PART I: ASSIAH, THE PHYSICAL PLANE
1. Physical Plane: The four natural forces. Resonance. Sensory awareness. Diet and Exercise. Level of observation in Physics; matter. Body; psychosomatics.
2. Astral Plane: The Magickal Image is a Young Woman, Crowned and Throned, who is Demeter/Persephone, a dual form of the Goddess. She is at once Earth Mother and her daughter (the Kore), the archetypal maiden. This young bride becomes the Queen of the Underworld, or subconscious. Persona, the social mask. Discrimination, avarice, inertia.
3. Causal Plane: The Personal Unconscious includes the memories and repressed material which must be raised to consciusness. These conflicts must be resolved before one is ready to confront the Collective Unconscious. These repressed contents requires a specific technique designed to "raised" them.
4. Archetypal Plane: Initiation into a Mystery has to do with "initium"; an image of "going within, suddenly" as in the abduction of Persephone into the Underworld, below the threshold of consciousness. Her "going within" changed her in a fundamental way, suddenly and forever.
1. Physical Plane: Melancholy and anxiety with fantasies of regeneration and rejuvination.
Path 32 is the avenue of reincarnation on the descent of spirit into matter. The mind becomes introspective and turns away from the field of sensory perception as a literal (and only) reality. The 'well' symbolizes the subconscious, the Fountain of Youth, or immortality. Alchemy was originally conceived as a life extension program, which renewed one both psychically and physically (Yesod and Malkuth). Perception.2. Astral Plane: The strongest image for this path is a descent into the underworld. It is the beginning stage of mystical soul travel, during which one concentrates on development of the astral body. This facilitates the experiencing of reality through psychic senses, which are metaphorical perceptions through the agencies of sight, taste, touch, smell, and hearing. These so-called ESP phenomenon do not require the introduction of a new sense, but only this new metaphorical mode of apprehending through those with which we are familiar. This plane of Path 32 also represents the beginnings of devotional mysticism. Also included is the concept of karma, and the mating instinct. The combination of these two leads to the concept of the soul-mate, who cannot be found until this plane is experienced. Clairvoyance.
3. Causal Plane: The stability confered by Saturn through this path helps promote concentration, particularly in relationship to images. These images arise spontaneously in the Astral Plane, and percolate through to normal ego-consciousness through this Path, with varying amounts of distortion. Focused concentration eliminates fuzziness. Both magick and psychoanalysis provide the means for focusing and following images through their transformations into an equilibrated state in Tiphareth (#6). Insight.
4. Archetypal Plane: Space/time creates certain limitations or boundary conditions of both human physical and psychic existence. Acceptance of these conditions and the form it produces are necessary for realization. With persistence, it is possible to attain perfection through rejuvination. There is harmony among the Chakras of the physical body (CNS and endocrines). This produces a cosmic consciusness and a yearning for further experiences of soul travel on the path to God-Realization. Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity is relevant.
1. Physical Plane: In the phenomenal world Yesod is characterized as electromagnetic fields, known by physicists to be the formative basis of matter. In the human body, the genitals represent Yesod. Instincts act on the body producing psychomotor automatisms, or the automatic gut-feel responses. Subconscious micromotions also account for the responses of such phenomena as the Ouija Board, dowsing, and pendulums. Astrologically, Yesod is the Moon or Luna. Gareth Knight links Pan to Yesod, stating that "Pan gives the idea of archetypal strength which is characteristic of the etheric and of the action of the Moon on Earth." Pan's appearance here also indicates his other manifestations including panic reactions or attacks, nightmare, guilt, and disturbed erotic involvement. Hyperarousal.
2. Astral Plane: At this level one can tap the reservoir of life-force or pranic energy. Kundalini is a physical manifestation of the astral form of Yesod. The therapeutic practice of Bioenergetics resolves repressions and traumas releasing vitality. This level of lunar consciusness includes one's personal reactions to the complex environment. Yesod is a sphere of personal awareness. The personality is a unique complex of emotions and thoughts. This is the level of shamanism and Moon Magic--Wicca. It provides no access past the Astral Plane. Its negative effects include superstition, overemotionalism or reactiveness. Astral psychism. Independence; idleness.
3. Causal Plane: From the psychological perspective, Yesod is the realm of Imagination and Archetypes. One may experience it through Trance or various Art forms. There is an understanding of the contrasexual aspects of the anima and animus. There is release from possession and enhanced control of emotions through employing the imaginative technique of personification of divine forces.
4. Archetypal Plane: On the highest level, Yesod manifests as dream experiences and divination. This is the level of oracular prophecy.
1. Physical Plane: Cerebral tissue and nerves. Magical force, or prana. The electrical charge traveling through the nervous system. Hermes, or Mercury is the "chemical messenger." Hod also signifies Synchronicity, which is like meaningful coincidence.
2. Astral Plane: Hod represents the principles of relatedness, association, and interchange. Fluidic thought-processes may bring revelations to one who seeks to know himself. In this sense, Hermes rules the therapeutic explorations of depth psychology. The Magickal Image of Hod is the Hermaphrodite. The messenger of the Gods is this same androgynous Mercury who nightly brings our dreams. He appears negatively in those who feel perpetually "misunderstood." Truthfulness; dishonesty.
3. Causal Plane: Hod represents the forms of all philsophies and sciences, but is corresponded with Parapsychology, in particular. Because this area seeks explanations for curious borderline phenomena, it forms a link between "hard" sciences and the occult. Hermeneutics, or the science of interpreting scriptures also comes under the influence of Hod. Self-analysis.
4. Archetypal Plane: Hod represents the archetypal Trickster, which manifests alternatively as magician, or clown. Thus, Hermes embodies the comic spirit functioning as a soul guide, enabling us to accept and laugh at our shortcomings. Hermes, as soul guide, , also opens up the way to the hidden depths of the unconscious, bringing us the messages of the Gods. Hermetic Philosophy began in the Third Century B.C., and revealed the "secrets of nature." It discovered a network of sympathies and antipathies which is categorized in correspondences. It is a Mystery and an initiatory transmission of that mystery. It maintains that with the help of this special knowledge, man can "become god." Hermetism is a revealed secret doctrine which communicates esoteric wisdom. This esoteric knowledge ensures salvvation, not through an initatory chain, but through proper interpretation, application and assimilation of sacred texts. This assimilation is equivalent to initiation.
1. Physical Plane: Attractiveness, beauty. Centripetal forces; that which pulls toward the center. Internalization. An ascetic life-style.
2. Astral Plane: Emotion, passion, feeling. Romantic love; in courtly love, one is caught in a medieval psychological attitude which confounds divine and human love. Projection of religious attitudes onto the love one in worshipful adultation may end in an emotionally withdrawn individual who is extremely sorrowful and dissatisfied. When the rush of being "in love" evaporates, one seeks to rekindle the dynamics of the archetypal situation through transferring the projection onto yet another person. One has the ability to attract others, but not to maintain stable relationships. Unselfishness; lust, promiscuity.
3. Causal Plane: With developing emotional sensitivity, one does not burden the partner by making her/him carry the projection of the Goddess/God. We take responsibility for our own unlivied life of the soul. We take up a disciplined relationship to the Anima or Animus; we learn to love both our ideal vision and our human partner, without confusing the value and function of each. This brings an increase in stability to all human relationships. Through commitment to an individual (with full consciousness of their shadow nature) there is acceptance of the mundane aspects of day-to-day life, rather than continual yearning to externalize the idealized vision of perfection.
4. Archetypal Plane: Netzach manifests the mental imagery of creative imagination. It is inspirational in quality. It represents communion with one's self and others. It establishes patterns of appreciation and a value system with specific priorities, which encourage and maintain relationships.
1. Physical Plane: Path 25 represents both a physical and psychological harmonizing or equilibrating process, in which instability is balanced through disciplined work. It is a blending of opposites, culminating in unification and transformation through will. It indicates the reversability or sublimation of instinctual energies. Included are the performing arts, especially ceremonial or High Magick, with its blending of the energies of Sun and Moon. This process is designed to establish contact with the Self.
2. Astral Plane: The image for this card represents the exchange of male and female energies between husband and wife. Sublime, regenerate love creates the "magical childe" which comes into it's own in Tiphareth. It also expresses love for one's Angel or spiritual guide, without which no progress is possible. There must be a surrender to the direction of the inner Master, in order to establish a connection with the Light. Therefore, visualization practice is critical.
3. Causal Plane: The formula of this path is V.I.T.R.I.O.L., Visita Interiora Terrae Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem ("Visit the interior parts of the earth; by rectification thou shalt find the hidden stone"). This has nothing to do with the "hollow earth" theory, but means to plumb the depths of the subconscious by urning inward. This represents the opening of the ego-Self Axis, as termed by psychologists. It is living the high ethical standard required by the Self as preparation for receiving the Light of Tiphareth. Increase in Self-knowledge.
4. Archetypal Plane: Consecration of the personality to the Great Work or Self. A visionary mode is a grace conferred on the gifted artist. The roots of poetry and painting lie in prophecy and chanting and sympathetic magic. The Self imposes trials and tests to transform the consciousness of the aspirant. This is True Will. The transformations appear in the form of the I-it relationship, rather than the I-Thou of Syntaxic Mode (Tipareth).
1. Physical Plane: Tiphareth represents the Vision of the Harmony of Things, and is the point on the Tree of Life of maximum equilibration. This same formula is represented in mathematics as the Vector Equilibrium Matrix. The Cube is a magickal symbol for Tiphareth. The VEM is an octahedron-within-a-cube, which is also the atomic structure of the diamond.
2. Astral Plane: A contemplative life in harmony with spiritual principles becomes the primary ritual. The magical images for Tiphareth include a magickal or divine child; a resplendent king, and a sacrificed God. These represent stages in the Mystery of Death and Rebirth. Tiphareth also corresponds with the Egyptian god, Osiris. Initiation on the path to God-Realization turns one's attitudes upside-down. Devotion to the Great Work; Pride.
3. Causal Plane: In the Causal, the Vision of Haromony indicates that all spiritual progress comes through the principle of Love. It implies the highest ethical standards in both behavior
and thought. The Syntaxic Mode means one has a precise cognitive awareness concerning the relative value of mystical experiences, and has the verbal creativity for expression. Thus psychology can express in words what mystics experience through intuition. Syntaxic Mode includes Tantric sex, creativity, alpha states, etc. It verges of knowledge Ecstasy, but is mainly inspirational in quality.4. Archetypal Plane: Tiphareth is the Royal Marriage of the Soul and the Lord. The projections of anima or animus have been returned to their proper level in the unconscious. The King and Queen are united: Spirit and Soul, distinct but conjoined. The aspirant enters a period of exploration of soul by spirit for psychic fecundation. This union with the Self, uniting all opposites is an illumined lunacy.
Date Created: 9/14/99 Last Updated: 4/20/00