daxwc wrote:
Fletcher: MT13 .. many of us, including me, feel that MT13 is an important illustration ..13 is in some circumstances a significant number for Christianity - i.e. representing the 12 disciples plus Jesus at the last supper ..
Fletcher I am going to give you a different perspective to ponder.
Although Bessler is a Christian and my opinion
very religious; he is although a self-confessed reborn Christian. He admitted dabbling with spirits whether in black or in white, it doesn’t matter.
My opinion
MT 13 is mirrored for a tantalizing reason. However, the general belief that 13 is unlucky has ancient origins and exists in various cultures.
Christianity: In Christian tradition, the Last Supper had 13 attendees (Jesus and his 12 apostles),
with Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, often labeled as the 13th guest.
ChatGPT: ...
Conclusion .. Yes, Judas Iscariot is indeed associated with the devil in Christian theology. This association, combined with his role as the 13th guest at the Last Supper, has contributed significantly to the superstition surrounding the number 13 in Western culture.
So, Fletcher, consider the context of Orffyreus and his era. In the 18th century,
the belief that the number 13 carried an unlucky or malevolent power was widespread, stemming from various traditions, including Christian theology where Judas Iscariot, influenced by Satan, was the 13th guest at the Last Supper.
Bessler, as a man deeply embedded in the mysticism and superstitions of his time, would have been aware of these beliefs.
To counteract the malevolent power associated with the number 13, he might have employed a clever technique in his work in MT.
The devil, often referred to as Satan, Lucifer, Beelzebub, or the Prince of Darkness, is traditionally believed to be incapable of seeing his own reflection.
Mirrors, in folklore, have the power to reveal truth and dispel deception, attributes antithetical to the nature of the devil, who is known as the 'Father of Lies.'
Bessler, understanding this, could have used mirroring in his MT 13 drawing to hide his true intentions and mechanisms from the devil.
By presenting images in a mirrored fashion, he effectively robbed the number 13 of its malevolent power. The devil, unable to confront his reflection, would be thwarted by the mirrored image, unable to perceive the true nature of Bessler's work.
In this way, Bessler's use of mirroring serves as an ultimate snub to Beelzebub. He turns the devil’s power on its head,
protecting his inventions from malevolent influence and safeguarding his secrets from any prying eyes—both human and infernal.
