The Mystic Path - Path 20
5:06 PM
We are currently engaged in an almost two-year initiatory Pathworking with The Qabalah Tree of Life. You can read what that's all about here. In the meantime, I have been documenting our work as we explore the Paths.
It is important to know these are brief notes. A true understanding of each Path begs a vital understanding of the Sephiroth connecting them. Further research on your own is highly recommended.
It is important to know these are brief notes. A true understanding of each Path begs a vital understanding of the Sephiroth connecting them. Further research on your own is highly recommended.
We have completed Path 21, now for Path 20 .....
According to Chic and Sandra Cicero's interpretation of the Yeztiratic text, this Path is called the "Intelligence of Will" because it "denotes that this is the path where each individual 'created being' is 'prepared' for the spiritual quest by being made aware of the higher and divine 'will' of the creator." (A Garden of Pomegranates, p. 387) This is made clear first by the Hebrew Letter Yod, which is the first letter of the God-name YHVH, the Tetragrammaton. It is the seed of wisdom sprouting forth the created form. Taking this seed in terms of sperm gestating a womb, take into account the astrological sign of the path: " . . . the astrological sign Virgo, the Virgin, and the association of this sign with the Divine Seed of Yod recalls to mind the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception." (Gareth Knight, A Practical Guide to Qabalsitic Symbolism, Vol. II, p. 106) We are the virgins, ripe to become impregnated with Spirit.
Yod means "Hand" and represents the Hand of God leading the soul on its evolutionary path. Because the hand can both give and receive, this Path is the perfect conduit of balance for both giving and receiving the wisdom of the Spirit. For this Path is connected to Chesed, and as Dolores Aschroft-Nowicki says, "on this path all those who have brought knowledge and teachings to mankind have their place." (The Shining Paths, p. 116) This includes Jesus, The Buddha, Enoch, Moses, Black Elk, and the list goes on.
The Tarot Trump is the The Hermit, which holds the staff of Faith and bears a lantern of light often sourced by the Sun or Tetrahedron. "This Light-bearer of the Tarot may be equated with the hidden, or unrevealed cosmic mind of man, which serves to guide and inspire the soul in all its ways." (Knight, Vol. II, p. 105) The Hermit sits in the darkness, quiet and still, ready to receive the fullness of Spirit from Chesed. From Chesed is where the Individuality (centered in Tiphareth) first takes its form. However, it is well-noted that even though the Individuality is the Higher Self, it is still not perfect, for the only perfection resides in Kether. The Individuality is the first Deviation from the Supernal realm of being so know that the journey does not end here.
Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki provides some deeper insight into The Hermit for us to ponder: "On the path of the Hermit it should be understood that on a higher level you are taking on a spiritual commitment, on a lower level you are saying, 'I am ready to accept change in my life'. For this is what the twentieth path amounts to, acceptance! The hand outstretched to receive the communion wafer, the sword and helm of knighthood, the rod of power, or the lamp of the Hermit ahead of you, who is now ready to hand over the symbol of his authority to one who has been trained to receive it." (The Shining Paths, p.117)
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