Cicero - Self Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition_Part 01

The Neophyte Grade 65
virtues with the most exalted essences: they emanate one from the other by the
power of the Primordial Emanation, the Highest Crown, Kether." The term cohesiveagain
refers to Chesed's capacity to gather together all the unmanifested energies
(the holy powers) it has received from the Supemals across the expanse of the
Abyss. Again these powers or emanations are not in any way diminished as they
descend the Tree and continue on the path of materialization.
GEBURAH (Geh-boo-rah or Geh-voo-rah)
Translation: SEVERITY / STRENGTH
Key word: ENERGY
Yetziratic Title: The RADICAL INTELLIGENCE
Physical Representation: The sphere of MARS
Symbols: The Pentagon, the Tudor Rose of Five Petals,
the Sword, the Spear, the Scourge
The fifth Sephirah, positioned below Binah on the left-hand pillar, is called Geburah,
which translates as "Strength" or "Severity." Other titles given to this sphere
are "Justice" and "Fear" (Pachad). Geburah is without a doubt the least understood
and most feared Sephirah on the Tree. However, the natural order of the universe
depends upon the concept of opposites in balance, thus the benevolence, mercy,
and form-building qualities of Chesed are now equilibrated by the harsh, destructive
actions of the fifth sphere. Geburah's duty is to break down the Form issued
by Chesed and apply discipline in the manner of a purging Fire. Any energy that
makes its way down the Tree of Life into the material world must be tested and
tempered by the opposites of Mercy and Severity. It must be cleansed in the fires
of Geburah. All impurities must be burned away, just as the blade of a strong
sword mustbe tested by the fires of the metalsmith's furnace. Only in this way can
the energy be fashioned as a sturdy vehicle for manifestation. Geburah is the
strong arm of God, commanding respect and burning away all that is useless or
outmoded. The harsh, destructive action of this sphere is absolutely vital to further
evolution. The energy of Geburah is not an evil force unless its essence spills over
from justice to cruelty. Geburah is essentially a conciliatory power which restricts the
mercifu1love of Chesed. Without the powerful force of Geburah, the mercies of
Chesed would deteriorate into frivolity and weakness.
Just as Chesed is the same energy as Chokmah on a lower level, Geburah
is a lower form of Binah (the sphere which restricts and disciplines). However,
Geburah displays Fire or masculine potency as opposed to Binah's Watery nature.
On the other hand some sources insist that Geburah is primarily a feminine
energy. It is only recently in our culture that the strength and determination of the
feminine side are receiving notice and appreciation. (Nothing is more aggressive
and ferocious than a Mother defending her child.) The same is true of Geburah,
which aggressively deals with anything that corrupts the Divine current of energy
from Kether. Again at this level on the Tree, the mixture of masculine and feminine
traits in each sphere is becoming more and more evident. Geburah seems much