August 13-15, 2014: Prince of Wands
-
THE PRINCE OF THE CHARIOT OF FIRE
The Prince of Wands – Prince & Emperor of the Salamanders
AIR of FIREMeditation pattern: Place 4 of Cups, 5 of Wands, and 6 of Wands side-by-side, with the
Prince of Wands above them. Below the two Wands, place Atu XI, Lust.Traditional Description: A kingly figure with a golden, winged crown, seated on a chariot.
He has large white wings. One wheel of his chariot is shown. He wears corselet and buskins of
scale armor decorated with a winged lion’s head, which symbol also surmounts his crown. His
chariot is drawn by a lion. His arms are bare, save for the shoulder-pieces of the corselet. He
bears a torch or Fire Wand, similar to that of the Apprentice Adeptus. Beneath the chariot are
flames, waved and salient.VAV of YOD (AIR of FIRE). Vital, virile, energetic, swift, bearing into action (or articulation)
all the raw, primal potential of the Knight, his father. As Vav in Fire, he is Reason giving
guidance, lucidity, and continuity (persistence) to the underlying Will-force. With him, it is Reason
that directs, guides, and carries forward. As Vav in Atziluth, a higher vision of this idea become
apparent. Here he represents the linkage between our in-turned (or upraised) consciousness, and
the spiritual roots of primal fire, will, and the creative vital forces. In this regard, he takes on an
angelic character; for he is the intermediary, or messenger, between upraised human consciousness
and the plane of spiritual Causation.He rules the heavens from 20° Cancer to 20° Leo; hence, he includes most of the constellation Leo
Minor. The first two decanates of Leo are ruled by Saturn and Jupiter, and are titled STRIFE and
VICTORY. It is upon the keen edge of struggle and victory that he rides. Saturn and Jupiter signify
loss and gain, constriction and expansion – and, as if in the world of business, he must continually
keep these two principles in dynamic balance. Saturn/Leo has a quality of domination and arrogance,
and means either condescension and cruelty, or patronage and generosity, depending on
dignity. Jupiter/Leo reflects other aspects of the same royal demeanor, and indicates victory, but
only within the context of, and resulting from, struggle. He signifies joy, gain, abundant selfconfidence
or, in its negative aspect, insolence, vanity, excessive self-aggrandizement, and pride.
He is the magical consciousness that governs and steers the Lion Kerub, which in turn presides
over all the elemental powers of Fire. By correspondence to Leo and Teth, he partakes in their lust for
life, their passion and vitality, and the rapture that is born from the fulfillment of True Will.His inferior, or shadow, component is indicated by the final, or lunar, decanate of Cancer, popularly
called LUXURY. Despite his accouterments of both nobility and aristocracy, his is a way of
vitality and action, which is neither passive nor quiet. His pleasures are in his vitality, his “going,”
and his rapture is in the exertion of his Will.In divination, the character is vital, virile, energetic, swift; rather violent, yet just and generous,
noble and scorning meanness; generous, giving patronage. Shrewd and keen powers of
thought assist victory in life’s pursuits. Joy, gain, abundant self-confidence. Lust for life. If ill-dignified:
cruel, intolerant, prejudiced, hasty, and ill tempered; dominating, arrogant, proud, condescending;
insolent, vain, and excessively self-aggrandizing. -
- A rightfully enthroned king, loved by the people, able to rule, full of joy and love but firm at the same time;
he rules with Love and by the power of Love itself;
he fights to present his Strength to his people;
he is victorious by the virtue of his courage and balance of heart. - Stable, enlightened mind, oriented toward practical question, illuminating them and exposing everything as an aspect of the Beautiful Play of Life.
- He gives, emanates, radiates; lives through and for his children (in various forms); is driven by the simple Joy of existence (abiding in it, creating it, and emanating it).
- As Vau of Fire, he is the mind illuminated by the influence of Will, formed by the Will itself, mind that transfers the Will into all the lower Planes.
Fire in Yetzirah: the various Forms and Shapes/Patterns that the initial, original Will-impulse takes inside the psyche, and through which it further manifests; the essence of our motives and enthusiasm in any undertaking. - Negative sides of the nature of this Prince: vanity; pride; intrusiveness, importunity; over-emphasized self-confidence, etc.
Positive/harmonious: healthy self-confidence, strength, perseverance, noblesse, generosity, natural authority, protectiveness of those under his wing.
- Benevolent ruler, heart-king, a man who is governed by his heart in decisions (heart understood here as: the center, harmony-point).
- Great need to create and give; driven by the urge to shine-forth, especially to transfer to the next generations, the Gold that is inside own being (be it knowledge, call for virtue, material treasure, etc.).
- Dignity; unbreakable power of Will; conscious determination based on the perfect harmony of Mind and Will.
- Motivating ideas, thoughts that inflame and incite authentic enthusiasm; consciously directing the sexual energies; awareness of own power of creativity and fertility.
- A rightfully enthroned king, loved by the people, able to rule, full of joy and love but firm at the same time;