Cicero - Self Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition_Part 01

The Theoricus Grade
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The course oftheHebrew letters, asplaced on thePaths forms thesymbol of
theSerpent ofWisdom, while thenatural succession oftheSephiroth forms
theFlaming Sword andthecourse oftheLightning Flash.
Thecross within the triangle, apex downwards, placed upon thealtarat
thebase of theTree of Life, refers to theFour Rivers ofParadise, whilethe
angles of the triangles refer to the Three Sephiroth: Netzach, Hod and
Yesod. TheTwo Pillars, rightandleftof the Tree are thesymbols ofactive
andpassive, male andfemale, Adam and Eve. Theyalso allude to thePillars
of Fire and Cloud which guidedthe Israelites in the wilderness, and
the hot and moist natures are further marked by the Red Lamp and the
Cupof Water.
The Pillars further represent the two Kerubim of the Ark-the right,
METATRON, male-and theleft, SANDALPHON,female. Abovethem
everburn theLamps of theirSpiritual Essence, of which theyare partakersin
the Eternal Uncreated One.
The form of the Hierophant in the East stands in the Sign of Theoricus. The voice
of Osiris is heard:
Glory be unto Thee, Lord of the Land of Life, for Thy Splendor filleth
the Universe.
Osiris comesaround to the West of the altar to give you the secrets ofthe 2 = 9 grade:
The 2 =9 grade of Theoricus is referred to Yesod, as the Zelator
grade is to Malkuth. The Path between them is assigned to the letter
Tau, whose portal in the West you have just symbolically passed.
Prompted by the figure, you exchange the grip of the First Order, which was
revealed to you in the preceding grade. Osiris then prompts you to give the Sign
of Theoricus and explains:
This Sign emulates a figure supporting a great weight. It represents
you in the Path ofYesod, supporting the Pillars of Mercy and Severity.
It is the Sign made by the Greek god Atlas, who supported the
universe on his shoulders and whom Hercules was directed to
emulate. It is the Isis of Nature, supporting the Heavens.
(The figure continues:) The Grand Word is a name of seven letters
SHADDAI EL CHAI, which means the Almighty and Living One. The
Mystic Number is 45, and from it is formed the Password which is
Mem-Heh, the secret Name of the World of Formation. It should be
lettered separately when given. .