Visionary Approach to Storytelling: Circled Cross
While pondering a visionary approach to story structure, I realized that what helped me the most as a writer was becoming aware of the archetypal pattern of storytelling. I call it the Circled Cross.
This system is based on the ever-changing cycles in nature where story is no exception. Finding this beneficial, I felt inspired to share this with my colleagues who are also curious about visionary storytelling tools.
Circled Cross as Skeleton of Story
The circled cross is one of the oldest symbols. In most cultures, it represents natural cycles from the light and dark parts of the day to the yearly seasonal changes. In regards to writing, the cross could be compared to the basic skeleton of the story. It’s the four solid pillars or the four acts that intersect at the central point/central character around which the action revolves and spreads out to the whole of the circle/journey, which again reflects back to the center.
Circled Cross of Story Plot and Character Change
In the cross pattern, the stages of the protagonist’s journey could be compared to the four seasons or four stages of the day:
As the sun rises or a new season begins and nature is awaking so does the protagonist awake to a new journey triggered by a conflict, which was caused by the inner need for change.
However, the protagonist still remains more or less oblivious to why the journey has unfolded.
As the sun ascends or as the brightest months approach, nature is bursting with life and adventure, and so does the protagonist’s journey. It’s the time of the biggest challenges and struggles against the antagonistic forces, which were brought about by the conflict. This is the part of the story where the internal and external coalesce in a rainbow of colors.
As the sun begins to set or as life retreats back to the roots to face the inevitable autumn changes, similarly does the story action retreats inward, and the protagonist goes through an inner realization, which results in him either willingly or unwillingly accepting the inner need for change. Either way, it’s during the middle of the journey that the protagonist changes the most.
As the night creeps in or during the peaceful wintertime when nature gathers power beneath the surface, the story begins to reveal the true reason for the journey. The protagonist allegorically goes through his own underworld and is faced with the biggest conflicts in order to embrace the final chapter of his journey, during which he either ascends or falls.
Finally, as the moon fades, giving space to the new dawn of the day, or as nature readies for the new seasonal cycle so does the end of the protagonist’s journey result in a possibility of another one. There’s a dawn of a new beginning, which stems from the ending and its message.
Circled Cross to Enrich Plot and Smooth Story Details
Just like the periods between the daily or seasonal cycles, the circle balances the whole. Therefore, once the cross of the story plot is decided, the circle comes into play to smooth the edges and fill the gaps with smaller subplots, twists and turns that make the story move onward gradually and rhythmically. The circle is the world of various details that enrich the protagonist’s journey. It’s the harmonic unity of all the characters, plots, and themes, which envelops everything and thus seals the initial message. However, there is always the possibility of further sequels to one journey and so the circle may become a spiral that unfolds new, limitless possibilities.
In my opinion, all writers naturally incorporate the Circled Cross pattern in their work, however, becoming aware of it helps in times when we struggle with certain parts of our story or character development. I hope this simple structure will be as inspiring to you as it has been to me.
Iva Kenaz was born in Prague, Bohemia. Writing has been her greatest passion since childhood and her novels are significantly influenced by spirituality and metaphysics. She studied Screenwriting at the Film Academy in Prague and holds an M.A in Creative Writing. She’s also a screenwriter, translator, and practitioner of tarot, runes, and astrology. For more information please visit her website: www.ivakenaz.com
This is really well-written. It is an excellent framework for a story and is unique in presentation. I love that you included Joseph Campbell’s Heroes Journey. He’s one of my all time favorite people.
Thank you! I’m glad you like it.
Beautiful. Sacred geometry and plotting. How perfect. And there’s the Chalice Well design. Thanks so much, Iva.
Thank you, Theresa!
That’s so beautifully put. Thank you for sharing the Circled Cross story structure with us. Now that you mention it, I can see these stages it in my own work.
Thank you!
I enjoyed reading this beautiful post, Iva. I’ve also come to the conclusion that in effective storytelling, “it’s during the middle of the journey that the protagonist changes the most.” Thank you!
Thank you, Robin!
Thank you, Iva. It made me think. Until I checked the link for the “protagonist’s journey” and saw the starting point and direction of rotation of the cycle, I was a bit lost. Letting my eyes play visually with the last diagram, which contains the Vesica Pisces, had an interesting effect that I will have to work with further to associate with story telling.
Thank you, Victor!
I was happy to see that you voiced what I’ve done with my four-book series–followed a “Circled Cross”–mine being the Native American Medicine Wheel. I also include the Wiccan Circle and laybrinth.
I used the seasonal paths and the four directions for the structure of my novels, filling in “the gaps with smaller subplots, twists and turns,” as you pointed out in your post.
Well done, Iva.
Thank you, Margaret!