The Enchanted Initiate
A Journal of Traditional Symbolism, Hermeticism & the Occult Sciences

Pythagoreans

Pythagorean philosophy had an indirect influence on the development of academic teachings, contributing to the wider philosophical landscape.

Concordance & Cross-References

Primary Correspondences & Figures

The Pythagoreans used the tetractys in their teachings and philosophy. The tetractys is a symbol of great importance to the Pythagoreans and is central to their teachings.

Tetractys OathRitual

Pythagoreans bound themselves by the tetractys oath, showing the oath's significance.

Myths Of GeminiConcept

Pythagoreans were key in spreading the myths of Gemini and its importance in astrological practice.

Theon Of SmyrnaPerson

Theon of Smyrna, as a Pythagorean, emphasized the tetractys' significance.

Myths Of MetempsychosisConcept

The Pythagoreans played a significant role in disseminating the myths of metempsychosis, integrating these beliefs with the themes of the zodiac. This process involved linking the concepts of metempsychosis, the belief in the transmigration of souls, with various zodiac signs, such as Gemini. Through their teachings and influence, the Pythagoreans helped to popularize and elaborate upon these mythological and philosophical concepts, establishing a connection between spiritual rebirth and astrological symbolism.

Signs Of The ZodiacLineage

Pythagoreans were influential in the study and interpretation of the signs of the zodiac, including Gemini and Sagittarius.

AhedronConcept

The ahedron concept is related to the Pythagoreans' work, as it is connected to the tetractys and Kepler's rule.

Color→Concept

The theories of color and music from the Pythagorean tetractys are associated with the Greeks' understanding of these concepts.

MetempsychosesConcept

Reincarnation is a central belief among Pythagoreans, influencing their understanding of the soul's journey and its relationship with the body and the universe.

Plato→Person

Pythagorean ideas influenced Plato's philosophy, contributing to his teachings.

Triangular DivisionConcept

The triangular division is a key concept in Pythagorean teachings, influencing the understanding of the three-part division in both nature and human problems, and is a fundamental belief among Pythagoreans.

Music And FormConcept

Pythagoras and his followers saw architecture as analogous to music, both governed by mathematical harmony

Harmonic SchoolLineage

The Pythagoreans distinguished themselves from the Harmonic School, which focused on empirical observations over mathematical reasoning in their understanding of music and harmony.

Mediate Correspondences

Sympathetic Chains & Distant Affinities

PythagoreansthroughColorilluminatesPythagoras →
I. Pythagoreans & Color

The theories of color and music from the Pythagorean tetractys are associated with the Greeks' understanding of these concepts.

II. Color & Pythagoras

Pythagoras experimented with color and its healing properties, seeing it as a therapeutic tool in his holistic approach to health and wellness.

PythagoreansthroughTetractysilluminatesMysteries →
I. Pythagoreans & Tetractys

The Pythagoreans used the tetractys in their teachings and philosophy. The tetractys is a symbol of great importance to the Pythagoreans and is central to their teachings.

II. Tetractys & Mysteries

The Tetractys represents the geometric and symbolic understanding of the universal essence that lay at the heart of the Mysteries.

PythagoreansthroughTetractysilluminatesSpirit →
I. Pythagoreans & Tetractys

The Pythagoreans used the tetractys in their teachings and philosophy. The tetractys is a symbol of great importance to the Pythagoreans and is central to their teachings.

II. Tetractys & Spirit

The Tetractys symbol represents the relationship between the invisible and visible aspects of the divine essence within man.

PythagoreansthroughPlatoilluminatesPhilosophy →
I. Pythagoreans & Plato

Pythagorean ideas influenced Plato's philosophy, contributing to his teachings.

II. Plato & Philosophy

Plato, through Socrates, explores the philosophical nature of color and its existence in Theætetus.

PythagoreansthroughPlatoilluminatesChrist →
I. Pythagoreans & Plato

Pythagorean ideas influenced Plato's philosophy, contributing to his teachings.

II. Plato & Christ

Plato's dreams prepared the way for the advent of Christ, enriching the wisdom of his time

PythagoreansthroughColorilluminatesLight →
I. Pythagoreans & Color

The theories of color and music from the Pythagorean tetractys are associated with the Greeks' understanding of these concepts.

II. Color & Light

Color is perceived through light, a relationship between two substances important in understanding the existence of color as a concept.

PythagoreansthroughPlatoilluminatesAristotle →
I. Pythagoreans & Plato

Pythagorean ideas influenced Plato's philosophy, contributing to his teachings.

II. Plato & Aristotle

Plato and Aristotle, two significant figures in the history of philosophy, engaged in a discourse on the nature of reality, as symbolized by their contrasting interpretations of the sphinx and its riddle. According to the given descriptions, Plato, the founder of the Academy in Athens, recognized Aristotle as his most eminent student and successor. This recognition demonstrates the mentor-student relationship between the two philosophers, where Aristotle inherited not only Plato's teachings but also his foundational ideas about the nature of existence. Although the descriptions do not provide specific details about the sphinx and its riddle, the debate between Plato and Aristotle on the nature of reality highlights the fundamental differences in their philosophical approaches. Plato, with his idealistic perspective, likely focused on abstract, eternal forms, while Aristotle, with his empirical approach, focused more on the study of the natural world and the principles that govern it. The recognition by Plato of Aristotle as his greatest disciple also indicates the importance and influence of Aristotle’s work on Platonic philosophy, even though their views evolved in different directions. Through their intellectual exchange, both philosophers contributed significantly to the development of Western philosophical thought.

PythagoreansthroughTetractysilluminatesSephiroth →
I. Pythagoreans & Tetractys

The Pythagoreans used the tetractys in their teachings and philosophy. The tetractys is a symbol of great importance to the Pythagoreans and is central to their teachings.

II. Tetractys & Sephiroth

The Tetractys is a symbol representing the Sephiroth, embodying the ten emanations from the Infinite One.

PythagoreansthroughPlatoilluminatesSocrates →
I. Pythagoreans & Plato

Pythagorean ideas influenced Plato's philosophy, contributing to his teachings.

II. Plato & Socrates

Socrates' teachings were fundamental to the development of Platonic philosophy.

PythagoreansthroughColorilluminatesDesire World →
I. Pythagoreans & Color

The theories of color and music from the Pythagorean tetractys are associated with the Greeks' understanding of these concepts.

II. Color & Desire World

Color is the primary expression of the Desire World