Author: Joyeuse (142.177.41.---)
Date: 15-May-05 23:58
http://www.hermetic.com/stavish/rituals/add-notes-lbrp.html
TIP : for better understanding read all the ritual as the Kerubim is
only part of it and the excerpt absolutely doesn't show the whole
picture.
"The Kerubim
The Kerubim are the four principle guardians of the astral-material
realm. They are the ‘gate keepers’ of humanity and are the co-workers,
or servants of the Archangels of the Quarters. Through the Kerubim, the
invisible energies are mediated and made potent so that they can
manifest. The Kerub are the angelic order of Yesod, and are immediately
beyond the ‘veil of matter’ and of the Lunar realm.
The kerub can be imagined in several manner, but all have the same thing
in common - their ‘animal’ qualities. In “The Secret Symbols of the
Rosicrucians of the 16th and 17th Centuries” the Kerub are simply
displayed as winged, or double winged in some instances, beings. Hence,
for the east we have a winged man, or and ‘angel’; in the south a winged
lion, the west a winged eagle, and the north a winged bull. In some
instanced the eagle has two sets of wings to show that it is not a
litter eagle of this world.
The Cicero’s suggest using the idea of human bodies with the appropriate
heads attached and dressed in Egyptian garb for the Kerub. [x]
We can imagine that this is where our instinctual or ‘animal’ powers are
directed and dedicated to our evolution and creation. IT IS CRITICAL
that we always maintain an inner attitude of superiority and confidence
when addressing the Elemental forces, or even Angelic forces. This is
difficult for many beginners who assume that spiritual forces are:
A) outside of them, and not transmitted through themselves and/or an aspect of their psyche;
B) assume that spiritual forces are superior to themselves in intellect,
power, and expression and therefore they should be obedient or subject
to them. These two views are false, and critically destructive to
aspiring students. We must seek to assume our proper place in the
Universe as gods "in becoming" and have a healthy, loving, and
respectful attitude to all beings and forces. However, if we don't
conceive of ourselves as dominant over, and having the ability to
direct, our own internal instinctual forces, then we will be powerless
to effect them in the material or astral (ie. Subconscious) realms.
East - Adam - (Hu)Man - brings clarity of vision of the inner and outer worlds.
On the level of Assiah - increased health and awareness. Intake of actual air itself.
On the level of Yetzirah - control of the emotions as a result of the former (pranayama).
On the mental - clear understanding of the relationship of things and astral visions.
On the spiritual level it is individual consciousness, life itself, Ruach - the soul of everything.
South - Lion -brings energy and strength to our work. In Assiah it is
actual fire itself, and all forms of electro-magnetic radiation. It is
the life giving force of the sun that allows for matter, consciousness,
and light to exist in our world. In Yetzirah it is the energy of
emotions that move and enliven our inner worlds and allow them to
manifest in Assiah. In Briah it is the power of the Soul. In Atzilooth
it is the first primordial energy and the force behind all creation.
West - Eagle - brings the magnetic, form building qualities into
existence. It is the reflective part of our psyche, and as such,
predominantly passive. It is emotional and empathetic. In the world of
Assiah it is water itself, and all fluids. Water is known for its
abilities to hold a psychic charge when cold, as well as fix it for a
period of time when frozen. In Yetzirah, the World of Water, it is in
part the “Mercurial fluids” of the alchemist, connecting the higher
realms of Briah with the realms of matter below. It is the force or
energy that penetrates all creation and binds it together. It is the
downward forcing energies of matter.
North - Bull - brings power, density, virility, and slow moving
stability to creation. In the world of Assiah it is all things that are
dense, solid, inert. In Yetzirah it is the forces of density and
fecundity (Venus and Luna) seeking expression in tangible form. In Briah
it is the Philosophers Stone, the perfect expression of Divinity in
matter, and in Atzilooth it is template of all possible limitation (Cube
of Space in Sepher Yetzirah).
While mediations on Yesod will give greater understanding of the Kerubim
as individualized expressions of the cosmic force working through the
Quarters (just as the Archangels are the individualized intelligence
working through them), only meditations of Tiphareth will give
understanding of their function, and Kether of their origin and purpose
(to sing Divine Praise eternally!).
Meditations on Chesed will give an understanding of their basic
programming, or ‘plan’ for matter; and meditations of Geburah will give
the strength and power to actually control and direct them consciously,
willfully, and without fear. In this regard, the Tarot card of The
Chariot best exemplifies the meaning of Mastery.
Meditations on Hod will show the various patterns or relationships
between the Elemental powers of the Kerubim, and meditations on Netzach
will reveal the relationship of the Elements to the seven ancient
planets (and psychic centers) of astrology.
Meditations on Hockmah will further explore their relationship to the
fixed signs of the zodiac, and on Binah for how they express and form
matter. The kerubic function as an expression of cosmic ‘inertia’.
After completing all 22 Pathworking meditations from Malkooth to Kether,
at least once, it is advisable to contemplate the relationship between
the Kerubic Signs and the Elements. This can be accomplished by placing
the tarot card for the appropriate Sign in the Quarter, or by using it
as an psychic gateway for that Element. It is important that this not be
done until the appropriate paths have all been experienced at least
once, as the energy they release is of a very fundamental, and creative
nature. Remember, the higher on the Tree we go, the deeper (or lower)
into our psyche we travel. The creative forces at the top of the Tree
are impersonal, powerful, and sexual in nature, because, they are the
oldest forces in existence, and existed well before the development of
our intellectual faculties. The god forces experienced at the top of the
Tree are a tremendous, creative, and joyful pressure, that will
exacerbate whatever character traits, inclinations, or physical
phenomena that it contacts on its way down the Tree.
The Star - Aquarius - Air
This is the element of great elevation, optimism, and humanitarianism.
The card shows us that all is in motion, and that the continued pouring
forth of the waters of Binah allow for creation to take form, just as
these waters on a lower arc, the 'astral sea' of Yetzirah, take form in
the world of matter. Our thoughts must guide our emotions, if we are to
allow our emotional waters to guide our life. In Crowley's "Thoth Deck"
the card shows every form of energy as a spiral, further illustrating
the nature of ascending and descending (or materializing and
de-materializing) force. Through clockwise and counterclockwise motion,
energy and matter come into and out of being. Through the ascent and
descent of these forces, we can elevate our consciousness to new levels.
Strength - Leo - Fire
It is said that this Path can allow one to experience the old
Rosicrucian dictum of "Peace Profound." Yet, so often this phrase is
misunderstood by more passive mystics who place emphasis on the first
part, peace, and forget the second part, or its profundity. The nature
of all experiences on the Middle Pillar is that of union and balance of
polarities, or an extreme tension of energies around a stable center. It
is this stable center that gives us the feeling of peace, and the
extreme tension of energies that gives power to it. Crowley best
explains it as not only power, but the joy of power in action. "Lust
implies not only strength, but the joy of strength exercised. It is
vigor, and the rapture of vigor." (The book of Thoth, p.92). He further
states that this "…is the most powerful of the twelve zodiacal cards,
and represents the most critical of all the operations of magick and
alchemy. It represents the act of the original marriage as it occurs in
nature…there is in this card no attempt to direct the course of the
operation." (p.93)
Death- Scorpio - Water
"This sign is one of the two most powerful in the zodiac, but has not
the simplicity and intensity of Leo." Here the gatekeeper of our deepest
feelings and emotions is encountered. It is opposite Air in that Air
gives elevation and inspiriation, but it is the swirling force of our
psychic waters (our deep and focuses emotions) that things take on form
and life. This Quarter can truly be seen by many as the genuine 'Terror
of the Threshold" when it is encountered.
The Hierophant - Taurus - Earth
As Earth, or material creation, in its most stable form, the Heirophant
reminds us of the goal of all esoteric practices, the union of the
microcosm and the macrocosm. By directing the creative power of the
zodiac into the prima materia, mastery of the Four Elements is attained.
Kerubim as Guardians
The Kerubim in involution and evolution.
The most significant aspect of the Kerubim is that they act at great
forces holding the universe together, and restraining unbalanced forces
from manifesting. Yet, the power they represent is a totally unconscious
force, as it resides in Yesod, just behind the veil of matter, and is
instinctual. It reacts to the principles of electro-magnetism at best,
following the path of least resistance. A close study of the effects of
the moon on the earth would yield some additional insights into this
area.
This unconscious energy of the Kerubim is most easily manifest through
sexual power (as for the women, the fertility cycle is marked by lunar
periods); as well as psychic impulses and sudden intuitions, dreams,
etc. All of these things occur through the Kerubim, but manifest in the
material world."
to be continued on the source link above.
Best,
Claude
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment