Pythagorean Elemental Symbolism Hijacked!

[Stephen_Richard_Webb]

Over the course of the years, my studies in myticism and its associated philosophies have opened quite a few doors, behind which exist some very interesting things - one of which involves the hijacking of the Pythagorean elemental symbolism by church fathers to represent the god-head. For those of you who know nothing of elemental symbolism or its applications in high "magick" ritual, mystical reflection, and ancient sciences, I will explain the basics of the Pythagorean elemental mysticism.

The symbol that will be explained in its original context and usage has a very profound effect on the psychy as it is believed to be a perfect representation of existence, and that is the major reason why it had been hijacked by "christian intellectuals [if that title even makes sense...]" to represent their religions mystical relavance, and to assert their position among the great philosophical greek minds of the past. The same can also be said about their assimilation of various other cultural traditions to make conversion easy or appealing.

 

 

-First, the symbol used to represent the classical elements in the Pythagorean method is not the five pointed pentagram - that symbol was used as a method of identifying fellow students and also has astrological implications [see Venus/Earth relationship], but when referring to the classical elements, a different symbol was used. The symbol used by the Pythagorean mystics to represent the classical elements had to have some self-evident and relavent method of scrybing to connect it to the elements and phenomena which the symbol represents - how was this done? Simple, the method of drawing the symbol had to explain the natural/observable activity or quality of the elements, and the symbol had to represent the four elements and two primes in balance and harmony with each other. The symbol used is the Equilateral Triangle, and the method of its scrybing explains different elemental phenomena depending at which point you begin, and in which direction [clockwise or counter-clockwise] it is scrybed. Also of note, is the monad's [feminine symbol depicting the womb and seed of the cosmos] perimeter which perfectly circumscribes the equilateral triangle which possesses a masculine nature [phallic] - that explains a great deal about the ancient's reverance for regeneration.

 

-Second, and an explanation of the elemental positions on the equilateral triangle:

-The typical method for scrybing the symbol begins at the lower left point, which symbolically represents the feminine cosmic prime. Next, the base line is drawn to the bottom right point which represents the masculine cosmic prime. It should be realized that the feminine prime is also the source for the pure feminine element and is receptive [like yin in eastern mysticism] whereas the second point represents its opposite [masculine] and is projective [like yang in eastern mysticism]. The base line now drawn out represents the element on which, and with which we build - the element of earth. The element of earth exists below us, so it makes sence that the base line would represent earth.

-Next, from the right most point [masculine prime] draw upward - this line represents the element that projects and always rises upward - the element of Fire. Fire always reaches towards the sky. After the line is drawn, you should be at the third point which will be explained after the final line is drawn.

-Next, drawn the final line down to the feminine prime - this line represents the element that always seeks out the lowest ground, and is receptive in nature - the element of water.

-You should now have a complete equilateral triangle, so where then is the fourth element of Air? Its the third point of the equilateral triangle, or the apex. The reason for this, is because Air in itself is merely a combination of heat [of fire or sun] and water, the balance of fire and water causes water to expand into a gaseous form, so once again it makes sense that the element of air is represented at the point where water and fire meet, and needless to say, the element of air is depicted furthest from the earth, which is true when you concider how far up the atmosphere extends.

-The negative, receptive property of the feminine prime coupled with the possitive free-form property of the masculine prime may also explain the phenomenon we call lightning - coming together at the ground level, and working their way towards the sky [Air element which again is the result of the masculine fire element combined with the feminine water element] where completion of the circuit is realized, and thus lightning and thunder ensue. Some peoples from shamanic traditions believe that lightning symbolically represents the "father" making love to the "mother" and then there is thunder, well just use your imagination what they think that symbolically represents...soon thereafter, the rain comes forth and thus another cycle of regernation completes.

 

-Third, If you draw the Equilateral Triangle starting at the top point and clockwise instead of the counter-clockwise method mentioned above, you get heat/light from the sun decending to the earth, which then heats up the water on earth causing it to rise upward in the formation of clouds. When you complete the triangle, retrace it starting at the top point and draw it counter clockwise this time, and you will have explained the precipitation cycle, not to mention that the entire formation of the atmosphere is the result of the sun melting the frozen primordial oceans - that is to say that the atmosphere is just an expanded ocean.

 

 

-Some of the early church fathers were privy to documents recorded by some of the greatest minds in human history, and in order to get the upper edge they had to squeeze these ideas into the paradigm of christianity which often times took away from or ultimately destroyed the very essence of the hijacked articles themselves.

 

-More modern depictions of greek elemental symbolism shows each element represented as an entire triangle, either right-side up, or upside down and with or without a horizontal line drawn through it. [Air is drawn right-side up, with a line through it - Fire is drawn right-side up, with no line - water is drawn upside down with no line - and earth is drawn upside down with a line.]

These depictions are derivitives of the original system.

 

-Regardless, I opologize for the rant and would love to answer your questions if you have them, and welcome your discoveries of the hijacked ideas, practices, and ideas that make up the whole of christianity [please do some research before adding any "zeitgeist" revelations, because some of them are nonsense.] -Stephen

[MathGeek]

From what I've discovered, the Vesica Pisces the structure discovered that gave rise to the equilateral triangle.

 

Square root of 3 indeed.

[Stephen_Richard_Webb]

Tell me what you think of this statement:

 

Mathematics was associated with a more refined type of error. Mathematical knowledge appeared to be certain, exact, and applicable to the real world; moreover it was obtained by mere thinking, without the need of observation. Consequently, it was thought to supply an ideal, from which everyday empirical knowledge fell short. It was supposed on the basis of mathematics, that thought is superior to sense, intuition to observation. If the world of sense does not fit mathematics, so much the worse for the world of sense. ... This form of philosophy begins with Pythagoras. (Bertrand Russell)

[MathGeek]

I think you're right. Much of mathematical philosophy had started with Pythagoras and other Greek mathematicians and geometers. I really don't know whether or not the Greek mathematics is really based in nature or not, because nature is known to be extremely chaotic even though there are patterns to be found everywhere in it. I think the simple mathematical knowledge that the ancient Greeks developed can be both natural and intellectual because the human mind is capable of making such transformations. I can take a long piece of wood and cut in a such that a/b = b/(a+. I can take another piece of wood and engineer it so it can be a measuring stick with equal increments. Pythagoras and his disciples invented or discovered those basic mathematical concepts that we know and love today. Only did the more applicable, rigorous laws and proof come later.

[hereticzero]

The Mobius symbol, looks like an eight on its side, has long been the symbol for Deism--the symbol represents the eternity of god. Christians waisted no time in stealing that symbol for themselves. The symbol they use for the trinity (triquetra), since around 180 CE, is an occult representation of the moon, stars, and sun, not the trinity of christianity.

 

Don't be surprised by the thefts, xtianity has long been known for stealing shit.

[LtJayson]

All I can say is this... Math = Evil ;-) Ok...ok...so, I failed Math in 9th grade, was ok with it after that, and then failed out in college too :-( Sorry Math Geek...I can't help but hate it ;-)

 

Now, if it had something about Conjugation of Spanish Verbs in the Preterite, then let's do it :-D

[Stephen_Richard_Webb]

I think you're right. Much of mathematical philosophy had started with Pythagoras and other Greek mathematicians and geometers. I really don't know whether or not the Greek mathematics is really based in nature or not, because nature is known to be extremely chaotic even though there are patterns to be found everywhere in it. I think the simple mathematical knowledge that the ancient Greeks developed can be both natural and intellectual because the human mind is capable of making such transformations. I can take a long piece of wood and cut in a such that a/b = b/(a+. I can take another piece of wood and engineer it so it can be a measuring stick with equal increments. Pythagoras and his disciples invented or discovered those basic mathematical concepts that we know and love today. Only did the more applicable, rigorous laws and proof come later.

 

Yes, and to further qutoe Cisero, "Nature as imprinted upon the mind of man the idea of god." [i modified this to suit the mysticism that I practice: "Nature as an expression of Divnie Will has imprinted upon the mind of man the idea of Divinity.] The interection between man's own intellect and the natural world inveitabley agree with one another - look at chaos mathemtaics and infintite fractals. I think that this is to say that nature and mathematics are integral to a degree and are also a means by which we evalutate our position within the grand schemem of things, as well as to where we all reutrn 0<-->0. Its a wondferfull magick isnt it? There is much more that I would like to share concerning the "Orgininal" Solar and Lunar symbols used as well. But work calls. and I have to go.

"From the Void doth the light come; into the void doth the light shine; and unto the void doth the ligh return - so goes the cycle.

-Peace Stephen