Sacred Geometry

The Numbers 1-10

1 - Keter

![[img/sg_img-005.png]] The 1 is the point from which the circle arises; representative of Keter on the Tree-of-Life. The point at its center is that singularity in the whole (circle) of the Universe and the oneness from which the whole of creation emanates. The circle is the foundation from which all the other forms are built.

The Kabbalists expanded this idea of Nothing, which they called “Ain Soph”-Without Limit". (This idea seems not unlike that of Space.) They then decided that in order to interpret this mere absence of any means of definition, it was necessary to postulate the Ain Soph Aur-“Limitless Light”. By this they seem to have meant very much what the late Victorian men of science meant, or thought that they meant, by the Luminiferous Æther. (The Space-Time Continuum?) All this is evidently without form and void. The next idea must be that of Position. One must formulate this thesis: If there is anything except Nothing, it must exist within this Boundless Light; within this Space; within this inconceivable Nothingness, which cannot exist as Nothing-ness, but has to be conceived of as a Nothingness composed of the annihilation of two imaginary opposites. Thus appears The Point, which has “neither parts nor magnitude, but only position”.
But position does not mean anything at all unless there is something else, some other position with which it can be compared. One has to describe it. The only way to do this is to have another Point, and that means that one must invent the number Two, making possible The Line.

2 - Chochmah

![[img/sg_img-006.png]]The 2 is the line created by the first movement of consciousness away from the single point of source. It is the connection of two points that divides the circle, as a cell splits in reproduction, and creation begins. Two is the duality, the perception of otherness through which the One can understand itself. In the Kabbalah, it is the second letter that is the foundation upon which the world is built.

“But this Line does not really mean very much, because there is yet no measure of length. The limit of knowledge at this stage is that there are two things, in order to be able to talk about them at all. But one cannot say that they are near each other, or that they are far apart; one can only say that they are distinct. In order to discriminate between them at all, there must be a third thing. We must have another point. One must invent The Surface; one must invent The Triangle. In doing this, incidentally, appears the whole of Plane Geometry. One can now say, ‘A is nearer to B than A is to C’.” (Crowley)

3 - Binah

![[img/sg_img-007.png]]The 3 is the triangle and as the first shape to create a surface, represents the movement away from two-dimensional reality to three-dimensional reality. Note the triangle represents the strongest structure in nature. Philosophically, it represents the dialectic; point, counter-point and conclusion. There are many examples of the Triad in nature: mind-body-spirit, past-present-future, mother-father-child, sun-moon-earth, length-breadth-depth (3-dimensional reality).

4 - Chesed

![[img/sg_img-008.png]]The 4 is the square, which offers support and stability through its even, balanced shape. It is the fourth point; representing the solid as a departure is made from two- into three-dimensional reality. This is reflected in a four-fold nature (the space-time continuum) on the Earth with: 4 seasons, 4 directions, 4 phases of the Moon, 4 elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water).

5 - Gevurah

![[img/sg_img-009.png]]The 5 is the pentagram (an ancient symbol of regeneration and transformation) and a fifth principal; postulated as motion. It is also a symbol of the human form, with head, arms, and legs outstretched, welcoming experience. It is through our 5 senses that we navigate the material world.

6 - Tifereth

![[img/sg_img-010.png]]Movement implies consciousness; represented by the sixth Sefirah (Tifereth) on the Tree-of-Life. The 6 is the Star of David, two perfectly balanced, interlocking equilateral triangles. It gives us the axiom: ‘As above, so below’; the uniting of spiritual plane with the material plane. It is the number of God (1) in man (5).

"[The fifth point; motion] implies the idea of Time, for only through Motion, and in Time, can any event happen. Without this change and sequence, nothing can be the object of sense. (It is to be noticed that this No.5 is the number of the letter ‘he’ in the Hebrew alphabet. This is the letter traditionally consecrated to the Great Mother. It is the womb in which the Great Father, who is represented by the letter ‘yod’ which is pictorially the representation of an ultimate Point, moves and begets active existence).
There is now possible a concrete idea of the Point; and, at last it is a point which can be self-conscious, because it can have a Past, Present and Future. It is able to define itself in terms of the previous ideas. Here is the number Six, the centre of the system, self-conscious and capable of experience. (Crowley)

7 - Netzach

![[img/sg_img-011.png]]The 7 (Sat, the Essence of Being itself) is the most sacred of numbers; represented in cosmology by the seven sacred planets and reflected into the seven days of the week. The 7 relates to cycles of time and the movement of the sun and the planets as seen from Earth. Seven is also the sacred vibration found in the numeration of the chakras, colors and the musical scale.

8 - Hod

![[img/sg_img-012.png]]The 8 (Chit, Thought, or Intellection) is the octagon, the intermediate form between the circle (Heaven) and the square (Earth). As the 4 doubled, it is the number of ascension above the material world through spiritual perspective. The 8th step on the musical scale is the octave, which brings harmonic resonance and a sense of fulfilment.

9 - Yesod

![[img/sg_img-013.png]]The 9 (Ananda; translated as Bliss, being the pleasure experienced by Being in the course of events) is the completion of the creative cycle. It brings attainment, compassion, and vision for the future through the wisdom gleaned from the journey through the other numbers. However the 9 is not an endpoint, but merely the closing of the circle, carrying us back to the 1 to begin the next evolution.

10 - Malkuth

The 10