Getting the Root Idea of a Number

[gmugmble]

This could digress into a separate discussion - perhaps started elsewhere? - of what we might examine to get the root idea of a given number. IMO the main points are: (1) The prime factors of the number. (2) Other key mathematical roots and relationships such as summations. (3) How the numeral is written in Hebrew, with the meanings distinctive of its letters. (4) The few most important words with the same numeration.

I don't know how much more discussion this needs, but it brought up a minor question that's been bugging me for a while. PF Case says a multi-digit number should be interpreted from right to left; so you should meditate on 406, for example, as a progression from 6 to 0 to 4. But Crowley seems to interpret them left to right. Does the Temple of Thelema have a position on this question?

[Jim Eshelman]

Not really. Certianly not Thelema per se. And all of that "digitalization" seems pretty minor in most cases, as far as I can see.

The bigger question to me - and the most fruitful - is how to write the number in Hebrew. 406 is Tav Vav. Place Atus XXI and V side by side to see the number in action.

Also, Case's tendency to add the digits to reduce to a single digit is very kindergartenish. (I say this with great respect for Case, and with the knowledge that he was writing for kindergarteners.) The factoring of the number is much more revelatory (especially if the factors are interpreted as Path numbers).

[gmugmble]

I say this with great respect for Case, and with the knowledge that he was writing for kindergarteners.

Every time my BOTA lessons have me do something artsy-craftsy, I think of this remark. On those days when my spiritual practice consists of striving very hard to stay within the lines as I color, I feel like I'm in kindergarten.