al Tinnin Vault - finished!

AL TINNIN VAULT

MAGICAE NIGRAE SPECULUM

One of the tools of a Magician is the Magicae Nigrae Speculum, or black magic mirror. 

What is most interesting about a mirror is that it reflects the environment around it in an exactly perfect manner.  However, this replication of the image can vary.  With a black mirror, this variance is intentionally skewed according to the convex measurements of the surface, and the quality of the glass or stone of which it is composed.  A convex surface naturally distorts the image according to certain parameters; while the glass itself is very dark, and thus it lends a black or dim quality to whatever is perceived. 
 

Symbolically, we have the natural world, Assiah or rather the Earth element all around us; and so this is reflected by Water, the emotional world.  A mirror is a type of Water inasmuch as it is reflective.  In the shadowy realm of the intentionally distorted black mirror, the surface lends a Kellipotic quality to the image.

In modern practise, the Magic Mirror is of course the first choice for many Magicians who are performing an evocation involving Goetic or other base and evil entities.  Meanwhile the crystal ball is usually the first choice for scrying Angelic and other Spiritual Creatures.

The nature of a plain mirror itself is interesting.  The oldest mirrors are made of polished metal, and pre-date glass.  The clearer the polish and the less pitted and distorted the surface, the better the reflection of the true image around oneself.  This metaphor is taken further in "The Bezels of Wisdom" by Ibn al Arabi, a Sufi (Gnostic) Muslim, where Sun, used as an image of The Most High, is attributed to the reflected light of Allah upon the mirror of the soul. 

It may seem strange to the beginner to bring up Arabian magic, but in fact, most of the magic in The Golden Dawn, such as the Kameas, Geomancy, and possibly scrying (the last is implied and not proven) has all come to us from Arab and later Muslim sources.  This connection is something which we should all be proud to recognise, as during the dark ages, the Arabs were the caretakers of the Neo-platonic knowledge while most of Europe was illiterate and ignorant.  We are literally indebted to them for this service.

Modern Magician's intentionally use a black mirror to work with the darker entities, inasmuch as this is under Divine or Angelic control, seems to have a remedial effect upon the soul. The evocation may be done by any magician who has the ability to pick up the necessary skills through repetition; but like any endeavour, it is a special person that can make even his or her most mundane experiences a lesson in personal growth.  The best of us will not focus only on ourselves, but rather take altruistic care for others, such as offering friendship, a kind ear, or even in offering healing; even if it is not of a medical nature, but rather in the form of an empathetic demeanor.

However, the danger in magic as a skill, rather than as additionally as a transformative process, is that many of us cannot see the mirror operating in ourselves.  We can be well skilled in magical practice, we can be knowledgeable, but if we do not endeavour to Gnothi Seauton, which is Greek for "Know Thyself", there is little by way of spiritual substance or maturity to a Magician.  

There is a well-known metaphor in modern parlance about mirrors that may have been recently used in psychology, but it has been adapted from much older observations, such as al Arabi above.  It is upon the nature of the soul. 

Or as Crowley said in his hilariously demeaning book review of A.E. Waite's Book of Ceremonial Magic:

"Ah, Mr. Waite, the world of magic is a mirror, wherein he who sees muck, is muck."

The SRIA and me

A few years ago, I became interested in the SRIA.  There is very little information available on this obscure group, especially on the Internet, so I though I would make them the subject of this new post.  The SRIA ritual is some very serious secret stuff, like one would expect from any other masonic, magical, or boy-Scout Order.  So, while I can't tell you much about the funny handshakes used in the organisation, I will say that anyone who has been involved in Golden Dawn will find it less complicated, but just as interesting.  Westcott and Mathers really did engineer GD to be for those who are Kabbalistically inclined to the practical.  However, I thought it might be great to share some heart-warming anecdotes about the people involved, just to giove a true picture of what the Order is really like.

It has been about 10 or more years that I have known the SRIA folks in the other different orders I belong or have belonged to: AAFM, AASR, HRA, GD, RR et AC; plus in a few groups I don't belong to, like a Wiccan Coven a few miles from here, SOL, as well as the local Martinist group.

Working within the auspices of our local GD group, we have open communication with all of these other societies, many of whom I shared community projects and teachings with such as tarot classes, chakra workshops, that sort of thing.  We also have an informal network where we can give each other a 'heads up' when difficult people make the rounds for occult membership, or to recommend good people to the other groups when they are better suited for something other than our own. 

For the SRIA, I am told that the only impediment to joining is that you have to be a Freemason in good-standing, and a Trinitarian Christian.  But, most Christians these days are non-practising, which I would think would be a major X-factor to contend with in populating these modern groups.  So I had to ask: "How do you let someone in if they are not really a church-going Christian?"  The Fratres I initially spoke with said that how they define "being a Christian" has more to do with being open and respectful to the content of what their Christian rituals and the RC tradition is about, rather than being a full-blown practising church Christian.  They know that most spiritual people in this day-and-age are not always traditional in their approach.  The SRIA is looking for decent people who will advance their organisation, and keep it running smoothly; they are looking to be inclusive whenever possible, and not exclusive at all, save to those who are not suitable. 

So, what that really means is that a Master Mason who is dues-current, interested in the esoteric, who is able to self-proclaim a Christian, and most importantly, is not a known troublemaker; he will be offered membership. 

These fellows also advance through the grades by doing a paper at every grade.  These men know the difference between what can be proven about the history of the RC Order, and what is myth.  In a nutshell, actual historic records prove that even the oldest RC orders active today and in the past started as re-enactment groups.  We all know and love the myth of the RC Manifestos, and this sort of stage presentation is possibly repeated in the myth of the GD Cypher Manuscripts; but we really don't know for sure.  The methodology of Academic History is all about collecting what was written down in more than one source; this creates corroboration. 

Sure, the real truth of anything might not be written down, and so written history can be wrong, but historians know that.  The discipline of history is just that; a rigorous set of disciplined rules applied to the information at hand.  No source?  Then we can't really say it happened under those rules, simple as that.

So why do these sort of RC groups flourish, seeing as they self-define as a new tradition, and happily state that 100% of them are merely re-enactments of what the myth in the RC Manifestoes could have been referring to?  I think it is because it is personally meaningful to participate.  Same with GD re-enactment groups, it is simply a worthy persuit as it stands, without needing to invoke some shadowy past lineage to validate today's important work.  Even in GD, the central mystery is plainly spelled-out in the Adeptus Minor as being "in the alembic of thine heart...".  Anyways, SRIA is a body which is populated by those who are not impressed by fools or common mendacity.

The men in our local SRIA college are fantastic.  They are intelligent, most have degrees, all have successful careers, and they are Freemasons that have an active interest in the esoteric!  The real spirit of the RC tradition is in learning and enlightenment through knowledge and altruism, not through elaborate or false traditional pedigrees.  I always think about the myth of Christ or Buddha as representing those beings who broke from the older traditions that had become stifling spiritually and politically, and therefore went on to start something (relatively) fresh and original in their day.  These exemplars were individuals, not pin-collectors.

Perhaps I am getting a little older myself, so I ask you to forgive me in advance and ask that you indulge me in a little reflection and story-telling about the Fratres I met in SRIA.

One of them who is in his late 70's now, caused quite a stir back in the 1980's when he  helped pioneer the first Masonic visiting with Prince Hall Freemasonry Lodges in the North-West USA.  For those of you who don't know, Prince Hall is African-American Freemasonry, an organisation that had previously been operating separately from Regular Freemasonry, which is another politely horrible way of saying it was still segregated!   As there is no Prince Hall Freemasonry in Canada (where we live), he and a few of our masonic brothers from his lodge, travelled around the North-West USA on their own dime to make these Prince Hall connections.  This was because he felt it would be fabulous to get to know these Brothers and see what kind of ritual work they were doing.  Now, because of his efforts, a Freemason from Canada can travel down to the States to visit a Prince Hall Lodge, be accepted down there as a full Brother, and get to see their fabulous ceremonies; and visa-versa.  Apparently they are chock full of powerful music and vibrant Baptist-style songs, with all the brethern singing.  Offering Masonic recognition was quite an achievement in the Regan era!

Another high-ranking SRIA member is a local Judge, who also holds a high rank in HRA, AASR, etc, and has always been a practising Wiccan and Christian. We had a chuckle about how the different religions often take a hard-line attitude to literal facts; but that the mystical or esoteric side of the different religions can really transcend and merge with the other esoteric versions of these other faiths. His coven is apparently writing just the most amazing new Wiccan rituals.  Nothing like seeing a Judge who holds wise-women in high regard schlepping around naked.  Don`t slip on that puddle of water, brother!

Another member has a high rank in SOL, and is a very nice fellow; a person whom I look forward to seeing when I am out.  He has also offered me online assistance in the minor projects I was working on.  Very decent to take an interest and lend a helping hand without even being asked.

Another is a kind and very elderly Freemason in my Mother Lodge, who these days puts most of his Masonic time into the Eastern Star.  Because it is one of the larger co-ed Orders, he just loves it when he and his wife attend Masonic meetings together.  When I think about the two of them, I immediately recall them hunched over a picnic table cutting out the used stamps from old letters for charity drives they do.  (That is retirement for you).  It is so cute it actually brings a genuine tear to my eye.

There is a very handsome East Indian man that I have only chatted with once, but is very well educated in world myth; and whom I look forward to meeting again.

Plus, there have been a few GD people from my Temple that proceeded me into the SRIA, which was just fabulous to be an initiate at their hands instead of the other way around.  Contrary to what some might think, sometimes it sucks to be "the Dungeon Master" all the time.

One of my GD Temple members and closest friends is enamored with Sufi mysticism, which has some pretty interesting links to the RC tradition.  A body-builder and an imposing figure, his mother is Norse, and his Father is part African.  By some trick of genetics, he looks completely Caucasian; and he never tires of telling new people he meets about his heritage and watching them be surprised.  His ascent to Adeptus Minor in SRIA took 2 years, which is meteoric considering they meet quarterly, and he had to present a paper at each grade.  I am told they made allowances to move him ahead quickly due to his obvious occult knowledge and merit.

These are the Fratres I know there so far.  As far as my own membership is concerned, I have an unmistakeably Semitic name, and they were proud to invite me with my Greek Orthodox, Catholic and Jewish family background.  Like I said, they seem to be more interested in those who are peaceful and interested, than solely in initiating your average Masonic church-goer.  When you think about it, this makes sense, considering that this is still occult study that we are talking about here!  I am constantly chatting with them about Kabbalistic and Orthodox Jewish ideas, and how these relate to Christianity.
 
So there you have it, a little survey of my experience with SRIA.  A multi-cultural Trinitarian Christian organisation, an Order that is decidedly anti-racist, pro-feminist, pro-Semetic and actively involved in charity and other random acts of kindness.  

Truly the best people that esoteric Freemasonry has to offer.

YShY


Edited for grammar, 3pm 2012/07/10

HOGD 30th Anno 'event'

Congrats to the HOGD on their big event. 

This "birthday e-card" below went around over the last few weeks to most of the GD and other Orders who are "fraternal" or rather co-ed "societal" with each other, as well as to authors and individuals of note, not all of whom are GD.

Kind of like a birthday at the office.  ;)

Check out the Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/events/450898208254037/457103814300143/?ref=notif&notif_t=plan_mall_activity

Because of the distance from the States, our Temple (www.thubantemple.com) do not get to meet a lot of people face to face as often as some of the American temples and Orders; but we sure do correspond online whenever possible, and when we do meet up, it can really be worthwhile.  After this announcement, and the Facebook posts, the folks in our group have been sending me private emails saying how proud they are to be part of GD in general, and happy for the HOGD in their accomplishments as well.

Nice to see that the GD groups around the world are populated with healthy, well-mannered people who are in contact with each other, and get along well; even if we are in different orders.  ;)

Thank you to the Cicero's and the HOGD, 30 years is a long time these days, that is way longer than the original Order ran without interruption for in Europe and the UK; you folks must be doing something right.  Keep on writing and keep up The Great Work!

The Colour Citrine

REAL CITRINE

The stone citrine is actually amethyst which formed in a warm or hot environment over many years. What is often sold as citrine is actually baked amethyst, very nice, but it is most likely not the right colour.

So the stone is actually a light grayish-yellow, and quite pale.

The orange we are used to seeing with a slightly caramel colour is the baked amethyst, which is essentially an artificially heat-treated stone.

BAKED AMETHYST (CITRINE)

Sephirotic Attributions to the Neophyte Hall

AL TINNIN VAULT

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SEPHIROTIC ATTRIBUTIONS TO THE NEOPHYTE HALL

THE Z-1 ADDENDUM FOR THE ADVANCED ZAM

INTRODUCTION

Many paradigms are present in the 0 = 0 ceremony, and most importantly we find the Sephirotic Tree of Life. In the preliminary Z-1 document, the ten officers are attributed to the ten spheres on the tree, but it is not entirely clear that this is the case. In this paper, the relationship is analyzed in an attempt to clarify it from the original Z-1, which I contend has a few minor omissions in it. Throughout the course of this paper, we will find that in the Neophyte Hall there are not one, but three completely different and distinct models of the Tree of Life which may be considered to be working simultaneously.

They are all Sepherotic, but cover different areas of influence.

The first model is of the emblems and regalia of the Officers as attributed to the full ten Sepheroth of the Tree of Life, this is an ideal model.

The second model is based around the temple's furnishings, and is a vertical or upright model.

The third model is based on the energies of the Officers auras in the astral world, and it is a horizontal model.

The most important point of this section is that the interaction between the latter two models is much like the elemental cross. This chiefly bound by the interaction of the Hierophant, when he is east of the altar (with the aid of the Officers through the ritual), and the Candidate when he stands just west of the altar in Malkuth. As the Magician in the Outer Order repeats the Qabalistic Cross, he actually ties these models together into a central point. These three paradigms creates a theoretical X, Y, and Z axis as described in mathematics, and as is meditated upon in the official practices by the Initiates of our Outer Order.

MODEL ONE

THE EMBLEMATIC TREE OF LIFE IN THE OUTER ORDER

The first model of the Tree of Life seems obvious when listed, but it does not appear in print anywhere as of yet. This is the most important, and hitherto-fore most neglected model places the emblems and regalia of the Officers as attributed to the full ten Sepheroth of the Tree of Life. We shall term it the 'Emblematic Tree of Life in the Outer Order.'

TABLE I

THE EMBLEMATIC TREE OF LIFE IN THE OUTER ORDER

#	Officers	Sephera	Sepherotic Regalia	Other Regalia
1	Hierophant	Kether	Crown Sceptre	Banner of the East, Lamen, Red Mantle
2	Hegemon	Chokmah	Mitre Sceptre, Lamen	White Mantle
3	Hierus	Binah	Lamen	Banner of the West, Sword, Black Mantle
4	Praemonstrator	Chesed	Maltese Cross Sceptre	Lamen, Blue Mantle
5	Imperator	Geburah	Sword	Lamen, Red Mantle
6	Cancellarius	Tiphareth	Hexagram Sceptre	Lamen, Yellow Mantle
7	Dadouchos	Netzach	Lamen of Hermetic Cross	Censer
8	Stolistes	Hod	Lamen of Cup	Water Cup
9	Kerux	Yesod	Lamen of Caduceus	Wand and Lamp
10	Sentinel	Malkuth	Outer Door to the Hall	Sword, Lamen

DESCRIPTION OF TABLE I

Here follows a descriptive list of how the attributions line up in table 1. This list is not to be considered to replace the full descriptions of the Officers in Z-1, it is merely a supportive summary of the sepherotic model, as summarised above.

1. The Very Honoured Hierophant bears the Crown Sceptre, which is a symbol of Kether. He also wears the Red Mantle which represents the rising light of the eastern sun, the Middle Pillar and the fiery spirit in all of the Outer Order imagery. In the ritual he portrays the Yechidah or higher self of the Candidate.

2. The Honoured Hegemon bears the split Mitre Sceptre which is dual; and the Calvary Cross Lamen, which in its simplest form is the linear figure for Chokmah. He also wears the White Mantle, which represents the blinding light of the noon-day sun, and the White Pillar in the Outer Order, particularly in the Zelator ritual. He represents the Chiah, or higher will of the Candidate.

3. The Honoured Hierus bears a Lamen of a Triangle, which is the linear figure for Binah. He also wears the Black Mantle, which represents the setting sun and the darkness of night, and the Black Pillar in the Outer Order as described in the Zelator ritual. He represents the Neshamah and the highest aspirations of the soul of the Candidate.

Before we continue, a word must be said to clarify the parts of the Cabbalistic Soul as given to the last two Officers, for it is the Hegemon is classically said to represent the Neschamah in Z-1, not the Heirus. However, if we take a good look at the Sepherotic attributions, this is slightly askew at first glance, as it seems they have switched. The Neschamah, as should be well known to the Adepts of the Order, is attributed to all three spheres of the supernal triad, and is most especially attributed to the Hegemon. This is fitting, as the Hegemon is the guide to the Candidate through the Outer Order rituals. However, a very deep concept is intimated by the fact that it is really the Hierus who has the Neschamah fully centred upon, and this is the gift of crisis, “by which means a pathway shall be opened onto that light” as it was set down in On the General Guidance and Purification of the Soul, as given to the Practicus of the Outer.

4. The Praemonstrator bears the Sceptre topped with the Maltese Cross, the four triangular flanges of which mark the numeral four, which is the linear number of Chesed, and he bears the Blue Mantle of that sphere.

5. The Imperator bears the Sword of Severity, which is the emblem of Mars and Geburah, and he bears the Red Mantle of that sphere.

6. The Cancellarius bears the Sceptre topped with the Hexagram, the points of which mark the numeral six, which is the linear number of Tiphareth, and he bears the Yellow Mantle of that sphere.

7. The Dadouchos is attributed to Netzach. He is allied to the White Pillar whose base is is Netzach as per Z-1. This is attested to by the fact that his Lamen of Hermetic Cross is a fiery symbol like that sphere, and his censer is the emblem of the Lake of Fire and the Burning Bush.

8. The Stolistes is attributed to Hod. He is allied to the Black Pillar whose base is in Hod, as per Z-1. This is attested to by the fact that his Lamen of the Cup is the Admission Badge to that sphere, and his Water Cup is the emblem of the Holy Graal and the Well of Water.

9. The Kerux is attributed to Yesod. His Lamp and Wand is a symbol of light, and refer to the Psychopomp or Hermes, who guided the soul after death in Greek Myth, a meaning which is reinforced by the ritual, and well as being summarised by his Lamen. This is confirmed by the fact that his Lamen of the Caduceus is the Admission Badge to that sphere.

Items 4 to 9 are the Ruach or mental body of the Candidate.

10. The Sentinel is without the temple, so he represents the door or gate of troaa, which is another title of Malkuth as given in the Zelator Ritual. He is the Nephesh and G'uph of the Candidate, and is thus always on guard against the shadows of the self and of the world, just as the autonomic nervous system is always awake and vigilant.

ILLUSTRATION I

THE EMBLEMATIC TREE OF LIFE IN THE OUTER ORDER

MODEL TWO

THE CUBICAL TREE OF LIFE IN THE 0 = 0 HALL

This second model of the Tree of Life is based around the temple furnishings, and is only compared to the tree below Paroketh. We shall call it ‘The Cubical Tree of Life in the 0 = 0 Hall’. Termed the physical or Cubical Tree for short, it is attached to the furnishings of the Masonic four stone blocks or "cubes" used as the altar and the pillar bases. This model of the Cubical Tree explores the dimension of height, and is an upright model. The double cubical altar has for its bottom cube Malkuth, and the second cube forming the top of the pedestal altar or small column is Yesod. The pillar bases are of course Hod and Netzach, as shown in the traditional Z-1. The shafts of the pillars rise up the paths of Mem and Kaph, respectively, but find themselves terminating at Paroketh with these two triangles, which are none-other than the divided hexagram of Tiphareth. These triangles are split apart and placed onto the two pillars as the tetrahedrons to represent the demarcation of the Veil of Paroketh on each pillar. Standing west of the altar and viewing this vertical tree, our depth perception reinforces the image of a vertical tree.

In the 0 = 0 Hall and the Outer Order, the paths are marked by the Officer's wands and swords. This is not to be confused with the Admission Badges of the other Outer Order grades.

TABLE II

THE CUBICAL TREE OF LIFE IN THE 0 = 0 HALL

1. Path #	2. Path Name	3. Furnishing in the Temple	4. Officers Wands and Swords
1	Kether	Far east of the Veil of Paroketh	Crown on Hierophant's Sceptre
2	Chokmah		Split Mitre on Hegemon's Sceptre
3	Binah		Tip of Hierus' Sword
	Daath	N/A	Upper ring on Hierophant's Crown Sceptre
4	Chesed	Just east of the Veil of Paroketh	Upper ring on Hegemon's Split-Mitre Sceptre, Maltese Cross on Praemonstrator's Scepter
5	Geburah		Point of slashing impact on Hierus' Sword of Severity, Tip of Imperator's Sword
6	Tiphareth	Tetrahedronal Capitols on the Pillars	Lower ring on Hierophant's Crown Sceptre, Hexagram on Cancellarius' Sceptre
7	Netzach	Base of White Pillar	Upper ring on Hegemon's Split-Mitre Sceptre, Ring on Praemonstrator's Scepter
8	Hod	Base of Black Pillar	Hilt of the Hierus' Sword of Severity, Hilt of Imperator's Sword
9	Yesod	Top of Double-Cube Altar	Lower ring on Hierophant's Crown Sceptre, Ring on Cancellarius' Sceptre
10	Malkuth	Bottom of Double-Cube Altar	Spherical pommels of all the listed wands and swords
11	Aleph
12	Beth
13	Gimel		Upper and upper centre shaft or grip of Hierophant's Crown Sceptre
14	Daleth
15	Heh
16	Vav		Upper shaft or grip of the Hegmon's Split-Mitre Sceptre
17	Zain
18	Cheth		Upper blade of the Hierus' Sword of Severity
19	Teth
20	Yod
21	Kaph	Lower half of the White Pillar or Column	Upper ring on Hegemon's Split-Mitre Sceptre, Main shaft on Praemonstrator's Scepter
22	Mem	Lower half of the Black Pillar or Column	Lower blade of the Hierus' Sword of Severity, Blade of Imperator's Sword
23	Lamed
24	Nun
25	Samech		Lower central shaft of Hierophant's Crown Sceptre, Shaft on Cancellarius' Sceptre
26	Ayin
27	Peh
28	Tzaddi
29	Qoph		Upper ring on Hegemon's Split-Mitre Sceptre, Grip of Praemonstrator's Scepter
30	Resh
31	Shin		Handle of the Hierus' Sword of Severity, Handle of Imperator's Sword
32	Tav		Bottom shaft or grip of Hierophant's Crown Sceptre, Grip of Cancellarius' Sceptre

DESCRIPTION OF TABLE II

This arrangement shows how the columns of the Pillars are formed of the same sections of the Tree of Life that some of the Sceptres and Swords symbolise, thus affirming their relationship with the pillars.

The Hierophant's Crown Sceptre is gripped by Tav, as is the Cancellarius' Sceptre.

The Hegemon's and Praemonstrator's Sceptres are gripped by Qoph, and rise through the White Pillar.

The Hierus' and Imperator's Swords are gripped by Shin, and rise through the Black Pillar.

It is important that all the Chief's Weapons terminate not at the Veil of Paroketh, but in the second triad of the Second Order.

If the Candidate is the Middle Pillar, then he is being gripped by the Hierophant during the ritual, and it is THE NEW CANDIDATE'S CROWN AND PERSONAL SPHERES ON THE TREE OF LIFE that are being activated by the Hierophant, the Three Chiefs, and the team of Officers.

Meanwhile the Hermetic nature of the Order is also being transmitted by the Cancellarius through his Sceptre by the Tav grip as Hermes and Thoth creating the Universe.

The heads of the Sceptres and points or tips of the Swords of the Three Principal Officers and the Three Chiefs mark the influence of the first six spheres in both the Auric and Cubical models. This is very important, and is further entered into in the paper entitled Planetary Attributions to the Neophyte Hall, which is also for the advanced ZAM.

The pommels of all the weapons are equated with the altar, therefore showing the relationship between the rap on the altar or side-altar and the masonic step and stomp on the floor when the Candidate is brought to the light. This stomp connects the Auric horizontal and the Cubic vertical Trees with the third tree of the ideal symbolism as represented by the Officer's regalia, and particularly thier Sceptres. These three models operate together much like an X, Y and Z axis.

One also immediately notices that there are missing paths in the third column of table 2. These are neatly marked by certain pair of Inner Order weapons on the altar at the 5 = 6: the Crook and the Scourge of the Chief Adept.

ILLUSTRATION II

THE CUBICAL TREE OF LIFE IN THE OUTER ORDER

MODEL THREE

THE AURIC TREE OF LIFE IN THE 0 = 0 HALL

The third model is based on the energies of the Officers auras in the astral world, and it too is only below the Veil of Paroketh. This shall be termed ‘The Auric Tree of Life in the 0 = 0 Hall’. Called the astral or Auric Tree for short, is nearly identical to the familiar Z-1 document, and here we may term it an energetic tree, and theorise that it is made on an energetic level of the Officer's auric fields.

The Auric Tree explores the dimension of length, and is a horizontal model along on the temple floor, i.e. one looks down on it with a bird's eye view. It is made of the God-Forms and
the energies of the Auras of the Officers. This Auric model is nearly identical to the Z-1 Document, save in the following point. The one exception is that this Auric model includes the Stolistes and Dadouchos on the tree as Hod and Netzach, while Z-1 does not. They are easily included in the spheres as they are already allied to the pillars, along with the corresponding Chiefs on the Dais. This is preferred to leaving them off the tree, as now all the officers are part of the same model. Z-1 clearly states that they are allied to the pillars. To support this, we may merely ponder that as a pair they are already the elements of water and fire of the four directions in the Equinox ritual, and any beginner to our system can recall that the four elements are also attributed to the four lowest spheres on the Tree of Life. So, this new arrangement puts the four elemental Officers Lamens on the tree, though of course in a different order than the Admission Badges.

When looking at table 3 and the corresponding illustration 2, it is best to keep in mind that in any temple hall, from the most opulent to the most humble, there will be physical features that need not be considered limitations that will inevitable cause variations in the ideal format which these diagrams represent.

TABLE III

THE AURIC TREE OF LIFE IN THE 0 = 0 HALL

#	Officer	Auric Tree Location
1	Hierophant	Upper Samech below the veil
2	Hegemon	At the intersection of Peh and Samech
3	Hierus	Earth of Earth in Malkuth
4	Praemonstrator	Upper Kaph below the veil
5	Imperator	Upper Mem below the veil
6	Cancellarius	Left of Samech below the veil
7	Dadouchos	Netzach
8	Stolistes	Hod
9	Kerux	South West, at the Inner Door
10	Sentinel	Outside the Door

DESCRIPTION OF TABLE III

1. The V.H. Hierophant's throne is before the Veil on the path of Samech leading to Tiphareth.

2. The H. Hegemon's throne is at the intersection of Peh and Samech.

3. The H. Hierus' throne is at Earth of Earth in Malkuth.

4. The V.H. Praemonstrator's throne is before the Veil, on the path of Kaph leading to Chesed.

5. The V.H. Imperator's throne is before the Veil on the path of Mem leading to Geburah.

6. The V.H. Cancelarius' throne is before the Veil, to the left of the path of Samech leading to Tiphareth.

7. The Dadouchos' throne is in Netzach.

8. The Stolistes' throne is in Hod.

9. The Kerux's throne is in the south-west, guarding the inner door.

10. The Sentinel's throne is in the west, outside the hall guarding the outer door.

ILLUSTRATION III

THE AURIC TREE OF LIFE IN THE 0 = 0 HALL

CONTRASTING TABLES I & II

THE OFFICERS REGALIA AND AURIC PLACEMENTS

Let us keep distinct the difference between tables 1 and 2, which we shall again summarise here. Table one is The Emblematic Tree of Life, and it is a ranking of the Officers symbolic regalia. Table 2 is the actual Auric energies the Chiefs, Officers, and Members create, mainly based on the Z-1 Document, with very slight corrections.

The following is very important in understanding this section of the paper: we must stress the difference between the actual spheres that the Officer's represent as shown by their regalia and shown in table 1, and the placement or throne Locations on the lower portion of the Tree of Life which are located in the Auric tree or revised Z-1, and shown in table 2. Without a good understanding of this, the following summary of our train of thought thus far will be most unhelpful to the ZAM.

1. The Very Honoured Hierophant sits on the path of Samech at Paroketh leading to Tiphareth, but as he bears the Crown Sceptre, he is really a representation of Kether and the Yechidah of the Candidate.

The shaft of his sceptre represents the middle pillar, and marks the path he walks to greet the candidate at the altar, as each of the following sections reiterates on the various planes. He grips the shaft by the path of Tav, just as he grips the Candidate during the Obligation, and when first exchanging the token.

2. The Honoured Hegemon sits at the intersection of Peh and Samech, but as he bears the split Mitre Headed Sceptre that bears the cross of Chokmah, as does his Lamen, among other things. He therefore represents Chokmah and the Chiah or true will of the Candidate.

3. The Honoured Hierus sits in the west of the temple, in Earth of Earth of Malkuth, but he bears the Sword of the pillar of severity he is really representing Binah. The triangular Lamen, apart from many other meanings, is the symbol of Binah and the Neschamah, which is summarised in that sphere.

4. The Greatly Honoured Praemonstrator sits at the Veil of Paroketh, but as his Maltese Cross sceptre and the blue colour of his mantle suggest, he represents the memory and higher learning of the sphere of Chesed.

5. The Very Honoured Imperator sits at the Veil of Paroketh, but as his Sword and the red colour of his mantle suggest, he represents the impetus and leadership of the sphere of Geburah.

6. The Very Honoured Cancellarius also sits at the Veil of Paroketh, but as his Hexagram sceptre and the yellow colour of his mantle suggest, he is the only officer on the dais that truly represents the sphere of Tiphareth, all of the others are just the refracted light of the higher spheres through the crystalline veil of Paroketh. He represents the harmonious conjunction and cessation of opposites in the communion and balance of Tiphareth.

7. The Dadouchos sits and is attributed to Netzach, the lowest sphere of fire, and he is the fire-bearer. His Lamen suggests the stellar or solar whirl of the creation of the elements and spiritual fire.

8. The Stolistes sits and is attributed to Hod, the lowest sphere of water, and is the water bearer. His Lamen is the admission badge to Hod. The Cup of water, the final home of the spirit in communion with the elements at the Eucharist.

9. The Kerux sits at the south-west, and makes the announcements in the north-east, but he is is really representative of Yesod, as his Lamen is the admission badge thereof. This Officer bears the herald staff and the Lamen design is the caduceus. He is representative of the lowest sphere of air.

10. The Sentinel is without the west of the hall, guarding the outer portal. As the last Officer in the scheme, he fittingly represents Malkuth. His Lamen is the eye of Ayin and Capricornus, the earthy goat god.

CONTRASTING TABLES II & III

THE CUBICAL TREE AND THE OFFICERS AURIC PLACEMENTS

Furthermore, the two models of the Cubical and Auric Trees interact as follows.

The incorporation of these new Cubical and Auric paradigms also has the virtue of straightening the Auric model of the Tree of Life from Z-1 into the more traditional geometrical form we are familiar with in the Golden Dawn tradition.

The altar in the cubical model sits in the Air of Earth position of Malkuth in the energetic model. The pillar bases in the cubical model are still allied energetically to the Stolistes and Dadouchos.

This also makes the triangle of manifestation attributed to Yesod be placed on the cubical Altar in one model, and on the floor east of the altar in the other model.

On the altar the higher self manifests in the triangle of the Order when the candidate places his or her hand upon it during the Obligation and Prayer, for here it behaves much like the Triangle of Art. This link is sealed when the Very Honoured Hierophant touches the Candidates hand during these two occasions, as the prayer and obligation aid in manifesting the Candidate’s higher self.

The Evil Persona is tied to both to the Yesod of the Auric Tree, and the Yesod of the Altar, but then, so is the manifestation of the Yechidah or higher self, represented by the Very Honoured Hierophant coming to that same place. That is why the Hierophant touches the Candidates hand over the triangle during the prayer and Obligation. This action of the higher self holds the Evil Persona in place from above and below. On the floor, the Very Honoured Hierophant also manifests the higher self, which steps down on the evil persona, holding it in check. This is a precursor to the same symbolism of the floor of the Vault.

In classical evocation, two older authorities, Aleister Crowley and Dr. Thomas Rudd, support this application of what we now term the Z-2 formula.

In Crowley’s description of the Magic Circle in MTP, he places the three tiny diamond symbols just inside the circle to mark the corners of a second, larger triangle that the magician stands inside during the evocation. The intimation is that “(as the spirit is in the triangle to the magician, so is the magician in the circle or triangle to god.)” Always seemingly unconventional and brilliant on his own, when this insight is placed into its true context, one can see that it is clearly gleaned from Z-2 and this portion of the Neophyte Ritual.

In Rudd’s Goetic work, the Triangle of Art as a large fixture outside the circle is often forgone for placing a crystal upon the altar, often over a small triangle. The magician is seated on a throne, and scrys the spirit through the show-stone. Thus in Z-2 terms, the triangle is either east of the circle in the energetic or Auric Yesod, or the crystal is placed on the altar in the Cubical Yesod.

These two well-respected and innovative magicians provide excellent examples of the method of manifestation that is echoed in the later Z-2 Formula of the R.R. et A.C.

SUMMARY

In summary, the use of these three distinct models instead of just the single traditional plan of Z-1 better illustrates the symbolism of the 0 = 0 Hall. Possibly this was the original intention of Z-1, which may have been obscured and muddied in the original author’s execution of that important foundational document.

We have discussed the three Tree of Life paradigms. The first was the regalia andSceptre tops on all ten spheres of the tree; the second was the vertical or Cubical model of the furniture of the temple on the lower half of the tree; and the third was a slight variation of the classic Z-1 document where the lower half of the tree is projected on the temple, from the Very Honoured Hierophant's throne before the Veil of Paroketh at Tiphareth in the east, all the way to the Honoured Hierus and Earth of Earth in Malkuth in the west, like a birds-eye view or map of the entire Outer Order. It is this paradigm that is repeated in the Portal Grade as a summary of the territory covered in the Outer Order, and it is Portal where we learn that the entire Outer Order “quitteth not Malkuth.”

These three models interact like an X, Y, and Z axis in the 0 = 0 Ceremony, and this is confirmed in the Zelator Ceremony when the Neophyte becomes a full Initiate. The Zelator opening ceremony incorporates the Qabalistic Cross, and over the fourth dimention of time, the Initiate binds these models to his own auric sphere by constant repetition of the QC and the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram during his sojourn in the Outer Order.

The Jewel of a Theoricus Adeptus Minor

The Ring
Jewel of a Theoricus Adeptus Minor

Multi-Media cardboard, paper and pen & ink.
Created by VH Frater YShY, Fall 2009

The Jewel of a Theoricus Adeptus Minor is the Ring, from the Ring and Disk of a ThAM. As the ThAM studies the 1 = 10 grade, so too is the Jewel is hung by a ribbon of white, or the four colors of Malkuth. The colors of the ring are attributed to the elements, and are the three primaries and black (or alternately the three primaries and instead of black, the four colors of Malkuth). This use of primary colour is to show that to the ThAM the elements are not as intermingled as they were to the ZAM, who (apart from white charges) uses the earth tones in the creation of the earth disk of that sub-grade.

A cross between a pendulum and the Ouija board, I have never been a tremendous supporter of the Ring and Disk as it smacks of the table turning and spirit seances popular in the Fin du siecle. Not that this means it should be excluded, it has its place. In my opinion, and speaking only from my own experiences, I have had equal but different successes with the Enochian system. Enochian seems better suited for full conversations, while The Ring and Disk is best to receive certain formula by way of specific words and quotes, information some magicians have less success gathering through scrying. For some reason, Enochian magicians have not all learned the trick of automatic writing while scrying, a technique already touched upon in a post below, and therefore the Ring and Disk are more useful for very specific words to be received. It is for this reason I do recommend both types of working.

The divine name upon it in white is Eheieh, meaning "I AM", and which among other things, is attributed to Kether, the first sphere and the numeral one in 1 = 10.