This is a 1993 x 1993 pixel diagram I made from scratch using only calculations for points and drawing it in bitmap. I was able to texture it with simple high definition images from Google searches and using the transparency feature when copying the image over them. It took forever to get everything right.
It finally occurred to me to run an alpha transparency on the background using the dorky ass default orange so as to upload it here, because it has been sitting in my projects folder on an external hard drive probably since the beginning of time itself.
I posted it as a sort of a Yuletide present to myself in 2023 so that I can show it off to a select few with related interests. I'm updating with edits/adds in October 2024 because Ive been getting into the Halloween spirit this year.
If you're familiar with these sort of things, then you can see that it represents elemental archetypes. It doesn't take much to reflect on it and see how it all fits together. It is an extension of existing elemental diagrams and closely related to the Wheel of the Year.
It is a design concept I had for an altar top that goes in the center of a ritual chamber for elemental magick. So then, it is not an inverted star like the bottom point would suggest, but rather that point faces south. When on one side of it, you'd be looking across at the element corresponding to the direction you are facing.
It is only meant as a tool for guided reflection. I don't believe in elemental magick, but it has always been spellbinding to think about and reflect upon in terms of its implications. This has been a project of mine since I was 16, when I first used to draw it with measurements to perfection, and it has had a therapeutic effect on me whenever I have had the time to nerd over it.
There are the four standard elements on there in the cardinal directions, but then each point clockwise to it represents its archetypal characteristics separated from other ones and closer to the next element. For example, earth overall symbolizes many things associated with both materialism and healing, so I separated them into materialism and into healing. Sifting these traits took careful consideration, but I will give you the short version of how I did it.
- Between earth and wind is life, born of earth and with the awareness of wind. Its archetype is pretty self-explanatory, the preservation of all life.
- Between wind and fire is ether, given the awareness aspect of wind carrying light and the power of fire's spirit. Its archetype is knowledge, because of the knowledge required to reach it.
- Between fire and water is lighting, burning like fire, but flowing like water. It has a combative nature, hiding at rest until it violently strikes.
- Between water and earth is ice, more than just water that is solid like the earth, because it expands, removing warmth. It is cruel, torturous, and invasive.
The tenth point in the middle is divinity itself, connected to all things, and with all nine points being different aspects of divinity. Divinity here is not represented as some bullshit deity people worship, but as in the cosmic consciousness, which even the point of chaos is a part of.
The enneagram has a projection of a gibbous moon over it to show the contrast between the lighter and darker elements. The middle region where divinity sits is dark on purpose, even though it is in the light, to provoke reflection on its nature which was originally a void.
The outer ring with the astrological symbols represents known existence, governed by these archetypes. The astrological symbols are in order by element, and then cardinal, fixed and mutable to reflect the transition of the star diagram. I don't believe in astrology either, by the way. I in fact studied it in depth, starting out of a book The Black Arts by Richard Cavendish, which was not about black magick as the name implies. So I know all about the houses, the planetary signs, and the superstitious things like if these two planets are at right angles of each other, then you're Hitler reborn. It's all bullshit built on outdated assumptions. It's entertainment.
Beyond astrological symbols, the last black ring represents the perimeter of all existence, a so-called void, simultaneously existing and not existing infinitesimally. If that doesn't make sense, then learn calculus, or just think of it as a razor thin surface that you'll never be able to actually physically touch.
The color scheme was chosen for a specific reason. Flat black is pretty obvious. Silver was chosen for its brilliant reflection of light, meant to symbolize the science and intelligence used to create such an existence, and further innovation within existence. Red is used to symbolize passion, the passions of life and the ambitions for life's pursuits.
Ironically, black, red and silver are a color trio associated with evil shit, and the star does look rather intimidating, but that is not its purpose. On the other hand, what the hell - let's keep others guessing!
I would also love to add that I am an assertive promoter of cosmic consciousness, that the creator is the creation, and that organized religion is all bullshit. Revan believes in the simulated universe hypothesis, whether or not a mind created it, that existence is a program, and she is more understanding in why people accept religion. While these two ideas seem to contradict each other, we have had a few discussions on the matter and have reached a middle ground understanding that we are actually looking at two sides of the same coin and are even compatible with each other. We also acknowledge even though we have strong convictions for them that these are only personal beliefs, and we are both strong supporters of science.