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Traditional Occult wisdom takes the form of systems of symbols. The study of these symbols for their own sake will not yield greater understanding, instead they should be used as tools to aid the individual in a personal exploration of the nature of reality. The Qabalah (tree of life) is a diagram summarizing the fundamental forces of the universe and their relationship to each other. The Tarot is another ancient symbolic representation of esoteric truths (the evolution of life and its relationship to the universe). The Tarot can also relate to the 22 paths between the spheres of the Qabalah. A more familiar, but no less legitimate form of occult symbolism is found in Astrology.
Malkuth the kingdom, sphere ten, represents the physical reality
of solids, liquids and gasses, the physical body, matter, energy, space and
time. Its colours are citrine, olive, russet and black. 
Yesod the foundation, sphere nine, is concerned with subconscious feelings, dreams and automatic (uncontrolled) instincts associated with life. Its colour is violet and its planet, the Moon.
Hod, glory, is sphere eight. It represents intellect, reason, logic, science and mathematics, clean-cut precision and blacks and whites with no in-betweens. Its colour is orange and its planet, Mercury.
Netzach, victory, is the seventh sphere. It symbolizes feeling, emotion, the non-quantifiable, opinions (rather than facts), the arts and an infinity of shades of grey. Green is its colour and Venus its planet.
Tiphereth, beauty, is sphere six. It is concerned with balance, moderation, realism, liberalism, the route to the appreciation of a power greater than man and open-mindedness. Its color is rose-pink flecked with gold and its planet is the Sun.
Geburah, strength, severity is the fifth sphere. Its realm is destruction and violence which is often right (e.g. the punishment of evil) but must be applied with reason or it can lead to senseless destruction and unjustified violence (e.g. the atom bomb, crime etc.). This sphere is essential for reform and progress, its color is red and its planet, Mars.
Chesed, mercy, is sphere four. Its concern is giving without receiving, protectiveness, generosity and parent or grandparent-like qualities. In excess this sphere will bring loss of independence and determination. Its color is blue and its planet is Jupiter.
The extremes of Geburah and Chesed are balanced by Tiphereth.
Binah, understanding, is sphere three. It is the form that is energized by, receives and understands the wisdom of Chokmah. Crimson, black and brown are its colours and Saturn, its planet.
Chokmah, wisdom is the second sphere. It is the energizing force and basic wisdom given shape by Binah. Its colours are blue and grey.
Kether, the crown, is the first sphere. It represents God, absolute perfection, the infinite, supreme ultimate. Its color is pure brilliance.
At the head of Kether is Ain (nothingness), Ain Soph (limitlessness) and Ain Soph Aur (limitless light). Between Kether and Tiphereth lies Daath, the hidden sephira. It represents the bridge over the abyss separating divinity from the not quite divine.
Qabalah links
Colin Low's
Hermetic Kabbalah Page
Qabalah
Resources
The four elements of earth, air, water and fire give a four-point analysis of the universe. Earth is associated the practical, restraint, sensation etc.Air is associated with communication, mental-activity, thought etc.Water is associated with emotion, feeling etc.Fire is associated with energy, assertiveness, intuition etc.
Magus (I); symbolizes control of ones own destiny (free- will), though this can never be fully achieved it should be aimed for as far as possible (i.e. mind).
High Priestess (II); nature in her esoteric aspect. The eternal mysteries from the face of which the uninitiated cannot lift the veil. Occult science personified, the gate of the occult sanctuary, the doorway between ignorance and understanding (i.e. spirit).
Empress (III); universal fertility, reproduction, continuous evolution, bringer and sustainer of life (i.e. soul).
Emperor (IV); domination of the physical world, kingship, government, leadership, temporal power. This can be achieved in varying degrees and is a matter of individual choice as to whether this is pursued (i.e. will).
Hierophant (V); spiritual rule, traditional religious teaching available to all, the organized church and all it entails.
The Lovers (VI); the choice between virtue and vice, we all possess a certain amount of free-will and it's up to the individual to use it wisely.
Chariot (VII); victory in the lower plane, the king in his triumph, partly along the road to perfection.
Adjustment (VIII); balance, divine justice, in nature everything moves towards equilibrium.
Hermit (IX); exploration of outer world, seeker, student.
Wheel of Fortune (X); life's ups and downs, the cyclical nature of the cosmos, luck and chance.
Lust (XI); spiritual force and courage, the image of the sacred science when justly applied, the victory of mind over matter.
Hanged Man (XII); voluntary sacrifice, the trading of earthly pleasure for greater heights.
Death (XIII); death of old self, universal transforming principle, the end of one phase is the beginning of another.
Art (XIV); the flowing of the past into the future via the present, a never-ending flow.
Devil (XV); the use of powers for evil purposes, there can be no progress without error, where there is imperfection there can be improvement.
The Tower (XVI); punishment for doing evil, "be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap", release from the trivial elements of earth-life.
The Star (XVII); the promise of a new and brighter dawn.
The Moon (XVIII); symbolizes three-way composition of the soul - emotional, mental and spiritual; everything in our transitory world is but a resemblance, the spirit travels through several planes on its evolutionary journey.
The Sun (XIX); the dawn after the darkness of the soul's descent into matter.
The Aeon (XX); the day of judgment which may come at any time for anyone, eventually all actions will be accounted for.
The Universe (XXI); the ecstatic state of the soul when it has become fully conscious of its divine origin.
The Fool (0); the mystic, dreamer and beholder of visions. He knows that this world and its wisdom are insignificant compared to the greater reality.
A
Tarot FAQ
Learning the Tarot - An
On-Line Course
TAROT Tools And Rites
Of Transformation
For centuries man has believed there to be a link between the movements of heavenly bodies and the day-to-day events of his earthly existence, "as above, so below". The work of Prof. M. Gauquelin has produced impressive evidence showing that the position's of the planets at a person's birth has an influence on their future aptitudes. The Swiss psychologist C.G. Jung made frequent reference to astrology. At the very least the twelve astrological signs provide a succinct description of the human psyche.
Aries; impulsive, quick-tempered, enterprising, courageous, objective,
urgent; Mars; fire.
Taurus; money-minded, dependable, obstinate, strong, productive,
enduring; Venus; earth.
Gemini; versatile, changeable, shallow, quick-witted; Mercury;
air.
Cancer; sympathetic, touchy, moody, defensive, sensitive;Moon;
water.
Leo; patronising, generous, snobbish, high-spirited, powerful,
impressive; Sun; fire.
Virgo; helpful, modest, perfectionist, analytical, critical; Mercury;
earth.
Libra; co-operative, lazy, diplomatic, indecisive, related, harmonious;
Venus; air.
Scorpio; brave, determined, vengeful, jealous, penetrating, intense;
Mars/Pluto; water.
Sagittarius; open-minded, careless, enthusiastic, boastful, extensive,
free; Jupiter; fire.
Capricorn; mean, materialistic, organized, cautious, rational,
prudent; Saturn; earth.
Aquarius; rebellious, eccentric, friendly, freedom-loving, detached;
Saturn/Uranus; air.
Pisces; sloppy, kind, impractical, imaginative, vague, impressionable;
Jupiter/Neptune; water.
It is a gross over-simplification to treat the signs of the zodiac as mere pigeon holes, indeed, we all contain a little of each of the signs in a unique mix of individuality.
The seven planets symbolize universal principles.
Astronet
Astrology
Online
astrology.com
Astrology-Numerology.com
Astrology
in the Age of Aquarius
Looking
Deeper - New Age magazine (includes articles on Astrology)
AstrologyGuide.Com
Also of interest:
C.G.Jung, revolutionary
psychologist
Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), one of the century's most prominent exponents
of magick
Other Worlds © abracad 2001
