Quaternary

A triadic division of the spheres gives rise to a quaternary projection.

Indeed, in development and in projection onto a plane three rays produce a cross (see “Kolo Velesa”).

Duality, which creates a domain of mutual reflection between its poles, the “third” principle endows it with activity that in turn requires a certain “field of influence.” The ternary becomes an active element and, as the binary correlate of that activity, actualizes the fourth element. The alchemical example we considered will help clarify this. Prima materia, Azoth, divides into the principle of Fluidity (the passive Mercury) and the principle of combustibility (the active Sulfur). Their interaction yields a second form of matter, Salt. Salt then “dissolves” into the “contaminated” matter which is the physical substance itself.

Kabbalah offers the example of a family: Father and Mother have a son who, to continue his line, needs a bride, thereby reproducing the cycle. In other words, the quaternary is born where there is movement. If the binary and the ternary merely described the emergence and formation of reality, the quaternary governs its subsequent development.

Nevertheless, the transition to each new level brings with it the emergence of that level’s own laws; therefore, although the quaternary is the logical continuation of the ternary, it is formed and operates according to its own rules.

It is well known that the principle of the tetrad describes how any manifested being unfolds: the active principle, the idea, the Father, is reflected in its analogue — the passive, receptive principle — the Mother; and their union gives rise to a third element, the Son, who possesses both the ability to synthesize (from the Mother) and to analyze (from the Father) and is therefore the sole fully effective agent. Yet the activity of this element demands a corresponding field of activity — thus the fourth element of the quaternary arises.

I don’t want to indulge in banalities about the solar symbolism of the number four right now; rather, let’s speak about the practical use of the quaternary in the mythological context we are examining.

What does this mean from a practical point of view?

In the Slavic tradition there are several cyclic rituals — kola — that constitute an essential part of the life of the volkhv. The first kolo — Kolo Velesa — must be undertaken to attain Power. The ritual itself does not directly bestow Power, but by undergoing it a specific inner space forms that is necessary to receive magical power, and Power, as I have already said, flows only where there is room for it. Also known are the Kola of Svarog — the way to attain the world’s wisdom, the ‘silent knowledge’ — Semargl — the way of union with the elemental forces — and others.

The meaning of any kolo — both symbolic and cosmological — is expressed by the symbol of a cross inscribed in a circle. Power moves along the circumference; the circle has four sectors, each with a different character, and within these sectors power takes on four characteristic forms. The world is symbolized by the circle — the most perfect of figures. The number four gives the world the property of manifestation.

In general, it should be said that the quaternary division of nature is one of the basic features of the functioning of the mind. Primary duality gave rise to the four primordial Powers that breathed life into all manifested things.

Everywhere in descriptions of the world and world processes we encounter quaternity. Four cardinal points, four seasons, four principles, four royal stars (Aldebaran, Altair, Regulus, Fomalhaut), four fixed signs of the zodiac (Aquarius, Leo, Scorpio, Taurus), four ages of man (childhood, youth, maturity, old age), four paradisiacal rivers that spring from the Tree of Life, four Archangels of Christianity, and the four Kumara in the Persian tradition.

The square (and a rectangle when necessary) has most often been used by humanity for practical purposes.

Jung enumerated four functions of the psyche: sensation, intuition, feeling, and thinking. Three of these are conscious, and the fourth is unconscious (or repressed). But the arrangement of the functions differs in each personality. These four functions arrange themselves around the essential component — the volition or judgment. Jung adds that the principal psychological elements of human existence — archetypes such as the animal, the shadow, the ego, the persona — are placed in quaternary order and form around the self.

Kabbalah divides the cosmos into four worlds; the alchemical process has four main stages.

The latter point relates directly to our topic, since any kolo is a kind of alchemical process taking place in the practitioner’s body or in the surrounding world.

The Magi of Europe (according to G.O. Mœbes) depicted the four quarters of the magic wheel as crosses, in which the vertical stroke signifies striving toward activity, and the horizontal — receptivity:

The symbolic series of the four Powers in the European tradition are presented in two forms of so-called quaternaries, each expressing a particular complex of metaphysical and realizational ideas.

The Quaternary of Ezekiel symbolizes the operations of calling and incantation, while the Quaternary of John symbolizes perception or action within the human being (and also astrology and alchemy).

The cyclic rituals we are discussing are alchemical in nature; accordingly, they are symbolized by the Quaternary of John, which we will examine in greater detail.

It should be mentioned that Air and Water are regarded as pure masculine and feminine principles, while Fire and Earth are respectively the fertilizing and the fertilized; thus the contrasting quaternary of Ezekiel symbolizes harmony and stability, authority and Power — qualities so necessary in operations of evocation. The Quaternary of John symbolizes a constructive imbalance, which is itself the driving force that drives attainment in the alchemical work.

Power moves in a spiral, returning to the same themes but on ever higher levels.

Power returned to its source becomes transfigured, having undergone a cycle of transformation. Every true beginning is the result of what preceded it.

The four primordial Powers with which the Magus interacts in passing through any kolo manifest differently in various aspects and are symbolized in their union by the Sphinx.

Consider some further series of correspondences (in the scheme of the Quaternary of John).

Corresponding pairs opposing each other across cardinal points in this scheme complement one another, struggle and cooperate, and thereby compel action. Each of these symbolic series can be understood and experienced, the result of which will be a rebirth into new action and new power.