The Seven Liberal Arts

The Seven Liberal Arts

The seven stars on the tracing board of the entered apprentice degree are often said to refer to the seven liberal arts.

The Seven Liberal Arts refer to a collection of subjects that were considered essential for a classical education in the Western world. The term "liberal" in this context refers to the idea that these subjects were intended to cultivate a free and well-rounded individual who could engage in intellectual inquiry and contribute meaningfully to society.

The origins of the Seven Liberal Arts can be traced back to ancient Greece, where the philosopher Pythagoras is said to have identified them as the core subjects of a well-rounded education. Over time, the list of subjects evolved and expanded, and by the Middle Ages, the Seven Liberal Arts had become a cornerstone of the educational curriculum in Europe.

The Seven Liberal Arts were traditionally divided into two groups: the trivium and the quadrivium. The trivium consisted of grammar, logic, and rhetoric, while the quadrivium consisted of arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy.

The trivium was considered the foundation of all learning, as it focused on developing the skills of communication, analysis, and reasoning. Grammar was the study of language, including its rules and structures. Logic was the study of reasoning and argumentation, while rhetoric was the study of persuasive communication.

The quadrivium, on the other hand, was concerned with the application of abstract concepts to the natural world. Arithmetic focused on number theory and calculation, while geometry studied the properties of space and shape. Music was the study of harmony, melody, and rhythm, and astronomy was the study of celestial objects and their movements.

The Seven Liberal Arts were considered essential for anyone seeking a well-rounded education, and they were particularly valued in medieval Europe, where they were seen as the key to unlocking knowledge and understanding. They were taught in monasteries, universities, and other centres of learning, and they continued to be a central part of the curriculum well into the modern era. They are not just a set of subjects, but a philosophy of education that emphasises the importance of developing a broad and deep understanding of the world. They are based on the belief that learning is not just about acquiring information, but about developing the ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage in meaningful dialogue with others.

Today, the Seven Liberal Arts are not as commonly taught as they once were, as educational systems have evolved and expanded to include a much broader range of subjects. However, they remain an important part of the history of education, and their influence can still be seen in the way we approach learning and intellectual inquiry.

Attribution to the 7 classical planets

Each of these subjects was associated with a particular planet, based on the perceived qualities and influences of that planet.

The associations are as follows:

Grammar was associated with the planet Mercury, which was seen as the planet of communication and language.

Rhetoric was associated with the planet Venus, which was seen as the planet of beauty and persuasion.

Logic was associated with the planet Mars, which was seen as the planet of conflict and reasoning.

Arithmetic was associated with the planet Jupiter, which was seen as the planet of growth and abundance.

Geometry was associated with the planet Saturn, which was seen as the planet of structure and order.

Astronomy was associated with the planet Uranus, which was seen as the planet of discovery and innovation.

Music was associated with the planet Neptune, which was seen as the planet of creativity and inspiration.

These associations were not just theoretical; they were also practical. For example, in medieval universities, students would study grammar, rhetoric, and logic (the trivium) before moving on to the quadrivium. This was because a strong foundation in language and communication was seen as necessary before studying the more abstract and mathematical subjects.

Furthermore, the associations between the liberal arts and the planets were used in various astrological and magical practices. For example, a person seeking to improve their communication skills might perform a ritual involving Mercury, or a musician seeking inspiration might invoke Neptune.