serial lesson 1

8/17/2019 Serial Lesson 1

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Serial Lesson 1

From Course II, Astrological Signatures, Chapter 9

Original Copyright 1928, Elbert Benjamine (a.k.a. C. C.Zain)

Copyright 2010, he Ch!r"h o# $ight

o p!r"ha%e the print book Astrological Signatures "li"k

here

Birth Chart%& homa% '. Ei%on Chart $!ther B!rbankChart

Chapter 9

The Ritual of Egyptian Initiation

E *e%tern *orl i% #a%t be"oming

a+are that beneath the allegorie% an

!n"onin"ing erbiage o# the %a"rebook% there lie% "on"eale a primitie

%e"ret o"trine, that behin apparently

meaningle%% religio!% !%age% an pio!%

j!gglery there i% a %!b%tan"e o# %o!n

p%y"hologi"al pra"ti"e, that een o!t%ie

the "on%e"rate pre"in"t% o# the Ch!r"h-notably in

reema%onry an kinre #raternitie%-there are rite% an"eremonie% +hi"h "oney by their %ymboli%m #ragment%

o# kno+lege "on"erning the hi%tory an e%tiny o# the

%o!l. Conin"e o# thi%, many +orthy %t!ent% are no+

eneaoring to rai%e the eil that %o long ha% %hro!e

http://www.light.org/astrological-signatures-P3C1.cfmhttp://www.light.org/astrological-signatures-P3C1.cfmhttp://www.light.org/astrological-signatures-P3C1.cfmhttp://www.light.org/astrological-signatures-P3C1.cfmhttps://www.light.org/The-Ritual-of-Egyptian-Initiation-SL001.cfm#Birth_Chartshttps://www.light.org/The-Ritual-of-Egyptian-Initiation-SL001.cfm#Birth_Chartshttps://www.light.org/The-Ritual-of-Egyptian-Initiation-SL001.cfm#Birth_Chartshttps://www.light.org/The-Ritual-of-Egyptian-Initiation-SL001.cfm#Birth_Chartshttps://www.light.org/The-Ritual-of-Egyptian-Initiation-SL001.cfm#Birth_Chartshttps://www.light.org/The-Ritual-of-Egyptian-Initiation-SL001.cfm#Birth_Chartshttp://www.light.org/astrological-signatures-P3C1.cfmhttp://www.light.org/astrological-signatures-P3C1.cfm


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the my%terie% o# anti/!ity, hoping to %ole the %a"re

allegorie% an "orre"tly to interpret the %ymboli%m o#

moern #raternitie%. o a%%i%t the%e in their re%ear"h,

here propo%e to e%"ribe in etail the ario!% %tep%,eplaining the e%oteri" %igni"an"e o# ea"h, o# the rit!al

o# initiation a% "on!"te an"iently in Egypt.

3ot that the "eremonie% an elaborate rite% o# the

4amothra"ian 5y%terie%, tho%e o# Ele!%i% an Ba""h!% in

6ree"e, an the 4at!rnalia o# 7ome, a% +ell a% the rit!al

o# moern reema%on%, la"k in my%ti"al %igni"an"e o

%ele"t Egypt, b!t be"a!%e +itho!t e"eption the%e lattererie their pro"e!re #rom the 5y%terie% o# 'n"ient

Egypt. h!% by interpreting the%e rite% at their "ommon

%o!r"e, een tho!gh they hae been %ometime% ob%"!re

by later tran%#ormation%, +e %hall be able to per"eie the

#!namental "on"ept% that !nerlie them all.

n thi% +ork +e are #ort!nate in haing a treati%e, not

entirely ina""e%%ible to moern reaer%, that gie% a

etaile e%"ription o# the Egyptian 5y%terie%.

ambli"h!%, a note %"holar an 3eolatoni%t +ho lie

in the r%t hal# o# the #o!rth "ent!ry, +rote a +ork !pon

the Egyptian 5y%terie% in +hi"h he portray% the prin"ipal

%tep% an trial% impo%e !pon the "aniate !ring

initiation. hi% e%"ription +a% tran%late into the ren"h

by . Chri%tian, an ha% been ra+n !pon #reely #orin#ormation by the more eminent %t!ent% o# the tarot, a%

it "ontain% a "omplete e%"ription o# the Egyptian tarot.

n 1901 it +a% tran%late #rom ren"h into Engli%h by my

goo #rien 6eneiee 4tebbin%, +ho ha% gien me


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permi%%ion to make !%e o# her tran%lation in thi% "hapter

an in Co!r%e :, Sacred Tarot .

, there#ore, %hall #ollo+ a""!rately the trial% to +hi"h the

Egyptian "aniate #or initiation +a% %!bje"te, a%e%"ribe by ambli"h!%, an %hall eneaor at ea"h %tep

al%o to eplain +hat originally +a% intene to be

"oneye to the min o# the "aniate. 4!"h trial% in

%ome #orm, hane o+n #rom thi% remote perio, per%i%t

toay, a% +itne%%e by the ha;ing o# ne+"omer% at

%"hool, an the riing o# the goat in o!r loge%.

B!t +hy %ho!l te%t% o# tne%% #or initiation be "alle

riing the goat< hi% reole% abo!t the %igni"an"e o#

the epointe %tar +hi"h #rom anti/!ity ha% been

employe a% the %ymbol o# man. he %tar pla"e +ith one

point !p ha% the %igni"an"e o# intelligen"e r!ling the

#o!r elementary kingom%, rea%on ominating the

in%tin"t% o# the =e%h. t i% th!% the 6re"ian ygeia, !%e

by the ythagorean% a% the %ymbol o# health. 3o+, in the

;oia" the hea o# man, organ o# intelligen"e, i% r!le by

'rie%, pi"t!re among the "on%tellation% a% the 7am. n

%a"re +ork%, "on%e/!ently, to e%ignate that the

"reatie #or"e% are ire"te by intelligen"e, it i% "ommon

to re#er to thi% "ir"!m%tan"e a% the lamb, an i% %o

mentione by 4t. >ohn.

he epointe %tar +hen inerte, ho+eer, %ignie%

man %taning on hi% hea? rea%on ominate by l!%t,

pa%%ion, an %el%hne%%? an i% th!% emblemati"al o#

"hao%, the pit, bla"k magi", an the eil. Zoia"ally the

home %ign o# 4at!rn, the origin o# o!r 4atan, i% Capri"orn,


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pi"t!re in the rmament by a goat. he goat, +ho%e

bear #orm% the o+n+ar point, +ho%e ear% #orm the

t+o lateral point% an +ho%e horn% #orm the t+o !p+ar

point% o# a epointe %tar, there#ore, a% +ell a% theinerte epointe %tar, i% a %ymbol o# bla"k magi" an

eil. 4t. >ohn re#er% to thi% inerte %tar a% a #alling %tar

name +orm+oo. t +ill al%o no+ be apparent +hy the

%eparation o# the goo an the eil %ho!l be re#erre to

in the 4"ript!re a% iiing the %heep #rom the goat%. he

goat i% the %ymbol o# eil, an riing the goat %ignie%

that temptation% hae been an/!i%he, the eil

oer"ome, an the animal in%tin"t% %!blimate into

%pirit!al a%%et%.

n the "o!r%e o# initiation, pa%t or pre%ent, the "aniate

"ome% into the po%%e%%ion o# ne+ kno+lege an ne+

po+er% that alike are "apable o# either !%e or ab!%e, the

proper appli"ation o# +hi"h re/!ire% a high moral

%tanar. o be"ome ma%ter o# the o""!lt %"ien"e%, +hi"han"ient religio!% la+ #orbae to be pla"e in +riting,

re/!ire% a %trong intelle"t. he pra"ti"e o# +hite magi"

eman% #ortit!e, per%i%ten"e, %el#"onen"e, an

"o!rage. here#ore, to proe the "aniate@% mental,

moral, an phy%i"al tne%% to re"eie the ermeti" 4e"ret

Ao"trine, the %trength o# the%e /!alitie% +ere, an are,

%!bje"te to te%t. he primary obje"t o# all an"ient 5y%terie%, ho+eer, an

by #ar the mo%t important !%e o# the initiatory rit!al, +a%

to impre%% inelibly !pon the mirror o# hi% "on%"io!%ne%%,

by mean% o# neertobe#orgotten eperien"e%, the pa%t


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hi%tory, pre%ent opport!nitie%, an #!t!re e%tiny o# the

%o!l. A!ring the "o!r%e o# hi% traail there +a% al%o o#ten

another re%!lt attaine. he %tim!l!% re"eie by hi%

p%y"hi" #a"!ltie% #re/!ently opene the %en%e% o# the %o!lto i%ion% o# tran%"enental realm%, an a+akene the

ormant po+er% o# hi% iine %el# to ne+ poten"y.

t i% tr!e that in %ome o# the 5y%terie% the birth,

"r!"iion, interment, an re%!rre"tion o# the %!n +ere

"elebrate. B!t the initiate re"ogni;e in the %!n@% ann!al

pilgrimage a ire"t analogy to the eperien"e% o# the %o!l

in it% "y"li" jo!rney. $ike+i%e, in %ome, "ertaineperien"e% o# the %o!l +ere gien preeminen"e. h!%

the e"%tati" re!nion o# the %o!l +ith it% iine %o!r"e

gae ri%e to the Ba""hi" #ren;ie%? the orgie% originally

repre%enting the re!nion o# %eparate %o!l%, the +ine

being emblemati"al o# the mit!re o# ma%"!line an

#eminine magneti%m.

3o+ it i% "ommon kno+lege that the "la%%i" nation%, a%

+ell a% other people o# anti/!ity, beliee in the o"trine

that the %o!l on"e ei%te in a %pirit!al %tate o# Eeni"

p!rity, +a% tempte to !nergo inol!tion into material

#orm #or the %ake o# eperien"e, an m!%t !ltimately +in

it% +ay ba"k to parai%ia"al bli%%. *hile re"ogni;ing that

%e %ymbol% +ere a prominent #eat!re in the 5y%terie%,

an that %e o"trine% +ere an important reelation, yetmo%t "ommentor% hae pre#erre to omit them, either

thro!gh ignoran"e o# their tr!e #!n"tion, or #or #ear o#

%ho"king the moern %en%e o# propriety. he%e %e

o"trine% o# the an"ient 5y%terie% are not +hat i%


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"!rrently terme %e pra"ti"e%, being neither eote to

%e magi" nor to "eliba"y. hey are o"trine% o# the tr!e

an p!re relation%hip o# marriage, %!"h a% toay +o!l be

approe by o!r mo%t eminent phy%i"ian% anp%y"hologi%t%.

'll li#e an a"tiity being the re%!lt o# polarity, the hi%tory

an the mi%%ion o# the %o!l "an only be "omprehene in

a%%o"iation +ith it% %e!al a"tiitie%. 3o+ the an"ient

4e"ret Ao"trine i% ery emphati" that in the beginning the

ego i% anrogyno!%. '#ter it% ierentiation,

"orre%poning to birth, a% it inole% o+n #rom the"ele%tial realm to the highe%t %tate o# the %pirit!al +orl it

eelop% a %o!l %phere-a %phere o# "on%"io!%ne%%

organi;e in "ele%tial %!b%tan"e. B!t to "onta"t %till

"oar%er %!b%tan"e %!"h a% %pirit!al %!b%tan"e, a%tral

%!b%tan"e, an phy%i"al %!b%tan"e, the%e energie%

be"ome polari;e into t+o %eparate "hannel% o# =o+, into

t+o organi;ation% o# "on%"io!%ne%%, into t+o %o!l%. hi% i%the %eparation o# the +in 4o!l%? +ho are oer%hao+e

an energi;e by one ego, yet ea"h eelop% inii!al

"on%"io!%ne%%.

hi% %eparation i% bea!ti#!lly e%"ribe in the Bible a% Ee

taken #rom the original 'am, +ho ha been "reate in

the image o# 6o& 5ale an emale "reate he them.D

et a#ter the e%"ent into material "onition% anpartaking o# the eol!tionary tree-gaining a kno+lege

o# goo an eil-to be"ome a% go%, a% the Bible %tate%

it, they m!%t al%o partake o# the ree o# $i#e.


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hi% tree o# li#e i% the re!nion o# the %eparate male an

#emale %o!l%. hi% i% portraye in the 6reek rit!al a%

Aiony%!%, %lain an i%membere, a#ter +hi"h the part%

are "olle"te an re!nite in a ne+ birth. n Egypt, O%iri%i% portraye a% m!rere an the #o!rteen i%membere

part% (ea"h %o!l po%%e%%ing a %eptenary "on%tit!tion)

%ent =oating o+n the 3ile (the "!rrent o# inol!tionary

li#e) nally to be "a%t !pon the m!y bank% o# the Aelta

(the material +orl). B!t #aith#!l %i% (3at!re) gather%

together the%e #ragment% an breathing !pon them the

breath o# li#e they be"ome re!nite an O%iri% i% born

ane+, neer again to ie. he%e allegorie% %ymboli"ally

pi"t!re the rama o# the %o!l@% e%"ent #rom the "ele%tial

%tate, the %eparation o# t+in %o!l% in the highe%t realm o#

the %pirit!al +orl, +ho a#ter a time 3at!re again bring%

together, breathe% !pon them the breath o# loe, !niting

them, an by their !nite %trength they be"ome

immortal.

3o+, in the e%"ription o# the trial% +ith +hi"h ambli"h!%

ha% #!rni%he !%, the 4phin o# 6i;eh %ere a% the

entran"e to %!bterranean a!lt% in +hi"h the initiation

+a% "on!"te. rom bet+een the #or+ar limb% "orrior%

"lo%e by a %e"ret oor ran to "rypt% beneath the 6reat

yrami.

'% in moern #raternitie%, be#ore the "aniate +a%amitte to parti"ipate in the trial% he m!%t be %ele"te

by !nanimo!% ote. hen he m!%t gie him%el#

!nre%erely into the han% o# hi% g!ie% an pla"e

impli"it "onen"e in them, obeying their "omman%


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+itho!t a%king /!e%tion%. # +e bear in min that the

+hole rit!al %ymboli"ally epi"t% the "y"le o# the %o!l, +e

per"eie that thi% repre%ent% the #aith that the %o!l

%ho!l hae in the +i%om an bene"en"e o# Aeity, anthe obeien"e it %ho!l mani#e%t to 3at!re@% la+%. he

ego i% "alle #rom an !nierentiate %tate by the

!nanimo!% eman #or %o!l% to be tte #or %pe"i" +ork

in the "o%mi" %"heme o# thing%. A!ring the earlier portion

o# their initiation into the my%terie% o# li#e, the%e %o!l% o

not kno+ the +hy or +here#ore o# the %!ering they

en!re? b!t i# they pla"e impli"it #aith in the g!ian"e o#

their %pirit!al tenen"ie%, at la%t they +ill %ee the light

%hine thro!gh the arkne%%, an #ollo+ing thi%, +ill be le

into the glorio!% %!n%hine o# 4el#Con%"io!% mmortality.

't a i%tan"e #rom the 4phin the neophyte@% eye% are

banage, an he i% le to it% #oot an !nkno+n i%tan"e,

+here a oor o# bron;e open% to amit him an then

"lo%e% +itho!t noi%e. Bron;e i% an alloy o# tin, r!le by >!piter, an "opper, r!le by :en!%. :en!% i% the planet o#

loe, an >!piter in aition to being the planet o#

bene"en"e, thro!gh hi% r!ler%hip o# the %ign 4agittari!%,

the %ign o# the higher min, i% in one o# hi% a%pe"t%

"on%iere the planet o# +i%om. Bron;e, there#ore,

repre%ent% not only a !nion o# a male an a #emale

poten"y, b!t al%o a #!%ion o# loe an +i%om. 3o+, thebanage eye% o# the neophyte repre%ent the

!n"on%"io!% "onition o# the p!re, i!%ie %pirit be#ore

it% ierentiation a% an ego. he jo!rney o# the neophyte

to the #oot o# the 4phin repre%ent% the inra+ing o# thi%


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%pirit poten"y to the "ele%tial matri o# the ego@% angeli"

parent%. t% proje"tion on the toil%ome jo!rney o#

inol!tion an eol!tion, thro!gh the inten%e ibration% o#

+i%om an loe o# it% angeli" progenitor%, i% %ignie bythe neophyte %ilently pa%%ing thro!gh the oor o# bron;e.

he 4phin, into +hi"h the neophyte enter%, i% a %yntheti"

repre%entation o# all the energie% in the ;oia", being

"ompo%e in it% !n"onentionali;e #orm o# the emblem%

o# the #o!r /!arant% o# the heaen%-a lion, an eagle, a

man, an a b!ll. t th!% %ymboli;e% a "y"le, an be"a!%e

time i% mea%!re by the %!n@% pa%%age thro!gh thi% "y"le,it al%o %ignie% the pa%%age o# time. or the ego time +a%

not prior to it% ierentiation.

3et, the neophyte i% le o+n a %piral %tair+ay o# 22

%tep% an thro!gh a %e"on bron;e oor +hi"h +hen

"lo%e %o harmoni;e% +ith the +all o# the "ir"!lar

"hamber into +hi"h it open% a% to be !nete"table. e i%

halte !pon the erge o# an aby%% an "ommane to

"ro%% hi% arm% !pon hi% brea%t an remain motionle%%. n

the heaen%, the %ol%titial "ol!re an the e/!ino"tial

"ol!re make a "ro%%, the original o# the %+a%tika "ro%%.

hi% heaenly "ro%%, !e to the reol!tion o# the earth on

it% ai%, apparently moe% aro!n the heaen% ea"h ay

#rom ea%t to +e%t, an !e to the pro"e%%ion o# the

e/!inoe% moe% thro!gh the "on%tellation% al%o #romea%t to +e%t, tho!gh %lo+ly, an i% th!% %ymboli;e by

the %+a%tika +ith it% point% t!rne to the le#t, thi% being

the emblem o# eol!tion. he %+a%tika +ith it% point%

t!rne to the right i% the emblem o# inol!tion.


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he %piral %tair+ay o# 22 %tep% %ymboli;e% the

inol!tionary e%"ent thro!gh the embryoni" "ele%tial

%tate o# the %eraph%, the oor being the pa%%age into the

parai%ia"al +orl% o# the "her!b%, +here #or the r%ttime ibration% o# loe an +i%om, repre%ente by the

oor o# bron;e, begin to i%t!rb the tran/!il inno"en"e o#

the ego. +entyt+o %tep% are emblemati"al o# the

;oia"al "ir"le o# 12 %ign% an the "hain o# 10 planet%

+hi"h eert their in=!en"e !pon the %o!l, an !pon all

3at!re, thro!gho!t all %tate%, #rom the highe%t to the

lo+e%t. he %o!l@% %piral path+ay thro!gh ea"h plane o#

ei%ten"e i% th!% in=!en"e by them. he "aniate@%

"ro%%e arm% %igni#y progre%%.

he "aniate no+ halte !pon the aby%%, repre%ent%

that %tate in +hi"h a rib +a% being remoe #rom 'am

#or the "reation o# Ee. he aby%% repre%ent% the gro%%er

+orl% into +hi"h the ego "annot e%"en? !pon +hi"h it

ire"tly "an hae no in=!en"e. t% ibration% are too neto ae"t %!b%tan"e "oar%er than that o# the parai%ia"al

+orl, or !pper realm o# %pirit, repre%ente by the "ir"!lar

"hamber in +hi"h the neophyte no+ %tan%. B!t !ring

it% e%"ent thro!gh the %eraphi" realm% it ha% eole a

%o!l %phere, or organi;ation o# "on%"io!%ne%%, "ontaining

both male an #emale poten"ie%. hat it may tran%mit

motion to gro%%er %!b%tan"e, thi% %o!l %phere polari;e% it%motion an iie% into t+o organi;ation% o#

"on%"io!%ne%%, into t+o %o!l% relate to ea"h other a%

male an #emale? the 'am an Ee o# ea"h ei" ego.


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*hile the "aniate %tan% motionle%% !pon the erge o#

the aby%%, the t+o g!arian% +ho hae a""ompanie him

take #rom an altar, an re%% in, +hite linen robe%. One

+ear% a girle o# %iler an a ma%k repre%enting the heao# a b!ll, the other +ear% a belt o# gol an a ma%k

repre%enting a lion@% hea. he robe% o# +hite %ymboli;e

p!rity, o# linen, typi#y %trength. 6ol i% %a"re to the %!n,

an the lion@% hea i% the %ign $eo in +hi"h the %!n eert%

it% greate%t po+er. 4iler i% %a"re to the moon, an the

%ign +here the moon ha% it% be%t in=!en"e i% a!r!%,

%ymboli;e by the hea o# the b!ll. h!% o the t+o

g!arian%, in a mo%t %pe"ta"!lar manner, repre%ent the

ma%"!line an #eminine portion% o# the ego@% %o!l %phere.

he he%mothete, a% the g!arian i% "alle, repre%enting

i7he, geni!% o# the %!n, %tan% at the neophyte@% right,

+hile the he%mothete re%%e a% i%h, geni!% o# the

moon, %tan% at hi% le#t. 4!enly, +ith a great noi%e, a

trap oor e%"en% in #ront o# the neophyte, an at the%ame time the banage i% %nat"he #rom hi% eye% an he

behol% the t+o g!re%, one on either %ie. 4taning th!%

he repre%ent% the ego at the moment o# part!rition +hen

the t+in %o!l% are born. he %ho"k o# their %eparation i%

enote by the noi%e, an a% 'am an Ee they %tan

by hi% %ie.

hen, #rom o!t o# the aby%%, only hal# o# it% boy i%ible,ri%e% a horrible me"hani"al %pe"tre holing in it% han% a

h!ge %"ythe +hi"h, barely mi%%ing him, %+eep% pa%t the

neophyte@% ne"k %een time%. hi% %pe"tre i% the %ymbol

o# eath. he %"ythe repre%ent% the "hange% +hi"h time


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bring%. Only the !pper hal# o# the %pe"tre i% i%ible, to

e%ignate that the higher /!alitie% o# the %o!l alone

%!rie the "hange% o# time. he %een %+eep% o# the

%"ythe, +eapon o# eath, ini"ate that the %o!l both ininol!tion an in eol!tion pa%%e% thro!gh "onition%

r!le by ea"h o# the %een planet%.

3o+, a""oring to Fabbali%ti"al o"trine, be#ore the

"reation o# the !nier%e there ei%te the alli!%ie

%pirit, "alle 'in 4oph '!r. rom thi% the !nier%e "ame

into mani#e%tation by mean% o# ten emanation%, the r%t

o# +hi"h, "alle Fether, or "ro+n, %ignie% motion, an"orre%pon% in h!man aair% to the ego. he net t+o

emanation% are Cho"mah an Binah, +i%om an

intelligen"e, +hi"h inole the iea o# polarity an

"orre%pon to the po%itie an negatie %o!l% at the

moment o# their %eparation. rom thi% gohea, Fether,

Cho"mah, an Binah, the !nier%e eole% by mean% o#

%een other emanation%, or imp!l%e%? an a""oring tothe la+ o# "orre%ponen"e%, the %o!l al%o b!il% it%

mi"ro"o%mi" !nier%e abo!t it%el# by %imilar mean%, the

%een#ol "on%tit!tion o# man being eole, a% +a%

ini"ate, by pa%%ing thro!gh enironmental in=!en"e%

r!le by ea"h o# the %een planet%, a "ir"!m%tan"e

%ymboli;e by the %een %+eep% o# the eathealing

%"ythe, eol!tion being a""ompli%he only a#ter the%eparation o# the %o!l%, by mean% o# %!""e%%ie lie% an

eath%.

'#ter the ena"tment o# thi% rama, the he%mothete%

lea the neophyte to the oor o# a %mall ark t!nnel,


13/30

giing him a lamp +ith +hi"h to light hi% +ay. he lamp

repre%ent% the inner prompting% o# the ego +hi"h i#

li%tene to +ill ire"t the %o!l aright. e i% no+ le#t to hi%

o+n ei"e% to ini"ate that the t+in %o!l% ea"h go their%eparate +ay%. he t!nnel i% %o %mall that to enter it he

m!%t pro"ee on han% an knee%, an to ini"ate that

on"e the "y"le o# ne"e%%ity ha% been entere there i% no

ret!rn e"ept thro!gh #ollo+ing o!t 3at!re@% plan, the

oor immeiately %h!t% behin him. hi% t!nnel ip%

more an more o+n+ar a% he #ollo+% it !ntil nally it

en% abr!ptly at the brink o# a "rater #orme like an

inerte "one. he t!nnel %ymboli;e% the e%"ent o# the

%o!l thro!gh the %pirit!al realm, an the inerte "one,

the %ie% o# +hi"h are poli%he to re=e"t the light o# hi%

lamp een a% in the a%tral +orl the a%tral light i% %een,

repre%ent% the a%tral +orl. Ao+n the %ie o# thi% "one he

ob%ere% an iron laer o# G8 r!ng%, an ning no other

metho o# aan"e open, he e%"en% it. 't the bottom

o# the laer, he ob%ere% +hen he arrie% there, a

ya+ning +ell. here#ore, to n a +ay o!t he %tart% to

a%"en, looking "are#!lly #or a mean% o# egre%%. Climbing

%een %tep% !p+ar he noti"e% a "rei"e in the ro"k% j!%t

large eno!gh to amit hi% boy, an thro!gh thi% he

%/!ee;e%, to n him%el# at the #oot o# an a%"ening

%piral %tair+ay.

he laer i% o# iron to ini"ate that a#ter leaing the

%pirit!al realm the %o!l ha% entere a realm o# #or"e, a

realm +here animal tenen"ie% a% +ell a% tho%e higher

are pre%ent, +here the planet 5ar% ha% #!ll %+ay. o


14/30

ini"ate that !ring thi% perio o# it% jo!rney the %o!l i%

only a r!imental #orm, at no time "an the neophyte

a%%!me the !pright po%ition, the po%ition o# the tr!ly

h!man. he G8 r!ng% o# the a%tral laer repre%ent thein=!en"e% that eert their po+er oer the e%"ening

%o!l& the 12 ;oia"al %ign%, the 10 planet%, the 12

m!nane ho!%e% an the eni;en% o# the H a%tral

kingom%, the IJ e"anate% o# the ;oia", an the H

/!arant% o# the ;oia"al "ir"le.

he bottom r!ng o# the laer repre%ent% that point

+here the inoling %o!l "an go no lo+er, the point +hereit "onta"t% the mineral realm an r%t in"arnate% in

obje"tie #orm. he G !p+ar %tep% repre%ent the G %tate%

o# it% eol!tion #rom mineral to man. n thi% %eenth %tate

the %o!l ha% behin it tho%e eperien"e% +hi"h hae

gien it a "omple a%tral organi;ation, +hi"h enable% it to

be attra"te to a h!man mother. he traail at it% birth

into h!man #orm i% repre%ente by the neophyte +hen hepain#!lly %/!ee;e% thro!gh the narro+ "le#t in the ro"k%.

3o+, #rom the beginning o# it% "y"li" jo!rney !ntil it i%

born a% a h!man being there are j!%t 108 %tep%-22 prior

to the %eparation o# the male %o!l #rom the #emale %o!l,

G8 inol!tionary %tep% thro!gh the a%tral realm, G %tep%

#rom mineral to man, an an 8th %tep repre%enting birth

into the h!man #orm, %ymboli;e by pa%%ing thro!gh the"rei"e in the ro"k. he%e 108 %tep% "orre%pon to the

108 tablet% o# the more "omplete Egyptian tarot. he %et

o# G8 "ar% "ommonly kno+n "on%tit!te the eoteri" %et

%!"h a% +a% reeale to all +ho %!""eee in pa%%ing the


15/30

trial% here e%"ribe. B!t initiate% kno+ that at an

aan"e %tage, a#ter !nergoing %o!l p!ri"ation, an

being amitte to the rite% o# the inner %an"t!ary, the

neophyte +a% in%tr!"te in the !%e o# an e%oteri" %et,"on%i%ting o# 22 '%tro5a%oni" %ymbol%, an that at a %till

higher point in initiation there +a% reeale to him a

%eptenary o# Fabbali%ti"al i"tograph%, %eale +ith an

8th, th!% "on%tit!ting in all 108 tablet%, "ompleting the

Aei" n!mber 9 (1K8L9).

3o+, #or all orinary p!rpo%e% the eoteri" %et o# G8

tablet%, +hi"h "on%tit!te% the "ommon Egyptian tarot, i%/!ite ae/!ate. he%e are repro!"e in Brotherhoo o#

$ight tarot "ar%. 'n here al%o, beliee, %ho!l

e%ignate +here the tablet% o# the e%oteri" %et are

a""!rately e%"ribe. n an"ient time% the%e +ere kept

mo%t %e"ret, b!t that they might not be lo%t to "oming

generation%, they hae been #!lly e%"ribe an

"ommente on in a book !n#ort!nately no+ o!t o# print,b!t +hi"h i% po%%e%%e by many %t!ent% thro!gho!t the

+orl. hi% book i% $ight o# Egypt, :ol. 3o. , by ..

B!rgoyne. t pre%ent% thi% an"ient e%oteri" %et !ner the

"aption E 'B$E4 O 'E. he r%t 22 are the '%tro

5a%oni" %ymbol% re#erre to. 3et i% gien a i%ion o# the

10 great Fabbali%ti"al po+er%, or angel%, o# the !nier%e.

he r%t G o# the%e, a% gien !ner, :4O3, are the GFabbali%ti"al i"tograph% re#erre to. B!t that thi%

e%oteri" %et may al%o be !%e %eparately a% eplanatory

both o# the Fabbalah an o# the II egree% o#

reema%onry, there i% ae an eighth, ninth, an tenth


16/30

pi"tograph, +hi"h +ere not in"l!e in the "omplete

Egyptian %et o# 108 tablet%. he %eal, +hi"h i% the %eal o#

the earth, ho+eer, i% gien, a %eal that i% !al yet i% one,

the ober%e an reer%e ie+ being repre%ente on onetablet.

'#ter the neophyte ha% pa%%e thro!gh the "le#t,

%ymboli;ing hi% ep!l%ion into the +orl o# h!man

a"tiitie% thro!gh the %a"re yoni, he a%"en% the %piral

%tair+ay o# 22 %tep% an halt% be#ore the entran"e to the

%an"t!ary. he%e 22 %tep%, %ymboli"al o# the in=!en"e

!pon h!man li#e o# the 12 %ign% an 10 planet%, %igni#yhi% eperien"e% !ner their in=!en"e #rom birth to the

time that he %eek% o""!lt initiation. ' grating o# bron;e-

%ymbol o# loe an +i%om-bar% hi% progre%%, b!t a

mag!%, "alle a a%tophore, open% the gate an

+el"ome% him in. h!% al+ay% i% there a ma%ter reay to

a%%i%t an in%tr!"t the neophyte +ho, in loe an in

eotion to %a"re %"ien"e, ha% %!""e%%#!lly pa%%e theearly oreal%.

he neophyte no+ n% him%el# in a long gallery

%!%taine by %"!lpt!re "aryatie% repre%enting 2H

%phine%, 12 on either %ie. n ea"h %pa"e bet+een t+o

%phine% the +all i% "oere +ith a #re%"oe painting,

the%e 22 pi"t!re% being lighte by a line o# 11 lamp% that

eten% bet+een the t+o ro+% o# g!re%.

' %phin, repre%enting the #o!r /!arant% o# heaen,

%ymboli;e% any "y"le o# time, an a% here arrange they

e%ignate the 2H ho!r% o# the ay, a% +ell a% the 2H

eler% o# the 'po"alyp%e. he 22 #re%"oe painting%


17/30

pi"t!re the 22 5ajor 'r"ana o# the tarot, the %ymboli%m o#

+hi"h at thi% time i% eplaine to the neophyte an by

him "ommitte to memory. he eleen lamp% are "ry%tal

%phine% in ea"h o# +hi"h b!rn% an a%be%to% +i"k at the%!r#a"e o# a %a"re oil, ea"h lamp being %!pporte by a

bron;e tripo.

he =ame o# the lamp repre%ent% the ego, a liing,

brilliant, "hangele%% %park o# Aeity. he a%be%to% +i"k

+hi"h eer #ee% the =ame yet i% neer "on%!me,

repre%ent% the immortal %o!l #eeing the ego +ith the

re%!lt% o# it% eperien"e%. he%e eperien"e%, gainethro!gh "y"le% o# time a% %ymboli;e by the #orm o# the

%phin, an in obje"tie realm% a% ini"ate by the

"ry%talline %tr!"t!re o# the lamp, are typie by the oil.

he tran%parent /!ality o# the lamp %!gge%t% that matter

oer% no barrier to the %ight o# the initiate. he tripo,

!pon +hi"h the lamp re%t%, an alloy o# a po%itie an a

negatie metal, pre%ent% the %ymboli" a%pe"t o# t+ointerla"e trine%. he negatie trine %ymboli;e%

inol!tion, an the po%itie trine eol!tion, together

"on%tit!ting the %!pport o# the %o!l an making po%%ible

it% "on%"io!% immortal ei%ten"e.

One o# the lamp% i% %et %lightly apart #rom the other ten

an repre%ent% the nal %ynthe%i% o# the other%,

%ymboli;ing al%o the point #rom +hi"h the neophyteepart% to !nergo #!rther peril%. he 22 #re%"oe

pi"t!re% ea"h "orre%pon to one o# the 12 ;oia"al %ign%

or 10 planet% an "on%tit!te an e%oteri" interpretation o#

their attrib!te% an #!n"tion%. he 22n pi"t!re


18/30

"orre%pon% to the !nkno+n? b!t ea"h o# the other 21

"orre%pon either to one o# man@% %een phy%i"al %en%e%,

to one o# hi% %een p%y"hi" %en%e%, or to one %e"tion o#

hi% %een#ol "on%tit!tion. Ea"h i% al%o relate to one o#the 21 bran"he% o# o""!lt %"ien"e that the neophyte i%

"alle !pon to ma%ter be#ore he "an a%pire to aept%hip.

aken a% a +hole-a% %ho+n in etail in Co!r%e :, Sacred

Tarot -they "on%tit!te a %"ien"e o# the +ill an an

ab%ol!te religio!% o"trine, an ea"h "orre%pon% to a

enite %tep in the neophyte@% o""!lt aan"ement. he

10 lamp% repre%ent the n!meri"al e"ae a% +ell a% the

ten emanation% o# the 4ephiroth o# the Fabbalah, an

together +ith the 22 pi"t!re 5ajor 'r"ana point to the

I2 path% o# +i%om. *ith the nal lamp, or IIr %ymbol,

they "on%tit!te the eoteri" ie+ o# the %ame %et o#

!nier%al prin"iple% the e%oteri" %ie o# +hi"h i% %et #orth

in the II 'B$E4 O 'E preio!%ly mentione. hey,

there#ore, repre%ent the original iea% #rom +hi"h the II

"hapter% o# the Fabbali%ti"al book, 4ephir et;irah, an

the II egree% o# moern reema%onry, +ere erie.

he neophyte i% permitte to remain in thi% 6allery o# the

'r"an!m !ner the in%tr!"tion o# hi% ma%ter !ntil he ha%

thoro!ghly #amiliari;e him%el# +ith all the %ymbol% an

their interpretation%. hi% %ymboli;e% all that he may

hope to attain #rom the phy%i"al +orl. o progre%% #arther on the path, the %o!l m!%t temporarily

leae the phy%i"al +orl an %oar into other realm% +here

a%"ene %o!l% +ill "on!"t it% initiation on the inner

plane%. o rea"h the %pirit!al plane, either +hile %till


19/30

"onne"te +ith the phy%i"al boy or a#ter eath, the %o!l

m!%t pa%% thro!gh the #o!r kingom% o# the a%tral +orl.

o %ymboli;e thi% jo!rney, the neophyte leae% the

6allery o# the 'r"ana. ir%t, to repre%ent hi% traelthro!gh the realm o# the gnome% he pa%%e% thro!gh a

t!nnel. 't the en o# thi% t!nnel, to repre%ent the realm o#

%alamaner%, he i% "on#ronte +ith a roaring re thro!gh

+hi"h he m!%t go i# he +o!l not retreat. hi% re i% really

not %o great a% it at r%t appear%, an he pa%%e% thro!gh

it +itho!t inj!ry, b!t no %ooner ha% he pa%%e it than it i%

repleni%he by !n%een han% to make hi% ret!rn

impo%%ible. h!% he reali;e% an important tr!th? that in

o""!lti%m he +ho pla"e% hi% han to the plo+ an then

t!rn% ba"k i% lo%t. 3et, a% repre%enting the in=!en"e o#

the !nine%, he i% "ompelle to +ae thro!gh a %tagnant

lake the +ater o# +hi"h ri%e% to hi% "hin, b!t by going on

tiptoe he manage% to rea"h the oppo%ite %hore, an

"limb% ripping an "ol !pon a plat#orm +hi"h he %ee% in

#ront o# a "lo%e oor.

hi% oor i% o# bron;e, an i% iie laterally by a "ol!mn

on +hi"h i% %"!lpt!re the hea o# a lion haing in it%

mo!th a ring g!ring a %erpent biting it% o+n tail. he

ring in the #orm o# a %erpent %ymboli;e% eternity, an the

lion %ymboli;e% "o!rage. Co!rage, there#ore, he i% mae

a+are, %ho!l %!%tain hi% eort% thro!gho!t eternity. oopen the oor he gra%p% the ring, an a% it re%i%t% he !%e%

both han%. B!t no %ooner oe% he get a rm grip !pon it

than the plat#orm beneath hi% #eet rop% #rom !ner him

an leae% him %!%pene in air, in the realm o# the


20/30

%ylph%. he trap beneath hi% #eet ri%e% again promptly,

an he pa%%e% thro!gh the oor +hi"h no+ open% to

permit hi% entran"e. hi% bron;e oor %ymboli;e% loe

an +i%om. t i% iie into a right, or po%itie, hal#, ana le#t, or negatie, hal#? the iiing "ol!mn, pla"e

+here po%itie an negatie #or"e% join, %ymboli;ing the

tree o# li#e that "on#er% immortality. he %ign $eo i%

nat!ral r!ler o# loe aair%. he lion@% hea, ho+eer, a%

$eo i% r!le by the %!n, al%o typie% the male element,

+hile the "ir"le in it% mo!th typie% the #emale element.

he %ymbol a% a +hole, there#ore, repre%ent% the

"omplete an harmonio!% #!%ion o# the %ee%, a"t!ate

by loe. h!% i% "oneye to the neophyte@% min the

tho!ght that the oor o# the %an"t!ary open% only in the

!nion o# t+o harmonio!% %o!l% in%pire by loe an

g!ie by +i%om. 3ot by one alone "an the %pirit!al

height% be %"ale, b!t thro!gh the mighty moement

+ithin the ner %!b%tan"e% o# %pa"e "a!%e by the %o!l

!nion o# both.

he neophyte th!% haing tri!mphe oer the te%t% by

earth, re, +ater, an air, repre%enting hi% pa%%age

thro!gh the a%tral kingom%, i% no+ met by 12 3e"ore%.

he%e men typi#y the tran%late %o!l% o# tho%e +ho on"e

lie !pon the earth an +ho belong to ea"h o# the 12

;oia"al %ign%. hey blin#ol hi% eye%, to %igni#y the!llne%% o# the real %pirit!al per"eption% !ntil higher

initiation i% attaine, an lea him to a "rypt beneath the

pyrami +here the "ollege o# the magi a+ait% him. hi%

"rypt %ymboli;e% the %pirit!al +orl +hi"h he no+


21/30

rit!ali%ti"ally ha% entere. he pyrami aboe i% a %ymbol

o# the earth +hi"h he ha% abanone, an being ire"tly

aboe thi% "rypt ini"ate% the ea"t "orre%ponen"e

bet+een the phy%i"al +orl an the +orl %pirit!al,bet+een that +hi"h i% aboe an that +hi"h i% belo+.

he +all% o# thi% "rypt are %"!lpt!re +ith the pi"t!re% o#

the H8 "on%tellation% that repre%ent the in=!en"e an

%pirit!al %igni"an"e o# the 12 ;oia"al %ign% an the IJ

;oia"al e"anate%. here are al%o pi"t!re

repre%entation% o# the G planetary angel%, an the IJ0

genii o# the egree% o# the ;oia", thro!gh +hi"h the %!npa%%e% in one year. Beneath ea"h o# the%e pi"t!re% i% an

eplanation +hi"h "an only be rea by tho%e po%%e%%ing

the key, thi% key being that o# 4pirit!al '%trology, +hi"h i%

treate in "omplete etail in Co!r%e :, Spiritual

Astrology . 't ea"h o# the #o!r angle% o# the "rypt %tan% a

bron;e %tat!e po%e !pon a triang!lar "ol!mn, one

haing the hea o# a man, one the hea o# a b!ll, one thehea o# a lion, an one the hea o# an eagle. he%e

g!re% enote-a% ea"h i% po%e on a trine-the #o!r

;oia"al tripli"itie%. Ea"h hea bear% a "ro%%-%ymbol o#

!nion o# #or"e% an o# earth-!pon +hi"h i% a light, a% i#

engenere by the !nion an repre%enting the iine re

that permeate% an iie% earth.

he ome o# the a!lt "ontain% a golen ro%e o# epetal%. he ro%e, be"a!%e it i% harbinger o# %pring,

repre%ent% rene+e li#e. ie i% the n!mber o# man, an

gol i% the metal %a"re to %pirit. hi% entire %ymbol

repre%ent% tho%e +ho hae attaine %pirit!al


22/30

regeneration. rom the ro%e are %!%pene %een lamp%,

ea"h haing three bran"he%. he three bran"he% %igni#y

the three great ii%ion% o# o""!lti%m& a%trology, al"hemy,

an magi". Ea"h o# the%e i% iie into G i%tin"t%!bje"t%, the 21 bran"he% %igni#ying the 21 bran"he% o#

o""!lt %"ien"e +hi"h the neophyte i% "alle !pon to

ma%ter an +hi"h ill!minate the min o# the aept.

Belo+ thi% ro%e %it% the ierophant. e i% re%%e in

p!rple, %a"re to >!piter, the planet goerning the higher

min, ini"ating that he i% ma%ter o# the %a"re %"ien"e%.

i% #orehea i% girt +ith a "ir"le o# gol to ini"ate thathi% min i% #!lly "ogni;ant o# %pirit!al thing%. rom thi%

ban ari%e %een %tar%, ini"ating that he i% in po%%e%%ion

o# the %een %tate% o# "on%"io!%ne%% that are the heritage

o# the per#e"t man. e o""!pie% a %iler throne. hi%

metal i% %a"re to +oman, an ini"ate% that he i% not

ignorant o# +oman@% %hare in the attainment o# %pirit!al

i"tory. he throne i% pla"e !pon a rai%e plat#orm, anth!% ini"ate% the ealte po%ition +hi"h hi% kno+lege

an eort% hae "on#erre !pon him.

o ini"ate their p!rity, the other 5agi are re%%e in

+hite. 'n to ini"ate that they al%o hae the %pirit!al

light, there i% a ban o# gol abo!t ea"h bro+. 't right

an le#t o# the ierophant they are arrange in triple

%emi"ir"le%, there being three %emi"ir"le% on theierophant@% right an three on hi% le#t, %o that he

o""!pie% the "entral, or %eenth, point bet+een the t+o

tria%. he tria on the le#t i% negatie, an repre%ent% an

e/!al eelopment o# boy, intelle"t, an %o!l in +oman.


23/30

he tria on the right i% po%itie, an repre%ent% an e/!al

eelopment o# boy, intelle"t, an %o!l in man. h!% the

ierophant, him%el# ma%"!line yet o""!pying a throne o#

%iler, by hi% !ni/!e po%ition %ymboli;e% the meeting anblening o# the ery highe%t type o# man an +oman.

n the rear, !ner a p!rple "anopy, %ymboli"al o#

bene"ent 3at!re a% %he oer%hao+% all, i% a "olo%%al

%tat!e o# %i%. t i% "ompo%e o# an alloy o# lea, tin, iron,

gol, "opper, mer"!ry, an %iler? ea"h being a metal

r!le by one o# the %een planet% an th!% %ymboli;ing

one o# the %een a"tie prin"iple% that perae all nat!re. he %tat!e +ear% a triang!lar iaem o# %iler, +ith an

aigrette o# 12 ray%, an !pon her brea%t i% a golen ro%e

in the "entre o# a golen "ro%%. he arm% are etene in

#ront in %!"h a manner a% to #orm an e/!ilateral triangle

+ith the #orehea at the ape. rom ea"h o# the open

nger% %tream% to+ar the earth a golen ray.

he ro%e !pon the golen "ro%% %ymboli;e% the !nite

tran%m!tation o# po%itie an negatie energie% #rom a

lo+er range o# a"tion to a higher %"ale o# ibration. he

ten golen ray% typi#y the "hain o# ten planet% thro!gh

+hi"h 3at!re mol% the e%tiny o# all thing%. he %iler

aigrette o# 12 ray% repre%ent% the 12 ;oia"al %ign% that

a"t a% %o!ning boar% #rom +hi"h the ibration% o# the

planet% are reerberate. he e/!ilateral triangle o# %iler%ignie% +oman +ho ha% proportionally eelope her

boy, intelle"t an %o!l. he triangle #rom +hi"h =o+ the

golen ray% ini"ate% man +ho ha% "!ltiate in a

harmonio!% manner hi% boy, intelle"t an %o!l. h!%


24/30

their point at the top o# the #orehea o# %i% enote% that

3at!re@% "ro+ning glory i% the re!nion o# t+o %!"h

per#e"tly eelope people.

Be#ore the ierophant i% a table !pon +hi"h re%t% aplani%phere, an it i% here, be#ore the a%%emble "ollege,

that the neophyte, +ho%e eye% are no+ !nbanage, i%

re/!ire to emon%trate hi% kno+lege o# a%trology by

ere"ting an elineating a birth "hart, "al"!lating the

progre%%e po%ition% an pa%%ing j!gment !pon the

eent% that hae taken pla"e in %ome per%on@% li#e, an

the time% +hen the%e eent% hae taken pla"e. n orerto "he"k the a""!ra"y o# hi% elineation%, the "hart o#

%ome per%on kno+n to member% o# the "ollege i%

%ele"te, b!t it% ientity i% kept %e"ret #rom the neophyte.

e i% epe"te to portray the temperament o# the per%on,

to %ele"t the "hannel% o# a"tiity into +hi"h the li#e ha%

"hie=y been t!rne, to e%ignate +hat epartment% o#

li#e are #ort!nate an +hat are !n#ort!nate, an to %ele"tthe time% an nat!re% o# the prin"ipal eent% that hae

tran%pire in hi% li#e. 'l%o he i% epe"te to kno+

%omething o# all the other %i bran"he% o# a%trology.

'#ter hi% kno+lege o# a%trology ha% been thoro!ghly

te%te, he i% re/!ire to emon%trate hi% kno+lege o#

the tarot. e m!%t be #amiliar +ith the meaning o# ea"h

o# the 5ajor 'r"ana in ea"h o# the three +orl% a% +ell a%the iinatory %igni"an"e. e m!%t kno+ the ibratory

in=!en"e o# name%, n!mber%, "olor%, tone% an =o+er%,

an m!%t hae %ome kno+lege o# the tali%mani"

propertie% o# gem%. 'n he m!%t kno+ ho+ a parti"!lar


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name, n!mber, or other ibratory in=!en"e +ill ae"t a

"ertain per%on, a% reeale by "omparing it +ith the birth

"hart. inally, he i% re/!ire to lay o!t an "orre"tly rea

a tarot %prea, th!% emon%trating hi% ability to !%e the%etablet% a% iinatory in%tr!ment%.

'#ter the%e te%t% o# hi% kno+lege, he i% re/!ire to take

an oath, %imilar in it% +oring to that amini%tere in

moern reema%onry, neer to reeal the %a"re %"ien"e%

or other portion% o# the my%terie%. hen he i% re/!ire to

take a %e"on oath, o+ing him%el# to %!bmi%%ion an

obeien"e to the ierophant. hi% %e"on oath repre%ent%the plege the initiate make% to him%el# to obey al+ay%

the oi"e o# hi% "on%"ien"e. 't thi% point a terrible noi%e i%

hear an an arti"ial tempe%t i% pro!"e !ring +hi"h

the 5agi point their %+or% at hi% brea%t an a""!%e him

o# pa%t "rime%, typi#ying the ay o# j!gment +hen the

%o!l +ill be "alle !pon to rener an a""o!nt o# it% ee%

one +hile in the =e%h. 3et, t+o 3e"ore%, ea"h "arryinga "!p o# +ine, approa"h an oer the "!p% to him. hen

the %tartle "aniate i% tol that one o# the "!p% i% /!ite

harmle%% b!t that the other "ontain% a ealy poi%on.

7emining him o# the oath he ha% j!%t taken to obey, the

ierophant "omman% the neophyte to make a "hoi"e o#,

an immeiately to rink, the "ontent% o# one o# the "!p%.

he harmle%% "!p %ymboli;e% loe an irt!e? the poi%on"!p, pa%%ion an i"e. Ea"h %o!l i% "on#ronte +ith the

trial o# thi% "hoi"e, an only by obeying the :oi"e o# the

4ilen"e "an it %a#ely be pa%%e. #, in %pite o# hi% oath o#

%!bmi%%ion, the neophyte re#!%e% to obey, he i% in#orme


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that the initiation i% broken an he i% "onne to a

!ngeon #or %een month% an then allo+e a %e"on

trial. # he th!% #ail% at the r%t te%t he may neer ri%e

higher in the rank% o# the 5agi, tho!gh he may gain#reeom later by %!""e%%#!lly pa%%ing the te%t. n %!"h a

"a%e he repre%ent% a +eak an +aering %o!l +ho #ear%

to obey the i"tate% o# hi% inner %el#. he neophyte@% only

hope o# e%"aping etin"tion i% to pa%% the oreal, tho!gh

on"e #ailing he oe% not hae the opport!nitie% that

+o!l hae been open to him ha he taken the e"i%ie

%tep at on"e. he la+% o# the 5agi "ompel him to pa%%

the trial or peri%h in the !ngeon "ell.

h!% the %o!l, by irt!e o# moral integrity an a%piration,

i% repre%ente a% tri!mphing oer the barrier% that

"onne it to lo+er %pirit!al %tate%. i% blin#ole

entran"e to the "rypt ini"ate% hi% entran"e into the r%t

%tate o# the %pirit!al +orl? the te%t% o# hi% a%trologi"al

an hi% Fabbali%ti"al %kill take him %ymboli"ally into the%e"on %pirit!al %tate? hi% r%t oath "on!"t% him into the

thir %pirit!al %tate? hi% %e"on oath lea% him into the

#o!rth %pirit!al %tate? the trial o# the "!p% gie% him

entran"e into the #th %pirit!al %tate? an no+, to

repre%ent the %ith %pirit!al %tate, he i% le into a

neighboring hall +hi"h i% #!rni%he l!!rio!%ly to "oney

the impre%%ion o# a royal n!ptial "hamber.i% "lothing i% remoe by attenant%, ini"ating that all

gro%%ne%% ha% been p!rge a+ay. e i% re%%e in +hite

linen to %ymboli;e the %trength o# p!rity. 'n e/!i%ite

repa%t i% enjoye +hile hi% ear% are re#re%he by %train%


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o# rapt!ro!% m!%i", emblemati"al o# the higher %tate% o#

e"%ta%y an the m!%i" o# the %phere%. '% he ni%he% the

re#re%hment%, "!rtain% are ra+n a%ie, reealing to him

bea!ti#!l yo!ng +omen an"ing. o "on"eal their ientity,een a% the boy hie% the %o!l, they +ear ma%k%

atta"he at the bro+ by a "ir"le o# gol, typi"al o#

intelle"t!al ill!mination. hey are %"antily "la in a ga!;y

eil %pangle +ith golen bee%, the eil ini"ating ho+

%light i% the ob%tr!"tion that bar% man #rom reali;ation,

an the golen bee% %igni#ying the iine "reatie

e%%en"e in it% mo%t %pirit!al a%pe"t, an #!rther, that the

eil may be penetrate only by the in!%trio!%? #or the

%loth#!l %o!l +ill neer penetrate the %pirit!al %tate%.

'"ro%% ea"h girl@% %ho!ler% i% thro+n a lmy %"ar#,

%ymboli;ing the %pirit!al raiment #orme by ealte

a%piration an eotion to tr!th? an ea"h "arrie% a

garlan o# =o+er%, ini"atie o# inno"en"e, joy an

%!preme happine%%.

Aelight#!l per#!me% ll the air, an the neophyte

approa"he% the an"er%. '#ter a time t+o o# their n!mber

thro+ their garlan% abo!t him, en"ir"ling him +ith a

"hain o# ro%e%, +hile the other% =ee. he%e t+o girl%

"ontin!e to an"e abo!t him, %haking their garlan% by

t!rn a% i# to prooke hi% "hoi"e. he "hain o# ro%e%

repre%ent% the bining po+er o# loe.# the neophyte are% to iolate the %an"tity o# the

my%terie% he i% in a"t!al anger, b!t i# he "ontin!e% to

"on!"t him%el# +ith propriety the 5agi "ome to

"ongrat!late him !pon pa%%ing the la%t o# the trial%, an


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"on#er !pon him the title o# Zelator. hi% nal a"t in the

initiation %ymboli;e% the re!nion o# t+in %o!l%, +hi"h

take% pla"e !pon the bo!nary o# the %ith an %eenth

%pirit!al %tate%. *hile "oneying the iea that all pa%%ionm!%t be eole !p+ar into p!re !n%!llie loe be#ore

thi% %tate "an be rea"he, an that thi% %a"re !nion

m!%t not be pro#ane +ith iolen"e or "arnal e%ire, it at

the %ame time, by the t+o girl% an"ing abo!t the

neophyte, %ymboli;e% the original trinity that ei%te

be#ore the %eparation o# the %ee%-ego, male %o!l, an

#emale %o!l. t %ho!l be noti"e that thi% %"ene i% ery

ierent #rom that repre%enting the %eparation? #or that

+a% a region o# hieo!% mon%ter% an im "on%"io!%ne%%?

+hile thi% i% a pla"e o# joyo!% bea!ty, e"%tati" %en%ation%,

an ii per"eption%. By thi% !nion the %o!l i%

repre%ente a% pa%%ing into the %eenth %pirit!al %tate

together +ith it% long mi%%ing mate, an "an no longer be

"on%iere h!man, #or it ha% no+ attaine to the %tate o#

angelhoo? immortality i% no longer a po%%ibility, b!t an

a%%!re #a"t.

$a%tly, to impre%% !pon the ne+ Zelator the #ate o# tho%e

+ho #ollo+ the iner%ie path, he i% le in the mi%t o# 12

3e"ore%, repre%enting the ;oia"al %ign%, into the opening

o# a "aern. ere a pale, !n"ertain light reeal% to him a

pit in +hi"h a %phin i% tearing the eMgy o# a h!man#orm. 4o, a""oring to traition, +ill the "y"le% %!rely

e%troy tho%e +ho lo%e their immortality by #ollo+ing the

#ate#!l roa o# %el%hne%% an bla"k magi". h!% en% the


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rit!al o# Egyptian initiation, portraying, a% it oe%, the

"y"le o# the %o!l.

Birth Charts

Thomas A. Eison Chart

ebr!ary 11, 18HG 11&I8 .5. $5

5ilan, Ohio H1318? 82*IG

Aata& Astrological Signatures, by C. C. Zain

*orl@% greate%t inentor (Nran!% %/!are 5oon an 5ar%), an

*orl@% greate%t inentor (Nran!% %/!are 5oon an 5ar%), an

*a% eno+e (>!piter in 8th, %etile Nran!%) in %!"h a +ay tha

ame thro!gh inention% (Nran!% trine 5. C.).

a loyal %!pport o# employee%, an "ontrib!te immen%ely to


30/30

le#t, a% th!% al%o ini"ate, "on%ierable property at hi% eath.

serial lesson 1

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