Anthony Testa - The Key of the Abyss.pdf

nothing but the understanding and initiation (or lack thereof) of the
person who makes those arguments.
The Tree of Life is a key concept when discussing the path of
initiation that leads to the brink of Da’ath in regard to the necessity of
the initiate having fulfilled the task of an Adeptus Minor which is
identified with the Sephirot Tiphareth, the Sun. The subject of the tree
of life is entirely too large to explain here except in relation to the path
of Initiation that is mapped to it but, fortunately, it is a subject about
which a great deal has been written. In any case, we find that the
Sephirot, entered into one by one, is the path the aspirant takes or
follows until he reaches Da’ath. One of the insights that Grant has
built upon is the concept of the Qliphotic or negative side of the tree.
This refers to the idea that the day or light side of the Tree must have a
corresponding dark (or night) side, at least below Da’ath, since the
phenomenal universe is by nature dualistic. Grant gives a basic
description of this concept: Each sephira of the Tree of Life has its
corresponding Qliphoth which is the reflection of the energy which it
represents, and these averse Sephirot form what is known as the Tree
of Death. Only the well-armed Initiate, the Adept, in fact, can use
these power-zones with impunity 130 .
Before applying this concept, it may be useful to consider the concept
of the path previously mentioned. In Magick, Crowley discusses the
grades from 0=0 to 10=1, which is the highest level of initiation
known to man at this time. The portion that deals with the grades were
are concerned with tells us: (In the grade of 8=3, t)he essential
Attainment is the perfect annihilation of that personality which limits
and oppresses his true self. The Magister Templi is pre-eminently the
Master of Mysticism, that is, His Understanding is entirely free from
internal contradiction or external obscurity; His word is to
comprehend the existing Universe in accordance with His own Mind.
He is the Master of the Law of Sorrow (Dukkha). To attain the grade
of Magus he must accomplish Three Tasks; the renunciation of His
enjoyment of the Infinite so that he may formulate Himself as the
Finite; the acquisition of the practical secrets alike of initiating and
130 ibid.
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