Sun in Taurus: An Anchor of Light in the Tree
My strength flows through leaf and branch
I offer the stability that allows for growth
I am steadfast in my fertility and power to create
My body is the temple that gives life form
My roots dig deeply into anchoring the light
That emanates from Mother’s sacred womb
And Father’s potent seed.
As we enter the Temple of the Sun, Qabalistically we are entering into connection with the central sphere on the Tree of Life, Tiphareth. The name given this sphere is Beauty and the energy is one of synthesis through sacrifice and integration through refinement of the sum of all of its parts. This is much the same energy that we experience in the course of a Solar year. The energy of each of the Zodiacal signs, their elements and modality are modified and expressed through the brilliance of the Sun. And, in keeping with the evolutionary process of movement from one sign to the next, each is informed by the previous sign’s energy and contributes a part of its dynamic into the sign that follows.
Tiphareth and the Sun
Each of the Sephiroth and connecting Paths of the Tree of Life, holds correspondence with a planetary and/or zodiacal energy. The physical Sun stands centrally within our solar system, providing light and heat. Tiphareth provides the space of transformation and the full force generator that distributes what is processed so it may be utilized and transmuted by whatever it emanates its energy into. This is the sacrificial aspect of this sphere. This is the action of enlivening within its own source to ensure the continuation of the creative process begun within the other components of the Tree. So we begin in this central hub of universal energy and move out towards the flow of energy represented by the foundational anchor of the astrological sign of Taurus.
If you are not familiar with the Qabalistic Tree of Life, I would recommend reading through the article posted in my other blog, The Magickal Pen entitled The Might of Geburah to give you the necessary overview for an introductory base of working knowledge about the Tree. It can be found here:
The Magickal Pen: Geburah’s Might
Tiphareth and the Sun
Each of the Sephiroth and connecting Paths of the Tree of Life, holds correspondence with a planetary and/or zodiacal energy. The physical Sun stands centrally within our solar system, providing light and heat. Tiphareth provides the space of transformation and the full force generator that distributes what is processed so it may be utilized and transmuted by whatever it emanates its energy into. This is the sacrificial aspect of this sphere. This is the action of enlivening within its own source to ensure the continuation of the creative process begun within the other components of the Tree. So we begin in this central hub of universal energy and move out towards the flow of energy represented by the foundational anchor of the astrological sign of Taurus.
Taurus and Venus on the Tree
Astrologically, we have learned that Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus. Venus also rules the astrological sign of Libra (Air and Cardinal Modality). This bears note when we look at Venus on the Tree. Her planetary energy is found in three places- the sphere of Netzach, Paths 16 and 14. With this duality of astrological rulership, the influence of Air (Libra) and Earth (Taurus) are molded by the energy of relationship, durability and striving towards flow of balance. Although one of these signs may take the lead in directing the expression and form of Venus’ energy, the other is always present as the informing silent partner.
The Foundations of Victorious Venus
On the Tree of Life, the sphere of Netzach holds the pure energy that is the active principle of Venus expressed through earthy Taurus. The English name for this sphere is Victory. The work of Netzach is one of refining and balancing the energies of emotion and response to what has been achieved and what could be considered victorious about that achievement. The sphere of Netzach is the place of establishing the balance of hedonistic and aesthetic ideals. Love is the primary focus, but not at the expense of over indulgence in physical pleasure. These points of focus are all very Taurean in their energy, being firmly and concretely of the physical realms. This is also the place of expression of Love of Nature in all of her forms. The connection between beauty and the energies that are contained within the force of Nature is a strong one. Even in the Natural world’s more disruptive expression, the order and intelligence in design applied in her shaking free from her mantle those disruptions of energy is done with a sense of order, intent and aestheticism. Nature is expressed through Taurus in the overt attribution of an animal, the Bull, to its energies and the dominant theme of physical and manifest expression.
This sphere is noted as the Vision of Beauty (and harmony) of nature and all of its components, human, animal, mineral and plant life. There is also a sense of appreciation of all the finer things and the highest ideals to be achieved. This is present in both the physical concepts of the sphere as well as the spiritual and etheric levels. This is the place of triumph over the baser self. Of organized effort to bring refinement and the orphic delights of the arts to fill the container or structure that is being created before it is released into the place of the intellect that can further define and order it.
Netzach (Venus) and Tiphareth (Sun)
Netzach is assigned the element of Fire as is the Sun of Tiphareth. Within the energy of Netzach we can identity this Fire as that of longing, desire and the impetus that coerces the creative urge towards manifestation. This is the Fire that initially burns very hot and very bright but if not tended carefully will spread out of control and consume that which created it.
Venus’ energy reigns supreme within this sphere with Taurus as an adjunct to that energy and although, Taurus is an Earth sign, the energy of earth is expressed through the Fires of Venusian interactions. Here the theme of Fire is that of the underpinnings that is the molten core within the earth. The Fires that heat the soil to quicken the seeds held within, which in turn stretch upward towards Sun’s light. Although not directly connected via a path that is of Taurean or Venusian dynamic, Tiphareth and Netzach react and radiate one to the other through the 24th Path.
Path 24
A Path of Fire
The 24th Path represents the synthesis of the fire of the heart (Netzach) and strength of sacrifice (Tiphareth) working in dialogue and exchange with one another. If we think in terms of heart felt will and the courage of personality centered sacrifice, this is the action of moving from a place of balanced compassion (Netzach) that willingly offers its energy up to become part of a filtered and transfigured outpour (Tiphareth). The underlying strength of Turaus held in this configuration of Netzach/Venus and the Sun of Tiphareth is the process of regeneration that takes the raw stuff supplied and renews and restores each to its enlivened form.
Read more about Netzach and Venus at:
Temple of Venus: The Victory of Netzach
The 16th Path of Connection: Taurus/Venus
The spheres of Chokmah (Wisdom/The Zodiac) and Chesed (Mercy/Jupiter) are connected by the 16th Path on the Tree of Life. There is great determination (Taurus) held within the 16th Path. It is the upper most support of The Pillar of Mercy and in emanation downwards, what is cultivated within this path is what will later inform the interactions (Venus) between Chesed and Netzach. The energy of Earth (Taurus) within the 16th Path is that of durability, strength and control. The collaborative energies of Wisdom (Chokmah) of the mysteries of the creation of the cosmos(Zodiac) and the Mercy (Chesed) cultivated from experience, choice and expanded(Jupiter) perception from the foundations selected to coalesce these energies that are not only fertile but also prolific in their sustaining powers.
The Hebrew Letter placed on the 16th Path is Vau, which means Nail in English. A nail is used as a tool of binding or attaching one thing to another. The expectation is that this attachment will be durable and long lasting and not easily pried apart. The same is true of the spiritual energy placed upon the 16th Path. As a connecting path on the Pillar of Mercy, this is the path of anchor and endurance. What is cultivated within the merciful being will be elevated to a place of access to what may spawn further creations of this sort. The nail acts to hold firmly these energies so that nothing may separate their dynamic energy as the flow of their combined truths move down into the manifest world of expression.
We could summarize this energy in this way: The stable (Fixed modality) container of Taurus’ manifest form expressed in the refined and creative (Venus) aspect of merciful and benevolent emotion (Chesed) expands from its source (Chesed) and aspires upwards towards the cosmos (Chokmah) to co-mingle with the force of release and seeding (Chokmah) of all that sustains life and maintains order of the heavens and thus by its loving (Venus) reflection also on earth.
Another Path of Expression: Venus on the 14th Path
The planet Venus is placed on the 14th Path, which connects the spheres of Chokmah (Wisdom) and Binah (Understanding). The 14th Path holds the honor of providing the base of the Supernal Triangle of the spheres Binah, Chokmah and Kether. This path is the place of polarization through the actions of Binah (Feminine) and Chokmah’s (Masculine) energies as the conception of what will be brought into manifestation as these coalesced energies emanate from Binah. This flow of energetic exchange is directed and towards a singular goal of unifying what lay in opposition to produce the space of neutrality where positive and negative give pause and ultimately produce the spark of creative outpour. This is the fecundity and fertility of Taurus as it supports the action of Venus.
This path represents the element of Earth (Taurus) raised to the level of Divine action. Form has become formless in its ascent and what we conceive of as foundational earth, its structure and all of its evolving components have now evolved as the support and structure required for the blending of male and female, positive and negative, force and form. We think of earth as being the strength and the constant through which viable substance may pass and yield the fruits of that fertility. This is also true of the 14th Path. Through the support and structure of this path the fruits of emanation are yielded.
In Conclusion:
If we consider the attributes of Taurus and its ruling planet Venus and their impact on the Tree of Life the prominent focus is one of anchoring in the physical experience. Taurus is the reminder of the joys and power in being manifest in form and having the ability to recreate that form of manifestation. This is the space of fertility and the creation of an anchor of stabilizing and immovable (remember the stubborn Bull) nature of digging deeply in and strengthening the roots.
As the light of Tiphareth (Sun) shines brightly and radiates its vision of magnetic attraction throughout the multilayered branches of a tree that reaches far and wide in its expanse and impact Taurus reaches deeply into the fertile soil crafting the foundational work that once begun takes root and spreads into all facets of your mundane experience.
Next Post:
Tuesday, April.29th
New Moon in Taurus: Dig Deep, Stand Strong and Soar
Resources:
The Magickal Pen: Geburah’s Might
WitchVox: 13 Keys: The Victory of Netzach
13 Keys to the Qabalistic Tree of Life
Reading:
The Inner Chamber Series. R. Fennelly
Volume One: It’s Written in the Stars (2013)
Volume Two: Poetry of the Spheres (2013)
Volume Three: Awakening the Paths (2014)
Order at author’s website: Robin Fennelly
Temple of the Cosmic Spheres 