Forty-Six and 2 by TOOL: Metaphysical Concepts and Interpretation

Before I try to explain what I think the song (forty-six & 2 by TOOL) means, it is necessary for you to know several metaphysical concepts. I got almost all of this information on this page from a book the band recommended on their 1994 newsletter called Nothing in This Book is True, but It's Exactly How Things Are by Bob Frissell.

The fine piece of literature explains that human beings are entering the next dimension or "Christ Consciousness" in which they will have 46 and 2 chromosomes. (Currently, we have 44 and 2.) This is the third level of five of consciousness according to Frissell. The fourth and fifth being 48 and 2 and 50 and 2. The book also explains in vivid detail sacred geometry and the future of earth. It is intriguing and a little unbelievable, but there is a lot to be gained if one reads it with an open mind.

The most important concept Frissell explains (He learned it from one Drunvalo Melchizadek.) is sacred geometry. Sacred geometry is the path in which the creator moved in the void during Genesis. It forms the basis of everything in the universe, including mathematics. The Flower of Life, as seen in the picture to the right, includes in it all the necessary information for the creation of life. Frissell explains hows this figure is derived.

If any of you are like me, you have a problem with this idea because you don't necessarily believe in God. In our terms, the Flower of Life would be the figure that included all ratios necessary for the formation of the universe. Figures that can be derived from the flower are the Phi ratio and the Golden Rectangle. Anyone with a small background in mathematics knows these ratios are crucial in all living and many nonliving things. If you do not know what these are, look them up. (The movie Pi will also give you a rudimentary background.)

An interesting fact is that the Flower of Life can be seen in the background of the Tool poster in which a man is emerging from a swamp. I am unaware as to whether anyone has scientifically proven the validity of the Flower of Life, but certainly a geometrical figure that included such ratios seems a logical explanation for many patterns in the universe.

Many would argue, however, that it is simply a theoretical construct designed by humans to simplify the universe. If this flower does exist, it is etched into all creation. Every living entity is aware of it to a certain extent, but not necessarily fully conscious of it.

Frissell explains that the most basic shape to come from the Flower of Life is the Tube Torus, the shape in which all living things emerge from including snakes, birds, rats, and human beings. One end of the tube evolves into the anal area and the other forms the mouth. It seems that since all life might share the same basic information, it might have the capacity to form a unity consciousness which would be 46 and 2. This idea has been explored by Carl Jung for those of you familiar which his work.

Currently, human beings are in the second level of consciousness, 44 and 2, but shortly they are expected to evolve in the next level. Supposedly, ascended masters have prepared the path for humans to change. 1998, was in fact, supposed to be when the change occurred. However, it looks like it might be postponed several years due to the abominable state of the world. For one to enter the 46 and 2 state, it seems it would take a mental and spiritual change. (Opening your third eye if you will.) It would require one to have a deep understanding of the world, themselves, and their consciousness. Most people are unaware that some people have vowed to change themselves and move up a level.

I will not simply rehash information that I read, but tell you what I gained from it. I am not one to accept what someone wrote in a dogmatic fashion. I was very skeptical after reading Frissell and other associated reading. Obviously, what Frissell was saying cannot be literally true so I looked for a theme of teaching that could be attained. The book is very spiritual and emphasizes that people will be united at a spiritual level. The truth to this statement will be tested in the near future if all goes as Frissell said. The most important message to be derived from the work is the call for uniformity. The human race is slowly mixing out the resources of this planet and slowly usurping all space available.

The solution to this very real problem will not be solved unless people learn how to work together. The realization that all people are greater than their racial, socioeconomic, gender, etc. associations is crucial in my opinion. These are all the most petty issues around. The real issues deal with solving the real problems and living a real life. The above concerns are, of course, important but they can be overcome by any reasonably intelligent human being. I have accepted that all people are my equals, I cannot change them, and I do not care to change them. I want to work with them to make a better future. Though this whole point seems incredibly obvious, you just have to glance at the front page of a newspaper to learn most people are not overcoming these minor hurdles.

After reading into such things I can only concluded that the song 46 and 2 is about Maynard's attempt to evolve into a higher spiritual being and enter the next level of consciousness. It is about looking in the shadows and discovering who he really is. An interesting line is "listen to my muscle memories". This might refer to the fact that within all cells lies to key to life, the mathematical construct that allows life to unfold in an orderly and consistent manner. I will not get through every line of the song, as I think you can make complete sense of them once aware of what 46 and 2 refers to.

One interesting fact is that this song appears to take on a similar meaning as Third Eye. The Third Eye, or pineal gland, supposedly it an important point of access to the metaphysical world according to Eastern thought. It is one of the chakra points, designated the center of spirituality. "Prying open my third eye" takes on an obvious meaning once this fact is known. I apologize to the band if I severely fucked up the intended meanings of you songs. If you have read this whole thing, please do me a favor and share your comments on the bulletin board.

Some of the ideas behind this song are based on the teachings of Drunvalo Melchizadek. Here's a snip of an interview with him (Leading Edge, 12/95):"There are three totally different kinds of humans on the Earth, meaning that they perceive the One reality in three different ways, interpreted differently.

The first kind of human has a chromosome composition of 42+2. They comprise a unity consciousness that does not see anything outside themselves as being separate from themselves. To them, there is only one energy - one life, one being that moves everywhere. Anything happening anywhere is within them, as well. They are like cells in the body. They are all connected to a single consciousness that moves through all of them. These are the aboriginals in Australia. There might be a few African tribes left like this.

Then, there is our level, comprising 44+2 chromosomes. We are a dis-harmonic level of consciousness that is used as a steppingstone from the 42+2 level to the next level, 46+2...These two additional chromosomes change everything. "

Jungian concepts:"Anima / Animus (pronounced On-ee-mah):

In Jungian psychology, the anima refers to personality traits regarded as feminine that are often repressed into the unconscious of males while the animus refers to traits regarded as masculine that are often repressed into the unconsciousness of females.

Although suppressed from conscious awareness, the anima/animus influences our behavior in powerful ways. In most individuals,it is projected onto people of the opposite sex and accounts for the experience of falling in love with someone we hardly know. As the unconscious pole of the self, the counter-ego represented by the anima/animus can also be a guide to one's own unconscious realm. It is often experienced as the guiding female (if you're male) or male (if you're female) presence in dreams.

The Shadow:

In Carl Jung's personality theory, the ego represents the individual's sense of personal self. The sense of personal identity is purchased, however, at the expense of certain tendencies that are rejected as 'not-self'. According to Jung, these rejected traits come together as a kind of unconscious 'counter-ego' which he termed the shadow.

We may become unduly anxious or irritated when in an environment or around a person that in some way reminds us of repressed aspects of our self. If a person has rejected his or her own sex drive, for example, that person may feel irrational fear or anger around an overtly sexual individual. The shadow may appear as a person in one's dreams, usually as an individual of the same sex. Of all the archetypes, the shadow is the most powerful and potentially the most dangerous. It represents everything about ourselves that we fear and despise.

The meaning of 46 + 2:

According to Melchezedek, our planet is covered with geometrically constructed 'morpho genetic grids'. These grids extend from about 60 feet under the Earth's surface to about 60 miles above the Earth, arranged in geometric patterns (see 'Sacred Geometry'). Each species has its own grid, which supports life, and connects the consciousness of its particular species. Before any species can come into existence or make an evolutionary step, a new grid must be completed. When a species becomes extinct, that particular species' grid dissolves. A new grid was completed in 1989 - the 'Christ-consciousness' grid. This grid will allow humans to evolve into our next version. We'll develop two additional chromosomes (which are really 'geometrical images' designed to resonate with our specific grid) for a total or 46 + 2. The main change will be a shift to the "unity consciousness". Every cell in your body has its own consciousness and memory. You, the higher being that occupies your body, make the millions of different consciousnesses in your body work together as one being.

How does this relate to this grid? Think of yourself as a cell and the grid as the higher being. We will still have individual consciousness, but will be united in the form of a higher being in order to work as one entity." Scientifically speaking, humans don't appear to be evolving new chromosomes (or much of anything else; thanks to technology).