Herein we find the Dark Tradition transformed into a wise Reserve or Secrecy. The Hermit merely conceals the Light in his Cloak, while he carries his Staff in his hand. This represents a better adjustment of the Life, which is the Substance of Light; the excess of the Path of the "Tower" is tempered down to a wise control. This refers also to the Control of Speech; the Tower was that of Babel, and its destruction caused the confusion of tongues, while here we see a re-adjustment as this path enters the Domain of Mercury, which contains the influence from Chokmah, the "Word" lost to the Dark Brothers for a time.
Few realize the secrets of the Tradition of the Widow's son, and the Substitute, and the Lost Word, as depicted in this Left Hand side of the Tree.
Uniting the Sephiroth Netzach and Hod is the Path of "The Hierophant", the Initiator into the Mysteries of Osiris the Bull. This Path is attributed to the Sign Taurus which is Ruled by Venus or Netzach. Venus and Mercury are herein united in a Wise and Initiated Love of a reciprocal nature. We see two Figures in this card, presided over by the Hierophant who is blessing them in the Sign of the Trinity.
There is yet another Path from Tiphereth to Yesod which crosses this one and influences it. This is the Path of "The Hanged Man" attributed to the Letter Mem, and the Element Water. It refers to "Writing" as the second Sepharim, and by means of Written Tradition have the true mysteries been transmitted, even thought the "writer" may never have been recognized or known to men.
Here we see a figure of a Man suspended by one foot from a gallows, his head and arms forming a triangle, above which his legs form a cross. He is the Sun of the Sun, bringing down the Light as far as Yesod, the Subconscious Mind of Humanity. His body is reversed, as if reflected in the Waters, his Head is surrounded by Glory, the reflection of Tiphereth and Kether. His Head is thus in Yesod, the Sphere of the Moon which reflects the Sun upon the Earth, or Malkuth. The shape of the Figure in Rider's Pack perfectly symbolizes this position on the Tree.
His is the power of the Redeeming Love, usually considered as self-sacrifice, but more truly representing the Justified One, who says: "This is my body which I destroy, in order that it may be renewed." The Mysteries of the Rose Cross are transmitted through this Channel, the Initiation being attended to by "The Hierophant". Two other Paths exert their influence directly on Yesod, the Foundation, or Sphere of the Moon; one leading from Netzach, and the other from Hod. The Coils of the Twin Serpents fold back again here, the Current having absorbed the influences of the Paths of the Side Pillars through these two Sephiroth.
The Path from Netzach to Yesod continues the Influence from the Path of Leo united with that of Libra. By Tarot it is "The Chariot" which is attributed to the Sign Cancer, ruled by the Moon (Yesod). This is a very important card indeed. The Hebrew letter attributed to it is "Cheth" which is 418 the number of the Word of the Aeon ABRAHADABRA. The Charioteer is one aspect of the Lord of the Aeon, and he is in a certain sense the Initiator, for in this age the Influence of the Constellation of Taurus comes to use through the Sign Cancer according to the Precessional. He has harnessed the Black and White Sphinxes, the Traditions of Darkness and Light, and he uses them to draw his Chariot. He is under the Starry Canopy of Love. He is the Child of the Powers of the Waters, for he has descended by devious channels from the Great Sea; he is also the Lord of the Triumph of Light in its higher sense. He has the Strength of the "Lion" and the balance of "Justice" combined with the Power of Love.
Dual Moons are shown on his shoulders, for, as Cancer, he is closely connected with The Moon. The Lingam-Yoni and Winged Globe appear on his cubical Chariot which represents "The Foundation" or Yesod.
Opposite to him on the Tree is the Path from Hod to Yesod, that of "The High Priestess" or "Priestess of the Silver Star". This is attributed to "The Moon" with which Sphere it unites. This is the Channel of the Serpent of Light winding back from Hod and bringing with it the Influence of the Paths of Gemini and Virgo. The High Priestess knows the secret powers of the "Lovers" and of the "Virgin". These she has under control in the same sense that the Charioteer controls the Sphinxes. She is truly his Counterpart. On her Lap is The book of the Law, the lost Thora of the Wheel of the Tarot, transmitted so wonderfully from the Path of IU-Pater through Chokmah, "The Sun", Tiphereth, "The Lovers", and Hod. Note that the Descent of this Law upon Tiphereth through Chokmah, was by the Paths of Kaph (20) and Resh (200) and that Liber CCXX is the Book of the Law; also that from Tiphereth, which is 6; representative of the Father 10 and the Mother 5 (as Wisdom and Understanding or IH) which make 15 and again through addition 6; it passed into the path of Zain (The Sword) 7 and to Hod 8, thus 15 = 6 and through Gimel 3 (6 + 3 = 9) to Yesod 9, where it entered the Subconscious Mind of Humanity as a seed of the Aeon.
The "Priestess of the Silver Star" is the Pure Influence of the Higher Self on the Subconscious Mind, transmitting the secret of the Star Universe and of the Silver Star. She is the Initiator into the Mysteries of Nuit, as "The Charioteer" indicates those of Hadit.
Our work, so far, has led us to an understanding of how the Universal Tradition has been imbedded in the Subconscious Mind of Humanity; built into its very Foundation and Substance. It is our Great and Glorious Heritage from the Past, made up from the Universal experience of the Race. But all men are not yet aware of this. It is still "Unconscious" in most.
Now we come to the final stages of our Journey, wherein these ideas are Manifested on the Material Plane. Malkuth, The Kingdom, is the Sphere of the Elements, and is saturated with the subtle influences, whereby the Fallen Daughter may become the Mother and bring forth Man as the Crowned Child of the Aeon.
The Path from Hod to Malkuth is by Tarot "The Magician" attributed to Mercury. This is the Wisdom and Will of the Father in Heaven brought down to the Kingdom of Earth. (Have we not prayed "Thy Will be done on Earth as it is done in Heaven" and has it not been answered "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law"). The Magician controls the Elements by means of his Four Elementary Weapons under the Direction of the Higher Will, as shown in the Card by the Wand, the Cup, the Sword, and the Pantacle. His is the Path of the Magic of Light and of Occultism. He is then the representative of the Great Father upon Earth, and his influence is within every father who realizes that he is a star.
The Path from Netzach to Malkuth is that of the "Empress" and of Venus. She represents the Love which regenerates the Kingdom when properly understood. The key shows her crowned with the Diadem of Stars. She Transmits the Understanding of the Great Mother. (So long misunderstood and thought of as the unmated and despised Woman of the Dark Sphere). Hers is the Path of Mysticism and Devotion, and of those who would be absorbed in the Absolute. She Represents the Great Mother upon Earth and is the Influence within every mother who knows Herself to be a Star.
Thus is this Kingdom supplied with Wisdom and Love, and lastly with Power, for we must finally consider the Path from Yesod to Malkuth, that of the "Pure Fool", and the All-Wandering Air, the Reconciler in all things. This is the Path of the Crowned Child of the Spirit who is in the Heart of all Humanity when he is brought to birth upon the Earth. This is the Path of those who follow neither the way of Magick nor of Mysticism, but the "Way of the Tao". These are the Masters of both Will and Love for they UNCONSCIOUSLY do the Work of the Father. Just as a Child naturally rules over his parents and is able to obtain his slightest desire, without effort, so must all Serve the Crowned Child the Lord of the Aeon.
This Path transmits the Universal Tradition of the Central Pillar -- the Pillar of Mildness and Peace. This is the Pathway of the Light to be discovered amid the contending forces and the darkness of matter. This Path of the Holy Spirit of the Sun behind the Sun is that of the Letter Aleph. In it the two A's of the Beginning have become One. It is the Path of Air, the third Sepharim, or of Speech. But this is the Power of Speech in the Silence, of Harpocrates hidden within Horus. It is also the true Power, as it is written;
Unity uttermost showed,
I adore the Might of Thy Breath,
Supreme and Terrible God
Who makest the Gods and Death
To tremble before Thee,
I, I adore Thee.
This is the Path of IU, Horus-Harpocrates, the Ever Coming One, and of Har-Machis, Horus of the Star, the Opener of the Ways of Eternity. This is the Path of the Here and Now, transcending those of Time and Space. This is the Path of Truth, which Is Now, as It Was in the Beginning, and Ever Shall Be, Malkuth without End. Aumn.
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