[Part 4]

I thought I remembered that the name of this "one infinite creator" was "moneh".

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"moneh" is that the one infinite creator's name?

"Monēh" is not the name of the "one infinite creator." It seems there might be a misunderstanding or a typo.

The name you're likely thinking of is Monad. In various philosophical and spiritual traditions, particularly Neoplatonism and Gnosticism, the Monad is considered the supreme being, divinity, or the unified source of all existence. It is often described as indivisible, transcendent, and the ultimate principle from which all things emanate.

talk about this monad thing.. like deep research

The concept of the Monad is a complex and profound idea that has been explored in various philosophical and spiritual traditions for centuries. It's not a single, universally defined entity, but rather a central principle that takes on different nuances depending on the context. Here's a deep dive into the "Monad thing," tracing its origins and its evolution through different schools of thought.

The Pythagorean Monad: The Beginning of All Things The earliest recorded use of the term "Monad" comes from the Pythagoreans. For them, the Monad (from the Greek monas, meaning "unity" or "alone") was the first thing to exist. It was seen as the fundamental, indivisible unit from which all numbers, and by extension, all of reality, were derived.

Generation of Numbers: According to the Pythagorean view, the Monad gives birth to the Dyad (the number 2). This union of the one and the two then generates the numbers, which in turn give rise to geometric points, lines, planes, and finally, three-dimensional bodies. This process was not just a mathematical theory but a cosmogony—an explanation for the creation of the universe.

Symbolism: The Pythagoreans used a simple, yet powerful, symbol for the Monad: a point within a circle. The point represented the ultimate source, the indivisible and unknowable center, while the circle represented the universe that emanates from it.

The Monad in Neoplatonism: The One and the Source of All Being In Neoplatonism, a philosophical school founded on the teachings of Plato, the Monad is synonymous with The One (to Hen). The philosopher Plotinus, a central figure in Neoplatonism, describes the One as the highest principle, utterly simple, transcendent, and ineffable.

Emanation: The One doesn't "create" the universe in a deliberate, willed act. Instead, it "overflows" or emanates from itself, much like light radiates from the sun without diminishing the sun itself. This process of emanation creates a hierarchy of being:

The One (Monad): The source, beyond all categories of existence and thought.

Nous (Divine Mind): The first emanation, containing the Platonic Forms (the perfect, eternal blueprints for everything in existence).

Psyche (World-Soul): The next emanation, which animates and organizes the material world.

The Material World: According to this view, the physical world is the final, most distant emanation from the One. It is not inherently evil, but is the least perfect and most "chaotic" part of reality due to its distance from the ultimate source of unity.

The Monad in Gnosticism: The True, Hidden God Gnosticism, a diverse set of ancient religious movements, adopted the concept of the Monad, but with a significant departure from the Neoplatonic view. For Gnostics, the Monad is the true, transcendent, and hidden God, residing in a realm of pure light called the Pleroma (the "Fullness").

The Problem of Creation: Unlike Neoplatonism, Gnosticism posits that the material world is a flawed and evil creation, not a natural emanation. It was created by a lesser, ignorant deity known as the Demiurge, who is often identified with the Old Testament God. The Demiurge is a product of a mistake or a "fall" within the Pleroma, specifically by the aeon (divine emanation) named Sophia (Wisdom).

The Divine Spark: Gnostics believed that human beings possess a "divine spark"—a piece of the Monad—trapped within their material bodies. Salvation (gnosis) is achieved not through faith or good deeds, but through the acquisition of secret, intuitive knowledge that allows the divine spark to escape the material world and return to the Pleroma.

The Modern Philosophical Monad: Leibniz's "Windowless" Universe In the 17th century, the German philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz revived the term "Monad" in his work Monadology. His concept is very different from the ancient ones, though it shares the idea of a fundamental, indivisible unit.

Leibniz's Monads: For Leibniz, monads are the ultimate, simple substances that make up the universe. They are non-physical, non-extended, and more like "souls" or centers of force than physical atoms.

"No Windows": A key feature of Leibniz's monads is that they "have no windows." This means they cannot be physically or causally influenced by anything outside of themselves. Each monad is a self-contained universe, reflecting the entire universe from its unique point of view, like a tiny mirror.

Pre-established Harmony: So how do all these "windowless" monads interact and form a seemingly coherent world? Leibniz proposed the idea of a pre-established harmony. God, in his infinite wisdom, created each monad with a predetermined sequence of internal perceptions that perfectly synchronize with every other monad, creating the illusion of cause and effect in the world. This made the physical world a kind of "well-related dream."

Summary of Key Differences Concept Pythagorean Neoplatonic Gnostic Leibnizian Nature of the Monad A mathematical and cosmological principle; the first unit. The supreme, ineffable One; the source of all being. The true, hidden God; a perfect and transcendent being. A simple, non-physical substance with internal perceptions. Origin of Reality Derived from the Monad through a process of numerical progression. Emanates hierarchically from the One. Created by a flawed, lesser deity (the Demiurge), not the Monad. The universe is composed of an infinite number of monads created by God. View of Matter Not a primary concern, but a product of the number-based universe. The lowest, least perfect emanation. Flawed, evil, and a prison for the divine spark. A phenomenal reality, a collection of synchronized monads. Path to Salvation Not a major focus. Intellectual and spiritual ascent to reunite with the One. Attaining secret knowledge (gnosis) to escape the material world. Salvation is not a central theme, as the world is a pre-ordained harmony.

Export to Sheets The Monad, in its many forms, is a testament to the human desire to find a single, ultimate explanation for the universe, whether that explanation is mathematical, philosophical, or spiritual. It's a concept that evolves from the very beginnings of Western thought and continues to be a fascinating subject of study in philosophy and theology.

symbol for the Monad: a point within a circle. i've seen that in witchcraft

That's an excellent observation. The symbol of a point within a circle, or a related concept like the Hieroglyphic Monad, is indeed found in many esoteric and occult traditions, which have influenced modern witchcraft and magical practices.

While the concept of the Monad originated in ancient Greek philosophy, particularly with the Pythagoreans, its symbolic representation was adopted and expanded upon by figures in the magical and Hermetic traditions that form a lineage leading to some forms of modern witchcraft.

One of the most significant figures in this regard is the 16th-century Elizabethan magus John Dee. He developed a complex symbol he called the Hieroglyphic Monad, which he detailed in his 1564 book of the same name. His Monad is much more than just a point and a circle; it is a composite glyph that includes a point, a circle, a cross, a semicircle, and the symbols for the astrological signs of Aries and the sun and moon.

Dee believed this symbol encapsulated the unity of the cosmos and the fundamental principles of creation. He saw it as a "magical parable" that contained the secrets of the universe, and he used it in his ceremonial magic and alchemical studies.

Because modern witchcraft, particularly in its ceremonial and ritualistic forms, often draws from historical magical practices, Hermeticism, and alchemy, it's not surprising that you would see the Monad symbol. It represents core principles that are relevant to many magical systems:

Unity and the Divine Source: The point in the center represents the ultimate divine source or the self, while the circle represents the cosmos or the sacred space that emanates from it. This aligns with the idea of a singular, all-encompassing force in the universe.

The Intersection of Spirit and Matter: The cross or other elements within the circle can symbolize the point where the spiritual realm (the circle) and the material realm (the cross) meet.

Correspondences: In magic, the concept of "correspondences" is key—the idea that everything in the universe is connected. Dee's Hieroglyphic Monad is a perfect example of this, as it visually links astrological, planetary, alchemical, and mathematical principles into one unified symbol.

So, while the symbol's roots are in ancient philosophy, its use in modern magical and esoteric traditions, including some forms of witchcraft, is a direct result of its adoption and reinterpretation by influential historical figures like John Dee and others who saw it as a powerful tool for understanding and working with the fundamental forces of the universe.

got a picture of it that dee was doing

https://studiohibernacula.com/blogs/lore/dee-hieroglyphic-monad

how come the word money seems pretty close to monad

That's an interesting observation, as the two words do sound and look very similar. However, despite the resemblance, "money" and "monad" have completely separate and unrelated origins. Their similarity is a fascinating linguistic coincidence.

Here's a breakdown of their etymologies:

Monad: This word comes from Ancient Greek. It is derived from the Greek word monas (μονάς), which means "unity," "single," or "alone." This reflects its original philosophical meaning as an indivisible, ultimate unit of being.

Money: This word has a Latin origin. It comes from the Latin word moneta, which was a title or surname of the Roman goddess Juno. The Romans located their official mint in her temple on Capitoline Hill, leading the name Moneta to become synonymous with the place where money was made, and eventually, with the coins themselves. The name Juno Moneta is believed to come from the Latin verb monere, meaning "to warn" or "to advise," as Juno was seen as a protector who gave warnings.

In short, "monad" is rooted in Greek philosophy and the concept of "oneness," while "money" is rooted in the name of a Roman goddess associated with a mint. They are not etymologically related.

seems a little "sus" because of how imoprtant money is

That's a very intuitive and understandable way to think about it. It's easy to see how a word that sounds so much like a concept of "oneness" or "divine unity" could be seen as a deliberate choice for something as powerful and central to human life as money. This kind of "suspicion" is what often drives people to look for deeper, hidden connections in language and symbolism.

However, the historical evidence for the origins of both words is quite solid and well-documented by linguists. The evolution of language is a long and often coincidental process. Words can travel through different cultures and change over thousands of years in ways that seem arbitrary or, in this case, surprisingly similar.

While the linguistic connection isn't there, your observation points to a deeper, more symbolic truth: the power that both concepts hold.

The Monad, in philosophy, is the ultimate source of reality, the point of absolute power and unity from which all else flows.

Money, in the modern world, has become a central organizing principle. It is a universal medium of exchange that, for many, seems to be the source of power, opportunity, and access to all things. It acts as a kind of modern "Monad," a unified and essential force that shapes our reality.

So while the etymology is a coincidence, the symbolic parallel you've drawn between the two concepts is quite profound and highlights the outsized role that money plays in our society. It's a great example of how our minds instinctively seek patterns and meaning, even where none were originally intended.

is this a saying: Their god is called "money".

Yes, "Their god is called 'money'" is not a formal saying or proverb, but it is a very common and powerful figurative expression used to describe people who prioritize wealth above all else.

It's a modern interpretation of a much older and more widespread concept. The idea that something other than a spiritual being can become a person's ultimate devotion is a theme found in many religious and philosophical texts.

The most famous parallel comes from the Bible, specifically the New Testament. The phrase "You cannot serve both God and mammon" (Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13) is often used in this context.

Mammon: This is an Aramaic word for wealth or property. In the biblical saying, it is personified as a false god or a master to be served, directly contrasted with God.

In a modern context, using the phrase "money is their god" serves the same purpose as the biblical "mammon." It is used to convey that a person's true worship, trust, and ultimate concern lie in the acquisition and preservation of wealth, rather than in spiritual or moral values.