Sun in Capricorn- A Tree of Highs and Lows
A Tree of time
Stretches deep into
The fertile soil
Of earth’s core.
A Tree of reach
Lifts a face of
Challenge and stone
Up towards heaven’s
Sunlit sky.
A Tree of order
Weaves its spell
Of Great Mother’s
Womb of birth.
A Tree of highs
And lows promises
The gift of understanding
That will scale the
Depths of our Soul’s
Return to its Source
Of limitless Spirit.
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 element 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. Please see the end of this post for recommendations about learning more about the Tree of Life.
Capricorn and Saturn on the Tree
Astrologically, we have learned that Capricorn is ruled by the planet of structure, regimented order and time itself, Saturn. We have experienced the energy of an astrological energy that disrupts with purpose as it slowly and steadily scales great heights in search of its ultimate goals. This is the energy of the sea-goat and if we think of the nature of the mountain goat; each placement of its hoof along the craggy mountain face sends gravel and stone tumbling downward. In effect this action is reshaping the face of the mountain. This is the same principle of Capricorn as its reshapes and reforms even the most well worn of paths.
Within the Qabalistic Tree, Capricorn and Saturn hold their power in the Sphere of Binah and the Paths of the Tree – 32nd and 26th. When we speak of the energy of Capricorn as an experience of Highs and Lows, the reference is to the sheer expanse that Capricornian energy flexes towards. As an earth sign the grounding and anchoring of earth’s manifest form is Capricorn’s greatest strength, but the desire to know the origins of that manifestation (and time-line –Saturn) tempt the seeker towards great aspirations.
This is the way of the Tree itself; to provide the structure and rungs of a ladder that extend deeply in the human experience while still offering a glimpse of the celestial realms from which this experience emanated. From this perspective the return begins in the womb of the great Mother Herself. This is the body that gives formlessness the potential towards form and the Highs of giving birth begin in the contractions of the Qabalistic sphere of Binah.
Binah (Saturn) and Tiphareth (Sun)
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 up towards the flow of energy represented by the essence of Understanding found in the sphere of Binah.
Binah: The Sphere of Mother’s Understanding
The Great mother
Sighs and oceans
Tremble and swell
Filled with her breath.
The Bright mother
Opens her eyes
Gazing with expectation
And the world is suddenly
Ablaze with illumined gaze.
The Dark mother
Stretches out her hand
And you are left
Exposed and vulnerable
Your darkest secrets
Laid bare.
The Creatrix moves
And life awakens
As the fabric of form
Is woven gently within
The folds of her embrace.
The sphere of Binah is part of the Supernal Triad – Kether – Chokmah and Binah. These are the spheres of creation.
Binah is the Third (Sphere on the Tree of Life. Within the energy of the number 3 is the structure of harmony and the triune nature that forms the three-sided triangle of fire, action and will. At the level of the supernals, all flows in harmony; each path, each sphere working in tandem with one another in the creative effort. Additionally, each component offers a different perspective or dynamic to contribute to that outpour. Three faces, each in support of the other yet one in the same and emanating from the One.
Binah is assigned the element of Root of Water. Each of the elements has the attribute of containing essences of the other three elements contained within and being reflected in varying degrees in accord with their power of exertion. In keeping with this thought, water is expressed as Air of Water, Fire of Water, Earth of Water and in its most pure essence Water of Water. The three Supernal spheres of Binah, Chokmah and Kether are all ascribed the pure essence of the element they represent, as they themselves are of the Highest and most refined nature of all the sephiroth of the Tree.
The sphere of Binah holds the space of the primordial waters from which all of creation was birthed. It was the within the purest form of the element of water that Life was enlivened. This Divine birthing could only be achieved in the most refined and rarified state of elemental essence; the summation of all emotional urge folded in upon itself from the spring of pure source. The pure expression of the intuitive nature that is both creator and receiver of this Divine communication; and the heart of hearts that released upon the path of manifestation becomes the waters that heal, consume and transform.
The Sphere of Gnosis
The energy of Binah is one of Consciousness that understands the concepts that have gone into the creation of all manner of things. This is the consciousness that is the Church that holds the life of the church; the Temple that contains the essence of the beliefs and foundations of that belief; the Holy of Holies and the force that has consecrated and has raised the sacred energy to a place of sacredness. Binah is the origin of the form of the idea of consciousness and as such is the essence of that form as well as a state of that consciousness. This is a knowledge that is not merely wisdom but such a deep understanding of the state required to achieve wisdom that becomes a gateway that opens the truths of all knowledge in all of its forms and becomes a place of gnosis.
The 32nd Path: Capricorn and Saturn
I step across the threshold
Of Magick dream and space
Weave the webbing of truth
And lift my soul in greeting.
I stand at the Gate of creation
And memory of my True Self
Forms its persona as mundane
And magick become as One.
The 32nd Path is that which is travelled as we rise on the planes in ritual space to do the prescribed work. It is the corridor we walk as we enter our dream or deeper oracular state. And, it is the space of building our astral Temple and our magickal persona.
This path guards, guides and protects the energy offered upward from the denser realms; maintaining it in a steady stream much like the nature of the fixed modality of astrology. It offers the necessary amount of constriction to allow for the maximum amount of expansion (when primed and ready) towards the flexibility of mutable flow. This is the manner in which we approach the sacred space of our making in moving upwards from our place of Malkuth and physical experience towards the storehouse of collected metaphor and vision that forms the foundation of our Yesod.
The Planetary/Zodiacal Energy
Saturn/Capricorn
The planet Saturn is the great organizer that calls into action order and structure. This planet is also considered the Gatekeeper of Time. Placed upon the 32nd Path the energy here is reminder of the need for order and structure to maintain spiritual presence in rising towards a space that holds no time, no boundary and has its own laws of order. Discipline and practice cultivated the appropriate energy to navigate the mind-touch of the astral world of Yesod. Knowledge of self cultivates the mind to be vigilant in the ability to filter through what is delusion and what is real.
To read more about Saturn’s energies, review the post in:
The Womb of Light: A Personal Reflection on the New Year
Change will only occur when the foundation is disrupted
and pushed to its limits of growth
In numerology the 32nd Path, or 3+2 reduces to the number 5. The number Five (5) represents the regenerative process and the potential for directing that energy towards a specific and defined goal of new creation. When we arrive at the number five, we have opened up the stable base of four; visualize a square. Something has disrupted the order of that four and made way for a new form to appear. We see also the number five as represented by the Pentagram. Five points, each reflective of a quality of an element (fire, water, air and earth) and at the pinnacle or point, the element of Spirit.
Tarot Key XXI – The World
Image: Rider-Waite Tarot Deck
Note: Each of the Paths of the Qabalistic Tree has the assignation of a Tarot key placed upon it as further correspondence to its energy. The Paths 11-32 are represented using the Major Arcana cards.
Tarot Key XXI – The World is placed upon the 32nd Path. If we consider the symbols and meaning of Tarot Key #21- The World, there is deeper insight into the energy that serves as gateway to the Astral and dream state of Yesod. The depiction of the Four Holy Creatures of the Fixed Cross (zodiacal signs of Taurus-Leo-Scorpio and Aquarius) and the evolved nature of their Being- The Winged Bull or ascended form of Earth; The Winged Lion- accessing our Higher Will/Fire; The Eagle- Water elevated to a place of all encompassing perspective and keen sight and the Winged or Perfected Man who is the breath of creation itself. These four elevated elements surround the central focus of the Fifth element; that of Spirit. This Spirit being that of the Divine feminine, naked and poised with grace and fluidity, encircled by the fertile and verdant ovum of time eternal. There is also the sense of constructive limitation placed around the central figure. It is housed in a container that allows for both filtering in and issuing out of the flow of energy offered towards reaching its highest expression.
The natural energy that flows from these depictions is that of structure and anchor. The Kingdom of Malkuth that we reside within builds its form up in reach towards the Foundation of Yesod’s realm of spirit. Much is in support of our moving up this path and many are supporting our desire for interface with the Divine.
Another Path of Expression: Saturn on the 26th Path
The 26th Path: A Path of Illuminating Mind
The 26th Path is one of illuminating mind. The light of analysis shines brightly into the depths of pure mind and decision is made as to what will be drawn back into the center of the Tree to be synthesized and distributed to inform. This path seeks to investigate and find rationale for the creative process. This fosters the clear and acute mind that gathers to itself decisive action and intent fueled from a source that understands the logic of sacrifice to insure all flows in accord with the primary plan.
The Planetary Energy
Saturn
I have seen aeons pass and know each
of the secrets that have been carefully hidden from view.
I am record keeper and guardian of destiny
and those who are not mindful of the depth of
my perception will remain forever on the wheel.
I speak the sacred words~ the unutterable~
heard only by those who have remained constant
and vigilant throughout the tests of time.
I am held tightly within the womb of the Great Mother
and stand as witness at humanity’s rebirth ~ the final mystery
is revealed and mind and heart shall be one.
The planet, Saturn is placed upon the 26th Path. This is the planetary energy of organizing and the deliberate pacing of application of Tiphareth’s generating energy and Hod’s pure mind. The synthesis of action within this path is one of structure and order passing through a temporary state of stasis created by each stream of flow being carefully paced and distributed to insure that neither overloads the other with its intensity. This is the action of moving slowly and carefully so that just the correct amount of heated flow and receptive thought interact in productive goal.
In Conclusion:
As we consider the attributes of Capricorn and its ruling planet Saturn and their impact on the Tree of Life the prominent focus is one of navigation. Knowing when and where to place emphasis and having the sure-footedness to face the challenges and obstacles that will pull you off course are the keys to understanding where your strengths and weaknesses lay. Capricorn provides the balance of understanding of what it means to be human and Saturn issues the template of the form that experience will take.
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 we are reminded that in this vision of light extending towards light and darkness forming the paths of the space between, we realize the gift of humanity that continually connects us the higher aspiration of Divinity.
Resources:
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 “Geburah’s Might” to give you the necessary overview for an introductory base of working knowledge about the Tree. It can be found here:
WitchVox: 13 Keys- The Understanding of Binah
The Magickal Pen: Geburah’s Might
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
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The Magick of Capricorn
Temple of the Cosmic Spheres 