PROLOGUE

...which they have most harmoniously toward each other. Therefore, concerning the consonance of both the world and the Archetype original: "Archetypi"; in Neoplatonic thought, the "Archetype" is the divine blueprint or the world of ideas from which the physical world is modeled., and concerning the state of all things and of all those elements which each world itself (insofar as it receives them from the Archetype) embraces in the greatest harmony, we have judged it appropriate to treat this for the sake of an easier guidance. For us who desire to do this, a journey must be taken through many paths, because we must encounter all the remedies of the technical disciplines: Natural Philosophy, Arithmetic, Astronomy, Geometry, Music, and Divinity.

If, therefore, our treatment concerns things subjected to the senses, then the Peripatetics Peripatetici: followers of Aristotle, known for their focus on empirical observation and the physical world. with their sensible doctrine will provide support. If we investigate celestial things, we shall rely on the demonstrations of the astronomers. If we search into the concord of natural things, we shall direct our journey toward the more secret philosophers. If a treatise is held concerning the variety of the stars, and regarding that harmony which arises from their diverse aspects, movements, and sounds, it will be immediately resolved by musical ratios.

If we attempt to explain in any way the supreme intelligences and the super-celestial secrets, then—having set all these aside and left them at the entrance—we shall approach the prophets and the saints, to whom it was given by a special gift to know the secrets of the living God; or we shall implore that Light which illuminates all people and instructs them perfectly in such matters.

If, however, by some reason we desire to be raised up from these visible things to the celestial and super-mundane inner chambers, there will be for us (once error is set behind) a single path through numbers. By these, these lower things are shown to be connected with the higher ones through their own harmonic proportion, appearing most sweet to those contemplating them, and providing the easiest path to those working through their mutual correspondence and the power implanted within them.

For all things are arranged by numbers, and from this, they are so familiar to all things that nothing stands in their way. For, being related to the powers above, they ascend familiarly to celestial things; and again, they act in a home-like manner with sensible things. From this, they put on different natures and different modes. For Number, which (as Proclus Proclus A 5th-century Neoplatonist philosopher who saw mathematics as a bridge between physical and divine realities. says) always exists as the same, is nonetheless one thing in the voice, another in the proportion of things, another in the soul and reason, and another in divine things; and that which is bound in created things is found to be most absolute and familiar to God.

Themistius, Boethius Speaking of lower things, Themistius and Boethius so prefer number that they believe no one can practice philosophy rightly without it. Pythagoreans, Academics Indeed, all the Pythagoreans together, and the Academics Followers of Plato's Academy., but especially the Theologians more secret Theologians, everywhere celebrate and venerate numbers. And not without merit; for as Avenzoar Avenzoar the Babylonian Likely referring to a pseudo-epigraphical source of "Chaldean" or Eastern wisdom, rather than the historical Andalusian physician. proves, he knows all things rightly who knows well how to count.

Plato Plato supports this, saying in the Epinomis: "If someone wishes to take away number from human nature, he leaves them in no way prudent or scientific." For the soul will perceive nothing without reason, nor can anyone give a reason for things who is ignorant of number. Also, if number is removed, the arts vanish entirely. And what is greatest of all: he asserts that number is the cause of all good things, but the cause of no evil. He who is to be blessed, who desires to search into celestial and divine things, must not be ignorant of number. Necessarily, therefore, we must proceed through the paths of numbers and the harmonic order, if we are to go rightly and appropriately through these lower things to the higher and supreme ones...