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To the most excellent Majesty of the famous King Maximilian.
Theorem I
It is by the straight line and the circle that the first and most simple
example and representation of all things may be demonstrated, whether
such things be either non-existent or merely hidden under Nature's veils.
Theorem
II
Neither the circle without the line, nor the line without the point, can
be artificially produced. It is, therefore, by virtue of the point and
the Monad that all things commence to emerge in principle. That which
is affected at the periphery, however large it may be, cannot in any way
lack the support of the central point.
Theorem
III
Therefore, the central point which we see in the center of the hieroglyphic
Monad produces the Earth, round which the Sun, the Moon, and the other
planets follow their respective paths. The Sun has the supreme dignity,
and we represent him by a circle having a visible center.
Theorem IV
Although the semicircle of the Moon is placed above the circle of the
Sun and would appear to be superior, nevertheless we know that the Sun
is ruler and King. We see that the Moon in her shape and her proximity
rivals the Sun with her grandeur, which is apparent to ordinary men, yet
the face, or a semi-sphere of the Moon, always reflects the light of the
Sun. It desires so much to be impregnated with solar rays and to be transformed
into Sun that at times it disappears completely from the skies and some
days after reappears, and we have represented her by the figure of the
Horns (Cornucopia).
Theorem
V
And truly I give the completion of the idea of the solar circle by adding
a semicircle for the Moon, for the morning and the evening were the first
day, and it was therefore in the first (day) that the Light of the Philosophers
was made (or produced).
Theorem
VI
We see here that the Sun and the Moon are supported upon the right-angled
Cross. This Cross may signify very profoundly, and for sufficient reasons
in our hieroglyph, either the Ternary or the Quaternary. The Ternary is
made by the two straight lines having a copulative center. The Quaternary
is produced by the four straight lines enclosing four right angles. Either
of these elements, the lines or the right angles, repeated twice, therefore,
afford us in the most secret manner the Octad, which I do not believe
was known to our predecessors, the Magi, and which you should study with
great attention. The threefold magic of the first Fathers and the wise
men consisted in Body, Soul and Spirit. Therefore, we have here the first
manifested Septenary, that is to say, two straight lines with a common
point which make three, and the four lines which converge to form the
central point in separating the first two.
Theorem VII
The Elements being far from their accustomed places, the homogeneous parts
are dislocated, and this a man learns by experiment, for it is along the
straight lines that they return naturally and effectively to these same
places. Therefore, it will not be absurd to represent the mystery of the
four Elements, in which it is possible to resolve each one into elementary
form, by four straight lines running in four contrary directions from
one common and indivisible point. Here you will notice particularly that
the geometricians teach that a line is produced by the displacement of
a point: we give notice that it must be the same here, and for a similar
reason, because our elementary lines are produced by a continual cascade
of droplets as a flux in the mechanism of our magic.
Theorem VIII
Besides, the kabbalistic extension of the Quaternary according to the
common formula of notation (because we say one, two, three, and four)
is an abridged or reduced form of the Decad. This is because Pythagoras
was in the habit of saying: 1+2+3+4 make 10. It is not by chance that
the right-angled Cross -- that is to say, the twenty-first letter of the
Roman alphabet, which was considered as being formed by four straight
lines -- was taken by the most ancient of the Roman Philosophers to represent
the Decad. Further, they have defined the place where the Ternary conducts
its force into the Septenary.
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