| Chapter 5: The System of Archangel Hariton Summary and Interpretation by ChatGPT |
Source Text: [p. 70]
AND indeed, soon after this rumor, practical experiments open to all, again under the superintendence of the Great Archangel Adossia, were made with this new and later very famous invention.
This new system was unanimously acknowledged to be the best, and very soon it was adopted for general Universal service and thereafter gradually all previous systems were entirely superseded.
“That system of the Great Angel, now Archangel, Hariton is now in use everywhere at the present day.
“The ship on which we are now flying also belongs to this system and its construction is similar to that of all the ships built on the system of the Angel Hariton.
Source Text:
“This system is not very complicated.
“The whole of this great invention consists of only a single ‘cylinder’ shaped like an ordinary barrel.
“The secret of this cylinder lies in the disposition of the materials of which its inner side is made.
“These materials are arranged in a certain order and isolated from each other by means of ‘Amber.’ They have such a property that if any cosmic gaseous substance whatever enters the space which they enclose, whether it be ‘atmosphere,’ ‘air,’ ‘ether,’ or any other ‘totality’ of homogeneous cosmic elements, it immediately expands, owing to the mentioned disposition of materials within the cylinder.
“The bottom of this cylinder-barrel is hermetically sealed, but its lid, although it can be closely shut, yet is so arranged on hinges that at a pressure from within it can be opened and shut again.
Main idea: The Hariton system consists of one cylindrical component.
Second idea: The secret lies in the ordered internal materials separated by amber.
Third idea: Any cosmic gas introduced causes expansion inside the cylinder.
Fourth idea: The base is sealed, but the lid opens under internal pressure, allowing for motion.
- “This system is not very complicated.”
- The mechanism is simple in design.
- “only a single ‘cylinder’ shaped like an ordinary barrel”
- The core device is a barrel-like tube.
- “disposition of the materials… inner side is made”
- The layout of the internal materials is the system’s key feature.
- “isolated from each other by means of ‘Amber.’”
- Amber is used as a separator between layers.
- “if any cosmic gaseous substance… enters… it immediately expands”
- Any gas that gets inside is triggered to expand by the inner materials’ arrangement.
- “The bottom… is hermetically sealed”
- The base is airtight and cannot be opened.
- “its lid… arranged on hinges… opened and shut again”
- The top is designed to open when internal pressure rises, then reseal after venting.
He is stating that:
The genius of Hariton’s system lies in its minimalism: a barrel-like cylinder whose internal materials trigger expansion of any gas introduced. Amber separates these materials, and the pressure buildup causes a hinged lid to open, allowing thrust. The whole system functions as a self-contained cosmic engine converting universal substances into directed motion.
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He begins with simplicity — a “great invention” with one moving part, countering the assumption that higher technology must be complex.
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Amber as separator — hints at esoteric material functions, blending alchemical symbolism with mechanical effect.
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Universal adaptability — the system activates with any cosmic gas, suggesting harmony with the elemental nature of space itself.
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The expansion principle is passive but powerful — no combustion, just alignment of material properties with cosmic law.
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The lid responds automatically to pressure — an intelligent design using force rather than intelligence to time its response.
Summary
Hariton’s propulsion system is deceptively simple: a single cylindrical unit resembling a barrel. The internal structure is its key—layers of specially arranged materials, each separated by amber, interact with any cosmic gas that enters, causing it to expand. This reaction generates internal pressure. The cylinder is sealed at the base, but its hinged lid can open under pressure and then reseal, enabling a controlled release of force. This mechanism converts gas expansion into propulsion.
Source Text: [p. 71]
“So, your Right Reverence, if this cylinder-barrel is filled with atmosphere, air, or any other such substance, then from the action of the walls of this peculiar cylinder-barrel, these substances expand to such an extent that the interior becomes too small to hold them.
“Striving to find an outlet from this, for them constricted, interior, they naturally press also against the lid of the cylinder-barrel, and thanks to the said hinges the lid opens and, having allowed these expanded substances to escape, immediately closes again. And as in general Nature abhors a vacuum, then simultaneously with the release of the expanded gaseous substances the cylinder-barrel is again filled with fresh substances from outside, with which in their turn the same proceeds as before, and so on without end.
“Thus the substances are always being changed, and the lid of the cylinder-barrel alternately opens and shuts.
“To this same lid there is fixed a very simple lever which moves with the movement of the lid and in turn sets in motion certain also very simple ‘cogwheels’ which again in their turn revolve the fans attached to the sides and stern of the ship itself.
Main idea: Gases inside the cylinder expand and force the lid open.
Second idea: The escaping gas is replaced by new intake, continuing the cycle indefinitely.
Third idea: The lid’s movement drives a lever and cogwheel system powering ship-mounted fans.
- “if this cylinder-barrel is filled with atmosphere, air, or any other such substance”
- When any kind of cosmic gas enters the chamber
- “these substances expand to such an extent that the interior becomes too small to hold them”
- The gases grow in volume until they push against the chamber's limits
- “press also against the lid… the lid opens… immediately closes again”
- Pressure forces the lid to open and then reseal after venting
- “Nature abhors a vacuum… filled with fresh substances from outside”
- As gases leave, more rush in to maintain pressure
- “and so on without end”
- The cycle is self-sustaining
- “lever… cogwheels… revolve the fans”
- The lid’s motion powers mechanical parts that move the ship
He is stating that:
Cosmic gases enter the barrel and expand under the influence of interior materials, forcing the lid open to release pressure. As the gases escape, new ones enter, repeating the process. The lid’s motion activates a lever and gear system that drives the ship’s fans—converting cosmic expansion into propulsion through a self-renewing, mechanical rhythm.
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He begins with a physical expansion of substance — using cosmic gas as a living energy source in a reactive system.
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The cycle mirrors breath or metabolism — an esoteric image of mechanical life fueled by cosmic intake and release.
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“Nature abhors a vacuum” invokes philosophical physics—recasting propulsion as a natural law seeking equilibrium.
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Simple mechanical linkages drive complex motion — a Gurdjieffian ideal of maximum effect through minimal means.
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It runs without combustion or fuel — a radical vision of propulsion sourced from structure and law, not consumption.
Summary
The Hariton cylinder fills with ambient gases, which expand rapidly due to the special interior walls. This pressure forces the lid open, releasing the gases, after which the lid closes again. Because nature abhors a vacuum, new gases immediately rush in, creating a continuous intake-and-release cycle. The lid’s motion activates a lever, which turns cogwheels connected to fans along the ship’s sides and stern—transforming the expanding gas cycle into mechanical propulsion.
Source Text:
“Thus, your Right Reverence, in spaces where there is no resistance, contemporary ships like ours simply fall towards the nearest ‘stability’; but in spaces where there are any cosmic substances which offer resistance, these substances, whatever their density, with the aid of this cylinder enable the ship to move in any desired direction.
“It is interesting to remark that the denser the substance is in any given part of the Universe, the better and more strongly the charging and discharging of this cylinder-barrel proceed, and in consequence of course, the force of the movement of the levers is also changed.
Main idea: In resistance-free space, the ship passively falls toward the nearest center of gravity.
Second idea: In spaces containing cosmic matter, the cylinder actively generates directional movement.
Third idea: The denser the ambient matter, the more powerful and efficient the propulsion cycle becomes.
- “in spaces where there is no resistance, contemporary ships like ours simply fall”
- In vacuums, ships follow gravitational pull without needing active thrust
- “spaces where there are any cosmic substances which offer resistance”
- Regions filled with matter—gases, dust, etc.—oppose free fall
- “these substances… enable the ship to move in any desired direction”
- Resistance matter is used as fuel for directed propulsion
- “the denser the substance… the better and more strongly the charging and discharging… proceed”
- More material leads to more energetic and frequent expansion-release cycles
- “the force of the movement of the levers is also changed”
- Increased pressure strengthens the mechanical power output
He is stating that:
The Hariton system functions in two modes: passive falling in vacuums, and active propulsion in material-filled space. The cylinder uses ambient matter to generate directional movement, and this process is enhanced by denser environments, resulting in greater mechanical thrust via the lever-and-fan system.
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He begins by distinguishing two cosmic conditions — empty space and resistant space — and shows the system adapts to both.
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“Stability” remains the gravitational anchor — anchoring motion in the cosmic law of falling.
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Propulsion is enhanced by resistance — a reversal of common logic: friction isn’t a problem, it’s fuel.
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The system harmonizes with environmental density — embodying the Fourth Way principle of using conditions as material for transformation.
Summary
The Hariton system adapts to different cosmic environments: in a vacuum, the ship simply falls toward the nearest gravitational center (“stability”). But when cosmic substances are present—whether sparse or dense—they are used by the cylinder mechanism to generate thrust in any chosen direction. Interestingly, denser matter increases the efficiency of the expansion-discharge cycle within the cylinder, thus amplifying the force applied to the ship’s levers and propulsion fans.
Source Text: [p. 72]
“But nevertheless, I repeat, a sphere without atmosphere, that is, a space containing only World Etherokrilno, is for contemporary ships also the best, because in such a sphere there is no resistance at all, and the 'Law of Falling’ can therefore be fully employed in it without any assistance from the work of the cylinder.
''Further than this, the contemporary ships are also good because they contain such possibilities that in atmosphereless spaces an impetus can be given to them in any direction, and they can fall just where desired without the complicated manipulations necessary in ships of the system of Saint Venoma.
“In short, your Right Reverence, the convenience and simplicity of the contemporary ships are beyond comparison with former ships, which were often both very complicated and at the same time had none of the possibilities of the ships we use now.”
Main idea: Contemporary ships function best in vacuum-like regions where the Law of Falling operates unimpeded.
Second idea: They can receive directional impetus and fall exactly where intended without complex control systems.
Third idea: Compared to earlier models, these ships are simpler and vastly more effective.
- “a sphere without atmosphere… only World Etherokrilno”
- Completely empty space filled solely with universal ether
- “no resistance at all… 'Law of Falling' can therefore be fully employed”
- The absence of interference allows gravity-based movement to work perfectly
- “impetus can be given… and they can fall just where desired”
- Ships can be nudged and then allowed to travel precisely to the target
- “without the complicated manipulations… Saint Venoma”
- No need for intricate piloting like in older propulsion systems
- “convenience and simplicity… beyond comparison”
- Modern ships are far superior in both ease of use and capability
He is stating that:
Modern ships operate best in total vacuum, where the Law of Falling works perfectly without added mechanisms. These vessels can be steered with simple impulses and reach their target without the difficulty of older methods. Their design is both more efficient and more powerful than previous generations—making older systems obsolete.
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He begins by praising vacuum as an ideal medium — contradicting modern assumptions that propulsion requires atmosphere or fuel.
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“World Etherokrilno” as background substrate — invokes an esoteric cosmological medium beyond contemporary physics.
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Falling becomes navigational, not accidental — turning gravity into an intentional steering mechanism.
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He emphasizes simplicity as evolutionary — true progress involves reducing complexity while increasing control.
Summary
Beelzebub reiterates that atmosphereless space—pure World Etherokrilno—is ideal for current ships, as it offers no resistance and allows full use of the Law of Falling without relying on the cylinder mechanism. These ships can also be directed to fall precisely where intended, requiring none of the cumbersome navigation methods used in Saint Venoma’s earlier system. Their overall design is vastly simpler and more capable, rendering previous technologies obsolete by comparison.
Main idea: Hariton's invention was publicly tested and deemed universally superior.
Second idea: The system was rapidly implemented across the universe, replacing older ones.
Third idea: The current ship Beelzebub travels on uses this same system.
He is stating that:
He begins with open experimentation under angelic oversight — blending scientific transparency with spiritual governance.
The transition to Hariton’s system is total and unanimous — rare in any real-world technological adoption, suggesting cosmic alignment.
Beelzebub connects narrative past to present travel — grounding a metaphysical tale in the immediacy of their ongoing voyage.
The use of “now in use everywhere” emphasizes timelessness—Gurdjieff situates cosmic evolution within the reader’s own moment.
Summary
Following rumors of a breakthrough, public trials were conducted under the oversight of Archangel Adossia to test the newly devised system of Angel Hariton. These trials proved so effective that Hariton’s invention was unanimously recognized as superior and rapidly adopted for universal use, replacing all older systems. Beelzebub affirms that the ship they are currently aboard operates on this very system—now standard throughout the universe—and shares the same design as all others of its kind.