According to theosophical calculation the year 2008 will mark the beginning of a new cycle. For 2 + 0 + 0 + 8 = 10, which reduces to 1 (for 1 + 0 = 1). Theosophical reduction consists in adding up the digits of a figure until you reach the smallest integer. The number 1 always points to a new beginning, initiative etc. It symbolizes also the male organ, which initiates new life, new beginnings…
Why do Theosophists make these absurd calculations? Does it not look like saying that the distance between New York and Amsterdam is 9.000 kilometers (which reduces to 9), whereas half of 9.000 = 4.500 (which also reduces to 9), so therefore 9.000 is basically equal to 4.500? Absurd! Yes, indeed. From a material viewpoint Theosophy is absurd. But then Theosophy does not pretend to express a material viewpoint. It is rooted in the spiritual world.
What is the spiritual world?
That is the 6-million dollar question! It is not the virtual world, although there may be some similarities. You can be and walk in the virtual world. You can discuss issues there, listen to music and play games. But you cannot find the virtual world under a microscope. It does not exist in a material sense. However, nobody would deny it is out there. The same is true for the spiritual world. It exists, but it is unseen. In the spiritual world figures have symbolic meaning, different from their meaning in the material world. In this spiritual world 9.000 can indeed be equal to 4.500 because they both reduce to 9, which (in the spiritual world) means ‘conclusion’.
So how does this play out in 2008?
Well, theosophically, a new cycle started in 1999. For this reduces to 1 (theosophical reduction: 1 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 28 > 2 + 8 = 10 > = 1 = ‘beginning’). So the year 2000 reduces to 2. The number 2 means ‘duality, opposition’. In 2000 there was clearly a lot op opposition, maybe also duplicity. Consider: Bush vs. Gore, plotting between Al-Queda and the US etc. The year 2001 marked the result of this opposition, the explosion known as 9/11 (which reduces to 2, by the way; there is no doubt that 9/11 was the result of opposing forces, which is symbolized by 2). The year 2001 reduces to 3, meaning ‘multiplicity’, but also ‘the result of opposing forces’.
The year 2002 reduces to 4, which means ‘order, establishment’. During this year a new international order was established (remember the mantra: ‘9/11 changed everything’?). We are not saying this is the order we would like. We don’t like it and it will not prevail (we believe). But for the time being a new order was established in 2002. In 2003 we reached the middle-point in the cycle. It reduces to 5, meaning ‘mediation, link’. The new order was passed forward: the war in Iraq. Note again, we are not judging; we are describing, trying to find hidden meanings.
Following the absurd trail
The year 2004 reduces to 6, meaning ‘reciprocation’, or ‘seeking equilibrium’. In 2004 the war-effort was being equilibrated. Preparations for elections were under way. In 2005 the point of equilibrium was reached, i.e. 7, meaning ‘rest, equilibrium’. In 2005, the 7th year of the cycle, elections were held in Iraq (note that God rested on the 7th day of creation). The year 2006 reduces to 8, meaning ‘rhythm, repetition, reverberation’. During this year there were repetitive bombings as reverberations of the war. It all culminates in 2007 when it reaches a conclusion (as said, 9 = ‘conclusion’). During the year 2007 the situation in Iraq began to stabilize.
In 2008 we mark a new beginning, for 10 = 1 = ‘unity, beginning, initiative’ and other associated meanings. We may expect, therefore, new initiatives, possibly peace-talks between Israel and the Palestinians, Iran and the US, and – who knows – the capture of Al-Queda leaders? Now, of course, we do not know what will happen. But the theosophical trail (hopefully a bit less absurd to you by now) would suggest such events. Let’s wait and see.
Arcocarib wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2008. Let’s do something absurd: Pray for Peace.
The selected video illustrates the central idea behind this article. Mr. Gilchrist explains what the ‘Vesica Piscis’ is, the meaning of number in a different way. Fascinating!