Arithmancy - Divination by the use of numbers, especially by the numbers of the letters in words and names. 

 

THE GREAT VIRTUES OF NUMBERS, AS WELL IN NATURAL THINGS AS IN SUPERNATURAL.

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THAT there lies wonderful efficacy and virtue in numbers, as well to good as to bad, the most eminent philosophers unanimously teach; especially Hierom, Austin, Origen, Ambrose, Gregory of Nazianzen, Athanasius, Basilius, Hilarius, Rubanas, Bede, and many more conform. Hence Hilarius, in his commentaries upon the Psalms, testifies that the seventy elders, according to the efficacy of numbers, brought the Psalms into order. The natural number is not here considered; but the formal consideration that is in the number;--and let that which we spoke before always be kept in mind, viz. that these powers are not in vocal numbers of merchants buying and selling; but in rational, formal, and natural;--these are the distinct mysteries of God and Nature. But he who knows how to join together the vocal numbers and natural with divine, and order them into the same harmony, shall be able to work and know wonderful things by numbers; in which, unless there was a great mystery, John had not said, in the Revelation--"He that hath understanding, let him compute the number of the name of the beast, which is the number of a man;"--and this is the most famous manner of computing amongst the Hebrews and Cabalists, as we shall shew afterwards. But this you must know, that simple numbers signify divine things, numbers of ten; celestial numbers of an hundred; terrestrial numbers of a thousand--those things that shall be in a future age. Besides, seeing the parts of the mind are according to an arithmetical mediocrity, by reason of the identity, or equality of excess, coupled together; but the body, whose parts differ in their greatness, is, according to a geometrical mediocrity, compounded; but an animal consists of both, viz. soul and body, according to that mediocrity which is. suitable to harmony. Hence it is that numbers work very much upon the soul, figures upon the body, and harmony upon the whole animal.

 

Zero

 

0

 

Zero is a powerful number which brings great transformational change, sometimes occurring in a profound manner. It has much intensity, so caution is needed wherever it appears to ensure that extremes are not encountered.

Zero represents the Cosmic Egg, the primordial Androgyne - the Plenum. Zero as an empty circle depicts both the nothingness of death and yet the totality of life contained within the circle. As an ellipse the two sides represent ascent and descent, evolution and involution.

Before the One (meaning the Source--not the number) there is only Void, or non-being; thought; the ultimate mystery, the incomprehensible Absolute. Begins with meanings such as, Non-existence; nothingness; the unmanifest; the unlimited; the eternal. The absence of all quality or quantity.

　

Taoism: It symbolizes the Void; non-being.

Buddhism: It is the Void and no-thingness.

Kabbalism: Boundless; Limitless Light; the Ain.

Pathagoras saw zero as the perfect. Zero is the Monad, the originator and container of All.

Islamic: Zero is the Divine Essence.

 

Middle East

By the mid 2nd millennium BC, the Babylonians had a sophisticated sexagesimal positional numeral system. The lack of a positional value (or zero) was indicated by a space between sexagesimal numerals. By 300 BC a punctuation symbol (two slanted wedges) was co-opted as a placeholder in the same Babylonian system. In a tablet unearthed at Kish (dating from perhaps as far back as 700 BC), the scribe Bel-ban-aplu wrote his zeroes with three hooks, rather than two slanted wedges.

The Babylonian placeholder was not a true zero because it was not used alone. Thus numbers like 2 and 120 (2X60), 3 and 180 (3X60), 4 and 240 (4X60), et al., looked the same because the larger numbers lacked a final sexagesimal placeholder. Only context could differentiate them.

 

Greece

Ancient Greeks seemed unsure about the status of zero as a number: they asked themselves "How can nothing be something?", leading to interesting philosophical and, by the Medieval period, religious arguments about the nature and existence of zero and the vacuum. The paradoxes of Zeno of Elea depend in large part on the uncertain interpretation of zero. The ancient Greeks also questioned whether 1 was a number.

Early use of something like zero by the Indian scholar Pingala (circa 5th-2nd century BC), implied at first glance by his use of binary numbers, is only the modern binary representation using 0 and 1 applied to Pingala's binary system, which used short and long syllables (the latter equal in length to two short syllables), making it similar to Morse code. Nevertheless, he and other Indian scholars at the time used the Sanskrit word sunya (the origin of the word zero after a series of transliterations and a literal translation) to refer to zero or void.

 

Mesoamerica

The Mesoamerican (Mayan) Long Count calendar developed in south-central Mexico required the use of zero as a place-holder within its vigesimal (base-20) positional numeral system. A shell glyph was used as a zero symbol for these Long Count dates, the earliest of which (on Stela 2 at Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas) has a date of 36 BC. Since the eight earliest Long Count dates appear outside the Maya homeland, it is assumed that the use of zero in the Americas predated the Maya and was possibly the invention of the Olmecs.

The Olmecs are most important.

Many of the earliest Long Count dates were found within the Olmec heartland, although the fact that the Olmec civilization had come to an end by the 4th century BC, several centuries before the earliest known Long Count dates, argues against the zero being an Olmec discovery.

Although zero became an integral part of Maya numerals, it of course did not influence Old World numeral systems.

 

Greece

By 130, Ptolemy, influenced by Hipparchus and the Babylonians, was using a symbol for zero (a small circle with a long overbar) within a sexagesimal numeral system otherwise using alphabetic Greek numerals. Because it was used alone, not just as a placeholder, this Hellenistic zero was perhaps the first documented use of a number zero in the Old World. However, the positions were usually limited to the cractional part of a number, called minutes, seconds, thirds, fourths, etc. They were not used the integral part of a number. In later Byzantine manuscripts of his Syntaxis Mathematica (Almagest), the Hellenistic zero had morphed into the Greek letter omicron (otherwise meaning 70).

 

Rome

Another zero was used in tables alongside Roman numerals by 525 (first known use by Dionysius Exiguus), but as a word, nulla meaning nothing, not as a symbol. When division produced zero as a remainder, nihil, also meaning nothing, was used. These medieval zeros were used by all future medieval computists (calculators of Easter). An isolated use of their initial, N, was used in a table of Roman numerals by Bede or a colleague about 725, a zero symbol.

 

India

In 498 AD, Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata stated that "Sthanam sthanam dasa gunam" or place to place in ten times in value, which may be the origin of the modern decimal based place value notation.

The oldest known text to use zero is the Jain text from India entitled the Lokavibhaaga, dated 458 AD. however, it was first introduced to the world by Al Khawarizmim, a Persian mathematician, astronomer and geographer. He was the founder of several branches and basic concepts of mathematics. In the words of Phillip Hitti, Al Khawarizmi's contribution to mathematics influenced mathematical thought to a greater extent. His work on algebra initiated the subject in a systematic form and also developed it to the extent of giving analytical solutions of linear and quadratic equations, which established him as the founder of Algebra. The very name Algebra has been derived from his famous book Al-Jabr wa-al-Muqabilah.

His arithmetic synthesized Greek and Hindu knowledge and also contained his own contribution of fundamental importance to mathematics and science. Thus, he explained the use of zero, a numeral of fundamental importance developed by the Arabs. Similarly, he developed the decimal system so that the overall system of numerals, 'algorithm' or 'algorizm' is named after him.

The first indubitable appearance of a symbol for zero appears in 876 in India on a stone tablet in Gwalior. Documents on copper plates, with the same small o in them, dated back as far as the sixth century AD, abound.

 

 

　

One (1)

 

1

1 (one) is a number, numeral, and the name of the glyph representing that number. It is the natural number following 0 and preceding 2. It represents a single entity. One is sometimes referred to as unity or unit as an adjective. For example, a line segment of "unit length" is a line segment of length 1.

 

1 Is considered to be a primordial unity. The beginning. The Creator. It the First Cause or as some cultures refer, the First Mover.

 

One is the sum of all possibilities. It is essence, the Center. One is referred to isolation. One springs forth, upsurges. It is seen as the number that gives cause to duality as multiplicity and back to final unity.

 

Chinese: refer to one as Yang, masculine; celestial. It is seen as an auspicios number. One is The Monad. Christian : God the Father; the Godhead.

 

Hebrew: Adonai, the Lord, the Most High, the I am, hidden intelligence.

 

Islamic: One refers to one as God as unity; the Absolute; self sufficient.

 

Pythagorean: One as meaning Spirit; God, from which all things come. It is the very essence, the Monad.

 

Taoism "Tao begets One, One begets Two, Two begets Three and Three begets all things."

 

 

Two (2)

2

Duality. Alteration; diversity; conflict; dependence. Two is a static condition. It is rooted, seen as balance (two sides); stability; reflection. Two are the opposite poles. Represents the dual nature of the human being. It is desire, since all that is manifest in duality is in pairs of opposites. As One represents a point, two represents a length. The Binary is the first number to recede from Unity, it also symbolizes sin which deviates from the first good and denotes the transitory and the corruptible.Two represents two-fold strength--that is symbolized by two of anything, usually in history, by animals in pairs.

 

Cultural References

 

In Alchemy, two are the opposites, sun and moon. King and Queen. Sulpher and quicksilver, at first antagonistic but finally resolved and united in the androgyne.

 

Buddhist: see two as the duality of samsara; male and female. Two is theory and practice; wisdom and method. It is blind and the lame united to see the way and to walk it.

 

Chinese, two is Yin , feminine; terrestrial; inauspicious.

 

Christian: Christ with two natures as God and human.

 

Revelation: Two is the number of witness. The disciples were sent out by two's (Mark 6:7). Two witnesses are required to establish truth (Deu 17:6, John 8:17, 2 Cor 13:1). Examples in Revelation are the beast out of the earth who has two horns like a lamb but spoke like a dragon (13:11). He is the false prophet. However the two witnesses are the true prophets of God (11:3).

 

Hebrew: Two is The life-force. In Qabalism wisdom and self-consciousness.

 

Hindu: Two is duality, the shakta-shakti.

 

Islamic: Two Spirit.

 

Platonic: Plato says two is a digit without meaning as it implies relationship, which introduces the third factor.

Pythagorean: Two is The Duad, the divided terrestrial being.

Taoist says two is representative of The K'ua, the Two. Determinants, the yin-yang. Two is a weak yin number as it as no center.

 

 

Three (3)

3

 

The third dimension - we do things in threes so they will manifest in our physical realm.

It's roots stem from the meaning of multiplicity. Creative power; growth. Three is a moving forward of energy, overcoming duality, expression, manifestation and synthesis. Three is the first number to which the meaning "all" was given. It is The Triad, being the number of the whole as it contains the beginning, a middle and an end.

 

The power of three is universal and is the tripartide nature of the world as heaven, earth, and waters. It is human as body, soul and spirit. Notice the distinction that soul and spirit are not the same. They are not. Three is birth, life, death. It is the beginning, middle and end. Three is a complete cycle unto itself. It is past, present, future.

 

The symbol of three is the triangle. Three interwoven circles or triangles can represent the indissoluble unity of the three persons of the trinity. Others symbols using three are: trident, fleur-de-lis, trefoil, trisula, thunderbolt, and trigrams.

The astral or emotional body stays connected to the physically body for three days after death. There is scientific evidence that the brain, even when all other systems are failing takes three days to register complete shutdown.

 

There are 3 phases to the moon. Lunar animals are often depcited as 3 legged.

 

Three is the heavenly number, representing soul, as four represents body. Together the two equal seven (3+4=7 ) and form the sacred hebdomad. The 3x4=12 representing the signs of the Zodiac and months of the year.

Pythagorean three means completion.

 

There are three wishes, genies have three wishes, three leprecons, three prince or princesses, three witches, three weird sisters among others.

 

Cultural References

 

Africa Ashanti: the moon goddess is three people, two black, and one white.

 

Arabian, Pre-Islamic: the Manant is a threefold goddess representing the 3 Holy Virgins, Al-Itab, Al-Uzza, and Al-Manat. They are depicted as aniconic stelae, stones or pillars, or as pillars surmounted by doves.

 

Buddhist: tradition the theme of 3 is represented by, The Tri-ratna, The Three Precious Jewels, and the Buddha, Dharma, Sangha.

 

Chinese: Sanctity; the auspicious number; the first odd, yang number....The moon toad, or bird, is three-legged.

 

Celtic: Bridgit is threefold; there are the Three Blessed Ladies and innumerable Triads, often a threefold aspect of the same divinity.

 

Christianity: Three represents the Trinity, the soul, the union of body and soul in human in the church. There were three gifts of the Magi to Christ as God-King-Sacrifice; three figures of transformation, temptations, denials by Peter (one of the 12 Apostles--- 12=3 (1+2=3). There were 3 crosses at Calvary, He died on The Hills, there were 3 days to the death process for Christ, and there were 3 appearances after his death. There were 3 Marys, and there are 3 qualities or theological virtutes being Faith, Hope, Love or more commonly known as Charity. The number 3 gives to the meaning the embracing Godhead - Father, Mother, Son/Daughter.

 

Egyptian: Hermetic tradition, Thoth is the Thrice Great, 'Trismegistus'. The Supreme Power.

 

The opening line of the Emerald Tablets of Thoth the Atlantean

Tablet 11

Three is the mystery, come from the great one,

Hear, and light on thee will dawn.

In the primeval dwell three unities,

Other than these none can exist.

These are the equilibrium, source of creation,

One God, One Truth, One Point of Freedom.

Three come forth from the three of the balance,

All Life, all Good, all Power.

Three are the qualities of God in his light-home

Infinite Power, Infinite Wisdom, Infinite Love.

Three are the circles (or states) of Existence:

The Circle of Light where dwells nothing but God,

and only God can traverse it,

The Circle of Chaos where all things by nature arise from Death,

The Circle of Awareness where all things spring from Life.

All things animate are of three states of existence,

Chaos or death, liberty in humanity, and felicity of Heaven.

 

There is an ancient wisdom that's says; 'Messages or events that come in three's are worth noticing. 'Whenever anything is mentioned three times it is a witness to us that these things are of utmost importance.

 

Three symbolizes manifestation into the physical. It is the triangle - pyramid shape in the vesica pisces - see image below.

 

The TV Show 'Charmed' deals the 'Power of Three Sister Witches', known as the Charmed Ones. Their job is to vanquish evil forces in their many forms and sometimes non-forms.

　

The  symbol, called a Triquetra (tri-KET a Latin word meaning 'three cornered') appears on The Book Of Shadows.an ancient book of spells that assists these 'Charmed Ones' in dealing with the evil forces they are continually encountering. In some episodes so called evil and good must work together to bring balance to a situation. They cancel each other out in the end - poof - gone - disappeared!

 

A powerful confirmation occurred as we walked back along the trail, unexpectedly encountering a huge grandmother tortoise seemingly waiting beside the trail to greet us. That's when I knew I was to share about the 'Power of Three' for those who may feel inspired to consciously work with this powerful element of sacred geometry.

 

'Power of Three' has to do with Alchemy. The Egyptian god Thoth or the Greek Hermes Trismegistus (Thrice Blessed or Thrice Great) are the progenitors of the Emerald Tablets describing the mysteries of Alchemy. The alchemy of three is demonstrated by its power of multiplicity. For example, in understanding the numbers - One gave rise to Two (1+1=2) and Two gave Rise to Three (2+1=3) and Three gave rise to all numbers (3+1=4, 3+2=5, 3+3=6, 3+4=7, 3+5=8 3+6=9). Thus in addition to being a number of good fortune, Three is also the number of multiplicity and alchemy among other things.

 

Many believe the Triquetrais an ancient symbol of the female trinity, because it is composed of three interlaced yonic Vesica Pisces (a.k.a. PiscisSLatin for "Vessel of the Fish") and is the most basic and important construction in Sacred Geometry, which is the architecture of the universe.

 

A Vesica is formed when the circumference of two identical circles each pass through the center of the other in effect creating a portal. 'The Triquetra' represents the 'Power of Three' or the threefold nature of existence i.e. body, mind and spirit; life, death and rebirth; past, present and future; beginning, middle and end; Sun, Moon and Earth; and the threefold co-creative process described as thought, word, and deed.

　

Sphere=ovum

Vesica Pisces - Oval opening of the penis

The creation process as described in the Vedas is unfolding, maintaining, and concluding as in birth, life and death. There are innumerable trinities and triads throughout myth and religious traditions, such as the triple goddess; maiden, mother, crone. One example in Greek mythology is Kore, Demeter, Hecate. The Christian trinity is Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Vedic trinities include Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva with their consorts Saraswati, Lakshmi and Kali to name just a few.

I have often referred to triple planetary and celestial alignments as a Triune Council. This month we have several Triune Councils including the important Venus retrograde in Scorpio that will join up with Mercury and the Moon. Scorpio is the archetypal sign of the powerful Sorceress Witch (the crone aspect also linked with Kali, Hecate, Pele, the Cretan Snake Goddess, Cerridwen and all the goddesses linked with death and rebirth).

 

Her job is to align with divine will for the purpose of commanding life force energy so powerfully that she is fully the mistress of magic and manifestation generating ecstatic life experiences through the Shamanic Process of death and rebirth. It is worth noting all the Triune Councils that occur regularly 'Above and Below' as they energize the 'Power of Three.'

When we are seeking direct experience of these energies we can then work with them more consciously. If you feel inspired by and connected to the 'Power of Three' it may be worthwhile to experiment with gathering in groups of three with a common intent and then invoke the Power of Three and notice what happens. This just may be one simple key to planetary transformation utilizing the Power of Three to catalyze the alchemy of our world into the fully embodied, living experience of Heaven on Earth.

 

Greco-Roman: Fate, the Moirai, who are three-in-one as Moira; Hecate is three-fold; the Erinyes are three-in-one as Erinys, as are the Gorgons as Medusa. There are three charities, graces. There are 3 sirens, Horae, Hesperides, Graiai. Cerberus is a triple-headed and Scylla has a 3 bitch tail. The Chimera has a three part body. Three, four and their sum, seven are sacred to Aphrodite/Venus as queen of the three worlds and four elements. Orphic symbols has the triad of Being, Life, Intelligence.

Hebrew three is symbolized by Limitless Light; sanctifying intelligence. In the Kaballah three represents understanding and the trinity of male, female and uniting intelligence.

 

Hindu: The Trimurti, the triple power of creation, destruction, preservation, of unfolding, maintaining and concluding. There are various trinities of gods. The moon chariot has three wheels.

 

Japanese: The Three Treasures are, Mirror, Sword and Jewel--that being Truth, Courage and Compassion.

 

Maori: the Great Spirit, the Divine Creator, is a trinity of sun, moon earth, the god of nature, of past, present, and future. It is mind, character, physique symbolized by three raised fingers.

 

Mexican: the Trinity is represented by three crosses, one large, two smaller.

 

Scandinavia: Fate as the Three Norns, Mani, Nyi and Nithi, who denote the full, new, and waning moon.

 

Teutonic mythology: the moon is Fate, and Holda, the lunar goddess, is trine with her two daughters. Thor is sometimes depicted with three heads and the triskele is a symbol of Odin/Woden. Three is the number of good fortune. In Carthage, the Great Goddess, as lunar, is represented by three aniconic pillars.

 

Slavic: The moon god is triple-headed.

 

Taoist: The Great Triad is Heaven-Man (Human)-Earth. Three is the strong number in Taoist symbolism because it is the center point of equilibrium.

 

Four (4)

 

4

 

Four is the 4th dimension = time which is illusion.

Four is seen as the first solid number. Spatial in scheme or order in manifestation.

Static as opposed to the circular and the dynamic

Wholeness; totality; completion; solid

Earth; order

Rational - relativity and justice

Symbol of measurement

Foundation

 

The are four cardinal points; four seasons; four winds; four directions (as in North, South, East, West); four elements (Fire, Water, Air, Earth) in the western culture.

 

There are four sides to a square; four arms to a cross. There are four rivers to Paradise, that formed a cross (the Garden of Eden was said to be within the four rivers). Within Paradise were four infernal regions, seas, and sacred mountains. There are four watches of the night and day, quarters of the moon. There are four quarters to the earth. There are four tetramorphs. The Divine Quaternity is in direct contrast to the Trinity. Four is a symbolic number used throughout in the Old Testament. The quaternary can be depicted as the quatrefoil as well as the square and the cross.

　

Native American: As in other cultures, ceremonies and ritual acts are repeated in fours. The Native Amercican cultures have used the number 4 most frequently as in the four cardinal directions. The four winds are depicted by the symbol of the cross and by the symbol of the swastika. The swastika as some misbelieve was not created by Hitler. It was instead borrowed from the Native American and occult beliefs of which Hitler had great interests. Hitler derived his "insanity" of power from his misdirected interpretation and use of metaphysical principles. He used knowledge that his human consciousness couldn't possibly understand and the use of this knowledge for personal gain is part of the imbalance that creates the chaos and karma.

 

Buddhism: The Damba Tree of Life has four limbs and from its roots four sacred streams of Paradise that represent the the four boundless wishes of compassion, affection, love impartiality. It also represents the four directions of the heart as well.

 

Chinese Buddism: there are four celestial guardians of cardinal points are Mo-li Ch'ing, the East, with the jade ring and spear; Virupaksha, the West, the Far-gazer, with the four-stringed quitar; Virudhaka, the South, with the umbrella of choas and darkness and earthquakes; Vaisravenna, the North, with the whips, leopard-skin bag, snake and pearl.

 

Chinese: Four is the number of the Earth, symbolized by the square. There are four streams of immortality. Four is even an number. It is Yin in polarity.

 

Christian: Four is the number representing the body, with three representing the soul. Again we see the theme of the four rivers in Paradise. There are four Gospels, Evangelists, chef arch-angels, chef-devils, four Fathers of the Church, Great Prophets. There are four cardinal virtues--prudence, fortitude, justice, temperance. The are four winds from which the One Spirit is said to come. There are four horsemen of the Apocalypse.

 

Revelation: There four angels standing at the four corners of the Earth, holding back the four winds of the earth (Rev 7:1). The great multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language (four-fold description) - Rev 5:9 11:9 13:7 14:6 the four-fold description indicates that these people come from all over the earth.

 

Egyptian: Four is the sacred number of Time, measurement of the sun. Four pillars support the vault of heaven. There are four canopic jars placed around the dead at the four corners guarded by the four sons of Horus who are associated with the cardinal points. In the Hermetic it is the divine quaternity. It represents God.

 

Gnostic: belief in Barbelo, the Four-ness of God.

 

Greek: Four is the sacred number of Hermes.

 

Hebrew: Four represents measuring; beneficence; intelligence. In the Kabbalah four is memory; four represents the four worlds of the Kabbalah.It also represents the four directions of space and the four levels of the hierarchical organism of the Torah.

 

Hindu: Four is Totality; plenitude; perfection. Brahma, the Creator is four faced. The temple is based on the four sides of the square, symbolizing order and finality. There are four tattvas the four bodies bodies of human and kingdoms of nature which are animal, vegetable, mineral, mind. There are four yugas. Four is the winning throw of the dice. There are four castes and pairs of opposites.

 

Islamic: tradition the four terms of the quaternary are the Principle which is Creator; Universal Spirit; Universal Soul; and the primordial matter. These correspond to the four worlds of Kabbalism. There are four angelic beings and four houses of death. There are four levels to the Bardo.

 

Mayan culture: four giants support the celestial roof. Four is seen as the number of support .

 

Pythagorean: Four is Perfection; harmonious proportion; justice; the earth. Four is the number of the Pythagorean oath. Four and ten are divinities. The Tetraktys 1+2+3+4=10.

 

Scandinavian: there are four rivers of milk flowing in Asgard.

 

Sumero-Semitic: Four astral gods are indentified with the four cardinal points.

 

Teutonic: four dwarfs support the world.

 

Taoist: There are four celestial guardians, Li, with the pagoda; Ma, with the sword; Cho with two swords; Wen with a spiked club.

 

 

Five (5)

 

5

 

Five is the symbol of human microcosm. The number of the human being. Human forms---the pentagon when arms and legs are out stretched. The pentagon is endless ---sharing the symbolism of perfection and power of the circle. Five is a circular number as it produces itself in its last digit when raised to its own power. The pentacle, like the circle symbolizes whole, the quincunx being the number of its center and the meeting point of heaven, earth, and the four cardinal points plus the center point.

Five is also representative of the Godhead - Central Creator of the four fours plus itself equalling five. Five is the marriage of the hieros gamos as combination of feminine and the masculine. Feminine being even, as 2, in frequency and masculine being odd as 3 in frequency = 5.

 

The number five symbolizes meditation; religion; versatility. It represents the five senses (taste, touch, smell, sight, hearing) everywhere except in the East. In the East there are six---the extra being Mind. We find meanings to five in the five petaled flower, five pointed leaves--especially the ROSE. The Rose has much symbolism, but also the lily, vine, all of which represent the microcosm.

 

The five pointed star depicts individuality and spiritual aspiration, and education when it points upward. The five pointed star pointing downward represents witchcraft, and it is used in black magic. Noted: There is a very broad difference between witchcraft and black magic.

 

The number five formed the first counting process from which all else came.

 

Cultural References

 

Alchemy: The five petaled flower and five pointed star symbolizing the quintessence.

 

Buddhist: belief the heart has four directions-- the heart center makes five, symbolizing, universality. This idea is also symbolized by the Sacred Mountains surrounded by the four islands. There are five Dhyani Buddhas: Vairocana, the Brillant, who is represented by the wheel, the witness; Akshobhya, the Imperturbable, with vajra, the East and blue; Ratnasambhava, the Jewel-born, jewel, south, yellow; Amitabha, Boundless Light, lotus, West, red; Amoghasiddhi, Infallible Success, sword, North, green.

 

Chinese: There are five elements. Five atmospheres; conditions; planets; sacred mountains; grains, colors, tastes, poisons; powerful charms; cardinal virtues; blessings; eternal ideas; relations to human kind.

 

Christian: Five depicts human beings after the Fall in the Garden of Eden. There are five senses; five points to the cross; wounds of Christ; fishes feeding five thousand; and books of Moses.

 

Egyptian: There are five crocodiles of the Nile.

 

Graeco-Roman: Five is the nuptial number of love and union.. It is the number of Venus. Venus years are completed in groups of five. Apollo as god of light has five qualities: omniscience, omnipresence; omnipotence, eternity, and unity.

 

Hebrew: Five represents strength and severity; radical intelligence. In kabbala five represence fear.

 

Hindu: Five is the quinary groups of the world; the five elements of the subtle and coarse states; their primary colors; of senses; five faces of Siva and the twice-five incarnations of Vishnu.

 

Islamic: There are five pillars of religion; five Devine Presences; five fundamental dogmas; five actions; and five daily times of prayer.

 

Parsee: Five is a significant number in Parsee and Mandaean rites - possibly connected with the five sacred intercalary days of light.

 

Pythagorean: Hieros, gamos, the marriage of heaven, earth. It represents Apollo as God of light and his five qualities.

 

Taoist:

 

 

Six (6)

 

6

Six represents equilibrium; harmony - balance. It is the perfect number within the decad: 1+2+3=6. It is the most productive of all numbers.

 

It symbolizes union of polarity, the hermaphrodite being represented by the two interlaced triangles, the upward- pointing as male, fire and the heavens, and the downward-pointing as female, the waters and the earth.

 

Six is the symbol of luck; love; health; beauty; chance. It is a winning number at the throw of the dice in the West.

There are six rays of the solar wheel and there are six interlaced triangles. There are six pointed stars or Seal of Solomon - and Star of David - Merkabah

 

Cultural References

 

Chinese: Six represents Universe, with its four cardinal points and the Above and Below - making it a total of six directions. Chinese culture there are six senses: tastse, touch, smell, sight, hearing, the sixth being mind. The day and night each have six periods.

 

Christian: Six is perfection; completion because man was created on the sixth day. Six is man's number The most obvious use of this number is in the notorious passage containing 666.

(Rev 13:18 NIV) This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666.

 

Hebrew: There are six days of creation. It symbolizes meditation and intelligence.

 

Kabbalism: Six is creation, and beauty.

 

Pythagorean: Luck

 

Sumerian: Six days of creation

 

Taoist:

 

 

Seven (7)

 

7

 

If 6 represents humanity then 7 - the center of the spiral is humanity's connection to its source, god, Christ consciousness - or whatever name you prefer.

 

Seven is the number of the Universe. It is the three of the heavens (soul) combined with the four (body) of the earth; being the first number containing both the spiritual and the temporal. In looking over the list of meanings it doesn't take long to figure out why the seven has become significant in metaphysical, religious and other spiritual doctrines - as seven represents the virginity of the Great Mother - feminine archetype - She who creates.

 

There are 7

ages of man

ancient wonders of the world

circles of Universe

cosmic stages

days of the week

heavens

hells

pillars of wisdom

rays of the sun

musical notes - sound as frequency plays a key roll in matters of Universe. There are over 80 octaves of frequency - each governing a specific manifestation in Universe.

In all cultures, myths and legends seven represents...

completeness and totality

macrocosm

perfection

plenty

reintegration

rest

security

safety

synthesis

 

The writings about the seven-headed dragon appear throughout India, Persia, the Far East, especially Cambodia, but also Celtic and other Mediterranean myths.

 

The seventh ray of the sun is the path by which the human beings pass from this world to the next. Seven days is the period for fasting and penitence. The seventh power of any number, both square and a cube and thus was given great importance.

Alchemy - There are seven metals involved with the Work.

 

Astrology: There are seven stars of the Great Bear which are indestructible. There are seven Pleiades-- sometimes referred to as the, Seven Sisters.

 

Buddhist: Seven is the number of ascent and of ascending to the higest; attaining the center. The seven steps of Buddha symbolize the ascent of the seven cosmic stages transcending time and space. The seven-storied prasada at Borobadur is a sacred mountain and axis mundi, culminating in the transcendent North, reaching the realm of Buddha.

Chinese culture the meaning and symboligies are intertwined throughout in their myths and legends of fairies and animal spirits.

 

Christian: Seven is idealogogy. God is represented by the seventh ray in the center of the six rays of creation. There are seven sacraments; gifts of spirit; the seven of 3+4 theological and cardinal virtues; deadly sins, tiers of Purgatory (in metaphysical belief this would be one of the lower astral planes - or in Buddhism, one of the Bardo planes). There are 7 councils of the early church - crystal spheres containing the planets - devils cast out by Christ - joys and sorrows of Mary the Blessed Virgin, mother of Jesus - liberal arts - major prophets - periods of fasting and penitence - seventh day after the six of creation

In the Old Testament there are the seven altars of Baalam; oxen and rams for sacrifice; trumpets; circuits of Jericho; seven times Naaman bathed in the Jordan. Seven is the number of Samon's bonds; the child raised by Elisha sneezed seven times. The Ark rested on the seventh month and the dove was sent out after seven days.

The number seven is used 55 times in Revelation. It usually means fullness or completeness as in seven days of the week. God rested on the seventh day. Examples abound: seven churches, seven trumpets, seven seals, seven bowls, seven eyes etc etc.

 

Egyptian mythology: There are seven Hathors as Fates and the priestesses of Hathor have seven jars in their seven tunics. Ra has seven hawks representing the seven Wise Ones. Six cows and a bull represent fertility. There are seven houses of the underworld, as depicted in Egyptian myths, with three times seven gates. Seven is the sacred number of Osiris.

 

Graeco-Roman: Sacred to Apollo, whose lyre has seven strings, and to Athene/Minerva and Ares/Mars; Pan had seven pipes (again a reference to seven musical notes and frequency); there seven Wise Men of Greece.

 

Hebrew tradition: Seven is the number of occult intelligence. There are seven Great Holy Days in the Jewish year; the Menorah has seven branches; the Temple took seven years to build; and there are seven pillars of wisdom.

Hinduism there are Seven Jewels of the Brahmanas and seven gods before the floods and seven Wise Men saved from it.

 

Islamic: The perfect number is seven. In Islamic tradition there are references to seven:

heavens

climates

earths and seas

colors

prophets (active powers) states or stations of the heart The Ka'aba is circumambulated seven times representing the seven attributes of God.

 

Magic: There are seven knots in a cord for "spellbinding" and incantations are sevenfold. Certain orders of Brotherhood use theme of tying seven knots in their rope sash worn around their waist.

 

Mithraic: The cave of Mithras has seven doors, seven altars, and a ladder with seven rungs depicting the seven grades of initiation into the mystery schools.

 

Pythagorean: Seven is a cosmic number with three of heaven and four of the world.

 

Sumero-Semitic: There are seven lunar divisions and days of the week. "Thou shalt shine with horns to determine six days and on the seventh with half a crown.", the seventh thus becomes opposition to the sun and symbolizes darkness and balefulness and therefore is dangerous to undertake anything on the seventh day because that is the day of rest. We can see here the influence of this belief in other religious contexts. There are seven zones of earth; heavens, symbolized by the planes of ziggurat.

 

There are seven branches to the Tree of Life each having seven leaves. Leaves are symbols of fertility, renewal and growth. There are seven gates of hell, seven demons of Tiamat and seven winds to destroy her---interesting to note that in many belief systems it is said that the astral plane has seven levels to it--one sound on one of those levels is "wind".

Seven is a mystic number traditionally associated with Venus and more recently with Neptune. It is the number of feelings and of instincts - of the Group Mind, of Love, whether that strange, indescribable but pervasive feeling of love is towards another person, a pet, oneself or one's God. 'Love' embodies tremendous sexual energy, the emotions of which may be directed in various ways.

　

Heptagon

Heptagon is the inward directing of that emotion, the containment, the 'love inside', that is symbolized by the heptagon. It is the love we 'hold' and can equally signify a deep religious conviction, a forming of our God in our own image or an infatuation with another. It is feeling contained.

　

Heptagram

The 7-pointed star or heptagram is a mystical occult symbol. Like the pentagram, it has been called the Witch's Star, also the Astrologer's Star. Beyond six points, the polygrams all have multiple configurations and the heptagram may be drawn in two different ways - an obtuse form and an acute angled form; both forms are unicursal, here shown together with the third 7-point figure, the heptagon.

 

In cabalistic terms, the number '7' is attributed to Venus. It relates to Man's mundane feelings and his instincts - to his sexuality . It relates to Man's place in the pattern of Nature and to his linking with the Group Mind - the undifferentiated Soul of Mankind.

 

Man's pattern of mundane life is much ruled by the seven day cycle of the week. The seven classical 'planets' : Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturlend their names to the days of the week and may be arranged around the figure of the heptagram.

　

Placed around the acute heptagram in the order of their apparent speed of movement in the heavens, the 'planets' are ordered along the unicursal line in the order of days of the week.

 

The heptagram also relates to the seven chakras of the body. These are the energy nodes that rise up the course of the spine from the basal node, where is coiled the Kundalini serpent, to the point at the top of the head. The mundane well-being of the body and its aura are linked to the chakras. The heptagram is symbolic of this balanced, flowing of bodily energies and of health. It is a symbol relating to healing and dynamic balance of the body physic.

 

There are two forms of heptagram:

The obtuse form suggests passivity, contentment and attuning with nature and its forces; of healthy rhythms and normal sexuality; of balanced feelings and satisfied desires; of normal receptivity and awareness of the feelings of others.

The acute, active form suggests an outgoing interaction with nature's forces, making progressive use of them and directing sexual energy. It suggests strong feelings and strongly expressed desires; likewise perhaps, heightened sensitivity to the emotions of others. It is a symbol of the empath and the healer.

Combining the three seven - pointed figures together, creates a beautiful mandala of meditation.

 

 

Eight (8)

 

8

 

 

Spiritually eight is the goal of the initiate, having gone through the seven stages. Eight is Infinity - Paradise regained.

Eight is solidarity as the first cube and it denotes perfection by virtue of it's six surfaces. There are eight winds and intermediate directions of space. Eight represents the pairs of opposites. The octagon is the beginning of the transformation of the square into a circle and vice versa.

 

Cultural References

 

Eight in many cultures and ideologies seems to have similar meanings: Felicity

Perfect rhythm

Regeneration

Resurrection

 

In some myths the eighth day created the new "man" of grace. After seven days of fasting and penance the eighth day becomes plenty and renewal. 7+1 is the number of the octave which is a continual theme in all esoteric belief systems. The knowledge of frequency and sound are a vital key in the ancient "mystery schools".

 

Buddhist tradition: eight is completion, all possibilities. There are eight symbols of good augury.

Chinese system of belief eight represents the whole. It is all possibilities in manifestation. Eight is seen as a good luck number. The PAKUA is the design depicting the eight trigrams and pairs of opposites, usually in a circle, the circumference of which symbolizes time and space. There are eight delights of human existence.

 

Christian: Eight is regeneration and rebirth. The font is usually octagonal as symbolizing the place of regeneration. There are eight beatitudes.

 

Egyptian: Eight is the number of Thoth.

 

Hebrew: Eight is perfect intelligence; splendor. The digit value of "IHVH" is the "Number of the Lord". The Temple was sanctified in eight days.

 

Hermetic: In their system there is one chief God, (eight minor gods) Thoth/Hermes was the inventor of numbers and geometry.

 

Hindu: 8x8 symbolism is the order of the celestial world established on earth. Temples are built on the pattern of the MANDALA, which is the 8x8 symbol. In their belief system there are eight regions of the world, suns, divisions of the day, and eight chakras.

 

Islamic: The throne which encompasses the world is supported by eight angels, corresponding to both the eight divisions of space and the groups of letters in the Arabic alphabet.

 

Japanese: Eight is the "many". There are eight Gods in the heavens.

 

Platonic: Plato has eight spheres of different colors surrounding the luminous pillars of the heavens.

 

Pythagorean: Eight is solidarity and stability.

 

Sumero-Semitic: Eight is the magic number of Nebo.

 

Taoist: Eight to be All possibilities in manifestation with the Pa Kua representing the forces in the phenomenal world. There are eight Taoist genii or immortals.

 

 

Nine (9)

 

9

Nine is composed of the all-powerful 3x3.

 

It is the Triple Triad - Completion; fulfillment; attainment; beginning and the end; the whole number; a celestial and angelic number - the Earthly Paradise.

 

It is the number of the circumference, its division into 90 degrees and into 360 for the entire circumference.

Nine is symbolized by the two triangles which are a symbol of male, fire, mountain and female, water, cave principles.

 

Cultural References

Buddhist tradition holds nine to be the supreme spiritual power, and a celestial number.

Celtic legend symbolizes nine as a highly significant number. It is a central number with the eight directions with the center making nine. The Triple Goddesses are thrice three. There are nine Celtic maidens and nine white stones that symbolize the nine virgins attendant on Bridgit. Nine is connected with the Beltane Fire rites which are attended by 81( 8+ 1= 9) men, nine at a time.

 

Chinese: Nine is qa celestial power. It is 3x3 being the most auspicious of all the numbers. Nine also signifies the eight directions with the center as the ninth point known as the Hall of Light. There are nine great social laws and classes of officials. In land divisions for Feng Shui there are eight exterior squares for cultivation of the land by holders and the central, and ninth, square is a "god's acre", dedicated to Shang-ti, the supreme ruler. It is also known as the Emperor's Field, giving homage and respect denoting the position of heavenly power.

 

Christian: Nine is one of the numbers that appears scantly in Christian symbolism. There are the triple triads of choirs of angels and nine spheres and nine rings around hell.

Egyptian mythology nine represents The Ennead.

 

Graeco-Roman: There are nine Gods and later nine muses.

 

Hebrew: Nine is pure intelligence ( eight was perfect intellingence ). Also represents truth, since it reproduces itself when multiplied.

 

Kabbalism: nine symbolizes foundation.

 

Hindu: Nine is the number of Agni, fire. The square of the nine forms the mandala of eighty-one squares and leads to, and encloses the Universe.

 

Mayan: There are nine underworlds each ruled by a God. We find this reference to "nine underworlds" present in many cultures and beliefs.

 

Pythagorean: The nine is the limit of all numbers, all others existing and coming from the same. ie: 0 to 9 is all one needs to make up an infinite amount of numbers.

 

Scandinavian: Odin/Woden hung for nine days and nights on the Yggdrasil to win the secrets of wisdom for humankind. Skeldi, the northern Persephone, the goddess of snow, lives in her mountain for three months and by Niord's sea for nine months. Nine is the sacred number in Scandinavian-Teutonic symbolism.

 

 

Ten (10)

 

10

10 = 1 = Rebirth - that which stirs and awakens your soul at this time.

 

Ten is the number of the cosmos---the paradigm of creation. The decad contains all numbers and therefore all things and possibilities. It is the radix or turning point of all counting.

 

Ten is all-inclusive representing law; order and dominion. The tetraktys 1+2+3+4= 10 symbolizes divinity and one represents a point; two, length; three, a plane or surface (as a triangle); four, solidity or space.

 

It is seen as the perfect--the return to unity. When based on the digits of the two hands, it is completeness and the foundation of all counting. Its highest ranges of completeness, 100 and 1000, are the basis of all Hindu cosmology, and in China the Ten Thousand Things, ie: the uncountable, symbolize the whole of manifestation.

 

Ten is also the number of completion of journeys and returns to origins: Odysseus wandered for nine years and returned on the tenth. Troy was besieged for nine years and fell on the tenth. Ten is the sum of the number nine of the circumference with the one of the center---being perfection. We see ten also being symbolized in rituals like the ritual of the Maypole - the one of the axis with the circle danced around.

 

Chinese: Represented by a cross formed centrally by the character chi, symbolizing the self facing both ways as both Yin and Yang, which is considered to be the perfect figure. The Ten Celestial Stems (Kan) are possibly connected with the names of the ten-day week on the prevailing cyclic calculations, as evident in the number sixty.

 

Christian: There are ten Commandments of the Decalogue; as there are ten parables of the ten lamps, virgins, and talents. Tithes were to be given to God.

 

Gnostic: The ten Aeons become Sephiroth, emanating from the Pleroma.

 

Hebrew: In Qabalism ten is the numerical value of Yod, the Eternal Word, the first letter of the Divine name. Still in keeping with the Qabalist theme, ten, is representative of ...

- The Decalogue

- Divine support

- Intelligence

- The Kingdom

- The ten names of God

- Resplendent

- Sephiroth The spheres or emanations from the Ein Soph, symbolized by the Tree of Life. The first being the Monad, the First Cause of the other nine which are composed of three trinities, each being an image of the original Trinity of male-female and uniting intelligence. The tenth Adoni represents the mystic return to unity. In Solomon¹s Temple there were ten lavers, tables and candlesticks. The cherubim were ten cubits high and ten Levites minister before the Ark.

 

Islamic: Tithing holds an important place.

 

Hindu: Ten is based on the higher ranges of ten, ie: 100 and 1000.

 

Pythagorean: Ten is The Monad, the recommencement of a series and infinite expansion. Ten is perfection.

 

Roman: Ten is represented by X, the perfect figure and is seen as completion.

 

Sumero-Semitic: The tenth day of the Spring Festival was celebrated by a procession comprising the whole of the Gods.

 

Eleven (11)

 

11

The number 11 is double digit that repeats itself - therefore is considered as a Master or Power Number. In Numerology - 11 represents impractical idealism, visionary, refinement of ideals, intuition, revelation, artistic and inventive genius, avant-garde, androgynous, film, fame, refinement fulfilled when working with a practical partner.

 

Eleven is a higher octave of the number two . It carries psychic vibrations and has an equal balance of masculine and feminine properties. Because eleven contains many gifts such as psychic awareness and a keen sense of sensitivity, it also has negative effects such as treachery and betrayal from secret enemies.

 

11:11 is a digital code for awakening. 11 represents balance. It is your Spiraling Twin DNA

In systems such as Astrology and basic Numerology, eleven is considered to be a Master Number.

Ten being the perfect number, eleven represents the exceeding of both. It is interesting to note that eleven when broken down (1+1=2) comprises the Two of duality.