What they are

• The Egg of Life is seven circles taken from the growing pattern: one in the center and six around it, now touching rather than overlapping. Drawn flat it looks like a flower of seven round petals. Many teachers picture it in three dimensions as eight spheres nestled together, the shape of something about to be born.
• The Fruit of Life is thirteen circles that touch without overlapping: one in the center, six around it, and six more beyond those. It is the frame from which Metatron's Cube is drawn. About Metatron's Cube

How they are drawn

Draw the Flower of Life, then pick out circles along its straight lines of centers, keeping only those that just touch. The Fruit of Life uses circles whose centers lie two steps apart along each of the six directions out from the center.

What they mean

The Egg of Life holds the energy of structure and becoming, the gentle beginning of form. The Fruit of Life is the finished blueprint, the whole pattern held in spirit before it takes shape in the world. Many of us simply love them as calm, balanced patterns to rest our eyes on, and keep one near when we are planning something new.

In grids and meditation

The Fruit of Life makes a generous 13-stone grid: a center stone, six inner stones and six outer stones, each one on a circle. It is wonderful for a bigger intention or a grid shared by a family. The Egg of Life makes a sweet seven-stone grid for anything just beginning.