Universal Symbols

 1 Shown are two universal symbols: the Star of David, set within two yellow rings and a violet background (with blue outer-ring), and The Menorah or candelabrum, with seven branches and colored flames; while each shares the same number pattern, i.e., 123 + 444 = 567. Back to Cover


 2 Curiously both are Jewish in origin, and are portrayed with Dionysus, the Greek god of wine—and, ecstasy. Yet it shouldn't be considered unusual, for the early Christian Church, with its origins in Judaism, made its way to Greece, where it took root. And up until the time of Christ, Dionysus filled that void in the human experience, which Christ later came to symbolize (ecstatic principle). Indeed at one point the Greeks equated Dionysus with Jehovah, the god of Israel: and with a strong cult following in Galilee, Dionysus' influence is felt early on, when Christ turns the water into wine. John 2:1-11


 3 Hence there were the Dionysian Architects, who came to Jerusalem to help build the Temple of Solomon. 1 Kings 7:13-51 Experts of sacred geometry, they later called themselves the Sons of Solomon and adopted his seal—essentially the Star of David—and settled in Israel. While they were instrumental in founding the Essenes, originators of the Dead Sea Scrolls and commonly held as the sect Dionysus and Jesus came from.


 4 As the cover might suggest, Dionysus symbolized what was colorful and dynamic in life—the essence of life. And so conveys the latest chapter in the evolution of the Western Church: where the more specific aspects of Judaism and Christendom (Jewish symbolism), are combined with the more colorful aspects of Greek culture and/or religion (the geometry and addition of color).


  The Color Wheel

 5 By envisioning a color wheel within the two rings, the star denotes the six basic colors of the Menorah. And, as sunlight is called visible or white light, it comprises the full color spectrum, and is made up of the six colors: why the white flame is placed in their midst. It therefore corresponds to the number four and, to the center of the star—the number 444. And hence red, the first color which proceeds from the sun (our most important star), corresponds to the number one; while violet, the last color, corresponds to the number seven.


 6 I practice a form of meditation that incorporates the full spectrum of thoughts and feelings: it addresses the full circle of my being and can be viewed in a spherical sense. When fully engaged it takes on its own impetus: where violet clouds spill out in my mind, and yellow smoke begins to form around the edges. The smoke ring(s) takes form, and then begins to diminish in size, until a new one forms to take its place ... and so it progresses. All of which looks similar to the yellow rings on the front cover, except without the star and blue ring.


 7 Hence yellow and violet are the predominant colors and, when assigned numbers, i.e., 3 to yellow and 7 to violet, it becomes more integral: with the base of the Menorah showing their uniqueness, i.e., "123 + 444 = 567." Thus when 3 is multiplied by 41, it becomes 123, which is the first string of numbers and colors (red-orange-yellow). And, when 7 is multiplied by 81, it becomes 567, the last string of numbers and colors (green-blue-violet). Whereas by joining the numbers 3 and 7, it forms the number 37 which, when multiplied by 12, becomes 444: as corresponds to the medium or white light. And so the connection is readily made between yellow (3) and violet (7).


 8 One thing which adds another dimension here is Revelation 5:6:  "And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst ... stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth." Which suggests something similar to the Menorah, seven qualities—or color—of light. While in Revelation 1:12-13 it says: "And I turned ... and saw seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven candlesticks, one like unto the Son of Man." Thus signifying The Lord, as to the full spectrum of things, from the interior to the exterior and, that He rests in the interior of things. Just as white is placed in the midst of the flames and denotes the full spectrum.