The Initiatic Path in the Arcana of the Tarot and Kabala
CHAPTER XXV
ARCANUM No. 3
In Kabala, everything is Numbers and Mathematics. The Number is holy; the Number is infinite. Everything in the Universe is Weights and Measures. For the Gnostics, God is a Geometer. Mathematics is sacred. In Pythagoras’ school, no one was admitted who did not know mathematics, music, etc. Numbers are sacred.
The Sepher Yetzirah, the sacred and very ancient Hebraic book of the rabbis, describes in a marvelous way all of the splendors of the world and the extraordinary interplay of the Sephiroth in God and in the human being through 32 Paths of Wisdom. The whole science of the Sephiroth is hidden in the Mystery of the Sexes. The secret key of the Sepher Yetzirah is in the Science of Numbers. Anyone might think it is 32 Paths. In reality the 32 Paths of Wisdom is equal to “3 + 2 = 5”, equal to the 5-pointed Star, the Pentalpha, that is to say, the Human Being. This means that the Paths are in the Human Being; Everything Is Within Oneself. It’s talked about in a very symbolic way, which is why they say 32 Paths.
The Kabalists say that in reality the Soul has three aspects:
1st: Nephesh - The Animal Soul
3rd: Neshamah - The Spiritual Soul
2nd: Ruach - The Thinking Soul
The Sephiroth, which are atomic, are the substratum of these three aspects of the Soul.
1st – Nephesh: We must distinguish between “Astral Body” and “Lunar Bodies”. Lunar Bodies are active during the night and after death. These bodies have conventionally been called “Astral Body”, but that isn’t legitimate. Those who want the luxury of having an Astral Body have to carry out the work of the Maithuna, in which H-Si-12 is manufactured, which in our organism vibrates intensely on the musical scale (H = Hydrogen, Si = the musical note[1] and 12 = 12 Laws). If the practice is intensive, H-Si-12 crystallizes into the Solar Astral Body.
Initiates have to descend to the Infernal Worlds for 40 days and have to recapitulate all of their evils and frightful dramas of past reincarnations. The Initiates come out of those regions little by little. Before leaving, the three Souls—Nephesh, Ruach and Neshamah—are submitted to tests. How interesting it is to see the Animal Soul put to the test, and the same with the Thinking Soul and with the Essence, which is also put to the test.
The Bible says, “Nephesh, Nephesh, blood is paid with blood.” Wisdom is hidden in these Hebraic words.
2nd - Ruach: Ruach is the Thinking, Emotional Soul that is put into Lunar Bodies of Desire.
3rd - Neshamah: What there is of Soul within the above mentioned principles is submitted to very difficult tests. When Initiates triumph they ascend afterward to the Causal World to meet with Sanat Kumara, a Venerable Elder named in very ancient religions and who is one of the Four Thrones of which the Bible speaks. Three have gone and only one remains. He holds the Rod of Aaron, the Scepter of Kings. He is ineffable, and is related to Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, the three Gunas in equilibrium. Sanat Kumara gives the esoteric Initiation of the Solar Astral Body.
SYNTHESIS:
- Our disciples must learn to go out in the Astral body in order to visit all of the White Lodges of the world, where they would be able to speak in person with the Christ and with all of the Masters of the White Lodge.
- The atoms of Laziness are a serious obstacle for progress towards to the Higher Worlds.
- The Great Law is Return of Life to the Higher Worlds.
- Pray and meditate intensely. The Divine Mother teaches her children. Prayer should be combined with Meditation with the sleepy state. Then, as in a dream vision, Illumination comes. The Divine Mother comes to the devotee to instruct him or her in the Great Mysteries.
________________
[1] This “Si” refers to the note on the musical scale, which in many languages is “Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Si, Do”.While some translators use “H-Ti-12”, we leave it as “Si-12” because this is a standard in the English translations of Gurdjieff’s teachings on the subject, which preceded the modern Gnostic movement.