So just because Hod is in the Severity Pillar (I'm showing off now), but is called Splendour how come it wrecks everything? Gee, not my idea of "splendour".
it wrecks everything!? Why do you think it wrecks everything? I'm curious to hear your take on that - regardless of what I say below
. Crowley (at times, IMO) seems to suggest the same of Netzach
)
Sounds like certain people's criticism of me; "You always wreck everything!"
My even more annoying response? "No I don’t wreck EVERYTHING I just like to use the balanced power of perception and analysis of the rational mind and compare that with past experience, experimentation and results. The only thing that gets 'wrecked' is unfocused, over-emotive, not-learned-from-past-experience, illogical fantasies."
It might be a 'severe' process but sometimes those, 'unfocused, over-emotive, not-learned-from-past-experience, illogical fantasies' might have some gold hidden in there (as we also need inspiration and new ways to look at things).
So by the 'severe' experience the gold (or worth or 'splendour') may be revealed.
I think you posed an interesting question as it goes to the heart of the study of Hermetics and the 'spiritual journey' to 'Know Thyself' and to develop and grow one's self. It's about balance (think of building a tower- it must be equally balanced) as well as development. If we just develop according to our whims or prejudices it’s not really good growth, we need to grow and develop in areas we might not be naturally attracted to. So balance in growth is important.... here it comes.... one of my favourite passages;
" 12. Remember that unbalanced force is evil; that unbalanced severity is but cruelty and oppression; but that also unbalanced mercy is but weakness which would allow and abet Evil." [
http://www.sacred-texts.com/oto/lib30.htm ]
The process to purify gold might seem severe (from the impurities perspective) but it's the result that has the splendour.
A word on the titles of the Sephiroth; curious aren't they?
1. Kether (Crown) 2. Chokmah (Wisdom) 3. Binah (Understanding) 4. Chesed (Mercy) 5. Geburah (Strength - Severity) 6. Tiphareth (Beauty) 7. Netzach (Victory) 8. Hod (Glory - or Splendour) 9. Yesod (Foundation) 10. Malkuth (Kingdom) { 11. Daath (knowledge) }.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing (they say), it needs to be understood (what the results of the application and effect of the 'release' of that knowledge might result in), when that is understood then we can apply that knowledge in the right way in consideration of how it will effect things -wisdom. Only when a king (or a magician) has these three in balance; knowledge, understanding, wisdom, can he rightly wear his Crown. But the crowned king must regulate his people or his Kingdom (or the magician - his psyche and all 'entities' contained within it or relating to it) with justice; both mercy and strength; the balanced ability, in wisdom, to regulate or give freedom where appropriate. The king needs beauty at the heart of all, an appreciation of all and a radiation of all the aspects (titles of the sephiroth) as a natural radiation but also of a demonstration of the principles an ... effulgence ... Ramses II, Alexander the Great, Jesus Christ, Mohammed all had an effulgence that caused people to follow them - its further reflected in Glory, their natural radiation but also by their actions, they earn glory. Of course it’s not much good knowing all this, it has to be put into practice and tested ... and the king or magician has to be victorious (eventually), then they have the foundations from which they can rule regulate and build their kingdom upon.