In Search of the Miraculous

Like other lines it makes use of the symbolical method and one of its principal

symbols is the figure which has been mentioned, that is, the circle divided into nine

parts:

"This symbol takes the following form:

"The circle is divided into nine equal parts. Six points are connected by a figure

which is symmetrical in relation to a diameter passing through the uppermost point of

the divisions of the circumference. Further, the uppermost point of the divisions is the

apex of an equilateral triangle linking together the points of the divisions which do not enter into the construction of the original complicated figure.

"This symbol cannot be met with anywhere in the study of 'occultism,' either in

books or in oral transmission. It was given such significance by those who knew, that

they considered it necessary to keep the knowledge of it secret.

"Only some hints and partial representations of it can be met with in literature.1

Thus it is possible to meet with a drawing of it like this:

"And another like this;

"The symbol which takes the form of a circle divided into nine parts with lines

connecting them together expresses the law of seven in its union with the law of

three.

"The octave possesses seven tones and the eighth is a repetition of the

1 In the book Etude sur les origines de la nature du Zohar by S. Karppe, Paris,

1901, pp. 200-201, there is a drawing of a circle divided into nine parts:

with the following description of this circle:

"If we multiply 9X9 the result is shown in the number 8 on the left side and the

number 1 on the right side; in the same way 9X8 gives the product shown in

number 7 on the left and in number 2 on the right; exactly in the same way with

9X6. Beginning with 9X5 the order becomes reversed, that is, the number

representing the units takes the left side and the number representing the tens

takes the right."

first. Together with the two 'additional shocks' which fill the 'intervals' mi-fa and sido, there are nine elements.

"The complete construction of this symbol which connects it with a complete

expression of the law of octaves is more complicated than the construction shown. But

even this construction shows the inner laws of one octave and it points out a method of cognizing the essential nature of a thing examined in itself.

"The isolated existence of a thing or phenomenon under examination is the closed

circle of an eternally returning and uninterruptedly flowing process. The circle

symbolizes this process. The separate points in the division of the circumference

symbolize the steps of the process. The symbol as a whole is do, that is, something with an orderly and complete existence. It is a circle—a completed cycle. It is the zero of our decimal system; in its inscription it represents a closed cycle. It contains within itself everything necessary for its own existence. It is isolated from its surroundings.

The succession of stages in the process must be connected with the succession of the

remaining numbers from 1 to 9. The presence of the ninth step filling up the 'interval'

si-do, completes the cycle, that is, it closes the circle, which begins anew at this point.

The apex of the triangle closes the duality of its base, making possible the manifold

forms of its manifestation in the most diverse triangles, in the same way as the point of the apex of the triangle multiplies itself infinitely in the line of its base. Therefore

every beginning and completion of the cycle is situated in the apex of the triangle, in

the point where the beginning and the end merge, where the circle is closed, and

which sounds in the endlessly flowing cycle as the two do's in the octave. But it is the

ninth step that closes and again begins a cycle. Therefore in the upper point of the

triangle corresponding to do stands the number 9, and among the remaining points are

disposed the numbers 1 to 8.

"Passing on to the examination of the complicated figure inside the circle we

should understand the laws of its construction. The laws of unity are reflected in all

phenomena. The decimal system is constructed on the basis of the same laws. Taking

a unit as one note containing within itself a whole octave we must divide this unit into

seven unequal parts in order to arrive at the seven notes of this octave. But in the

graphic representation the inequality of the parts is not taken into account and for the

construction of the diagram there is taken first a seventh part, then two-sevenths, then

three-sevenths, four-sevenths, five-sevenths, six-sevenths, and seven-sevenths.

Calculating these parts in decimals we get:

1/7=0.142857 . . .

2/7=0.285714 . . .

3/7=0.428571 . . .

4/7=0.571428 . . .

5/7=0.714285 . . .

6/7=0.857142 . . .

7/7=0.999999 . . .

"In examining the series of periodic decimals obtained we at once see that in all