Elliptical Paths, Widening Circles
What's the matter, orbiting in your field?
Image: Maya Poon, “The Andes of Perú” c.2023
I read this phrase “elliptical paths” this morning — and something about it really struck me. It reminded me of one of my favorite Rilke poems entitled, “Widening Circles”.
It was used in describing the moon’s trajectory in relationship to the sun & earth, on this day - January 6th, 2023. The first full moon of this year, is called a “micro moon” which is essentially the opposite of a “super moon” — meaning the moon is at its farthest point from Earth, about 252,600 miles.
(Just for your galactic context, the average distance of the moon from Earth is around 238,900 miles)
When I consider the moon, I remember the stars, and I am reminded that our world, both inner and outer, despite its complexity, is an immense work of living art.
Nature, is art with a pulse.
The words of Nobel physicist Frank Wilczek echo this sentiment in his book, A Beautiful Question. “Having tasted beauty at the heart of the world, we hunger for more.” His provocation, a powerful meditation on the question: Do cosmic realities embody beautiful ideas? — probing the world, by way of science, as a work of art.
When speaking of physics, we employ words such as, gravity, relativity, elliptical paths — these terms emerge in the fields of science, in attempt to grasp the nature of nature. At times, the laws of physics, can feel abstract & difficult to relate to the happenings of circumstance - but for better or worse, these laws are reflected and refracted in the experience and expression of our everyday lives.
It is this recognization that calls me to invite you to consider & play with your relationship to “matter” itself, exploring through language & symbol, how it manifests in different dimensions of your life.
(The source of this image is unknown - if you happen to know it, please share so that I may properly credit the source accordingly)
INVITATION
EXERCISE: LET’S CALL THIS LINGUAGGIO A SPIRALE (“Spiraling Language”)
exploring: the matter of the moment in the form of spiraling language
In this exercise, I am inviting you to put some method to the madness of the mind by channeling its movement of language (the “stuff” of thought) into the form of a spiral i.e. the most repeated symbol in the Universe
WHAT YOU WILL NEED FOR THIS EXERCISE
blank paper & a pen
INSTRUCTIONS:
move away from technology into quiet open space
lay out your paper, find a comfortable position to rest your focus
still yourself, close your eyes, pause, locate your breath
When we migrate from stimulation to stillness, the movement of matter can be jarring at first. In slowing down to observe, we can witness the cascade of thoughts coursing through our bodies.
Follow the flow of thought, and notice a particular piece matter cycling through your mind — allow it to catch your attention.
Open your eyes, and begin to write into that matter, following the path of a spiral.
Let the material move beyond the boundary of your inner space.
NOTICE
what matter(s) emerged in the space of pause
how did if feel to move with that matter
did you begin the spiral from the inside out, or work from the outside in?
zoom out - pull focus, and observe the symbolic form
what do you see & feel in this moment, upon reflection
SHARE
If you feel called, share your art - in this space, with a friend, on your wall, etc. & if you found this exercise helpful, I would love to hear how, why, & what you discovered.