On my morning stroll, I discovered two pine cones in the most random place. Like any good Shaman, I took this as confirmation that I was meant to write about the pineal gland. So, I scooped them up with a bit of flora and fauna for a photo. My coffee shop barista didn’t bat an eye over my impromptu photo shoot on their coffee table.
Throughout history, the pinecone has served as the symbolic representation of enlightenment, the third eye, and the pineal gland. The Egyptian Staff of Osiris depicts two serpents rising up to meet at a pinecone. The Egyptians seem far more aware of its importance than we do today.
The Romans honored the pine cone with a three-story bronze sculpture named “The Pigna” that now rests in front of the Vatican in the “Court of the Pinecone. Legend says The Pigna served as a large fountain next to the Temple of Isis in Ancient Rome. The goddess that is the inspiration behind my Shamanic name. A pine cone even tops the Pope’s sacred staff. Wild, right?
Why all this admiration for the pine cone? The ancients saw it as nature’s living representation of the pineal gland. The ancient pine tree is the evolutionary predecessor to the flower and one of the most ancient plants on earth. One of the reasons for all this worship is that the spires of the conifer pine cone create a flawless Fibonacci sequence.
Similar to the sacred geometry of the sunflower. The human “Pine” al Gland is named after the pine cone. The pineal gland rests right in the center of our brain. I believe this placement speaks to its importance to our very being and our soul. The pineal gland is intimately linked to our body's perception of light.
If you are a fan of spirituality or the topic of enlightenment then you will understand how important light is to holistic healers. The Pineal modulates our wake-sleep patterns and circadian rhythms and even gets a higher blood flow than anything but the kidneys. Further confirmation of its value to the mind, body, and soul. This explains why it is considered by many to be the "Seat of the Soul," our biological Third Eye, and a sacred symbol throughout history, in cultures around the world. Have a beautiful day!