Swimming in an ever-shifting sea of symbolism, anchors are forged from the chaining of concepts. Ideas relate to ideas, and thoughtforms coalesce from abstraction. Each individual nurtures their unique interpretation of the universe from experience and education. The restraining whims and mores of society imposing structure to the unfettered chaos of possibility.
In the auspicious year of 1666, Gottfried Liebniz completed his early metaphysical paper: "De Arte Combinatoria". A Dissertation on the Art of Combinations. As was the fashion of the time, the book opens with a most logical proof of the existence of God, but then offers something very interesting and relevant to the modern age.
Firmly placing Descartes before discourse, Liebniz develops the concept of a 'Characteristica Universalis' - a logical, efficient Alphabet of Thought. Within this structured ontology, the ephemeral complexity of existence could be mapped to combinations of simpler concepts. All truths, abstract and evident, could then be philosophised, rationalised, and quantified by calculus.
Considering connexions in music, law, and classic elemental physics, subsequent centuries saw these principles applied to many disciplines. A cornerstone of both Computer Science and Chaos Magick, the legacy of 17th century Rationalism is a fundamental foundation of present-day thought.
But we are not rational beings, and the Age of Reason diminishes under the new paradigm of Post-Truth. Logos cannot provide every answer, and in uncertain times we return to Mythos and the emotive projections of creative contradiction. Propogated by the incendiary speed of Social Media.
How then can we find our anchors, as the symbolic sea boils?
What new alchemy may be derived from the conflagration of the past? What may we sift from the albedo ashes of that which was? What "Chymical Wedding" of Reason and Intuition awaits?