THE RETURN JOURNEY
(A Story from the Atu of Thoth on the Way of Return)
Issued by the Sanctuary of Thoth
On behalf of
The Great Order of the Universe
Copyright © 2008 Sanctuary of Thoth. All rights reserved.
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Do what thou Wilt shall be the whole
of the Law.
We now tell a story from the Atu of Thoth from the perspective of a Childe on the Way of Return. Each of the Atu of Thoth is addressed in turn as experienced on the Way of Return.
You are encouraged to have the corresponding Atu of Thoth before you so you can see it when reading the corresponding text below. You are also encouraged to have a picture of the Tree of Life before you so you can identify the location of Path on the Tree of Life which corresponds with the Atu being addressed.
Finally, at the end of this paper, ritual suggestions are given to work with each Path.
May this assist you on your Return Journey. Amen.
Atu XXI – The Universe. Behold the Great Order of the Universe! You are a Childe of the Universe. You are moved from your
Atu XX – The Aeon (Judgment). Fire is attributed to the Path of Shin which corresponds with this Atu, also named Judgment in some Tarot decks. Fire corresponds to the first letter of the Tetragrammaton (YHVH), which is Yod. Fire also corresponds to the Atziluthic Plan, which is the Highest of the Four Planes (or Worlds). The letter Shin is comprised of three Yods. This speaks to the One Source of the other Three Planes which are Briah, Yitzirah and Assiah (in descending order). Spirit is also attributed to the Path of Shin. The Name YHVH is transformed into YHShVH (“Yeheshuah”) when Spirit descends in the midst. The Childe now begins working with each Element as encountered along the Way. This prepares the Childe for more exalted work. As each Element is purified and consecrated to the Great Work repeatedly along Return Journey, Spirit redeems, equilibrates and informs the Elements. In this way, they evolve, serve rightly and right balance is attained for progress. The physical sense of Sight corresponds to the Element of Fire. As Initiation evolves, the Childe’s Eye is opened unto the Higher Planes. The Childe abides physically in Assiah, which is the Material World attributed to the Planet Earth and the Sephira Malkuth. On the Way of Return, the Childe’s consciousness is progressively exalted. In this way, the Childe is admitted to the Higher Planes. The focus at this point of the Return Journey is on evolving the Childe’s Yitziratic consciousness. Yitzirah is the Plane above Assiah. The work discussed in this paper largely relates to the evolution of the Little Tree. We are reminded in this regard that evolution occurs solely by the Hand of the Most High, once the Childe has set the Pentagram aright. For this reason, the Holy Trinity of the Thelemic Pantheon are shown on this Atu (Nuit, Hadit and Heru-Ra-Ha - who in active form is Ra-Hoor-Khuit and in passive form is Hoor-Pa-Kraat). Appeal to Them for aid in your Work, and be blessed. Amen.
Atu XIX - The Sun. What a Sunny Countenance you have?! The Truth of this matter will be revealed to
you along the Way. This Atu corresponds
to the Path of Resh and the Sun. It
speaks to the Nature and Presence of the Solar Energy, which is to be
distinguished from the Elements. The
Solar Energy or Influence has a fiery quality, but is different. The Elements are merely blind forces directly
by the Divine. The Solar Energy is the
Divine Light Itself, and the Source of all Life throughout the Planes and here
on earth. It is formulated in Nuit’s
Chalice, and manifests as the Invisible Sun of Kether. As Spirit moves, this Energy is expressed as
the twin spiral forms of Energy of Life and Death, and in a perfectly
equilibrated fashion down the Middle Pillar of the Tree of Life (thus showing
the Male, Female and Androgynous aspects of the Energy). This Energy Illumines your
Atu
XVIII – The Moon. Behold the
Gateway of the Royal Path! This Atu is
attributed to the Path of Qoph, which connects Malkuth to Netzach. It is also attributed to the Zodiacal Sign of
Pisces which is the mutable sign of Water, ruled by Jupiter (and Neptune) and
in which Venus is exalted (meaning She has Her highest expression in this
Sign). We are dealing here with an
aspect of the Moon, which may be equated to all Feminine aspects of Nature,
from the lowest to the highest. She is
the vessel for the Male aspects of Nature.
Her lesson is always one of Love, and of the ruling power of Love. Love is the Law. The mutable and watery aspects of Pisces show
communication. The rulership of Jupiter
and Neptune show administration of the Law and the Word. All is to be resolved in Love. The lesson is right focus of the Eye to set
the Pentagram aright. Only when the Eye
is rightly focused on Divine Love (the Shekinah) may progress be rightly
made. The Royal Path of Initiation is
being shown on this Atu. It is to be
traversed. Walk the Path. Find the Hermit at the other end. The Sun is rising within the Childe at this
point of the Return Journey. For this
reason, Kephra, the Sacred Beetle, is shown at the inception of the Path. By setting the Pentagram aright, the ruling
power of Spirit is unleashed within the Childe to transform as necessary. The Childe is an animal by Nature. The animal attributes of the Childe must be
tamed for Spirit to assert its ruling power to cultivate the Childe. If the Eye is rightly focused on Divine Love,
the Angels teacheth. If the Eye is
focused on anything other than Divine Love, the demons teacheth. Aspects of the Little Tree are also
referenced. The Pillars of Mercy and
Severity of the Little Tree represent the Son and the Daughter,
respectively. The Daughter must be
prepared for the Son (here the Holy Guardian Angel) to redeem the
Daughter. Let the preparations formally
begin! Enter the Gateway to the Path of
Redemption. Amen.
Atu IV – The Emperor. The Ruling Power of Spirit shall be shown to
you. Every experience, internal and
external, is governed by Spirit. At this
point in the Return Journey, you embody the Little Tree. You are both Son and Daughter. Your Holy Guardian Angel is a part of you,
and governs all aspects of your life.
Your life is Most Holy. Once the
Eye is rightly focused and the Pentagram is set aright, your Angel will cause
you to have such experiences as will move you along the Return Journey in the
Additional Commentary: See the Sanctuary’s paper entitled “The Blade
& The Chalice” for more information regarding the Blade. Also consider how the Sigil of Alchemical
Atu XVI – The Tower. Ask rightly and you shall receive. Focus the Eye on your Great Work, and ask of its nature and how best to perform and accomplish the Work at hand. The answer actually precedes the question, and will come to you through your internal and external experiences. This Atu is attributed to the Path of Peh, and the Planet Mars. The Path of Peh connects Netzach and Hod on the Tree of Life. We thus see the Mars current flowing through your animal will to influence your thoughts and emotions. At this point of the Return Journey, the Childe will experience bursts of Spiritual Inspiration as the Childe beholds the True Nature of the Universe. The Eye is being opened fitfully by the Mars Force, which is liberating and destroys the sense of personal separateness. The Universe as the Childe once knew it is progressively being destroyed by Fire. The material aspects of things are seen as an extension of the interior of the Universe. The relations between God and man are being shown. The inter-relations of the creatures and Beings of all Planes are foreshadowed. The Childe may be holding dearly to the physical, finding it difficult to accept and assimilate what is being shown. The struggle may be difficult for the Childe to bear. The continual influx of the Mars Force will blast these notions of personal separateness and will and shake the Childe’s consciousness and being until the necessary transformations occur and the Eye is rightly open to these Mysteries and the House of God. And so it is said that the false crown of the Childe is blasted by lightening until it falls and the Childe is emancipated from the “old man” (representing the false notions of the self) and the Crown of the True Self is beheld upon the head of the Childe. You wear the Natal Crown. You have since your birth. You are a Spiritual Being living a human life. God expresses Itself and Works through your human vessel here on the material plane. The Eye of God is always upon you. Amen.
Atu XV – The Devil. IO PAN!!! IAO, OAI. The Devil is a symbol of ignorance and the darkness of ignorance. The physical is but one Plane. There are others, as indicated above. To reach them, a Childe must transcend the physical. The Eye will then open to the interior of the Universe and the Higher Planes on a progressive basis. This is as aspect of the work on the Return Journey. This Atu is attributed to the Path of Ayin and the Zodiacal Sign of Capricorn. It is the first Path of the Return Journey which connects to Tiphareth – the abode of the Holy Guardian Angel. We see by this Path the Angel communing directly with the Childe through the Childe’s thoughts and emotions. As the Childe climbs the Tree of Life on the Return Journey, veil after veil is removed so the Childe may behold the True Nature of the Universe. This assists the Childe in transcending the physical so the work on the Higher Planes may be accomplished. The Zodiacal Sign of Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, showing darkness in the world of man. The bonds of ignorance disappear in the Light. Seek, therefore, the Light. The Planet Mars is exalted in Capricorn, showing the Mars Force in action to liberate by opening the Childe’s Eye to the Wisdom of the True Self. The Great Curse placed upon us by the Fall of Man has caused man to focus on the physical and the pleasures of physical sensation. The Pentagram is inverted (or averse) in man and must be set aright. This is something repeatedly spoken of in papers issued by the Sanctuary. The Pentagram is averse when the Eye is focused on the serpent desire and the Ruling Power of Spirit is unknown. Reverse the Curse which has been placed upon you. This will be furthered by working with the energies described in this paper. Muster the strength of your animal will to set the Pentagram aright. The forces of the Universe serve you, and do not hinder. All serve God. The Devil is the Angel in another form. Look to your Angel to banish the darkness. Amen.
Atu XIV – The Art (Temperance). It is now time to separate the Fire from the Water, and to perfectly equilibrate and balance them, so the Childe may ascend through the Veil of Paroketh (PRKTh) on the Return Journey. This Work is partly accomplished on the Path of Samekh which is attributed to this Atu, by right practice of the Royal Art and Science of Magick. The animal aspects of the Childe are being spiritualized, meaning they are being controlled and placed in Service of Spirit, whose Presence and Power is becoming known to the Childe. The Veil of Paroketh is the “lesser abyss” which separates the Children of the First and Second Orders. The Eye is being opened to the True Self through focus on the Nature and Powers of the Holy Guardian Angel. The Path of Samekh is attributed to the Zodiacal Sign of Sagittarius, which refers to the Arrow. The Arrow is a symbol of concentrated and directed Will. The Childe is learning to control the animal within and the vibratory forces of the Universe through mental means. The Arrow is shot straight upwards from the Bow into the Heart of the Holy Guardian Angel. This is descriptive of the Work on this Path. The Bow is the Bow of Qesheth (QShTh), formed by the Paths of Qoph, Shin and Tau on the Tree of Life, which the Childe previously worked with on the Way of Return. The Bow is also known as the Rainbow of Promise, referring to the Covenant of God to redeem those who overcome the serpent desire, and accomplish this work. To rightly shoot the Arrow, and truly be lifted by God through the Veil of Paroketh, all the lower aspects of the Childe must be rightly organized and balanced. These lower aspects are the aspects of the Little Tree below Tiphareth. The Lamp of Spirit is being lit to further Illumine the Sphere of the Childe and the lower Astral Plane. The Work is being shown and the Aspiration focused, to prepare the Childe to attain to the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. Amen.
Additional Commentary: See also the Sanctuary’s paper entitled “The Arrow (Most Holy, Showing the Way)” for more information regarding the Arrow.
Atu XIII – Death. The answers of the Oracles are always Love and Death. In the occult sense, “Death” means initiation or transformation. The old passes and makes room for the new. We die daily. The cells of our bodies are constantly being renewed. Herein lies a Great Mystery. On the Return Journey, the cells of the Childe’s vessel are “reprogrammed”. This process is gradual and progressive as they renew. Reprogramming occurs through mental means. As right knowledge of the Universe is attained, the Childe’s perspective of things change, which results in a change of personality. The Childe attains a more Universal outlook. New perspective is attained with each Step taken on the Royal Path of Initiation. In the course, the “old man” dies, and the Childe is renewed in God. This Atu is attributed to the Path of Nun, which connects Tiphareth and Netzach on the Tree of Life. We see by this Path the Holy Guardian Angel communing with the Childe through the Childe’s animal will and desires. The perspective attained on this Path is critical to the work of ascending through the Veil of Paroketh. This Atu is also attributed to the Zodiacal Sign of Scorpio, which is ruled by Mars. We thus see once again the Mars Force in action here to change and liberate. Pluto or some say Uranus is exalted in Scorpio. In either case, this shows the type of change that occurs on this Path to be of a higher Spiritual nature. The Sigil of Scorpio is the Serpent. This refers to the regenerative power which moves all life and death. It is this power which is operative in the Great Work of transforming the Childe’s mind and body, to open the Childe’s Eye to the True Self. As this occurs, the Spiritual Being within the Childe is released in the consciousness of the Childe. Physical death is seen as a mask or veil to True Life, which is Eternal. Physical death perpetuates the Grand Illusion that there is a separation between God and man. Turn your Eye to Divine Love, and allow Death to occur. Amen.
Atu XII – The Hanged
Atu VIII – Adjustment (Justice). This Atu is attributed to the Path of
Lamed. It lies wholly above the Veil of
Paroketh, and connects Geburah to Tiphareth.
The Childe who is the Daughter is being redeemed by an awakening to the
Presence and Power of the Holy Guardian Angel who is the Son. The Childe is receiving the Knowledge and
Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel.
The Childe hears the Word of the Angel.
The Childe will now be shown the necessity to act upon the Word for
doing so is always Righteous. It is in
the best interests of the Childe to do so.
It will further be shown that acting upon the Word creates order,
justice, balance and harmony in the life of the Childe and those around. The Mars Force emanating from Geburah has an
innate quality to promote justice, balance, harmony and liberation. The Angel is an aspect of the True Self. The Word of the Angel is an expression of the
True Will. Must not the Childe obey the
Word of God?! Is not the
Atu X – Fortune (Wheel of Fortune). Change is the basis of stability on the lower
Planes of Yitzirah and Assiah. Things
are moved from the Higher Planes which form the Law. Movement occurs through the Elements of Fire,
Water, Air and Earth, which are the manifest Powers of the All-Father. Movement also occurs by means of the Serpent
Power, which is an expression of the three forms of Energy represented by
Alchemical Sulphur, Salt and Mercury.
There is cause and effect. There
is no “luck”, so commonly associated with this Atu. To wish “luck” upon someone is to will chance
upon them, which does not assist the person in the Work. Will someone success in the Work. Our thoughts, words and deeds “plant”
magickal “seeds” which give rise to certain consequences. For this reason, it is so important for the
evolving Childe to gain control over the animal within, so all thoughts, words
and deeds “plant” magickal “seeds” which further the Great Work, and do not
hinder. Continual right focus of the Eye
on Love and the Word of the Angel will assist the Childe in doing True Will and
proceeding rightly along the
Additional Commentary: The Sanctuary’s paper entitled “A Charge (Applied in the context of preparing some Incense)” is instructive as to how to make projections to rightly “plant” magickal “seeds” and attend to them in your magickal “garden”.
Atu IX – The Hermit. Namaste. This is a Sanskrit word which means “I pray to the Divinity within you”. This Atu is attributed to the Path of Yod, which connects Chesed to Tiphareth on the Tree of Life. This shows the Law being communicated to the Holy Guardian Angel within. The letter Yod is the first letter of the Tetragrammaton (YHVH), which corresponds to Atziluth, Fire and the Father. It also is the first letter of the words Yechidah and Ygdrasil. The Yechidah is the Soul of All and the Feminine aspect of Nature. Ygdrasil is the Ancient Holy Tree in Kether, and the Spirit of All forming the Male aspects of the Universe. Ygdrasil is of the utmost importance in the teachings of the Sanctuary. Ygdrasil contains all the other Trees of Life in the Universe. It contains the Little Tree which you embody at this Stage of the Return Journey. From this, we see the Unity of Spirit of God and man. “Yod” means hand. The letter Yod forms all the other letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This shows the Hand of God in all of Creation, and the potency of God to create. This Atu is also attributed to the Zodiacal Sign of Virgo, which is the earthly sign of fertility. Spirit manifests the Soul in Nature. Their Unity creates the Highest to the lowest. The Childe’s Eye is opening to the True Nature of All, which the Childe adores as God. Virgo is ruled by Mercury, who is also exalted therein. Mercury is first and foremost the Herald of the Gods, who communicates the Word. At this Stage of the Return Journey, the Childe will experience ecstatic states of Divine Union, which humble and inspire, as the Childe receives the Word of the Angel. The Childe is given a higher purpose to life, as the Childe participates in the Great Work. The Eye remains focused on the Childe’s Initiation. However, the Childe’s role is evolving into being a Light Bearer for others, as the Work becomes more universal in character. Be thou the Hermit. Assist in Reversing the Curse, and Healing mankind. Amen.
Additional Commentary: See (among others) the Sanctuary’s papers entitled “The Blade & The Chalice (Revealed in the context of the Thelemic Pantheon)” and “The Face of Spirit (Given in the context of the Thelemic Pantheon)” for more information regarding Ygdrasil.
Atu XI – Lust (Strength). In Chapter I, Verse 13 (I:13) of the Book of the Law, Nuit says “I am above you and in you.” In Verse I.3 of the Taittiriya Upanishad, master and disciple say “May the light of the sacred knowledge illumine us, and may we attain the glory of wisdom.” The work we speak of now is of the evolving Childe of Tiphareth, who is making the initial Journey up the Tree of Life. The Paths rising to Sephiroth above Tiphareth convey other Mysteries and effect more exalted transformations to a Childe who is evolving beyond Tiphareth. We continue from the perspective of the evolving Childe of Tiphareth for the remainder of this paper, to assist all in attaining to this point of evolution. This Atu is attributed to the Path of Teth, which connects Chesed to Geburah on the Tree of Life. The Law established in Chesed is being communicated to Geburah, which is the Spirit of God and “Sword of Chesed” charged to carryout the Law below. This Atu is also attributed to the Zodiacal Sign of Leo, which is ruled by the Sun. The Sigil of Leo is the Serpent, which is also the Sigil of the Kerub of Fire. The Might and Power of God follow the Word which establishes the Law in Chesed. The Power expressed from Chesed precedes the Mars Force, and is rightly called the Serpent Power which manifests the Mars Force. The Serpent Power is Solar and noble in character, as shown by the Sun’s rulership of Leo. It is the Force which creates and destroys, and moves all below. The Childe is infused with this Force when working on this Path. This cleanses and purifies, and prepares for the Work to come. The Goddess Babalon the Beautiful, who is a lower aspect of Nuit, directs the activity. The infusion is steady to correct tendency towards impulse. This process allows the Light of Tiphareth to shine through the Childe, to cast away any clouds and clarify the communion with the Holy Guardian Angel. Pray to Babalon, who is also within you, to rightly prepare you. Amen.
Atu
VII – The Chariot. Behold the
Crowned Childe, who is a complete Microprosopus going forth into the Planes
below. The Childe is both Son and Daughter,
symbolized by the Pillars of Mercy and Severity, respectively, of the Little
Tree. The Microprosopus issues forth
from the Great Tree or the Macroprosopus, and is a reflection of IT but after
another manner. As a Childe of Earth,
you initially embody the Little Tree.
You are both Son and Daughter. At
this Stage of the Return Journey, the Childe is being redeemed by receiving the
Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. The Angel is the Son, and you are the
Daughter. The redemption process
purifies the Daughter until Son and Daughter are married and a third thing is
produced in their
Additional Commentary: See the Sanctuary’s papers entitled “The Blade & The Chalice (Revealed in the context of the Thelemic Pantheon)” for more on the Holy Grail.
Atu VI – The Lovers. May your Sword flame with the Fire of the Most High! You and the Holy Guardian Angel are one. Your redemption comes from acting on the Knowledge and Conversation of the Angel which you are receiving. You bear the Sword. It must now be sharpened. You are receiving the Influence of the Supernals through your Angel, who expresses the Word of God. This Atu is attributed to the Path of Zain. The word “Zain” means sword. This Path connects Binah to Tiphareth on the Tree of Life. From this, we see the Word being communicated to the Angel. Your work on this Path is to sharpen your perception of what is being communicated to you by your Angel, to discriminate between how you are being guided to move and the animal instincts which tempt your physical senses. Pause and listen to the silence. Wait to hear the Word of your Angel. Develop techniques to assist you in doing this, by asking simple “yes” or “no” questions. This will help at first, but must be dispensed with in time. The Magickal Childe is evolving. The Holy Marriage of the Son and Daughter is near. The Sword of the Angel must manifest ever so rightly within the Childe to accomplish the work, and harmonize the two into one. The Knowledge of the Presence and Power of the Angel over the Childe is being shown. All thoughts, words and deeds flow forth from the Angel. This idea must be assimilated, and the inflowing energies must be equilibrated, for the Marriage to occur. This Atu is also attributed to the Zodiacal Sign of Gemini, which refers to the Twins who are the Angel and you. Gemini is ruled by Mercury, and Cauda Draconis (the Head of the Dragon) is exalted therein. This shows that right discrimination fosters right knowledge and new beginnings. The Marriage which produces the Magickal Childe is the True Beginning of Adepthood, which then ripens into perfection as the Virgin Daughter is produced. Hear thou the Word, and let the Sword flame. Amen
Atu V – The Hierophant. All hail the Son, as the Redeemer of the Children of Earth. This Atu is attributed to the Path of Vau. The letter Vau is the Son of the Tetragrammaton (YHVH). The Son is the Holy Guardian Angel. His Work has been shown in this paper. The Son and the Daughter form one Microprosopus, which manifests your being. You are in perfect union with your Holy Guardian Angel. Hear thou the Word of your Angel. It is constantly being communicated to you by an interior voice. This voice is loader than a lion’s roar yet as soft as a whisper. Your Angel is an aspect of God. The Word you hear is God’s Word. You are in direct communication. Your Holy Duty is to express the Word ever so rightly in thought, word and deed. In this Way, you bring the Word down to Earth into manifestation. This furthers your Return Journey and the liberation of others. Such are the Hierophantic tasks, to expound the Mysteries and speak the Word. Your Sphere must be rightly ordered to hear rightly. All must be spiritualized and placed in context of the Great Work. All thoughts, words and deeds serve God. The Path of Vau connects Chokmah and Chesed on the Tree of Life. We see from this the Word establishing the Law in Chesed. The Hierophant is the counterpart of the Charioteer of Atu VII, who is the Microprosopus bearing the Holy Grail. The Hierophant is an aspect of the All-Father, while the Charioteer is an aspect of the All-Mother. The former descends through the Veil of Fire (the Will), while the latter descends through the Veil of Water (the Understanding and the blood). The former sends forth the Spirit and the Life Force, while the later communicates through the Soul. This Atu is also attributed to the Zodiacal Sign of Taurus, ruled by Venus in which the Moon is exalted. These refer to the lower aspects of the Goddess receiving and transmitting the Word to Her Children below. Be thou the Hierophant and rightly serve your charges. Amen.
Atu
XVII – The Star. Praise, Glory
and Worship, Love and Devotion unto Thee Nuit.
We now deal with the first of the three Mother Paths. This Atu is attributed to the Path of Heh,
which connects Chokmah to Tiphareth on the Tree of Life. This letter Heh references the Mother of the
Tetragrammaton (YHVH). This is initially perceived as the Supernal
Mother in Binah (Babalon the Beautiful).
However, even Babalon is a lower aspect of Nuit. For this reason, Nuit is shown in
manifestation on this Atu. Nuit is the
Mother of All in the context of the Thelemic Pantheon. She moves all within Her Womb. Her Chalice is the Source of all Light, Love
and Life. She is the One True God and
the True Hierophant of this New Aeon.
She formulates and moves Hadit and Ra-Hoor-Khuit. All other Gods are aspects of Her. She formulates and manifests the Male aspects
of the Universe, which reveal Her. All
Emanations, all Stars are Her Children.
We are all the Children of Nuit.
Her Spirit is your Spirit. Her
Soul is your Soul. She is always with
and in you. We see from the location of
this Path the Spirit of Nuit nourishing the Angel with Light and the Life
Force. Your Angel expresses this through
you. This Atu is also attributed to the
Zodiacal Sign of Aquarius, which references the Water-Bearers. We are the Water-Bearers. We bear Her Water. We express Her Love. Her Water is in the Aires. She is the Source of all of our
Additional Commentary: Prior to receiving the text above for Atu XVII on Die Jupiter, Sol in Sagittarius, Luna in Virgo during Anno. IVxvi in the New Aeon of Horus (December 18, 2008 e.v.), the True Key to the Book of the Law was received and declared to be LA, not AL, in a post-script added to the Sanctuary’s paper entitled “The Unveiling of Nuit – The Star Goddess (The Mother of All in the context of the Thelemic Pantheon)”. LA is Nuit. Glory to our Lady of the Stars!!! May the Children of Earth sing praise to your Holy Names!!! Amen.
Atu III – The Empress. Beautiful Mother Nature. Look around.
She is everywhere. She is the
Salt running through All manifestation, so Love All as Her. We now turn to the second of the three Mother
Paths. This Atu is attributed to the
Path of Daleth, which connects Chokmah and Binah on the Tree of Life. Chokmah is the All-Father, and Binah is the
All-Mother. They enter into
Atu II – The Priestess (High Priestess). Not-Being from behind the Veil of Being. Life from behind the Veil of the Light. Light from behind the Veil of the Personality. Who shall pierce the Veil of Isis, for no man may look upon Her Holy Face? Such are the Mysteries of the Moon, to which this Atu is attributed. The Moon is the all encompassing symbol of the Goddess, from the Highest to the lowest. Above Kether, She is Nuit. Her Chalice is the Source of all Life and Light. Below Kether, the Moon is beheld as the Salt or substance which receives and reflects the Light, and forms vessels for the Light. She serves a function, which is Her Veil. This Atu is also attributed to the Path of Gimel, which connects Kether and Tiphareth on the Tree of Life. The Moon of this Path is the Virginal Moon formulated by Nuit to receive the Light of Her Lord in Kether, and transmit IT pure and untainted to the Holy Guardian Angel below. This Path is of great importance on the Return Journey. It is the Greater Path of the Holy Guardian Angel, perfectly equilibrated on the Middle Pillar of the Tree of Life. It shows direct communication between the Crown and the Microprosopus. It is accessed by the evolving Adept at the apex of lower Astral Plane, and then on a more exalted basis on the upper Astral (or Solar Plane) and when working at the cross-section with the Path of Teth. It is also the final Path to be traversed by the evolving Childe of Chokmah (as the Paths of Aleph and Beth are always expressive and not included in the Return Journey of the Childe of Chokmah) before the Childe’s Star is consumed in the Fire of Hadit, and the Childe enters into Being and attains the True Self through Selflessness. The Circle is then seen as complete, as Not-Being is the Source of Being, and Life flows before the Light. Our lives, our personalities, are all expressions of the Yechidah, which is the Soul. The Goddess is the Source of All. Cast off the Veil of the self, and behold the Moon within. Amen.
Additional Commentary: Although the Paths of Aleph and Beth are not included in the Return Journey of the Childe of Chokmah, they are appropriate and important to work with on the initial Return Journey up the Tree of Life and in a variety of capacities thereafter, until the Work of the Childe of Chokmah is accomplished. Then, the Childe of Kether will work with the Paths of Aleph, Beth and Gimel in their expressive natures.
Atu I – The Magus (Magician). All Hail Mercury, Scribe and Magician of the Gods, Maker and Exorcist of Illusion, Herald of the Gods who communicates the Word. Hail unto Thee in Thy Acts of Creation, continually organizing and sending forth the substance of creation and manifesting our Mother in Binah. Express Thou the Word of our God from Chokmah and may the Creative Will and the Creative Understanding Unite in Love, to create and manifest that which is to be below according to the Word. Hail unto Thee, O Beautiful Mercury, many colored luminous iridescence, unveil Thy Holy Art, cast-out the Illusions and may the Children of Earth evolve by Art to Become perfectly transparent vessels for the Light and Love of the Most High to shine through them unobstructed in any way. Hear our prayers, O Thoth, Hermes, Mercury, Odin, by whatever name we call Thee, Thou art the same, all present in heaven and in hell. Aid us in Healing the human race. Amen. A great deal is revealed in the preceding lines. This Atu is attributed to Mercury, as God and Planet. It is also attributed to the Path of Beth, which connect Kether and Binah on the Tree of Life. Mercury creates and destroys. The primal substance of creation is transmitted from Kether along the Path of Beth. Mercury, as the Wisdom of the Gods, then expresses the Will of God from Chokmah, to which He is also attributed. And so the process of creation continues on down the Tree of Life. Mercury is the Magician. He utilizes the Forces of Life and Death in his Holy Acts, symbolized by His Wand the Caduceus. He is a symbol of all those who have evolved by right practice of the Art. He is their Patron. He teaches the Children how to rightly organize their Spheres throughout the Planes by mental means, so they may evolve as clear channels of expression for God. Mercury is a hermaphrodite, both male and female, as is the True Self in Kether, which expresses Itself through Its varying aspects below. Amen.
Additional Commentary: This Atu is also attributed to Alchemical Mercury, which emanates from Kether and so is found in the position of Kether on the Blade. The Blade is formulated by the Paths of Aleph, Beth and Daleth surrounding the Tau of the upper Briatic realm, which is named Ygdrasil. The “Stairway to Heaven” formulates along the Path of Gimel. It may be ascended by a Childe only to the Step representing the point of the Childe’s Initiation. The Atziluthic Realm is accessed from the Square of the Holy One on Ygdrasil. The Purity of Nuit’s Chalice is accessed from there, after Hadit’s Light is extinguished. May you evolve by Art, and ascend the Stairway to Heaven into Being and then Not-Being.
Atu 0 – The Fool. Reduce all numbers from 10 to 1 and then 1 to
0, and then follow Spirit’s Journey into Manifestation down the Tree of Life to
complete the Circle. The entire Universe
may be explained in these simple progressions of numbers. By reducing the numbers from 10 to 1, we come
to the True Self in Kether as a positive manifestation, which moves All
below. By reducing the 1 to 0, we come
to Nuit as a feminine presence surrounding Hadit which formulates and moves
even the 1 in Her Womb. Consider the
Male as the Cross and the Female as the Circle.
Connect the Cross to the Circle, from the lowest to the Highest. This is a Magickal Formula for the conscious
attainment of Divine Union. These
numerical progressions show God to be as present in the 10 as in the 1 and
0. There is a formulation upon High to
manifest that which is below, but all is of God. God is ever present everywhere. Once you discover the True Self, you will
discover the Will of your True Self (i.e.,
your True Will) through the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian
Angel. Your Angel expresses God’s Will,
and is a direct line of communication with God.
The Fool shows God moving, even before any definite idea is
formulated. It is said that there are
demons at every cross-roads. The reason
for this is that a decision must be made as to which way to go. Decisions are made on the Path of Aleph,
which is attributed to this Atu. We
really only have one decision to make, which is to rightly focus the Eye on
Divine Love and let the Spirit move us.
If we do this, we will be moved rightly along the
Additional Commentary: See the Sanctuary’s paper entitled “Spirit’s Journey into Manifestation (A Story from the Atu of Thoth)” in regards to the reference above. This Atu also has correspondence with the Aires or Aethyrs, which show aspects of the Yechidah.
The Ace of Disks. We now deal with the first of the four Secret
Paths. Neither this Secret Path nor any
of the others discussed below have any position on the Tree of Life, for they
precede any manifestation. This Card in
particular corresponds to the Secret Path of Life. It symbolizes the Root of the Element of
Earth emanating from the Crown. These
energies have correspondence to the word NANTA from the Enochian Tablet of
The Ace of Swords. This Card is attributed to the Root of Air,
and the Secret Path of Liberty. It has
correspondence to the magickal virtue TO KNOW, and to the first Glory of
Thelema which is
The Ace of Cups. This Card corresponds with the Root of Water and to the Secret Path of Love. Love is the Fourth Glory of Thelema, which is attained by the practice of the Magickal Virtue of KEEPING SILENCE. Thoughts of the Goddess may “flow into the Cup” here. However, we must first identify the Element to find the Divinity. In order to distinguish Water as an Element, it is important to recognize that the Elements are blind forces through which Divinity expresses Itself. The Elements are not Divine. The Sephiroth and Paths are Divine, and are formulated by Nuit in Her Womb to manifest Herself and the Love which flows from Her Chalice. The Elements have masculine and feminine expressions, as does every aspect of the Universe. Water is feminine in Nature. This Card symbolizes Water expressed from the Crown in Pure Form. The Crown is ever One and cannot be divided. As such, these Elemental expressions of the Crown find triple form expression through the Natal Crown in the Zodiacal Signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces, all of which are Watery in Nature. To gain additional insight into the Element of Water, consider the planetary aspects of these Signs and how the Element of Water reflects down the Tree, from Binah, to Chesed and to Hod. Further, consider that each Sephira has its own elemental formula, expressing Divinity from the particular position of the Sephira on the Tree. Having said all this, the work with the Secret Paths is to learn to equilibrate the elements expressed from the Kether of the Tree of Life of the Sephira which is the subject of your Work and to recognize what is at the Root of these Elemental expressions, which is ever Spirit. When working with this Secret Path in particular, you are encouraged to work with the Spirit and Water Pentagrams using the Enochian Word HCOMA, and to work with the First and Fourth Angelic Keys (the latter being attributed to Water, and Water of Water). Keep Silence, and let the Love flow. Amen.
The Ace of Wands. This Card is attributed to the Secret Path of Light, and the Elemental Emanations of the Crown attributed to Fire. This is the Fire most sublime. It is at the Root or Source of all that you do. It is the Essence of all Light, all Life. It moves All. There are correspondences to Atziluth, Yod Tetragrammaton, the Father and the Wand and Will of God. The Holy Fire fills the inner tube of the Wand of Prometheus. It fills your vessel, giving you Life. The Elements find expression through your Natal Crown, which is Illumined according to the Will of God. And so the Influence of the Mazloth (which is the Zodiac or Wheel of the Fixed Stars) is upon you, and the Spirits of God find expression through you. It is the Crown which moves them and so they look to the Crown for guide and aid, while also adoring. So Holy are these Mysteries, to behold the Crown. A Childe of Tiphareth who is completing the initial Return Journey will be anointed a Young King or Queen. The Second Order evolution then is to become a Mighty Warrior as a Childe of Geburah and a Mighty King as a Childe of Chesed, after which the Virgin Daughter is produced. This evolution is solely by the Hand of God. It cannot be claimed. It can only be granted, and will be granted by God only if earned. Be humble. There are no shortcuts. However, evolution can be quick for those who have a pure heart and a concentrated directed Will. You wear the Natal Crown, which is an aspect of the Crown of God. You are a Crowned Childe of God expressing God’s Will. Rightly focus the Eye, and give thanks by being a source of God’s Light to others. And so may you perform and accomplish your Great Work here on Earth. When working with this Secret Path, you are encouraged to work with the Spirit and Fire Pentagrams using the Enochian Word BITOM, and with the First and Sixth Angelic Keys (the latter being attributed to Fire, and Fire of Fire). May you be consecrated by the Fire of Will. Amen.
Additional Commentary: Light is one of the Four Glories of Thelema, which is attained by right practice of the Magickal Virtue TO DARE. May you have the COURAGE to complete the initial Return Journey so you may come to truly experience the Crown, which is ever One; yea, to the Glory of God.
The True Self. Using the Sanctuary’s System of Initiation, the Return Journey up the Yitziratic Tree of Life is completed as part of the Work of the Childe of Tiphareth. It generally takes two to four years to complete, or even longer. You are encouraged to spend at least one Lunar (or Solar) Cycle on each Path, and to integrate the Path Work with your Initiation into the Sephiroth. You are also encouraged to spend more time on the Paths of Ayin, Samekh, Nun and Mem while you are attaining the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. This will assist the process. The Oath of the Childe of Tiphareth expresses two primary goals. One is to attain the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. The other is to discover your True Will. All preceding Oaths of Initiation for the Sephiroth concern the discovery of the True Self. True Will is the Will of the True Self. You have come to the end of the initial Return Journey. You have come to the Crown in Yitzirah, the Kether thereof, which is God. This is your True Self. Your Angel is an aspect of the True Self, and expresses the Will of the True Self. Thus, by attaining the Knowledge and Conversation of your Angel, you discover your True Will. Your Holy Duty, as has been explained elsewhere, is then to do that True Will and abide by the Word of your God. In doing so, Adepthood ripens into perfection, as Love balances Will and washes the Childe, to produce the Virgin Daughter. O how holy and wonderful is the journey on the Royal Path of Initiation! It is truly the greatest and most exciting adventure of all. Once you complete the initial Return Journey, you are then encouraged to travel down the Tree of Life spending only one day on each Path. When doing this, you follow Spirit’s Journey into Manifestation. This will help integrate and seal all your prior Path Work, and you to emerge from the Path of Tau as a Crowned Magickal Childe of Tiphareth. So mote it be! Amen!!!
Love is the Law, Love under Will.
Received by
ACh LA, as Scribe
(Brian Goldstein)
On behalf of the Sanctuary of Thoth
Completed
Die Mercury, Sol in Capricorn, Luna in Aquarius
Anno IVxvi in the New Aeon of Horus.
(December 31, 2008 e.v.)
A
AB
ABR
ABRA
ABRAH
ABRAHA
ABRAHAD
ABRAHADA
ABRAHADAB
ABRAHADABR
ABRAHADABRA
93
93/93
RITUAL FOR PATHWORKING
You may ceremonially work with a Path in or out of your physical temple. There are two primary methods of working with a Path. In either case, it is recommended that you rightly organize your Sphere before commencing the operation (and keep it organized at all times thereafter) to assure the best results. This may be done mentally with equal success to a full physical ceremonial operation.
One form of working is by scrying. To scry a Path:
1. Look intensely at the Atu, taking note of the colors and symbolism shown.
2. Trace the corresponding Pentagram or Hexagram over the Atu, with the corresponding Hebrew letter in the center thereof. (These are given in detail in the “Table of Stars and Symbols” attached as an appendix to the “Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars” and the “Guide to the Oaths of Initiation”.)
3. As you perform Step 2, say:
I invoke a Portal to the Path of [name the corresponding Hebrew letter,
for example “Tau” if working with the Path of Tau].
I call to the Lords of the Path to Initiate me into the Mysteries, and
assist me in equilibrating the Energies, of the Path.
Amen.
4. Hold your hand over the Atu to “catch” reflections from the Path for as long as you deem appropriate. As you do so, allow your mind to be free but concentrated on the work, and pay close attention to your thoughts and the images which appear on the screen on your mind.
5. When you feel that you have completed the operation, give thanks to the Lords of the Path for their aid in the work, remove your hand from over the Atu and make the Sign of Silence. (This is done by placing the index finger or thumb of the left hand on the bottom lip so the finger is straight up along the median line of your body, and then raising the elbow so it is horizontal with the shoulder.) As you make the Sign of Silence, breathe in while saying the name Hoor-Pa-Kraat.
6. Make note in your magickal journal of the images and thoughts, and other insights, you received while scrying the Path. Take note of their correspondences, and otherwise explore and contemplate your experience to gain insight into the Work.
Another form of working is by entering the Path rather than simply scrying it. By doing so, you will directly experience the Path as opposed to “catching reflections” from it.
When entering a Path, you prepare your Sphere as you deem appropriate. A full ceremonial working invoking corresponding energies and Names (or even working in an appropriate God Form) will especially assist in this type of operation, but this is unnecessary (though encouraged at least from time to time).
To enter a Path:
1. Proceed as described in Steps 1 through 3 above.
2. Sit down in a chair or in your asana, with the Atu before you. Envision the Atu as appearing before you as a door. Then close your eyes and imagine yourself as moving through the door with it remaining completely and wholly intact behind you. You might now trace in your imaginary body the corresponding Pentagram or Hexagram, with the corresponding Hebrew letter in the center thereof, which you traced at the inception of your working. Call again to the Lords of the Path for aid on the work.
3. Move about in your imaginary body, with the goal of ascending up the Path from its starting point in one Sephira to its ending point at the Sephira at the other end of the Path. Allow your mind to be free but concentrated on the work, and pay close attention to the thoughts and images which appear to you.
4. When you feel that you have completed the operation, give thanks to the Lords of the Path for their aid in the work. Then return through the doorway to your physical body. Make the Sign of Silence as described above, vibrating the Name Hoor-Pa-Kraat. As you do so, allow the inhalation to absorb the doorway, closing it in the process.
5. Make note in your magickal journal of your experiences on the Path. Consider the imagery and thought process, and otherwise explore your experience to gain insight into the Work.
When working with a Path, whether by scrying or entering the Path, breathe the energy of the Path to equilibrate and integrate the energy as part of your Being. This is fundamental to the Work. Otherwise, proceed as you Will, always remaining focused on Love and the Nature of the Work. Amen.
UNTO THEE NUIT!!!