An Essay on
©
2008 by Academic Services International, Los Lunas, NM, USA
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Appendix A
The Symbology of Numbers 1 - 5
Numbers are an expression of the sacred geometry. Examples of numbers in the external world abound in nature:
A man has five fingers on each hand. An image of the Sun or a star, or any point of light captured on film or diffracted from a polished gemstone, usually displays six rays. A rainbow exhibits seven distinct colors.
For your amusement and wonderment, pictures of various geometric crop circle designs are included within the following discussions.
The Number Zero (Ø) represents nothingness, emptiness, or perfect balance. Intellectually, it is a difficult notion to grasp.
Zero can be correlated to the Taoist notion of Tao, and to the ancient Greek concept of Chaos, which derived from Gas and implied the nothingness of pure energy from which all manifestation issues. Due to the misunderstanding of early Christian translators, the meaning of Chaos has changed to mean "disorder," which has nothing to do with the original concept.
Creation is expressed in the Zero equals Two equation (Ø=2) that refers to nothingness producing a matched pair of opposites. Modern astrophysics has confirmed this equation through the observation of Black Holes.
A Black Hole is surrounded by an Event Horizon, the equivalent of a magic circle. Inside the Horizon, nothing escapes the potent gravity of the Black Hole. Outside the Horizon, nothing is directly influenced by the Black Hole.
However, energy is constantly being emitted from the Hole. Paired, ionized (positive and negative) particles are thrown out of the Black Hole and past the Event Horizon. Then, one of four scenarios is enacted:
1. Both ions (positive and negative) fall back into the Black Hole.
2. The positive ion escapes, the negative ion falls back into the Hole.
3. The negative ion escapes, the positive ion falls back into the Hole.
4. Both particles (positive and negative) escape.
However we look at it, the net effect is that a Black Hole (Ø) is constantly adding energy to the Universe.
Zero can be identified with the mystical states of Nirvana, Samadhi and Sartori, etc., wherein all duality (i.e., the seer and the thing seen) disappear.
It is unlikely that the magician will enact an entire ceremony based on the number Ø, although that should be the numerical equivalent of the thoughtforms remaining within the circle after a thorough banishing.
The Number One (1) represents unity. It is an illusion. In mundane numerology, it is the number of the lonely pioneer.
One can be correlated to the concept of a single unit, and it has many uses in mathematics. But when the mystic cries out, "It is all one!" he is falling short of the true picture.
We have seen that creation is Ø=2, there being no place for a "1." Likewise, when the mystic synthesizes duality and enters Samadhi (2= Ø), the transition is direct and, again, there is no place for a "1."
It is unlikely that the magician will enact an entire ceremony based on the number 1, although that should be the numerical equivalent of his or her intent.
The Number Two (2) represents duality. It is illusion itself. But it is also the basis for further creation (of more illusion). In mundane numerology, it is the number of the diplomat.
Two can be correlated to the concept of a dual unit. This embodies all possible opposites, including light-dark, male-female, yin-yang, hot-cold, god-devil, etcetera ad infinitum. The units in these pairs are both opposite and complimentary. No unit(y) can exist without its antipode.
We have seen that creation is Ø=2, there being no place for a "1."
It is unlikely that the magician will enact an entire ceremony based on the number 2, but supposedly it could be done.
The Number Three (3) represents the trinity. It is creation (of more illusion), because when two (2) opposites unite, the result is a third unit. Thus, something new has been created. In mundane numerology, it is the number of the artist or the actor.
Three can be correlated to the concept of a triple unit. This embodies all possible expressions
of the triad, including proton-electron-neutron, persona-soul-spirit, Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva, Isis-Osiris-Horus, Father-Son-Holy Spirit, etcetera.
The Holy Spirit is often referred to as the Holy Ghost, which is an interesting term. However, it is merely a mask over the face of the feminine
energy.
The priests of Amoun and Osiris, now primarily known in the west as Christians, have gone to great lengths in order to conceal and repress female involvement in their theology.
It is unlikely that the magician will enact an entire ceremony based on the number 3, although it is possible.
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The Number Four (4) represents solidity, practicality and matter. In mundane numerology, it is the number of the mechanic.
Four can be expressed as a square or a cross. This embodies expressions of the quaternary, including four directions, dimensions, walls, elements, and so forth. Atoms of Gold present themselves in a square (cuboidal) shape.
The four elements are relegated to the four directions. The "usual" western correspondences are:
earth-green-east / fire-red-south / air-yellow-west / water-blue-north
The number four is supposed to be solid, practical, and fixed. However, each culture seems to have its own version of these directions and correspondences. For example, see The Mayan arrangement >
In fact, the four element system is actually quite slippery, malleable and unstable due its ability to be manipulated. One may conveniently utilize the four directions as long as one agrees with one's self about the correspondences and doesn't get stuck in the illusion that there is a cosmic significance inherent in any particular arrangement.
Beware of the tendency to pick one set of correspondences, saying, "This is the true four-element configuration, and all others are in error."
It is quite likely that the magician may enact a ceremony based on the number 4, for this is a very common arrangement - perhaps the most common.
The Number Five (5) represents action, travel, conflict and war. In mundane numerology, it is the number of the warrior and the traveler. In general terms, it is the number of man.
Five can be expressed as a pentagram or pentagon. This represents the human form (two arms, two legs, and a head). When a pentagram is pointed downward, it is said to represent the devil. Since there really is no such being as the devil, we should recognize it to merely be the symbol of man with his head directed toward matter and materialism.
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The US Army and Air Force, the Red Army, and many police badges (especially older versions) all utilize a five-pointed star. The US military headquarters is located in a five-sided building, the Pentagon.
The five elements are sometimes relegated to the four directions, plus one called Aethyr in the center. Aethyr is defined as "the matrix, or space, within which the four elements manifest." The problem with this arrangement is that same instability we encountered with the four elements - nothing has changed, except a fifth "element" has been added in the center.
The five elements can also be arranged in a pentagonal fashion. The problem with this arrangement is that it usually cannot be harnessed and used for practical purposes. Like the number four (4), the typical placement of the five (5) elements is arbitrary.
For efficient practicality, we must look to the Chinese version >
They call their system the five phases, implying that there is only one Qi (Chi), one energy, that undergoes five consecutive and recurring transformations (phases). The order of transformation is exact. The five phases are :
fire-red-consciousness
earth-yellow-mass (the physical body)
metal-white-mind ( western air is the same as the Chinese metal )
water-blue-will
wood-green-emotions
This system stands supreme for interpreting phenomena in nature and in human beings, especially when used for medical diagnosis and treatment.
It is likely that the magician might enact a ceremony based on the number 5, as this is a common arrangement.
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