Cicero - Self Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition_Part 01

246 SELF-INITIATION INlO THE GoLDEN DAWN TRAOmON
to this place. Pouring them out upon the altar flame, you visualize
yourself performing the Qabalistic Cross. You then approach the
inner chamber of the MostHoly Place. The embroidered veil which
separates the two chambers opens and you are afforded a view of
the sacred Ark of the Covenant.
The long wooded chest inlaid with gold is just as you
remember it. The golden winged Kerubs Sandalphon and Metatron
stoop protectively over the Ark. Above the upper lid or Mercy Seat
of the Ark is a brilliant glowing white Light, the glory of the Divine
Presence or Shekinah. As you gaze into this Divine Light, you are
permitted a glimpse of the Garden of Eden: from the brilliant crown
of Kether flows a sparkling river of clear pure Water. This river
nourishes the bountiful growth of all varieties of plant and animal
life. Grains, wildflowers and various types of trees are found here.
The shining river splits into four heads, which divide the Garden
into four quarters of East (Air), West (Water), North (Earth) and
South (Fire). There is a sudden flash of lightning in the Garden
which activates a vision of the Tree of Life. In rapid succession the
spheres are formed one after the other as the bolt of lightning animates
them. Once formed, the Tree of Life in your vision of the Garden,
divides into three parts: the spheres on the right-hand side
form a pillar of brilliant Flame, the spheres on the left-hand side
form a pillar of dark swirling clouds, and the spheres in the center
of the Tree are calm and still. As you visualize the Tree, you notice a
serpent slowly weaving its way up the branches of the Tree starting
at the base of Malkuth, patiently exploring each upraised twig.
The entire vision gradually fades into the brilliant Light
above the Mercy Seat of the Ark. The curtain before you closes and
obscures once more the Ark and its attending Kerubim. You are
once again in the astral temple of Yesod.
Bring the focus of your conscious mind back to the Theoricus Hall. Perform the
Adoration to the Lord of the Universe. The officer-form of the Hierophant comes to
the East of the altar to indicate the diagrams thereupon. When you are ready, direct
your attention to the items on the altar and continue:
The symbols before me represent alike theGarden of Eden andtheHolyof
Holies. Before mestands the Tree ofLife formed of theSephiroth andtheir
connecting Paths. It is the Key of all things when rightly understood.
Upon each Sephirah are written in Hebrew letters, its Name, the Divine
Names and those of AngelsandArchangels attributed thereto. Theconnecting
Paths are twenty-two in number and are distinguished by the
Twenty-Two Letters of theHebrew alphabet, making with the Ten Sephiroth
themselves theThirty-two Paths ofWisdom of theSepher Yetzirah.