The Great Seal of America

U N Z I P P E D

Annuit Coeptis - Novus Ordo Seclorum - E Pluribus Unum

No amount of dissembling by Freemasons can hide the fact that the Great Seal of America, as printed on the dollar bill, is a Masonic emblem: the eye in the pyramid, the eagle and the inscriptions are replete with secret Masonic symbolism. In this context it is self-evident that the three mottos on the Seal will repay a close cabalistic analysis. What occult secrets of Freemasonry do they conceal?

Annuit Coeptis

The phrase 'Annuit Coeptis' is derived from Virgil and is usually translated as 'He favours our undertakings'. 'He' is presumed to be the monotheistic deity of Christianity. This interpretation is encouraged by the earlier motto, 'Deo Favente Perennis', meaning, 'God Favours us through the Ages'. However some believe there is also a reference to 'Nuit' or 'Nut' the sky goddess of ancient Egypt. This is supported by the way 'Annuit Coeptis' arches over the top of the pyramid (a phallic symbol) - a direct analogy to the Egyptian symbolism of Seb (or Geb) and Nut. Nut is usually shown as a tall woman whose body is bent in a great semi-circle to represent the sky; her consort Seb is lying flat like the earth with erect phallus. The raising up of Nut from the embrace of Seb represented the first act of creation. Nut gave birth to the Sun each day and then swallowed it at night.

The value of 'Annuit' is 390, which equates her appropriately enough with the words, 'Mother of God'. Her name seems to be a compound of Anna and Nuit, both of whom were goddesses who played this maternal role. 390 also gives us the value of the Hebrew word 'ShMIM' - 'heaven', and so supports the identification with Nut/Nuit.

However, the numerate Mason might point out that 390 also comprises the product of 15 and 26, which are the two Hebrew names of God - 'IH' (Jah) and 'IHVH' (Jaweh). These are numerically linked in the Cabala, because 26 divided by 15 yields the square root of three (1.732). This is a very important fraction for the sacred architect because it defines the proportions of the vesica piscis (among other things).

At 317, 'Coeptis' shares the value of the goddess 'Aphrodite'.

'Annuit Coeptis' has a value of 707. This is the value of another incarnation of the mother of God - Παρθενος Μαριαμ - The Virgin Mary (1). However this may not be as important as the fact that it also denotes Ο Θεος Ερμης - The god Hermes. Hermes is the patron of the esoteric science of Hermeticism underpinning Masonic philosophy. The great significance for the builders of 707 is that its digits denote a half of the square root of two (1.414). This fraction (1/rt2) is called 'the sacred cut' and has been used from Roman times, at least, in classical architecture. It also provides a means of constructing a regular octogon from a square by means of a compass and straight-edge (2).

Heliopolis
707 must also be significant as the value of 'AVN', a Hebrew word which means 'On' or 'Heliopolis', the Egyptian city of the sun (3). In this it is interesting to note that 390 - Annuit - is the value of Πολις ('Polis' means city in Greek); and 317 - Coeptis - is the value (+ 1) of Ηλιος - the Greek name of the sun. Therefore 'Annuit Coeptis' gives us 'Heliopolis' by two totally different numerical routes. It seems that the Great Seal designers were especially interested in invoking the Egyptian "City of the Sun" (4).

Why would they have been interested in this city? They may have been drawn to Campanella's Utopian vision of the future, Citta del Sole. Thomasso Campanella was a Hermetic magus who upset papal sensibilities and was tortured in the dungeons beneath the Vatican on several occasions. Citta del Sole, written in 1602, prefigured Francis Bacon's New Atlantis in emphasising the use of learning and science for the public good. The historian Frances Yates interpreted Campanella's book as aiming for a return to the Egyptian religion as predicted in the Asclepius of the Hermetica. She cited a particular passage from Asclepius that may have relevance to the seed germ of ideas behind the founding of America:

The gods who exercise their dominion over the earth will be
restored one day and installed in a City at the extreme limit of
Egypt, a City which will be founded towards the setting sun, and
into which hasten, by land and sea, the whole race of mortal men.

The Great Seal designers may well have believed themselves to be following an ancient blueprint involving a restoration of the harmonic philosophy that ensured the stability and contentment of ancient Egypt.

 

 

Novus Ordo Seclorum

The other motto on the reverse, 'Novus Ordo Seclorum', seems to have a solar connotation. Valued at 1742, it falls between Χρυσομαλλος - Chrysomallos - at 1741 and Γνωμων - Gnomon - at 1743. The first is the name of the ram that bore the golden fleece - this was a solar symbol and pointed to Aries, the first sign of the zodiac and the start of the sun's annual journey. The latter is the upright member of a sundial (or a builder's square). The pyramid and obelisk are both types of sundial and both may represent the upright member of the god Seb.

 

The Number of Fusion
1746 is an extremely important symbol of harmony for esoteric initiates, as it represents the fusion of the solar number 666 and the lunar number 1080 (5). On the Great Seal we find both components of this number united, because 'E Pluribus' has a value of 666 and 'Novus' 1080.

A Coincidence
'Ordo Seclorum' has a value of 1369. This is suspicious as it is also the value of the letters giving the date MDCCLXXVI (1776 when counted as Roman numerals). 1369 is an important number for it represents 37 squared - and 37 is the keystone of sacred geometry in the Bible (and elsewhere). The fact that we have a square number at the base of the pyramid seems very fitting - a solid foundation. The number 37 may also signify the Hebrew words 'AVL' and 'GDL'. 'AVL' means strength, or a powerful person. 'GDL' means power or majesty. Both of these words aptly describe the potent god Seb.

In Hebrew the number 1369 very importantly denotes the phrase VRVCh ALHIM MRChPhTh AaL PhNI HMIM - 'And the spirit of God moved on the face of the waters' (Gen. 1,2). This maintains the theme of divine creation.

1776 - Date
The overtly intended date of 1776 would certainly have been chosen for numerological reasons. It, too, is factored by 37, being the product of 37 and 48. It may be intended to represent 'Jesus of Nazerus' - who has this value in English gematria (and as 888 x 2 also signifies the doubling of his first name in Greek) and Jesus is an important figure to the Freemasons. In Greek we find that the phrase Ιησους εστι λογος - Jesus is the Logos - also has this value. We notice that in Ephesians 2,20 Jesus is described as the chief corner stone in the foundation of the temple of God. (6)

The Roman numerals of the date MDCCLXXVI also generate the solar number 666. This comes about through a pattern of three pairs: MDCCLXXVI - the first red pair giving 600, the second 60 and the last 6. The intentionality of this is further indicated by the fact that the remaining numbers - MCX - give us, in a regular pattern, 1110. This is a particularly important number in gematria and signifies harmony and completion. We can also see that 666 and 1110 lie in a 3:5 ratio and therefore can signify two sides of a 3-4-5 right-angled triangle. What is the length of the missing side? It is 888 - the number of the Gnostic Ιησοθς (Jesus) - the stone which the builders disallowed (i Peter 2, 7).

Christian enthusiasts, ignorant of cabalistic numerology, invariably interpret the number 666 to signify the devil. This is a mistaken assumption in many respects and shows a disregard of St John's injunction that the 'number of the beast' was counted only 'for him that hath understanding'. The cabalist with understanding knows that 666 refers as much to the 'Beast' as it does to Jesus Christ. The reason for this is that the words John used were, Και ο αριθμος αυτου Χξς΄ - 'And the number of his name is 666'. These critical words have a value of 2368: this number is unambiguous to the cabalist as the value of Ιησοθς Χριστος - Jesus Christ. Was St John predicting that the great Beast might usurp the name of Jesus Christ?

It is also true that 666, as an emblem of the creative solar power in the cosmos, only becomes destructive when it is not balanced by its feminine counterpart - in this case it leads to authoritarianism and tyranny.

As a curious aside, we can also note that the American national anthem, the 'Star-Spangled Banner' has a value of 666. This reinforces the view that the architects of the nation held this number in the highest regard.

The Lightbringer
The combined value of 'Annuit Coeptis' and 'Novus Ordo Seclorum' is 707 + 1742 = 2449. This is the precise value of the phrase Ιησοθς Χριστος Νικα - Jesus Christ Conquers. In addition, it is almost certainly intended to signify Ο Φωσφορος (2448) - The Lightbringer / The Morning Star. Pictorially, this is represented by the blazing triangle holding the eye in the pyramid. In scriptural terms it is highly unlikely that 'Lucifer' can be entirely evil for the Bible ends with these words of Jesus (Rev. 21,16):

I am the root and offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Here too, we come across an original piece of Biblical gematria, because the Greek words for former part of the phrase, Η ριζα και το γενος του Δαβιδ are exactly equated (at a value of 1646) with an alternative name for the bright and morning star Φαεσφορος. (7)

 

E Pluribus Unum

When the expression is broken into its two components of 666 and 470, some very interesting symbolism emerges. For a start, the two numbers lie in the ratio of the square root of two - 666 divided by 470 is 1.417. More importantly, they signify the interplay of light and darkness.

666 is the number of the sun and points, for example, to to the Hebrew expressions ShMSh IHVH - Sun of God, or SVRTh - The spirit of the sun. 470 has the opposite symbolism because it denotes KMRIR - an eclipse. However, it also signifies light coming out of darkness because it is the value of the creative words of God, IHI AVR VIHI AVR - 'Let there be light, and there was light' (Gen 1,3). Therefore the complete phrase adds dramatic significance to the image it accompanies, because, according to the official guide, it shows 'a glory breaking through a cloud over the head of the eagle'. This means a burst of sunlight piercing the dark cloud. In Masonic terms we have the familiar motto 'Lux ex Tenebris'.

The fact that the eagle holds an olive branch in one claw and the arrows of war in the other further reinforces the idea of opposites reconciled. Out of the opposites of light and darkness, spirit and matter, male and female, comes life. Therefore it is appropriate that 470 and 666 generate 815, the number of Ζωη - Life, when set at right-angles to produce a hypotenuse with this length. The perimeter of the ensuing triangle is 470 + 666 + 815 = 1951. This number unites the Cabalistic man with the Cabalistic bride: ADM QDMVN (Adam Kadmon) and MLKVTh (Malkuth) - 1455 + 496 = 1951.

 

The Grand Total

The addition of all three mottos on the Seal gives us 3585. This measures a pentacle of side 717, enclosed in a 2368 circumference circle. 717 gives, 'BN IH' - 'Son of God'. 2368 gives Ιησοθς Χριστος - Jesus Christ. The Great Seal thus pays homage to the Gnostic and numerological Jesus Christ, secretly worshipped in Freemasonry.

 

All This And Shakespeare Too?

The Masonic symbolism of the Great Seal finds an interesting parallel in the esoteric symbolism underpinning the verse structure of Shakespeare's Sonnets. There are grounds for identifying a direct connection and thinking that Shakespeare may have been involved in the founding of the United States of America.

 

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Understanding the following will be a lot easier if you are familiar with a few geometric notions like grids, tesselation (or tiling), and stellation. If these are brand new to you, you might want to google around and do some reading about them.

 

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Grids

 

A grid is a type of two-dimensional pattern. The term 'grid' usually refers to a series of intersecting axes or to the points of intersection of these axes (called nodes), but actually grids result from tessellating regular polygons.

 

Tessellation refers to filling a plane by repeating a form so that there are no overlaps or gaps. M. C. Escher uses this in his work a lot. The three regular polygons that tessellate are the square, the triangle and the hexagon. Other polygons that tesselate are the rectangle (a modified square) and the rhombus (two equilateral triangles).

 

Stellation refers to extending the sides of a regular polygon until they meet, in this way a pentagon produces a pentagram, and a hexagon produces a hexagram. Triangles and squares do not stellate.

 

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Squares

 

 

 

A grid of squares, the sides of which are horizontal and vertical, is called an orthogonal grid (left below). The DC street grid is centered on the Capitol Building. North-south streets are numbered and east-west streets are lettered.

 

    

 

 

A square grid rotated 45 degrees produces what is called an oblique grid (right above). [Note that the diagonals of the oblique squares form the orthogonal grid and visa versa.] The District of Columbia is a 10 x 10 mile oblique square within which we find an orthogonal grid of streets.

 

* Good carpenters and builders know that the diagonal of a square produces two isoceles triangles with 45 degree base angles, that the rise and run of a 45 degree angle (roof) are equal (tan 45 equals 1), and that the diagonal of a 12 inch square is 17 inches (16.99). [Note that the 45 degree triangle is the only isoceles triangle with a 'square' (90 degree) corner and the only 'right' triangle with two equal sides.]

 

 

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Triangles

 

 

 

 

 

 

A tesselation of triangles forms a whole host of other figures, like the rhombus, the hexagon, and the 3D cube. Here are two versions that are rotated 30 degrees to one another. Notice how in one the long axis of the rhombus is vertical and in the other it is horizontal; in one the bases of the triangles form horizontal axes and in the other they are vertical, and these axes represent the short digonal of the rhombus.

 

    

In the image on the left below the relative positions of the WH and CB are marked with red circles and New Hampshire Avenue is symbolized by the red line (one side of the big triangle). In the image on the right the relative positions of the WH, CB and Scott Circle are marked as are Penn, NY, Mass and Rh Is Aves. Just like with the square grids, both versions of the triangular grid are represented in the DC map.

 

    

In the image on the right above, the 'right' axes are vertical and the diagonals are on thirty degrees, like the drafting tool below. Looking at this figure composed of three rhombus, we see a 3D cube.

 

In the image on the left above, the right axes are horizontal and the diagonals are on sixty degrees, forming 'upright' equilateral triangles. In this view we see a hexagon composed of six triangles.

 

 

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2:1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are two right triangles with unequal sides that illustrate the 2:1 ratio. One is the 30-60-90 degree triangle (seen above) which is is half of an equilateral one. The sine of 30 degrees is .5 as the side opposite to the angle is half the hypotneuse. [A triangle with a 19.5 degree angle in this corner has a short side of 1 and a hypotenuse of three, the sine of 19.5 is .333; the 14.5 degree triangle is 1:4, for a sine of .25, etc.]

 

    

 

 

The diagonal of half of a square (or a double square) produces 26.5 degree angles. Tan 26.5 = 1/2 or .5. The hypotenuse in this figure is equal to the square root of 5. [You may recognize this as the angle of ascending passage in the Great Pyramid. Also note that DC is at 39 degrees west and 78 degrees north. Two over and one up.]

 

    

A rectangle results from changing the ratio of the length of the sides of a square, while changing the ratio of the length of the diagonals produces a rhombus. The square grid can be quickly converted to either version of the triangular grid, just as the 26.5 degree triangle can be converted to the 30 degree one by keeping the width the same and adjusting the height.

In one case we rotate the grid and insert vertical diagonals producing 45 degree angles. Next we adjust the aspect ratio of the image (increase it's width while keeping the same height) converting the 45 degree triangles to equilateral ones. The short axis of the rhombus produced by these triangles is equal to the sides of that rhombus.

 

A square with 1 inch sides has 2 diagonals equal to the sqrt of 2 (1.41). The image above has been 'adjusted' so that one of the diagonals is now equal to the length of the sides, or 1; making the long diagonal equal to the sqrt of 3 (1.732). The ratio of the length of the short axis to the long one in this rhombus is 15:26 (30:52).

The image below uses horizontal diagonals and increases the height producing a rotated version of the above image.

 

 

The Vesica Piscis

Here we see that another way to generate the equilateral triangle, rhombus, hexagon, cube, etc is with the vesica piscis. The side of the blue triangle is equal to the diameter of the circles. The short axis of the rhombus is equal to the radius. A line from a corner to the mid-point of the opposite side bisects that angle. If the radius of the circles (the short axis of the rhombus) is 1 then the long axis is 1.732 (sqrt of 3).

 

We can determine the diameter of the circle that produces any vesica by dividing the long axis by the sqrt of three and doubling it. By doing this we know that a vesica that is 481 feet tall (the height of the GP) is produced by circles 555.5 feet across (the height of the Washington Monument).

Below we see the 45, 30 and 26.5 degree angles within the figure of the vesica. The sqrt of 2 is the diagonal of a square with sides of 1 (a unit square), which as we saw above generates 45 degree angles. The sqrt of 5 is the diagonal of a 1x2 rectangle; 26.5 degrees.

 

As was shown above the 30 degree angle results from a diagonal of a rectangle that is 1 by the sqrt of 3 (the dimensions of the vesica/rhombus). While both are 1 wide at the base, the 30 degree triangle is 1.732 tall and the 26.5 triangle is 2 tall.

 

 

Modified

Note that in the DC map, the triangular grid has been modified (the aspect ratio was changed by keeping the width the same and shortening the height) so that the equilateral triangle has become an isoceles triangle with 52 degree base angles like the Great Pyramid cross-section, and what were 30 degree diagonals are now 23.5 degrees like the latitude of the tropics.

 

Interestingly, a hexagram composed of equilateral triangles inscribed within a circle touches that circle at 30 degrees of latitude, very close to the current location of the Great Pyramid. If we shorten that figure until the triangles have 52 degree base angles, we get an image that depicts the tropics (below left). Compare the shortened hexagram to Scott Circle which shows the ellipse, six points of the hexagram and 23 degree angles. On the right we see that the points of the shortened hexagram fit the Station Stones at the Stonehenge. [Note the elliptical figure at the center of that.]

 

         Larger Image

While you can also use the vesica to generate a 52 degree angle (below), I believe that the ellipses, and the 52 and 23 degree angles in the DC map show that the 'shortened' image above was used as the model for the plan.

 

 

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