Crop Circles: Wonder, Meaning and the Unexplained

Crop circles are large, intricate patterns that appear in fields of crops, and people have long debated who makes them and why. Some are known to be made by people. Others remain a mystery to many, and explanations range from human artistry to messages from other intelligences. Whatever their source, crop circles invite us to wonder, and that wonder can open us to new ways of seeing.

The butterfly of Goes

One formation that took my breath away was reported as the largest crop circle ever. It appeared near Goes, a town in the southern Netherlands, on August 8, 2009, and was reported to measure 1,739 feet by 1,476 feet.

The design is a large butterfly with a human figure in the center that resembles Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man. It depicts the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly.

Isn’t that beautiful? Some see this as a message that we humans are evolving.

Here is an aerial video of the glyph.

Who creates crop circles?

This is the question everyone asks. Some formations are clearly made by people, and some groups have openly shown how they create them. Others have inspired many different theories.

The late hypnotherapist and author Dolores Cannon shared her view that most crop circles are created by extraterrestrials, with some made by humans. In her research, she came to believe that these glyphs are messages, lessons, information and concepts that sink into our subconscious mind. According to her, we can use this knowledge even without knowing where it came from, and these messages are meant to help us evolve as our consciousness rises and our environment changes.

These are her conclusions. I share them because they invite reflection, and each of us is welcome to decide what resonates.

The documentary New Swirled Order also examines these questions. Watch it on YouTube.

Honoring the mystery

What I love about crop circles is the way they make us stop and look up, or rather, look down from above. They remind us that the world is still full of mystery, and each formation awakens awe, whoever made it.

Awe is good for us. It expands our perspective and connects us to something larger than ourselves.

How we perceive the unexplained

When we encounter something we can’t explain, we each respond differently. Some of us feel excitement. Some feel skepticism. Some feel unease. All of these reactions tell us something about our relationship with the unknown.

I often say that trust is our relationship to the unknown. When we can hold mystery with curiosity, we stay open to learning. I explore this in Trust Is Your Relationship to the Unknown.

The symbolism of the butterfly

Even setting aside the question of who made it, the butterfly carries powerful meaning. Across many cultures it represents transformation, rebirth and the soul. The caterpillar dissolves completely before it becomes a butterfly. That is a profound image for personal growth.

Where in your life are you in a cocoon right now? What are you becoming?

Patterns, energy and meaning

Many crop circles are built on geometry: circles, spirals and symmetry. These shapes appear throughout nature and throughout spiritual traditions. They remind us that creation seems to love pattern and harmony.

When you look at sacred geometry, notice how it makes you feel. Some people feel calm, others energized. Your response is meaningful.

A bigger view of reality

In my work with past lives, I’ve come to see reality as larger and more layered than it appears. I share my perspective that our lives may be happening simultaneously from the soul’s point of view in Past Lives are Simultaneous Lives. Mysteries like crop circles invite that same expanded view: there may be more going on than we can see.

Manifesting and the creative mind

Whether crop circles are made by human hands or other means, each one began as an idea that became form. That’s the essence of manifesting. Every creation starts as a vision. My Manifest Miracles work explores how to bring your own visions into form.

A reflection practice

Look at an image of the butterfly formation or any crop circle that moves you. Breathe slowly. Ask yourself, “What does this pattern stir in me?” Write down whatever comes, without judging it. Let the mystery speak to you in its own way.

Curiosity as a spiritual practice

I believe curiosity is one of the most underrated spiritual practices. When you ask “What if?” you loosen the grip of old assumptions. You make space for new insight. You become a student of life again.

You can practice curiosity anywhere. Look at the sky and wonder. Ask a friend about an experience you’ve never had. Read about a mystery and let yourself sit with the questions for a while. Notice how your body feels when you stay open. Often it feels lighter, more alive.

Sharing the wonder

Crop circles have a way of starting conversations. Show an image to a friend, a child or a partner and ask what they see. You may be surprised by how differently each person interprets the same pattern. Those conversations are a beautiful way to connect and to remember that we each perceive the world through our own lens.

Draw your own glyph

Take a blank page and draw a simple circular pattern that represents where you are in life right now. Keep it, and draw another in a few months to see how you’ve changed.

Frequently asked questions

What are crop circles?

Large, intricate patterns that appear in fields of crops, often based on geometric designs.

Who makes crop circles?

Some are known to be made by people. Others remain debated, and theories range from human artistry to messages from other intelligences.

What was the largest crop circle ever reported?

A butterfly formation reported near Goes in the Netherlands on August 8, 2009, measuring about 1,739 by 1,476 feet.

What did Dolores Cannon say about crop circles?

She believed most were created by extraterrestrials as messages that help human consciousness evolve. This is her view.

What does a butterfly crop circle symbolize?

Butterflies commonly symbolize transformation and rebirth. Some see the Goes formation as a message about human evolution.

Ready to turn your own visions into form? Explore Manifest Miracles.