S E C T I O N I.

In what Hieroglyphic Arithmetic consists.

Let no one, when they perceive that we are about to treat Arithmetic, imagine that we are going to hand down that common calculation used by merchants. Rather, we speak of that more recondite science of numbers through which, by a certain hidden analogy, the more mysterious part of Theology is concluded. Just as this science flows from the divine mind and the supreme Monad original: "monade," referring to the ultimate "One" or the Divine Source from which all reality springs. in a perennial emanation, so too it involves all the mysteries of the four Worlds explained above, and everything contained within them. To perform this truthfully original: "ἀψευδῶς", let us take the starting point of our discussion from Unity.

C H A P T E R I.

On Unity and its Manifold Offspring.

Unity is the principle of all numbers.

Number is a certain natural, sprouting principle of the rational structure; for those lacking mind, such as brute animals, do not count. But number itself is nothing other than reason unfolded; for this reason, number is proven to be the principle of those things reached by reason, so that if it were removed, it is certain that nothing at all would remain to reason. Furthermore, Unity is the principle of all numbers, inasmuch as every number flows from it; and it is itself the end of all, for every number is resolved back into it. Nor does Unity obtain its origin from any other, nor is it divided into any number; rather, every number depends so essentially on unity that, far from existing without it, it is certain that all things would instead vanish into nothingness.

Unity is the Essence of God.

Trismegistus.

Moreover, this Unity is the eternal essence of God, the principle and end of all things, the Alpha and the Omega, opening all and closing all. Thus, all the beings of created things are nothing other than the small seals original: "signacula," implying that every creature bears the "stamp" or mark of its creator. of that supreme Unity. So says Hermes Trismegistus A legendary Hellenistic figure, regarded as the author of the Hermetic Corpus, which explores theology, philosophy, and magic. in the Pimander: "The Monad," he says, "that is, Unity, is the principle, root, and origin of all things; without a principle, however, there is nothing. But a beginning is not of the principle itself, but of another. The Monad, therefore, being the principle of all numbers, contains all while being contained by none; it begets every number, while being begotten by no number. Indeed, that which increases, increases by the power of the Monad, but it vanishes through its own weakness when it can no longer contain the Monad." Nor does it lack the shadow of divine light that Unity is the limit and measure of all numbers, measuring all things and communicating its name to all numbers.

But because we have treated these matters most extensively in the Pamphilian Obelisk One of Kircher's earlier works (1650) detailing the hieroglyphs on the Agonale Obelisk in Rome. on page 178, leaving those aside, let us turn our pen to explaining the secrets of the Monad.

A small decorative woodcut tailpiece featuring a central floral bud flanked by symmetrical scrolling acanthus leaves.