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Spiritual Etymology of the Sacred

Etymology = the history of words; their original source

Holistic

• Hal (Anglo-Saxon) = whole, core of everything
  Possesses two meanings – 1. Place of origin (the Source)
  2. Destination (when we die, we return to our origin).
• Halig (Anglo-Saxon) = whole; holistic (also wholistic); holy, hallowed.
  Clarification: The whole is greater than the sum of its parts; and this higher power is derived through the synergistic inter-relatedness.
• Our own spiritual being in the core of our body possesses a wisdom which we who inhabit the body are not in touch with (unless we access our holy source).

Heart/Hearth

• Hearth = vital creative center (Middle English: herth/Old English: hearth)

• Hearth = heart; (Old English: heorte/Middle English: hert) centermost point; essence.        

The Sacred Circle

• The core/heart of everything; the circle is the universal shape of essence (the sun, moon, earth, planets). This is because gravity shapes any large object into a sphere (because every point on the sphere’s surface is a close to the center of gravity as it can get). The sphere (a three-dimensional circle) is a perfect holistic entity.

The Still Point

• The center of the circle (sphere) that theoretically does not move.
  (We dance around The Circle and suppose, while the Secret sits in the middle and knows – Robert Frost)
• It is also the place where the four compass directions unite.
• A symbolic healing point within our being; when we get off the carousel of chaotic activity and return to the healing stillness.

Becoming “Centered”

• Returning to perfect balance; the source of our inner being; accessing our innate power.

Epiphany

• An esthetic experience where the essence of the whole and its parts comes through.
• Returning to the sacred circle, the Source, and perceiving a deep insight connecting one’s being and life itself.

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