The Eighth...

The number 7 is very busy; it seems to be everywhere. For the Ancient Egyptians, 7 was the number of eternal life. This belief reflected their understanding of the afterlife and the cycles of existence, where the number symbolised completeness and divine order.

The Sumerians and Babylonians identified the seven days of the week, and the number of traditional planets in their cosmology is also 7. These celestial bodies greatly influenced mythology and daily life, leading to the establishment of various cultural practices and beliefs. There are also 7 deadly sins, balanced by 7 cardinal virtues, illustrating the moral framework that the number 7 embodies.

Seven appears in various aspects of nature and human experience: there are 7 orders of higher beings (Angels), 7 colours in the rainbow, and 7 pure notes in the diatonic scale. The number gives a pivotal point to the indecision of the number 6, rendering it satisfyingly complete and whole. From early on, this number was granted special status as a symbol of completeness and perfection.

The Pythagoreans referred to 7 as the Septad, stating that it was "worthy of veneration." They viewed it as both the number of religion, due to the 7 celestial spirits related to the 7 planets, and the number of life. In the Septad, the three aspects—mind, spirit, and soul—meet the Tetrad (4), which represents the material world. Consequently, the number 7 symbolizes the mystic number of Man, represented by the three-dimensional shape of the cube: six sides, with the seventh element being the space inside. The lunar cycle of 28 days (4 x 7) further emphasizes the connection between the number 7 and the rhythm of life.

Historical Context and Usage

The historical significance of the number 7 can be traced through several ancient civilisations, highlighting its role in cultural development:

Ta-Mery Empire (c. 6000 BCE and earlier): Encompassing Kemet (ancient Egypt) and Kush (ancient Sudan), the number 7 symbolised eternal life and was integral to spiritual beliefs and rituals surrounding the afterlife. The Ancient Egyptians often associated 7 with the afterlife, believing that it represented completeness in their cosmological beliefs and practices. The 7 sacred oils used in funerary rituals were essential for preparing the body for eternal life.

Sumer (c. 3500 BCE): The Sumerians (ancient Iraq) recognized the significance of 7 in their calendars and mythology, using it to denote celestial bodies and their influence on daily life. They divided their time into 7-day weeks, aligning agricultural practices with celestial events. The number 7 was integral to their religious rituals and served as a foundation for later astrological systems.

Bharata (Indus Valley Civilisation) (c. 3300–1300 BCE): The early civilisations in Bharata (ancient India) incorporated the number 7 into their spiritual practices. In Hindu philosophy, 7 is associated with the chakras, which are believed to govern various aspects of life and consciousness. The number also appears in ancient texts, where it signifies the balance between physical and spiritual realms.

Mesoamerica (c. 1500 BCE): In Mesoamerican cultures, the number 7 was significant in agricultural cycles and rituals. The Maya, for example, employed a 7-day week in their calendar systems, linking it to their agricultural practices and the cycles of nature. Rituals often involved offerings and ceremonies dedicated to the 7 celestial bodies they observed.

Zanghgu (c. 3000 BCE): In the Zangzhou region (ancient China), the number 7 was associated with harmony and completeness. It was believed to represent the balance necessary for maintaining cosmic order. Philosophical teachings emphasized the importance of the number 7 in understanding the natural world and the balance of elemental forces.

Hellas (Ancient Greece) (c. 800 BCE): Pythagoreans viewed 7 as a perfect and mystical number, linking it to their understanding of the universe and its underlying order. They believed that 7 embodied harmony and balance, influencing their mathematical theories and the development of Western philosophical thought.

Japanese Beliefs (c. 6th century CE): In Japan, it is believed that souls rest on the roofs of their homes for a period of 7 days, reflecting the cultural significance of the number in relation to the afterlife and ancestral veneration. This belief highlights the connection between family and spirituality, emphasizing the importance of honoring one's ancestors.

Tantric System (c. 300 CE): In the Tantric system, the number 7 is called Sapta, representing the seven chakras or energy vortices that correspond to the seven notes of Indian classical music. The interplay of these energies is crucial for achieving balance and spiritual awakening, reflecting the holistic nature of existence in Hindu philosophy.

Tibetan Buddhism (c. 5th century CE): In Tibetan Buddhism, the soul is thought to rest in an intermediate state after death for a period of 49 days (7 x 7), symbolising the transition between life and rebirth. This belief underscores the importance of 7 in the cycle of life and death, emphasizing the spiritual journey of the soul.

European Christianity (c. 1st century CE): In European Christianity, God created the world in six days, reserving the seventh to rest; thus, the seventh day is considered a holy day or holiday. This relaxation time connects God with humanity, suggesting that even a deity needs rest, reinforcing the value of taking time for reflection and renewal. The concept of the Sabbath is rooted in this belief, highlighting the spiritual importance of rest.

Sufi Beliefs (c. 12th century CE): The Sufis also hold the number 7 in great reverence, as exemplified in Farid al-Din Attar's The Conference of the Birds, where the seven stages toward enlightenment are symbolised as seven valleys that the birds must travel through to find their leader. This journey represents the spiritual path to understanding and enlightenment.

Alchemy (c. 15th century CE): In alchemy, there are seven operations: calcination, dissolution, separation, conjunction, fermentation, distillation, and coagulation, reflecting the transformative processes associated with the number. Each operation is integral to the alchemical journey of transformation and enlightenment.

Agreeable Connotations:

The ‘Collective Consciousness’, faith and spirituality, spiritual awakening and awareness, spiritual enlightenment, spiritual acceptance and development, mysticism, intuition and inner-knowing, inner-wisdom, psychic abilities, the esoteric, inner-selves, deep contemplation, introspection, eccentricity, religion, thoughtfulness, understanding of others, natural healer and healing, secrets, myth, ritual, peace, poise, emotions and feelings, inner strength, endurance and perseverance, persistence of purpose, the ability to bear hardships, quick-wit, the loner, solitary, isolation, long-sightedness, non-conformity, independence and individualism, intentions, manifesting and manifestation in time and space, good fortune, mental analysis, philosophy and the philosophical, technicality, scientific research, science, alchemy, genius, a keen mind, specialising and the specialist, the inventor, determination, the written word, logic, understanding, discernment, knowledge-seeking, study, education and learning, writing and the writer, evolution, stability, the ability to set limits, completion, refinement, stoicism, silence, perfection, chastity, dignity, asceticism, and rigor.

Disagreeable Connotations:

Morbidity and depression, inactivity, hypercritical tendencies, anti-social behaviour, pessimism, dependency and co-dependency, stagnation, lack of persistence, pride, narrow-mindedness, distance, arguments and being argumentative, misanthropy, resentment, self-righteousness, and unwillingness or inability to share ideas and compromise.