MUSES –In Greek Mythology the Muses (Mousai) are the Patron Goddesses of the arts and sciences. Those who sought to excel in these areas prayed to the Muses, especially the Muse who presided over their specific field of endeavor. The Muses were commonly offered libations of honey, water, or milk. The Muses were said to be the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, Goddess of Memory, and are sometimes regarded as aspects of Mnemosyne. In early Greece the Muses tended to be thought of as being three in number, and were known by different names in different places: at Delphi they were called Nete, Mese, and Hypate after the names of the strings of the lyre: at Mt. Helicon they were originally known as Melete (Meditation), Mneme (Memory), and Aoede (song). Later the Muses were fixed as being Nine in number, and have been viewed that way ever since. The nine Muses were Calliope (Fair Voice) who was Patron of Epic Poetry and by extension literature: Clio (Proclaimer) Patron of History: Erato (Lovely) Patron of Romantic and Erotic works: Euterpe (Pleasure Giver) Patron of Music: Melpomene (Singer) Patron of Drama: Polyhymnia (Many Hymns) Patron of liturgy, Religious and Philosophical works, and Mathematics (which the Greeks saw as the study of cosmic patterns): Terpsichore (Whirler) Patron of Dance: Thalia (Flourishing) Patron of Comedy: and Urania (Heavenly) Patron of Astrology and Astronomy. Mnemosyne was said to have given birth to the Muses at Pieria, at the foot of Mt. Olympus. Their nurse was Eupheme and their foster brother was Crotus, who became the constellation of Sagittarius. The principle abode of the Muses was on Mt. Helicon in Boetia, where they often consorted with the God Apollo (wherefore He is given the epithet Musagetes). At Mt. Helicon a sacred spring called Aganippe was dedicated to the Muses. And the city of Thespies located on the slopes of Mt. Helicon held a festival in their honor called the Mouseai where entertainers from all over Greece took part in contests for music, poetry, and drama –this is the origin of the term “thespian” for an actor. In the ancient world schools commonly maintained a shrine to the Muses, termed a Mouseion, where especially fine works were exhibited in their honor and from which we get the modern word “Museum”.
MNEMOSYNE –The name “Mnemosyne” means “Memory”. In ancient Greek mythology Mnemosyne was a Titan, one of the Deities born of Heaven (Uranos) and Earth (Gaia). Mnemosyne was the Goddess of memory, and it was She Who gave names to all things. Before Hera became His consort, Zeus had a relationship with Mnemosyne Who bore Him nine daughters: the nine Muses. Mnemosyne was said to dwell among the hills of Eleuther, and was pictured as having very long hair which represented Her very long memory.
MATHEMATICS –Mathematics is the study of pattern. Mathematics uses numbers and symbols to study quantities and forms in order to quantify their qualities and relationships, and their place in time and space. Though mathematics is commonly thought of in the mundane terms in which it is used in daily life, it has since ancient times been used to express complex ideas about the cosmos and the nature of existence. To the ancient Greeks especially mathematics was the language used to express higher spiritual concepts. The Pythagoreans and the Platonists in particular made extensive use of mathematics to express their ideas about the nature of being.
ANTHROPOMORPHIC –The term “Anthropomorphic” refers to something being portrayed in human form. The word Anthropomorphic is from the Greek “Anthropos” (Human) and “Morphos” (Form). In artwork the term is used for giving human features to objects such as jars, columns, etc… In religious terms it refers to the practice of portraying Deities, Spirits, or abstract ideas in human form.
CABALISTIC NUMEROLOGY –There are two primary forms of Numerology in use in the Western World. The first is Pythagorean Numerology, which originates in ancient Greece and is based upon the number Nine: the second is Cabalistic Numerology which originates in Judaism and is based upon the number Seven. The nine-number Pythagorean system is based upon the abstract idea of Number, while the seven-number Cabalistic system is based upon the seven Planets. The Cabalistic system works well with the Hebrew alphabet and was at one time very popular for use with the Latin alphabet as well, especially in Ceremonial Magic. Cabalistic Numerology has declined somewhat in popularity as the Pythagorean system works better with the Latin alphabet. In addition to the way in which it is used her, the term “Cabalistic Numerology” can also be used to refer to other numerological systems used in Judeo-Christian mysticism such as Gematria.