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Post by LorrB on Feb 16, 2011 14:37:09 GMT 9.5
I thought we could devote a thread to the fascinating correlations between the Craft and Cabala (however one spells that word).
How about:
Three = Kether, Chokmah and Binah – who form
Five = Chesed, Netzach, Tiphareth, Geburah, Hod – that hold
Seven = Yesod and Malkuth – which perfect
(It flashed into my mind as I typed that that the Five might be the key to survival of individual consciousness after death. The second death would be when the Five becomes Three)
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Post by paul on Feb 16, 2011 14:47:16 GMT 9.5
When the Tree of Life fits on to landscapes, Kether and Malkuth, in the cases I have seen, always fall off the land (into the sea or on to another landmass). This may have implications for lodges.
How about 3 pillars provide the Light to form the lodge, the brethren in the FPOF hold it, and if the 7 Spirits before the Throne of God enter the lodge they make it perfect.
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Post by LorrB on Feb 17, 2011 7:49:45 GMT 9.5
Sounds reasonable and makes sense when one thinks about it.
That scheme could also be represented by the ToL pattern. The Throne represented by the Supernals atop the three pillars (which create Light) the other seven Sephiroth.
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Post by LorrB on Feb 17, 2011 7:52:21 GMT 9.5
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Post by LorrB on Feb 17, 2011 7:56:46 GMT 9.5
 The no frills version. |
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Post by paul on Feb 17, 2011 8:19:48 GMT 9.5
While the Sephira are commonly considered as energies, it might be useful to consider them as entities.
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Post by LorrB on Feb 17, 2011 8:47:17 GMT 9.5
In Christian Cabalah Jesus is associated with Tiphareth.
... hence 'the Middle Way'?
... John 14:6 says, "Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
The Tree pattern shows Kether directly above Tipareth which in on the Middle Pillar of Equilibrium.
Question: re entities, do you think there are entities within entities?
ie If God is Omnipresent, then we must exist within Him. One could then suppose that the Seven Before the Throne would likewise contain others within themselves. We ourselves contain what we consider to be minor lives (albeit they can kill us if they take hold).
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Post by paul on Feb 17, 2011 9:25:20 GMT 9.5
>We ourselves contain what we consider to be minor lives
Certainly we do - hence the need to get our act together
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Post by LorrB on Feb 17, 2011 9:45:16 GMT 9.5
>We ourselves contain what we consider to be minor lives Certainly we do - hence the need to get our act together A three ring circus ...  |
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Post by LorrB on Feb 17, 2011 9:49:53 GMT 9.5
Daath, the Hidden Sephirah - (that which is lost?)
There is a lot of dispute about the Sephirah Daath which would be the Sephirah following Binah and situated on the middle pillar, and 'above' the Abyss. Some say it is not a Sephirah at all.
Daath means Knowledge, in the first place knowledge of the Divine and the divine expression in the universe. Daath is also the total of knowledge gained by an individual throughout his life or lifetimes, and especially the knowledge about what (his) life is all about.
Daath is also the key to the manifestation of all things. It is a Sephirah of becoming, as after Daath Creation will take place.
It is said that Daath is the child of Binah and Chohmah, the Mother and the Father, not situated on the Tree of Life, but above. That is, Kether, Chochmah and Binah form the (flat) basis of a triangular pyramid (actually a tetrahedron) and Daath is at the top of this pyramid, above the flat plane of the Tree. Why the ancients saw it this way, we don't know. Maybe they wanted to express a particular insight. I think one can easily fit Daath in the regular Tree of Life as fourth Sephirah.
Ascending the Tree of Life on the middle pillar, passing Tiphereth, we leave the ego behind and cross the Abyss. Daath is seen as entering the mysterious blackness. This void or emptiness receives of and ultimately leads to the Brilliance of the White Light of Kether. The void or emptiness should not be seen as a negative, awful place, but as the underlying nature of all things and beings as explained by Buddhism and especially by Dzogchen. Only by passing through the Abyss can we realize out innermost spiritual nature.
In the human body Daath is situated between the two brain hemispheres, and thus sometimes said to be between the eyes.
www.soul-guidance.com/houseofthesun/treeoflifetraditional.htm#The Tree of Life and the Four Worlds
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Post by LorrB on Feb 17, 2011 9:59:42 GMT 9.5
 This image reminded me of Jacobs Ladder.. I can see that Faith, Hope and Charity would sit quite nicely on these rungs. |
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Post by paul on Feb 17, 2011 10:01:56 GMT 9.5
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Post by LorrB on Feb 17, 2011 10:04:48 GMT 9.5
For casual browsers:
While we are concentrating just on the Cabala and the Craft here, you will find that if you compare the Craft to other mystical systems or traditions you will discover just as many valuable clues to Understanding more fully the symbols and stories presented in Freemasonry.
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Post by paul on Feb 17, 2011 10:04:58 GMT 9.5
>This image reminded me of Jacobs Ladder..
Jacob's Ladder is of course a veiling. The real ladder is between the levels of existence and this is certainly represented by the ToL as well as by other formulations. For myself I prefer a numerical ladder as that is simpler to use for metaphysical purposes
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Post by LorrB on Feb 17, 2011 10:16:06 GMT 9.5
Numerical ladder?
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Post by LorrB on Feb 17, 2011 10:16:08 GMT 9.5
Numerical ladder?
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Post by paul on Feb 17, 2011 10:45:16 GMT 9.5
Apply the usual numbers (7s at the bottom)  |
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Post by Henka on Feb 17, 2011 11:35:29 GMT 9.5
This is simpler?  Gives me a headache just looking at it. Simpler is better. |
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Post by LorrB on Feb 17, 2011 12:21:59 GMT 9.5
 My first thoughts too. However, it was interesting to take some time and try to connect the dots. I think this might be one of those diagrams one should revisit from time to time. Sometimes if you re-read a book or see a movie again one sees something they missed previously.
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Post by LorrB on Feb 17, 2011 12:35:18 GMT 9.5
Where on this ladder would you place the 7 Officers of a Lodge - yours and the masonic types.
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My first thoughts too.