» SELECTED G∴D∴ PUBLICATIONS «
3°=8° Practicus
THE FOURTH KNOWLEDGE LECTURE
To be studied in the Grade of Practicus (3°=8°).
Aspirants will be tested on their knowledge of the following material, which must be committed to memory.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Geomantic Figures of the Zodiac
Below are the Geomantic Figures and their Zodiacal Attributions.
| Geomantic Figure |
Name |
Zodiacal Attribution |
 |
Puer |
 |
 |
Amissio |
 |
 |
Albus |
 |
 |
Populus |
 |
 |
Via |
|
 |
Fortuna Major |
 |
 |
Fortuna Minor |
|
 |
Conjunctio |
 |
 |
Puella |
 |
 |
Rubeus |
 |
 |
Acquisitio |
 |
 |
Carcer |
 |
 |
Tristitia |
 |
 |
Laetitia |
 |
 |
Caput Draconis |
 |
 |
Cauda Draconis |
 |
{see the original picture}
[ « back to TOC ]
Lineal Figures of the Planets
LINEAL FIGURES OF THE PLANETS
Below are the Numbers and Lineal (2D) Figures of the Planets:
| Planet |
Number |
Figure |
| Saturn |
3 |
Triangle |
| Jupiter |
4 |
Square |
| Mars |
5 |
Pentagram |
| Sol |
6 |
Hexagram |
| Venus |
7 |
Heptagram |
| Mercury |
8 |
Octagram |
| Moon |
9 |
Enneagram |
This topic is considerably elaborated in a very important document entitled "Polygons and Polygrams". There are a number of drawings to illustrate each point made.
[ « back to TOC ]
Magical Squares
THE MAGICAL SQUARES OF THE PLANETS
They are formed of the squares of the number of the planet, arranged so as to yield the same number each way. The number of the sum of each column of figures and the number of the total of all the number of the squares are also especially attached to the planet. For example the number of the planet Saturn is 3, square 9, the sum of all columns vertical, horizontal and diagonal is 15. The total sum of all numbers is 45. These numbers are then formed into Divine and Spirit names.
THE SOLID GREEK CUBICAL CROSS
It is the Admission Badge for the Path of Tau (ת), and is composed of 22 squares which answer to the 22 letters of the Hebrew Alphabet.
Questions about the Solid Greek Cubical Cross:
- What is it an emblem of? = The Equilibrated and Balanced Forces of the Elements.
- What is on it? = The 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
- It is the admission badge for what path? = The 32nd path, the path of Tau (ת).
THE SOLID TRIANGLE OR TETRAHEDRON
The Tetrahedron figure is also known as the "Pyramid of Fire". It is the Admission Badge for the Path of Shin (ש), representing the simple Fire of Nature and the latent or hidden Fire. The three upper triangles (note figure is in 2 dimensional space) refer to Fire - Solar, Volcanic and Astral. The lowest or basal triangle represents the latent heat. The Hebrew words on the faces are: (AUD) is Active Fire - (AUB) is Passive Fire - (AUR) Equilibriated Fire - (ASCH) is the Hebrew name of Fire.
Questions about the Tetrahedron:
- What is the Pyramid of Fire? = A red Tetrahedron with Hebrew words on the faces.
- What is the “other” name for a Tetrahedron? = A solid Triangle.
- What do each of the triangular faces represent? = Three kinds of fire and latent heat.
- Name the kinds of fire: = Solar, Volcanic and Astral.
- What are the Hebrew words on the faces?
- (AUD) is active fire
- (AUB) is passive fire
- (AUR) equilibriated fire
- (ASCH) is the Hebrew name of fire.
- The Tetrahedron is the admission badge for what path? = The 31st path, the Path of Shin (ש).
THE GREEK CROSS
This figure is also known as the "Greek Cross of 13 Squares". It is the Admission Badge for the Path of Resh (ר) has thirteen squares. It is referred to the Sun in the Twelve Signs of the Zodiac, arranged in triplicities (the midst of the four Elements.)
THE CUP OF STOLISTES
It is the Admission Badge to the grade of Practicus. It is referred to the Tree of Life as shown in the diagram. It embraces nine of the Sephiroth exclusive of Kether.
Yesod and Malkuth are referred to the lower triangle the former to the apex and latter to the base. Like the Caduceus, it furthers represents Water, Fire and Air, but in a different combination. The Crescent refers to the Waters above the Firmament, the sphere to the Firmament, and the basal triangle to the consuming Fire, which is opposed to the Fire symbolized by the upper part of the Caduceus.
THE SYMBOL OF MERCURY
On the Tree of Life it embraces all the Sephiroth but Kether. The horns spring from Daath (knowledge) which is not, properly speaking, a Sephirah, but rather a conjunction of Chokmah and Binah.
The Figures on the Tree of Life:
| The Cup of the Stolistes |
The Symbol of Mercury |
 |
 |
[ « back to TOC ]
Magical Squares
A two dimensional array of integers arranged so the sum of each row and column is equal to the same value.
| The Magical Square of Saturn |
The Magical Square of Jupiter |
|
| 4 |
14 |
15 |
1 |
| 9 |
7 |
6 |
12 |
| 5 |
11 |
10 |
8 |
| 16 |
2 |
3 |
13 |
|
| The Magical Square of Mars |
The Magical Square of the Sun |
| 11 |
24 |
7 |
20 |
3 |
| 4 |
12 |
25 |
8 |
16 |
| 17 |
5 |
13 |
21 |
9 |
| 10 |
18 |
1 |
14 |
22 |
| 23 |
6 |
19 |
2 |
15 |
|
| 6 |
32 |
3 |
34 |
35 |
1 |
| 7 |
11 |
27 |
28 |
8 |
30 |
| 19 |
14 |
16 |
15 |
23 |
24 |
| 18 |
20 |
22 |
21 |
17 |
13 |
| 25 |
29 |
10 |
9 |
26 |
12 |
| 36 |
5 |
33 |
4 |
2 |
31 |
|
| The Magical Square of Venus |
The Magical Square of Mercury |
| 22 |
47 |
16 |
41 |
10 |
35 |
4 |
| 5 |
23 |
45 |
17 |
42 |
11 |
29 |
| 30 |
6 |
24 |
49 |
18 |
36 |
12 |
| 13 |
31 |
7 |
25 |
43 |
19 |
37 |
| 38 |
14 |
32 |
1 |
26 |
44 |
20 |
| 21 |
39 |
8 |
33 |
2 |
27 |
45 |
| 46 |
15 |
40 |
9 |
34 |
3 |
28 |
|
| 8 |
58 |
59 |
5 |
4 |
62 |
63 |
1 |
| 49 |
15 |
14 |
52 |
53 |
11 |
10 |
56 |
| 41 |
23 |
22 |
44 |
45 |
19 |
18 |
48 |
| 32 |
34 |
35 |
29 |
28 |
38 |
39 |
25 |
| 40 |
26 |
27 |
37 |
36 |
30 |
31 |
33 |
| 17 |
47 |
46 |
20 |
21 |
43 |
42 |
24 |
| 9 |
55 |
54 |
12 |
13 |
51 |
50 |
16 |
| 64 |
2 |
3 |
61 |
60 |
6 |
7 |
57 |
|
| The Magical Square of the Moon |
| 37 |
78 |
29 |
70 |
21 |
62 |
13 |
54 |
5 |
| 6 |
38 |
79 |
30 |
71 |
22 |
63 |
14 |
46 |
| 47 |
7 |
39 |
80 |
31 |
72 |
23 |
55 |
15 |
| 16 |
48 |
8 |
40 |
81 |
32 |
64 |
24 |
56 |
| 57 |
17 |
49 |
9 |
41 |
73 |
33 |
65 |
25 |
| 26 |
58 |
18 |
50 |
1 |
42 |
74 |
34 |
66 |
| 67 |
27 |
59 |
10 |
51 |
2 |
43 |
75 |
35 |
| 36 |
68 |
19 |
60 |
11 |
52 |
3 |
44 |
76 |
| 77 |
28 |
69 |
20 |
61 |
12 |
53 |
4 |
45 |
|
Questions about the Magical Squares of the Planets:
- How are Magical Squares related to the Planets? = The dimensions of the matrix is defined by the numeric attribution of the planet (i.e. Saturn is 3 X 3, the Moon is 9 X 9, etc.)
- What are Magical Squares used for? = Talismanic Magic and Sigil Creation.
[ « back to TOC ]
The Tetractys
The tetractys is a symbol composed of ten objects in an upward-pointing triangular formation.
Questions about the Tetractys:
- Who discovered it? = Pythagoras.
- What is its relevance? = It shows the process of creation and is an image of the whole.
- What are some of its Greek titles? = Ouranos/Heaven, Cosmos/Order or Universe, Pan/All
[ « back to TOC ]
The Tarot
Attribution of the Tarot Trumps
| Path |
Number |
Traditional Deck |
Thoth Deck |
Letter |
Yetzeratic Attribution |
| 11 |
0 |
The Foolish Man |
The Fool |
 (Aleph) |
 |
| 12 |
1 |
The Magician, The Juggler |
The Magus |
 (Beth) |
 |
| 13 |
2 |
The High Priestess, The Popess |
The High Priestess |
 (Gimel) |
 |
| 14 |
3 |
The Empress |
The Empress |
 (Daleth) |
 |
| 15 |
4 |
The Emperor |
The Emperor |
 (Heh) |
|
| 16 |
5 |
The Hierophant, The Pope |
The Hierophant |
 (Vau) |
|
| 17 |
6 |
The Lovers |
The Lovers |
 (Zayin) |
|
| 18 |
7 |
The Chariot |
The Chariot |
 (Cheth) |
|
| 19 |
8* |
Strength |
Lust |
 (Teth) |
|
| 20 |
9 |
The Hermit |
The Hermit |
 (Yod) |
|
| 21 |
10 |
The Wheel of Fortune |
Fortune |
 (Kaph) |
 |
| 22 |
11* |
Justice |
Adjustment |
 (Lamed) |
|
| 23 |
12 |
The Hanged Man |
The Hanged Man |
 (Mem) |
 |
| 24 |
13 |
Death |
Death |
 (Nun) |
|
| 25 |
14 |
Temperance |
Art |
 (Samekh) |
|
| 26 |
15 |
The Devil |
The Devil |
(Zayin) |
|
| 27 |
16 |
Tower Struck By Lightning |
The Tower |
 (Peh) |
 |
| 28 |
17 |
The Star |
The Star |
 (Tzaddi) |
|
| 29 |
18 |
The Moon |
The Moon |
 (Qoph) |
|
| 30 |
19 |
The Sun |
The Sun |
 (Resh) |
 |
| 31 |
20 |
Last Judgment |
The Aeon |
 (Shin) |
 |
| 32 |
21 |
The World |
The Universe |
 (Tav) |
 |
*The Golden Dawn swapped Teth and Lamed and their attributes from a previous commonly known system of attribution.
[ See also: » Manuscript N - The Tarot « ]
[ « back to TOC ]
The Tree of Life
THE NUMBERED PATHS OF THE TREE OF LIFE
Familiarize yourself with the numbering of the paths on this diagram.
[ « back to TOC ]
3°=8° Practicus
The Practicus Meditation
Required as part of the curriculum for advancement to the Philosophus Grade
Take Refuge.
- Construct the Rhombus and the Vesica with compass and straight edge. While using in different practice sessions the 4-fold breath and the Moon breath, contemplate these symbols as before.
- Contemplate the Animal kingdom. Rise in imagination above the vegetable world into the world of motile creatures and identify in love and sympathy with the Powers of the Elements behind these. Imagine yourself as each and all animals seeking through sympathy to understand the world in their experience. Seek out and study the understanding that traditional peoples, especially the Egyptians, have with their animal neighbors and remember the great prayer of the Turtle Islanders, “Oh! All my relations!” Contemplate the differences in form and consciousness between insects, reptiles, avian and mammals.
- Imagine yourself as warm and moist as the tropical ocean, better still imagine yourself as made entirely of water. Soak in the Spirit of Water.
- Looking out on the Universe from this standpoint, identify yourself with the Water SPIRITS in love and sympathy, and recite their prayer as said in the closing of the Practicus Grade.
- Be ready to call to mind the glyphs of the Water Triplicity of the Zodiac. Study and have ready to mind their basic meanings from an astrology manual or other resource, especially noting their Cardinal, Mutable and Kerubic natures.
Then, in black on a white background, imagine the Glyph of Cancer as intensely as you can for two minutes. Intoning the name or Hebrew letter of the sign to start will help. Then, as you relax, let the glyph imagined before you dissolve into your body. Note what you think and how you feel. Do the same for Pisces and Scorpio.
Do this also for the Mercury glyph and contemplate the meaning of the number eight.
- Practice control of the emotions, on no account giving way to anger, hatred and jealousy, but to turn the force hitherto expended in these directions towards the attainment of perfection, that “the malarial marsh of [your] nature may become a clear and limpid lake, reflecting the Divine Nature truly and without distortion.”
- Practice the Dissolution into Shunyata, the Void Ground Absolute, the Ain. (See documentation here.)
- Practice the Control of the Aura
Dedicate the Merit.
MEDITATION NUMBER FOUR (version 2)
Let the Practicus meditate upon the Symbols of the Rhomboid and the Vesica.
Let him seek out their meanings and correspondences.
Let him contemplate the symbol Mercury and the Number 8.
Let him now learn to control his emotions, on no account giving way to anger, hatred and jealousy, but to turn the force he hitherto expended in these directions towards the attainment of perfection, that the malarial marsh of his nature may become a clear and limpid lake, reflecting the Divine Nature truly and without distortion.
Let him identify himself with the Powers of Water, considering the Water Triplicity in all its aspects, with its attributions and correspondences.
[ « back to TOC ]
Proof read and edited by Frater D.M.T. © Thelemagick.
[ » Primary Source: The Golden Dawn Lectures & OSOGD « ]
BACK TO LIBRARY
|
