The Compass

Summer 2024

This image was made for a toy. Perhaps a paper spinner or a spinning top. Perhaps as a mat for pendulum readings, or a moving dial. Perhaps a compass with multiple layers. Perhaps to be placed on layers of clockwork, so that by winding it up it ends in random places.

It synthesises several of the previous symbols together, showing that all things are point between the Sun and the Star - firstly, the spectrum down the middle. Secondly, its impact on the sky and on the land, spectra in green and blue.

Thirdly, the ring around the edge, to show we might be Lunar Landish or Lunar Skyish in turn. This in particular is for a spinner, to be made by putting a stick through the center of the symbol, so that by falling on one of its edges, a prediction is made (but I think a nine-sided shape, with two solar edges, would be better).

The oval in the middle talks to how all things could be considered Lunar, always in a process of movement; or all things could equally be considered Solar-Stellar, moving between the two. Finally, the diamond displays the traditional elements - Fire, Sky, Water, Land - each with three colours, to show that they point outwards from Solar to Stellar too.

When I made this image, I was thinking of cats cradles; of poi-spinning; of tides; of jacobs ladders and other toys of illusion and motion; of spyrographs and wheels within wheels and clock-faces and how I can never capture the Symbol in full because it is always in motion. But this one is pretty close. Now imagine it twisting open and walking through.