The Fifth Cubit - The Reach for Divinity

Every serious man, when dealing with serious subjects, carefully avoids writing.

- Plato

Yet here I am. In my defence, it's not much writing! This preface to the above-mentioned work some would argue should be at the beginning of same. After lengthy deliberation however, I decided that the inclusion of a written explanation would be inappropriate; akin to putting a roof rack and tow bar on a Ferrari, the rhythm of the imagery would have been destroyed and I hope that even without description the book still imparts enjoyment and some will understand the discourse exactly as presented.

This work began during the research phase of my previous project, 'A Hymn in Stone.' While studying an image of the Blessed Virgin with the Christ child contained within a Vesica Piscis, I realised that the image had two potential origins. Either there was indeed a miraculous, immaculate, virginal annunciation that created Christ; or, this image was a metaphor delivered in a book laden with metaphor and allegory. I suspect it is far more likely that the latter is correct. If we understand that the Vesica is the shape and threshold through which all manifestation is brought, then Mary is perhaps the embodiment of Mother Earth and the Christ child is humanity or the divinity contained within humanity. This image is portrayed against a background representing the cosmos. The ordered and structured heavens here represent the Logos, the structure of manifestation. If my reading of this is correct, this alludes to a meaning within the iconography originating from a pre-Abrahamic era, and ties in nicely with St. Bernard's statement that Christianity was a relatively new religion. The photographs and drawings presented revolve around the structure of the seven days of creation described in the book of Genesis. I also draw from other writings such as the Essene book of creation and the corresponding Hermetic narrative (similar to Genesis with no timeline) and tangentially Egyptian/Greek philosophical texts. As suggested in ‘A Hymn in Stone’ I would reiterate that the religious written word has undergone numerous translations and revisions over millennia, leading to both accidental and deliberate distortions. The latter, I suspect, were intended to exert control, reflecting the unfortunate eternal human desire for power. Some ancient texts, much like their modern counterparts, are susceptible to personal ego, individual agendas, and the external influences of those in positions of authority. The contradictions within these early writings mean that scholars often have to work with suspect, incomplete, or inaccurate data. Therefore, it's essential for readers not to blindly accept the conclusions drawn by ‘experts' but to critically assess any interpretations presented as knowledge. In contrast, geometric shapes created with a compass and straight edge are unchangeable and convey a clear, immutable message; the interpretation of this message, is however still a product of the human imagination.

The interplay between the divine and the logos leads us to the final stage of conceptual creation, which is the trinity. According to the Essene interpretation, divinity is seen as the cosmic ocean of consciousness, consciousness is the soul, and breath is the connecting spirit. In this perspective, you inhale divinity and exhale your soul into that divinity. St. Bernard’s interpretation of The Song of Solomon presents a trinity of Bridegroom/Kiss/Bride, symbolising the union of divinity with the soul or church. In the Christian Trinity, we have the Father (Divinity), the Son (Logos/Word), and their union through the Holy Spirit. These are considered theologically as one entity or three entities united as one. In the book of Genesis, God speaks manifestation into existence or organises that which already exists but is formless into manifestation. Therefore, the Word becomes the organising principle, also known as the Logos and, in my view, Geometry. All creations, including the cosmos, Mother Earth, and the ideal human body, adhere to geometric principles and proportions.

Intelligent and aware humanity has walked the earth for perhaps 200 million years. The only real evidence that survives of a theistic system engaged in by the ancients is from the Neolithic period. It was here that I began my deep dive into sacred architecture in the book 'A Hymn in Stone', in the supporting text to this work I explored the reasoning these peoples may have had for their stone circles; agrarian calendars, harnessing telluric energy etc. I now consider it possible that the earliest circular constructions were primarily to acknowledge and express gratitude to the Logos, and the One; for the measurement of seasons, for an abundance of food, and fire for safety and warmth. I would reason that enlightened ancient man had a different perception of reality and saw in the circle the essence of manifestation - whether that be the Sun, Moon or pupil of the eye; these undoubtedly wise men and women, who were much more connected to their natural environment had an understanding of the field of vibrational energy within which we exist more than any modern human. It is of course impossible to know, but I would speculate that the Neolithic trinity would have revolved around the low-level energy exchange between the Father (Sun), and Mother (Earth) and the confluence of these energies within the human body. These ancient beliefs have been absorbed by a variety of different traditions through the aeons, altering each time but essentially containing the same underlying message. Whether the Neolithic peoples - Egyptians - Greek philosophers - Pagans - Christians: from Heraclitus to St. John, a faith in an unseen unmoved mover, the very power of creation itself, God, Logos, pop your faith in here, from my perspective, they are all one and the same.

The addition in relatively recent times of a human embodiment or incarnation of the Word, of truth and love, all that is good about humanity in an actual human figure invites further consideration of its meaning. I suspect Jesus was a man in Hellenic/Roman Galilee who was indeed a very lovely fellow, but it is my opinion once more his life is possibly more allegory than biography. Many attack this idea by citing scripture but; no offence, those who propose this have to acknowledge that these written accounts of Jesus’ life are spectacularly non-contemporaneous. As metaphor, Christ’s life and death have huge power, he was of course humiliated, betrayed, tortured and died for the sins of the many; for attempting to tell a counter-narrative truth to the many; a truth they didn't want to hear and whom he forgave for their terrible actions. Forgiveness and rebirth. A beautiful message which incidentally highlights how little we seem to have changed. It would not be unreasonable now for a reader to suggest that although I have inferred there is a weakness of evidence in the form of biblical scripture, the same lack of evidence exists for the presence of Logos. On the contrary, to the human mind at least, geometry and mathematics provide proof of this ordered structure of the realm within which we exist. It might only be the tip of the iceberg in terms of our limited capacity to experience and understand, but it is nonetheless there.

The above is not intended to reduce the value of sincere and good-hearted religious belief, nor is it an exploration of modern religion. All mainstream faiths have given countless humans purpose and comfort during their passage through this veil of tears, and whatever your creed, I wish you well.

Steve M. 20.7.24

The creature of heaven already has means by which he may contemplate invisible things. He sees the Logos, and in the Logos he sees what has been made through the Logos (Jn 1:3). He has no need to beg knowledge from the creator of what he has made. Nor does he climb down to created things in order to know them, for he sees far better from where he is what they really are in themselves. Therefore he does not need the medium of a bodily sense; he is himself sense and senses them directly. The best way to see it is to do it unaided; then you know at once all you wish to know. More: outside help is unwelcome because to need it is to be less than perfect and not really free.

- Bernard of Clairvaux