The Theosophical Seal - Canadian Theosophical Association

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The Theosophical Seal by Arthur M. Coon THE FOUR BEASTS Biblical Allegory abounds in references to the square and the number 4. The one which appeals most forcibly to the imagination is the reference to four beasts which appears in the Books of Ezekiel and Daniel and in the Apocalypse. These beasts are variously described as having four sides, four faces, four wings,, etc., and with such similarities as necessitate a common interpretation. In the Book of Ezekiel (Chapter 1) we read that out of the midst of the whirlwind, the cloud and the fire came the likeness of four living creatures. "And every one had four faces and four wings... As for the likeness of their faces,they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion,on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; and they four had also the face of an eagle". The account in the Book of Daniel varies somewhat in its imagery: "Four great beasts came up from the sea ... The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings ... a second, like to a bear ... and another like a leopard, which had ... four wings [and] four heads ... a fourth beast,dreadful and terrible and strong exceedingly". (Daniel 7). In the Book of Revelation we read: "In the midst of the throne and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion,and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle" (Revelation 4: 6-7). We note that the four beasts of Revelation are identical with those in the Book of Ezekiel. What mysteries these symbols conceal, only a seer or a prophet might fully understand. It is with extreme humility that we attempt even to suggest an interpretation; but what we do suggest has significant bearing upon our immediate study. Some Bible students have interpreted these "four beasts" as the four writers of the gospels: Matthew,Mark, Luke and John. It is possible that this idea may have been the inspiration behind the architecture in many churches where the likeness of a bull, a lion, an eagle and a man appear at the four corners of the altar or sanctuary. While this theory could conceivably explain the four beasts in the vision of St. John in Revelation, it could hardly be true of the Ezekiel story which occurred some five hundred years before the four gospels were written. So we must look elsewhere for their real interpretation. THE FOUR 'SIGNS' Half buried in the sands of Egypt lies a strange monster made of stone. For how many centuries this creature has kept silent watch before the great Pyramid of Gizeh, only the imagination can fathom. This 'beast' in stone has the body and paws of a lion and the bust and face of a man. The purpose of this famous Sphinx is one of the enigmas of the ages, Obviously its destiny is linked with that of the Great Pyramid itself, which was built as the tomb,not of Khufu or Cheops as was formerly supposed, but of Osiris,Lord of the celestial world. It is now known to have been a temple for the ancient Egyptian mysteries. Its four triangular sides rise from a square base and it was known as "The Temple of Light" [ Many valuable works have been written on the Great Pyramid. The interested reader is referred to two small volumes for instructive and easy reading: Miracle of the Ages by Word Smith, and The Secret of Ancient Egypt by Ernest G.Palmer. ] Sphrinx-like animals have been uncovered by archaeologists in Greece, Assyria and Phoenecia. These were usually carved on walls or at the entrance of temples, suggesting some religious significance. Astronomers have divided the sidereal universe into four quarters,with the zodiacal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn at the corners or cardinal points. Early Egyptian and Chaldean astronomers, Page 30
The Theosophical Seal by Arthur M. Coon however, placed on their calendars the constellations of Taurus,Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius as occupying these cardinal positions. It is an astronomical fact that due to the gradual shifting of the earth's pole, the equinoxes change 30 degrees in approximately every 2,150 years. The following quotation from The Secret Doctrine by H.P.Blavatsky , places the date of the change above mentioned at about 3100 B.C. "When the Accadian calendar was arranged and the Accadian months were named, the sun ... was not, as now ... in Aries, but in Taurus. The rate of the precession of the equinoxes being known, we learn that at the vernal equinox the sun was in Taurus". [The Secret Doctrine, Vol. II, page 732] And again we read in the same work, "... four beautiful stars [ constellations] were placed as guardians at the four corners of the world". [The Secret Doctrine, Volume I, page 726]. These four stars were of course the four constellations: Taurus, Leo,Scorpio and Aquarius. It will be noted that in many of the older zodiacs the sign Scorpio was replaced by Aquila (Latin for Eagle), so we have here represented in the heavens at the four angles the bull,the lion, the eagle and a man! THE FOUR ANGELS We can hardly assume,however, that the writers of these Biblical allegories merely had in mind subtle allusions to astronomical constellations. Surely in their references to "four beasts", "four horns", "four wheels full of eyes", etc., there was hidden a more profound significance. For some hints as to the meaning of this mystery we must turn to the ancient esoteric records as gathered and interpreted by H.P.Blavatsky in The Secret Doctrine. We find many allusions to "Four Regents of the four corners of earth", to"the Rulers of the North, South, East and West", and "four winds or forces of earth". These "Rulers" or "Regents", we are told, are four great Angels or Devas who act as Agents of God, and not only manipulate great cosmic forces, but also carry out His laws of justice in the minutest detail in the races of men. In eastern esoteric philosophy they have been called the "Lords of Karma", who administer the laws of cause and effect,of action and reaction,on every human level. They are the "Four beasts before the throne" in the Book of Revelation, "full of eyes within; and they rest not day and night". The Church refers to them as the "Recording Angels" who record the thoughts and deeds of men and of nations in the "Book of Life". This description of course implies that nothing is too great or too small or yet too hidden to escape their eternal vigilance. The thing which is significant to this study, whether we consider these "four beasts" as the four cardinal signs of the Zodiac or as the "four Regents" of the earth, is that they are quite definitely associated with the universe in its external manifestation, with the physical world and its laws and with the actions and relationships of its inhabitants. We may therefore draw two conclusions: first, that 4 is the number which is the sign of all mundane things, that is, pertaining to earth or matter; and second,that the Square, symbol of stability and solidarity, as well as being earth's geometrical counterpart, is its goal and symbol of perfection. They are number and symbol of man as an outer manifestation of an inner and spiritual reality. THE TETRAKTYS OF PYTHAGORAS We call to mind a few of the many witnesses to the idea that both Nature and man are essentially fourfold. There are four seasons of the solar year,four quarters of the day, hour and minute. There are four cardinal points of the compass. The circles is divided into four segments of 90 degrees each. The early Greek philosophers taught that there are four elements: earth, water, air and fire. Science classifies Page 31
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