magic square of three as implicitly containing the symbol of heaven and earth

ABSTRACT

Jabir ibn Hayyan as master of Islamic alchemy based his system of alchemy on the magic square of three which he selected because it had the power of facilitating child birth. It was then assumed that what facilitated child birth also facilitated transforming base metals into gold. This implies a power inherent in the magic square of three which could release creative energy. In the magic square of three the even numbers are at the four corners while the odd numbers appear in the central portion as a spatial cross and cross is the symbol of soul and symbol is the plenipotentiary of the original. Then as cosmic soul incorporated in the design this could facilitate child birth and also facilitate transformation of base metals into gold. The design is a variant of the symbol of Heaven and Earth