The Star Ruby - An Analysis (2 of 3)
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(Copyright College of Thelema, all rights reserved.)
When Aleister Crowley sent instructions on the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram to Agape Lodge O.T.O. members in the early 1940s, he ended with the following paragraph:
You can figure out for yourself the forms of the angels, or rather archangels. For instance, Raphael, commencing with an “R” will have a head of solar glory and the Pé which follows shows that the rest of him is martial: the “AL” which concludes the name (in the case of most angelic beings) indicates that they wield the sword and the balance.
He was applying (even in the last years of his life) the technique he learned in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn by which magical images are formed from the Hebrew letters composing an angel’s name. The symbolism of the letters, from beginning to end, forms the image, from top to bottom of the figure. These images have magical integrity in the World of Yetzirah. The justification for their use for (Briatic) archangels is that the substance of the World of Yetzirah is used to forge a proper containment for the Briatic essence.
Thus, an image for Raphael (RPAL) would have a solar head (R) and a martial body (P). The -AL consists of letters attributed to Air and Libra.
There is much reason to believe that Crowley would have used the same technique for composing images for the enigmatic Wardens of the Quarters in the Star Ruby: Iunges, Sunoches, Teletarchai, and Daimonos. Even if he did not do so [FN: I have never once seen a diary entry by Crowley indicating that he actually performed the Star Ruby ritual. This does not mean he never performed it, of course! – but it certainly means this ritual did not outright replace the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram for him. In the last few years of his life, it was instructions on the LBR, not the Star Ruby, that he sent to his American students.], the modern student may wish to do so!
Some students have intelligently objected that all four of these names are Greek plurals, implying groups of entities, not individuals. The limited discussion of them in The Chaldean Oracles is consistent with that. Despite its grammatical accuracy, I do not find this argument persuasive for two reasons. (1) The Guardians are placed in the ritual where Briatic (archangelic-level) entities are warranted – unless protection is not desired above the Yetziratic level. Multiplicity is a characteristic of Yetzirah, as unity is of Briah. (2) I no longer think Crowley actually intended these Guardians to be the specific entities mentioned in The Chaldean Oracles, though he certainly drew the names from that source. I think he simply wanted Greek names for a Greek ritual, and took the best he had at hand. It is up to the working magician to forge these into the effective magical receptacles of cosmic forces that this protective ritual requires.
The technique of forming Theurgic images from the letters of a name can be applied to Greek, as well as to Hebrew, names. One merely has to find the Qabalistic equivalencies [FN: These equivalencies are taught in the Second Order of T.'.O.'.T.'.. Space considerations precluded the summary table originally planned to accompany this article.]. Mostly, the Greek letters partake of the same symbolism as their Hebrew cognates. However, based upon cultural differences between the Hebraic and Hellenic traditions, entities with Greek names will display stylistic distinctions best learned by the experience of encountering them, fortified by a breadth in the humanities.
{NOTE: Theurgic (or telesmatic) images given below of the Wardens of the Quarters in the Star Ruby, based on Greek letters composing their names are original artwork by Angela Wixtrom from designs by James A. Eshelman.}
IYGGHS (Iunges)
aumha.org/images/iugges.jpg
I (Virgo) A wizened elder male, gray-white hair and beard, eyes luminous with an ancient understanding. Narrow face. Pensive expression.
Y (Taurus) The shoulders are broader than expected from the rest of the figure. From them flows a waist-length cloak, open at the front, red-orange in color, fastened at the throat by a copper clasp in the shape of an Ankh.
GG (Moon-Moon) The body is graceful, beautifully proportioned, slender. Beneath the mantle, a pale blue robe reaches to the ankles, interrupted by a belt of silver cord about the waist. Silver touches, looking like sparks of light, are woven sparsely into the fabric.
E (Aquarius) The lower edge of the robe, approaching the feet, becomes brighter until it scintillates with silver starlight.
S (Fire) About the feet dance open flames.SYNOCHES (Sunoches)
aumha.org/images/sunoches.jpg
The name is composed of letters corresponding to female zodiacal signs (and the most erotic of these), bounded by the letter for Fire. Only the E is an exception, and it depicts the goddess in Atu XVII. These considerations give the basic idea of the figure.]
S (Fire) A strong, invincible feminine countenance. The entire impression is fierce, fiery. Flame-colored hair seems to merge into an aureole of scarlet flame crowning the head.
U (Taurus) Upper body is sensuous, feminine, full-breasted, charged with an electrical earthen eroticism. A red-scarlet cape hangs loosely about bare shoulders, draping nearly to the ankles, joined to the main garment by copper fastenings in the shape of a Taurus sigil.
N (Scorpio) Continues the sensuous, sexual attributes of the upper torso, which is garbed in a sleeveless, blue-green robe (here shown as snake-skin), bodice open-cut.
O (Capricorn) A long, gnarled staff of ash-wood, approximately the height of her body, atop which is a dark goat’s head – either held fully upright in the right hand, or grasped low in the right hand, and angled upward across the body, the upper portion held in the left hand.
X (Cancer) About the waist is a broad amber girdle, whereon is mounted a scarab.
E (Aquarius) The lower edge of the robe, approaching the feet, becomes brighter until it scintillates with silver starlight.
S (Fire) About the feet dance open flames.TELETARCHAI (Teletarchai)
aumha.org/images/teletarchai.jpg
T (Saturn) A dark indigo hood is drawn over the head.
E (Aquarius) Youthful, humane face shines from within the folds of the hood, sincere, smiling, pensive, deeply understanding, radiating a dim stellar glory that inspires a sense of peace.
L (Libra) The arms are each raised at the sides, about halfway to horizontal, so that they form the shape of the letter Lambda (L).
E (Aquarius) On the breast hangs an 8-pointed star pendant cut from amethyst pieces edged in silver.
T (Saturn) The indigo robe continues to the ankles.
A (Air) Narrow girdle of bright pale yellow. At its center, a topaz lozenge emblazoned with the Chi-Rho – the C being silver, the R gold.
RX (Sun) In the right hand, golden-orange solar sphere. (Cancer) In the left, a silver lunar sphere.
AI (Air, Virgo) Golden winged sandals, and an aura of bright yellow light about the feet.DAIMONOS (Daimonos)
aumha.org/images/daimonos.jpg
D (Venus) Beautiful, youthful face, serene and harmonious, expressing warmth and affection. Laurel wreathe about the head.
A (Air) No decisive gender characteristic is discernible in the face. Medium-length blond hair. Face radiates its own luminosity. Two small golden horns emerge from the forehead.
I (Virgo) Neck and shoulders are delicate, feminine.
M (Water) Entire upper torso has a youthful, feminine softness, wholly free of body hair. Breasts are very round, though modest in size.
O (Capricorn) Hips, thighs, and buttocks are those of a youthful male. Body hair begins to be appropriately present. The phallus is erect, though rather conventional in size.
N (Scorpio) Legs are very muscular and strong, covered with very dark hair.
O (Capricorn) Legs terminate in goat hooves.
S (Fire) About the feet break forth open flames that illuminate the entire figure, casting sharp and dramatic shadows. -
@RifRaf said
"Is there a routine way to create an image using the Hebrew letters of the name? For instance, is there any set list (or something similar) which guides, or gives a general idea on how each letter should be imagined when it corresponds to a particular part of the "body"?"
"Set list" is too strong, because, to some extent, this is an art form. But yes, there are standards developed. And this kind of construction of magical images is one of the most important skills to acquire in ceremonial magick.
The magical principles are: (1) You are using imagination to construct a Yetziratic form for some being you wish to incarnate in there, e.g., an archangel. (2) The image created/employed must be consistent with the nature of the being that you wish to incarnate therein. (3) There is broad acceptance that the letters of a being's name constitute a legitimate expression of that being's nature, and often will be the best basis for determining its image (among other things).
Temple of Thelema has a 20-30 page instruction on this in our Second Order; I'm not inclined to release it. Yes, the method was originally constructed in terms of the Hebrew letters, and has been expanded to the (somewhat distinct) Greek forms etc. There is a half-page or so "quick sheet" in the original Golden Dawn book by Regardie (somewhere in the last half) that gives a starter idea; but your knowledge of the astrological attributions of the Hebrew letters, Tarot elements, etc., will start you well. There are some tricks to tighten and focus it, and you seriously benefit from enhanced intuition while constructiong these, but the remarks above provide the gist of it.
One generally starts at the head and moves down; although sometimes "above the head" is the place to start (hair, halo-aura or whatever). An interesting example: The letters of the name Beelzebub actually produce a picture so close to Levi's representation of Baphomet that I'd be surprised if it weren't the real origin; but, in this case of the "Lord of the Flies," the Beth at the beginning is "high vibration" around the head, like a swarm of energy or buzzing flies; and the head itself then begins with the A'ayin, and is goat-like.
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@Jim Eshelman said
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but your knowledge of the astrological attributions of the Hebrew letters, Tarot elements, etc., will start you well.
"Excuse me the noob question
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Where can I find the meaning of the astrological attributions? -
@MMe said
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@Jim Eshelman said
"but your knowledge of the astrological attributions of the Hebrew letters, Tarot elements, etc., will start you well."Excuse me the noob question
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Where can I find the meaning of the astrological attributions?"Astrological attributions of the Hebrew letters are given in many places. For example, they are in 776 1/2, Col. 105. They are also in Crowley's Liber 777, Col. 177, except that liknes 15 and 28 need to be reversed. They are also in my book Visions & Voices, in a table on pp. 27-28.
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Ok, but when find the Astrological aspect, where I can find the meaning of the sign? In any astrological book?
Or I need to study the related tarot? -
@MMe said
"Ok, but when find the Astrological aspect, where I can find the meaning of the sign? In any astrological book?
Or I need to study the related tarot?"This is a big subject - part of the basics you need to get under your belt.
It's good not to confuse astrology on the one hand with the Tarot / Magick / Alchemy / etc. use of astrological symbols. Astrology books may not be good resources, therefore, other than for technical details such as sign rulerships and exaltations (which you can also get from the Qabalistic references cited previously). Yes, the Tarot cards are a good reference on this.
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@Jim Eshelman said
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This is a big subject - part of the basics you need to get under your belt.It's good not to confuse astrology on the one hand with the Tarot / Magick / Alchemy / etc. use of astrological symbols. Astrology books may not be good resources..."
Can you suggest me some books.
The images of the Archengels at Black Pearl Vol.I No.3 pag 19, were designed following the hebrew letters method?
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@MMe said
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@Jim Eshelman said
"This is a big subject - part of the basics you need to get under your belt.It's good not to confuse astrology on the one hand with the Tarot / Magick / Alchemy / etc. use of astrological symbols. Astrology books may not be good resources..."
Can you suggest me some books."
Unfortunately, there's not a single beginning book I could recommend that covers the range - which is why I've had a beginner's book started (but on the shelf for a few years - hope to drag it out within the next year and finish). I did give you several references earlier for the particular things you were missing or asking about.
"The images of the Archengels at Black Pearl Vol.I No.3 pag 19, were designed following the hebrew letters method?"
No, not at all. They were just artist's representations. I don't think for the elemental archangels that this is always the best idea. (Mikhael starting as a water-based figure, for the M, is a striking example.)
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@Jim Eshelman said
"I did give you several references earlier for the particular things you were missing or asking about."
Ok, thanks.
@Jim Eshelman said
"
"The images of the Archengels at Black Pearl Vol.I No.3 pag 19, were designed following the hebrew letters method?"No, not at all. They were just artist's representations. I don't think for the elemental archangels that this is always the best idea. (Mikhael starting as a water-based figure, for the M, is a striking example.)"
So good that I made the question.
For the design of the Archangels is to follow only Elemental property?
Or can I also add Sephirothic and Planetary properties? -
These are elemental archangels. Even though archangels of the same name serve as sephirothic and planetary archangels, that isn't their role here.
Especially at the beginning, and practically thereafter, my recommendation is to keep it simple.