Analogy and Correspondences

Analogy, from the Greek "analogia," means proportion or correspondence. It derives from the words "ana" (up) and "logos" (speech, reason), or "speech with the high." Analogy involves a correspondence of relations between different domains, allowing parallels to be drawn between seemingly unrelated elements. This reasoning method is essential for understanding complex concepts by comparing them to more familiar situations or objects.

In the Hermetic tradition, it is said that what is below is like what is above, and what is above is like what is below. This idea reflects a belief in universal correspondence. God is represented by two images: Man and Nature. This duality symbolizes a fundamental analogy between the microcosm (man) and the macrocosm (the universe). Thus, studying human nature can reveal insights about the structure of the universe and vice versa.

Pythagoras taught that knowing man allows one to know the universe and the gods. The famous maxim :

illustrates this belief in a profound analogy between the individual and the cosmos. Pythagoras used mathematical analogies to show how universal principles are reflected in human and natural structures. For example, musical harmonics, based on numerical ratios, were for Pythagoras proof of the universal harmony linking the microcosm and the macrocosm.

In many religions, it is said that man is created in the image of God, representing an original and sacred analogy. This perspective highlights a correspondence between the divine and the human, where each human being reflects a part of the divine. This analogy serves not only to bring man closer to God but also to understand divine qualities through human attributes. For example, characteristics such as goodness, wisdom, and justice are often seen as reflections of the divine nature.

Deductive reasoning starts from general principles to arrive at specific conclusions. It is often used in mathematics and formal logic to demonstrate theorems or propositions. For example, if all men are mortal and Socrates is a man, then Socrates is mortal. This form of reasoning (syllogism) is powerful because it allows necessary conclusions to be drawn from accepted premises.

Inductive reasoning proceeds from the observation of specific facts to formulate general laws. It is a crucial process in experimental sciences, allowing empirical observations to be generalized into theories. For example, observing that the sun rises in the east every day leads to the general law that the sun always rises in the east. However, induction can sometimes lead to incorrect conclusions if the observations are not representative.

Analogical reasoning establishes correspondences between different domains to draw conclusions or explore new concepts. It relies on structural similarities rather than logical deductions or inductive generalizations. For example, comparing the functioning of the human heart to a mechanical pump helps to understand how the heart pumps blood through the body. This form of reasoning is particularly useful in fields where exact relationships are not well understood, but parallels can be instructive.

Analogy allows defining invisible or abstract concepts based on visible and concrete observations. By studying man, for example, one can gain clues about the nature of God or the Universe. For example, atomic structures can serve as models for understanding galaxies and cosmic structures.

The ternary law highlights the importance of the number three. This concept is central in many philosophical and mystical traditions, where it often represents the fundamental structure of reality. The number three is seen as a symbol of balance and completeness. For example, in Christianity, the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) is an expression of this ternary law.

The fractal ontological tree uses the powers of three to explore the different dimensions of existence. Each level of the tree represents an aspect of reality, declining in powers of three, symbolizing increasing complexity. This tree is a visual representation of how different dimensions of existence are interconnected and reflect each other.

We'll see later that this progression of powers of three (1, 3, 9, 27, 81) is a mark of the mind, and occupies this place (number 4) in the matrix of numbers, reflecting a fractal and hierarchical organization of thought and existence. 

Analogical tables can be used to organize and understand various aspects of reality. For example, the division into head, heart, and belly represents an analogy between the intellectual, emotional, and instinctive functions of the human being. This structure shows how different parts of the human being correspond to different aspects of experience and reality.

This temporal triad structures our perception of time, linking past experiences, present actions, and future anticipations. Understanding these temporal relationships through analogies can help develop more balanced and harmonious life strategies.

These three categories describe the dynamics of energy and interactions, where the active initiates, the passive receives, and the neutral balances. This classification is useful for understanding interactions in various systems, whether physical, psychological, or social.

What is superior is like what is interior. Indeed, our innermost, our divine core, is related to the highest version of ourselves. We carry within us the seeds of our own elevation.

What pertains to Providence, or the Future, is associated with the High, with God. What pertains to Destiny, or the Past, is associated with the Low, with Nature. What pertains to Free Will, or the Present, is associated with the Middle.

This is why “time is reversed” when a temporal ternary is analyzed in relation to a spatial ternary. The final term becomes the first, and the first becomes the last. The middle term retains its place.
Indeed, it seems more natural to associate old age or mastery with the summit or spiritual aspect.

The first type of ternary, ontological, is where two elements are derived from a first term. Examples: Tao giving rise to Yin and Yang, or Circle giving rise to Square and Triangle.

The second type of ternary, energetic, is where the third term proceeds from the union of two elements. Examples: Active, Passive, and neutral or the alchemical salt resulting from the mixture of sulfur and mercury.

In the case of energetic ternaries, the third term will take the place of the intermediate term between the high, symbolized by the active side, the Yang, and the low, symbolized by the passive side, the Yin.

Let's take a look at the different stages in the tree's flowering process :

The first branching, from unity to the Three Worlds, forms the original tetrad, or level 1 ternary. This is the Main Ternary: Deus ~ Homo ~ Natura.

The second branching, from the Three Worlds to the nine numbers, represents the links that unite the three Principles to the nine Laws (see previous paragraph). These are the three ontological ternaries, corresponding to the nine laws:

• Deus: Numbers 123 or Universal Laws
• Homo: Numbers 456 or Human Laws
• Natura: Numbers 789 or Physical Laws

The third branching, from the nine numbers to the 27 keywords, represents the links that unite the nine laws to what could be called nine semantic fields. These are the twenty-seven semantic ternaries.

The fourth level qualifies each of the 27 keywords with a ternary, resulting in 81 terms in total.

Profound analogy allows, for example, relating the Main Ternary with an Ontological Ternary or a Semantic Ternary. Example:

The 27 keywords can be extended into 81 concepts, offering an even finer framework to explore the relationships between different dimensions of existence. These concepts allow for grasping the nuances and complexities of analogical relationships at a deeper level.

The progression of powers of three represents the enumeration of parts present in an n-dimensional cube.

Ternary thinking = hyperdimensional thinking

Starting with the point that contains only itself and is associated with Dimension 0.

Level 0 : On the All. Unity

▹ In a Point, there is one point : 1

Level 1 : The Three Worlds

The first branching forms the original tetrad, composed of unity and the Three Worlds; So, 1 + 3 = 4. 

▹ In a Line, there are two points and one line : 4

Level 2 : The Nine Numbers

The second branching leads to the nine numbers; So 1 + 3 + 9 = 13. And 13 = 1 + 3 = 4.

▹ In a square, there are 4 points, 4 lines, and 1 square: 9

Level 3 : The 27 Keywords

The third branching leads to the 27 keywords; So 1 + 3 + 9 + 27 = 40. And 13 = 4 + 0 = 4.

▹ In a cube, there are 8 points, 12 lines, 6 faces, and a cube: 27

Level 4 : The 81 Terms

The fourth level generates 81 terms; So 1 + 3 + 9 + 27 + 81 = 121. And 121 = 1 + 2 + 1 = 4.

▹ In a fourth-dimensional hypercube (4D), there are 16 points, 32 lines, 24 faces, 8 cubes, and a hypercube or tesseract: 81

The series of powers of three represents the evolution of the cube in higher dimensions (4D, 5D, 6D, etc.).

Claude de Saint-Martin urges us to start from the known and work our way up to the unknown when he says:

“Nature must be studied according to man's constitution, not man according to nature.”

Let's take the previous table and apply the law of analogy :

In this example, the semantic ternary Head-Heart-Stomach represent the tree terms qualifying the Body.

Similarly, the mind-soul-body ternary is used to describe Homo, the concept of Man, the living being.

First of all, we can replace the first ternary, of the main type, by Spiritual World, Psychic World and Physical World, and the second, of the ontological type, by mind, soul and body.

The horizontal links show that the Spiritual World is associated with Mind and Head, the Psychic World with Soul and Heart, and the Physical World with Body and Stomach.

Let's take the semantic ternary of level 3, characterizing the three functions of Man through his head, heart and stomach, and find out.

Once we've done that, let's find out how each of the segments is represented in the other two, since analogy requires one or more identical terms in each of the segments. So, we can say: In the head, there must be a characteristic element of the head which, in turn, must be represented in the other two segments. Let's put it this way:

1. an element specific to the head;
2. representation of the head in the heart;
3. representation of the head in the belly;

The same applies to the second segment, the heart, as well as the third, the stomach, which must have its own element and the representation of this element in each of the other two segments.

It's a kind of Pythagorean table, where the elements of study play the role of numbers, and this was the true aspect of the Pythagorean table as used by the initiates. 

Analogy will enable us to fill in the empty squares representing the elements to be discovered - and in a very simple way. All we have to do is combine the two names that intersect in each empty square. (The Pythagorean method for numbers).

So we have a table made up as follows:

If we consider the head through its major organ, the brain, we now know that it is triple and forms a whole: the reptilian brain, the limbic brain and the neocortex.

Vertically, the Brain in the heart is literally the intelligence of the heart associated with Intuition, while the Brain in the abdomen is represented by the solar plexus, linked to Instinct.

The heart in the heart is symbolized by emotions and feelings, while the stomach in the heart is linked to its circulatory function, which is the source of life that feeds the lower world.

The heart in the abdomen is ventral breathing.

Finally, the stomach in the stomach is the archetypal physical world of food and sexuality.

Interpretation

The letters "R O T A" are arranged around the circle, forming the word "ROTA" (Latin for wheel). The wheel often symbolizes the cycle of life, continuity and eternity.

Latin phrases:

• "INTELLIGENTIBUS (For the intelligent)
• "Intellectus quo Potius capere, capiat" (By which the intellect can grasp, let it grasp)
• "Inde Veritatem Exerit" (Thus he brings forth truth)
• "EXI UT INTROEAS" (Go out to come in): This suggests the idea of having to leave a present state or condition in order to reach a new state or level of understanding.
• "INTELLECTUS JUDICET" (Let the intellect judge): This emphasizes the importance of intellectual judgment in the quest for truth.

Letters Inside the Circle:

An inner square contains the letters "CHRISTUS".

Inside the circle are letters "S", "E" AND "N"
An inner Tetrahedron contains the letters  "P", "F" and "S"
S: Sapientia (wisdom)
E: Essentia (essence)
An inner square contains the letters "P", "F", "S", "N".
P: Pater (Father), linked to E : Essentia (essence)
F: Filius (Son), linked to N : Nomen (Name)
S: Spiritus Sanctus (Holy Spirit), linked to S : Sapientia (wisdom)

Geometric shapes and numbering :

At the center of the diagram, there are triangular and square shapes with the numbers 1, 2, 3 labeled "Per" . This could indicate stages or levels of knowledge or understanding, with the numbers indicating progression or hierarchy.

Horizontal Rod Labelled "VERITATEM" (which is actually vertical: primary reading direction) for Truth:

Grid with the Words "DEUS", "HOMO", "ROTA":

At bottom left, a 3x3 grid contains the words "DEUS" (God), "HOMO" (man) and "ROTA" (wheel). This grid could represent the interconnection between divinity, humanity and the cycle of life.

Biblical reference "Lucae xi, 52" :

"VAE Vobis Legis peritis, quia tulistis CLAVEM SCIENTIAE: ipsi non introistis, et introeuntes prohibuistis" (Woe to you, experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge: you yourselves have not entered, and those who were entering you have prevented).

Sentence "ET APERIETUR VOBIS PULSAE":

"And it shall be opened unto you; knock". This refers to an invitation to actively seek knowledge and truth. It suggests that those who perseveringly seek (knock) will see the doors of knowledge open for them.

Interpretation of Sequence 1, 2, 3 and 3, 2, 1

Progression and Regression:

• 1, 2, 3: This could represent a linear progression or evolution from unity to multiplicity, symbolizing the process of creation through different levels of understanding or wisdom.
• 3, 2, 1: Returning in the opposite direction could symbolize introspection, a regression necessary to fully understand the path taken, or a return to the origin after reaching some form of completion or fulfillment.

Symmetry and Balance:

The ascending and descending sequence may suggest balance and symmetry in the quest for knowledge, indicating that total understanding involves both progression and return, ascent and descent, the involution of spirit into matter and the evolution of matter into spirit.

Tripartition of Existence:

• 1, 2, 3: This can represent the three aspects of existence or knowledge in many traditions (e.g., body, soul, spirit; past, present, future; etc.).
• 3, 2, 1: The change in meaning indicates the importance of inversion when comparing divine and human ternaries.

Union of Geometric Forms:

The "Triangle par Carré" could represent the union or integration of two fundamental geometric forms, each with its own symbolism:

• Triangle: Often symbolizes trinity, harmony, stability (in the context of the Christian Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit).
• Square: Symbolizes matter, earthly stability, the four elements, or the four cardinal directions.
  Transformation and synthesis:

The transition from triangle to square could symbolize a transformation or synthesis of spiritual concepts (represented by the triangle) into material reality (represented by the square). This is a common idea in alchemy and other esoteric traditions, where the spiritual and the material are seen as interdependent and in constant interaction.

The link that unites the triangle and the square is none other than the circle from which they both derive.

Alchemical processes:

In alchemy, geometric shapes can represent different stages of transformation. The triangle might symbolize fire or spirit, while the square might represent earth or solid matter. The "Triangle by Square" could thus represent a specific stage where spirit materializes or matter is spiritualized.

Synthesis and conclusion

The image is a complex, allegorical representation of the quest for truth and knowledge. Taking into account all the interpretations and your clarifications, here are the main points:

"R O T A": The wheel, symbolizing the eternal cycle of life and knowledge.

We can also form the following words TORA, TARO or ORAT.