“Masonic Symbolism of Arithmetical Number Five and Its Plane Geometric Construct Pentagram and Solid Geometric Construct Dodecahedron Stanley J. Bransgrove*

For presentation to California College of Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis Introduction

The number five [1] and its byproduct, pentagram, have symbolic prominence and have been attributed extraordinary qualities. Possibly before ancient Sumerian astronomers observed curious natural phenomena that of seven visible planets, only Venus traced a regular geometric pattern, a pentagram in eight-year cycles, this number and figure may have already achieved symbolic import. We can confirm at least that what was observed above, was repeated by man here below. In examining remaining monuments of this distant past we find evidence that in fact symmetry of pentagram was utilized in mans most important architectural edifices. We may also interpret stone work of this initiatic tradition in light of literary references to such western traditions such as those of Pythagoreans, Jews, Christians, Druids, as well as Lataif of Sufi tradition, and Hindu Tattwas. The pentagram served Pythagoreans as a salutation and a symbol of health. Medieval masons considered it a symbol of deep wisdom and integrated its proportions in ecclesiastical edifices. In recent times, professor Matila Gyrka called pentagram "gateway to absolute independence;" "symbol of deep wisdom;" and an "ideal archetype of dynamic growth." It is not surprising that we find such symbolism reoccurring in speculative Masonry and Masonic Rosicrusianism.” (1)

A Shardana group of Phoenicians as well as Genoese or Legurian people going back to 2000 BC are involved. Recent finds have these Shardana in a Trojan War era fortification reminiscent of ‘nuraghi’ in Sardinia. That site is near present day Syria or Mt. Carmel. They are also found in Hyksos reign over Egypt that is connected to Troy. There are mines under water off Marseilles and region near mouth of Rhone and Pyrenees site of Rennes-le-Chateau is verdant with legend and importance throughout history and pre-history. Massalia was a focal point of transit and trade in a time before Straits of Gibraltar were formed.

“Five churches or sacred sites are all built on hilltops on site of older structures and form a perfect pentagon with its center near megalithic sites known locally as Balancing Rock and Devil's Chair. Two of these five sites are churches in Rennes-le-Chateau and Bezu. Between them is ruin at Serre de Lauzet, with chapel of Blanchefort and megalith at la Soulane as other two points.” These words are from Mary Sutherland. The megaliths tie in with natural pentagram of Pentagon-dodecahedron, which an ancient Druidic University in region either designed or used long before Caesar or other Roman Emperors proscribed and eliminated Druids of region as best they could.

The Phocaeans are closely associated with ‘Sons of Mil’ of Milesian ‘Bees’. They took military ships across Mediterranean to seal a deal with king of Tartessus. You can read about it in The Rise of Greeks by Michael Grant. That ‘Bee’ is also found in 2200 BC on island of Crete in Royal House of Mallia. It is important to remember that most early languages were vowel less. So ‘ML’ and ‘MLL’ are just one step removed from each other.

The natural pentagram formed by mountains of area near Rennes-le-Chateau where Nostradamus and Saunière were born is of paramount importance. The pentagon-dodecahedron knowledge was so secret in time of Plato that anyone letting this secret be known to uninitiated was put to death. Pythagoras (taught by Abaris [Rabbi] Druid) and Therapeutae used pentagram instead and Star of David, like Kabballah, is ‘twisted’ for a purpose I have dealt with in other books. The Theosophists re-iterate much of what we have covered so far.

“The five-pointed star, or star polygon of number five, is made by marking five equidistant points on a circle and joining each to next but one; lines and angles are equal, angles being 36 degrees, 72 degrees, and 108 degrees. The sections of lines exhibit golden ratio, by which a line is divided into extreme and mean ratio, that ratio being .618 or 1.618, which plays so important and interesting a part in geometry. In symbolism this figure is often taken as synonymous with number five, pentad. The Pythagoreans called it pentalpha, because it was like five alphas (A). It combines two and three, first even and first odd numbers after unity, representing therefore among many other things, on universal plane, union of cosmic substance with cosmic intellect. If three is combined with four (another symbol of matter) we get seven. As a union of five elements it stands for heavenly or macrocosmic man and its five points correspond to head and limbs of a man's body; same idea lies behind five wounds of Christ. When star has its point down, it signifies polar opposite of preceding, that is, nether or material pole of cosmic life; and so can be used as a black magical symbol -- horns of evil are said to be up. The combination of these two produces decad, in a similar way to that by which two triangles are combined in Solomon's Seal; and thus we get another symbol of man's dual nature, and of dual aspect of cosmic forces. In connection with this, astrologers will remember that each of five planets has two houses, a day house and a night house; while sun and moon have each one house, so that we have here five, ten, and twelve, harmonized together. Five is specially important in our times because we are in fifth root-race, and five elements have so far been manifested (the fifth, ether, only partially as yet). We have five digits on each limb; five is most frequent number for petals of a flower, we use denary scale (twice five), and number five plays a leading part in geometry of dodecahedron and icosahedron. In The Secret Doctrine we find pentagon used for number five in formula 31415, other figures likewise being denoted by geometrical signs.” (2)

Colour therapy is only now just starting to gain its much desired respect and confidence. Here's a nice simple (and cheap) way to benefit from colour therapy.

If you need some perking up and you find that you could do with a good dose of orange to revitalise and replenish your soul (and not too many of us have an orange sweater or even a shirt in cupboard), buy some orange cellophane paper, wrap it around a glass of chilled water and set it in sun, allow it to stand for 10 minutes or until you feel that warmth of sun (and your chosen healing colour) have penetrated water and then simply drink from glass, as you drink concentrate on orange warmth entering and healing your body.

Below you will find colours and their meanings... you can always combine your colours to help you achieve your goals.

The Colour Green... Assists With : Healing, Balance, Prosperity, Luck, Harmony

The colour green covers many areas on our earth and brings balance and peace. Green promotes confidence, and brings harmony and symmetry. It is both mentally and physically relaxing and promotes synergy between body and soul. It reminds us of our roots and grounds us when needed.

The colour Green represents star sign Taurus.

The Colour Brown... Assists With : Healing Animals, Mother Earth, The Home

Brown is used to reach back to our Mother Earth, and find within her powers to heal animals and create peace and harmony around and within your home. Focussing on colour brown can increase our powers to heal planet and help all of her creatures.

The colour Brown represents star sign Capricorn

The Colour Pink... Assists With : Emotional Love, Friendship, Compassion

Pink is revitalising and soothing, a lighter form of red it can be used in much same way to gain empowerment, however on a softer and gentler level. Pink shows unconditional love, friendship and support that can be given and received.

The colour Pink represents star sign Libra and Gemini..

The Colour Red... Assists With : Strength, Power, Courage, Love