Ten Gates of Divine Emanation

Kethyr

(The Crown)

The first sephirah of the divine emanation is called Kethyr, the Crown.  It is called the Hidden Intelligence because it is the unattainable essence of the Light, which has no beginning. As such, it is called the Primal Glory or the First Principle.

The Holy God-Name in Kethyr is Eheieh (I AM), the Absolute Being. The Divine Angel is known as Metatron, and the Holy Living Beings are the Chaioth h’ Kodesh.

The Supernal Triangle of Sephiroth includes the first three emanations. Kethyr, the First Principle of All is founded upon the Infinite, such that without boundaries, cannot been seen due to unrestricted Unity. The Essence of Being precedes physical light.

Chokmah

(Wisdom)

The second divine emanation known as Chokmah, Wisdom.  It is called The Illuminating Intelligence. Qabalists call it the Second Glory. The Mind of God reflecting upon itself, causing its own image to manifest.  The first projection of an idea of itself.  Reciprocity of mutual reciprocation in reciprocal recognition.  Represents the Supernal Father, or ABBA. The Holy God-Name in Chokmah is IAH and the Angelic Beings are the Auphanim (Beings of Light). The Angel of God is Ratziel (who, taking pity on Adam upon his expulsion from Paradise, provided the Man with the Book of Light to assure his eventual return).

Binah

(Understanding)

The third Sephirah of Divine Manifestation, Binah, or Understanding. It is called Intelligence: in + telos (purpose or the ends); that is, it is ‘in-purposed‘; the ends are in the means. By this we see that Intelligence is the means to production and embedded within these means is the purpose.
A. E. Waite describes the issue thusly, “Like the First Matter of The Great Work in Alchemy, Shekinah is almost myrionymous…acting in virtue of the Word uttered by God in Creation…” The root of the word Alchemy is derived from the Egyptian noun Khem in reference to the deep, black, fertile soil of the Nile River Delta. This is an apt image for the deep fertile soil of the subjective aspect of the psyche in which is planted the seed of ideas directed from the objective mind. The Praxis of this whole Mystery is a method of psychological transformation and transpersonal spiritualization enabling the materialization and dissolution of creative realization through the Word and through Law.
The Secrets of the First Matter are hidden deeply within: working from our subconscious. Without Faith, the Secrets will never be revealed. Binah has been called The Creator of Faith. We are able to cathect the creativity of our subconscious only by virtue of our Faith and in accord with our Belief.
It is a Supernal Conception. Manifestation issues from the creative faculties. Though activated by the Will, Creation springs forth from the Conceptual.“The object of your desire is the one thing out of which all things are made” (Rosinus), and “It is set up for the ruin of many and the salvation of some. To the crowd this matter is vile, exceedingly contemptible and odious, but to the philosophers it is more precious than gems or gold. It loves all, yet is well nigh an enemy of all: it is to be found everywhere, yet scarcely has any one discovered it.” (a Rosicrucian Treatise) What we are discussing here is a Cornucopia: the gift that keeps on giving. And since it is manifested through our subjective mind (which having been informed by our thoughts and beliefs), all that we conceive of as beneficial will be manifested as benevolence, while all that we conceive of as malevolent will be realized to our detriment. That having been said, when the bulk of the population feed their psyche on images of violence; soundtracks filled with screaming, gasping, screechy cacophonous music, and explosions; greet the fresh new day with headlines burning with fear, controversy, and disaster; and wind down at night with a little pornography and some drugs; then the store house of the majority are indeed set up for the ruin of many. Those who know the secret and cultivate the fertile soil of their own subconscious with quality thoughts, images of beauty, gentle sounds, words of kindness, harmonious and benevolent attitudes and pleasant dispositions reap the harvest of Peace, Love, Joy, Happiness and Health and do thereby Prosper.
I do not think that I could describe it any more forthright. “Do not despise it, therefore, when you see it (in disguise): if you do you will never accomplish our Magistery…and if you can change its countenance, the transformation will be Glorious. (Philalethes)
What seems to be a double nature is but a single, reliable nature expressed through the Law of Belief in accordance with the Free Will of Individual Man, as noted in the Zohar: “The side of severity emanates from the (left-hand path), though She is not, Herself, severity”. “She, Herself is revealed in Wisdom by the mode of the Law of Mercy, so that she is Mercy on the one side although Severity proceeds from the other”. (Waite) “She is a pure and simple substance, yielding to nothing but Love, because generation is Her aim, and that is never accomplished by violence. (Anastratus) The Mysteries of my art are to be performed magnanimously, and with great courage ..if thou ..wouldst overcome ..the violence ..which hath been the destruction of many…Ordained was I by the Almighty God for men ..that they may relieve the poor with my treasures, and not set their minds on ..that (which) perisheth”. (Thomas Vaughan)
The Shekinah is the Liberating Angel who delivers the world in all ages; Who is ever near to Man and never separated from the Just”. (Zohar)

The Angelic Beings of Binah are known as the Aralim (Thrones), and are often called Powers. The actual God-Name is El (God), though Governorship is generally attributed to Elohim (God’s Consorts). The word Binah means ‘Understanding’, and has to do with Karma (cause and effect). The Order of Exousai (from the Essence, meaning ‘Derived from Kethyr’) is attributed to Binah.

Chesed

(Mercy)

The fourth Sephirah of Divine Emanation, known as Chesed. It is the first sephirah of the formative world where forces cohere into forms and from here attain greater density of manifestation.  Thus known as The Cohesive Intelligence from whence emanates all rulership over the worlds of forms: a ‘concrete spirit’ and the Sphere of The Masters.

     The College of Masters forms the upper reaches of the planetary hierarchy of human beings, just as the Archangels form the upper reaches of the Angelic and Elemental hierarchy.  The esoteric grade is Adeptus Exemptus.
     The God-Name is conventionally attributed as Al or El (but is really Yahweh), the presiding Angel is Tsadkiel and the beings are the Chasmalim(the Brilliant Ones).  It represents Love, Majesty and Magnificence and the spiritual experience is Vision of Love.

Gevurah

(Intensity)

The fifth Sephirah of Divine Emanation is known as  Gevurah.

     The Sephirah Gevurah involves the qualities of  assessment and adjustment, as a clear-eyed calculation of the Truth.  There is no sentencing or punishment involved.  The appropriate frame of reference is calm detachment.  Energy is required.  Courage may help.
     Why does courage help?  Because without it there may be pachad.  Pachad occurs where one knows one is out of tune.  There is no fear with True Faith.  Afraid to look is faltering.
     In embodied Humans this involves the five senses: indeed, Madim governs the five senses.  These are the bases by which we determine objectivity for all that is tangible.  Madim rules Science.
      The Assessing Force establishes relations between opposites and is a benefit.  [comment: it exists in Mai Ai between uke and tori.]  This readjusting and balancing force is said to be omnipotent and omniscient.
     Perhaps the safest way to address this Force is through Seraphim.  The Angel is the Protector of the weak and the wronged; this Angel is known by the name Khamael and is also the Avenging Angel who pursues transgressors of human or Cosmic Law, through  consciousness. Beings of the Fifth Sephirah are known as Dynamis. The Holy God-Name is addressed as Jehovah Eloah Gevurah.

Tiphareth

(Beauty)

“A connection to Divinity occurs in Tiphareth. According to The Qabalistic Tree of Life, Tiphareth is the Sphere of The Sun. Therefore, The Sphere of The Sun is the Sphere in which the Magus can achieve Divine Unification. In the Qabalistic Tree of Life it literally states that the Magus must have traveled halfway back to God….Then on the second half of the journey, God will meet him ‘halfway, so that it comes to a Divine Unification. This does not mean that it comes to a unification with a personified God, rather knowledge and wisdom, might and power are united into one.” (Franz Bardon)

The Beings of Tiphareth are know as the Melekim, Authorities, Kings or Kingships. The Angel of God is Mikael (Who Is Like Unto God) and the Holy God-Name is Eloah ve Daath (God as we Know Him).

Netzach

(Eternal Victory)

The Seventh Sephirah of Divine Emanation is known as Netzach: Victory. It is referred to as The Occult Intelligence and said to be ‘a Refulgent Splendor of the Psyche, perceived by the eyes of the Intellect and the Contemplation of Faith’.

It is the force of Creative Imagination (of special interest to all Artists and Creative Workers); a Sephirah of the Perfect Balance of force and Form.

Awareness of this Perfect Balance produces Joy and Fulfillment and a Spiritual Experience of The Vision of Beauty Triumphant.

Divine Love and the Favor of God are the Spiritual Experiences here. The Orders are the Archai; the Spirits of Personality. The Holy Godname is Jehovah Tzabauth, Lord of Hosts and the Archangel is Hanael: God is our Grace. Netzach is Rightly Associated with Friendship and Brotherly Love.

It has been described, very balanced, as a Moist Fire and a Fiery Moisture: the Joy of Creation -a satisfying delight in the awareness of the life-force (whether Art, Music, Magic or whatever), the energy of Netzach ensouls the Images of Hod.

HOD

(Majestic Splendor)

The eight Sephirah of Divine Emanation, known as Hod, or the Absolute Perfect Intelligence, relates to the Forms of concrete Mind and Intellect. (Its forms are perfect, symbolically). Hod is a ‘form’ Sephirah featuring picture images; all pictorial systems, such as the Hebrew letters, astrological signs, the Tarot (book of Thoth), and all the god-forms.

All Philosophies are under the auspices of Hod, as well, as they are conceptual formalities; and their only credifier is whether they are true or false: Truth being the Virtue of this Sephirah and falsehood being the vice. A specialty tradition has emerged in this case, that being Hermetics: Esoteric Philosophy and Magic. “The secret of the logic of these Hermetic Philosophers is based upon Truth and so speaks to the Intuition as well as the (enlightened intellect)”. ( in contrast to unenlightened philosophies based upon elaborate logical structures).

 

“Have Me in mind and whatever thou wouldst learn, I will teach thee”. Hermes of the Greeks, who would be related to the Egyptian Thoth, is the Archetypal Leader, Teacher and Illuminator. In Alexandria, Thoth was considered to be the lord of books and learning; and Oversoul of all Priests. Pymander, in fact, means, ‘Shepherd of Men’. Thoth displayed no aspect of cunning or trickery.

(Shiva; Transmuter-Destroyer) In that illumination dispels the darkness, and enlightened intellect quells the fear of the unknown; disperser of the (forces) of darkness who holds at bay the (forces of) the underworld; mighty winged being with sword aloft; of the Quarter of Fire, (facing south); who is to be called upon whenever assaulted; by unbalanced forces of nature, by danger, or by an up-rushing adverse aspect of one’s own self.

 

Asclepius (the Healer): The Orange Ray is Transmutation and Alchemy; the object of Alchemy being the Transformation of Encumbered Essence into Rectified Purification and thence Regeneration of the Wholesomeness (and subsequently, Return to the State of Good Health). With this in Mind, the Angel would be Raphael: God is our Healing.

The God-Name is Elohim Tzabaoth: God of Hosts. The beings are the Beni Elohim: Sons of God(s). It is borne on the Orange Ray of Hermetics (Esoteric Philosophy and Magic), of the Order of Prometheus.

A most interesting aspect of Hod is the relationship with the Green Ray of Orphics (nature mysticism and Art) of the Order of Melchizedek, corresponding to Netzach (Aphrodite) whose God-Name is Jehovah Tzabaoth: Lord of Hosts; and their relation to the Purple Ray of devotional mysticism (Christianity), corresponding to Yesod. Taken together, the three Sephiroth of Consciousness represent something akin to the ‘right and left attributes of the mind (which form the ‘Hermes + Aphrodite = Hermaphrodite’) and the ‘heart’ which completes the triune psyche of alchemical advancement.

Iesod

(Foundation)

The Pure Intelligence. It Purifies the Emanations; and Proves and Corrects the Designing of their Representations.

The Sephirah of the Etheric plane, the Powerhouse and Machinery of the physical world. Yesod, as the Etheric Matrix, Holds the framework in which the particles of dense matter are enmeshed. It (the Etheric) has an energy of Integration which co-ordinates the physical molecules, etc. into an organism, it has a Vitality. Living things, animals, plants and minerals are its products.

The Etheric body has the power to feel, not the physical body. Protoplasm, which shows its presence in response to stimuli (hence; fibrous nerve tissue)… the formation of a nervous system is caused by an admixture of Astral with Etheric force: thus it is only rudimentary in plants and even more so in minerals.

All have their structure built and held by the Etheric Web or Network, thus it is the ‘Foundation’. Since the structure is built from this station, Yesod may be said to hold the Image of everything that exists in the physical world.

The Ether, in Yesod, also has the power to alter the Images or change the physical body. The ‘Supreme Integrated Image’ in Yesod is that of the “Luminous Image of The Creator”, which is shone forth and concealed in the physical world: Almighty Living God.

The Etheric; Images of pre-physical manifestation of all the higher manifestations; and all the vast body of teachings about the Moon and Moon Magic belong to Yesod.

The God-Name is ‘Shaddai El Chai’ (El Shaddai) which is traditionally translated as ‘Almighty Living God’. The Beings are the ‘Kerubim’: the Strong. The Orders are the Angeloi: Messengers. The virtue is Independence and the title is ‘Treasure House of Images’. The Spiritual Experience is: Vision of the Machinery of the Universe.

The Archangel is Gabriel (God is our Strength): Who Gives the Powers of Visions. He can be imagined as Silvery-White with Liquid Silver and Peacock swirls of Blue and Green, in order to bring on Clairvoyance and Clairaudience. His Telesmatic Image may be transformed into an enormous Silvery-White Pillar, which may then be transformed into an immense 9-sided Silver Crystal, reflecting Silver and Blue-Green light.

The complete understanding of the mechanisms which work the body, so that it may be cured in sickness, maintained in health, rejuvenated when old, are contained in Yesod (the Etheric Foundation) behind the physical Kingdom in Malkuth.

It has also much to do with the growth of plants. [The increase in radioactivity and radioactive fallout is having the effect of rendering the Etheric levels less dense. In addition it is becoming easier for Spirit to interpenetrate into the dense physical sheaths.]

Malkuth

(Kingdom)

The tenth Sephirah of Divine Emanation, known as Malkuth, the Kingdom. The Beings are know as Ashim (Souls of Fire or Spirits of Fire) and the Holy God-Name is Adonai h’ Aretz (or Adonai h’ Ophir). The Angels of God are Uriel (God is our Light) and Sandalphon (the Twin, said to be the twin brother of Metatron).