Slike strani
PDF
ePub

graces of the Infinite were represented by qualitative terms called the "Sephiroth," for the reason that graven images and personifica

*

Assyrian Symbol of the Universe in Cuneiform Characters: the type of the mystic wheel. tions were not permitted by the great law-giver of Egyptian nativity who presented the Decalogue to the Hebrews.

TABLE OF THE TEN SEPHIROTH, OR DIVINE EMANATIONS, SHOWING THE CABALISTIC ATTRIBUtes of the DECAD OF QUALITATIVE TERMS.

[blocks in formation]

WITH THEIR OCCULT MEANING AND RELATION TO THE DEIFIC ENERGIES.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

The above personifications, qualitative terms, or numeral attributes of Deity which epitomize cosmogonies in the names of num

[graphic][subsumed]

Amida, "Buddha of the boundless Life." The transcendent image of the universe, diffusing divine effulgence in an ennead of pure rays characterized on the sacred wheel (1. and 10. being identical), as humanity. Small figures indicate ultimate attainment of Buddhahood. At the left are the "Ancient," the "Temple" (Nun), "Supernal Queen," Ambassador, Officer. At the right appear the "Virgin " (Mourner), "Merchant," "Maid," "Lord," "Just man." An interesting parallel to this symbolical decad may be seen in the Tarot Cards.

bers, compose the symbolic category of principles, originally arranged within a formal grouping of nine squares, known as the "Mansions of the Gods," and mystically as the "Magic Square of Saturn, Lord of Fate," referred to in a former article. There were known to be fifty different ways of placing the ten numeral signs within the nine houses; one and ten, being identical, always occupied the first house. These were the Fifty Gates of Knowledge, one of which, the "Golden Gate," constituted the vital formula of the system of the Gematria method of determining the relative value of signs comprising the secret teaching of the Law, and also of calculating cabalistic affini

[blocks in formation]

Ancient Chinese arrangement of the Ennead of attributes and order of reception and transmission in the material world.

ties, mythological relationships, and the occult meaning of religious formularies. To divert attention from this primitive arrangement and render the plan occult and practically impossible of discovery, the priesthood conspired to change the "Magic Square" to circular form, which resulted in the investiture of the "Sacred Wheel of the Law" with the eternal attributes, the centre and circumference. counting as two houses to accommodate the ten deific energies. This circular form explains the significance attached to "the convex," "the concave," " the tangent," and "the abyss" by alchemical sym

[graphic][merged small]

bolism. This wheel is common to all ancient cosmogonies invented for the world and all time, which alone can elucidate the secret mysteries of faith and devotion in religious ceremonies, always leading to abundant beneficence when accepted as spiritual principles, or to superstition and fantasticalism when adopted as by ignorant approval.

[subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small]

The Ennead of spiritual principles, with their eternal relationships definitely determined by the plan of the sacred wheel, have been the inspiration of a vast religious literature wisely written in the mystic language of allegory and symbolism, forming the foundation of all the great Bibles, any literal translation of which alone is certain to lead to fatuitous, if not fatal, results.

The order in which the decad of universal signs, personifications, and qualitative terms are placed on the sacred wheel according to the "golden gate" of interpretation (reserved for the present) is deeply interesting, for they nowhere in mystic association of affinities complete a cosmogonical circle, nor yet the form of a spiral; but on the contrary enforce the tangential course of material and spiritual progression which is symbolized in all countries by the "Swastika" cross, that fatal emblem of superstitious terror to the uninitiated in all ages. The wheel is breaking perpetually and as often renewed as humanity sacrifices in pain and exults in pleasure; it has been the unspeakable secret of the ages.

The arms of the imaginary cosmic cross, the "Swastika," are sustained in Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius, the fixed signs of the zodiacal belt of the heavens, the solar cross being sustained by the cardinal points.

The symbolism of the honored game of chess, which is also traced beyond authentic history, was designed as a preservative illustration of the living struggle prefigured in the categories of the mystic wheel and represents the allegorical legend of humanity which is every

« PrejšnjaNaprej »