The 8 Directions and The 8 Dimensions
8 is highly esoteric number symbolizing polarity in union. A set of 8 base aspects universally represents a set of essential energies from which comprehension begins and from which increased variation results. These sets of 8 are often polarized in four pairings and occasionally are sets of an overt seven with a more subtle eighth part.
8 is symbolic for the unity of microcosmic and the macrocosmic. The microcosm of our self is constituted in this manner. Our very inner physical and esoteric makeup is formatted exactly in the same manner as what is largely a philosophical, perceptive understanding, as we shall explore. Our inner essential energy, our very blood, is understood as four main types in positive and negative pairings for a total of 8 polarized blood types. Additional measures reveal more sub-types, but our very essence, our blood is based on four types; A, B, AB, and O, each being either RH Positive or RH Negative.
The macrocosm of our planet and even the universe, though to different magnitudes and angles than here on Earth, operates under the universal law that spheres in orbit of other spheres will result in a duality of polarity of time annually. All across creation there are four seasons, two equinoxes and two solstices. The four seasons results in a spiraling 8 pattern of the sun in our sky when observed annually as below. The four seasons results in an 8 shape of the sun here on Earth, as if infinitely. This natural occurrence is called the analemma and a replication of the naturally occurring shape was long used to calculate the date. This occurs with The Moon as well but not the planets.
8 is symbolic for the infinite. And it specifically represents a base set providing for infinite comprehension and near infinite variation. It is symbolic of the wisdom of the snake from where its coiling and spiraling shape is also inspired by and related to. Such spiraling snakes are depicted on the staff of Thoth, who the Greeks named Hermes, also known as the Staff of Caduceus. The snakes coiled together symbolize the same duality of polarity that the macrocosmic analemma reveals, the intertwining of polarized but mutually dependent spheres/energies.
Hermes itself is derived from Hermopolis. Hermopolis was Khemenu which means 8 Town, or City of 8. The City of 8 was the center of Thoth’s worship, but the 8 refers to the Ogdoad of Neters. These ancient Egyptian primal gods are actually more specifically four pairs of masculine and feminine couples. Deeper still The Ancient Egyptian concept of the soul describes 8 immortal parts encapsulated within the mortal physical body, being the ninth mortal part.
It is very possible the 8 Neters inspired parts of The Biblical story of Noah and the great flood. There are a total of 8 humans on the ark which Noah built, four pairs in fact; Noah and his wife and his three sons and their wives. Nu (Nun) is the most well known of The 8 Neters, phonetically similar to Noah. And Nu is the god of the primordial waters of chaos from which the world emerges. So there is a phonetic and idealistic relationship between Nu and Noah as well as the four pair concept. Below we see Nu carrying a solar bark in which are a version of the other seven Neters. The literal boat being an important part of Egyptian life and the metaphysical boat being a sacred part of the Egyptian consideration of the afterlife.
The Great Pyramid of Egypt is of course four sided, but now that the face stones have been removed and lost it is possible to note there are actually 8 sides to the pyramid, perhaps under the face stones at one point. The 8 sides can only be seen from above and most definitively on the Equinoxes. This is of course only one small concept of many built into geometry of The Great Pyramid.
I am One that transforms into Two
I am Two that transforms into Four
I am Four that transforms into Eight
After this I am One
~Coffin of Petamon, Cairo
The Sri Yantra is a meditation tool of deep symbolic value, but one little amazing aspect of many is that it has four corners and four faces for a total of 8 gates. This quality of a direct four and subtle 8 is shared by most all mandala and yantra depictions. One of the concepts held by the Sri Yantra is that the triangles represent the individual being as well as the entire universal cosmos. The 8 exoteric directions and eight esoteric dimensions surround and imbue the microcosm and macrocosm.
In perhaps what could be considered as the primary Buddhist teaching there are four aspects to problematic being. And there 8 aspects to the solution. The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism are based on the four sufferings of life; birth, sickness, old age, death. The Four Noble Truths state there is suffering, there is cause to suffering (desire), there is solution to suffering (ending desire), and lastly there is a path to this solution. That path is The Noble Eightfold Path. The Noble Eightfold Path is symbolized in The Wheel of Dharma, dharma meaning life lessons essentially.
Right understanding
Right thought
Right speech
Right action
Right livelihood
Right effort
Right mindfulness
Right concentration
The I’Ching, The Book of Changes, is one of the oldest books on the planet. It is said to be authored by The Taoist iteration of Thoth/Hermes. The Book of Changes was written by Fuxi who is depicted as having a snake body from the waist down. And as the sacred geometer of the East is predominantly depicted with his feminine counterpart, Nuwa, holding a compass and square.
The Book of Changes is the text accompanying a divination practice involving reading into The Bagua, the 8 energies of the microcosm and the macrocosm. The 8 energies of the Bagua are depicted as trigrams, symbols made up of three lines, and are combined in couples to represent intuitive insights of what turns out to be sixty-four potentials. The lines are broken and unbroken, for Yin and Yang energies. And The Yin Yang symbol itself is based on four parts, Major and Minor Yin and Major and Minor Yang.
Western and Eastern spirituality are based on systems in which a four part system and the following related 8 elements are foundational and core components, hence the adoption and integration of these ideas into alchemy and all sorts of scientific and spiritual ideas. And yet it continues.
There is also The Chakana Cross of Inca and Andean people. The Chakana Cross symbolizes a bridge between the individual and the universal via 8 elements. Chakana means to cross or to bridge and it is said to symbolize The Southern Cross constellation which was believed to be the center of the universe to the Inca and Andean people who celebrated The Chakana.
The Chakana represents the three worlds, four elements/directions/, the four seasons, and four qualities important to Incan society, as well as the twelve months of the year. Certainly, there is more to the symbol that accompanied and evolved with The Inca people over time, but much of it is lost due to the schism of colonialization.
Again, so many schisms and possible interpolations have taken place since the colonialization of The Americas where ideas may have been distorted but the design similarity appears primal and that alone is profound. The above image, from Dr. Cynthia Bellacero’s website, provides an overview The Chakana, complete with the three step and three worlds symbolism. The three world symbolism is also shared by numerous cultures in numerous trinities around the world and is where Hermes Trismegistus obtains his name. Hermes masters the three worlds, hence Hermes Trismegistus.
The Chakana is a deep symbol with many layers to it. And though we must be careful to not place meaning where there was not necessarily such the correspondences in just the visual design symbolism is highly provocative and inspirational.
The Hunub Ku is a Mayan symbol of possible relationship to The Chakana. The oldest mention of The Hunub Ku of The Mayan people, was during colonialization in The 16th century, so its exact origins and how it may have been potentially integrated with other ideas remains uncertain. The first image of it is in The Codex Magliabechliano. Hunub Ku means the one god.
Another more modern iteration of the 8 element symbolism is in The Vegvisir. It is worth exploration at least in questioning its derivation and in exploring the lessons or symbolism provided in regards to the other sets of the 8 element formation. The 8 element formation in the Icelandic magical symbol is called The Vegvisir, literally meaning the way shower. It is a symbol of protection that is at least 160 years old, and likely older, with the same 8 element formation.
Of further symbological relationship in the form of 8 elemental lessons of the exoteric directions and the esoteric dimensions is presented by Mark Passio in his eloquent presentation on Natural Law. A symbol utilized as an image to his presentation is sacred geometry symbol The Seed of Life related to and the basis of The Flower of Life. This interwoven seven circle symbolism is encapsulated by circle 8.
And of course, I wrote The Tao of Thoth with more on the correspondence of the elements and focusing on embodiment of 8 Hermetic and Taoist lessons. Thanks for considering supporting the book.
What is the meaning of all this correspondence of the 8 elements and 8 elemental lessons? The meaning is certainly found within you, for you. However, in my opinion the individual sets stand on their own as modalities for progression of character and individuation. And equally the lessons from one set or another reveal things which were perhaps elusive or mysterious about another set when contemplated via the shared 8 directions and 8 dimensions correspondence. It is apparent that there is inspiration toward individuation in the shared symbolism as well as ideas for situational comprehension and decision making.
It is possible the frequency of the correspondence of 8 directions and 8 dimensions just exemplifies how we think. And it is also possible it shows that the idea is somehow universal and yet decipherable in individualistic ways. Perhaps that is part of the personability of the symbolism that we relate to and which inspires us. The 8 elements sets are a compass of comprehension to be used towards your ascension, your development – as you decide and direct, but based on universal principles. With comprehension of the 8 elements we can plot our course to not only be in the right place but to be placed right.
