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On The Symbolism Of The Equilaterax Teia...
history of Kir ^ g Solomon of a sacred number , under which was concealed the symbol of a doctrine certainly opposed to the apparent express teaching of the Hebrew writings in a multitude of instances It would seem also most improbable that a doctrinal point of such importance should have escaped the research of the many learned Jews and Hebraists who have laboured in the field of the occult
interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures . The number 666 is undoubtedly a very remarkable number , and possesses many of the qualities which entitles it to rank among powerful , if not strictly sacred numbers . The Pythagoreans were no doubt acquainted with its properties , for its base ( considered as an equilateral triangle ) , the number 36 , was the tetractys or grand quaternary of the Pythagoreans , and one of their most solemn oaths . The number 36 in the
Pythagorean doctrine , symbolised the male and female powers of nature united , being com posed of the sum of the four odd nuipbers , 1 ¦ ¦ ¦ +. " ' 3 + & + 7 = 16 , added to the sum of the four even numbers , 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 = 20 , and 16 + 20 = 36 . The other remarkable peculiarities of this number have been well exhibited by Brother Gillespie . But do these properties justify the conclusion that , in the place where it is found , this number can be held to have been intended as a symbolization of the attributes of the Deity ?
In the first place it is reasonable to conclude , that had this number possessed the occult value attributed to it , we should find it not only in the isolated and comparatively unimportant position in which it actually occurs , but in many other instances where the nature and attributes of the Deity are treated of .
Secondly , it is not one of the peculiarly sacred numbers of the Hebrews . The numbers 8 and 4 are the two numbers which play the most important part in the symbolic portion of the learning of the Kabbala . It is unnecessary to discuss the evidences of this statement , which occur in vast abundance , and produce the most curious results . It is sufficient to refer to the twenty-six names of the Deity , the value
of the four letters composing the Tetragrammaton , and the value of the letters in the great Name itself , and in the substituted names . In the Pythagorean system , 4 , which is the first square , and 8 , which is the first cube , were important numbers ; 4 , which was termed the quadrate , quaternary , or tetrad , was the most perfect number , symbolizing the soul of man . But in the Hebrew system they were more than important—they were sacred ; and to the number 8 ,
especially , the most extraordinary virtues were attributed . Por the Hebrew application of the harmonic properties of numbers to occult philosophy , is governed by the same theocratic element which runs through the whole of their social and religious polity We must , therefore , endeavour to ascertain the qualities belonging to this number 666 , not merely as to its mathematical properties , but according to the methods adopted in similar cases by the sages of that school of interpretation which has elaborated the Kabbala . ( To be continued . )
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Symbolism Of The Equilaterax Teia...
history of Kir ^ g Solomon of a sacred number , under which was concealed the symbol of a doctrine certainly opposed to the apparent express teaching of the Hebrew writings in a multitude of instances It would seem also most improbable that a doctrinal point of such importance should have escaped the research of the many learned Jews and Hebraists who have laboured in the field of the occult
interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures . The number 666 is undoubtedly a very remarkable number , and possesses many of the qualities which entitles it to rank among powerful , if not strictly sacred numbers . The Pythagoreans were no doubt acquainted with its properties , for its base ( considered as an equilateral triangle ) , the number 36 , was the tetractys or grand quaternary of the Pythagoreans , and one of their most solemn oaths . The number 36 in the
Pythagorean doctrine , symbolised the male and female powers of nature united , being com posed of the sum of the four odd nuipbers , 1 ¦ ¦ ¦ +. " ' 3 + & + 7 = 16 , added to the sum of the four even numbers , 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 = 20 , and 16 + 20 = 36 . The other remarkable peculiarities of this number have been well exhibited by Brother Gillespie . But do these properties justify the conclusion that , in the place where it is found , this number can be held to have been intended as a symbolization of the attributes of the Deity ?
In the first place it is reasonable to conclude , that had this number possessed the occult value attributed to it , we should find it not only in the isolated and comparatively unimportant position in which it actually occurs , but in many other instances where the nature and attributes of the Deity are treated of .
Secondly , it is not one of the peculiarly sacred numbers of the Hebrews . The numbers 8 and 4 are the two numbers which play the most important part in the symbolic portion of the learning of the Kabbala . It is unnecessary to discuss the evidences of this statement , which occur in vast abundance , and produce the most curious results . It is sufficient to refer to the twenty-six names of the Deity , the value
of the four letters composing the Tetragrammaton , and the value of the letters in the great Name itself , and in the substituted names . In the Pythagorean system , 4 , which is the first square , and 8 , which is the first cube , were important numbers ; 4 , which was termed the quadrate , quaternary , or tetrad , was the most perfect number , symbolizing the soul of man . But in the Hebrew system they were more than important—they were sacred ; and to the number 8 ,
especially , the most extraordinary virtues were attributed . Por the Hebrew application of the harmonic properties of numbers to occult philosophy , is governed by the same theocratic element which runs through the whole of their social and religious polity We must , therefore , endeavour to ascertain the qualities belonging to this number 666 , not merely as to its mathematical properties , but according to the methods adopted in similar cases by the sages of that school of interpretation which has elaborated the Kabbala . ( To be continued . )