THE BOOK OF THOTH (Egyptian Tarot) by THE
MASTER THERION (Aleister Crowley)
Appendix B (partly proofread)
CORRESPONDENCES
The Holy Qabalah is a system of classifying the Beings, By-comings, Thoughts, Monads, Atoms, Waves, Packets of Energy, Ideas, or whatever one chooses to call them; of memorizing, discussing and manipulating the Relations between them.
The Units of this system are Numbers: generally, one means the "natural numbers"; but there is no reason for excluding other mathematical terms such as Ö-1, e, p, c, q, a, o, W, and so on.
Each Unit is a hving idea or person; to each are related in nature all other ideas in some way or other.
Thus 93 is related to 31, being a multiple of it; 13 is related to I, since AChD the Hebrew word for Unity means One. A gentian is related to the sky, because both appear blue; and blue is related to Jupiter, Venus and the Moon, thus to the numbers sacred to those planets 4, 7, and 9, because blue is the colour of all three planets in one scale or another.
All words are thus in some way connotations of every other word or number; it is merely a question of finding the right category to assert the rela tions between them.
These correspondences, such as HVD, Splendour, Elohim, Gibor, Kokab, Mercury, Samael, Violet Purple, Anubis, Tahuti, Thoth, Orange, Russet-red, yellowish-brown-flecked-white, Odin, Loki, Hermes, Hanuman, Hermaphrodite, Jackal, Monokeros de Astris, Moly, Anhalonium Lewinii, Opal, the Holy Ghost, Storax, the Names and Versicles used in Ritual, Truthfulness, the Octagon, Palatium Serenitatis, Aaron, Raqie, Svaddistthana, Sakkya-ditti, deceivers, Jarmat al Firdaus, and innumerable other ideas: all these pertain to the number 8.
These "correspondences" are not arbitrary; in some cases there is a rational connection, direct or indirect, in others the relation results from direct observation.
All possible ideas being ultimately integral with each other, it is evidently impossible to make a complete Qabalah; the same applies to infinite series, to divergent series, to differentiations, to the "expanding universe" of one modern physical theory.
The tables here printed, and used as the basis of the form and colour of the seventy-eight cards, are well-tried and verified conventions; the harmony of the result is witness of the exactitude of the method, and a vindication of the system of the Holy Qabalah.
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DIAGRAM I. THE KEY SCALE
This diagram illustrates the conventional theory of the structure
of the Universe adopted as convenient for the purposes of calculation in
the Book called The Tarot. The ellipse, parabola, and hyperbola,
show the three Veils of the Negative; the ten circles refer to the ten
numbers of the decimal scale; and their general spiritual and moral significance
is given on the rims. The necessity and propriety of this system is set
forth in the Naples Arrangement, and it is discussed quite fully in the
text of the Prefatory Note. The lines joining these circles represent the
twenty-two numbers of the Hebrew alphabet with the actual meanings of their
names and their numerical value. This also is fully discussed in the text
of the Essay.
This diagram should be studied so deeply and so constantly that it becomes automatic for the mind to accept it as the basis of all thinking on the subject of The Tarot, exactly as the letters of the alphabet and their arbitrary order is accepted as the basis of all our thinking in respect of words and their pro nunciation. Until this first task has been mastered, the details of the Tarot may prove a source of continual annoyance; every symbol of the book must be so falllliar as to have sunk completely into the unconscious strata of thought. Intellectual knowledge must be so wrought into the substance of the mind that it becomes instinct.
DIAGRAM 2. THE GENERAL ATTRIBUTION OF
THE TAROT
Provided that Diagram I has been mastered as it should have been,
this fuure will present no difficulty. The ten numbers evidently refer
to the small cards of the pack, the Aces to the number I, the Deuces to
the number 2 and so on. The Court cards are referred to the numbers
2, 3, 6 and 10 in their capacity as representative of the idea of
Father, Mother, Son, Daughter. The twenty- two Trumps refer to the twenty-two
Paths.
The same general remarks made in the description of the first Diagram,
apply here also; but this Diagram must itself be studied separately. It
should not be used as a table to which to refer when in doubt; it should
itself be committed to memory before proceeding to the detailed study of
the pack
DIAGRAM 3. THE CHINESE COSMOS
This diagram has been introduced as an elucidation of the interplay
of the ten-fold system of the Sephuroth with the four-fold system of Tetragrammaton,
because the Chinese system, although based exclusively upon the principle
of
IMAGE p.268 THE GENERAL ATTRIBUTION OF THE TAROT
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simple addition and subtraction, is found to harmonize exactly with our own Qabalah.
The origin of the Cosmos is thus explained. The Tao is exactly equivalent to the Am or Nothingness of our Qabalab, because equally it must be compre- hended as necessarily possessing a phase of mamfestaion. The conception becomes more objective as it is developed, so that both Tao and its hidden correlative Teh are formulated in a quite positive way as the Yang and the Yin, which correspond exactly to the Lingam and the Yoni. These being clothed about become the popular symbols of Father and Mother.
In the macrocosm they correspond to the Sun and Moon; and, by further descent into matter, are, on the masculine side, Fire and Air; on the feminine side, Water and Earth.
The original concept of the Tao as developed by the Teh, is resumed in the name Thâi Kî. The Yang and the Yin are called the I or Yao. When these are combined two at a time, we obtain four figures, called the Hsiang, which may be compared to Tetragrammaton, and this stage of development is so secret in the Chinese idea that practically nothing is said about these forms. They only come out into the clear light when the combinations of the Yang and the Yin are taken three at a time as shown in the lower part of this diagram.
It will be noticed that there are eight of these forms; they are called Kwâ. Two of these are completely balanced in purity, Khien and Khwan with three Yangs and three Yins respectively. Next comes the first failure of perfect balance; there are Li, the Sun, and Khan, the Moon. The one contains two Yangs with a Yin between them and the other two Yins with a Yang between them.
The remaining four trigrams are completely unbalanced in themselves; but each is balanced by the counterpart. The balanced and the nearly balanced are therefore found in the balanced middle column; the others, representing the four Elements, in the side column.
Khien, heaven, is found in the place of Daäth, which resumes the powers of the supernal triad. Note that it has no true place on the Tree, as indicating that material illusion now begins.
In the place of Chesed, which is Water in our Qabalab, we find Tui, which is Water in the Chinese system. In Geburab, our Fire, is Ka~n, Fire in the Chinese system. In the place of Netzach, which is Earth in our Qabalah, there is Ka~n which is Earth on the Chinese plan. Finally, for the Sephira Hod, which in our system is Airy and Mercurial, we find Sun, the Chinese trigram of Air.
The Chinese system is therefore, in every way, equivalent to our own Qabalah, and it is most interesting to observe that they equally reach the idea of our own systems of initiation without invoking any other formula than that of the dyad.
IMAGE P.270 THE CHINESE COSMOS
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A SHORT EXPLANATION OF THE ATTRIBUTIONS HERE SET
FORTH
WITH NINE ILLUSTRATIVE DIAGRAMS
LIST OF DIAGRAMS
I. The Tree of Life, with the attributionof the
Sephiroth and paths.
2. The Tarot on the Tree of Life.
3. The Yi King on the Tree of Life.
4. The Caduceus of Hermes.
5. The Numbers of the Planets.
6. The Elements and their symbols.
7. The Elemental Weapons.
8. The Sphinx.
9. The Essential Dignities of the Planets.
DIAGRAM 4. THE CADUCEUS
This diagram illustrates the Tree of Life, the Cosmos as the Wand or
creative force of Mercury, that is of the balanced energy which has created
the illusion of existence. It will be noted that the shape of the symbol
shows the three Mother letters of the Hebrew alphabet, Shin, Aleph and
Mem, in its three sections.
The importance of this symbol is mainly that the Tarot is primarily the Book of Thoth or Tahuti, the Egyptian Mercury. For the understanding of this
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book it is necessary to learn how to transmute instinctively and automatically
every simple symbol into every complex symbol and back again; for only
so is it possible to realize the unity and diversity which is the solution
of the cosmic problem.
DIAGRAM 5. THE NUMBERS OF THE PLANETS
This diagram illustrates the Solar system on the Tree of Life.
Saturn is in the position of the non-existent Sephira, Daath, but it resumes
the character istics of the three Sephiroth above the Abyss. The doctrinal
point is that as this does not exist on the Tree in nature; it is the problem
of the seeker after truth to penetrate the obscurity of Saturn, and to
discover therein the Supernal Triad in a form linked to his own mind by
its position in the Solar system.
The tenth Sephira, which refers to Earth, is not shown on this figure. For this number represents the Nephesch, the animal soul of man, the crystal lization of the mind, and the Daughter or H6 final of Tetragrammaton.
In this edition very little attention has been paid to the immense, vast, overshadowing dogma of the Christian era. This has been variously repre sented as the doctrine of original sin3 of the Fall, of the Atonement; part of this doctrine is given in the legends about the Lost Word, the Widow and the Widow's son, the fallen, lonely, and lamenting daughter-and so on. These doctrines were all based upon the ignorance of the age, which supposed that the sun was destroyed every evening, and had to be raised again every morning by priestly machinations.
The "formula of the dying god", as this is usually called, does actually exist, but it represents a stage in human development which is now past as far as external theology is concerned. It has a sort of shadowy validity in psycho logy; for instance, in taking up a new task of any importance, one begins very pleasantly, the period ot Isis; the task becomes tedious and baffling, one begins to despair, the period of Apophis; then suddenly the subject is mastered and one comes to a triumphant conclusion, the period of Osiris.
But the whole of this formula depends upon ignorance of the laws of nature; there is in fact no catastrophe. Natura non facit saltum; all change proceeds with perfect order, ease and harmony. It is the great task set before mankind at the present moment to realize, and therefore to adjust, means of action to the facts of the case, thus preventing the illusion of catastrophe by eliminating the element of surprise. It is of course also of supreme importance to eliminate that prejudiced desire which is the poison of will, "For pure will, unassuaged of purpose, delivered from the lust of result, is every way perfect".
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It only makes things worse if one wishes that there were no Ten of Swords
in the pack, or that the Five of Wands did not follow and upset the Four.
DIAGRAM 6. THE ELEMENTS AND THEIR SYMBOLS
This diagram is at first sight very disturbing, for it cannot be
attributed in any straightforward way to the Tree of Life.
It will be best to state the problems, ab ovo. The Elements are four in num ber; although they are harmonized and balanced and made to revolve, there is an irreconcilable difficulty in their perfection. It is impossible to arrange four numbers in a 'magic square', so that all the sides and all diagonals add up to the same number. Two is the only number of which this is true. Such is the mathe matical formula of expressing the doctrine ofwhat was called theAccursed Dyad.
The problem of the Adept was therefore to attack this irreconcilable duality, whose limit is fortified and entrenched by being squared. As therefore the original duality of Fire and Water was overcome by the introduction of a third Element partaking equ~ly of both natures, Air, so a fifth Element was introduced, and the Pentagram instituted as a symbol of salvation. In the Christian Oabalah, this is symbolized by introducing the letter Shin in the midst of the Tetragrammaton to represent the element of Spirit harmonizing and ruling the four rigid and opposing Elements. The name Jehovah IHVH, thus becomes IHShVH, Yehesliuah, Jesus. This is the 9abahstic method of ex pressing the doctrine of Jesus as the Redeemer. The method was explained in detail by a formula in which INRI, the inscription on the Cross, becomes Yod Nun Resh Yod, which are in the heavens Virgo, the Virgin Mother; Isis, Scorpio, Apophis the Dragon, the Destroyer; Sol, Osiris, the Slain and Risen. The initials of these three divine beings thus make the more ancient name of Jehovah lAO. In this way the initiates of old expressed their understanding of the fact that the Universe was after all perfect, even if requiring a little manipulation; but as explained previously, this doctrine is for the weaker brethren, for those who are suffering from the illusion of imperfection; it enables them to make their way to the i1limitable Light.
DIAGRAM 7. THE ELEMENTAL WEAPONS
This diagram shows the attribution of the four Suits of the pack
to the four Elements. The fifth Element of Spirit is represented by a lamp,
and this in the Tarot refers to the Twenty-two Trumps. The interplay of
the symbols should be noticed, for the whole of the plantary, zodiacal,
and elemental symbols are themselves all contained in the rays of the Lamp.
Note that this and the following diagrams represent new discoveries by
the Master Therion: com pletion of the Tradition.
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DIAGRAM 8. THE SPHINX
This diagram represents the four Kerubs who are about the throne
of the Almighty; they show the central zodiacal signs of the four Elements,
Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius, and Taurus. The Kerubic sign in any Element exhibits
the most powerful and balanced form of that Element. Attached to these
are the names of the four Virtues of the Adept, those which enable him
to overcome the resistance of the elements; they are: to Will, to Dare,
to Know and to Keep Silence. By the harmonious exercise of these, the fifth
Element of Spirit is formulated in the being of the Adept. It is the god
within, the sun, which is the centre of the Universe from the human point
of view, with its own particular virtue, which is to Go. The essential
characteristic of the godhead is this faculty of Going; the free movements
of space and time and all other possible conditions. In the Egyptian hieroglyphic
system, this faculty of going was represented by a sandal strap,
which represents by its hieroglyphic form the crux ansata, the Rose and
the Cross, which in its turn gives the formula of Love under Will, the
secret of attainment.
DIAGRAM 9. THE ESSENTIAL DIGNITIES OF THE PLANETS
This diagram shows the true symmetrical completion of the Sidereal-
Solar System. The astronomical discoveries of Herschel (Uranus), Neptune,
and Pluto have completed the tenfold scheme of the Sephiroth, and enabled
the Master Therion to establish Astrology in its relation with Ceremonial
Magick on a perfectly balanced basis.
It is a notable witness to the triumph of Magick that all militant nations have adopted, worthily or not, magical symbols and gestures.
Great Britain and the U.S.A., "Thumbs up!"-The Sign of Khem: Phallus; The V sign-The Sign of Apophis and Typhon.
U.S.S.R., The Hammer and Sickle-Jupiter and Satuni; The Pentagram.
The Dritte Reich, The Svastika.
Italy, the Fascis-Fascinum.
Japan, The Rising Sun.
France, abandoning the Fleur-de-Lys (Phallus) and profaning the Pentagram of the Legion d'Honneur, ?
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END OF THE BOOK
PREVIOUS PART, APPENDIX A BEHAVIOUR OF
THE TAROT
AND THE ART OF DIVINATION