The Sacred Sphere explores world mythologies, cultural and religious philosophies, and ethnographic records from around the world, documenting the history of sacred symbols throughout the past two million years, and analyzing sacred geometries expressed in many traditions including the architecture of ancient and indigenous cultures. Virtually every major religion today, as well traditions first developed thousands of years ago, use the same circular geometry to symbolize sacred relationships. Most importantly, every one of those circular symbols represents a facet of a unique spherical geometry—a specific combination of nine circles forming the three-dimensional archetype from which those symbols derive. This is the Sacred Sphere. This 576 page book includes 178 illustrations, 21 color plates, and the book is fully indexed with notes, references, and a bibliography. For more information, please visit www.PaulDBurley.com.

About the Author

Paul D. Burley is an engineer and environmental geologist who has researched world mythology, pictographic and architectural symbolism, and sacred landscapes expressing spiritual traditions around the world. His journey to understand the meaning of Native American medicine wheels led him to study sacred symbolism exhibited by cultures over tens of thousands of years. His analysis of that symbolism has resulted in a new understanding of the sacred lifeway of ancient and indigenous peoples. Paul is the author of The Business Owner’s Guide to Environmental Site Assessment. Paul and his wife reside in northern Minnesota.

What's Being Said

“Burley’s thoroughly researched and well written book is a pioneering contribution on many different levels. It reconstructs and revives the ritual landscape of an extensive Native American region, and shows how native beliefs express universal principles—notably those identifiable in the study of sacred geometry. Rarely do books like this come along. Burley argues convincingly that he has found the key-image from which all of the sacred principles are derived. The importance of this book, in its scope, depth of insight, and integrative vision, will be acknowledged for years to come.”
—John Major Jenkins, author of The 2012 Story and Maya Cosmogenesis 2012

“This is both an educational and a very enjoyable book. Paul Burley has understood something about humanity and its reliance on symbolism that has been overlooked before. He also recognized some of the mathematical patterns we both draw from and impose on our landscapes, which may be almost as old as our species. The Sacred Sphere says a great deal about both the mind and the soul of humanity. It is a stimulating and I believe deeply important book.”
—Alan Butler, author of How to Read Prehistoric Monuments and co-author of Civilization One