jmd
The following is extracted from a Z-document I wrote some ten years ago for a small group in which I sat as a member of the second order. I thought I would share it here given some of the discussions we have had - treat it as you will.
"On the 'paths', the energies which emerge from each Sephirah and the path need to be understood in a combined way. [... For example,] the Chariot (VII) is placed, according to the Golden Dawn, on the 'path' between Binah and Geburah. As the former Sephirah is linked by the Golden Dawn with Saturn, and the latter with Mars, these two energies will need to be taken into account, together with the Cancerian energies of the 'path' itself, when considering the card.
Strictly speaking, it is not the card that is associated with Cancer. Rather [...] it is the 'path' between and connecting the two Sephiroth. the card links and intermingles the energies provided by the 'path' and the two connecting Sephiroth, and thus partakes of, in the case of the Chariot (VII), of the energies of Saturn, Cancer, and Mars. The Chariot (VII) is therefore to be understood as Saturn acting through Cancer on Mars. In other words, constriction acting through the tribal family onto will. More simply still, the Chariot (VII) needs to have a focus, or a focussed will, by means of the group having constricted or narrowed its focus.
Without going into great detail, let us see what this method brings to the understanding of each card. Remember that Kether is regarded as the Primum Mobile, or that which gives the urge or impetus to action, and Hockmah the sphere of the zodiac, or, the powers of cosmogony, creation on a cosmic scale. The zodiac here also provides limitations in a similar way that a blueprint provides limitations for the creation of a structure.
The initial impulse becoming conscious in order for the map of creation to occur. In order for the sphere of the zodiac to become manifest, thought has to take place (Air), and that which allows thought to occur is the first impulse. On a human level, the Fool allows his movements to be guided by his primal spiritual instincts, the primal spiritual energy within him and each of us. Allowing himself such movement, through reflection he becomes conscious of the same, and thereby acts in accordance with Divine Will (as exemplified, or shown to us, by the Zodiac).
The initial impulse here becomes purposefully conscious (Mercury) in order that constriction and hence (lower) creation, may later occur. In order that the creative act be possible, constriction and focus will need to occur. The Magician (I) is shown in the pre-creative poise, allowing the Divine Will (emanating from the Primum Mobile) to reach the Magician's thoughts and narrow his focus. On a human level, the same needs to occur prior to any creative act. Namely, the Magician needs to have an initial urge, intellectualised (and maybe even communicated), and extraneous matters put aside (Saturn), in order for the focus to be there.
The initial impulse here acts on the responsive emotive/intuitional level on the sphere of identity: The initial impulse of the Word of God (Primum Mobile) becoming manifest through his Love (Moon) for his creation. On a human level, one needs to allow the Primum Mobile, the Divine Spark, the still-small-voice within, to inspire us to find our true Selves.
The Divine plan acts through beauty upon the constricted or focussed space. The Divine Will, in order for the birth of its own plan to take place, flows through organised beauty on a space carved out for its purpose upon Binah. On a human level, new ideas or items can only occur once their plan is allowed to be organised (Mercury) and permitted to manifest in a constricted way - even human birth must allow the foetus (first manifestation of the plan of the adult) to be structured and organised in beauty (Venus), and then pass through the constricted canal of birth, and die to the old (Saturn), in order to be later manifested into the physical as a fully grown human being.
The divine plan acts (Aries) directly on the inner aspects (Sun) of the creation. In other words, the Self is directly urged to act in accordance with the Divine plan, in order for the latter to be fulfilled. On a human level, in order for the person to become master of him- or herself, s/he must allow the Divine plan to guide his impulses to action, and through this discover both himself and his role or purpose.
The divine plan is unfolded with persistence and practical benefits to the Self of each created being. The home (Taurus) of each Being (Sun), or his country, religion, &c., is the means through which one may become acquainted (educated: Hierophant) in some aspect of the divine plan. On a human level, it points that each self must operate within a tradition in order to achieve the heights of spirituality which will permit him to reach direct knowledge (gnosis) of the divine plan.
The sphere of containment (Binah) - containing the plan now ready to manifest - is adapting itself (Gemini) to the requirements or needs of the created self (Sun). The Divine, being omnipotent, limits and constricts himself in order that he adapt to the requirements of each of the Inner Selves of his creation. On a human level, we must ourselves make choices (Lovers), and thereby limit our actions, in order that we adapt ourselves to the requirements of our own higher or true selves.
The constricted (Saturn) or narrowed (ie, more defined) plan acts through the tribe (Cancer) in order that they have a focus and direction (Mars). The tribe may become victorious despite overwhelming odds if it acts in accordance with the divine will narrowed to its intentions for the tribe. On a human level, one needs to narrow or define the will of the tribe in order that there be direction and movement - leadership can only occur if the focus of the individual is in accordance with the focus of the tribe or family.
The expansive force of love acts in order that each of us manifests itself within its confines. On a human level, we need to expand our generosity and sense of self in order that we act with directed compassion and love. The danger lies in that the expanded expression focuses on the lower passions, rather than acknowledging these without allowing them to dominate.
Through the wisdom of expanded thought, acting through service and organised industriousness, the inner self may become illuminated. God aims to reveal himself through the expanded wise actions of the industrious individual - 'God helps those who help themselves', and 'By their fruits ye shall know them' to be children of Abel or children of Cain. On a human level, the person who seeks to reach his or her true inner self needs to expand his/her awareness through highly structured study and higher aspirations."
...continued next post...
"On the 'paths', the energies which emerge from each Sephirah and the path need to be understood in a combined way. [... For example,] the Chariot (VII) is placed, according to the Golden Dawn, on the 'path' between Binah and Geburah. As the former Sephirah is linked by the Golden Dawn with Saturn, and the latter with Mars, these two energies will need to be taken into account, together with the Cancerian energies of the 'path' itself, when considering the card.
Strictly speaking, it is not the card that is associated with Cancer. Rather [...] it is the 'path' between and connecting the two Sephiroth. the card links and intermingles the energies provided by the 'path' and the two connecting Sephiroth, and thus partakes of, in the case of the Chariot (VII), of the energies of Saturn, Cancer, and Mars. The Chariot (VII) is therefore to be understood as Saturn acting through Cancer on Mars. In other words, constriction acting through the tribal family onto will. More simply still, the Chariot (VII) needs to have a focus, or a focussed will, by means of the group having constricted or narrowed its focus.
Without going into great detail, let us see what this method brings to the understanding of each card. Remember that Kether is regarded as the Primum Mobile, or that which gives the urge or impetus to action, and Hockmah the sphere of the zodiac, or, the powers of cosmogony, creation on a cosmic scale. The zodiac here also provides limitations in a similar way that a blueprint provides limitations for the creation of a structure.
- [*]The Fool [Aleph - Air]
The initial impulse becoming conscious in order for the map of creation to occur. In order for the sphere of the zodiac to become manifest, thought has to take place (Air), and that which allows thought to occur is the first impulse. On a human level, the Fool allows his movements to be guided by his primal spiritual instincts, the primal spiritual energy within him and each of us. Allowing himself such movement, through reflection he becomes conscious of the same, and thereby acts in accordance with Divine Will (as exemplified, or shown to us, by the Zodiac).
- [*]The Magician [Beth - Mercury]
The initial impulse here becomes purposefully conscious (Mercury) in order that constriction and hence (lower) creation, may later occur. In order that the creative act be possible, constriction and focus will need to occur. The Magician (I) is shown in the pre-creative poise, allowing the Divine Will (emanating from the Primum Mobile) to reach the Magician's thoughts and narrow his focus. On a human level, the same needs to occur prior to any creative act. Namely, the Magician needs to have an initial urge, intellectualised (and maybe even communicated), and extraneous matters put aside (Saturn), in order for the focus to be there.
- [*]The High Priestess [Gimel - Moon]
The initial impulse here acts on the responsive emotive/intuitional level on the sphere of identity: The initial impulse of the Word of God (Primum Mobile) becoming manifest through his Love (Moon) for his creation. On a human level, one needs to allow the Primum Mobile, the Divine Spark, the still-small-voice within, to inspire us to find our true Selves.
- [*]The Empress [Daleth - Venus]
The Divine plan acts through beauty upon the constricted or focussed space. The Divine Will, in order for the birth of its own plan to take place, flows through organised beauty on a space carved out for its purpose upon Binah. On a human level, new ideas or items can only occur once their plan is allowed to be organised (Mercury) and permitted to manifest in a constricted way - even human birth must allow the foetus (first manifestation of the plan of the adult) to be structured and organised in beauty (Venus), and then pass through the constricted canal of birth, and die to the old (Saturn), in order to be later manifested into the physical as a fully grown human being.
- [*]The Emperor [Heh - Aries]
The divine plan acts (Aries) directly on the inner aspects (Sun) of the creation. In other words, the Self is directly urged to act in accordance with the Divine plan, in order for the latter to be fulfilled. On a human level, in order for the person to become master of him- or herself, s/he must allow the Divine plan to guide his impulses to action, and through this discover both himself and his role or purpose.
- [*]The Hierophant [Vau - Taurus]
The divine plan is unfolded with persistence and practical benefits to the Self of each created being. The home (Taurus) of each Being (Sun), or his country, religion, &c., is the means through which one may become acquainted (educated: Hierophant) in some aspect of the divine plan. On a human level, it points that each self must operate within a tradition in order to achieve the heights of spirituality which will permit him to reach direct knowledge (gnosis) of the divine plan.
- [*]The Lovers [Zain - Gemini]
The sphere of containment (Binah) - containing the plan now ready to manifest - is adapting itself (Gemini) to the requirements or needs of the created self (Sun). The Divine, being omnipotent, limits and constricts himself in order that he adapt to the requirements of each of the Inner Selves of his creation. On a human level, we must ourselves make choices (Lovers), and thereby limit our actions, in order that we adapt ourselves to the requirements of our own higher or true selves.
- [*]The Chariot [Heth - Cancer]
The constricted (Saturn) or narrowed (ie, more defined) plan acts through the tribe (Cancer) in order that they have a focus and direction (Mars). The tribe may become victorious despite overwhelming odds if it acts in accordance with the divine will narrowed to its intentions for the tribe. On a human level, one needs to narrow or define the will of the tribe in order that there be direction and movement - leadership can only occur if the focus of the individual is in accordance with the focus of the tribe or family.
- [*]Strength (traditionally numbered XI ) [Teth - Leo]
The expansive force of love acts in order that each of us manifests itself within its confines. On a human level, we need to expand our generosity and sense of self in order that we act with directed compassion and love. The danger lies in that the expanded expression focuses on the lower passions, rather than acknowledging these without allowing them to dominate.
- [*]The Hermit [Yod - Virgo]
Through the wisdom of expanded thought, acting through service and organised industriousness, the inner self may become illuminated. God aims to reveal himself through the expanded wise actions of the industrious individual - 'God helps those who help themselves', and 'By their fruits ye shall know them' to be children of Abel or children of Cain. On a human level, the person who seeks to reach his or her true inner self needs to expand his/her awareness through highly structured study and higher aspirations."
...continued next post...
