Arcs of Descent and Ascent

The Arcs of Descent and Ascent (Arabic: قوس النزول وقوس الصعود), an ontological circle, are described in Neoplatonism, as well as in Islamic and Sufi cosmology, mainly inspired by the works of Ibn al-Arabi. In the Arc of Descent ("qaws al-nuzuli"), from unity to diversity, God creates successively the Intellect (Supreme Pen), the Universal Soul (Guarded Tablet), Prime Matter, Nature, the Universal Body (including the imaginal world) and the Earth.

Source: Wikipedia — Arcs of Descent and Ascent (CC BY-SA 4.0)