Dodecade

The quaternary structure of the manifested world, when considered in three-dimensional space, is conveniently symbolized by a tetrahedron. The tetrahedron is well known to have twelve distinct orientations — that is, effectively, twelve points where vector forces act: This means that the Middle quaternary, i.e. the manifested world is subject to the influence of twelve forces that shape its appearance. It is therefore unsurprising that the dodecade is so widespread in mythology — twelve months, twelve zodiac signs, twelve apostles, twelve knights of the Round Table express the same idea: that the One manifests in twelve outward forms. Just as the inner essence of the world is expressed by the Septenary, and the distribution of forces within it by the Ennead, its outer sphere is symbolized by the Dodecade. I do not wish to repeat what has already been written at great length about the dozen; I will only note the common root of the words ‘dozen’ and Russian ‘duzhiy’ (meaning ‘strong’). This kinship is practically important, since it helps to understand the symbolic field of the Dodecade, and therefore the possibility of applying its principle. One more point to note: when projected onto a plane, the dodecahedron, as is easy to see, yields a superposition of upright and inverted pentagrams: Thus, the Dozen as a principle includes Freedom (upright pentagram) and Coercion (inverted pentagram). This may be what astrologers mean: “the stars predispose, but do not compel.” However, understood more broadly, the principle of the Dozen opens much broader possibilities.