THEOSOPHY

Humanity

A hand-colored engraving depicts a human figure representing a mystical, theosophical anatomy. A yellow banner at the top contains the title THEOSOPHY. Below this title is ornate, flourished calligraphic text reading: Humanity, throughout, according to all three leading, governing principles.

The figure of a man stands centrally, facing forward. Several spiritual centers are labeled on his body:

• Forehead: Holy Spirit original: H. GEIST.
• Temples: Split across the head are the words Understanding original: Verstand.
• Throat: A blue sphere labeled Sophia, Mirror of the Godhead original: SOPHIA Spiegel der Gottheit.
• Chest and Heart: A radiant golden center labeled JESUS. Broad golden bands or rays extend outward from this center, wrapping around the figure's torso and arms.
• Solar Plexus: A smaller blue circle labeled JEHOVAH.
• Lower Torso and Thighs: A large, dark grey circular diagram with concentric line patterns. At the center of this circle is the text DARK WORLD original: FINSTERE WELT. The outer border of the circle is inscribed with the text: Center of Nature original Latin: Centrum Naturæ: The Matrix: The soul's root of a threefold birth.

The figure’s legs are shaded in a dark terrestrial brown. This contrasts with the lighter skin of the torso. The figure stands on a patch of green grass. The entire illustration is enclosed within a red and black border.

The term principles original: Principien refers to the three realms of existence described by Jacob Boehme: the dark world of fire, the light world of divine love, and the external world of nature. Gichtel, Boehme's student, illustrates here how these forces are physically and spiritually centered in the human being. The Matrix mentioned in the lower circle refers to the "womb" or origin point of natural existence.