Cicero - Self Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition_Part 01

200 SELF-INITIATION IN10 THE GoLDEN DAWN TRAOmON
Of these, especially the Bull (Taurus), the Lion (Leo), the Scorpion (Scorpio,
but in good symbolism the Eagle) and the Man (Aquarius) are to be noted as forming
the Kerubic figures of Ezekiel andJohn. Tothese Signs are allotted the tribes of
Ephraim, Judah, Dan and Reuben, who, as we shall presently see, encamped
towards the Cardinal Points around the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and as
the leaders of the others. The Signs of the Twins (Gemini), the Fishes (Pisces), and
in a certain sense as a compounded figure, the Centaur (Sagittarius) armed with a
bow, are also called bi-eorporate, or double-bodied Signs. Tothese refer Manasseh
(Gemini), Simeon (pisces) and Benjamin (Sagittarius). Manasseh was divided into
two half tribes with separate possessions (being the only tribe thus divided), and
thus answers to the equal division of the Sign of the Twins, Castor and Pollux, the
Great Twin Brethren. Simeon and Levi are classed together, like the two Fishes in
the Sign, but Levi is withdrawn later, to form as it were the binding and connecting
link of the Tribes, as the priestly caste. Benjamin is the younger brother of
Joseph, for Rachael had only these two sons, and is the only one of the sons of
Jacob who at his birth was called by two names, for Rachel called him "Ben oni,"
but his father Benjamin, and in the Sign of the two natures of Man and Horse are
bound together in one symbol.
We shall find much light upon the connection between the Signs and the
Tribes shown by the blessing of Jacob, and of Moses, from the former of which the
Armorial bearings of the Twelve Tribes are derived. Let us note that as in the
Tribes Levi was withdrawn, and the two Tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh substituted
for the simple one of Joseph, so in the New Testament, Judas is withdrawn
from the number of the twelve Apostles and his place filled by another, Matthias,
who was chosen by lot to fill his place.
The following is the order by birth, of the children of Jacob: Leah bore
Reuben (::::::::), Simeon (H), Levi, afterwards withdrawn, and Judah (<Q). Bilhah
(Rachel's maid) bore Dan (nu, and Naphthali (Jl}), Zilpah (Leah's maid) bore Gad
(nr) and Ashur (~). Leah again bore Issachar (!!P), Zebulun (l),) and Dinah (a
daughter). Rachel bore Joseph, whose sons were Manasseh (IT)and Ephraim «($"),
but died at the birth of Benjamin (X"),whom she wished to call Ben-oni.
In the WIlderness the Tabernaclewas pitched in the midst, and immediately
surrounding it were the tents of Levi.At a distance towards the four cardinal points
were the standards of the Twelve Tribeserected there:
On the East:
On the South:
On the West:
On the North:
JUDAH, Kerubic Sign of the Lion (<Q)
with Issachar (!!P)and Zebulun (l),)
REUBEN,Kerubic Sign of the Man (::::::::)
with Simeon (H) and Gad (nr)
EPHRAIM, Kerubic Sign of the Bull «($")
with Manasseh (IT) and Benjamin (X")
DAN, Kerubic Sign of the Eagle (m.)
with Asher (~) and Naphtali (Jl})