Commentaries on the
Secret Symbols of the Rosicrucians
of the 16th and 17th Centuries
by Jack Courtis

  - Introduction:  Secret Symbols of the Rosicrucians and the Kosmic Internet
  - Tabula Smaragdina Hermetis  - (Book One, 12th diagram)
  - On the "Interpretation and Explanation of the Tabula Smaragdina
    Hermetis" text - (Book One, text accompanying the 12th diagram)
  - Mons Philosophorum (Book One, 6th diagram)
  - Primum Mobile (Book Two, 12th diagram.)
  - Virgin Sophia (Book Two, 1st diagram)
  - Figura Divina (Book One, 21st diagram)
  - The Hermetic Philosophy (Book One, 8th diagram & text)

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Primum Mobile
cont.

Middle circle

The tenth cherub appears as a circle containing a hexagram with wings. From it, emanates the middle circle that we understand to be the vehicle of consciousness that we call our soul. How do we know this? The hexagram contains 7 points: 6 corners plus the centre. In the Great Work, the number 7 represents the soul because the form of the soul is in the chakras and there are 7 of them. At the centre of the hexagram is the symbol of the sun which equivalent to our heart chakra. That is the metaphysical centre of our soul.

The hexagram is at the centre of three circles, once more emphasising THREENESS. Thus the soul is not a separate entity, it must be seen in its proper context as one of three vehicles of consciousness functioning together as a unified whole. On the left of the three circles is the alchemical symbol for Sulfur and on the right, the symbol for Mercury. Underneath are the alchemical words Prima Materia and two more very small hexagrams. Beneath that, are the two outstretched wings with the slightly larger hexagrams at their tips. We are immediately reminded of the statement in the Fama Fraternitatis, "beneath the shadow of thy wings, IHVH". What does all this mean?

First, there is the repetition of the principle of polarity: two alchemical symbols, two pairs of hexagrams, two alchemical words, two wings. This is precisely correct because the reconciliation of the 7 Pairs of Opposites (or polarities) happens in the vehicle of consciousness we refer to as the soul; right here. Secondly, Sulfur symbolises the soul and Mercury symbolises the spirit. At this point, we are indeed studying the relationship between soul and spirit. Thirdly, the hexagram with its two interlaced triangles, accurately conveys that very relationship. Fourthly, beneath the "shadow" of the wings on the diagram, is a further circle with a triangle within it. We can infer that the central circle is in fact, the tiny symbol of the sun that is at the centre of the hexagram flanked by the two wings. The central circle is the "opened up" version of the sun symbol. Let us follow this through:

• The central circle has four smaller circles at its circumference. They are the familiar alchemical elements: Ignis (Fire), Aqua (Water), Terra (Earth), Aer (Air). Their placement is unusual in that although they are in the proper order, they begin with Fire on top instead of Air. If they are rotated to the right by 90° , then they are in the right order and also correctly oriented. Why are they like this? Does each of us have a soul that is disoriented and which has to be corrected?
• The four elemental circles form a cross and that gives us the process that we must put into action, integration at the soul level. But what is there to integrate?
• Inside the elemental circle is a triangle also composed of circles. Six circles. Now the large hexagram above, becomes clearer. The six circles of the triangle are the six points of the hexagram "opened up". The elemental circle is the "opened up" version of the space around the hexagram.
• At the three corners of the triangle are three small circles representing the alchemical principles of Salt, Sulfur and Mercury. Thus all three vehicles of consciousness are now being considered, body, soul and spirit. In the centre of the triangle the alchemical principles are mirrored by the principle of polarity (sun/ moon) and its integration into a symbiotic relationship by the Tinctur.
• The central circle with its four smaller circles and triangle, gives us this formula:

4 + 3 = 7

The 4 elemental circles plus the 3 corners of the triangle (3 alchemical principles) gives us 7 chakras. Our chakras are in a relationship that we have not considered before. They are the structure of our vehicle of consciousness the soul and we must give them close attention. We can think of the chakras like this:

The top 3 chakras are qualitatively different from the bottom 4 chakras. The top 3 are masculine and the bottom 4 are feminine. The 4 feminine elemental circles contain within them like a womb, the masculine triangle. The point is in the numbers and the secret is their combination in all possible permutations: 3 x 4 = 12. This is the number of signs of the zodiac and it is also the number of our last vehicle of consciousness, the body. Before we go there, let us note that inside the total circle but outside the central circle, there are astrological and alchemical words and symbols, in apparent chaotic confusion. This is the appearance created by the way in which we live. But at the heart of chaos, there is law and order in the functioning of our chakras. If we understand this, we can take charge of our lives.

Fundamentally, this circle is the metaphysical place where we reconcile the 7 Pairs of Opposites.

Bottom circle

The most obvious point about this circle is that it is surrounded by the 12 signs of the zodiac. Less obvious but more important, in the centre there is a small black circle with a hexagram (and other symbols) inside it. This is the middle circle "opening up" into the bottom circle. The main issue is that the 3 vehicles of consciousness interpenetrate each other.

Let us consider the outer edge and the 12 signs of the zodiac. Do you notice anything strange? They appear to be a mirror image of the normal way in which they are portrayed. Why? We are an image of the kosmos and the kosmos is an image of God. We are an image of the image. It is like looking into a mirror. When we do that, we do not see reality. We see an illusion. Does this describe our daily lives? After all, the bottom circle symbolises our vehicle of consciousness the body and it functions on sense perceptions. Why is this important? Imagine a sound. It appears to happen "out there". Something does happen and it creates vibrations in the air. These are translated into mechanical action by the ear drums. This mechanical action is then translated into electro/chemical impulses that go to the brain. At the appropriate brain centre they are translated into sound and it is projected so as to appear as if it is "out there". Let us look at it this way:

External event Þ vibrations Þ mechanical action Þ electro/chemical Þ sound.

The arrows represent the translations. There are four different changes in order for sound to be heard. Are we therefore hearing something real? Are we perceiving reality directly through our sense of hearing? We cannot be; there are too many translations. Our body through its senses does not perceive reality. It only perceives the illusion. To grasp reality, we must go back through the vehicles of consciousness, from body to soul and spirit, and then to the Divine spark that is our true nature.

Let us continue with the bottom circle. Inside the zodiac, we find the planetary spheres from Saturn on the outside to the Moon on the inside. This is the metaphysical place of the ascent of the soul through the spheres. This is a different process from the Reconciliation of the 7 Pairs of Opposites. The Reconciliation is a process of healing and integration that must precede the ascent of the soul. In fact before the Reconciliation process, must come the process of this vehicle of consciousness, the 12 Spiritual Disciplines. This is a topic on its own.

Beneath the planetary spheres are the sub-lunar spheres of the 4 alchemical elements, Fire, Air, Water, Earth. These are the basic constituents of our nature. In the centre is the black circle with the hexagram of the soul and the 16 rays of light. These are the combinations of the elements, 4 x 4 =16.

Summary

What does all this mean? At the macrocosmic level we have God, IHVH, emanating the kosmos by 3 vehicles of manifestation shown as the 3 circles. At the microcosmic level we have our Divine spark controlling its 3 vehicles of consciousness. The relationship between them is that the kosmos is a reflection of God and we are a reflection of the kosmos.

The hidden issues are that we need to heal and integrate our 3 vehicles of consciousness, so that we can engage in the ascent of the soul (as an integrated entity) up through the planetary spheres. The reason for that is to give us the gnosis that overcomes death and gives salvation. So how do we heal and integrate? By the 12 Spiritual Disciplines, the Reconciliation of the 7 Pairs of Opposites and the 3 Orientations to God. Some clues to this process are provided by the Emerald Tablet of Hermes and the Mons Philosophorum.  In fact, the whole doctrine is contained in the Secret Symbols of the Rosicrucians. All we have to do, is to examine those symbols with wisdom and understanding.

Copyright © 1998 by Stepney Nominees Pty Ltd (ACN 008 869 485) Trustee for Courtis No4 Trust