The Golden Dawn
Page 88
Servient Squares
Triangle No. 1. Element of great tablet with astrological attribution.
Triangle No. 2. Elemental emblem of letter ruling the column with tarot trump.
Triangle No. 3. Elemental emblem of lesser angle with geomantic figure.
Triangle No. 4. Elemental emblem of letter ruling rank with Hebrew letter corresponding to tarot trump in triangle No. 2.
The colouring of these triangles is the simplest because it follows its elemental emblem. It has not been mentioned before, but it is the rule, when drawing or painting these pyramids and triangles, to paint the symbols on the appropriate sides in complementary colours. Thus, to take triangle No. 1 of a servient square in the water angle of water, the colour will be blue to refer to the element of the tablet as a whole, while the appropriate astrological attribution will be painted on it in orange. This rule applies to all the squares.
The method sounds highly complex, but in practice it is much easier than it sounds. In fact, it takes far less time to work out a square than to describe the method.
Tablet of Union
Triangle No. 1. Element of column. (Spirit in first column).
Triangles No. 2 and No. 4. Always Spirit.
Triangle No. 3. Element of rank.
The colours of each of the triangles are clearly indicated.
I append below examples of the above, so that there may be no difficulty at all in understanding how this procedure obtains. Consider the earth lesser angle of the earth tablet; the servient square in rank Vau and column Vau. The column is ruled by Vau, attributed to air, therefore the astrological symbol will be an airy sign. The rank is ruled by Vau, therefore the symbol will be mutable air, Gemini. The tarot key for Gemini is the Lovers. The Hebrew letter attributed to it is Zayin. The geomantic attribution is Albus.
Pyramids with Symbolism
Take the water tablet, air angle, column Heh, rank Yod. The column is ruled by Heh which is attributed to water. Therefore the astrological symbol will be a watery sign.
The rank is ruled by Yod, therefore the symbol will be cardinal or fiery water—Cancer.
The tarot key for Cancer is the Chariot.
The Hebrew letter for Cancer is Cheth.
The geomantic attribution is Populus.
The following is by S.R.M.D. “Briefly, regarding the pronunciation of the angelical language, thou shalt pronounce the consonants with the vowel following in the nomenclature of the same letter in the Hebrew alphabet. For example, in Beth, the vowel following ‘B’ is ‘e’ pronounced AY. Therefore, if ‘B’ in an angelic name precede another as in ‘Sobha,’ thou mayest pronounce it ‘Sobeh-hah.’ ‘G’ may be either Gimel or Jimel (as the Arabs do call it) following whether it be hard or soft. This is the ancient Egyptian use, whereof the Hebrew is but a copy, and that many times a faulty copy, save in the divine and mystical names, and some other things.
“Also ‘Y’ and ‘I’ are similar, also ‘V’ and ‘U,’ depending whether the use intended be vowel or consonant. ‘X’ is the ancient Egyptian power of Samekh; but there be some ordinary Hebrew Names wherein ‘X’ is made Tzaddi.”
From one ritual written by S.A., we find the following given as to the pronunciation of names.
“In pronouncing the names, take each letter separately. M is pronounced Em; N is pronounced En (also Nu, since in Hebrew the vowel following the equivalent letter Nun is ‘u’); A is Ah; P is Peh; S is Ess; D is Deh.
“NRFM is pronounced En-Ra-Ef-Em or En-Ar-Ef-Em. ZIZA is pronounced Zod-ee-zod-ah. ADRE is Ah-deh-reh or Ah-deh-er-reh. TAASD is Teh-ah-ah-ess-deh. AIAOAI is Ah-ee-ah-oh-ah-ee. BDOPA is Beh-deh-oh-peh-ah. BANAA is Beh-ah-en-ah-ah. BITOM is Beh-ee-to-em or Beh-ee-teh-oo-em. NANTA is En-ah-en-tah. HCOMA is Heh-co-em-ah. EXARP is Eh-ex-ar-peh.”
S.R.M.D. calls attention, in the document “S,” to some rather interesting, that is to say, suggestive, correspondences. It is to be noted that the number of squares in the vertical line of the Great Cross, that is in the Linea Dei Patris Filiique, will be twenty-six, which answers to the gematria or number of YHVH. Also the number of points in the geomantic symbols referred to the Kerubim, Fortuna Major to Leo, Rubeus to Scorpio, Tristitia to Aquarius, and Amissio to Taurus, are also twenty-six in number. The ten squares remaining on the horizontal bar of the Great Cross, that is five on each side of the descending column, and not considering the two squares on the centre where the shafts cross, will refer to the Ten Sephiroth. And the first three letters of those squares will symbolize the triad of the supernals operating through the Quadrangle.
Enochian Attributions
Column
Rank
Letter
Tarot Trump
Symbol
Geomantic Figure
Fool
Fortuna Minor
S.C.
Chokmah
Magician
--
S.C.
Binah
High Priestess
--
S.C.
Chesed
Empress
--
Emperor
Puer
Hierophant
Amissio
Lovers
Albus
Chariot
Populus
Strength
Fortuna Major
Hermit
Conjunctio
S.C.
Kether
Wheel of Fortune
--
Column
Rank
Letter
Tarot Trump
Symbol
Geomantic Figure
Justice
Puella
Hanged Man
Via
Death
Rubeus
Temperance
Acquisitio
Devil
Carcer
S.C.
Geburah
Tower
--
Star
Tristitia
Moon
Laetitia
S.C.
Tiphareth
Sun
--
Last Judgment
Cauda Draconis
Universe
(Earth )
Caput Draconis
S.C. stands for Sephirotic Cross.
The above Table of Attributions, repeated though it is from earlier knowledge which should be familiar, may be useful for reference in working out the squares.
Enochian Alphabet
Letter
Title
English
Pe
B
Veh
C or K
Ged
G
Gal
D
Orth
F
Un
A
Graph
E
Tal
M
Gon
I, Y, or J
Na-Hath
H
Ur
L
Mals
P
Letter
Title
English
Ger
Q
Drun
N
Pal
X
Med
O
Don
R
Ceph
Z
Vau
U, V, W
Fam
S
Gisa
T
Looking at the horizontal line again, and considering its full quota of twelve squares, instead of ten as before, then since they are divided into a three, a four, and a five—as in OIP TEAA PDOCE—they may be said to symbolize the triad of the supernals, the tetrad of the elements, and the pentagram. Again, in the commencing triad of the Linea Spiritus Sancti of each tablet, it may be said that:
ORO will be symbolical of the voice of the Man Kerub.
MPH will be symbolical of the cry of the Eagle Kerub.
MOR will be symbolical of the low of the Bull Kerub.
OIP will be symbolical of the roar of the Lion Kerub.
There are various ways of looking at the pyramids prior to undertaking the practical work of using them as the symbol for skrying in the spirit-vision. S.R.M.D. suggests a useful mode of meditation which elaborates in a most illuminating way the ordinary attributions. He says: “Thou mayest regard the upper triangle (No. 2) as representing a force acting downwards. The lower triangle (No. 4) as a force striving upwards. The left hand triangle (No. 1) as acting horizontally from left to right, and the right hand triangle (No. 3) as a force acting from right to left. While the centre will be the common force. Thus:
Directions of Force in Enochian Pyramids
“Spirit is strong in any position. Remember that fire acteth most strongly upwards, air downwards, water from right to left horizontally, and earth from left to right. And in those tablet squares according to their positions in the great tablet. And thus canst thou apply thy reason unto the elucidation of the effect of the four forces thus rushing together.”
Though this may sound wholly incomprehensible at first, a little reflection on the nature of the movement of these forces yields a wealth of ideas. S.R.M.D. provides a few examples at hazard of this analysis, and I quote them as follows:
“The square of ‘A’ of Exarp in the Tablet of Union.
Triangle No. 1. Queen of Swords.
Triangle No. 2. Spirit.
Triangle No. 3. Air.
Triangle No. 4. Spirit.
“Nearly all the squares of this tablet represent some combined effect of light and life. Here spirit acts both downwards and upwards. Air is not very strong in action when it is here placed; and the Queen of Swords represents the moist force of air, Heh of Vau. Therefore, if one could attribute a direct material action unto the squares of the Tablet of Union, the terrestrial effect would be that of a moist and gentle, scarcely moving, breeze; with a soft vibrating light playing through it, like the most gentle sheet-lightning in summer.”
It will aid the reader considerably if, when meditating upon these examples, he draws the pyramid with the triangles so that he can refer to it at a moment’s notice.
“The square ‘H’ of ‘MPH’ in the Great Cross of the water tablet.
Triangle No. 1. Seven of Cups.
Triangle No. 2. Spirit.
Triangle No. 3. Venus.
Triangle No. 4. Water.
“Here the action of water is extremely passive, Scorpio, representing especially still water, and Venus has her quiet action still more intensified. Therefore, were it not for the action of spirit, the effect would be rather evil than good, representing deception, and well summed up in the Seven of Cups, “the Lord of Illusionary Success.” But the action of the spirit makes it mild and beneficent. A gentle, peaceful force.
“The Square ‘O’ of ‘OMEBB’ in the Sephirotic Cross of the water lesser angle of the water tablet.
Triangle No. 1. Water.
Triangle No. 2. Spirit.
Triangle No. 3. Water.
Triangle No. 4. Geburah.
“Here water is extremely strong, and is stirred to action by the energy of Geburah. Were it not for the spirit it would be the destroying energy of a flood, but the latter renders its effect more gentle and beneficent, promoting the solution and nourishment of matter.
“The square ‘M’ of ‘AISMT,’ a Kerubic square of the fiery lesser angle of the earth tablet.
Triangle No. 1. Queen of Wands.
Triangle No. 2. Earth.
Triangle No. 3. Eagle Kerub. Water.
Triangle No. 4. Fire.
“Here earth acting downwards and fire upwards, the effect would be volcanic. The water is as strongly placed as the fire, rendering it explosive, though helping to stifle the fire by its union with the earth. The Queen of Wands equals the water of fire, Heh of Yod, reconciling these two elements. Therefore the whole effect would be to produce a moist generating heat, like that of a conservatory, or rather of a hothouse. A force intensely excitant and generative and productive. The earth force of the tropics.”
“The servient square ‘R’ of ‘BRAP’ in the watery lesser angle of the fire tablet.
Triangle No. 1. Virgo. Fire.
Triangle No. 2. Earth.
Triangle No. 3. Water. Conjunctio.
Triangle No. 4. Air.
“Here water is in the strongest place, but otherwise the force of the square is somewhat different to the former, from the influence of air in the lowest triangle. The effect will then be that somewhat of lands—fertile indeed, but ultimating its harvest, and therefore not nearly as excitantly generative as in the former square. And the land of Virgo as usually described will be a very fair representation thereof.”
The following statements concerning aspects of the philosophy underlying the Enochian tablets are also written by G.H. Frater S.R.M.D. Some of them are very profound and the student will do well if he gives them a good deal of attention—especially in connection with the idea of the projection of the Tree of Life into a solid sphere and forming five pillars. This part of the Enochian teaching is taken from a manuscript entitled “X. The Book of the Concourse of the Forces. Binding together the Powers of the Squares in the Terrestrial Quadrangles of Enoch.”
“Each of these terrestrial tablets of the elements is divided into four lesser angles by the great Central Cross which cometh forth as from the gate of the Watchtower of the element itself. The horizontal line of each of these four Great Crosses is named ‘Linea Spiritus Sancti.’ The perpendicular is called ‘Linea Dei,’ the Line of God the Father and Son, the ‘Patris Filiique,’ Macroprosopus and Microprosopus combined. For these four vertical lines resemble four mighty pillars each divided into twain by a light line shewing this forth; the Father himself, in the absence of the line. And in its presence shewing the Son.
“As aforesaid the central points of these four Great Crosses do shew in the celestial heavens, and do correspond unto the four Tiphareth points referred to in the Book of the Astronomic View of the tarot. Naturally then the Linea Spiritus Sancti coincides with the zodiacal belt wherein is the path of the sun who is the administrant of the spirit of life, and “the Lord of the Fire of the World.” The four Linea S.S. then form the complete circle of the Ecliptic, a circle at the centre of the zodiacal circle.
“It is demonstrated in the tarot manuscripts that when the ten Sephiroth in their grouping which is called the Tree of Life are projected in a sphere (Kether coinciding with the North Pole, Malkuth coinciding with the South Pole, the pillar of Mildness with the axis) then the pillars of Severity and of Mercy are quadrupled, i.e., there are five pillars instead of three pillars.
“The same scheme is therefore applicable to the celestial heavens, and the mode of the governance of these tablets in the heavens is also set forth in the tarot manuscripts. But as before and as there is said, the rule of these four tablets, terrestrial as well as in the heavens, is in the spaces between the four pillars. That is, between the double pillars of Severity and Mercy. In these vast spaces at the ends of the universe are these tablets placed as watchtowers, and therein is their dominion limited on either side by the Sephirotic pillars, and having the great central cross of each tablet coinciding with one of the four Tiphareth points in the celestial heavens. Therefore even in the small squares into which each tablet is divided, each represents a vast area of dominion, having the correlation thereof in the universe, in the planets, in our Earth, in the fixed stars, and even in man, in animals, vegetables, and minerals.
“Therefore do the four perpendicular or vertical lines of the four crosses represent four great currents of force passing between north above and south below, intersecting the Tiphareth points and thus affirming the existence of the hidden central pillar of the Tree of Life forming the axis of the sphere of the celestial heavens.
“Therefore are these lines which are vertical called ‘Linea Dei Patris Filiique,’ as manifesti
ng that central column wherein are Kether and Tiphareth, Macroprosopus and Microprosopus.
“The Calvary Cross of ten squares which are in each of the four lesser angles of each tablet are attributed unto the action of the spirit through the ten Sephiroth herein. This cross of ten squares is the admission badge of the twenty-seventh Path leading unto the grade of Philosophus, the only grade of the First Order in which all the tablets are shewn. It represents the Sephiroth in balanced disposition, before which the Formless and Void roll back. It is the form of the opened out double cube and altar of incense. Therefore it is placed to rule each of the lesser angles of each tablet.
“A knowledge of these tablets will then, if complete, afford an understanding of the laws which govern the whole creation. The dominion of the Tablet of Union is above that of the four terrestrial tablets and towards the north of the universe.