Celestial spheres: Difference between revisions

From AnthroWiki
(Created page with "thumb|200px|Cosmology from a copy of the [[w:Nuremberg Chronicle| (fol. 5v) written by w:Hartmann Schedel (1493)]] The...")
 
No edit summary
Line 3: Line 3:
The '''celestial spheres''' or '''heavenly spheres''' ({{HeS|גַּלְגַּלים}} [[Galgalim]], [[w:singular|singular]] {{He|גַּלְגַּל}} [[Galgal]] "wheel") are, according to the occult view, cosmic domains of higher [[spiritual hierarchies]]. The geocentric world view of the [[w:Middle Ages, building on the worldview of [[w:Classical antiquity|antiquity]], comprises a total of 9 respectively 10 '''spheres'''.
The '''celestial spheres''' or '''heavenly spheres''' ({{HeS|גַּלְגַּלים}} [[Galgalim]], [[w:singular|singular]] {{He|גַּלְגַּל}} [[Galgal]] "wheel") are, according to the occult view, cosmic domains of higher [[spiritual hierarchies]]. The geocentric world view of the [[w:Middle Ages, building on the worldview of [[w:Classical antiquity|antiquity]], comprises a total of 9 respectively 10 '''spheres'''.


The [[seven planetary spheres]], which are assigned to the [[seven planets]] visible to the naked eye, are surrounded by the fixed star sphere with the [[zodiac]], the dominion of the [[Cherubim]] (zodiacal beings) and [[Seraphim]]. In the medieval worldview, the 9th sphere is the [[Crystal Heaven]], which is also the [[Primum Mobile]], first mentioned by [[w:Ptolemy|Ptolemy]]. In the Christian tradition, the concept of the Crystal Heaven or the '''Crystal Sphere''' was derived from [[Genesis]], where on the second day of creation the [[firmament]] ({{Latin|firmamentum}}, {{HeS|רקיע}} ''[[raqía]]'') is spoken of, by which the heavenly and earthly "waters" are separated from each other. The uppermost sphere of the world is the [[Empyrean]] ({{Latin|empyreus}} "in fire", from ancient {{Greek|ἔμπυρος émpyros}}), the heaven of fire, the abode of the supreme deity, the Trinity.
The [[seven planetary spheres]], which are assigned to the [[seven planets]] visible to the naked eye, are surrounded by the fixed star sphere with the [[zodiac]], the dominion of the [[Cherubim]] (zodiacal beings) and [[Seraphim]]. In the medieval worldview, the 9th sphere is the [[Crystal Heaven]], which is also the [[Primum Mobile]], first mentioned by [[w:Ptolemy|Ptolemy]]. In the Christian tradition, the concept of the Crystal Heaven or the '''Crystal Sphere''' was derived from [[Genesis]], where on the second day of creation the [[firmament]] ({{Latin|firmamentum}}, {{HeS|רקיע}} ''[[raqía]]'') is spoken of, by which the heavenly and earthly "waters" are separated from each other. The uppermost sphere of the world is the [[Empyrean]] ({{Latin|empyreus}} "in fire", from ancient {{Greek|ἔμπυρος émpyros}}), the '''heaven of fire''', the abode of the supreme deity, in [[Hinduism]] called [[Trimurti]], by the [[Kabbalist]]s [[Ain Soph]] and in [[Christian]] terms the [[Trinity]].


In a narrower sense, the Hebrew term [[Galgalim]] ("wheels") refers to the [[Thrones]] which rule in the [[Saturn sphere]] and are probably to be equated with the [[Ophanim]] (Hebrew אוֹפַנִּים "wheels") described by Ezekiel in his [[Throne Chariot vision]]. Above them rises the [[zodiac]] with the [[Cherubim]].  
In a narrower sense, the Hebrew term [[Galgalim]] ("wheels") refers to the [[Thrones]] which rule in the [[Saturn sphere]] and are probably to be equated with the [[Ophanim]] (Hebrew אוֹפַנִּים "wheels") described by Ezekiel in his [[Throne Chariot vision]]. Above them rises the [[zodiac]] with the [[Cherubim]].  

Revision as of 06:45, 16 October 2021

Cosmology from a copy of the Nuremberg Chronicle (fol. 5v) written by Hartmann Schedel (1493)

The celestial spheres or heavenly spheres (Hebrewגַּלְגַּלים Galgalim, singular גַּלְגַּל Galgal "wheel") are, according to the occult view, cosmic domains of higher spiritual hierarchies. The geocentric world view of the [[w:Middle Ages, building on the worldview of antiquity, comprises a total of 9 respectively 10 spheres.

The seven planetary spheres, which are assigned to the seven planets visible to the naked eye, are surrounded by the fixed star sphere with the zodiac, the dominion of the Cherubim (zodiacal beings) and Seraphim. In the medieval worldview, the 9th sphere is the Crystal Heaven, which is also the Primum Mobile, first mentioned by Ptolemy. In the Christian tradition, the concept of the Crystal Heaven or the Crystal Sphere was derived from Genesis, where on the second day of creation the firmament (Latinfirmamentum, Hebrewרקיע raqía) is spoken of, by which the heavenly and earthly "waters" are separated from each other. The uppermost sphere of the world is the Empyrean (Latinempyreus "in fire", from ancient Greekἔμπυρος émpyros), the heaven of fire, the abode of the supreme deity, in Hinduism called Trimurti, by the Kabbalists Ain Soph and in Christian terms the Trinity.

In a narrower sense, the Hebrew term Galgalim ("wheels") refers to the Thrones which rule in the Saturn sphere and are probably to be equated with the Ophanim (Hebrew אוֹפַנִּים "wheels") described by Ezekiel in his Throne Chariot vision. Above them rises the zodiac with the Cherubim.

Literature

References to the work of Rudolf Steiner follow Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works (CW or GA), Rudolf Steiner Verlag, Dornach/Switzerland, unless otherwise stated.
Email: verlag@steinerverlag.com URL: www.steinerverlag.com.
Index to the Complete Works of Rudolf Steiner - Aelzina Books
A complete list by Volume Number and a full list of known English translations you may also find at Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works
Rudolf Steiner Archive - The largest online collection of Rudolf Steiner's books, lectures and articles in English.
Rudolf Steiner Audio - Recorded and Read by Dale Brunsvold
steinerbooks.org - Anthroposophic Press Inc. (USA)
Rudolf Steiner Handbook - Christian Karl's proven standard work for orientation in Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works for free download as PDF.