Where I have to personally disagree is with wizzle's statement that by the 19th century the correlations adopted by the GD between letters and so-called 'paths' was in any way 'well established' (I suppose it does depend on what one means by 'well established').
There are various ways and views as to what (if any) correlations occurs between Tree of Life and letters, and for each, discernment of judgement has to be used. Given my own particular way of working, I do not adopt GD-type correlations.
There are, of course, always ways that the intellect may relate any two concepts.
One way in which it can be viewed on that so-called 'path' is to also view a correlation between the 'Ox' as 'prime mover', and relate this to
Keter as what the GD also terms 'prime mover', and realise that it is on a 'path' extending from there that the Fool is placed by the GD and derivatives.
Some years ago, I posted (a little reluctantly, I must admit, but had been asked to) portions of a 'Z' document that says not much, but is from a GD perspective. If interested, it is in the thread '
Reflection on the Golden Dawn's 'path' allocation'.
It perhaps should be noted that I personally favour, if any correlation is going to be made, one between
Alef and, as mentioned also by Rosanne, the Bateleur. At least they both have similar ordinal value and also display a similarity of overall image-pattern.