SYMBOLISM
At this point of our study it is necessary to make a halt; and, before proceeding further, to attempt to formulate and realize that, which, so far, we have been pursuing.
First, then, we have passed in review the Zodiac, and then the constellations.From this we mentally surveyed both Astro-Theology and Astro-Mythology; and now, it is our first duty to realize these in their real significance, and this consists in a clear comprehension of the Grand Law of Correspondences.
What is this law? It is the law of symbolism, and symbolism, rightly understood, is the one Divine language of Mother Nature, a language wherein all can read, a language that defies the united efforts of both time and space to obliterate it, for symbolism will be the language of Nature as long as spirit expresses itself to the Divine soul of man.
No matter where we turn nor where we look, there is spread out to our view a vast panorama of symbolic forms for us to read.In whatever form, angle, or color they present themselves, the true student of Nature can interpret and understand their symbolic language aright.It has been by the personification of Nature's symbols, that man has become ignorant of their language.There is no form, sound, nor color but what has its laws of expression; and only a perfect knowledge of symbolism will enable man to know the law, power, and meaning, lying behind such manifestations.The law of expression is exact, and as unalterable as Deity Himself.The physical senses cannot vibrate to these interior forces, and through them, comprehend their law.The physical senses vibrate to the spirit's expression, not to the powers, forces, and laws, which brought them into objective existence.
Countless numbers of mystics, if such they deserve to be called, among present-day students, speak and write very learnedly upon the "Law of Correspondence," and few, if any, of them really understand or know anything at all of that law.The intellect alone cannot solve theproblems of this law.It cannot grasp the true, interior and spiritual meaning, except in just so far as intellect is capable of externalizing them.The inmost spiritual truths, that cannot be demonstrated to the outward senses, never have, nor never will, appeal to any one who has not the interior ability to comprehend them.
There was a time when men ruled by pure intellect, without its accompanying other half, intuition: they were looked upon as monstrosities.This state of purely intellectual development has been brought about by the positive, masculine principle, reason, absorbing its counterpart, the intuition, the feminine portion; and the result, by correspondence, is as fatal as upon the interior plane, where the positive, masculine soul denies the existence of his mate; thus setting upon his throne, only a portion of himself as his idol, and then, reasons himself into the belief that he is complete.Love has been cast out, ignored and forgotten until at last she departs, leaving a vacancy, that eternity cannot fill.
This is somewhat similar to their illusive Devachan, an ideal, a mere mystical sentiment to gush over, but a something they do not in reality comprehend.Therefore, we shall do our utmost to explain this universal law, and to point out wherein its first principles are manifest.Once these are mastered, the Golden Rule will explain all the rest: "As it is below, so it is above; as on the earth, so in the sky."Here, then, is our first lesson on the subject of REALITY, which constitutes the Hermetic science of Correspondences.
First, realize that a line or an angle, for instance, is something more than its mere mathematical outline.It corresponds to some power, force, or principle within the great Anima-Mundi of the mysteries, that are trying to find expression, in their evolutionary journey, in forms.Let us illustrate our meaning.A point or dot is what? Well, externally it is the alpha of all mathematics.It is the first finite manifestation of the spiritual force.Within that dot lies concealed, in embryo, all the future possibilities of the manifesting principle.
This dot or point is a something to begin with, a form externalized, from which all future forms may spring forth, and they may be infinite,both in number and variety.First a primary, simple idea, from which all ideas and thoughts, intricate and complex, have their being.
A point extended is a straight line, scientifically expressed (whereas in real truth there is no such thing as a straight line); that is to say, it is a form increased or multiplied by itself, and therefore, is an extension in space that can be measured, and each extension means a new form, an additional symbol.It has taken on new aspects, new relations, hence contains the second principle of mathematics, so to say; but, besides being points, THEY ARE SYMBOLS.They are principles in Nature as clearly related to each other as the leaf and the stem of plant life.
Each monad, or point in the universe, is the beginning of something; equally so, it is also the termination of its own forces in that particular action, and will remain inert until it becomes acted upon by something else.
A point, then, is a primary, simple idea, a straight line.An angle is the same idea, rendered greater and more complex, and refers to the same forces upon a different plane, and the more we multiply the angles the more complex and far-reaching becomes the symbol and the more numerous and diverse become its planes of action.Here we will introduce an example.A trine represents three forces or angles, and, when united, form a trinity, hence harmony.Its apex (when above) is celestial, therefore represents the male forces of spirit.
