This is a 1993 x 1993 pixel diagram that was made from scratch using only calculations for points and drawing it in bitmap. It was textured with simple high definition images from Google searches and using the transparency feature when copying the image over them. It took forever to get everything right.
It finally came to mind to run an alpha transparency on the background using the dorky ass default orange so as to upload it for the first time. It has been sitting in a projects folder on an external hard drive probably since the beginning of time itself.
I posted it as a sort of a Yuletide present to myself in 2023 so that I can show it off to a select few with related interests. I update it with edits/adds in October every year because it helps me get into the Halloween spirit.
If you're familiar with these sort of things, then you can see that it represents elemental archetypes. It doesn't take much to reflect on it and see how it all fits together. It is an extension of existing elemental diagrams and still closely related to the Wheel of the Year.
It is a design concept I had for an altar top that goes in the center of a ritual chamber for elemental magick. So, it is not an inverted star like the bottom point would suggest, but rather that point faces south. When on one side of it, you'd be looking across at the element corresponding to the direction you are facing.
It is only meant as a tool for guided reflection. I don't believe in elemental magick, but it has always been spellbinding to ponder in terms of its complementary implications. This has been a project of mine since 2001 when I was 16, and I first drew it with measurements to perfection. It has had a therapeutic effect on me whenever having the time to nerd over it.
There are the four standard elements on there in the cardinal directions, but then each point clockwise to it represents its archetypal characteristics separated from other ones and closer in comparison to the next element. For example, earth overall symbolizes many things associated with both materialism and healing, so I separated them into their own categories. Sifting these traits took careful consideration, but here is the short version of how I did it.
- Between earth and wind is life, born of earth and with the awareness of wind. Its archetype is pretty self-explanatory, the preservation of all life.
- Between wind and fire is ether, given the awareness aspect of wind carrying light and the nature of fire's spirit. Its archetype is knowledge, because of the knowledge required to reach and navigate it.
- Between fire and water is lighting, burning like fire, but flowing like water. It has a combative nature, hiding at rest until it violently strikes.
- Between water and earth is ice, more than just water that is solid like the earth, because it expands, removing warmth. It is cruel, torturous, and invasive.
The tenth point in the middle is divinity itself, connected to all things, and with all nine points being different aspects of divinity. Divinity here is not represented as some bullshit deity people worship, but as in the cosmic consciousness, which even the point of chaos is a part of.
The enneagram has a projection of a gibbous moon over it to show the contrast between the lighter and darker elements. The middle region where divinity sits is dark on purpose, even though it is in the light, to provoke reflection on its nature which was originally a void.
The outer ring with the astrological symbols represents known existence, governed by these archetypes. The astrological symbols are in order by element, and then by cardinal, fixed and mutable type to reflect the transition of the phases. I don't believe in astrology either, by the way. I in fact studied it in depth, starting out of a book The Black Arts by Richard Cavendish, which was not about black magick as the name implies. So I know all about the houses, the planetary signs, and the superstitious things like if these two planets are at right angles of each other, then you're the antichrist or something. It's mere entertainment built on stacked assumptions.
Beyond astrological symbols, the last black ring represents the perimeter of all existence, a so-called void, simultaneously existing and not existing infinitesimally. If that doesn't make sense, then learn calculus, or just think of it as a razor thin surface that you'll never be able to actually physically touch.
The color scheme was chosen for a specific reason. Flat black is pretty obvious. Silver was chosen for its brilliant reflection of light, meant to symbolize the science and intelligence used to create existence, and further innovation within existence. Red is used to symbolize passion, the passions of life and the ambitions for life's pursuits.
Ironically, black, red and silver are a color trio often visually associated with evil, and the star does look rather intimidating, but that is not its purpose. On the other hand, what the hell - now that you know, let others see it, but keep them guessing!
I would also love to add that I am an assertive promoter of the philosophy of cosmic consciousness, that the creator is the creation, and that organized religion is all bullshit. Revan believes in the simulated universe hypothesis, whether or not a mind created it, that existence is a program, and she is more understanding in why people accept religion. While these two ideas seem to contradict each other, we have had several discussions on the matter. We have reached a middle ground understanding that we are looking at just two faces of the same polyhedron, that are also compatible with each other. We also acknowledge even though we have strong convictions for them that these are only personal beliefs, and we are both strong supporters of science first.