Love.
Sit with this image, then feel into these ancient Vijana Bhairava Tantric words…
Attend to the skin, As a subtle boundary, containing vastness.
Enter… You are not seperate from anything.
There is no inside, There is no outside, There is no other- no object that is not you.
One of my favorite books is by Meher Baba who is the frequency of Love itself. Visit one of his ashrams or Sanctuary’s such as Meher Spiritual Center in Myrtle Beach and you will feel the vibration of love all around you.
Meher Baba emphasizes that love is a gift from God, a divine energy that can transform one's being. He says that love is the path to realizing God, where the individual experiences a state of consciousness of bliss and joy, merging with and identifies as the Beloved. Where one is in union with the divine.
Meher discusses the many aspects of love, from lowest to the highest as stated above. The lowest form is self-centered expressions such as infatuation, lust, and greed, which are obstacles to realizing true love. He even goes on to say that even in the most defile experiences, there is love. In past hypnotherapy sessions, clients have come to these inner revelations and understandings, realizing soul contracts that have been forged between them to pay off debts owed. It’s amazing what we go through as souls, the amount of suffering, all in fulfillment for the greater realization.
NOON
The word noon is a palidrome word, with great meaning. In time, it is the peak midday moment where the sun is aligned directly over the earth at it’s highest peak point. In all spiritual paths it is seen as a symbol of Light & Truth, representing revelation and direct insight.
In many spiritual paths noon, such as ancient Israel and Judaism is a time to seek spiritual connection. A heightened sense of awareness exist due to an alignment of cosmic energy. Native Americans also feel that noon represents and is a great reminder of balance and harmony. A time to reset and renew oneself by letting go of the past, and coming into the present.
In the Bible noon is linked to several passages and important events such as Jesus’s crucifixion where darkness took over the skies at noon. In Hinduism, noon is a time for devotion and spiritual awakening, and is most closely linked to Surya, the sun god, who embodies enlightenment and divine consciousness. In Egypt, noon was seen a time of great power, prosperity and protection linked to the sun god, Ra.
IN GIRUM IMUS NOCTE ET CONSUMIMUR IGNI
An ancient alchemist once wrote the above about his study about moths, In girum imus nocte et consumimur igni.
Translated it means “we go wandering at night and are consumed by fire”, or “We go round and round in the night and are consumed by fire”.
However, in our spiritual path, we realize that all of creation is a mirror in someway of our own journey. Moths go toward the light, for the light is their navigation cue. They fly up, keeping the brightest part of the sky in front of them. While moon light is most ideal for the moth, they often become entrapped with artificial light that comes from modern sources as well as fires. Unnatural light causes the moth to turn in circles in disillusionment.
Moths can be a reminder of our desire and continual search for the light, whether that be conscious or unconscious, and how our self destructive cycles keep us entrapped, until we begin to seek the light within. It is said in all yogic and spiritual paths that the most powerful time to sit in devotion and meditate are the wee hours in the morning, when all is still and quiet, and the minds of humans are in dreamtime. A potent time when our karma can be consumed in the fire of Spirit. A time when the moths chase the moonlight.
AS ABOVE, SO BELOW
As Above, So Below is a phrase from Hermeticism, an ancient path that studies nature as a means to understand the heavenly realms. It was first written in the Emerald Tablets by Hermes Trismegistus. So Above and So Below is a principle, a natural and universal law that can be contemplated in many ways.
Celestial mechanisms, as well as events, and how it effects the earth and humans, such as the sun and moon, to each individual planet. If you study astrology you know that this also affects our human experience.
Universal structures in comparison to human nature. Such as human cells are found to be very similar to neutron stars.
What happens within us reflects outside of us. In hypnotherapy you see the direct results of why you are where you are. You see how much influence our subconscious mind has over our conscious experience, which is often talked about in eastern spiritual paths.
The Wisdom of the Ages have always said that all is energy and vibration. The light that creates a shadow. When energy manifests as matter, it is said to be illusion. A very temporary focal point for energy. Underlying all form is an energy pattern of higher form that is pulling matter into it. There is always a vibrational vortex pulling matter into it. Inquire into the energy of form, ie your body, and it will lead you to the higher octaves that exist below and above.
NUMBER 8
Buddhist Dharma Wheel
In Greek Philosophy it’s said that “All Things Are 8”, pointing to the cycles of time, the cyclic nature of time that brings us into wholeness. Eight also symbolizes the interconnectedness of all of creation.
The Noble Eight Fold Path in Buddhism are a great reminder of the path toward wholeness, which entails Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.
The figure eight symbol is also seen in the sky, as the path of the sun over a year's time, known as analemma. Vedic Mystics speak about the cosmos and time and how it applies to the four seasons of time that are cyclical, called the Yugas, which are periods of evolution and devolution. We are currently in the Kali Yuga, the dark ages.
nipson anomemata me monan opsin
Nipson anomemata me monan opsin is translated as "Wash the sins, not only the face." A reminder that our uncleanliness goes deeper than the skin, and what’s needed is a deep cleansing of the soul, a refreshment and purity that exceeds the superficial. To tread the waters, deep emotions and beliefs we have created walls with, that keeps us entrapped. By not only walking in devotion, but by living and breathing it in every moment, seeing the patterns and adjusting into our higher nature as needed.
This palindrome is inscribed upon a holy water fountain outside the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, a Byzantine Eastern Orthodox Church in Istanbul.
OUROBORUS
Last but not least, my all time favorite, the Ouroborus. It is a sign that signifies wholeness and infinity, renewal and the eternal cycle of life, death and rebirth.
My daughter Anna at 6mo old.
Meanwhile I feel it signifies the journey we are all on and eventually embark upon, the dissolution of the ego. The ego is that which keeps us separate from the truth of who we are. However, the ego is a necessary part of creating a sense of individuality for our human experience. Yet, the lower nature of ego, such as selfishness, jealousy, shame and fear, must be overcome and loved into in order to experience the fullness and oneness we are all apart of.
This ancient symbol came into my life through a premonition, a dream in 2004 that brought my husband and I together. A story that is quite incredible, and is also one of the reasons we named our first daughter, ANNA, as a palindrome.
While we thought of naming our 2nd daughter a palindrome, we loved ANZI too much. Yet, together Anna and Anzi, now have a palindromic band name called ANZA.
Oh and we do have a palindromic dog named AVA. A week after adoption, She came to my husband in a dream and told him her name. Her arrival into our life is also a very interesting story. So much to share. Check out my IG for this amazing story.
I hope you enjoyed these ten palindromes and found something inspiring in this content.
