THOTH (The first pontiff)
This work contains symbolism and interpretative keys rooted in Theosophical studies, philosophy, and sacred texts. To fully grasp them, it is recommended to first explore the previous works, as each builds upon the foundations laid before. Delving into these spiritual and metaphysical teachings will allow for a clearer perception of the hidden layers of meaning within this journey. You are invited to explore with curiosity and openness, for every detail unveils something beyond the surface.
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"Intellectualism is just a cover-up for fear of direct experience" - Carl Gustav Jung
The Egyptian god Thoth, known as Djehuty by the ancient Egyptians, embodies divine knowledge and cosmic harmony. Represented in various forms, his iconography reflects the multiple aspects of human consciousness and his role as a mediator between the visible and the invisible. Among these representations, A’an, his form as a baboon, symbolizes intuition and the connection to lunar cycles, emphasizing his function as an intermediary between celestial and earthly realms. The moon, like the intuitive mind, illuminates hidden paths, bringing forth revelations that transcend linear logic. Thoth’s lunar aspect highlights his role as the transmitter of divine wisdom, where intuition serves as a guide to the understanding of the deepest mysteries of existence.
"He who knows himself knows the All" - Corpus Hermeticum
Thoth’s physical manifestation is also marked by his Hemhem crown and the Uraeus, both of which carry essential esoteric meanings. The Hemhem crown, associated with power and manifestation, represents the spiritual force materializing in the physical world. The Uraeus, fragmented into three spheres, symbolizes the triad of the metaphysical aspects of the human soul: the concrete mind (Lower Manas), the higher mind (Buddhi-Manas), and the divine spark (Atman). These elements reveal the bridge between individual consciousness and cosmic awareness, portraying Thoth as the archetype of wisdom who synthesizes the teachings of both East and West. Thus, his figure becomes the key to understanding the relationship between humanity and the divine, serving as the foundation for Theosophical teachings that unify universal traditions across time.
"The Spirit, O thou twice-born, is the chief aspect of the Supreme Brahma."
| Devi Bhagavatam -Book 12; Chapter 8 |
Thoth’s writing tablet represents the record of primordial knowledge, a reflection of the cosmic intelligence that shapes the universe. In the Platonic context, this symbolism can be understood through the relationship between Being and Becoming: the white point, a symbol of the immutable essence, represents the world of Ideas, where perfect archetypes reside; the black point, symbolizing movement and transformation, expresses the ceaseless flux of manifested reality. Between these two poles, the Eye of Horus occupies the central position, signifying the intellective faculty the one that perceives and comprehends higher realities, translating them into accessible forms. This eye does not merely see but reconciles, allowing the awakened mind to contemplate the harmony between the eternal and the transient.
From a Theosophical perspective, this triad can be related to the development of human consciousness. The white point as Yang aligns with the principle of Atma, the immutable divine spark; the black point as Yin represents the dynamism of Kama-Manas, the lower mind linked to desire and sensory experience. The Eye of Horus, in this context, embodies Buddhi-Manas, the bridge between spiritual intuition and rational intellect, enabling direct perception of truth.
Like the Observing Tao, it symbolizes the awakened consciousness that integrates and harmonizes opposites, revealing the underlying unity behind all dualities. Just as Thoth inscribes eternal principles upon the board, the human being, in expanding consciousness, internally records higher truths, balancing the light of Being with the dynamism of Becoming. In this way, sacred writing is not merely a tool but a reflection of the soul’s own evolutionary journey, where knowledge is not merely acquired but remembered.
"Justice occurs when each part of the soul performs its function without interfering with the others." -
| Plato's Republic, IV, 433a |
In the Platonic tradition, the pursuit of true knowledge is intimately connected to the mastery of the cardinal virtues, which serve as pillars for the soul’s ascent toward the realm of Ideas. Thoth, the god of knowledge and wisdom, is often depicted with a reed pen, a symbol of Sophia (Prudence), the divine intelligence that writes and records the immutable principles of the cosmos. Justice (Diké) manifests as harmonized consciousness, balancing rational and intuitive knowledge so that thought aligns with universal laws. Courage (Andreia) represents the bravery required to face the unknown, fortifying the mind against illusions and false certainties. Finally, Temperance (Sophrosyne) may be symbolized by the ibis beak, Thoth’s distinctive feature, representing precision, balance, and moderation in the transmission of truth. Thus, Thoth is not merely a scribe of the gods but the very embodiment of enlightened intellect, which, through the practice of virtues, leads the soul to its highest destiny.
From the perspective of Vedanta philosophy, this journey of ascent is reflected in the four states of consciousness: Jagrat (waking), where Sophia guides the discernment between the real and the illusory; Svapna (dream), where Justice balances karma and harmonizes inner impulses; Sushupti (deep sleep), where Fortitude allows for complete surrender to the primordial unity; and Turiya (supreme consciousness), where Temperance dissolves all dualities in the presence of the Absolute.
Thoth, then, can be understood as an archetype of the awakened mind, one who traverses the states of being and inscribes the soul’s destiny upon the eternal tablet of the universe. He synthesizes both Western and Eastern wisdom, revealing that both Plato and the Vedantic sages recognized that true knowledge is not merely the accumulation of facts but a state of being—one that becomes wisdom itself and, in doing so, finds within itself the reflection of the Divine.
The great square has no angles,
The great vessel takes long to complete,
The great sound is inaudible,
The great image has no form.
The Tao is hidden and nameless,
Yet it is the Tao alone that bestows and completes all things.
| 41th Aphorism TAO TE KING |
The Great Square has no angles, for Thoth's writing board represents the divine mind, where universal wisdom is inscribed without limits or fixed forms. At the center, the Eye of Horus symbolizes supreme perception, the consciousness that encompasses both being and becoming. The great vessel takes long to complete, just as the four cardinal virtues sustain the structure of existence and guide the soul on its journey of refinement. Justice, courage, temperance, and wisdom are the pillars that allow consciousness to emerge from chaos into harmony, much like the alchemical process of refining the spirit. The Great Modulation is inaudible, for the divine vibration resonates on planes beyond ordinary perception. The creative word, manifested in the Hermetic tradition as the word of Thoth and in Theosophy as the primordial sound, moves through the cosmos without being heard by human senses but is felt in the subtle spheres of existence.
The Great Image has no form, for cosmic manifestation is born from pure ideation before taking on a defined form. Just as the Universal Principle (Mulaprakriti) remains formless before differentiation, the unfolding of the universe follows a dynamic flow without fixed delimitations. Hidden, the Tao has no name, for the ultimate reality transcends any definition. In the Vedic tradition, this principle aligns with Parabrahman, the essence beyond manifestation. In Hermeticism, it corresponds to the divine mind preceding the Fiat Lux. That which is nameless is that from which all things originate and to which all things return, just as Thoth's writing emerges from silence and dissolves back into it. In this mystery, the wisdom of the East and the West find their point of convergence, revealing that supreme knowledge lies beyond form, sound, and word but manifests through them for those who know how to see, hear, and read with the light of the spirit.
"While eternity remains motionless in God, the world is in motion within eternity, time is fulfilled in the world, and the future unfolds in time.., Eternity brings order to the world, introducing immortality and duration into matter."
| 11th Discourse - Corpus Hermeticum |
The figure of Thoth is present here as an organizing principle within spiritual and astrological cosmogony. In the context of the solar system, the first six planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and the Moon—are understood as spiritual archetypes operating within the structure of cosmic manifestation. Each of them reflects a facet of the psyche and the soul's development, while the Sun, symbolizing Thoth, represents the supreme reality, the central intelligence that maintains harmony and regulates the interaction between spiritual and material spheres. Just as Thoth is the divine scribe who translates the immutable laws of creation, the Sun serves as a divine archetype, illuminating the paths of spiritual evolution and acting as a point of convergence between different states of consciousness.
This correlation between Thoth and the Sun reinforces the idea that cosmic wisdom reveals itself as an ordering principle, in which the planets are dynamic forces responding to the central light of consciousness. Within this structure, we perceive that planets are not mere celestial bodies but spiritual entities resonating across multiple planes of existence. The Sun, as the primordial source of energy and consciousness, not only sustains life but also symbolizes the principle of inner illumination. Thoth, in this context, embodies this role as the master of occult knowledge, regulator of transitions between worlds, and guide of the soul on its evolutionary journey.
The relationship between the planets of the solar system and the seven chakras in Vedantic philosophy reveals a hidden bridge between Western esoteric tradition and Eastern metaphysics, as each planet corresponds to an energy center within the human being, reflecting different levels of consciousness and experience. The Moon, due to its cyclical nature, corresponds to the sacral chakra, influencing emotions and instincts. The Sun, as the archetype of Thoth, aligns with the heart chakra and the plane of Satya-loka, being the supreme principle that transcends and unifies all others.
Similarly, Vedantic cosmology describes the seven Lokas as metaphysical expressions of these same forces, reflecting states of cosmic consciousness. Bhuvar-loka, as the plane of spiritual fire, corresponds to the will and the evolutionary impulse of the spirit, resonating with the Moon and the necessity of karmic purification. Jana-loka, the realm of wisdom, is associated with Mercury. Mahar-loka, linked to balance and harmony, vibrates in resonance with Venus and the troath chakra.
The denser planes, such as Bhu-loka, find their reflection in the fundamental energies of Saturn and the crown chakra, representing the foundation of material manifestation. Thoth, in this panorama, becomes the link that deciphers these interrelations, revealing how the spiritual and physical planes mirror and intertwine within the grand web of existence.
"The Supreme Lord said: I am mighty Time, the source of destruction that arises to annihilate the worlds. Even without your participation, the warriors aligned in the opposing army will cease to exist."
| Bhagavad Gita 11:32 |
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna declares: "I am Time, the destroyer of worlds," revealing the inescapable nature of the cosmic cycle in which all that is generated must be dissolved. Shiva, as a manifestation of this principle, not only annihilates but also recycles existence, allowing a new beginning to arise from the apparent end. Time is not a linear flow but a spiral that unravels and reconstructs itself within the eternity of Being. Thus, destruction is not an absolute end but the continuous renewal of universal order, for even dissolution follows a rhythm, a divine dance where death is but the shadow of creation.
Thoth, in his wisdom, plays an analogous role. As the scribe of the gods, he records and erases, inscribes destinies, and rewrites them when the cycle demands it. Just as Shiva dances upon the ashes of time, Thoth traces his hieroglyphs upon the tapestry of space-time, adjusting cosmic harmony according to the eternal unfolding of reality. In essence, he is the master of cycles, the one who understands that time is nothing more than an illusion that the mortal mind attempts to grasp. Where Shiva dissolves the world to recreate it, Thoth translates this sacred mechanism, ensuring that the rhythm of destruction and renewal remains intelligible to those who seek the path of wisdom.
Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.
And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.
Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.
But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.
All this is Brahman. This Being is the ultimate reality; it is that from which all things arise, to which all things return, and by which all things are sustained.
The return is the movement of the TAO
Weakness is the effect of the TAO
All things under heaven are born of Being
Being is born of Non-Being
| 40th Aphorism - TAO TE CHING |
The return as the movement of the Tao expresses the central idea of the cyclical perpetuity of existence. This universal principle manifests in the law of cosmic reabsorption, where everything generated within the field of form returns to its primordial source. In Taoism, this return is not a mere regression but a natural flow of rebalancing and renewal, like the ceaseless flow of water toward the ocean. The second verse, "weakness is the effect of the Tao," can be understood as the principle of softness overcoming rigidity. On a metaphysical level, this weakness does not represent fragility but rather the capacity of emptiness and non-resistance to be the true conduits of divine force.
The third sentence, "all things under heaven are born of Being," indicates that manifestation arises from the potentiality of objective existence, that which can be perceived and experienced. However, the Tao transcends this manifestation, for, as stated in the final verse, "Being is born of Non-Being." This assertion reveals the fundamental relationship between the absolute and the relative, between Parabrahman (the supreme principle) and its emanation in the plane of Being. Non-Being does not signify inexistence but rather the original matrix from which everything emerges, the state of divine latency before manifestation. Thus, as Vedanta philosophy teaches, Brahman cannot be described, only experienced, for it is beyond the concept of existence and non-existence. Thoth, as the archetype of the cosmic intellect, operates within this interval between Being and Non-Being, acting as the great mediator who makes the ineffable comprehensible to humanity.
"Brahman is everything: what exists and what does not exist. He is the thread that holds together the beads of a necklace. He permeates everything in the manifest and unmanifest universe."
| Mundaka Upanishad (2.2.11) |
The Uraeus, the sacred crown fragmented into three spheres, symbolizes the universal principle of consciousness in its process of manifestation and ascension. In the Egyptian mysteries, the Egyptian crown was not merely an emblem of power but the very light of awakened wisdom, representing the divine flame of the higher mind. The triad of the Uraeus reflects the structure of the human soul and its journey of ascension, with each sphere signifying a phase of consciousness in its interaction with reality and the eternal. It is directly linked to the principle of the metaphysical trinity, where the three states of the soul converge at a point of divine ideation, the fourth and supreme principle represented by the sun—Thoth, the archetype of universal knowledge.
The ascension of human consciousness can be understood through the psychological and philosophical key of the three aspects of the soul, reflected in the triple fragmentation of the Uraeus. The first state, corresponding to the first sphere, is dualistic consciousness, where the mind oscillates between opposites and remains trapped in the illusions of matter. The second sphere represents harmonized consciousness, in which the being transcends fragmentation and finds balance between spirit and form. The third sphere symbolizes transcendent consciousness, where individuality dissolves into the unified perception of the Whole.
At the apex of this process is the solar principle, the hidden fourth sphere, not directly represented in the crown, for it does not belong to the domain of fragmentation. It is the source of light, the supreme reality that illuminates the three states and unifies them in universal consciousness. Thoth, as a divine archetype, not only sustains this process but is the one who reveals to the initiate the path of reintegration with the absolute.
Fohat draws spiral lines to unite primordial matter with Spirit and define it; he ceaselessly stirs its substance in space and shapes it into infinite vortices.”
| The Secret Doctrine - Cosmogenesis |
Infrared radiation is a form of electromagnetic energy located beyond the visible spectrum, just after the color red. Invisible to the human eye but perceived through heat, this radiation has lower frequencies and longer wavelengths than visible light. Its role in nature and technology is vast, from heat transmission by the Sun to its application in modern devices such as thermal cameras and telecommunications. Unlike ionizing radiation, which has high energy and can modify the structure of matter, infrared radiation is characterized as non-ionizing, meaning its interaction with physical bodies occurs primarily through thermal energy transfer rather than altering molecular composition.
In the metaphysical field, the arrangement of the electromagnetic spectrum can be seen as a manifestation of the very universal cosmogony. To the left of the spectrum, in the most subtle and imperceptible waves, lies the figure of Parabrahman, the ultimate and formless reality, whose subtle vibrations permeate everything without being directly detected. At the center, we find the visible light range, symbolized by the Eye of Horus, encompassing the totality of human perception and representing the manifestation of consciousness in the phenomenal world. To the right, in the high-frequency ionizing radiations, is the figure of Brahman, whose energy transcends matter and interacts directly with the highest planes of existence. Thus, the spectrum of light is a reflection of the very cosmic hierarchy, where Thoth, as the mediating principle of knowledge and wisdom, is positioned at the center, revealing the bridge between the invisible and the manifest, between the eternal and the transient.
"This Being who dwells in all is Brahman. He is the force that sustains life, the light in the eyes, and the vital breath in all beings. He is the essence of all, invisible, immeasurable, yet eternal."
| Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.4.10) |
The structure of electromagnetic radiation is a complex phenomenon that manifests through an invisible core, whose essence remains in absolute emptiness. This core sustains three fundamental forces that compose its molecular structure: alpha, beta, and gamma waves, which radiate constantly. This energetic triad can be correlated to Thoth's triple crown, symbolizing the connection between the three planes of being: the higher mental, the intermediate, and the material. Just as Thoth's crown represents wisdom permeating all realities, electromagnetic radiation is structured in a continuous flow of invisible forces that, though imperceptible to the human eye, underpin all material manifestation. The discovery of electromagnetic radiation dates back to William Herschel's experiments, who, while investigating sunlight, identified the existence of infrared radiation, expanding our understanding of the invisible spectra of physical and metaphysical reality.
In the metaphysical-theosophical context, this energetic pattern reflects the structure of time in its three manifestations: emanation, transmutation, and materialization. The future, as a principle of emanation, is a field of possibilities where energy exists in its most subtle form, similar to electromagnetic waves in their initial state. The present, represented by transmutation, is where the interaction between forces occurs, allowing manifestation and change. The past is materialization, where energies that were once potential solidify into concrete experiences. This structure resonates with Vedanta philosophy, where the triad of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva operates similarly: Brahma as the creative principle (emanation), Vishnu as the sustainer (transmutation), and Shiva as the destroyer (materialization). These interdependent forces reflect the same dynamics present in the flow of electromagnetic radiation and the principles governing existence.
The interaction between these concepts also manifests directly in the psychology of the human being. Consciousness, oscillating between these three temporal perspectives, can become destabilized when there is excessive fixation on a single aspect. An individual clinging to the past may become rigid and incapable of evolution; one who lives only in the present may lose sight of the path they tread; while one who constantly projects into the future may disconnect from concrete reality. The balance between these forces is essential for internal harmony and spiritual growth, as only through understanding the hidden dynamics governing existence can the being achieve true expansion of consciousness.
For by him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him and for him. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
| Colossians 1:16-17 |
On the cosmic scale, electromagnetic radiation has its most evident manifestation in the Sun, the great energy source that sustains life and governs the mechanics of the solar system. Its light not only warms and illuminates but also acts as a bridge between the visible and invisible planes of reality. In the esoteric context, the Sun can be associated with the power of Thoth, the manifested Logos, who exercises dominion over the celestial order and the structuring of the universe. Just as Thoth represents cosmic intelligence and the ordering principle, the Sun, through its radiation, establishes the energetic balance of the solar system, regulating natural cycles and influencing the development of consciousness on subtle levels. Thus, the interaction between knowledge and light transcends mere physics and becomes a metaphysical principle governing the very mechanics of the cosmos.
Celestial mechanics, in studying the movements of celestial bodies, recognizes three fundamental forms of orbital trajectory: elliptical, hyperbolic, and parabolic, all governed by gravitational forces and the influences of stellar radiation. These movements can be related to the three primary forms of existence:
The elliptical, symbolizing karmic cycles and the continuity of manifestation;
The hyperbolic, representing transcendence and liberation from conditioned orbits;
The parabolic, reflecting the intersection between different states of existence, allowing drastic changes in the being's trajectory.
There is also the circular movement, exemplified by the Sun itself, which rotates around itself, reflecting the principle of self-awareness and unity, the immutable center around which all forces are organized. Just as Thoth symbolizes the supreme knowledge sustaining universal order, celestial mechanics reveals the deep structure maintaining cosmic balance, demonstrating that both in the micro and macrocosm, there is an ordering principle governing all manifestations of existence.
Thou art without beginning and without end, beyond all, Omnipresent. With a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, and a thousand feet, thou fillest the entire cosmos.
| Shvetashvatara Upanishad 3:17 |
Just as Keplerian orbits reflect the dynamics of celestial movement, they also symbolize the three supreme aspects of the divine principle: the elliptical trajectory represents Omnipresence, where everything returns to its origin, perpetuating the cycle of existence; the hyperbolic expresses Omniscience, as it extends infinitely, revealing that divine knowledge transcends all boundaries; and the parabolic manifests Omnipotence, for its limiting equilibrium between return and escape demonstrates absolute power over creation.
The fourth principle, the circular orbit, is the very solar essence, the immutable center around which all gravitates, sustaining the cosmic dance. Thoth, as the manifested Logos, exercises his supremacy over these forces, casting his incorruptible light upon the universal order. From his mind emanates the eternal rhythm, and in the fire of his presence burn the mysteries of time and space. Like a beacon that never fades, he maintains the harmony of the cosmos, where planets and stars, drawn by his primordial intelligence, follow their course under the governance of the luminous Word.
