The Ennead Matrix basically interprets existence as the interplay between three basic powers: The Divine, the Spiritual, and the Material. The Divine is the absolute essence of things. The Spiritual is the multiplication of the Divine and the relationships and patterns established by this. And the Material is the vehicle of the Divine through which the physical world is manifest.

 

 

These three powers might therefore be described as “Essence”, “Relationship”, and “Manifestation”, and so we shall describe them in the chart below.

 

 

None of the three powers can be understood narrowly however: Essence might just as easily be described as “Ideal” or “Concept” or “Nature” for this purpose: Relationship could just as easily be described as “Pattern” or as “Application”: Manifestation could just as easily be termed “Expression”, or “Expansion” or “Movement”. The three powers have also been described this way: “To Embrace”, “To Separate”, “To Confront”.

 

 

Of course these powers can also be described in their terms we have earlier used to describe the pattern of the Monads: Inner understanding (Essence), application of understanding in ones life (Relationship/Pattern), application of understanding in the world (Manifestation).

 

 

No one English word can really capture the meaning of any of these three powers, as each expresses a continuum of corresponding concepts. Therefore you must consider the correspondences we have been discussing to fully understand the relationships under discussion, because they simply cannot be described both fully and succinctly at the same time.

 

 

In considering this, let us first view the Ennead Matrix as proffered by the Swedenborgians.

 

 

 

 

The Ennead Matrix

 

ESSENCE

(Divine)

RELATIONSHIP

(Spiritual)

MANIFESTATION

(Material)

 

Essence in

Essence

Relationships of Essence

Manifestation of Essence

ESSENCE

(Divine)

Essence of Relationships

Relationship to Relationships

Manifestation of Relationships

RELATIONSHIP

(Spiritual)

Essence of Manifestation

Relationship to Manifestation

Manifestation of Manifestation

MANIFESTATION

(Material)

 

 

If we now apply our ideas of the Monads to the Matrix, we will see the following relationships exposited: