Thread by @aaolomi

In medieval Islamic cosmology the universe was ordered into celestial spheres and earthly matter. Everything was given a numerological association which then corresponded to mystical values.

Numerology, astrology, healing, and magic were all linked together.

A thread-

According to Nasr, Ibn Arabi used numerology to demonstrate the great cosmic scheme of creation.

He saw God’s decree reverberate through the heavens through the planetary spheres then filter through the Moon and its Mansions into the elemental world of matter.

He demonstrated this by pointing out the numeric sum of the planetary positions: 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 total to 28.

28 is the exact number of Mansions of the Moon.

Thus the influence of planets transmitted through the Moon and its Mansions.

This was crucial for understanding the role of the Mansions in natal work and in talisman-making

Additionally, each planet was connected to a number and in turn each number corresponded to a letter which had its own correspondences.

Each letter was linked to a Name of God, planet, angel, jinn, and day of the week. Numbers and letters then contained the whole of creation.

So Alif is numerically 1, it is the First Cause.

The alpha-numeric scheme etched an ordered cosmos which the wise could discern. Through correspondences every act of creation and destruction could be linked, analyzed, and its essence understood.

To the wise mage, such knowledge could be applied in talismans like magic squares.

Magic squares were called “Wafq” and were used in “ilm al huruf” or the “science of letters.”

Magic squares likely originated from India and were adopted as part of a new wave of mathematics

So, for example: God creates through the command “Be” which is numerically 3, therefore 3 is the number of Creation, of essence into matter.

It is the cycle of life and death.

This is Saturn.

Because of this, Ghazali and Jabir prescribe a 3x3 magic square for conception and childbirth. (note the use in medicine)

The numerical sums of 3x3 squares make 3, 9, and 15 all Saturnian numbers.

We also see 3 x 4: Creation x the Elements is 12, the number of the Zodiac.

The Sun on the other hand was connected to the number 6 and its magic square was a 6x6 grid with numeric sums of 6, 36, and 111 being Solar.

Names of God were also linked through numbers and therefore the planets.

For example, Al Buni says the Name of God Al Wasi, the Vast, is linked to Mercury and given a numeric value 868.

A talisman made around this Name would grant the maker knowledge of hidden things.

Planet-Alphabet-Numeric correspondences formed part of the most personal parts of horoscopes and astrology.

The astrologer would use the calculations of the personal horoscope to determine auspicious numbers and days for the individual as well as personalized planetary hours.

This differs from the planetary hour a person is born in, but rather through calculation the astrologer determined the specific planetary hour which was lucky for that individual.

These calculations linked to the alphabet through the abjad system would give names.

Parents could name their child according to the letters provided. Or the wily astrologer could discover the name of hidden enemies.

But the connection of numerology and astrology also produced a unique divination system all its own.

Ibn Khaldun mentions the Zairja, a computation table made from the ascendant, division of the zodiac, and numeric sums.

Questions are plugged into the table through significators to arrive at answers.

Here’s an example of Zairja from Kunze

The system was briefly entertained in Europe with Llull, but eventually was lost. While in the Islamicate world it remained a major divinatory device fusing astrology and numerology together.

The connection between numerology and astrology was more than mere intellectual exercise, but a reminder for scholars of science and religion of the way in which the sacred sciences were integrated together.

Astrology, numerology, medicine, writing, mathematics, alchemy were all woven together to fashion an Islamic cosmology.

Creation itself was given a mathematical explanation.

It's also a reminder of the way in which networks of knowledge overlap, intersect, and travel.

Indian mathematics are used in Islamicate cosmology with Hellenic astrological knowledge.

For examples of magic squares check out my patreon where I’ve shared several.

I am also posting a brand new podcast on the apocalypse in Islam on patreon: patreon.com/headonhistory

We’ll continue to explore astrology, magic, and esotericism in Islam in future threads.