The number eight is the octad. Its planet is Saturn. Its constellation is the eighth, which corresponds to Scorpio.
Its metal is lead, and among the stones is the black onyx. The musical note is Do in the second octave.
The laws of evolution and devolution are contained in the number eight. Those who are attached to evolution violate the laws of the Holy Eight; they violate the laws of mathematics, because each evolution is followed by devolution. These two laws form the Holy Eight.
These two laws of evolution and devolution can not guide us into realization of the Self; we need the path of the consciousness for this. Everything in nature and the universe is mathematics.
The Holy Eight represents the brain, heart, and sex of the planetary genie. We know already that the fight is terrible: brain against sex, sex against brain, heart against heart.
The Holy Eight has three hundred and sixty-five precepts; we must not violate these precepts.
3 + 6 + 5 = 14
1 + 4 = 5
Fourteen signifies Temperance. It is the mixture of the waters; it is the work with the white elixir and the red elixir.
When the fight of heart against heart is established, then the star of five points falls and remains with the two inferior angles aiming upwards.
The number eight is the primordial water, because it is situated in the Ninth Sphere, within the planetary brain.
The waters are transmuted into energy, and when they rise through Ida and Pingala until reaching the brain, they form the Caduceus of Mercury, the Holy Eight.
One has to learn how to distinguish between a descent and a downfall. No one can ascend without previously descending. This is the law.
Upon the supreme disobedience of Adam the supreme obedience of Christ was superimposed, but Christ had to descend.
Always when we want to ascend, we must descend, otherwise we remain stagnant. One can leave that stagnation only by descending, but let us distinguish between a downfall and a descent.
The number eight is moderation, the Caduceus, distribution with justice.
