A GUIDE TO THE
OATHS OF INITIATION
Issued by the Sanctuary of Thoth
On behalf of
The Great Order of the Universe
Copyright © 2008 Sanctuary of Thoth. All rights
reserved.
The Oaths of Initiation, combined with the Ritual of the Stars, form the basis of the System of Initiation now offered through the Sanctuary of Thoth. The Oaths of Initiation correspond to the Sephiroth and the Paths on the Qabalistic Tree of Life. This paper provides general guidance on how to use the Oaths of Initiation. For information concerning the Ritual of the Stars, you are referred to the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars.
From the time of our birth, our Eye naturally focuses on human needs and desires. Our work is to turn our Eye to the Light, to discover our True Self and come to know our True Will, so that we may do that Will and evolve magickally, spiritually and materially in the Light. The Oaths of Initiation are designed to systematically bring the aspirant through the initiation process. They are to be used in conjunction with the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars, which provides guidance on how to formulate your Sphere to gain access to the mysteries and energies corresponding to the Oath.
The initiation process takes time, both to initiate into corresponding mysteries and integrate corresponding energies. Both aspects go hand-in-hand. For this reason, each step on the Royal Path of Initiation must be taken with care (and not too quickly). The more time you spend on a step represented by an Oath, the more you will become acclimated to the mysteries and energies corresponding to the Oath. This assists in healthy, balanced initiation, which is the goal.
As the aspirant climbs the Tree of Life in the initiation process, the aspirant gains new insight into the Tree of Life, both above and below the aspirant’s position on the Tree. Perspective changes with each step, which gradually opens the Eye to the new and evolving perspective.
When taking an Oath of Initiation, it is recommended (if possible and you are so inclined) that you first formulate your Sphere according to the formula of the Ritual of the Stars before taking the Oath. Then, the Oath of Initiation should be read (aloud if possible), signed (taking a magickal motto if you will) and sealed (with a kiss or as you may otherwise know how). A scroll will be issued in connection with each Oath of Initiation providing more detailed recommendations on how to perform rituals of self-initiation specifically relating to each Oath. However, sufficient information has already been provided in the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars to permit you to formulate your own rituals of self-initiation. Further, the Ritual of the Stars is itself a ritual of self-initiation. Therefore, every time you perform the Ritual (whether mentally or physically), you are furthering your initiation process.
As indicated in the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars, our goal in delivering this System of Initiation is to reach and initiate more people than have thus far been reached by existing magickal orders and traditional religions. Every human (without exception) would benefit from attaining the Knowledge and Conversation of their Holy Guardian Angel. The System of Initiation being offered sets this as the initial goal of the work, which is the aspirant’s Great Work.
During the initiation process, the aspirant evolves as a source of Light and Love to others, which inspires and assists others in their Great Work, whether verbally discussed with them or not. It also assists with the magickal, spiritual and material evolution of the human race, as the aspirant and those around evolve in the Light.
You already possess the spiritual tools necessary to perform this Great Work and practice the Royal Art and Science of Magick. The first step is simply to declare you intent by taking the first Oath of the Childe of Earth. All the rest will follow from there.
As indicated in the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars, if you have initiated into another system which uses the Tree of Life as the basis of initiation, you may use the System of Initiation offered through the Sanctuary of Thoth to simply pick-up where you left off. There is no reason to start from the beginning or go back unless you feel it would be healthy or otherwise beneficial to do so. You are welcome as you are and encouraged to undertake initiation using the System being offered here.
The Initiation Process
The initiation process (and the work related to the process) is also described in the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars, and will be expanded upon in future scrolls to be issued in connection with each Oath of Initiation. However, it may be briefly explained as follows.
The first task is to gain control over the “human” aspects of the aspirant (sometimes called the Nephesch or the animal soul), and place them, as an initiated ruler of the human body, in service of the Mind (also known as the Ruach). As these aspects of the aspirant are purified and consecrated to the Great Work, the nature and powers of the Holy Guardian Angel may be revealed to the aspirant.
Once the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel is attained, the Mind (Ruach) is further developed and purified, as the lower aspects of the aspirant are lustrated and stripped away to produce the Virgin Daughter. This is the second defined goal of our System of Initiation. As the Virgin Daughter evolves, the aspirant moves from the Path of Pleasure (which most humans walk) to the Path of Divine Joy, and attains liberation from the human condition.
From here, there is Mystery. The goal is for the Virgin Daughter to be redeemed according to the formula of the Tetragrammaton, and attain union with the Universal Soul (also known as the Neschamah or Great Mother). The work of the Most High proceeds from there.
The remainder of this Guide will briefly address each Oath of Initiation through the Oath of the Childe of Chesed, which you are encouraged to read before taking any of the Oaths.
The Oath of the Childe of Earth
When you feel that you are ready to undertake the Great Work of your magickal, spiritual and material evolution, you are encouraged to take the Oath of the Childe of Earth. We are all born as Children of Earth. This Oath is taken before your God, and is an assertion of your Will to perform and accomplish the Great Work. You may take this Oath at any time, regardless of training or experience.
Although it is generally recommended that you perform the Ritual of the Stars before taking an Oath of Initiation, this is not required when taking this Oath. Rather, simply contemplating the words of the Oath, and your will to perform the work described in the Oath, will suffice.
Taking an Oath of Initiation is an act of great holiness. This being the case, prepare as you will and enter into the act accordingly, with a reverent and loving heart, and always be humble. Appeal to your God for aid in the work, and to provide instruction. Know that true initiation is conferred by your Holy Guardian Angel, and it is your Angel that will ultimately teach you the Royal Art and Science of Magick. Accordingly, speak with your God before taking the Oath, pray as you will, and give thanks for coming to this point in your life when you are prepared and inspired to take the Oath.
Traditionally, an aspirant takes a magickal motto when taking an Oath of Initiation. This assists in assuming a magickal personality, which is an aspect of your True Self. It is unnecessary to take a magickal motto, though it is recommended. Alternatively, you may use your public name, if this is your preference.
If you take a magickal motto, it should express your Will or attitude towards the Great Work. A magickal motto may be in any language. Also, you decide the spelling of the words you use. In this regard, you are encouraged to review the gematria of any motto you are considering, both with and without “Frater” (meaning Brother) or “Soror” (meaning Sister) before the motto. The enumeration of the motto, and other words with the same enumeration, may assist you in choosing a motto.
It is also common for an aspirant to change mottos when taking the next Oath of Initiation for a Sephiroth, as an acknowledgement of the changing and evolving perspective. However, this also is not required. You can continue to use the same motto for all Oaths of Initiation if you will.
The task of the Childe of Earth is to become sufficiently familiar with the formula of the Ritual of the Stars to organize and erect the aspirant’s Sphere, which will be “fine tuned” by future work. You are encouraged to work as a Childe of Earth as long as needed (there are no minimum periods).
It is best to project only
Silver-Blue Pentagrams at this stage of evolution. Neither the floor nor ceiling of the Sphere
have to be formulated as of yet. Basic
magickal practices, such as purification and consecration, should be learned
and applied, all in connection with erecting and preparing your Sphere. Your work is to erect your
When you learn to embody the Tree of Life (visualizing all White Spheres at first will suffice –corresponding colors and Paths can come later) and the basic elemental formula of the Sphere, all as described in the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars, you are encouraged to take the next step on the Royal Path of Initiation towards the discovery of your True Self, by taking the Oath of the Childe of Malkuth.
Although the Oath of the Childe of Earth may be taken at any time (when you are so inspired), it is generally recommended that all other Oaths of Initiation through the Portal Grade of the Dominis Liminis be taken shortly (within a day or two) after a New Moon (while the Moon is waxing), and that your work be structured based on Lunar Cycles during these periods. Use each one wisely and well. Consult an ephemeris (star chart) for the exact times of Lunar Cycles in your geographic area.
The Oath of the Childe of Malkuth
Taking the Oath of the Childe of Malkuth is the beginning of a new and wonderful phase of your work, when skills are cultivated and great experience can be attained through sincere effort and dedicated work. It is generally recommended that aspirants spend three to six Lunar Cycles, or longer if needed, to perform the work of the Childe of Malkuth. In connection with this, it is also recommended that you set aside a certain amount of time each day (if possible) to perform your work. (Approximately the same time each day is best.) Consider this period as time when your Angel will have the opportunity to train you in the Royal Art and Science of Magick. From this perspective, reserving the time will become more important to you in prioritizing your day. Making time for the Great Work is itself a component of performing the work.
As a Childe of Earth, you learned (among other things) to organize your Sphere on an elemental basis. These forces reside within your Sphere, mixed together as symbolized by the image of the Sphinx. Thou art the Sphinx Childe! By separating the elements and assigning them to their corresponding quadrants within your Sphere, you permit these forces to operate more efficiently according to their own natures. Your work now will be to exalt these forces and your Sphere so that Spirit may descend in the midst to redeem, equilibrate and inform the elements. This is an aspect of the work through the Portal Grade of the Dominis Liminis. You work to gain control over the nature and powers of your own being within your Sphere.
There are several aspects to the work recommended for the Childe of Malkuth, each of which is briefly described below.
Elemental Earth. The aspirant would now begin working with the Stars and Symbols corresponding with “Elemental Earth” given in the attached “Table of Stars and Symbols” (hereafter referred to as the “Table”). The first step is to begin working with the element of earth as corresponding to Malkuth by projecting the Green Pentagram of Earth within your Sphere. Note that these projections will invoke these energies, and flood your Sphere with them so you can gain experience with these energies, equilibrate them and evolve, as described in the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars. In the process of integrating these energies within your Sphere, your Sphere will become “tuned” to the energies, which will further and assist your initiation process.
The Green Pentagrams of Earth may be projected after you erect your Sphere and purify and consecrate it to your work, as you know how. Alternatively, they may be projected in erecting your Sphere, if your mind is already calm and focused on the Great Work, undisturbed by mundane matters.
The Holy Names to be uttered when performing the Ritual of the Stars to work with Elemental Earth would be the corresponding Divine Hierarchy, which is as follows:
Adonai (Atziluthic)
Auriel (Briatic)
Phorlakh (Yitziratic)
Kerub (Assiatic)
During this period when you initially work with Elemental Earth, it is generally recommended that aspirants acquire or, better yet, make the magickal implement corresponding with the element of earth which is the Earth Pantacle. Acquire or make a Pantacle which is right for you, as your intuition guides you. Consider the recommendations of other magickal orders in this regard, but don’t feel bound by them. The goal is to work through the correspondences, and consecrate a fitting symbol of the Element (which may change over time).
Preparing and consecrating an Earth Pantacle is recommended as it assists in the purification and consecration of the aspirant’s true Pantacle, which is the aspirant’s Physical Body. Further, having the Pantacle available may be of assistance to the aspirant in more advanced ceremonial workings, and especially after the aspirant becomes a Dominis Liminis.
Preparing an Earth Pantacle is not a requirement for advancement. Further, if an Earth Pantacle is not prepared during your work as a Childe of Malkuth, another appropriate (and fine) time to prepare the Earth Pantacle would be during your work as a Dominis Liminis. Whenever it is prepared, it will assist in your initiation process.
You are encouraged to review, contemplate and incorporate into your workings the Tarot cards corresponding with Elemental Earth which are identified in the attached Table to help gain insight.
Work with the Sephira Malkuth. In addition to working with Elemental Earth, the aspirant would now begin working directly with the Sephira Malkuth and its corresponding symbolism, also identified in the attached Table for “Earth”. Specifically, the aspirant would now begin projecting the Black Hexagrams of Earth described in the attached Table. May these Hexagrams turn to Gold!
As an aside, when working with a Sephira, the attached Table references the corresponding Planet as “Your Focus”. This is designed to encourage you to focus your Eye first from the lower planetary perspective, and then look up the Tree of Life contained in the particular Sephira and then down your embodied Tree of Life (per the formula of the Ritual of the Stars). This assists in making certain connections (as further explained below), and attaining the perspective of the Sephira. If the corresponding planet has higher attributions, simply note them for now in reference to future work.
The Holy Names to be uttered when performing the Ritual of the Stars to work with Malkuth would include the corresponding Divine Hierarchy, which is as follows:
Adonai ha-Aretz (Atziluthic)
Sandalphon (Briatic)
Ashim (Yitziratic)
Olam Yesodath (Assiatic)
After the Sphere has been formulated according to the formula of the Ritual of the Stars, and perhaps just prior to closing the working, aspirants are encouraged to take a Eucharist of the four elements. This is designed to consecrate the elements of the aspirant’s being (through the physical senses) to the True Will from the perspective of the Sephira. The importance of this to the initiation process cannot be over-emphasized.
The Eucharist may be taken as follows: for Fire, look into a candle flame; for Water, taste a sip of water (or other corresponding liquid); for Air, smell some burning incense or a corresponding flower (a red rose is always appropriate); and for Earth, eat a small piece of bread or consecrate your body with some Holy Oil, feeling it touch your skin. The Eucharist may (but does not have to) be charged to further your work before it is consumed.
Work with the Paths. After working with Elemental Earth for a Lunar Cycle or so, and perhaps on or about the same time the aspirant begins working with Malkuth and the corresponding Hexagrams, it is recommended that the Childe begin working with the Oaths of Initiation for the Paths on the Qabalistic Tree of Life. This is natural, and corresponds to and assists with the other work described above. During your initial work with the Paths, many subtle changes will occur within your Sphere, which will effect deep and profound transformations of your being. The importance of this aspect of the work also cannot be over-emphasized.
Initially, the Paths are taken in turn, beginning with the Path of Tau (symbolized by Atu XXI) and continuing on following the Path of the Serpent (which proceeds in the order of the Hebrew alphabet based on their corresponding numerical values) up the Tree of Life. The Oaths of Initiation for the Paths have been organized in their proper order in the file available on the Sanctuary’s website.
It is generally recommended that an Oath of Initiation for a Path be taken within several days after a New Moon. An Oath of Initiation for a Path may be taken simply by reading the Oath, and then signing and sealing the Oath as described above in relation to the Oath of the Childe of Malkuth. However, if circumstances so permit, it is recommended that the aspirant first perform the Ritual of the Stars to formulate the aspirant’s Sphere in a manner corresponding with the Path. The Oath would then be read, signed and sealed. The aspirant might then reaffirm the Oath of Initiation for the Path by scrying the Path or projecting the aspirant’s Sphere through a portal which looks like the Atu corresponding with the Path (i.e., performing some form of Path working).
On the initial journey up the Tree, aspirants are encouraged to work with a Path under Oath in a sincere and dedicated manner for one or two Lunar Cycles (or longer as needed). After taking the Oath for the Path of Tau, you are encouraged to structure your work so you work with an Element or Sephira on one day, and the Path on the next day, maintaining this alternating rhythm even if you skip a day in the process. By doing this, your Eye will naturally focus on the work assigned to the day even if there is no concentrated work or study that day.
You decide how long you work with a Path. Take as long as you need. The longer, the better. However, it is important to formulate, as early as possible, when you will be concluding your work with a Path and moving on to the next Path. With this in mind, you then work diligently towards your goal. This will assist the Crowning of your work with the Path and the initiation process.
It is generally recommended that you work with the Paths of Tau, Shin and Resh, and the corresponding Stars and Symbols given in the attached Table, during your period as a Childe of Malkuth. This will prepare you to take the Oath of the Childe of Yesod as you move to the Path of Qoph. You are also encouraged to begin formulating the floor of your Sphere as described in the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars when you begin working with the Path of Tau. This will assist the aspirant in rising in the Sphere into the Heavens and working on the lower Astral Plane.
The Oath of the Childe of Yesod
After completing the work of the Childe of Malkuth, the next step on the Royal Path of Initiation is to take the Oath of the Childe of Yesod. If you are proceeding as recommended above, you would take this on or about the same time (during the same Lunar Cycle) you take the Oath of the Path of Qoph. The reason for this is that, as a result of your prior work, you will now be able to begin formulating (on an initiated basis) the Bow of Promise within your Sphere, also known as the Bow of QShTh. This is formed by the letters of Qoph, Shin and Tau and the corresponding Paths on the Tree of Life. The inertia of this work and the work to come assists in lifting the Sphere, and opening the Eye, to the lower Astral Plane, and eventually bringing the Sphere through the Veil of Paroketh (also known as the Lesser Abyss) to Tiphareth, which is the abode of the Holy Guardian Angel.
As part of this process, you would now formulate the floor of the Sphere in any given working according to the formulae given in the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars.
As you climb the Tree of Life, look around and consider your changing perspective. As a Childe of Yesod, you will now experience the Middle Pillar of the Tree of Life from a more exalted vantage point than you had in the past. Consider that the Sephiroth entitled Kether (the 1), Tiphareth (the 6) and Yesod (the 9) are all attributed to the Element of Air and form the Middle Pillar of the Tree of Life (with Malkuth (the 10) which is attributed to the Element of Earth). Also consider that the Sephiroth below Tiphareth (the 6) form the “human” aspects of your being. However, there is more to the Tree than just Netzach (the 7), Hod (the 8), Yesod (the 9) and Malkuth (the 10). Your being is symbolized by the entire Microcosmic Tree of Life, thus forming your Little World, which is unique, yet a part of the Macrocosm or Great World. The Tree of Life, with its Sephiroth and Paths, are the foundations of your being. You embody the Tree of Life when working with the formula of the Ritual of the Stars. However, this is more so an acknowledgement of what already exists within your Sphere.
The Sephiroth and Paths are Divine. The Elements are blind forces through which Divinity moves. By coming to realize and acknowledge these aspects or foundations of your own being, you begin to discover the Divinity which resides within your Sphere and your True Self. This Great Work of the Childe of Yesod is furthered by the other work recommended below, which is designed to open the channels through which your Angel will communicate with you and through which the forces of the Universe will flow. Every step you take on the Royal Path brings you closer to your Angel.
It is generally recommended that
you spend three to six Lunar Cycles, or more if needed, performing the work of
the Childe of Yesod. Ideally, the same
amount of time would be spent performing the work of the Childe of Malkuth, Yesod,
Hod and Netzach, to balance the energies within your Sphere. However, take whatever time you need. Also, work when you can (scheduled as
described above is best) and take whatever time you have available to you, no
matter how little time this may be some days.
Constant dedication to the work furthers the initiation process. Keep the Eye focused on the work, even if you
can’t sit down and study or perform a working.
Adore and praise your God in all that you do! Work for your God, in and out of the
The work recommended for the Childe of Yesod is briefly described below.
Elemental Air. The Childe of Yesod would now begin working with the Stars and Symbols for “Elemental Air” described in the attached Table. Specifically, the Childe would begin projecting the Yellow Air Pentagram, and working with the Divine Hierarchy for Air, which is as follows:
YHVH (Atziluthic)
Raphael (Briatic)
Chassan (Yitziratic)
Ariel (Assiatic)
This work would be balanced with the new Sephirotic and Path work described below.
While working with the element of air as a Childe of Yesod, aspirants are encouraged to make or acquire the magickal tool corresponding with Elemental Air, which is the Air Dagger. This would be done according to your own ingenium. As with other Elemental tools, consider the recommendations of other magickal orders, primarily to work through the symbolism, but don’t feel bound by the recommendations. Prepare your tools as your intuition guides you. Also, look around your living space. You may find that you have been equipped with things which will more than suffice. This is a common experience among many magicians. Simple things which, perhaps, have been with you for some time may work the best for you. Complex or expensive things are unnecessary. Use what has been given to you, and give thanks.
Preparing and consecrating an Air Dagger assists with the purification and consecration of the aspirant’s true Dagger, which is the aspirant’s intelligence or intellect. Consider again how the element of air corresponds with the Middle Pillar on the Tree of Life, and that this shows through its symbolism a direct channel or line of communication from the Crown (Kether, the 1) to the Holy Guardian Angel in Tiphareth (the 6) to the human aspect in Yesod (the 9) to the Childe in Malkuth (the 10). From this, we see that the Angel communicates with its client through the intellect and the other human aspects shown on the Tree of Life below Tiphareth (the 6), as described above. The intellect is purified, consecrated to the Great Work and illuminated by the work of the Childe of Yesod, and further lustrated by future work.
If you prepared an Earth Pantacle during your period as a Childe of Malkuth, it is recommended that you prepare an Air Dagger while a Childe of Yesod. This is not a requirement for advancement. If you don’t prepare the elemental tools during your initial work with the elements, another appropriate time to do so would be during your work as a Dominis Liminis, to assist with the initiation process, as indicated above.
You are encouraged to review, contemplate and incorporate into your workings during this period the Tarot cards corresponding with Elemental Air which are given in the attached Table.
Work with the Sephira Yesod. As a Childe of Yesod, you are encouraged to balance the Elemental Air work described above with work directly focused on the Sephira Yesod and its corresponding Stars and Symbols given in the attached Table for “The Moon”. Focus the Eye up the Tree in this Sephira and down the embodied Tree to assist in connecting to the Sephira. Begin projecting the Lunar Hexagrams described in the attached Table according to the formula of the Ritual of the Stars, and working with the Divine Hierarchy for Yesod, which is as follows:
Shaddai El Chai (Atziluthic)
Gabriel (Briatic)
Kerubim (Yitziratic)
Levanah (Assiatic)
During this period, you are encouraged to continue to take a Eucharist of the four elements on a regular basis as described above to consecrate your physical senses and being to the True Will from the perspective of Yesod.
Also, now
would be a good time to start making or acquiring a Planetary Talisman for each
Magickal Day of the Week. Thus, you
would obtain: a Solar Talisman (one of the Sun) for Sunday; a Lunar Talisman
(one of the Moon) for Monday; a Mars Talisman for Tuesday; a Mercury Talisman
for Wednesday; a Jupiter Talisman for Thursday; a Venus Talisman for Friday;
and a Saturnian Talisman for Saturday.
This is not a requirement for advancement. However, it will assist you in tuning into
the Planetary aspects of your work and the energies of
each day, as stirred in the Womb of the Goddess throughout the Zodiacal
Year. Appropriate Solomonic Pentacles
(which are available for purchase through some occult shops and web stores) may
be used for this purpose, more so as symbols of the Planets and less so for the
stated purpose of the Pentacles as given in the second book of The Key of
Solomon the King. The appropriate
Talisman (or Pentacle) may then be worn on the corresponding Magickal Day
(which begins at
Work with the Paths. It is generally recommended that you work with the Paths of Qoph, Tzaddi and Peh, and the corresponding Stars and Symbols given in the attached Table, during your period as a Childe of Yesod. This will prepare you to take the Oath of the Childe of Hod as you move to the Path of Ayin. Before doing so, however, do take care to formulate your will during your last Lunar Cycle as a Childe of Yesod to conclude and Crown your work in all respects.
The Oath of the Childe of Hod
When it is time to proceed, you are encouraged to take the Oath of the Childe of Hod shortly after the New Moon of the Lunar Cycle during which you will also take the Oath of the Path of Ayin.
Note that you are now making substantial progress up the Tree of Life, both from a Sephirotic perspective and by way of the Paths on the Tree of Life. Consider that you are now beginning to view life from an ever higher perspective, that you are proceeding through the lower elemental formula as projected onto the Tree of Life, and that Hod (the 8) and Netzach (the 7) are attributed to Water and Fire, respectively. Further consider that your work as a Childe of Hod and as a Childe of Netzach will assist you in receiving the purifications and consecrations necessary to ultimately pierce the Veil of Paroketh (which is the Lesser Abyss between human being and the True Self) and rise into Tiphareth.
Hod is symbolic of yet another “human” aspect of being, your thoughts (the Mercurial aspect of Hod) and emotions (the Watery aspect of Hod). These must be purified and consecrated to the Great Work, controlled and placed in service of the Great Work. In this regard, consider Hod’s place on the Tree of Life. It is the 8. It is below Tiphareth (the 6) and, thus, is a manifestation of that which precedes it. Further, Hod is directly connected to Tiphareth by way of the Path of Ayin. Therefore, as you purify and consecrate these aspects of your being, through which your Holy Guardian Angel communicates, these lines of communication will further open and become clearer to you.
You are getting closer to attaining the Knowledge and Conversation of your Holy Guardian Angel. Listen to what your Angel has to say to you! This may be easier said than done at first. If you hear the Word of your Angel, it would seem prudent to act on it, would it not?!
It is generally recommended that aspirants spend three to six Lunar Cycles, or longer if needed, performing the work of the Childe of Hod. You are likely getting more refined and guided in your magickal practices at this stage of evolution. Nevertheless, it is generally recommended that you spend approximately the same amount of time, if possible, performing the work of the Childe of Hod as you did with your lower work. This assists in creating balance. Of course, your progress may quicken if you make a greater effort, and spend more sincere and dedicated time performing your work than you did in the past.
The work recommended for the Childe of Hod is briefly described below.
Elemental Water. The aspirant would now begin working with the Stars and Symbols for “Elemental Water” given in the attached Table. Specifically, the aspirant would begin projecting the Blue Water Pentagram, and working with the Divine Hierarchy for the Element of Water which is as follows:
AL (Atziluthic)
Gabriel (Briatic)
Taliahad (Yitziratic)
Tharsis (Assiatic)
You are encouraged to balance this work with Sephirotic and Path work, alternating days as previously recommended to focus the Eye.
As part of the work of the Childe of Hod, aspirants are encouraged to make or acquire the magickal tool corresponding with Elemental Water, which is the Magick Cup. Holy, Holy is Thy Cup! Take care as to what is allowed into it! As with the other magickal tools corresponding with the elements, you are encouraged to prepare your Magick Cup according to your own ingenium, considering the recommendations of other magickal orders, but doing as you will.
Preparing a Cup is not a requirement for advancement and can be accomplished at a later date, perhaps as part of your work as a Dominis Liminis. However, your Magick Cup is a symbol of your true Magick Cup, which is your Soul. At this stage of evolution, you are dealing specifically with your lower “human” soul, also known as the Nephesch. Therefore, the preparation of your Magick Cup will assist with the purification and consecration of your Lower Soul to the Great Work.
While you work with the element of water, try to develop your mystical, as well as your corresponding magickal, skills. Turn the Eye inwards towards your heart. In doing so, the Eye looks out. Observe what is being projected on the screen of your Mind. Follow an “arrow” or “current” of thought, allowing in those things which are consistent with the focus of the Eye and pushing out those which are inconsistent or might tend to distract. Remain focused. Take control of your human self.
You are encouraged to review, contemplate and incorporate into your workings the Tarot cards corresponding with Elemental Water given in the attached Table as a Childe of Hod.
Work with the Sephira Hod. As with the prior work, you are encouraged to continue to balance your Elemental work with the corresponding Sephirotic work on one day, and focus on Path work the next day, to creating an alternating rhythm. This structure is strongly recommended and repeated as it greatly assists the initiation process.
As a Childe of Hod, your Eye now focuses directly on the Sephira Hod and the corresponding Stars and Symbols given in the attached Table for “Mercury”. You are encouraged to move your Eye up the Tree in this Sephira and down the embodied Tree to make certain connections. As part of your work, you would begin projecting the Mercury Hexagram described in the attached Table according to the formula of the Ritual of the Stars, and working with the Divine Hierarchy for Hod, which is as follows:
Elohim Tzabaoth (Atziluthic)
Michael (Briatic)
Kokab (Assiatic)
You are encouraged to continue to regularly take a Eucharist to consecrate your physical senses and being to the True Will from the perspective of Hod.
Keep in mind that the Sephiroth and Paths are Divine aspects of your own being. By turning your Eye to them in a sincere and reverent way, they will reveal their True Nature and your True Self. The focus of your Eye is a key to your initiation, and an important lesson to learn as a Childe of Hod.
Work with the Paths. The work with the Paths takes on an even greater importance at this stage of evolution. You are encouraged to work with the Paths of Ayin and Samekh (and the corresponding Stars and Symbols given in the attached Table) as a Childe of Hod, and to spend a minimum of two Lunar Cycles on each Path (or longer as needed based on how you are otherwise structuring your work). In doing so, you are encouraged to complete your work as a Childe of Hod while on the Path of Samekh, and stay on the Path of Samekh as a Childe of Netzach for the same amount of time (number of Lunar Cycles) you worked with the Path as a Childe of Hod. This assists in creating the balance, and fostering certain transformations, so critically important to this stage of the work.
You are preparing to rise in your Sphere through the Veil of Paroketh, as your Eye begins to focus more and more on attaining to Tiphareth and the Knowledge and Conversation of your Holy Guardian Angel.
As a brief aside, the “Great Order of the Universe” can be thought of as comprised of three component parts or “Orders”, each of which are distinct yet part of the whole. Initiation in the “First Order” relates to initiation into the Sephiroth of Malkuth (the 10), Yesod (the 9), Hod (the 8) and Netzach (the 7). The “Portal Grade” of the Dominis Liminis is descriptive of a period of work between the First and Second Orders, when the initial formula of the Pentagram (and the spiritualization of the aspirant) is completed, so the aspirant can rise through the Veil of Paroketh aspiring to Tiphareth and the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. The “Second Order”, sometimes called the Rose of Ruby and Cross of Gold (or Rosy Cross), involves initiation into the Sephiroth of Tiphareth (the 6), Geburah (the 5) and Chesed (the 4). Initiation into the Second Order involves the attainment of the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel and the evolution and ultimate production of the Virgin Daughter. Then there is another “Portal Grade” of the “Babe of the Abyss”, where the Virgin Daughter, pure and chaste, aspires to be redeemed according to the formula of the Tetragrammaton, and cross the Abyss between the Second and Third Orders. The “Third Order” involves initiation into the Supernal Triad, made up of the Sephiroth of Binah (the 3), Chokmah (the 2) and Kether (the 1).
With the preceding paragraph in mind, take note that the Childe of Hod is now undertaking work on Paths which traverse the Veil of Paroketh and connect to Tiphareth (the 6). The importance of this should be clear to those aspiring to the Second Order. A few comments regarding these Paths.
The Atu of Thoth corresponding to the Path of Ayin is Atu XV entitled the “Devil”. This relates to the Mystery of the Fall of Man, and the Great Curse of the physical senses. No God will deny you the experience of rightly enjoying the physical senses. However, the physical senses must be transcended, and placed in service of Spirit, to attain higher initiation. This is a lesson and an aspect of the work on the Path of Ayin. In your prior work, you have been purifying and consecrating your physical senses to assist you in accomplishing this aspect of the work. Developing basic meditative skills, and tantrik yoga practices, will also help. The symbolism of the Pentagram is also instructive here. You are reminded that the elements correspond with the senses, and that the upper most point of the Pentagram corresponds with Spirit. When the Spirit Point of the Pentagram is upright, this shows Spirit presiding over, redeeming, equilibrating and informing the elements. Conversely, when the Spirit Point is down, the senses dominate and darken the Light. Whether the Spirit Point of the Pentagram is up or down is a matter of focus of the Eye. If you turn your Eye to the Light of your Angel, the Pentagram will be set aright and you will be guided by the Light. However, if the focus of your Eye is otherwise, there will be a darkening of the Light and you will be lead by your senses. This is an aspect of the Mystery of the “Devil” and the demons. They distract but serve and teach. May your Eye turn to your Angel and keep the Pentagram aright!
The Atu of Thoth corresponding with the Path of Samekh is Atu XIV entitled the “Art”. Similar to the concept of the Sphinx being a combination of the Elements, this Atu teaches about the process of creation, which necessitates the production of a Son and a Daughter in the creation of a Childe of Earth. The Son and Daughter may be thought of as aspects of the Pillar of Mercy and the Pillar of Severity, respectively, of the Microcosmic Tree of Life. They are distinct parts of the Microcosmic Tree embodied by the Childe. The Son is the Angel and the Daughter is the physical Childe of Earth. As the Eye turns to the Angel and the Childe climbs the Tree of Life in the initiation process, the Childe learns that the Angel moves the Childe through the human aspects of the Tree of Life below Tiphareth (the 6), which are the focus of the work of the First Order. Thus, the Childe’s current of thought can be identified with the Angel when the Eye is rightly focused. This lesson, learned in the course of practicing the hermetic sciences, will assist the Childe in ultimately piercing the Veil of Paroketh. May the Eye focus and fire an Apollonian dart through Thy Holy Angel’s heart!
As indicated above, it is recommended that you spend approximately half your time on the Path of Samekh as a Childe of Hod and the other half as a Childe of Netzach.
This is also a reminder to take care to formulate your will during your last Lunar Cycle as a Childe of Hod to conclude your work as a Childe of Hod, and Crown it in all respects.
The Oath of the Childe of Netzach
When you have concluded your work as a Childe of Hod, you are encouraged to take the Oath of the Childe of Netzach on an Elemental/Sephirotic work day shortly following the New Moon while you are on the Path of Samekh under Oath. It is then recommended that you spend three to six Lunar Cycles performing the work of the Childe of Netzach (or approximately the same amount of time you spent performing the work of the Childe of Hod, adjusted based on effort expended).
As a Childe of Netzach, your work is to complete the initial formula of the four elements, to prepare your Sphere for the next great step of working with Spirit as a Dominis Liminis. Consider as part of your work the position of Netzach on the Tree of Life, and your changing perspective at this stage of evolution. Netzach (the 7) is the fourth Sphere on the “Way of Return” (up the Tree) and the seventh Sphere on Spirit’s “Journey into Manifestation” (down the Tree). It is positioned on the Pillar of Mercy (a new perspective compared to prior work), and the Sephira which precedes Tiphareth (the 6) on the Way of Return. However, being below Tiphareth (the 6), Netzach (the 7) shows an aspect of human being through which the Holy Guardian Angel in Tiphareth (the 6) communicates with its client and moves. In this regard, consider that Netzach corresponds to Elemental Fire and the Lower Will, as well as to Venus which relates to love and your desires (attractions and repulsions). You are working to take control of, and purify and consecrate, the human aspects of your being so they may be placed in service of Spirit, and the Mystery of your Angel may be revealed to you.
During this period, examine your Lower Will as the ruler of your Physical Body. Your Lower Will initially focuses the Eye. (Ritual assists in doing this.) The Eye may be focused up or down (as described above). Choose well. Once you assert your Lower Will to turn your Eye to your God, the Light of your Higher Will (or Genius) will become known to you and be your guide.
Other work recommended for the Childe of Netzach is briefly described below.
Elemental Fire. The aspirant would now begin working with the Stars and Symbols given in the attached Table for “Elemental Fire”, as well as the corresponding Divine Hierarchy, which follows:
Elohim (Atziluthic)
Mikhael (Briatic)
Aral (Yitziratic)
Seraph (Assiatic)
You are encouraged to continue to work with an Element or Sephira on one day, and a Path on the next day, maintaining this alternating rhythm even if days are missed.
You are also encouraged to prepare and consecrate a Magick Wand as a symbol of the Element of Fire as part of your work as a Childe of Netzach, especially if you prepared and consecrated the other magickal tools corresponding with the elements as part of your prior work. If you do so, you are encouraged to prepare your Magick Wand according to your own ingenium, considering the recommendations of other magickal orders, but doing as you will.
Purifying and consecrating a Magick Wand is not a requirement for advancement. However, the process will assist with the purification and consecration of your true Magick Wand, which at this stage of evolution is your Lower Will (as hinted at above).
If you do not prepare a Magick Wand during this period, it is recommended that you consider doing so as a Dominis Liminis to further assist with the spiritualization of your being.
You are also encouraged to review, contemplate and incorporate into your workings the Tarot cards corresponding with Elemental Fire given in the attached Table, to gain insight into your work as a Childe of Netzach.
Work with the Sephira Netzach. As a Childe of Netzach, your work would also focus directly on the Sephira Netzach (the 7) and the corresponding Stars and Symbols given in the attached Table for “Venus”. Move your Eye up the Tree in this Sephira and down the embodied Microcosmic Tree. This will assist in attaining the perspective of this Sephira.
As part of your work with Netzach, you would now begin projecting the Venus Hexagram described in the attached Table according to the formula of the Ritual of the Stars, and working with the Divine Hierarchy for Netzach, by uttering the following Holy Names in the Ritual:
YHVH Tzabaoth (Atziluthic)
Haniel (Briatic)
Elohim (Yitziratic)
Nogah (Assiatic)
You are encouraged to continue to regularly take a Eucharist (not every day but now and then) to consecrate your senses and being to the True Will from the perspective of Netzach.
Note that, while the work of the
Childe of Hod may be described as mystickal in nature, the work of the Childe
of Netzach may be described as magickal in nature. Therefore, be active in performing the Ritual
of the Stars (mentally or physically), and dedicate your work to your Angel in
all that you do (in and out of the
You have the power through the Lower Will to affirm or deny your God. The Lower Will is a gate-keeper of the Light. It focuses the Eye and sets the Pentagram aright (or turns the Spirit Point down and darkens the Light). Either the Angel or the demons teacheth! You decide. You hold this very important spiritual key, which has always been yours. Now, the issue is learning how to use it.
Work with the Paths. If you are working on the basis recommended above, you would be on the Path of Samekh, under Oath, when you commence your work as a Childe of Netzach. It is recommended that you spend approximately half your time on the Path of Samekh (and maybe more time, if needed) as a Childe of Netzach. The balance created by this work, and its importance, was briefly described above in the context of the work of the Childe of Hod. However, the nature of your work on this Path will change as a Childe of Netzach as your work becomes more magickal in nature.
After completing your work on the Path of Samekh, you are encouraged to take the Oath for the Path of Nun. It is recommended that you spend the balance of your time as a Childe of Netzach on the Path of Nun, which should be a minimum of two Lunar Cycles (or more, if needed).
The Path of Nun directly connects Tiphareth (the 6) to Netzach (the 7). As such, it shows a direct line of communication between the Holy Guardian Angel and its client, and a direct channel through which the forces of the Universe may flow. As noted above, Netzach is attributed to the Lower Will, and human love and desire. Accordingly, these are the channels of Divine expression at issue. Use the Lower Will to rightly focus the Eye, and behold the Glory of your Angel!
The Atu of Thoth corresponding to the Path of Nun is Atu XIII entitled “Death”. This corresponds to the Zodiacal Sign of Scorpio, which is ruled by the Planet Mars (some say Pluto). While on this Path, the Serpent-Power and Mars force (which have innate qualities to promote Justice, Balance, Harmony and Liberation) will effect certain transformations within your Sphere that will ultimately open your Eye to permit you to pierce the Veil of Paroketh as a Dominis Liminis.
To assist you with your Great Work on the Path of Nun, consider that Spirit produces human vessels to assist with the administration of terrestrial matters. Humans are Spirit’s physical hands here on Earth. Spirit perpetuates the illusion of personal separateness through human desires, change, physical dissolution and death, and regenerates the human vessels to continue Its work. Spirit moves and works through us. This may be gleaned from your prior work and what is said above regarding the human aspects of being below Tiphareth (the 6). As you attain right knowledge of the workings of Spirit and the Universal Laws, you attain to a Universal viewpoint, and are liberated from “personal” existence. Hence, it is said that the “mask of life” is seen as an illusion and the “false” self dies.
We are all vehicles of Divine Expression. We move from our perspective, but it is the Angel who moves us and it is the Crown who moves the Angel. As your initiation progresses, your Eye will open to these Mysteries, and you will move closer to the discovery of your True Self.
It is recommended that you spend a minimum of three additional Lunar Cycles on the Path of Nun as a Dominis Liminis (for a minimum of five Lunar Cycles on the Path of Nun, two as a Childe of Netzach and three as a Dominis Liminis). Therefore, consider this in structuring your work on the Path of Nun and the timing of when you decide to take the Oath of the Dominis Liminis.
Oath of the Dominis Liminis
It is recommended that you take the Oath of the Dominis Liminis while you are on the Path of Nun (as indicated above), and that you spend a minimum of three Lunar Cycles performing the work of the Dominis Liminis (or approximately the same amount of time you spent performing the work of the Childe of Netzach, or longer if needed). As a Dominis Liminis, you will now be working with what is commonly called the “Element of Spirit” or, more appropriately said, “Spirit”.
Before addressing the work of the Dominis Liminis, let’s review the prior work. You will have completed the preliminary initiation process into the four elements of earth, air, water and fire, and will be able to organize the elements within you Sphere on an initiated basis as described in the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars. You will have worked with, and been initiated into, all the Sephiroth under Tiphareth (the 6), which will permit you to formulate the floor of your Sphere on an initiated basis, and rise into the Lower Astral so you may be presented to the Holy Ones before the Veil of Paroketh. Your Path work has further prepared you for the work to come.
Now consider all that you have learned, and especially something you learned in connection with the Path of Shin, which corresponds to Fire as well as to Spirit. Fire corresponds to the Will. However, Spirit corresponds to your aspirations. As a Dominis Liminis, you seek to discover your True Self through the aspirations of your own being, in accord with your Oath. This requires the Eye to focus on your aspirations, and their source, which inspire your Lower Will.
In your prior work, you learned of the nature of the “Little Tree” which is the Microcosmic Tree of Life you embody. It has component parts. You also learned that the process of creation of a Childe of Earth necessitates the creation of the Angel. Your Angel is a part of you. It communicates and moves through the human and other aspects of your being. Recognizing this, you will now begin focusing more on the Macrocosmic aspects of your own being and formulating the “Great Tree”.
The Dominis Liminis focuses the Eye first on Spirit, and then on the Holy Guardian Angel. A brief description of the work recommended for the Dominis Liminis follows.
Spirit. You would now begin working with the Stars and Symbols given in the attached Table for “Spirit”. In doing so, you would begin projecting the Spirit Pentagrams. This could be done any number of ways, but generally a Spirit Pentagram would precede an Elemental Pentagram (if an Elemental Pentagram is projected). In addition, after projecting the appropriate Spirit Pentagram, the corresponding Holy Name would be uttered. When projecting an Active Spirit Pentagram, the word “Eheieh” would be uttered. When projecting a Passive Spirit Pentagram, the notaricon “AGLA” would be uttered. The Spirit Pentagrams may be projected with the Sigil (or Wheel) of Spirit in the center thereof, or may be traced as appropriate if you are physically performing the Ritual of the Stars.
When organizing the Elements within your Sphere, an Active or Passive Spirit Pentagram would be projected depending on the nature of the Element, before the appropriate Elemental Pentagram is projected. Therefore, when organizing the quadrants of your Sphere assigned to Fire and Air, you would project an Active Spirit Pentagram followed by the appropriate Elemental Pentagram. When organizing the quadrants of your Sphere assigned to Water and Earth, you would project a Passive Spirit Pentagram followed by the appropriate Elemental Pentagram.
After you initially take the Oath of the Dominis Liminis, spend a Lunar Cycle (or perhaps longer) working with the Spirit Pentagrams and Elemental Pentagrams as described in the preceding paragraph. This will assist with the spiritualization of the elements of your being as you know them.
In the following Lunar Cycle (or when you are ready), expand the Ritual as follows. After making the projections toward the four quadrants of your Sphere, face east in the center of your Sphere and project first the Active Spirit Pentagram and formulate the Macrocosmic Pillar of Mercy (before you on your right), and then the Passive Spirit Pentagram and formulate the Macrocosmic Pillar of Severity (before you on your left). Open the Veil between the Macrocosmic Pillars, by making the appropriate Magickal Sign (Rendering asunder the Veil). Step through the Macrocosmic Pillars and the Veil, and close the Veil behind you by making the appropriate Magickal Sign (Closing the Veil). Then, do what you will. Call to Spirit to be initiated into the Mysteries, and equilibrate the Energies, corresponding with your Oath. Symbolically, it is important to proceed through these steps.
By performing the Ritual as described above, you invoke Spirit to descend in the midst of your Sphere to redeem, equilibrate and inform the elements. Spirit is all around you, all the time. It fills your Sphere and the Sphere of the Universe, is intelligent and will respond to you, especially when your Eye is rightly focused on the Great Work. These are lessons you will learn as a Dominis Liminis and in future Path work through actual experience. Your Microcosm or Little World is a Sphere within the Sphere of the Macrocosm or Great World, unique yet a part of the whole. The existence of this relationship is explored as a Dominis Liminis as you continue your quest to discover your True Self.
If you did not prepare the magickal tools corresponding with the four elements in your prior work, it is recommended that you prepare and consecrate them according to your own ingenium as a Dominis Liminis. If you did prepare them, you might also reconsecrate them during this period. It will assist with the spiritualization of your being, which is part of the work during this period.
It is also recommended that you prepare during this period the magickal tool corresponding with Spirit which is the Magick Lamp. This Lamp is not made with physical hands or out of physical materials. It is the Lamp which shines in Thy Holy Temple to assist Thee, Childe, in Thy Holy Work! Invoke, equilibrate and evolve, and let the Light of Thy Magick Lamp shine! Focus your Eye on the production of the Lamp. Formulate it as best you can, and light the Lamp with the focus of your Eye at the inception of your studies or workings. The Lamp will naturally formulate over time. In addition, it naturally formulates while on the Paths of Samekh and Nun. It is, however, appropriate to assert your Will to initiate its creation as a Dominis Liminis.
The Magick Lamp corresponds with your Spirit or the Spirit residing within your Sphere. May It shine brightly in the Womb of the Goddess, and may you realize your Starry heritage.
You are also encouraged to review, contemplate and incorporate into your workings during this period the Tarot card and other symbols given in the attached Table for “Spirit”.
Other Work. There is no work with any particular Sephira during this period (the 7, 8, 9 and 10 are being spiritualized). You are encouraged to focus your Eye and aspiration on rising through the Veil of Paroketh and being admitted to the Second Order of the Rosy Cross. It is recommended that you stay on the Path of Nun during your entire period as a Dominus Liminis (no matter how long it is).
Once you feel you have completed the work of the Dominis Liminis, it is recommended that you enter a period of preparation before taking the Oath of the Childe of Tiphareth. You are about to take a great and important step on the Royal Path of Initiation. As such, you are encouraged to enter this period of preparation with an attitude of deep and profound holiness. It is a time to refocus the Eye from Spirit to your Angel, and worship your Angel with all the love and devotion you can muster.
During this period of preparation, several things are recommended. First, prepare (but not necessarily perform) an Invocation of your Holy Guardian Angel. This alone will assist in properly focusing your Eye and aspiration. Your Invocation would be set in the context of the Ritual of the Stars, which will have evolved on an initiated basis to the point described above where the Spirit Pentagrams are being used in the quarters (with the appropriate Elemental Pentagrams) and in the Center of your Sphere to assist in formulating the Pillars of the Macrocosmic Tree. The culmination of your Invocation would involve you moving through the Macrocosmic Pillars, and rising in your Sphere straight up as you wholly offer your spiritualized being to your Angel. Your Invocation may be performed mentally or physically with equal success. However, pay particular attention to the formula of the Ritual. You continue to work from the Lower Astral Plane in performing this rite.
Second, if you are proceeding as recommended above, you would enter the period of preparation as of the New Moon following the Crowing of your work as a Dominis Liminis. It is during this Lunar Cycle (or as soon as practicable thereafter) that you would transition working on Lunar Cycles to periods when Sol is in a Zodiacal Sign (referred to from this point as a “Solar Cycle”). Lunar Cycles last approximately 28¼ days. Solar Cycles are approximately 30 days in length, and do not coincide with Lunar Cycles. (Refer to an ephemeris for times of Solar Cycles in your geographic area.) Your period of preparation will be as long as you want it to be. However, it is recommended that you transition your work from Lunar Cycles to Solar Cycles beginning with the first Solar Cycle commencing in your period of preparation. It is also recommended that your period of preparation continue through at least the end of the first Solar Cycle after you make this transition.
Third, after you transition your work to Solar Cycles and while you are in your period of preparation, you are encouraged to prepare a Solar Talisman which will be eaten by you (yes – physically consumed through the mouth) when you take the Oath of the Childe of Tiphareth. Given this, it is best that the Talisman be on a small piece of thin paper (so as not to choke), and prepared with yellow and purple inks which are not poisonous. The front and back of the Solar Talisman should be inscribed with Solar symbols according to your own ingenium, making it a beautiful symbol of Tiphareth and the Sun. It should also be purified and consecrated in a separate rite prior to use. This rite would be an evolution of the Ritual of the Stars, performed by projecting the Unicursal Hexagram of the Sun towards the four quarters and formulating a fifth Unicursal Hexagram of the Sun in the Center of your Sphere facing east (thus connecting the 5 and the 6). Purify and consecrate your Talisman with Water and Fire. Then, hold it in the center of the fifth Unicursal Hexagram to charge it. While you do so, utter the Divine Hierarchy for Tiphareth, which is as follows:
YHVH Eloah ve-Daath (Atziluthic)
Raphael (Briatic)
Melekim (Yitziratic)
Shemesh (Assiatic)
It is recommended that you utter the Divine Hierarchy six times in total, while you hold your Talisman in the center of the fifth Unicursal Hexagram. Proceed slowly. As you do so, feel and then see a Ray of Golden Light stream from the Tiphareth of the Microcosmic Tree of Life you embody to your Talisman, which will trigger a Macrocosmic response. May your Talisman be charged with the most beneficial, powerful and correct energies to assist you in being admitted as a member of the Second Order (of the Rosy Cross) and as an Initiate of Tiphareth, and may it beam with the Holy Light of the Sun! Amen!!!
There is a lot to do during this preparation period. The recommended work will assist you in transitioning as a member of the First Order to a member of the Second Order. May you do so, with Love in your Heart and the Light in your Eye!
The Oath of the Childe of Tiphareth
When you have completed your
preparation period and transitioned your work to Solar Cycles, you are
encouraged to perform a rite to take the Oath of the Childe of Tiphareth. This rite would be similar to the Ritual of
the Stars you performed to consecrate your Solar Talisman, except that the
Talisman being charged and consecrated to this stage of the Great Work is your
spiritualized being. To adapt the
Ritual, after you formulate the fifth Unicursal Hexagram of the Sun and utter
the Divine Hierarchy for Tiphareth six times, you would step into the fifth
Hexagram and absorb it in the center of your chest. As you do so, formulate the entire Yitziratic
Hexagram on the floor of your
The work recommended for the Childe of Tiphareth is briefly described below.
The Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. Attaining the Knowledge and Conversation of your Holy Guardian Angel is the first task of the Childe of Tiphareth. To assist you in accomplishing this Holy Work, it is recommended that you take the Oath of the Path of Maim on a day assigned to Path work as soon as practicable after you take the Oath of the Childe of Tiphareth, and that you stay on this Path for at least six Solar Cycles while you work to attain the Knowledge and Conversation of your Angel. This will likely occur during this period, if you work in a sincere and dedicated fashion.
After you take the Oath of the Path of Maim, it is recommended that you begin performing the Invocation of your Angel on a regular and consistent basis. The more often you perform the Invocation, the better. The formula for attaining the Knowledge and Conversation of your Holy Guardian Angel is truly to invoke often. Properly formulating your Sphere according to the formula of the Ritual of the Stars will assist the process.
Note that, in your prior work, you took control of and spiritualized the “human” aspects of your being below Tiphareth (the 6), which you have learned are symbolized by the Pentagram (here to be referred to as the 5 – a Childe). The Eye is now focused on the Divinity residing within Tiphareth (the 6), which here is symbolized by the Yitziratic Hexagram. Your work is to connect the 5 to the 6. The image is of the Childe embodying the Hexagram, shining like the Sun. You have learned a great deal in your prior work to assist you in doing this. You embody the Tree of Life. You have learned of its component parts and that the process of creation of a Childe of Earth necessitates the creation of a Holy Guardian Angel which acts through the lower aspects of the Childe. You already embody the Hexagram. It is a part of your being. You have also learned to focus the Eye to set the Pentagram aright, which opens the channels through which the Angel may consciously communicate with, and move, the Childe. By regularly invoking the Angel using the Pentagram formula on an initiated basis, you will make the necessary connections, allowing the Glory of the Angel to be revealed to you.
Your work on the Path of Maim will naturally assist you in attaining the Knowledge and Conversation of your Angel, and can be performed in the context of the Invocation of your Angel. Accordingly, it would be appropriate to perform the Invocation of your Angel every day, regardless of whether it is a day assigned to Elemental/Sephirotic work or Path work. On a day assigned to Path work, you might further focus on the Path work after performing the Invocation of your Angel. As the Path of Maim corresponds with the Element of Water, the nature of the work on this Path would be more mystical in nature. Accordingly, meditation on the existence, presence and nature of your Angel following the Invocation would be appropriate.
To assist you during this critical phase, consider that the Path of Maim is about self-surrender. However, this is the surrender of the “human” self (which is illusory based on what you already know of your Angel) to the Divinity residing within. The image here is of the Angel wrestling with the Childe. If the “human” self is illusory, and something created by the Divine as described above, then there really is nothing to surrender. There is nothing “lost” or “sacrificed” in the process. However, there is something to be gained, which will be the discovery of your True Self – the focus of your Holy Quest since you began the initiation process by taking the Oath of the Childe of Earth.
The work is to dissolve the false self (the 5) in the Beloved (the 6). To do this, the Childe (the 5) must be completely receptive (the Watery aspect of the Path) to the influence of the Angel (the 6), so the Angel’s presence may be revealed and affixed in the consciousness of the Childe. Over time, the Childe will realize the equation of 5 = 6.
Your Angel’s Name. During this period, it is appropriate to ask about your Angel’s name, if you have not already learned it. Once revealed, the name will provide insight as to the nature of your Angel. Consider, in this regard, the spelling of your Angel’s name and the correspondences of the letters, to learn more of your Angel’s attributes.
The Word of your Angel. It is not enough to hear your Angel’s Word, you must act on it. You may not always hear what you want to hear. Be prepared! Your Angel will likely guide you to “clean-up” your act in many ways, will teach you to speak only truth, and will put you through many ordeals to make Its ever present Glory and dominion known to you. These are difficult concepts to initially work with, may take years to assimilate, and in some ways may represent a complete reversal of life as you knew it. Hence, the “up-side down” position of the Hanged Man shown on Atu XII.
Moving On. You will be guided by your Angel when it is time to move on and continue your work on the Royal Path of Initiation. Some aspirants attain the Knowledge and Conversation of their Angel relatively quickly, while others take more time. Sincere dedication and effort is the key! When are you guided to move on, you will proceed as directed by your Angel. Your Angel is your Holy Guide and Protector, and the source of your thoughts, words and deeds. Therefore, your direction will be determined for you. The issue will be keeping the Eye properly focused and the Pentagram aright.
Go forth in the Knowledge and Conversation of your Holy Guardian Angel! Let the Light and Love of your Angel shine through you! Become a transparent vessel and fountain for the Supernal Influx! Any may you perform the work of the Most High as a source of Light and Love to All!
The other work generally recommended for the Childe of Tiphareth who has reached this point of evolution is briefly described below.
Elemental Work. As you attain the Knowledge and Conversation of your Holy Guardian Angel, your Angel will “reteach” you Magick. For this reason, it is good form to start from the beginning, to review matters, and relearn under the guidance of your Angel. It is also important in connection with every Oath of Initiation for a Sephiroth to consecrate the elements of your being to the True Will from the perspective of the Sephiroth, in order to complete the formula of the Pentagram from the perspective of the Sephiroth. This being the case, it is generally recommended that you spend at least two Solar Cycles working with each element from the perspective of Tiphareth, taking the elements in turn following the order of Earth, Air, Water and Fire, and then working with Spirit. In this regard, consider the formula of Elohim (ALHIM) as another formula of the Pentagram.
Your work as a Childe of Tiphareth is to reformulate the Pentagram under the Presidency of the Holy Name YHVH. May Spirit descend in the midst, transforming the Name into YHShVH. May you connect the Circle to the Cross (or, said another way, the Rose to the Cross). This is a time when the Cross of the Elements, also known as the Cross of Suffering, will transform into the Cross of Gold, shining with the Light of the Sun. To assist you in accomplishing this Holy Work, consider that your Sphere is the Circle, and the Cross of Suffering is formed by the elemental organization of your Sphere. Consider further that the Pillars of the Macrocosmic and Microcosmic Trees (which you have worked with) square your Circle, and represent the Father and the Mother, and the Son and the Daughter as used in the Name (the last two were hinted at above in connection with a discussion of the Pillars of the Microcosmic Tree). If we draw a line from the Pillars representing the Father and the Son, and the Mother and the Daughter, they create an “X”, which is another form of the Cross. Formulating and connecting these aspects within your Sphere involves initiation into the “Mark of the Beast”. Each “slash” of the “X” is taken in turn and will be addressed during the Path work recommended below for the Childe of Tiphareth. In the process, may you discover the “Stone”.
As part of this, consider that the Son weds the Daughter in Tiphareth and they evolve as one until the Virgin Daughter is produced and set upon the Throne of the Mother. She then becomes the Mother and enters into union with the Father. The Daughter is a Childe, and the Son the Angel. The Mother is the Supernal Mother and the Father is the Supernal Father. The Daughter is of the Mother, and the Son and Daughter issueth forth from the Love of the Supernal Parents. From this, we see that the Mark of the Beast shows the Unity which exists within our Spheres. The Stone is the result.
Work with the Sephira Tiphareth. At this stage of evolution, your Sphere will be changing as described above and in the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars. Specifically, you will now formulate the entire Yitziratic Hexagram on the floor of your Sphere and rise to work from the position of the Sun, in the center of the Hexagram. This will be assisted by working with the Stars and Symbols given in the attached Table for “The Sun”, regularly projecting the Solar Hexagrams (Traditional and Unicursal) and working with the Divine Hierarchy for Tiphareth (given above), which is repeated here:
YHVH Eloah ve-Daath (Atziluthic)
Raphael (Briatic)
Melekim (Yitziratic)
Shemesh (Assiatic)
It is also time to formulate the Zodiacal belt about your Sphere, with the Zodiacal Sign of Aries in the east, and work with the Alchemical Principles as further described in the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars.
It is recommended that the Mysteries traditionally associated with the Lotus Wand be studied in connection with formulating the Zodiacal belt. To assist in doing this, consider invoking each Zodiacal Sign in its place in the Heavens about your Sphere, as you have learned how using the Stars and Symbols given in the attached Table. You might also prepare and consecrate a Lotus Wand according to your own ingenium, but this is not a requirement for advancement. Studying the symbolism and formulating the Zodiacal belt are the more important matters.
It is still recommended that you structure your work so you alternate Elemental or Sephirotic work on one day, and Path work on the next, continuing this rhythm as in the past.
Completing the Initial Path Work. At the beginning of the next Solar Cycle after you are guided to move on, you are encouraged to continue your journey up the Yitziratic Tree of Life by way of the Paths in the following order: Lamed, Kaph, Yod, Teth, Cheth, Zayin, Vau, Heh, Daleth, Gimel, Beth and Aleph. This follows the Path of the Serpent. It is generally recommended that you spend at least one Solar Cycle on each Oath for a Path (or longer if needed). Accordingly, it would generally take a minimum of 12 Solar Cycles (or about one year) to complete this remaining Path work.
After you complete your work in
connection with the Oath of the Path of Aleph, you are then encouraged to work
with the Secret Paths of Life,
As you work with the Crown and complete your initial work with the Secret Paths, you may find that you have discovered something which you have been seeking ever since your initiation began – the source of your thoughts, words and deeds, what moves your Angel and the source of All - your True Self. As you come to know your True Self at this stage of evolution, you will discover your True Will in accord with your Oath as a Childe of Tiphareth. This is an important step in your Ruach being transformed into the Ruach Elohim, and your Crowing as a “Majestic King or Queen” in Tiphareth.
There is more. Once you come to know your True Self through this work, it is recommended that you set aside one Solar Cycle (or more if needed) to travel down the Tree of Life, by way of the Paths, following Spirit’s Journey into Manifestation. (No oaths need to be taken in connection with this. You may simply proceed down the Tree following the Path of the Serpent, working with one Path each day, doing only this work (and no other Elemental or Sephirotic work) until the Journey is complete.) Spirit’s Journey into Manifestation is an entirely different perspective of the Paths than the Way of Return (up the Tree), which you will now be able to perceive from your newly initiated perspective. And may you leap forth from the Path of Tau as an Initiated Childe of Tiphareth, Crowned and Conquering, performing the work of the Most High here on Earth! So mote it be!!!
After you complete your journey down the Tree following Spirit’s Journey into Manifestation, you are encouraged to select a Path to “reside” on for the remainder of your work as a Childe of Tiphareth. Your “resident” Path may change from time to time, as you are guided. You are encouraged, however, to remain subject to an Oath for a Path at all times from this point forward in your magickal career. Path changes will also be recommended in connection with future work.
Moving the Eye up the Great Tree and down the Little Tree. It has been suggested in connection with prior work that the aspirant move the Eye up the Macrocosmic Tree in a Sephira and down the embodied Microcosmic Tree. This may now be explained. Your Path work has shown there is Unity above the Abyss, and relativity below the Abyss. By moving the Eye as suggested, it helps move the Childe’s Sphere to the Sphere of the Sephira and connect the Trees at the point of Kether.
Initiation in the “Inner”. There are hallmarks of initiation in connection with each Oath, and these are even more pronounced with the Childe of Tiphareth. The first involves the attainment of the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. The second involves the subsequent Crowning of the Childe as a Majestic King or Queen of Tiphareth. (This Crowning is by no other than the Hand of God.) After these two, the Childe will likely work as an Adept and Childe of Tiphareth for a period of time. In this regard, it is generally recommended that an aspirant spend a minimum of two years (preferably two full Zodiacal Years) performing the work of the Childe of Tiphareth.
There is, however, another hallmark or marker. As the aspirant truly completes (and realizes) the equation so the 5 = the 6 (described above), the aspirant will be admitted to the Upper Astral Plane (also known as the Solar Plane). This is described in the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars. Once this happens, it is appropriate to investigate the nature of the Plane. Also, know that initiation “in the inner” with respect to one Sephira inherently involves the beginnings of initiation “in the outer” with respect to the next Sephira on the Way of Return. Accordingly, when you have reached this stage of evolution, focus the Eye on completing and Crowning your work as a Childe of Tiphareth in all respects, and then prepare to take the Oath of the Childe of Geburah when you are so guided.
Oath of the Childe of Geburah
At this stage of evolution, you are working in the Knowledge and Conversation of your Holy Guardian Angel. You have discovered your True Self, and the Will of your True Self which is your True Will. Your work as a Childe of Geburah is to do only True Will through every thought, word and deed. The focus is on acting on the Word communicated from above.
As you
enter into this phase of work, know that True Will is revealed to an aspirant
subject to the level of the aspirant’s initiation. True Will is Known
only by an initiated Childe of Chokmah (the 2) or a Childe of Kether (the
1). The rest of us must do our best to
interpret and act on the guidance we receive.
The reasons for a particular course of action are not always explained
or given, nor should one necessarily stop and ask “why”. This can stop the flow of Will. It is not enough to hear the Word, the Childe must act on it. The Childe of Geburah will learn, through
practical experience gained during this period, that Spirit
moves in Mysterious ways, but the
At first, the aspirant may feel like a Holy Soldier following the Orders of the Angel, sometimes somewhat begrudgingly. Addressing these feelings is part of the work of the Childe of Geburah, which will be to fight the illusions of personal separateness by cultivating Fire and Sword, which is granted during this stage of evolution.
Consider in connection with this the equation of 5 = 6, which relates to the work of the Childe of Tiphareth. This was explained above as the elements of the Childe (the 5) being identified with the Angel (the 6) as the source of all their movement. The equation descriptive of the work of the Childe of Geburah is the opposite - the 5 and 6 now change places so the 6 = 5. The “6” here references the Angel. The “5” here references the elements of the Childe (exalted) and also Geburah.
It is said that Magickal Power is granted to the Childe of Geburah. The reason for this is that the Angel now performs the Magick through the Childe, as explained by the equation 6 = 5. The Childe does nothing by itself, except properly focus the Eye and set the Pentagram aright. The Childe is a physical vessel serving the Angel, which becomes progressively transparent to let the Light and Love of the Angel, and the forces of the Universe, flow through.
As alluded to above, a hallmark of initiation as a Childe of Geburah in the “outer” is admission to the Upper Astral Plane, which will generally be referred to from this point as the “Solar Plane”. This may be intermittent at first, and even a flickering, as a sign to the Childe of Tiphareth that it is time to proceed on the Royal Path of Initiation to the work of the Childe of Geburah.
When it is time, it is recommended that you prepare a rite of initiation in the context of the Ritual of the Stars, which will begin on the Lower Astral Plane. During this rite, you project the Yitziratic Hexagram of Mars and utter the Divine Hierarchy for Geburah, which is as follows:
Elohim Gibor (Atziluthic)
Kamael (Briatic)
Seraphim (Yitziratic)
Madim (Assiatic)
At the conclusion of the rite, the Sphere should unformulate on the Lower Astral Plane, with the Eye focused on rising and reformulating the Sphere on the Solar Plane according to the formula given in the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars. When your Sphere has reformulated on the Solar Plane, take care to make sure your Sphere is properly organized according to the laws of the Solar Plane (as described in the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars). Then, the Oath of the Childe of Geburah should be read aloud, signed and sealed as you know how. Pray to attain the perspective of the initiated Childe of Geburah, to be initiated into the Mysteries, and equilibrate the Energies, corresponding to your Oath, and to be granted Fire and Sword so that you may evolve in the Light. Take a Eucharist of the Mars energy as you will already know how, to consecrate your being to the True Will from the perspective of Geburah. When you are done, close as appropriate. Proceed as guided by your Angel.
When you have reached this stage, it is recommended that you spend five full Solar Cycles focusing the Eye on nothing but initiating into the Great Order of the Universe as a Childe of Geburah. This will result in a progressive unfolding of your initiation rite, and the effects of performing it, as transformations occur. It is recommended that you perform your rite of initiation as a Childe of Geburah five times, once each Solar Cycle during this period. The Oath of the Childe of Geburah would also be taken five separate times during your initiation rites.
It is recommended that you take the Oath of the Path of Maim at the beginning of your period of initiation and remain subject to this Oath for the first two Solar Cycles. Then, it is recommended that you take the Oath of the Path of Lamed and remain subject to this Oath for the remaining three Solar Cycles during your initiation period. This will assist the initiation process.
After the conclusion of this five Solar Cycle initiation period, you are encouraged to take the Oath of the Path selected by your Angel, and begin your work on the Solar Plane and the Heavenly Hexagram as a Childe of Geburah.
The Heavenly Hexagram is described in the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars. Facing West, it is comprised of a Red Ascending Triangle and a Blue Descending Triangle. The points of the Red Ascending Triangle correspond to Kether (the 1), Chesed (the 4) and Geburah (the 5). The points of the Blue Descending Triangle correspond to Tiphareth (the 6), Binah (the 3) and Chokmah (the 2). Thus, the Heavenly Hexagram is partly Briatic and partly Yitziratic. This describes the work of the Childe of Geburah which is to develop a Briatic (and, to some extent, an Atziluthic) consciousness.
The Planetary correspondences to the Heavenly Hexagram also differ: Jupiter corresponds with Kether (the 1); Mercury corresponds with Chokmah (the 2); the Moon corresponds with Binah (the 3); Venus corresponds with Chesed (the 4); Mars corresponds with Geburah (the 5); and, finally, the Sun corresponds with Tiphareth (the 6 ), which is the lowest point on the Heavenly Hexagram.
Note how the Sephiroth below Tiphareth (Netzach, Hod, Yesod and Malkuth) are NOT represented on the Solar Plane. The reason for this is that the aspirant has now transcended these aspects of “human” being and become something more than “human”. Therefore, they are left behind.
As a Childe of Geburah, it is recommended that you work with the Stars and Symbols given in the attached Table for Mars. However, you will now do so from a higher perspective. You will also learn how to project the Star Ruby on an initiated basis, charged with the Fire of Geburah.
The Yitziratic Hexagrams are generally used only in work below the Solar Plane (for instance in performing Path workings on the Yitziratic Tree of Life). The Yitziratic Hexagrams are not used on the Solar Plane. (They correspond to the Lower Astral and the Hexagram of that Plane.)
Note that, as a Childe of Tiphareth, you embodied the Yitziratic Hexagram (the 6), and the Elemental Childe (the 5) and the Angel (the 6) became one, as described by the equation 5 = 6. As a Childe of Geburah, you also embody the Heavenly Hexagram (from which you project the Star Ruby), and work to complete the equation of 6 = 5 from this higher perspective.
As a Childe of Geburah, you will explore and gain experience with the Powers of the Mind. These are symbolized by the Planetary correspondences of the Heavenly Hexagram. In this regard, it is recommended that the Childe of Geburah study the symbolism of the Phoenix Wand, and compare this to the symbolism of the Lotus Wand. You may prepare a Phoenix Wand if you are so inclined, but this is not a requirement for advancement. Learning from the symbolism is what is important.
On the Solar Plane, the Initiate
simply focuses the Eye and asserts the Will to direct the Powers of the
Mind. Hence, the Initiate grasps the
appropriate band of the Phoenix Wand and focuses the Eyes of the
There is no need to banish on the Solar Plane. The work is performed, and then concluded by simply returning the Sphere to “normal operating conditions” on the Assiatic/Material Plane. In this regard, it is generally recommended that you always end your workings in the Sign of Silence. This assists in absorbing the energies and then disbursing them back into the Universe as appropriate.
The work of the Childe of Geburah will likely involve many great ordeals, orchestrated by the Angel and the Holy One to rid the Childe of any qlippotic parts, and permit the Childe to truly realize the equation of 6 = 5. The Flaming Sword is granted and cultivated during this period to assist in this Great Work. This will likely not be an easy period in the Childe’s life. However, once the Childe has resolved to do only True Will, acknowledges that the Angel is the source of all thoughts, words and deeds, and realizes the work is to keep the Eye properly focused and the Pentagram aright, the illusions of personal separateness will be absorbed into the Light, and things will ease as the Childe discovers the Power of Love through the Angel.
There is no set period of time to perform and accomplish the work of the Childe of Geburah. You are encouraged to take the Oath of the Childe of Chesed when you are so guided by your Angel. Any work you did not complete as a Childe of Geburah will be addressed as a Childe of Chesed. Adepthood ripens into perfection through these stages of evolution. Accordingly, there will be no unfinished business by the time Adepthood comes to an end.
If you are so inclined, it is recommended that the Childe of Geburah regularly invoke: Ra-Hoor-Khuit for Strength, Force and Vigor in the work; Thoth for Wisdom in fulfilling the Word of Ra; and Babalon to Silence the Waters to all but Her Desire (which is His Will) and, eventually, for the Power to Love. May you Go forth with Fire and Sword to perform and accomplish the Great Work of the Childe of Geburah, and become a Mighty Warrior in this New Aeon. And may you further evolve as a Childe of Chesed, with Love under Will. Amen!!!
Oath of the Childe of Chesed
If the work of the Childe of Geburah can be described as Magickal in nature, the work of the Childe of Chesed can rightly be described as Mystickal in nature. As a result, there generally would be no rite of initiation as a Childe of Chesed. Rather, you would simply take the Oath of the Childe of Chesed when you are guided to do so by your Angel and commence the work.
As a Childe of Tiphareth, you evolve as a Majestic King or Queen by attaining conscious Unity with your Holy Guardian Angel. As a Childe of Geburah, you evolve as a Mighty Warrior with Fire and Sword by doing only True Will. As a Childe of Chesed, your work is to evolve as a Mighty King or Queen, and then as the Virgin Daughter, through the Power of Love.
Consider the Stations of the Sun in
connection with this evolutionary process.
As you work through the First Order, the Sun rises in the east and moves
to the zenith of the Sphere (high noon), which marks the point when the aspirant
becomes a Childe of Tiphareth. As the
work and initiation progresses, the Sun moves from the zenith of the Sphere and
sets in the west, which marks the point when the aspirant
becomes a Childe of Geburah. The
work and initiation continues and the Sun moves from the west to the nadir of
the Sphere (symbolized by the Sun at
The work of the Childe of Chesed is to lustrate the lower aspects of the Childe’s own being, and to refine and hone the lower powers and skills, to produce the Virgin Daughter. Consider in this regard, the progression of the Magickal Signs traditionally associated with these aspects of the work. They show the process. The Magickal Sign of Vir is traditionally associated with the work of the Childe of Chesed, which shows the evolution of the Mighty King or Queen. However, as the Mighty King or Queen evolves, Jupiter takes its rightful position on the top point of the Heavenly Hexagram and Venus assumes its position at Chesed on the Heavenly Hexagram. Thus, Vir – the Mighty King, evolves into Puella - the Virgin Daughter. Puella is the first Magickal Sign of the Babe of the Abyss.
As lustration progresses, the Yitziratic aspects of the Childe “fall away” and are left behind. The image is of the Adept standing pure and chaste all alone before the Supernal Parents and the Crown, with nothing else around. When the Childe no longer identifies with the lower aspects of the Childe’s own being, the Childe is lifted by the Hand of God across the Abyss and into the Womb of the Goddess. The Sphere thus unformulates on the Heavenly Hexagram and reformulates in the Supernal Triangle, and the Childe becomes a Childe of Binah.
The work of the Childe of Chesed may take years or even lifetimes to accomplish. The initiation process commences upon taking the Oath of the Childe of Chesed and continues every day until the work is accomplished. There is no period of initiation per se, or periods of break. The initiation process is continual and spans the entire period of the aspirant’s work as a Childe of Chesed.
As a Childe of Chesed, you work with the Stars and Symbols given in the attached Table for “Jupiter”. However, you do so from the higher perspective described above. You also learn to project the Star Sapphire on an initiated basis, charged with the Fire of Chesed.
During your work as a Childe of Chesed, it is recommended that you take the Oaths of the Paths of Kaph, Yod and Teth, and spend at least a few Solar Cycles subject to each Oath. This will assist the initiation process. Your Angel will, however, guide as to these matters.
It is also recommended that you prepare a Jupiter Talisman when you are guided to do so, which will serve as a constant aid and symbol of your devotion to this stage of the Work.
It is said that Fire and Sword are granted to the Childe of Geburah, and that the Power of Love is granted to the Childe of Chesed. These are used to overcome any remaining illusions of personal separateness as Adepthood ripens into perfection and the Virgin Daughter is produced. Thus, the Childe of Chesed is to Love All under Will at this stage of evolution in accord with the Childe’s Oath.
One of the last aspects of human being which the Childe of Chesed will transcend is human love for Divine Love. This is accomplished through the Power of Love and involves the attainment of the Power of Love. In connection with this, recall the image given above of the Adept standing pure and chaste before the Supernal Parents and the Crown, which also gives the image of the Cross. (Connect the Circle to this Cross.) As the Childe learns to constantly focus the Eye on the Supernal Holiness which is the Source of All, the Love of the Supernals will wash the Childe, the Balances will be attained, the Childe will realize the equation of 7 = 4 and the Unity of All, the Virgin Daughter will be produced, and Adepthood will end as the Childe rises to become a part of the Body of God.
No more will be said about the Great Work of the Childe of Chesed at this time. However, the Oath of the Childe of Chesed will be the subject of a future scroll.
Closing
May your reading of this Guide further your initiation into the Great Order of the Universe, and the Great Work of Thelema, as so much is disclosed to plant seeds of Holiness and help you evolve in the Light. May you do so, with the Love and Blessings of the Most High. Amen!!!
Frater AHBH AChD
(Brian Goldstein)
For the Sanctuary of Thoth
A
AB
ABRA
ABRAH
ABRAHA
ABRAHAD
ABRAHADA
ABRAHADAB
ABRAHADABR
ABRAHADABRA
93 93/93
TABLE OF STARS
|
Your Focus: |
Attributions: |
Corresponding Stars and Symbols: |
|
Elemental Earth |
Earth, Malkuth, Saturn |
Earth Pentagram (Green). Sigil of Elemental Earth. The Earth Tattwa (Prithivi – |
|
Elemental Air |
Yesod, the Middle Pillar on the Tree of Life |
Air Pentagram (Yellow).
Sigil of Elemental Air. The Air
Tattwa (Vayu – |
|
Elemental Water |
Hod, Chesed, Binah |
Water Pentagram (Blue).
Sigil of Elemental Water. The
Water Tattwa (Apas – |
|
Elemental Fire |
Netzach, Geburah, Chokmah |
Fire Pentagram (Red). Sigil of Elemental Fire. The Fire Tattwa (Agni or Tejas – Red Triangle). Tarot: Atu XX (the Aeon), the Wands, the Knights (Kings), the four 2s. Zodiacal Signs: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. Yod of the Tetragrammaton. The Father. |
|
Spirit |
|
Spirit Pentagrams (Active and Passive). Sigil of Spirit. The Spirit Tattwa (Akasa – Indigo Egg). Tarot: Atu XX (the Aeon). The Rose of Ruby on the Cross of Gold. |
|
Earth |
Malkuth, Saturn, Path of Tau |
The Hexagrams of Earth (Black) with the Sigil of Earth in the center (this is the Mark of the Beast formed by the unity of the Circle and the Cross). Tarot: Atu XXI (the Universe), the four 10s. Heh final of the Tetragrammaton. The Daughter. |
|
The Moon |
Yesod, Binah, Path of Gimel |
The Lunar Hexagrams (Violet – Indigo, or Silver) with the Sigil of the Moon in the center. Tarot: the four 9s. Simply note the higher attributions. |
|
Mercury |
Hod, Chokmah, Path of Beth |
The Mercury Hexagrams (Orange – Violet) with the Sigil of Mercury in the center. Tarot: the four 8s. Simply note the higher attributions. |
|
Venus |
Netzach, Chesed, Path of Daleth |
The Venus Hexagrams (Emerald – Amber) with the Sigil of Venus in the center. Tarot: the four 7s. Simply note the higher attributions. |
|
The Sun |
Tiphareth, Path of Resh |
The Solar Hexagrams (Yellow (Gold) – Rose Pink) with the Sigil of the Sun in the center. Tarot: the four 6s. The Hebrew letters Resh and Vau. |
|
Mars |
Geburah, Path of Peh |
The Mars Hexagrams (Scarlet Red – |
|
Jupiter |
Chesed, Kether, Path of Kaph |
The Jupiter Hexagrams (Blue – Deep violet) with the Sigil of Jupiter in the center. Tarot: the four 4s. The Hebrew letter Kaph. Simply note the higher attribution to Kether. |
|
Saturn |
Earth, Path of Tau |
The Saturn Hexagrams (Black – Crimson) with the Sigil of Saturn in the center. The Hebrew letter Tau. |
|
Path ofא (Aleph) |
Elemental Air |
Atu 0 (the Fool). The Air Pentagram (Sky Blue – Bright Pale Yellow) with the Hebrew letter Aleph in the center. |
|
Path of ב (Beth) |
Mercury |
Atu I (the Magus). The Mercury Hexagram (Purple – Yellow) with the Hebrew letter Beth in the center. |
|
Path of ג (Gimel) |
The Moon |
Atu II (the Priestess). The Moon Hexagram (Silver – Blue) with the Hebrew letter Gimel in the center. |
|
Path of ד (Daleth) |
Venus, an aspect of the Goddess |
Atu |
|
Path of ה (Heh) |
Aquarius |
Atu XVII (the Star). Saturn Hexagram (Sky Blue – Violet), with a Hebrew letter Heh in the center. |
|
Path of ו (Vau) |
Taurus |
Atu V (the Hierophant).
Venus Hexagram (Deep Indigo – Red |
|
Path of ז (Zayin) |
Gemini |
Atu VI (the Lovers). Mercury Hexagram (Pale Mauve – Orange) with the Hebrew letter Zayin in the center. |
|
Path of ח (Cheth) |
Cancer |
Atu |
|
Path of ט (Teth) |
Leo |
Atu XI (Lust). Unicursal Hexagram of the Sun (Deep Purple – Yellow (Greenish)) with the Hebrew letter Teth in the center. |
|
Path of י (Yod) |
Virgo |
Atu IX (the Hermit). Mercury Hexagram (Slate Grey – Green (Yellowish)) with the Hebrew letter Yod in the center. |
|
Path of כ (Kaph) |
Jupiter |
Atu X (the Wheel). Jupiter Hexagram (Blue – Violet) with the Hebrew letter Kaph in the center. |
|
Path of ל (Lamed) |
Libra |
Atu VIII (Adjustment). Venus Hexagram (Blue – Emerald Green) with the Hebrew letter Lamed in the center. |
|
Path of מ (Mem) |
Elemental Water |
Atu XII (the Hanged Man). Water Pentagram (Sea Green – Deep Blue) with the Hebrew letter Mem in the center. |
|
Path of נ (Nun) |
Scorpio |
Atu XIII (Death). Mars Hexagram (Dull Brown – Green Blue) with the Hebrew letter Nun in the center. |
|
Path of ס (Samekh) |
Sagittarius |
Atu XIV (the Art). Jupiter Hexagram (Yellow – Blue) with the Hebrew letter Samekh in the center. |
|
Path of ע (Ayin) |
Capricorn |
Atu XV (the Devil). Saturn Hexagram (Black – Indigo) with the Hebrew letter Ayin in the center. |
|
Path of פ (Peh) |
Mars |
Atu XVI (the Tower). Mars Hexagram (Red – Scarlet) with the Hebrew letter Peh in the center. |
|
Path of צ (Tzaddi) |
Aries |
Atu IV (the Emperor). Mars Hexagram (Red – Scarlet) with the Hebrew letter Tzaddi in the center. |
|
Path of ק (Qoph) |
Pisces |
Atu XVIII (the Moon). Jupiter Hexagram (Buff-flecked Silver White – Crimson (Ultra-Violet)) with the Hebrew letter Qoph in the center. |
|
Path of ר (Resh) |
The Sun |
Atu XIX (the Sun). Unicursal Hexagram of the Sun (Gold Yellow – Orange) with the Hebrew letter Resh in the center. |
|
Path of ש (Shin) |
Fire and Spirit. |
Atu XX (the Aeon). Fire Pentagram (Vermillion – Glowing Orange Scarlet) with the Hebrew letter Shin in the center. |
|
Path of ת (Tau) |
Saturn and Earth. |
Atu XXI (the Universe). Earth Pentagram (Black) with a Saturn Hexagram (Black – Indigo) in the midst and the letter Tau in the center thereof. |
|
Alchemical Mercury |
The Triangle and Hexagram |
The symbol of Alchemical Mercury. |
|
Alchemical Sulphur |
The Triangle and Hexagram |
The symbol of Alchemical Sulphur (the Sword of Steel). |
|
Alchemical Salt |
The Triangle and Hexagram |
The symbol of Alchemical Salt (the Wanded Wheel). |
Notes regarding Hexagrams: Traditional (versus Unicursal) Hexagrams are generally recommended, except where noted above. All refer to the Yitziratic Tree of Life.
Notes regarding Colors: If more than one color is given, the first color given is in the Queen Scale (referring to Water) and the second color given is in the Knight (or King) Scale (referring to Fire). The Fire is in the Water. Accordingly, the Star referenced should be traced or outlined mentally in the color of the Water (the first color given) and charged with the color of the Fire (the second color given). The Elemental colors may be further “tuned” to a particular Sephira using the color scales given in Crowley’s books 777 and The Book of Thoth.
End Notes:
The information provided above is intended to serve as a Guide to the Oaths of Initiation and the Royal Path of Initiation all the way to the attainment of the Virgin Daughter. As you address each aspect of the work, all aspects of the work will further unfold and build, and your Sphere will evolve as a finely tuned Jewel of Light that will serve you in the Great Work. May you discover your Starry heritage, your True Self and your True Will, and then do that Will out of Love as a devoted servant and initiate of the Great Order of the Universe.
Additional scrolls will be issued expanding upon the work recommended in connection with each Oath of Initiation, the Ritual of the Stars and the other magickal practices of the Sanctuary.
93 93/93