Cicero - Self Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition_Part 01

The Zelator Grade 161
SERAPHIM (C~J:l't:t): The group of Angels assigned to Geburah. The name means
"Flaming Ones" and is derived from the root word seraph, which means to bum
by fire. In certain texts the Seraphim are also known as "Fiery Serpents" or "the
Powers." They are often pictured as winged serpents, or beings with six wings
and many eyes. It is their duty to bring the principle of heat into the action of creation.
They are the Angels of the purifying fire who bum away all that is not worthy
of the Divine. The Seraphim provide focus in magical work through discipline,
dedication and purification.
MELEKIM (C~~'C): The group of Angels assigned to Tiphareth. The name means
"the Kings," or "the Messengers." Certain texts refer to these Angelsas "the Virtues."
The Melekim are healing and life-givingentities.Itis their duty to provide points of
balance and stability amid the continuously evolving process of manifestation. They
facilitateself-knowledge and self-understanding within the initiate.
ELOHIM (C~n'M): The group of Angels assigned to Netzach. The name means
simply "the gods." Some texts refer to them as "the Principles." The duty of these
Angels is to provide stimulus (god-images, god-myths, or spiritual feelings) by
which humanity can be made conscious of the Divine and be able to identify with
it on a personal level. They engage the intuitive mind of the initiate in the Great
Work and reveal the divine simplicity of the universe.
BENI ELOHIM (C~n'M ~~,:): The group of Angels assigned to Hod. The name
means "Sons of the gods" or "Children of the gods." The Beni Elohim can be
likened to polarized (masculine and feminine) units of divine consciousness
which provide human intelligence and "god-awareness" in every individual.
They are the stimulus that drives human beings in the search for knowledge. (The
Elohim and Beni Elohim can be considered as the Force and Form aspects of all the
numerous images of the gods created in the mind of humanity.) The Beni Elohim
engage the rational mind of the initiate in the Great Work, and reveal the divine
complexity of the universe.
KERUBIM (C~':)"~): The group of Angels assigned to Yesod. The name means
"the Strong Ones" and is derived from the Akkadian word karibu which means
"one who prays" or "one who intercedes." The Kerubim are the great formative
powers of the Elements that are stationed in the sphere of Yesod,the etheric blueprint
which supports the physical universe. As supporters of the universe, they
can be considered reflections of the Holy Living Creatures in Kether. Their duty is
to govern interaction between the inner and outer worlds and to serve as
guardians of the portal between the worlds. They act as guides, heralds, or as
agents of equilibration. The Kerubim are often pictured as winged humanoids
with animal heads, or as sphinxes.
ASHIM (or ISHIM) (C~t:tM): The group of Angels assigned to Malkuth. The name
means "Souls of Fire." Said to be composed of snow and fire, these Angels are the
forces which hold the atomic particles of physical matter together. Some consider
the Ashim to be of human rather than Angelic origin-those individuals who are
dedicated to the service of the Light and are messengers of the Spirit.