The Significance of the Number Seven
Seven is a significant number for humanity and our evolving consciousness. It has had cultural significance throughout human history and is frequently referred to in religious texts. The number seven is woven through our stories, myths, and traditions with it meaning completeness, wholeness, and fulfillment. It manifests throughout the planet and in nature, in our physiology, and our spiritual traditions.
The number seven is also understood to be the limit of our capacity for processing short-term information. Perhaps this is the reason for the use of a 7-digit phone number. Seven is the last single-digit prime number and is generally considered the luckiest of numbers.
The seven colors of the rainbow are seven streams of vibratory energy expressing throughout all of nature and form. Our ability to visualize these seven streams of light/color as a rainbow after a storm provides a beautiful and moving treat.
Studying the Seven Rays provides a way to understand the seven-building energies permeating all of creation. Esoteric traditions hold that all souls manifest upon one of these seven divine rays of manifestation. All the Rays are needed and required for creating and perfecting form. Notably, each Ray emits its own unique vibration or sound (note).
The number seven combines the mystical and creative number 3 with the hardworking number 4. The meaning of this will become more evident as we progress through the course.
Examples of Seven or Septenary Expression
- Seven colors of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet
- Seven Days of creation (days of the week)
- Seven Continents
- Seven Seas
- Seven Chakras
- Number 7 biblically represents being finished or complete – the fulfillment of a divine mandate
- Seven gifts of the holy spirit
- Seven Archangels (spirits before the throne) which stand before the throne of God
- https://www.gotquestions.org/seven-spirits-God.html
- Each one of these archangels resides upon one of the seven rays, or streams of energy
- Seven deadly sins (lust, greed, gluttony, wrath, envy, pride, sloth)
- Seven virtues (chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, kindness, patience, humility)
- Islam has seven heavens, seven hells
- Seven stems on the lamp on the tabernacle
- Number of periods in the Periodic Table of the Elements
- Number of Crystal Systems (triclinic, monoclinic, orthorhombic, tetragonal, trigonal, hexagonal, and cubic.
- Seven sephirot as the primary conscious emotional attributes of the creator (Kindness, Mercy, Beauty, Eternity, Splendor, Foundation, Kingship)
- Seven sisters of the Pleiades (the Great Bear)
- Seven Musical notes (‘do’ repeats)
- Seven wonders of the ancient world (Colossus of Rhodes, Lighthouse of Alexandria, (Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Great Pyramid of Giza, Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, Temple of Artemis, Statue of Zeus at Olympia)
- Seven planets visible to the naked eye (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn)
Rays of Aspect
Rays 1, 2, and 3 are called the rays of Aspect. Three is the number of the trinity, and together they establish the balance and equilibrium of heaven. This equilibrium reflects into form and correspondence
Ray One
Will and Purpose
Father
Spirit
Initiates
Signs: Aries, Leo, Capricorn
Government, Executive Leadership, Military
Ray Two
Love and Wisdom
Son
Soul
Unifies
Signs: Gemini, Virgo, Pisces
Teaching, Healing, Helping Professions
Ray Three
Active Intelligence
Holy Spirit
Personality
Evolves
Signs: Cancer, Libra, Capricorn
Business, Finance, Academics, Speculation
4 – Rays of Attribute (Includes Rays 4, 5, 6, 7) –
4 is the number of the material world, form, earth, and body. The rays of attribute are a product of the rays of Aspect (1, 2, and 3)
Ray Four
Harmony through Conflict
Harmonizes
Signs: Taurus, Scorpio, Sagittarius
Mediation, Diplomacy, Psychotherapy, Arts
Ray Five
Concrete Mind and Science
Acts
Signs: Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius
Science, Mathematics, Research, Mechanical Engineering
Ray Six
Idealism and Devotion
Causes
Signs: Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces
Social Causes, Religious Orders, Charitable Work
Ray Seven
Ceremony, Order, and Magic
Expresses
Signs: Aries, Cancer, Capricorn
Management, Administration, Architecture, Project Planning
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