Francis Bacon’s first name, Francis, means ‘Free’. He used this both as a teaching and as a cipher signature, for Free = 33 = Bacon (Simple), or Free = 67 = Francis (Reverse), or Free = 111 = Bacon (Kay). ‘Free’ also has the connotation of Master and was used in the Orphic Mysteries to hail the resurrected initiate as ‘Liber Bacchus!’ (‘Bacchus the Free!’) and in the Vedic teachings as the title of the Master (i.e. Jivanmukta, ‘the Free’). The English word ‘free’ is from the Sanskrit root pri, meaning ‘to love’, and so fundamentally Free = Love. (e.g. Freemason means ‘Builder of Love’ or ‘Loving Builder’). In both Simple and Reverse Cipher Love = 50, the number of the Argonauts. In the 1623 Shakespeare Folio Francis Bacon signs the very first play of the Folio, The Tempest, with this signature, for the text begins with ‘Master’ and ends with ‘Free’. It is especially meaningful as the play is all about attaining true mastery as a Master of love, a Master of compassion, with the help of Ariel, the spirit of love, which Prospero has set free.

The full signature, Francis Bacon, counts to 100, divided neatly into thirds by Francis (33) and Bacon (67), providing a fundamental (1:1), an octave (1:2) and a fifth (2:3) in music. 100 is the cabalistic number of universality, used for instance as the overall measure of the Globe Theatre, which is 100 feet in diameter. 33 is the number of the personal master (e.g. Jesus was said to be 33 years old at his crucifixion and resurrection)—the first stage of universal mastership. 100 is the number of the universal master, the fully ascended soul of love, enthroned in heaven.