Formula 414

[kylefite]

This thread is being created to continue the dialogue re: Formula 414 (begun in the "Directory of Analyses concerning Kenneth Grant's Work"). The original thread links to a series of letters written by Kenneth Grant wherein he draws attention to this Formula and Number as holding extreme significance and importance.


Links to the letters in question are found in the Kenneth Grant Correspondence section of the "Directory" thread under Jason Horsley.

If anyone here has not read these, I would certainly urge them to do so. They are brilliant and I thank our member Artilect for calling attention to both the correspondence and themes they address.

[kylefite]

I'll note that Wisdom of S'lba 4:14 reads "Destroy not, neither create. Within the nightmind alone Desire attains Aossic."

In the Jason Horsley letters, Kenneth equates 4 with Daleth, a Door. We could certainly understand the two bookending Doors of the Formula as the Doors of Creation and Destruction. The Key is found in the number 1 which "knows" both Doors yet is entangled with neither. Kenneth points toward this with his replies in the Horsley correspondence.

Nichiren wrote:

"When we look into our own mind at any moment, we perceive neither color nor form to verify that it exists. Yet we still cannot say it does not exist, for many differing thoughts continually occur. The mind cannot be considered either to exist or not to exist. Life is indeed an elusive reality that transcends both the words and concepts of existence and nonexistence. It is neither existence nor nonexistence, yet exhibits the qualities of both."

I think Grant condenses this insight into "Formula 414." The "1" between is The Magus, "in stance all perfect" (WOS 1:1).

Zen Patriarch Hui Neng describes this stance, I believe, when he says we are to be neither attached nor disinterested. Through such a mind, the Cosmic Mind becomes active. Hui Neng calls this Buddha. Kenneth Grant calls it Aossic-bel-Aossic.

But language fails me. There is no "this" or "it." Still, we experience the exhibiting of the qualities. I don't think this is to be crushed away. Neither attached nor disinterested, we take our stance.

And S'lba 4: 1 and 4 read:

"It has been decreed: Let the Temple be cleansed; let the false gods be cast out.

"The dust of the Old Ones shall dance again. In the writhing wind, brilliant with space-frozen flame, the formless again will form, the sleeping shall again awaken."

So, here we are.

Or seem to be.

[stephen]

Thanks to both Artilect and Kyle for reminding me of where this interest in the 414 formula originated: I had read those letters to Jason Horsley and found them quite fascinating - they are a valuable presentation of Kenneth Grant's thought on a post-trilogies basis.

Kyle's interpretations and his references to the Wisdom of S'lba as bearing on the formulation, are very illuminating.

The key gematria correspondence which fits into this, has to be 414 = AIN SVPh AVR, the Limitless Light; but as I do not have my copies of the Trilogies to hand, I don't see the usefulness of commenting further, here and now.

[kylefite]

I'll also add that Bill Heidrick's webpage denotes the following words as enumerating 414:

"Meditation, Thought."

"A resting, a keeping quiet."

"Whisperer" or "Enchanter."

These would seem to give good expression to THE VOICE OF THE SILENCE.

Of course, I will recall Michael Staley's Invocation of LAM which opens with the words:

"Lam! Thou Voice of the Silence, Glyph of Hoor-paar-kraat..."

Thus, the "Horsely Letters" (with noted emphasis on Formula 414 (a Palindrome-as LAM is wont to express through) offer some lovely light, I believe, into the Gnosis of the Lamian Mysteries.

[Gregory Peters]

Despite my working in the technology field by day, I can not seem to find these Horsely letters. Would someone kindly throw me a directly link?

[artilect]

Gregory, you'll find them linked in the 'Correspondence' section of the Directory thread

[artilect]

4 = Daleth = 'a door'

KG to Horsley 02 May 2002 --
"Visualize two doors... one of which admits entrance, the other being EXIT ONLY. The one who has entered the first door can and does usually retrace his steps back into the old dream; but the one who chooses the other door does not return - he is forever free (4-1-4)."

Matthew 7: 13-15 --
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."

KG's personal notes for Against the Light --

Front Door/Back Door = Khepsh = Khopesh (Egyptian sickle sword)



Against the Light pg 84 - Uncle Phin:
"There is no occult law which decrees that one who is ready for initiation is drawn to a certain door. I am such a door. But a door cannot open of itself, and many pass by without noticing it, as you did - long ago. Sometimes it is wide open, but those who may cross the threshold hold back. Others, who are not ready, plunge headlong into an abyss and the door closes behind them."

[stephen]

Kenneth Grant's handwritten code to the Sigils of "Against the Light" actually raises as many questions, as it gives answers to their significance.  Also, they express a more comprehensive formula - or certainly a different emphasis - than that expressed as 414.  However, there are points of contact, so it is as well to discuss them in this thread.

The composite symbol defined as "Sun, Moon, Thunder" [in descending order] is the motif to be found beneath the chapter headings in "Beyond the Mauve Zone".  I have to say, that I have not worked out their significance here; there are few references to "Thunder" within the Trilogies that I can bring to mind immediately.

Three of the other symbols are to be found in the composite glyph of five sigils that forms verse 191 of OKBISh, of which the commentary is on page 153 of "The Ninth Arch".  The sigil described by Kenneth as "The Two Moons" is the Sigil of Hecate, although the form here differs slightly, but see the representation on the front dustcover of "Hecate's Fountain". The Seal of New Isis is here too. The last of the sigils is "the Chinese character for 'a door', the sacred seal of the Ku". This is the sigil described by Kenneth as being "Front Door, Back Door (Khepsh)".

The commentary to verse 191 states: "The Fire Snake coils about the five sigils, commencing with the omen Ku and ending with the seal of the Ku. Between these nodes the power of the ancient witchcraft (Hecate) is transmitted from Nu Isis via the secret or hidden (back) door which is, conceptually speaking, behind Daath in the sephirotic system." Khepsh is the 'thigh' or 'hind quarter', denoting the use of a sexual formula, but also the Egyptian name for the Great Bear, the asterism of Ursa Major.

This brings in the remaining sigil from "Against the Light" which Kenneth gives as representing Sirius.  The acute, upward pointing triangle being the key element in the hieroglyphic symbol for Sept, or Septet = Sirius. The now current transliteration for this is expressed as Sopdet, meaning "(she who is) sharp" [although I only have this from Wikipedia to date]; hence 'sharpness' - meaning the brightness of Sirius.

I am going to have to leave this there at present, probably enough information for now anyway.  If anyone wishes to comment or contribute, I hope to get back online tomorrow.

 

[stephen]

My previous observations were meant to be exploratory, rather than definitive, although I was trying to be as precise and clear as possible in tracing some of the threads and implications of the new information about the sigils that Artilect, quite rightly, thought was worth posting here.

But there does not seem to be much enthusiasm for response, although I remember some members having said how much time they had spent trying to work out the significance of these very same sigils. So come on please and consider some observations, there is plenty to play with here.

[kylefite]

Stephen, your post here is both interesting and appreciated! I am presently writing an essay on the Sigils of S'lba and the ATL symbols play into my interpretations. I'll respond in more detail soon as time is limited at the moment.

[stephen]

Hi Kyle, thanks for that. I have quite a lot on myself right now, but will look forward to further developments and will be happy to contribute.

[Deleted]

Hi all,

I'd like to analyze this a bit further when I have time, but I thought you might be interested:

By Sepher Sephiroth, it is an interesting number:
AZVTh, the fluid
The Limitless Light
Meditation, Psalm xlv. 4
Going forth

Some other interesting correspondences,
414+474=888

888 is Ta-Nich and Bes-n-Maut, linking Horus and Maat currents. It is also a current of Christ, a counterpart to the 666 current which according to Grant are different phases of the same current.

So you have 414+Daath = Horus and Maat currents as 888.

Some details of the formula can be inferred here. I know I've come across this number in the Trilogies, I'll keep an eye out for it.

[Gregory Peters]

I feel a thunder in the distance as I read back over this thread. Having just reread The Ninth Arch and Against the Light, I will have some more thoughts on this when I get a slice of time