Gematria - Sepher Sapphires Volume 1.pdf

leading to a state of exaltation (illumination),
often compared to intoxication [Among the
Greeks the Fir tree was among the symbols of
Dionysus, God of the vine. The Thyrsus, a staff
used in the Dionysian Mysteries, was twined
with ivy, and surmounted by a pine-cone.] It is
an instance of the operation of Divine Grace.
Like the Hermetic caduceus, it refers to the same
ascent of Kundalini through the spinal centers
which awakens the organ of higher vision. Christ
is the true vine", The miracle of Cana changed
water into wine, to promote joy at a marriage-
feast. Wine is used in the Eucharist, as the
material base for a true alchemical transmutation.
Rosicrucian, Qabalistic and Alchemical literature
is replete with symbols relating to the vine and
its fruit. see 125, 129,668,8 1 1, 1035, 182.
verbum (Lt). word. The Latin equivalent for the
Greek Logos. Verbum stands for the formative
power of the Creative Idea.
Venus (Lt). Goddess of Love and desire,
corresponding to the Greek AqpoGtzq, and Key
3, The Empress in Tarot. A most important key
to the entire alchemical great work is the power
of creative imagination. see 993 (Greek). 434, 3,
1035.
rubeum (Lt). red. The color of Mars. Part of a
phrase. see 406.
naturae (Lt). of nature. Part of a phrase. see 132
(Lt), 156 (Lt).
balsamum (Lt) balsam. Concerning the
alchemical dragon, or serpent-power, it is said in
The Book of Lambspring: A savage Dragon
lives in the forest, Most venomous he is, yet
lacking nothing: When he sees the rays of the
Sun and its bright fire, He scatters abroad his
poison, And flies upward so fiercely That no
living creature can stand before him, Nor is even
the Basilisk equal to him. he who hath skill to
slay him, wisely Hath escaped from al dangers.
Yet all venom, and colours, are multiplied In the
hour of his death. His venom becomes the great
Medicine. He quickly consumes his venom, For
he devours his poisonous tail. All this is
performed on his own body, From which flows
forth glorious Balm, With all its miraculous
virtues. Here do all the sages loudly rejoice."
[Waite, 1974, vol. 1, p. 2861. Case notes:
Balsamum = 72 = Venus = verbum. see 37 (Lt).
73 (prime)
I. The combined numerical values of Mercury
(37), Sulphur (7), and salt (29). An intimation
that the powers of Mercury and Salt are
combined in Sulphur.
11. The feminine aspect of Chokmah in his
phallic function. [Crowley, 1977, p. xxv].
Chokmah. Wisdom, 2"* Sephirah; Wise
woman. Corresponds to Yod in m. The sphere
of the zodiac or sphere of fixed stars (Masloth).
Continuation in the sense carrying the onward or
extending the initial impulse symbolized by 1
(Kether). Seat of Chaih, the Life-force. Contains
the unmanifested aspects of the 3rd and 6'
Sephiroth. The dual (Masculine-Feminine)
potency which brings the whole Tree of Life into
manifestation. Sulphur is attributed to Chokrnah
in the book Aesch Mezareph. see 15, 7,693, 168,
536.
I. Chokmah, to which Sulphur is attributed, is
said also to be m2, kachmah, the power of
formation.
11. Chokmah is called rf!?W2 Masloth, the
Sphere of the Zodiac (Sphere of the Fixed Stars),
because the Indivisible One knows itself as light,
of which all luminaries (stars or suns) are
condensations into physical form. In the
cosmos, this light radiates from stars and is
reflected by planets. This radiant energy is alive.
Therefore Chokmah is the seat of Chaiah
(23), the universal life-force, which is latent in
the mineral kingdom, and progressively more
active in the scale of evolution which extends
from the vegetable, animal, human kingdoms
and beyond.
Pa'% your father. [Isaiah 5 1 :2] A reference to
Abraham, also a link between Chokmah and
Ab, Father. Another name for the number 2.
Letter-name Gimel. Camel. In one sense,
the scroll of the High Priestess is the record of
past events which becomes the basis of future
recompense. What is on the scroll therefore
corresponds to what Hindu philosophy calls the
Samskaras or impressions which become the
"seeds of Karma." These impressions are the