Figure I.2: The establishing Throne and what it contains down to the Pedestal. This diagram is translated from Ibn Arabi's drawing in chapter 371 [III 422]. We put the title as it is in the original text, though we notice that the diagram shows the Prime
The Isotropic Orb or sphere is so called because it contains no stars yet nor any distinguishing feature; it is homogenous in all directions. The sphere of the zodiac was the first orb to be created inside the Isotropic Orb, and its surface was divided by human convention into the twelve equal parts that are traditionally assigned to the various zodiacal signs. According to the diagram in Figure I.3 and Ibn Arabi comments on it in chater 371 of the Futuhat, it is evident that he was ware of the large distances between the galaxies because the fixed stars are in our galaxy while the zodiac signs are other galaxies placed very far away. In this fast space Allah created the seven paradisiacal 'Gardens' (al-jinan, s. janna) named in the Qur an, with their different states and levels marking the symbolic 'meeting-place' between the purely spiritual realities of the divine Throne and the 'sensible' realities in the realm of the Pedestal.