Liber 777 (revised) (pdf) - Holy Order of the Golden Dawn Canada

EXPLANATIONS OF THE ATTRIBUTIONS
71
Earth appears for the first time in Malkuth. The three active
elements are represented in three triads in a progressively diluted and
impure form. There is a progressive admixture of ideas as one descends
the Tree; but when the descent becomes so gross that they can no longer
subsist as such, they unite to act as a trinity, to reproduce themselves by
reflection or crystallisation as a fixed form in which their original
natures are no longer perceptible as such. They merely modify the
character of the compound. The analogy is to chemical elements, which
are unable to manifest the natural property of the pure state in a
compound. It is only their subtler qualities which influence the nature
of the compound. Thus none of the physical properties of H. are
directly to be observed in its combination with SO4. It is only the
subtler qualities which determine that H2SO4 should be an acid.
The attribution of Earth to Malkuth is important as explaining the
nature of Nephesch and manifested matter. It is to be understood that
the three active elements and the first 9 Sephiroth do not exist at all
directly for the senses. They are to be apprehended only indirectly, by
observing their function through determining the nature of sensible
things. The necessary attributions* of this column are extremely
important as throwing light on the nature of the Heavens of Assiah.
They must be studied and meditated with great care.
Thus the fiery signs Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius partake of the nature
of Sol and Jupiter, because of the active, lordly, creative, paternal,
generous, noble and similar qualities. The earthy signs are sympathetic
with Venus and Luna because of the passive receptivity of those
planets. Airy signs correspond particularly with Saturn and Mercury,
because of the connection of these planets with thought. Watery signs
are sympathetic with Mars with regard to the fact that Water possesses
the fiery property of breaking up and destroying solids. The student
must be careful to avoid expressing himself by inventing false
* [The text at this point, following the printed edition, appears corrupt. Either the
word “necessary” is wrong or there is material missing after “necessary”; the adjective
before “attributions” should be something along the lines of “Zodiacal” or
“remaining.” — T.S.]