The Divine Mathematics
In mathematical terms, the divine proportions is observed when a line is divided into two parts and the longer part (a) divided by the smaller part (b) is equal to the sum of (a) + (b) divided by (a) which both equals 1.618, a term regarded by the ancient Greek as Phi, another word for Infinity.
As complex as the mathematical explanation might sound, it simply boils down to the concept of Divine beauty we find in every aspect of life and nature. When we find beauty, we find God, and our brains programmed to find pleasure in unexplained beauty, especially in objects and images that use the golden ratio in their designs. For centuries, the Divine proportion represented perfect harmony in nature and is always perceived as the most attractive form of all things, this design in nature usually conducts specific goals with minimal of resources and energy.
Claude Debussy’s romance with the golden ratio
The importance of the Golden ratio is embedded in the works of the renaissance artists, whose belief in a magnetic flux that personifies a sequence without end. Greatly influenced by these beliefs is the French Composer Claude Debussy, a prominent Rosicrucian whose musical compositions were deeply influenced by Rosicrucian principles, Debussy made use of the golden ratio in his musical scales. He was referred to as the first impressionist composer as he adopted the use of pictures, emotions and colors in his compositions, thus creating a new school of thought.
Roger Nichol, a veteran composer, deeply influenced by Debussy once opined that
“We must agree that the beauty of a work of art will always remain a mystery […] we can never be sure ‘how it’s made’. We must at all costs preserve this magic which is peculiar to music (vibrations) and to which, by its nature is of all the arts is the most receptive”
Roger Nichol studied the works of Claude Debussy, and unlocked the beauty inherent in the golden ratio, and how it can transform every aspect of nature into something beautiful. He saw links of esoteric wisdom in Debussy’s compositions and noticed that Debussy’s creations hold an undeniable simplicity under the veil of musical notes.
Conclusion
Typical of a dedicated Rosicrucian, Claude Debussy never bowed to material needs and never made any concessions to popular taste, rather he shunned mediocrity. As service to humanity was first and last on his mind, and he composed his classical masterpieces for the masses, as a statement against the aristocratic class of his time.
Claude Debussy belongs to a class of prominent Rosicrucian’s, whose ideas and beliefs have contributed to the development of classical music. His service to humanity is represented in his musical masterpieces which reflects the beauty of the Divine proportions, and his contribution has added to the repository of knowledge curated by the Rosicrucian Order Amorc.
We are proud to continue this tradition of curating knowledge for the next generation adding our own intuitions to this huge library of natural sciences.
Written by Temidayo Nwabueze with reference from:
Reference
Nichol, R (1972), Claude Debussy, quoted by biographer Roger Nichols [ Debussy and Liszt],
https://www.cedillerecords.org/albums/jorge-federico-osorio-debussy-and-liszt/ 8/8/2021.
