The Philosopher’s Rod / Rod of Infinity (Octo Causae et Separationes Rhizomaticae) is an artifact shown on a plate as six stacked busts levitating obliquely above a round pedestal. The main article is Rod of Infinity.
| Type | Artifact |
| Spanish entry | Vara del Infinito |
The plate
- The rod: five ancient philosophers (Greek beards) and a sixth, blind face at the center.
- The pedestal is inscribed PRINCIPIUM INFERIORIS · ∞ · VERBUM SUPERIORIS, with a row of causes at its foot: Materialis, Formalis, Efficiens, Finalis, Exemplaris, Agentis, Recipientis, Separationes Rhizomaticae.
- Gray smoke rises from the pedestal. Behind are two cypresses and a wall engraved with the kabbalistic wheel of the causes.
Reading
- This version shows the philosophical facet: seven Aristotelian-medieval causes plus an eighth, Separationes Rhizomaticae (rhizomatic separations), specific to the Plata archive.
- The six philosophers are the doctors incorporated into the artifact during the Contest.
- The sixth face is the unnamed female philosopher: Juno in one reading, the Rod thinking itself in another.
- The mega-artifact facet combines the Gem, the Scepter and the Stone.