The third question introducing the 7th Field “Order” is a useful approach to the concept of “Rituality” (see Order and its etymology):
What makes a composition of parts an integrated organism?
What is it that transforms
– a step into a dance?
– a grouping of atoms in a cell?
– a collection of planets into a solar system?
– an ensemble of people into a Group?
Ideas such as Rhythm, Coordination, Beauty, Cooperation, Similitude, Cohesion, Attraction, Order… come to mind as possible directions for answers.
Yet searching the root of fundamental causes of integration, we find dominant ideas like Number, Rhythm and Ritual, as 3 aspects of a unity. The etymosophy of these words reveals their relationship wonderfully: rhythm (Gr. rythmòs) and number (Gr. arithmòs) have the same matrix in Greek, meaning arranging or rhythm flowing in an ordered way; and “ritual” (Latin ritus) expresses the idea of ordered motion.
Number is clearly not intended here as a mere quantity or set of indistinct and uniform units, but as an energetic power or entity with quality and value. For the Science of Harmonics (which has a Pythagorean matrix), Number is that unit or “monad” which as a dynamic principle (‘the essence of all things’) and creative Sound, is able to give life, structure and evidence to everything.
What makes a composition of parts an integrated organism?
The rhythmic dance of Number in Space.
This could be a possible answer and suitable formula to elucidate the meaning of every ritual or liturgy.
On this view, there is a principle of Order in Space, ruled by Number, which brings rhythm, assembles and integrates the many into one (steps into a dance or stars into a galaxy) by an acoustic and geometric weaving of relationships, a coordinated cooperation of functions which ensures general and final harmony.
It is beautiful what is integral around a centre: every liturgy ensures that each process gravitates around the vital nucleus or “fundamental tonic”, holder of the Purpose and real source of harmonic and spiral evolution of the parts.
All this is by ordered and rhythmic motion of Numbers, the infinite System of the One, the series of its harmonics and evolutionary spiral.
Thus Rituality serves to steadily direct the motion or development of any creature, thought, world, in accordance with the Laws of Life and Space:
Orientation, which is liturgy, is the first act to advance towards the Goal, and is the path itself leading to it. Whoever is well oriented is the Way.
The ritual’s value does not lie in its formulation, which is ever external, but in the ability to produce enduring and stable effects. With regard to humanity and conscience, solemnity is the ritual and spontaneous attitude of the heart as it recognizes contact with life and its luminous laws.
For a ritual to be vital and evolutionary, it is thus essential that every performer renews on each occasion their individual commitment and shakes the dust of habit away from mind and heart. They need to prepare themselves to recite any ritual or work, always as new, and perform it ever better with increasing fervour or intensity (as a spiral). If this basic precaution (elementary and necessary for all works) is neglected, words, gestures, lights and sounds gradually loose their force, then meaning and finally get corrupted.
The real Order is always new, as the Rite of Heavens.
It is ritual, rhythmic and beautiful what is moved by the incessant will for harmony.
