Sacred Geometry: Esotericism of Numbers and Geometric Symbolism

1. Introduction

Recently, there is much talk of Sacred Geometry in generally confused terms, with unclear purposes and practical methods. Everyone, since the time of Plato - who died as a Pythagorean - speaks of sacred geometry ("Let no one ignorant of geometry enter" was inscribed, according to tradition, at the entrance of the Platonic Academy) without ever providing clear and precise terms about the meaning and significance of this discipline.

For example, Sacred Geometry is often discussed in relation to Architecture: then we speak of a series of musical proportions, the golden ratio, but often in a confused manner. Then the purpose is lost: now that I know San Miniato al Monte has all these proportions, what do I do with it? One doesn't understand what use it could be to know such a thing since one doesn't have to build a cathedral.

It is often discussed in Art: but generally as something a posteriori used to justify the beauty or significance of a painting or for generally artificial and forced compositions.

Sacred Geometry is sometimes spoken of as a language of nature: often not distinguishing Sacred Geometry from Natural Geometry. Even in these cases, one is limited to reporting a series of more or less known, more or less refined facts about where a certain ratio is found in nature, a kind of catalog without ever entering into the merit of explaining the meaning of these ratios.

Finally, Sacred Geometry is discussed in theological contexts: referring to a symbolism of numbers of historical, anthropological or theological character lacking keys or operative sense, or referring to symbolism so primitive, elementary and sterile that practically speaking of Sacred Geometry in this case is like announcing to speak of Romance Literature and then limiting oneself to presenting the letters of the Latin alphabet.

Of all the books I have read, the only one I have seen that provides operative keys for using Sacred Geometry is this volume by Tommaso Palamidessi "The Spirituality of Sacred Numbers". Because it provides in clear terms the theoretical and then practical aspect in which Sacred Geometry moves, without spending too much on often contradictory and uncertain citations or references, but concentrating on providing what is necessary to be able to use Sacred Geometry as a true instrument to act in one's interiority.

2. Esotericism of Number

First, before moving to the practical aspect, we must necessarily understand the meaning of Sacred Geometry, namely: why do we resort to Sacred Geometry? In what sense is it possible to resort to Geometry for spiritual elevation or even transmutation?

To understand this we must first understand what Number is in its dual aspect: exoteric and esoteric.

"Number immediately expresses quantity and in its profound meaning, quality." - Evagrius Ponticus

In daily life we refer to numbers as quantities. For example, if asked how old I am now, I answer $33$ because I am $33$ years old and this statement indicates how many times the earth has traveled its orbit around the sun, or geocentrically how many times the Sun has returned to its initial position on the zodiac since I was born.

Conversely, when speaking of Number Symbolism or the esoteric or spiritual aspect of numbers, reference is made not to number as quantity, but to number as quality. If I answered I am $5$ years old, I would refer to the dominion of will over astral light, I would refer to light, to perfect man. If I answered Nine, I would refer to isolation, perfection, prudence and silence. If I answered $33$, I would not refer to my chronological age, but to the solar cycle or the imitation of Christ.

This then is the central point to understand: when speaking of numbers from an esoteric or deeper and spiritual point of view, reference is made to qualities, forces and absolute philosophical ideas that can be acquired, assimilated and to which one must conform. Therefore, when referring to the spiritual aspect of numbers and their sacredness, this fundamental aspect must be kept in mind above all.

3. The Three Aspects of Number

This is the basis, but if we go deeper into the Bible it is written (Wisdom $11.22$): "You have arranged according to weight, number and measure." It highlights $3$ aspects of Number.

Number (and this is clearly explained in this book) manifests in three different aspects equivalent to each other:

• as absolute philosophical idea
• as figure for numerical calculation
• as geometric figure

This is because the central constitutive element of the three systems is equivalent: the philosophical monad corresponds directly to the geometric point which corresponds to the arithmetic monad, that is, to number $1$. Having established this equivalence, everything else like all other numbers follows from this fundamental principle.

Therefore from a real, more advanced point of view...