The themes of the Arbatel are becoming clearer as I write these posts. I will elaborate on these themes in forthcoming essays, here is an overview.

Themes of Four

“Arbatel” is derived from the Hebrew word for four, ARBO, which relates to the Pythagorean Tetraktys, and encompasses the four elements, not discussed in the text. Four also relates to the mysterious Seal of Secrets , the four directions, and to four levels of spiritual knowledge and powers.

Power of Seven

Seven is the other dominant number, not least because there are seven Olympic Spirits. 7×7=49, the number of Aphorisms. The Aphorisms are derided by magicians as various homilies, but they are the key to unlocking the secrets of the Arbatel. 7×7 forms the Magic Square of Venus, not mentioned in the text. Venus and the feminine is key to understanding and transmitting the Secrets of the Arbatel.

Seven takes to the system of planetary hours, fundamental to Arbatel workings.

Secrets of the Arbatel

The secret of the Arbatel is the power of transmitting secrets to those who have the proper moral character, spiritual and magical ability.

The types and nature of the secrets are laid out in the 49 Aphorisms.

One particular power is the ability to know the workings of other magicians. No wonder the magicians who write on the Arbatel dismiss the aphorisms as moral hyperbole!

Once the process of transmission of secrets begins, it maintains a continuous process of revelation on many levels.

Aims of the Arbatel

The primary aim of the Arbatel is for the seven Olympic Spirits to guide, assist, and reveal knowledge and powers to the magician permanently.

Names of the Olympic Spirits

The Olympic Spirits names cause a lot of conjecture, not least because the text indicates they have other names. The aim of ritual magick on the Olympic spirits is to find their secret names, as if that is the only secret of the Arbatel!

The Olympic Spirits answer to their name, and they identify themselves with their name. However, demanding and receiving their secret names is no guarantee of access to greater secrets.