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 The Nonagram | |
The nonagram or nine-pointed star is a symbol of achievement, completeness, supreme sanctity and also of boundaries.
As the last single digit in our decimal number system, nine is a number of fulfillment, fullness and of limits. It is composed
of a trinity of trinities (nine is three threes), so it also represents the utmost sacredness. The nine points of the nonagram
radiate all these connotations. There are nine known planets in the solar system, nine Muses of Greek mythology and nine is
the number of deities in the Enneads of ancient Egypt. The ancient Egyptians grouped their deities in numerous ways, the most
common eventually becoming the triad, exemplified by Osiris, Isis and Horus (typically a god, a goddess and a young god). Other
groups like the primeval Ogdoad of Hermopolis were also employed, but the most ancient
collection was the Ennead, or group of nine deities. Preeminent among these was the Great Ennead of Heliopolis, headed by
Re or Re-Atum (Sun god and creator) and followed by Shu and Tefnut (deities of air and moisture), Geb and Nut (earth and sky),
Osiris and Isis, and Seth and Nephthys.
As an expression of the number nine and in its aspect relating to the subconscious and ancestral influence, the nonagram is linked
to the Kabbalistic sefira Yesod. It can also
be related to other nine-fold systems like the nine Taoist kanji (psychic centers),
which are similar to the Hindu chakras. These are Chu ("pillar") at the base of the spine, Shen ("body") at the
genitals, Kai ("open") at the Hara point (two inches below the navel), Tai ("belt") at the navel, Sha
("to die") at the solar plexus, Jen ("man") at the throat, Tung ("understand") at the third-eye,
Hua ("flower") at the top of the head, and Tao ("path" or "way") in the aura.
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