Taylor - Theoretic Arithmetic.pdf - Platonic Philosophy

The ratio of 12 to 9 is sesquitertian, and the ratio of 12 to 8 is
sesquialter. These ratios are given to the planet Mercury. In
like manner 16 to 12 is sesquitertian, and 16 to 8 is duple.
These ratios they attribute to Venus. The ratio of 18 to 12 is
sesquialter, and of 18 to 9 is duple. These are ascribed to the
sun. The ratio of 21 to 9 which is duple sesquitertian, is attributed
to the planet Mars. The ratios of 24 to 18 which is
sesquitertian, of 24 to 12 which is duple, of 24 to 8 which is
triple, of 18 to 12 and also of 12 to 8, each of which is sesquialter,
are ascribed to Jupiter. The ratios of 32 to 24 which is
sesquitertian, and of 32 to 8 which is quadruple, are attributed
to Saturn. And in the last place, the ratios of 36 to 24 which
is sesquialter, of 36 to 18 which is duple, of 36 to 9 which is
quadruple, and of 24 to 18 which is sesquitertian, are ascribed
to the eighth or inerratic sphere, which comprehends all the
rest. Hence the ogdoad was called by the Pythagoreans Cadmeia,
because Harmony is said to have been the wife of Cadmus.
And Cadmus, as we learn from Olympiodorus, is the
sublunary world.
With respect to the epithets mother, Rhea, Cybele, and Dindymene,
the ogdoad was doubtless thus denominated from being
the first cube, and a cube is the element of earth which is
participated by Rhea who is the same divinity as Ceres, and
was called Cybele and Dindymene. As Rhea too is the vivific
goddess, the life of which she is. the source must be of a feminine
characteristic; and hence the reason is obvious why the
ogdoad is celebrated as the producing cause of females. As to
the epithet Cybele, the mother of the gods was called from
being the cause of divine inspiration to mystics.* The anonymous
writer likewise informs us, that this number was called
Eut~pe, because it is the most mutable (paX(3ra au~pex.ro~) of
all the numbers within the decad, being evcnlycven, and this