Venus draws a beautiful pentagram around Earth every eight years. Jupiter's two largest moons draw a perfect four-fold flower. The Planets grandly play out the slow Music of the Spheres. Is there a secret structure hidden in the Solar System? Packed with great illustrations and serious research from many sources, this internationally bestselling little book by cosmologist John Martineau will instantly retune your cosmological circuits to the extraordinary and primary patterns behind Life, the Universe and Everything. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

Harmonograph

by Anthony Ashton

Published 1 May 1999
Why did Pythagoras pause outside a Blacksmith's workshop? Can the nature of Harmony really be understood visually? Why do harmonies leave gaps or 'commas' when added together? In this charming little book Anthony Ashton uses a Victorian device called a Harmonograph to tell the story of Harmony and the intervals in the scale. With useful appendices and exquisite line drawings this is a unique and original introduction to this magical subject. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

What sort of things happen when space crystallises? Why were primordial sages fascinated with five simple forms?
Does the three-dimensional jigsaw fit simply together? If so how? Find out about one of the languages spoken throughout the universe! An understanding of the Platonic Solids, and their close cousins, the Archimedean Solids has long been required of students seeking entry into ancient wizdom schools. This book, illustrated by the author, is a beautiful introduction to three-dimensional mathemagical space. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

The Quadrivium consists of the four Liberal Arts of Number, Geometry, Music, and Cosmology, studied from antiquity to the Renaissance as a way of glimpsing the nature of reality. They synthesize number, space, and time. Geometry is number in space, music is number in time, and the cosmos expresses number in space and time. Number, music, and geometry are metaphysical truths, good and beautiful everywhere at all times. Life across the universe investigates them. They foreshadow the physical sciences. This is the first volume to bring together the Quadrivium for many hundreds of years

Why are curves important? What are the secrets of ornamentation? How do you create an invisible repeat in a fabric or wallpaper design? Does a hidden geometry inform these free-flowing floral compositions? In this beautiful pocket book, packed with rare illustrations and helpful diagrams, artist Lisa DeLong demonstrates the time-honoured techniques behind the use of curves and plant forms in the traditional visual arts. From ironwork to illuminated manuscripts, this is an inspirational book.

Sacred Number

by Miranda Lundy

Published 1 August 2005
Why is five associated with life? How come come circles are so sixy? What has eleven got to do with the mile? This little book delves into the secret qualities of quantities and is essential reading for philosophers, mathemagicians and wizards of all ages. With a detailed page-by-page examination of the numbers from 0 to 12 it also examines Gnomons, Cosmic Numbers, Magic Squares and the numerology of Games. With extensive appendices, this is a timeless gem for people of all professions and ages. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

Designa

by Adam Tetlow, Daud Sutton, and Lisa DeLong

Published 1 August 2014
Do you ever stare at patterns and wonder how to construct them? Are you ever captivated and inspired by Celtic or Islamic art? Do you ever think about the illusion of depth perspective that your brain builds from your senses? Are you aware that symmetry informs your feeling of what is right? Is there a Golden secret which is hidden in nature and all the traditional arts? Packed with information and exquisite illustrations by more than twelve expert authors, DESIGNA is the ultimate sourcebook for visual artists, artisans and designers of every kind.

Most of the 85 designs in Crystal Cave come from the famous Altair Design pattern books created decades ago, but to them have been added the extraordinary pentagonal patterns of the great mathematician Roger Penrose. Each design is based on meticulously created geometric patterns--close-packing circles repeating in square and hexagonal symmetries--that are proven to stimulate the mind and creativity. Like cracks on a wall, they can conjure all sorts of images in the mind’s eye, and because of their geometrical precision, any shape "found" can be found again and again, rotated, and reflected. The same design might be seen as a landscape by some, a flock of birds by others, or as abstract patterns, faces, wild animals, flowers, and many other things. They will provide hours of relaxation, mindful calm, and creative stimulation--no other family of patterns offers more potential for enhancing your visual imagination.