The Gnostic Circle and Time

The Gnostic Circle represents different cycles of time, and how things move, grow or evolve in time. It can represent the 360 degrees the Earth rotates in 24 hours of the day, or the 360 degree journey of the Earth around the Sun in 1 year, or the 360 degree movement of the Precession of the Equinoxes which takes 25,920 years to complete. When looking at Gnostic Circle in terms of the 25,920 year Precession, one 30 degree segment of the Gnostic Circle or Zodiac, is 2160 years - or one Astrological Age. The Gnostic Circle can also represent 9 year cycles of life and 36 year cycles of life. Students of the Gnostic Circle follow these various cycles in their own lives and also observe the cycles of current and historical events. Each degree, number and sign of the Gnostic Circle indicates a certain stage of growth and learning, or a certain degree of development of the true potential of the Individual.

Norelli-Bachelet proposes that by observing and living through the various cycles in time, and the stages therein, one can begin to understand the movement of the whole and the consciousness that drives the movement.

The Basic Structure of the Gnostic Circle

The Circle (undivided):

The Gnostic Circle is first an expression of Unity, the full circle with its point in the center. This is the ancient symbol of the sun. This unity is then divided in various ways as an expression of the Multiple expressions of life and consciousness.

The Triangle:

The central Triangle or Trinity of the Circle represents the division by 3.

The Square:

The formative Square or Cross of the Circle represents the division by 4. The Circle divided by the cross is the Astrological symbol for the Earth.

The Enneagram:

The Enneagram is the division of the Circle by 9 integers. The Enneagram is formed by the central Triangle of the numbers 3, 6, and 9. And the other numbers are connected in a continous flow from the 1 to 4 to 2 to 8 to 5 to 7 and back to the 1. In mathematics this flow is represented by dividing 1 by 7, with the



result being .142857 repeating.

The Zodiac:

The Zodiac is the division of the Circle by 12 signs. This division is replicated in the standard counting of 12 months in a year.

The Larger Divisions of the Gnostic Circle

There are four colored layers of the Gnostic Circle, which also represent different divisions of time. Norelli-Bachelet refers to these divisions by their Sanskrit name.

Trimsamsa:

The outer most layer of the Circle is divided into 360 segments, which in terms of the cycle of one Earth year, is associated with 360 days (plus 5 extra days). In terms of the Precession of the Equinoxes, each degree of the Circle is 72 years (360 degrees x 72 years = 25,920 years). In terms of a 9 year cycle, each degree equals 9 days.

Dvadasima:

The next layer is 144 segments or 2.5 degrees each (144 x 2.5 = 360). In this layer, each sign of the Zodiac is further divided into 12 signs (12 x 12 = 144). In Sanskrit this division of the circle is called a dvadasima. The moon's movement's through the signs of the zodiac can be tracked in this layer (the moon travels through one sign of the Zodiac in approximately 2.5 days).

Navasima:

The next layer is 108 segments or 3.333 degrees each (108 x 3.333 = 360). In this layer, each Integer of the Enneagram is further divided into 12 signs (12 x 9 = 108). In looking at a 9 year cycle, the navasima is equivalent to one month of time.

Decanate:

The next layer is 36 segments of 10 degrees each which, in terms of the year is 10 days. The decanate or decante is a common reference in Astrology and represents one of three flows of energy within each sign (creation, preservation or dissolution). In terms a 9 year cycle this is 3 months, or a Season. In terms of the Precession of the Equinoxes, this is 720 years (36 x 720 years = 25,920 years)

The Gnostic Circle and the Kali Yuga

Norelli-Bachelet proposes that the Vedic Kali Yuga is 8640 years or 120 degrees (1/3rd) of the Circle, or four Astrological Ages, or exactly one third of the Precession of the Equinoxes. Most Modern or Post-Vedic Cosmologists do not agree with her in this contention.

The Gnostic Circle and Alchemy

The entire Circle is seen by Norelli-Bachelet as an alchemical journey by which an individual reconnects with their original source or original nature. This journey is also referred to in the occult symbol of the Ouroborus - the snake biting its own tail. And in the symbols of the Alpha and the Omega. In the Gnostic Circle the 0 is the Alpha and the 9 is the Omega, the 0 is the snakes tail and the 9 is the snake's head. Put in scientific terms, the 0 is Energy and 9 is Matter.

The Gnostic Circle and the Supramental or Unity Consciousness

Sri Aurobindo wrote (in The Life Divine) that just as life evolved from matter, and mind evolved in life, that a Supramental Consciousness would emerge from the Mental creation and create an entirely new order of being. In the book by the same title, "The Gnostic Circle" presents students with the means to observe the Supramental Consciousness at work in the world. Norelli-Bachelet intends to give her readers

The Symbols and Language of the Gnostic Circle

Norelli-Bachelet presents the Gnostic Circle as a New Language for a New Age. The Circle is written in terms of symbols -- the symbols of our number system and the symbols of the Zodiac. Comprehension of the Circle hinges on one's willingness to consider these symbols as the expression of a living consciousness. The goal of learning the significance of the symbols and flow Gnostic Circle is to cultivate a vision or perspective of Unity.

The Gnostic Circle and Integral Yoga

Norelli-Bachelet invites readers and students to use the Gnostic Circle as a tool for guiding their process of Integral Yoga, as a tool to gain knowledge of the whole, and as a tool for understanding one's place within the whole, as well as the place of all other beings and events on the Earth, throughout the ages. This integral understanding, according to Bachelet, is the beginning of achieving a consciousness of Unity by which students can see a Truth-Consciousness at work in all details and circumstances of the whole.

Trikaladristi

Norelli-Bachelet teaches the Gnostic Circle as a way to develop a unified vision of time (past, present and future). A unified vision on time, in Vedic terminology is call Tri-Kala-Dristi or "view of three times, which suggests an integrated view of past present and future.

Recovery of the Lost Sun

The Rig Veda is largely concerned with the recovery or return of the "Lost Sun", also termed the Santatana Dharma or Eternal Truth of Being and Becoming. The recovery of the true nature of matter. Christians envision this recovery or return as the return of Christ - who for them, was the crucified son of God. Norelli-Bachlet, and her predecessor Sri Aurobindo have written of the "recovery of the Lost Sun" as the return or recovery of a lost consciousness of unity or the return of an unseen Supramental Consciousness. Norelli-Bachelet presents the Gnostic Circle, as a symbol of the recovery of the Sun or Unity or the return of the One, which has been lost in the Many.

The Gnostic Circle and the Christian Cross

Norelli-Bachelet writes in "The New Way, Volume 3" that the Christian Cross is the symbol that represents the collective consciousness of the last Age of Pisces, based on the experience of a crucified Christ or son of God.

She writes that the Gnostic Circle is the symbol of the collective consciousness of the "New Age" of Aquarius. This collective consciousness, Norelli-Bachelet teaches, will be based in the experience of a victorious Sun/Son, or as mentioned in the previous section, "the recovery of the Lost Sun" or consciousness of unity.

The Gnostic Circle's 4.5 Point and Nirvana

The bottom of the Circle, which correspond to the beginning of the sign of Libra and is the 4.5 point in terms of numbers, is seen by Norelli-Bachelet to represent the stage of Nirvana or dissolution. She sees this point as a stage, not the final attainment of the spiritual path. In the early 20th Century, Sri Aurobindo questioned the Buddhist or Mayadavistic goal of transcending the pain of a material world through the state of nirvana, and losing respect for the Material, Cosmic, and Individual dimensions of Existence. Norelli-Bachelet equates the bottom of the Gnostic Circle or 4.5 point with the Asteroid Belt in our Solar System (between the 4th and 5th planets, Mars and Jupiter), and suggests that any passage over this point in a cycle of time necessitates a splitting apart, or a need to drop one's baggage for the upward movement of the cycle.

Linear vs Circular Perspective

The Gnostic Circle challenges the linear experience of reality, supposing instead the cyclical, circular (or elliptical), spherical, spiral structure of both matter and time. The Circle speaks to both the microcosmic and macrocosmic dimensions of matter and time. In terms of matter, there are commonalities between the whirling structures of atoms and solar systems. Norelli-Bachelet reminds readers that there are also micro and macro cycles of time, and that Time, like Matter, has its own geometry that can be observed and appreciated. Obvious cycles of time include the 360 degree rotation of the Earth each day around its axis, and the Earth's 360 degree orbit around the Sun each 365 day year. Smaller cycles of time are recorded in hours, minutes, seconds and fractions of seconds. Larger cycles of time include the 25,920 year Precession of the Equinoxes (12 ages of 2160 years each).

Astrology as the Mother of All Sciences

Norelli-Bachelet suggests that her work with the Gnostic Circle is instrumental in the revival of the true art of Astrology which could bring the art back to its rightful place as the Mother of All Sciences. Norelli-Bachelet writes that the signs of the Zodiac and the Numbers describe the body and movement (or evolution) of the Unified Whole - a living system (the true meaning of the word Zodiac - or Living Wheel). Her work suggests that science without access to the knowledge/consciousness contained in these symbols, is like studying a corpse or like studying matter as if it were void of spirit or life. Norelli-Bachelet writes that by regaining access to the ancient knowledge contained in the symbols, Mankind can re-orient all scientific and materialistic interests toward a "Life Divine" on Earth

Students of the Gnostic Circle are invited to use Astrology and the Zodiac and the Enneagram to embark on an integral approach or seeing of all disciplines, sciences, mathematics, cultures, events and spiritual practices.

Patrizia Norelli-Bachelet Controversy

Norelli-Bachelet left the Sri Aurobindo Ashram (Pondicherry, India) in 1980 and her contribution to the Supramental Descent is typically not recognized by members of the Ashram or Auroville. Norelli-Bachelet writes that these members are stuck in an old or preliminary stage of the Supramental Yoga as laid out by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, and have yet to embark on the final or fulfilling stages of the Yoga.

Quotes by Norelli-Bachelet about the Gnostic Circle

Norelli-Bachelet writes, "The Gnostic Circle is the most effective method for understanding the transformation of human consciousness. It represents a vision of wholeness and has only one objective: it deals with the soul or seed of the divine in each created thing and reveals the process by which that seed is made to flower in its process of becoming."