CHAPTERXIVSOME FURTHER KABALAS

Although it will be evident from the foregoing illustrations that a very definite design lies at the root of the allotment of numbers to the planets and the signs of the zodiac, yet the study of the subject would hardly be complete without some reference to some other methods that I have evolved or that are to be found hinted at but not expounded in the writings of others. If, for instance, I were required to demonstrate the fact that a certain method underlies the planetary numbers, I could do so by reference to the Kabala of the number 9, and although in the process I might have to concede the point that Jupiter and Venus are interchangeable, I should still be warranted by my Kabala in affirming that Mercury is not interchangeable with Mars, but that it is polarized by the Sun, and that Mars is the alternative or opposite of the Moon.

Now this little Kabala, while itself very suggestive and capable of many applications, has no cosmical basis, and therefore may be the occasion of much disturbance, if carried beyond its legitimate domain.

It is only necessary to take the numerical sequence1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and centralize that number which answers to the planet whose opposite you require.

Thus for Saturn, whose number is 8, we have the sequenceâ€”

Saturn4567Â Â Â 8Â Â Â 912322Â Â Â Â Â Â 154Â Â Â 10Â Â Â 6or 1Sun (+)

Saturn

4567Â Â Â 8Â Â Â 912322Â Â Â Â Â Â 154Â Â Â 10Â Â Â 6or 1Sun (+)

4567Â Â Â 8Â Â Â 9123

22Â Â Â Â Â Â 15

4Â Â Â 10Â Â Â 6

or 1

Sun (+)

For Jupiter the resolution is as followsâ€”

Jupiter8912Â Â Â 3Â Â Â 456720Â Â Â Â Â Â 222Â Â Â Â Â Â 46Venus

Jupiter

8912Â Â Â 3Â Â Â 4567

20Â Â Â Â Â Â 22

2Â Â Â Â Â Â 4

Venus

For the Sun, whose positive number is 1, we haveâ€”

Sun6789Â Â Â 1Â Â Â 234530Â Â Â Â Â Â 143Â Â Â Â Â Â 58Saturn

Sun

6789Â Â Â 1Â Â Â 2345

30Â Â Â Â Â Â 14

3Â Â Â Â Â Â 5

Saturn

For Venus, whose number is 6, the resolution isâ€”

Venus2345Â Â Â 6Â Â Â 789114Â Â Â Â Â Â 255Â Â Â Â Â Â 712or 3Jupiter

Venus

2345Â Â Â 6Â Â Â 789114Â Â Â Â Â Â 255Â Â Â Â Â Â 712or 3Jupiter

2345Â Â Â 6Â Â Â 7891

14Â Â Â Â Â Â 25

5Â Â Â Â Â Â 7

or 3

Jupiter

For the Moon, whose number is 7 positive, we getâ€”

Moon3456Â Â Â 7Â Â Â 891218Â Â Â Â Â Â 209Â Â Â Â Â Â 211or 2Moon

Moon

3456Â Â Â 7Â Â Â 8912

18Â Â Â Â Â Â 20

9Â Â Â Â Â Â 2

or 2

Moon

So that having found the alternate of Saturn 8 to be Sun 1, and that of Venus 6 to be Jupiter 3, of the Moon 7 to be 2, it is quite easy to jump to the conclusion that the alternate of Mars 9 must be Mercury 5, and yet to get side-tracked on the very first trip. For observe what happens in the resolution of Mars, number 9,

Mars5678Â Â Â 9Â Â Â 123426Â Â Â Â Â Â 108Â Â Â 19Mars

Mars

5678Â Â Â 9Â Â Â 1234

26Â Â Â Â Â Â 10

8Â Â Â 1

Mars

which, seems to inform us that, whereas all things may be reduced and converted by Fire or the Will, neither consents to be converted. Herein is the spirit of freedom that characterizes the fiery planet and those that are born under its sway. We may now try Mercury, the universal resolvent.

Mercury1234Â Â Â 5Â Â Â 678910Â Â Â Â Â Â 301Â Â Â Â Â Â 34Sun (-)

Mercury

1234Â Â Â 5Â Â Â 678910Â Â Â Â Â Â 301Â Â Â Â Â Â 34Sun (-)

1234Â Â Â 5Â Â Â 6789

10Â Â Â Â Â Â 30

1Â Â Â Â Â Â 3

Sun (-)

In antithesis we may set the number of the Sun negative 4.

Sun9123Â Â Â 4Â Â Â 567815Â Â Â Â Â Â 266Â Â Â Â Â Â 814or 5Mercury

Sun

9123Â Â Â 4Â Â Â 5678

15Â Â Â Â Â Â 26

6Â Â Â Â Â Â 8

or 5

Mercury

Here, by a curious refractoriness of disposition, Mercury is seen to be resolvable only in terms of a negative Sun, the number 5 being set in apposition to 4. The obvious suggestion to those who are engaged in the hermetic art, should they happen upon this little kabalism, is that Mercury is the one thing that we are able to convert into gold.

Now if we collect these resolutions we shall findthat they are all in terms of Mars or the number 9, whose position at the head of the scheme indicates, as clearly as figures can tell us, that the Will is the dominant factor in all human affairs.

Mars9Sun 4Â Â Â Â 5 MercuryJupiter 3Â Â Â Â 6 VenusSaturn 8Â Â Â Â 1 Sun2Moon7

Mars

Sun 4Â Â Â Â 5 Mercury

Jupiter 3Â Â Â Â 6 Venus

Saturn 8Â Â Â Â 1 Sun

Moon

Here we have Mars 9, Sun and Mercury 9, Jupiter and Venus 9, Saturn and Sun 9, Moon (positive and negative) 9. Moreover, it is seen that the sum of Sun, Jupiter and Saturn, 4 plus 3 plus 8, is 15, and that of Mercury, Venus and Sun, 5 plus 6 plus 1, is 12. Then 15 plus 12 are 27, and the unit value of this is again 9. It is further of interest to observe that the only planets that are not convertible are Mars and the Moon, and that at the head and foot of the scheme represent Fire and Water, symbols of Spirit and Matter, the Will and the element of Variability, one fixed and the other mutable. The numbers of the Moon are 2 and 7, and these are equal in sum to 9.

To argue thence that we are justified in transposing Mercury with Mars or Jupiter with Venus in anysystem that has a cosmical factor for its basis is to argue from cosmos into chaos. The planetary numbers and those of the zodiac were affixed by those who instituted the scheme, not from any considerations of a fanciful nature, but on certain cosmical principles which those who have thoroughly mastered the subject of Numerology will find working out in all astrological practice. It is, of course, allowable to use numbers in a symbolical manner after any order that may suit our purpose, but to proceed from the time of sunrise by progression through the planetary hours, and to violate the established order of those hours by the introduction of a fictitious interchange of factors, is an affront to the intelligence of every astrological student and a violation of the principles of cosmic symbology that can only find its karmic effects in a condition of mental chaos.

Another kabalism which employs the planetary factors has been in use for some time by certain well-known students of interpretation, and is principally applied to the predictive art. In this system the planets hold the same numbers as those traditionally allotted to them.

The signs of the zodiac, however, do not follow the same rule, but take the values that belong to their planetary rulers, as followsâ€”

Aries 9, Taurus 6, Gemini 5, Cancer 7 or 2, Leo 1 or 4, Virgo 5, Libra 6, Scorpio 9, Sagittarius 3, Capricornus 8, Aquarius 8, Pisces 3.

These numbers are combined with those of thedays of the week ruled by the planets. Thus in the case of a person born on a Tuesday in the month of November, the numbers are both 9, for Tuesday is ruled by Mars, whose number is 9, and in November the Sun is in Scorpio, which again gives the number 9. Hence those years in which the number 9 figures are regarded as important in the production of great events.

The months and signs corresponding are thus valued:â€”January 8, February 8, March 3, April 9, May 6, June 5, July 7 and 2, August 1 and 4, September 5, October 6, November 9 and December 3. But it should be observed that, in order to keep in touch with the cosmical order, these numbers are only to attach to the first 21 days of each month, the number for the succeeding month being used for the last 10 or 11 days. Similarly, the day counts from sunrise to sunrise according to some authors, but cosmically it counts from noon to noon, that period from noon to midnight being â€œthe eveningâ€ and from midnight to noon â€œthe morning,â€ as it is said in Genesis,Veyahi oreb veyahi beqer yom echadâ€”â€œAnd the evening and the morning were the first day.â€

Perhaps one of the most interesting Kabalas is that which has reference to the values of the signs and planets when taken in combination. Each of the months in the annual circle has a number attaching to it according to the planet ruling the sign in which the Sun is, as already shown above. This is multiplied into the number allotted to the sign itself apart from its ruler. Thusâ€”

It is then seen that the total value of the planetsâ€™ numbers is 65, while the total of the unit values of the products is also 65. It is satisfactory to find that wherever we are consistent and hold to the traditional values and positions of the several factors, we obtain results that are wonderfully harmonious and suggestive.

There is an ancient symbol known as the â€œGolden Candlestickâ€ which is in the nature of a candelabrum with seven arms. Each of the seven lights answers to one of the seven celestial bodies known to the ancients, and the order of them is that known as the Chaldean, in use among astrologers. Here is the symbolâ€”

Figure 15.Figure 15.

Figure 15.

It will be seen at once that the interchange of the planets is confirmatory of the astrological method derived from the sign rulerships. Saturn interchanges with the Moon, Jupiter with Mercury, Mars with Venus, while the Sun stands in the centre of the system giving light to all. These lights answer to the seven Rays, the seven Spirits before the Throne, the seven Archangels, Cassiel, the keeper of secretsâ€”Saturn; Zadkiel, the spirit of Justiceâ€”Jupiter; Madimial, the spirit of those who make Redâ€”Mars; Michael, who is â€œlike unto Godâ€â€”Sun; Haniel, the spirit of Splendourâ€”Venus; Raphael, the spirit of Healingâ€”Mercury; and Gabriel, the spirit of Strengthâ€”Moon.

In connection with this symbol there is another which affords several glyphs in combination. It is called the Seven-pointed Star and Star of the Universe. A star of seven points being drawn, the planetary bodies, the Sun and Moon, are placed round it in the Chaldean order, the Sun being at the highest point, thusâ€”

Figure 16.Figure 16.

Figure 16.

It is then found that the Sun holds the unique position of supreme elevation, while the â€œpairs of opposites,â€ Venus and Mars, Mercury and Jupiter, Moon and Saturn, are functioning on successively lower planes.

By starting with the first day of the week, Sunday, at the point of the Sun and following the lines of the Star, we shall derive the days of the week in their order, namely, Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. By reading from Mars and taking every alternate planet, we get the order of the atomic weights of the metals to which the ancients ascribed these planets; namely, Iron, Copper, Silver, Tin, Gold, Mercury and Lead. This fact seems strongly to support the view that there is a very real connection between the planets and the metals referred to them by the ancients, for while it is fairly certain that they did not know anything about atomic weights, they very clearly associated the celestial bodies with the primary metals, and the fact that they are brought into line through the apparent velocities of the several bodies of the solar system seems to afford a suggestive basis for further inquiry. We all are used to speaking of the â€œgoldenâ€ sun and the â€œsilverâ€ moon, and we also speak in terms of cosmic symbolism when we refer to an â€œironâ€ will, or of â€œsteelingâ€ oneself against a danger, for Mars is the astrological index of the Will, and the uses of steel and iron are for defence and offence. In the name of Mercury we have actually retained the ancient name associated with the metal, although the root of it ismerx,trade, and has no direct associations with quicksilver. But we pick up the link of connection through the known association of Mercury with trade and shipping, and when we see the winged messengers or trading vessels carrying their burden of foreign goods from one country to another, we understand why Mercury was called the Interpreter, for in astrology the planet Mercury is the symbol of commerce, and it â€œconfers the gift of tongues.â€ Pliny says that copper was first discovered in Cyprus, from which it gets its name, and, according to astrologers from the time of Ptolemy until now, the sign Taurus, one of the signs of Venus, rules Cyprus. This sidelight is of interest, displaying as it does the universality of planetary dominions. Copper, of course, was in use before Cyprus had been named or exploited, but it is of interest to observe that a copper-bearing territory, which has given the metal a name in the West, should be found both traditionally and experimentally to be under the dominion of the planet Venus, which the ancients associated with that metal. Lead, which is named in connection with Saturn, the Lunar alternative, has been spoken of by some of the old Hermetists as a disease of the Moon, and it is suggested that the â€œsick Ladyâ€ took a bad turn at a certain point in her career, and instead of appearing in shining silver robes, put on those of leaden grey. It is worthy of note that silver ore is frequently found in lead, and silver has been successfully extracted from lead since 1829, when Pattinson developed his useful process.

Before leaving this subject of Kabalas connectedwith planetary numbers, it may be well to point out that the Kabala displayed in the beginning of this chapter may also be applied to the Chaldean order of the planets and their numbers, yielding the same results.

Saturn 8, Jupiter 3, Mars 9, Sun 1-4, Venus 6, Mercury 5, Moon 7-2. From these we get the following resolutionsâ€”

In the above resolutions we have, as before, Mercury in apposition to the Sun (negative), and the Moonin apposition to Mars. Now, to find a cosmical basis for this order of things, we shall have to refer to the â€œexaltationsâ€ of the planets as defined by astrology. Thus, beside the particular Signs ruled by the planets, there are others in which the planets are said to be exalted.

The exaltation of the Sun is in Aries, while that of Saturn is in Libra. These two bodies are seen to be interchangeable. The exaltation of Venus is in Pisces, which is the Sign of Jupiter. But Jupiterâ€™s exaltation is in Cancer, which is the Sign of the Moon, and the Moon has its exaltation in Taurus, which is the Sign of Venus. Thus Jupiter and Venus are rendered interchangeable through, and in the period of, the Moon. The three planets, Moon, Jupiter and Venus, have their exaltations in Taurus, Cancer and Pisces, and these are ruled by Venus, Jupiter and the Moon respectively. Mercury, whose exaltation is Aquarius, a Sign of Saturn, is thereby linked up with the Sun through the opposite Sign Leo, which the Sun rules. A short study of the following Table of Exaltations will make these interchanges plain.

Saturn exalted in Aries, a sign ruled by Mars.Jupiter exalted in Cancer, ruled by the Moon.Mars exalted in Capricorn, ruled by Saturn.Sun, exalted in Aries, ruled by Mars.Venus exalted in Pisces, ruled by Jupiter.Mercury, exalted in Aquarius, ruled by Saturn.

Saturn exalted in Aries, a sign ruled by Mars.

Jupiter exalted in Cancer, ruled by the Moon.

Mars exalted in Capricorn, ruled by Saturn.

Sun, exalted in Aries, ruled by Mars.

Venus exalted in Pisces, ruled by Jupiter.

Mercury, exalted in Aquarius, ruled by Saturn.

The planet Mars, therefore, is linked up with the Moon through Saturn, which rules the sign in which Mars is exalted. Much else might be said regarding planetary numbers and Kabalas depending thereon, but it is, perhaps, advisable that some margin should be left for the exercise of the readerâ€™s ingenuity, should he wish to pursue the subject further. I will therefore turn to the consideration of another aspect of the same subject.

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