The scenery depicts the two angels Philo (love and affection) & Sophia (wisdom). As Dürer suggested previously (Woodcut: Philosophia / Albrecht Dürer – 1502), it will be Philo-Sophia saving the world. Both have the mission to bring order to humanity, and after hundreds of years of darkness, they get together and meet their partner for the first time. As they meet a little early, Sophia must realize that Philo has not matured properly yet. He is not capable of welcoming her as a mature equal, he is not ready for the mission. Sophia is more prepared and in order to get there, she had tough times on earth, she just wants to get going and it’s a shock to see Philo like that.
Another indication that this is Philo and Sophia from the woodcut of Alfrecht Dürer, is that there the imperial orb is carried in the right hand instead of the left, as it usually is, and the scepter in the left hand instead of in the right hand. The left side of the body already in ancient Egypt represented the feminine, intuitive and emotional properties of the heart. The right side represents the masculine, logical and rational side. With the angels Philo and Sophia it is also an exchange of both sides, the male angel Philo represents the female characteristics of love and affection (heart) and the female angel Sophia represents the male characteristics of wisdom, knowledge and thought (brain). Both together as a unit will allow humanity to access God again.
They meet at the sea, close to a port. The anticipation of meeting the partner turns quickly into disappointment. Sophia gets really angry and sits down in an annoyed way, playing around with the compass, trying to calm down. But her expression shows that she won’t accept this state of Philo, she thinks that he is not the right one. Her expression and body mass appears almost like a big mountain next to the small intimidated kid. Philo in his rather clumsy and chubby but very focused look, gets down to work as fast has he can in order to catch up, but with his short body he looks overstrain, he simply doesn’t look like he is going to save the world. However, he is the one who has to get the formula right and kick off the mission. The moment depicts the bizarre atmosphere of melancholia, created out of the deception by Sophia, and the innocent guilt of the much smaller Philo, that apparently has to sit down and work.
This is the moment when the big expected love of your life just got a cold shower, or the sour smell of deception on a first date. Or the atmosphere of a toxic break up, where both parts just can’t find a similar perspective on things, but are completely bound together at the same time. Furthermore, it is Philo (love & compassion) who is capable of finding the code to access divine wisdom – the Philosophers Stone (©Sculpture: APA). Sophia is as annoyed, keys and money bag symbolize that she has the expectation of power and wealth, she is used to have it all high level and she is used to have it done her way. She is so annoyed that she prefers taking off by herself immediately and looking for someone better, instead of waiting for her partner. She is so annoyed that she didn’t even give food to the intimidated animal, the situation is so bizarre and cruel that it is insane. She can’t see the divine ray of light breaking through in a short amount of time.
The Dürer-Solid or Polyhedra, as it is called, depicts the transformation into perfect equilibrium between Male energy (Pentagon) and Female energy (Hexagon), same as inscribed in bent pyramid, on in the architecture of the great pyramid of Giza, as well as in the works of Leonardo da Vinci.
The Polyhedra in the image is depicted neither in its original state or starting point, nor is it shown in the final state –therefore, technically it looks as if there is something wrong with it. Scientifically, it is not correct to say that the art depicts the Philosophers Stone, since this would optically be higher and thinner. Scientifically, the Polyhedra actually is in the state of transformation, that’s why optically it fits better to the figure described by mathematicians during the last decades (72/ 108/ 126). The Polyhedra in Melencholia I represents the human DNA in the state of transformation, and the “Philosophers Stone” (©Artwork: APA) represents the human DNA as it has reached divine wisdom, or as it has reconnected to the divine kingdom.
It is important to clarify that the Hexagon represents the FEMALE energy, as well as the micro cosmos and the Pentagon represents the MASCULINE energy as well as the macro cosmos, and not the other way around as believed by some scholars. Additionally, the female energy (Hexagon) should be related to mother earth, and the male energy (Pentagon) should be related to the heavenly father. Both angels are trying to reach this state of divine equilibrium in order to get to their full potential and save the world.
All humans should watch their balance between female and male expressions, but also within a couple, each of us should take this as a guidance for the proper relationship. While Philo has to mature on his part, namely with love and affection, he has to mature as a lover and as a partner, he is about to realize what it means to be a real and sincere lover. Sophia is expecting a mature leader, whereas she is not completely ready neither. In order access wisdom, she needs to create the perfect balance between brain and heart. Her rather heavy – ignorant or cruel lack of patience, as well as hateful, judgmental behavior, based only on her own expectations, need to be harmonized with her sensitive female being and with reality, she has to grow in wisdom instead of letting in to her anger.
The deception and shock on both parts has left marks and resulted in melancholia, as is the bitter aftertaste of broken expectations and hurt feelings. In the moment of deception, there should be hope in the potential of both sides. Philo carries true love within and by his potential, he can transform into an outstanding partner and leader, much quicker than anybody would expect. Sophia as a mature woman is the best he could possibly learn from. Philo has all the humbleness and divine wisdom in his heart in order to pass on compassion and patience to Sophia, and like this, enable her to access divine wisdom. Their goal is to climb to the next level of consciousness, and with them take along all humanity! Through personal effort, you can reach divine equilibrium, and qualify only under the circumstances based on what your heart defines for you, not what your ignorant ego wants you to be. This is also depicted in the symbolism and tools of the scenery, indicating the sacred operation. As soon as they are both ready, the bell will ring and the action of the divine prophecy will begin.
© Art work “Philosophers Stone” / Content: Alexander Philipp Aßmus – All rights reserved (06/2020).
Reference:
-https://mathworld.wolfram.com/DuerersSolid.html;
–https://freimaurer-wiki.de/index.php/Melencolia_%C2%A7_I; descriptions of the symbology in the work.
-http://diepaideia.blogspot.com/2017/06/durer-und-die-philosophie.html.
