I welcome you with open arms
And the expanse of my branches
Shades and protects you from all
That would call you to harm
And these gifts ebb and flow
From the dreamscape of time
As you settle into the Cosmic
Home that carries you to
Your hidden inner shores.
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.
Cancer and the Moon on the Tree
Astrologically, we have learned that Cancer is ruled by the grand luminary-The Moon. Her energy flows through our mundane lives in a very physical way as we can see the efforts of her waxing and waning in her monthly cycle and feel the pull of her watery tides in the waters of our emotional bodies and the waters that comprise much of our planet. Within the Qabalistic Tree, Cancer and the Moon hold sway in the Sphere of Yesod and the Paths of the Tree – 13th, 18th and 29th. When we speak of the energy of Cancer providing a home within the Tree we are speaking to the ability of this potent astrological sign to connect at the depths of emotion, to have a very specific flexibility of expansion and contraction and to provide the precise space in which creative process may be quickened and nurtured. The pure energy of the Moon Herself is expressed in the sphere of Yesod – Foundation.
Yesod: The Sphere of Foundation
Yesod is the ninth (9th) sphere on the Tree. The number nine, itself, holds great meaning in the energy of this sphere to transform and bring to a state of ending what will be reborn anew and forever changed. In Hebrew, the word Yesod means “foundation” and the “sod” portion alone means “mystery”. This should give clue as to the energies of the Qabalistic sphere of Yesod. It is the stuff of dreams, fantasies, memory and the dwelling place of true magick. This sphere holds the key to the unknown and the unknowable. Physical form and manifest product reside in the descending connecting sphere of Malkuth, but the focus and energy which makes it “living matter” is contained within the essence of Yesod. As we descend from the higher spheres and move through the varied energies of each of the preceding and come to rest in Yesod, we have arrived at the plane of the astral. This is the working field of the “dream” of creation that creates the thoughtform of the manifest expression. Yesod serves as the storehouse of these images only, without the benefit of the life energy needed before these images can move into a realized state of manifestation in Malkuth.
Yesod is considered the sphere of the Moon. And, just as the physical moon of our world goes through its tides and cyclical changes and has great effect on our physical earth; this principle is also true within the sphere of Yesod. Dreams and the subconscious provide the building blocks that move through layers of murky water before they may be seen in clarity and their true form. This is the testing ground, so to speak and until assurances are received as to the viability of these fleeting images, action is not taken towards growth and moving forward. What we have learned of Cancer is similar in nature. Without the assurance and affirmation from those we love and trust, the fledgling individual is unsure as they progress out into the world in search of their own future and destiny.
Although Yesod is assigned the element of Air and what we have found of Cancer is watery in its presentation this is the breath of current that becomes the ephemeral experience of sensing what surrounds you, yet being unsure of where it has originated and where it is going (much like the vastness of the sea). You are simply caught in the airiness of its path. The ebb and flow of Cancer’s application is much like the breezy day, that begins with gentle caresses that move into a frenzied state of blustery conditions and finally quiets back to a state of calm. Opening these flood gates of memory stimulated by the subconscious and collective unconscious can often leave the dreamer in a state of feeling as though they just weathered a potent storm. This is the undercurrent of energy flowing through Yesod.
The Power of the Moon
The Moon was man’s first timekeeper and generated awareness of the seasons, the water’s ebb and flow, evolution and change. It also gave light to the awareness of the cyclic nature of life and the natural surroundings. On the Tree, moving through the energies of Yesod is to move in accord with the Cosmic Law of Rhythm; the natural cyclic nature of all things and the evolution and transformation at the level of the Soul through these waters of higher life. The Moon is placed on the 13th, 18th and 29th Paths of the Tree. Each iteration of its energy is informed and changed by the spheres of connection and the dynamics of the flow needed to continue the process of emanation.
To read more about the Moon’s energies, review the posts in: The Temple of the Moon
Yesod (Moon) 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 out towards the flow of energy represented by the storehouse of memory that is the sphere of Yesod.
The 18th Path: Cancer and the Moon
Open your flood gates that
The birthing waters may
Cleanse and heal.
Release the power of your
Might and transform the
Wrath of injustice.
All is not viable
And into all vessels
The understanding of
Right action flows of
Its own accord.
The 18th Path provides the energy of synthesis of archetypal form and the action of individualizing. Binah offers the flow of promise of the potential of Divine form drawn into a space of selective shaping of what will ultimately be matter that has its own identity within that of its spiritual nature. This energy is dynamic in both receipt and return and the goal is one of greater understanding of the process of creating the manifest from what is the ephemeral image and conception of that form. Binah forms its concept of what the attributes and energy of its Divine child will be and Geburah offers the active energy that can bring that concept into a form more closely resembling that of a manifest being.
These energies require adaptability on the parts of the connecting spheres. If the archetypal image remains rigid in its desire or the individualized product insists on its final outcome, neither pure essence will have sway and nothing productive will come of the exchange. The adaptability required forms the basis of re-alignment of the intentions of each that are feeding into the mix and this re-alignment enables form to become actualized.
Cancer’s Ebb and Flow
The Moon is the ruling planet of the astrological sign of Cancer. The watery landscape, intuitive flow and flexible wax and wane of the emotional tides are held within the structure of the 18th Path. This is the primary need for the soothing waters of healing (Binah, the Dark Mother) to temper the sword of wielding (Geburah-the space of “tough love”) that offers as product a tool that holds its own. These are the waters that heal any wound that has been opened and carries the wounded to a place of safety and ease of rest. As the tides of healing recede what is left in their place is newly leveled ground that is ready to receive the next inrush of life affirming energy. This is the goal of coming together as community and family. This is the product of realization of being fully supported in your efforts of outreach and trusting that there is always that support to return to when healing from life’s exacting measure is required.
The 13th Path: The Path of the Moon
The Sun rose in the reflection
Of its own grand nature
And the brilliance of the
Benevolent One smiled down.
Magick flowed as prism of light
Within the sacred column of
The steadfast seeker and the
Sun-filled breath of the Divine
Spoke the words of power
As the seeker offered up
The sacrifice of devotion.
The Moon is placed upon the 13th Path and the placing of this adaptable movement of flow within the path of connection between the Crown of Kether and the harmony of Tiphareth gives the needed support of expansion and contraction towards reaching its goal of manifestation. The measure of downpour from the Source recedes and expands in its downward reach as the distributive effort of Tiphareth takes what portion is needed and carries it back to inform and enlivening its process of distribution. Think of the ebb and flow of the tides and their action of pulling in towards the shore the debris and treasures from the expanse of the source of ocean. When the tide retreats it leaves behind some of what has managed to be firmly entrenched in sand and carries incrementally back out again a combination of what is contained on the shoreline. Each working in turn with the other and each changing the landscape, even if only minutely from what it was.
The 13th Path is one of realization and the revelation of the mirror reflection of Tiphareth’s strength of will amplified, yet part of the ultimate brilliance of Kether’s downpour. This becomes the refining tool of cultivating self-consciousness. Not simply self-awareness, but the deeper gnosis of affinity and the understanding of the nature of consciousness and its connection to Spirit. The synthesized product of this interaction is one of unification. It is the unified and realized individual that can leave the safety of home and make his/her mark on the greater world creating new homes and new families of experience as product of this ease with self.
The High Priestess
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 II -The High Priestess sits in the Temple of the Moon and takes on the triune form of catalytic energy and transformation. She sits in the space of action as the Middle Pillar incarnate as synthesized balance of male and female, force and form. Her knowledge of the mysteries is honed in the waters of deep intuitive knowledge and her persona is that of the cycle of the moon. Placed upon the 13th Path, the High Priestess serves as reminder of the need for spiritual devotion and discipline as guardian of the great mysteries of life itself. In her feminine form she represents the power to sustain newly quickened life and stands as the ultimate gate of passage towards return to the source of creation. This Tarot key exemplifies the action of spiritual family and spiritual home. Within those energies the seeker may raise to the exalted form of catalyst. This is the space of balance that is achieved as we unify Spirit and matter within. And, this is the revelation that this home is opened only by the key that we hold as member of this spiritual family.
Another Path of Expression: The Moon on the 29th Path
The Moon/Pisces
My soul seeks the beauty of
Your refined and elegant grace.
My body yearns for the wisdom of
Love and the heat of the creative fires.
My Spirit hungers for the lessons
Found in the bliss of exquisite form.
The 29th Path connects the spheres of Netzach (Victory) and Malkuth (Kingdom). This is the path of drawing down into the manifest and physical realms (Malkuth) the creative expression of what is defined by love, refinement and aesthetic beauty (Netzach). This is the path of feeling (Netzach) descending into matter (Malkuth). The Moon is placed upon the 29th Path. Pisces is the astrological sign placed upon this path and represents the completion of the zodiacal wheel. Both of these energies are the fullness of emotional expression and intuitive sight. We are all familiar with the energy of the Moon, the waxing and waning of her phases and the power of her tides. Pisces adds the intensity of compassion and a grace of flow that signals the endings of one phase and the birthing waters that will signal the next.
This energy is what will stir the passions towards greater and deeper expression of what is refined and beautiful. This is the energy that fuels the soul’s need and inspires the outpouring of this emotional state of pure joy into a state of victorious expression.
As we learned in previous posts, Pisces is the third of the water Triad that includes Cancer and Scorpio as well. And, as we have also seen, there is interaction – by relation – kind of like Cancer and Pisces being third cousins with the common relative of the Moon. The home that is created here within the Tree is one of all loving and unconditional compassion. The yearning of Cancerian energy for the loving home and family is realized in the refined expression (Netzach) of a love that is pure of heart and focused on the best interest of what is in manifest form (Malkuth).
In Conclusion:
As we consider the attributes of Cancer and its ruling planet the Moon and their impact on the Tree of Life the prominent focus is one of honing the intuitive and healing nature that promotes unconditional love. Cancer brings a desire to love and to be loved and the sense of community that fosters this energy. The Moon shines in Her wisdom bringing the feminine polarity that is both creation and destruction of what does not serve and unconditionally will not thrive. The abundance of water that is reflected in Cancer and in Pisces as partners to the Moon’s energies upon the paths speaks to the natural flow of involution from the Crown and Spirit of Kether down into the manifest form of Malkuth. And, the place of filter for disbursement of this divine elixir is that of Yesod, the sphere of the Moon and the gate where the dreams of a stable and supportive home may come into manifest reality.
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 light of opening is the contracted response of embrace and closing in to hold near and dear what is drawn lovingly into that embrace.
Next Posts:
TUESDAY, JULY 8.2014
BONUS: PATHWORKING – THE HALL OF CANCER
July 13.2014
Temple of the Sun: The Magick of Cancer
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:
The Magickal Pen: Geburah’s Might
WitchVox: 13 Keys: The Foundation of Yesod
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 