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ARS VIVENDI (ART OF LIVING)

CHAPTER 12: SYMBOLOGY OF THE PERFECT MAN

THE practical value of symbols is great when the Imagination has been trained and vivified according to the principles laid down in the third volume of the Ars Vivendi series.

The difference between the visionary and the practical man is not that the former lives in the world of ideas and the latter in the world of facts, but that the latter works out his ideas in a workmanlike manner, while the former is so embarrassed with the profusion around him that he does not know which way to turn, and ends by folding his hands, and doing nothing at all. To make an idea a working power in the world, you must have it in the tips of your fingers, carry it with you wherever you go. Treated in this fashion, ideas will soon show the stuff they are made of, and reveal their kingly sway.

Symbols are a convenient method of holding and using ideas. The simpler and more familiar they are the better.

After years of meditation I have succeeded in grouping under seven simple symbols the various ingredients of the Developed Man and The Coming Race of Mankind -- the kind referred to by Shakespeare:

"The elements
So mix'd in him, that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world 'This was a man!'"

The "Mixing of the Elements" is not an easy task, but the student can take comfort from the reflection that nothing worth talking about is easy, and can only be attained by Work, and Skill, by Knowing and Doing. Only the mere outlines of the Symbols are given here. The "practical mixing" is the greatest of all the Arts and Sciences, and requires the most skilful guidance.

The precocious schoolboy knows that the days of the week are named after the various "gods" of the ancient world. Thus "Sunday" is the day of the Sun God, Monday the day of the Moon Goddess, etc.

Without entering into the question whether these terms really correspond to qualities in the man, I take them as they stand, and use them as the chemist treats a chemical compound when he proceeds to analyse the elements it comprises.

SUNDAY, OR DAY OF THE SUN

This is the complete or perfect man -- the goal of Evolution. In him the elements are harmoniously blended, with neither too much nor too little of this or that quality. In him, therefore, the roots of evil have been finally eradicated; for Evil is an unbalanced state of the elements. The six days of the week comprise the elements which it is the aim of Wisdom to mix together in due proportion. The sign + means excessive; - defective.

MONDAY, OR DAY OF THE MOON

Under this is grouped everything relating to the Occult and Mysterious, Belief in a future life, Spiritualism, Theosophy, Hermetic Philosophy, and Kindred Subjects.

+ The individual becomes a mere visionary or religious fanatic.

- The individual considers all these subjects, "superstition" or "rubbish."

TUESDAY, THE DAY OF MARS (FRENCH, MARDI)

The element of Courage, Individual Will.

+ Argumentative, contentious, and never happy unless fighting somebody or something.

- Timid and cowardly, letting "I dare not," wait on "I would."

WEDNESDAY, THE DAY OF MERCURY (FRENCH, MERCREDI)

The element of Mind, pure and simple. Penetrating into the core of everything. Equal to any undertaking, good or bad.

+ The sharper, the thief, the rogue, the swindler.

- Simple and credulous, "soft."

THURSDAY, THE DAY OF JUPITER (FRENCH, JEUDI)

Everything relating to money and property, prosperity, and the accumulation of wealth.

+ Mind has but one idea -- Money. Life is only a race for gold.

- Careless in the management of money. "A fool and his money are soon parted."

FRIDAY, THE DAY OF VENUS (FRENCH, VENDREDI)

Manners. The Gentleman or Lady. Politeness, Etiquette, Courteous Behaviour. You and I.

+ The dandy, the fop, the man about town, the tailor's dummy.

- "The rough diamond," utterly regardless of personal appearance and of manners.

SATURDAY, THE DAY OF SATURN

The Student, the Man of Science.

+ Eager to sacrifice life on the altar of Knowledge.

- Knowing little of, and caring less for, anything in the shape of Science.

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