gorean numerals.--Ed. Theos.
** The five-pointed star or pentagram represented the five limbs of
man.--Ed. Theos.
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Now, Makaram is the tenth sign, and the term "Dasadisa" is generally
used by Sanskrit writers to denote the faces or sides of the universe.
The sign in question is intended to represent the faces of the universe,
and indicates that the figure of the universe is bounded by Pentagons.
If we take the pentagons as regular pentagons (on the presumption or
supposition that the universe is symmetrically constructed) the figure
of the material universe will, of course, be a Dodecahedron, the
geometrical model imitated by the Demiurgus in constructing the material
universe. If Tula was subsequently invented, and if instead of the
three signs "Kanya," "Tula," and "Vrischikam," there had existed
formerly only one sign combining in itself Kanya and Vrischika, the sign
now under consideration was the eighth sign under the old system, and it
is a significant fact that Sanskrit writers generally speak also of
"Ashtadisa" or eight faces bounding space. It is quite possible that
the number of disa might have been altered from 8 to 10 when the
formerly existing Virgo-Scorpio was split up into three separate signs.
Again, Kara may be taken to represent the projecting triangles of the
five-pointed star. This figure may also be called a kind of regular
pentagon (see Todhunter's "Spherical Trigonometry," p. 143). If this
interpretation is accepted, the Rasi or sign in question represents the
"microcosm." But the "microcosm" or the world of thought is really
represented by Vrischika. From an objective point of view the
"microcosm" is represented by the human body. Makaram may be taken to
represent simultaneously both the microcosm and the macrocosm, as
external objects of perception.
In connection with this sign I shall state a few important facts which I
beg to submit for the consideration of those who are interested in
examining the ancient occult sciences of India. It is generally held by
the ancient philosophers that the macrocosm is similar to the microcosm
in having a Sthula Sariram and a Suksma Sariram. The visible universe
is the Sthula Sariram of Viswam; the ancient philosophers held that as
a substratum for this visible universe, there is another universe--
perhaps we may call it the universe of Astral Light--the real universe
of Noumena, the soul as it were of this visible universe. It is d
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