Dogma and Ritual of High Magic Part II - Eliphas Levi 1896

The Writing of The Stars

We have finished with infernus, and we breathe the fresh air freely as we turn to daylight after traversing the crypts of Black Magic. Get thee behind us, Satan! We renounce thee, with all thy pomps and works, and still more with all thy deformities, thy meanness, thy nothingness, thy deception! The Great Initiator beheld thee fall from heaven like a thunderbolt. The Christian legend changes thee, making thee set thy dragon's head mildly beneath the foot of the Mother of God. Thou art for us the image of unintelligence and mystery; thou art unreason and blind fanaticism; thou art the inquisition and its hell; thou art the god of Torquemada and Alexander VI; thou hast become the sport of children, and thy final place is at the side of Polichinello. Henceforth thou art only a grotesque figure in our travelling booths and a means of instruction in a few so-called religious markets.

After the sixteenth Key of the Tarot, which represents the downfall of Satan's temple, we find on the seventeenth leaf a magnificent and gracious emblem. a naked woman, a young and immortal maid, pours down on earth the water of universal life from two ewers, one of gold and one of silver. Hard by there is a flowering shrub, on which rests the butterfly of Psyche; above shines an eight-pointed star with seven other stars around it. “I believe in eternal life!” Such is the final article of the Christian symbol, and this of itself is a full profession of faith.

When they compared the calm and peaceful immensity of heaven, thronged with immovable lights, to the tumults and darkness of this world, the ancients believed themselves to have discovered in that beautiful book, written in letters of gold, the final utterance of the enigma of destinies. In imagination they drew lines of correspondence between these shining points of divine writing; and it is said that the first constellations marked out by the shepherds of Chaldea were also the first letters of the kabalistic alphabet. These characters, expressed first of all by means of lines, then enclosed in hieroglyphic figures, would, according to M. Moreau de Dammartin, author of a very curious treatise on alphabetic characters, have determined the ancient Magi in the choice of the Tarot figures, which are considered by this man of learning, as by ourselves, an essentially hieratic and primitive book. Thus, in his opinion, the Chinese TSEU, the Hebrew ALEPH and the Greek ALPHA expressed hieroglyphically by the figure of the juggler, would be borrowed from the constellation of the Crane, in the vicinity of the celestial Fish, a sign of the eastern hemisphere. The Chinese TCHEOU, the Hebrew BETH and the Latin B, corresponding to Pope Joan or Juno, were formed from the head of the Ram; the Chinese YN, the Hebrew GHIMEL and the Latin G, represented by the Empress, would be derived from the constellation of the Great Bear, etc. The Kabalist Gaffarel, whom we have cited more than once, erected a planisphere in which all the constellations form Hebrew letters; but we confess that the configurations are frequently arbitrary in the highest degree, and upon the indication of a single star, for example, we can see no reason why a should be traced rather than a or ; four stars will also give indifferently a , , or , as well as an . We are deterred therefore from reproducing a copy of Gaffarel's planisphere, examples of which are, moreover, not exceedingly rare. It was included in the work of Montfaucon on the religions and superstitions of the world, and also in the treatise upon Magic published by the mystic Eckartshausen. Scholars, moreover, are not agreed upon the configuration of the letters of the primitive alphabet. The Italian Tarot, of which the lost Gothic originals are much to be regretted, connects by the disposition of its figures with the Hebrew alphabet in use after the captivity, and known as the Assyrian alphabet; but there are fragments of anterior Tarots where the disposition is different. There should be no conjecture in matters of research, and hence we suspend our judgement in the expectation of fresh and more conclusive discoveries. As to the alphabet of the stars, we believe it to be instinctive, like the configuration of clouds, which seem to assume any form that imagination lends them. Star-groups are like points in geomancy or the figures of cartomancy. They are a pretext for auto-magnetism, an instrument to fix and determine native intuition. Thus, a Kabalist, familiar with mystic hieroglyphics, will perceive signs in the stars which will not be discerned by a simple shepherd, but the shepherd, on his part, will observe combinations that will escape the Kabalist. Country people substitute a rake for the belt and sword of Orion, while a Kabalist recognizes in the same sign - considered as a whole - all the mysteries of Ezekiel, the Ten SEPHIROTH arranged in a triadic manner, a central triangle formed of four stars, then a line of three stars making the JOD, the two figures taken together expressing the mysteries of BERESHITH, and finally, four stars constituting the wheels of MERCAVAH, and completing the divine chariot. Looked at after another manner, and postulating other ideal lines, he will notice a well-formed GHIMEL placed above JOD, in a large DALETH, a symbol typifying the strife between good and evil, with the final triumph of good. As a fact, the GHIMEL superposed on the JOD is the triad produced by unity, the manifestation of the Divine Word, whilst the reversed DALETH is the triad composed of the evil duad multiplied by itself. Thus regarded, the figure of Orion would be identical with that of the angel Michael doing battle with the dragon, and the appearance of this sign, so understood, would be, for the Kabalist, a portent of victory and happiness.

A long contemplation of the sky exalts imagination, and then the stars respond to our thoughts. The lines drawn mentally from one to another by primitive observers have given man his first notions of geometry. Accordingly as our soul is troubled or at rest, the stars seem burning with menace or sparkling with hope. The sky is thus the mirror of the human soul, and when we think that we are reading in the stars it is in ourselves we read.

Gaffarel, applying the presages of celestial writing to the destinies of empires, says that not in vain did the ancients place all signs of evil augury in the northern region of the sky; calamities have been in all ages regarded as coming from the north to spread themselves over the earth by the invasion of the south. “For this reason,” he tells us, “the ancients represented in the northern parts of the heaven a serpent or dragon near two bears, since these animals are the true hieroglyphs of tyranny, pillage and all oppression. As a fact, glance at history, and you will see that all great devastations proceed from the north. The Assyrians or Chaldeans, incited by Nebuchadnezzar or Salmanasor, gave fullest evidence of this truth by the destruction of the most splendid and most holy temple and city in the universe, and by the complete overthrow of a people whom God Himself had taken under His special protection and of whom He termed Himself Father especially. So also that other Jerusalem, Rome the blessed, has it not too experienced frequently the violence of this evil northern race, when it beheld its altars demolished and the towers of its proud edifices brought level with the foundations, through the cruelty of Alaric, Genseric, Attila and other princes of the Goths, Huns, Vandals and Alani.. . . Very properly therefore in the secrets of this celestial writing, do we read calamities and misfortunes on the northern side, since a sep-tentrione pandetur omne malum. Now, the word ThPThCh which we translate by pandetur, is also an equivalent of depingetur or scribetur, and the prophecy signifies equally: All misfortunes of the world are written in the northern sky.”

We have transcribed this passage at length, because it is not without application in our own day, when the north once more seems to threaten Europe; but it is also the destiny of hoar-frost to be melted by the sun, and darkness disappears of itself when the light manifests. Such is for us the last word of prophecy and the secret of the future. Gaffarel adds yet another prognosis drawn from the stars, as, for example, the progressive weakening of the Ottoman empire; but, as mentioned already, his constellated letters are exceedingly arbitrary. He states, for the rest, that he derived his predictions from a Hebrew Kabalist, Rabbi Chomer, but does not pretend to understand him especially well.

Here follows a table of magical characters designed according to the zodiacal constellations by ancient astrologers: each of them represents the name of a genius, be he good or evil. It is known that the Signs of the Zodiac correspond to various celestial influences and consequently signify an annual alternative of good or evil.

The names of the genii designated by the above characters are: For the Ram, SATAARAN and SARAHIEL; for the Bull, BAGDAL, and ARAZIEL; for the Twins, SAGRAS and SARAIEL; for the Crab, RAHDAR and. PHAKIEL; for the Lion, SAGHAM and SERATIEL; for the Virgin, IADARA and SCHALTIEL; for the Balance, GRASGAR-BEN and HADAKIEL; for the Scorpion, RIEHOL and SAISSAIEL; for the Archer, VHNORI and SARITAIEL; for the Goat, SAGDALON and SEMAKIEL; for the Water-Bearer, SSAKMAKILE; for the Fishes, RASAMASA and VACABIEL.

The wise man, seeking to read the sky, must observe also the days of the moon, the influence of which is very great in astrology. The moon attracts and repels alternately the magnetic fluid of the earth, and thus produces the ebb and flow of the sea; we must be well acquainted therefore with its phases and be able to distinguish its days and hours. The new moon is favourable at the beginning of all magical works: from first quarter to full moon its influence is warm; from full moon to third quarter it is dry; and from third quarter to last it is cold. Here follow the special characters of all days of the moon, distinguished by the twenty-two Tarot Keys and by the signs of the seven planets.

1. The Juggler, or Magus.

The first day of the moon is that of the creation of the moon itself. This day is consecrated to mental enterprises and should be favourable for opportune innovations.

2. Pope Joan, or Occult Science.

The second day, the genius of which Enediel, was the fifth of creation, for the moon was made on the fourth day. The birds and fishes, created on this day, are living hieroglyphs of magical analogies and of the universal doctrine of Hermes. The water and air, which were filled thereby with forms of the Word, are elementary figures of the Mercury of the Sages, that is, of intelligence and speech. This day is propitious to revelations, initiations and great discoveries of science.

3. The Celestial Mother, or Empress.

The third day was that of man's creation. So is the moon called the MOTHER in Kabalah, when it is represented in association with the number 3. This day is favourable to generation and generally to all productions, whether of body or mind.

4. The Emperor, or Ruler.

The fourth day is baleful: it was that of the birth of Cain; but it is favourable to unjust and tyrannical enterprises.

5. The Pope, or Hierophant.

The fifth day is fortunate; it was that of the birth of Abel.

6. The Lover, or Liberty.

The sixth day is a day of pride; it was that of the birth of Lamech, who said unto his wives: “I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt. If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.” This day is propitious for conspiracies and rebellions.

7. The Chariot.

On the seventh day, birth of Hebron, who gave his name to the first of the seven sacred cities of Israel. a day of religion, prayers and success.

8. Justice.

Murder of Abel. Day of expiation.

9. The Old Man, or Hermit.

Birth of Methuselah. Day of blessing for children.

10. Ezekiel's Wheel of Fortune.

Birth of Nebuchadnezzar. Reign of the Beast. Fatal day.

11. Strength.

Birth of Noah. Visions on this day are deceitful, but it is one of health and long life for children born on it.

12. The Victim, or Hanged Man.

Birth of Samuel. Prophetic and kabalistic day, favourable to the fulfilment of the Great Work.

13. Death.

Birthday of Canaan, the accursed son of Chain. Baleful day and fatal number.

14. The Angel of Temperance.

Blessing of Noah on the fourteenth day of the moon. This day is governed by the angel Cassiel of the hierarchy of Uriel.

15. Typhon, or the Devil.

Birth of Ishmael. Day of reprobation and exile.

16. The Blasted Tower.

Birthday of Jacob and Esau; the day also of Jacob's predestination, to Esau's ruin.

17. The Glittering Star.

Fire from heaven burns Sodom and Gomorrah. Day of salvation for the good and ruin for the wicked: dangerous on a Saturday. It is under the dominion of the Scorpion.

18. The Moon.

Birth of Isaac. Wife's triumph. Day of conjugal affection and good hope.

19. The Sun.

Birth of Pharoah. a beneficent or fatal day for the great of earth, according to

the different merits of the great.

20. The Judgement.

Birth of Jonah, the instrument of God's judgement. Propitious for Divine Revelations.

21. The World.

Birth of Saul, material royalty. Danger to mind and reason.

22. Influence of Saturn.

Birth of Job. Day of trial and suffering.

23. Influence of Tenus.

Birth of Benjamin. Day of preference and tenderness.

24. Influence of Jupiter.

Birth of Japhet.

25. Influence of Mercury.

Tenth plague of Egypt.

26. Influence of Mars.

Deliverance of the Israelites and passage of the Red Sea.

27. Influence of Diana, or Hecate.

Splendid victory achieved by Judas Maccabeus.

28. Influence of the Sun.

Samson carries off the gates of Gaza. Day of strength and deliverance.

29. The Fool of the Tarot.

Day of failure and miscarriage in all things.

We see from this rabbinical table, which John Belot and others borrowed from the Hebrew Kabalists, that these ancient masters concluded a posteriori from facts to presumable influences, which is completely within the logic of the occult sciences. We see also what diverse significations are included in the twenty-two Keys which form the universal alphabet of the Tarot, together with the truth of our affirmation, that all secrets of the Kabalah and Magic, all mysteries of the elder world, all science of the patriarchs, all historical traditions of primeval times, are enclosed in this hieroglyphic book of Thoth, Enoch or Cadmus.

An exceedingly simple method of finding celestial horoscopes by onomancy is that which we are about to describe: it harmonizes Gaffarel with our own views, and its results are most astounding in their exactitude and depth. Take a black card; cut therein the name of the person for whom you wish to make the consultation; place this card at the end of a tube which must diminish towards the eye of the observer; then look through it alternately towards the four cardinal points, beginning at the east and finishing at the north. Take note of all the stars which you see through the letters; convert these letters into numbers, and, with the sum of the addition written down in the same manner, renew the operation; then compute the number of stars you have next, adding this number to that of the name; cast up again and write the sum of the two numbers in Hebrew characters. Renew the operation; inscribe separately the stars which you have noticed; find the names of all the stars in the planisphere; classify them according to their size and brightness, choosing the most brilliant of all as the pole-star of your astrological operation; find lastly, in the Egyptian planisphere, the names and figures of the genii to which these stars belong. A good example of the planisphere will be found in the atlas to the great work of Dupuis. You will learn in this manner the fortunate and unfortunate signs enter into the name of the person, and what is their influence; whether in childhood, which is the name traced at the east; in youth, which is the name traced at the south; in mature age, which is the name at the west; in decline, which is the name at the north; or finally, during the whole life, obtained from the stars which enter into the entire number formed by the addition of letters and stars. This astrological operation is simple, easy and calls for few calculations; it connects with the highest antiquity and belongs evidently to primitive patriarchal Magic, as will be seen by studying the works of Gaffarel and his master Rabbi Chomer. Onomantic astrology was practised by the old Hebrew Kabalists, as is proved from their observations by Rabbi Chomer, Rabbi Kapol, Rabbi Abjudan and other masters in Kabalah. The menaces of the prophets uttered against various nations were based upon the characters of the stars found vertically over them in the permanent correspondence of the celestial and terrestrial spheres. Thus, by writing in the sky of Greece the Hebrew name of that country or , and translating in numbers, they obtained the word ChRB, which signifies destroyed, desolated.

Hence they inferred that after a cycle of twelve periods Greece would be destroyed and desolated. A short time before the sack of Jerusalem and its temple by Nebuchadnezzar, the Kabalists remarked eleven stars disposed in the following manner vertically above the temple:

All these entered into the word written from south to west, the term signifying reprobation and abandonment without mercy. The sum of the number of the letters is 423, exactly the period of the duration of the temple. Destruction threatened the empires of Persia and Assyria, in the shape of four vertical stars which entered into the three letters , Roev, and the fatal period indicated was 208 years. So also four stars announced to the kabalistic rabbins of another epoch the fall and division of the empire of Alexander; they entered into the word , PARAD = to divide = 284, the number of this word, indicating the entire duration of the said empire, both as to root and branches. According to Rabbi Chomer, the destinies of the Ottoman power at Constantinople would be fixed and foretold by four stars, entering into the word , CAAH, signifying to be feeble, weak and drawing to its end. The stars being more brilliant in the letter Aleph, indicated a capital, and gave it the numerical value of a thousand. The three letters combined make 1025, which must be computed from the taking of Constantinople by Mahomet II, a calculation which still promises several centuries of existence to the enfeebled empire of the sultans, sustained at present by all Europe combined. The MANE THECEL PHARES which Belshazzar, in his intoxication, saw written on the wall of his palace by the glare of torches, was an onomantic intuition similar to that of the rabbins. Initiated, no doubt, by his Hebrew diviners in the reading of the stars, Belshazzar went to work mechanically and instinctively upon the lamps of his nocturnal east, as he would upon the stars of heaven. The three words which he had formed in his imagination soon became indelible to his eyes and paled all the lights of his banquet. It was easy to predict an end like that of Sar-danapalus to a king who abandoned himself to orgies in a besieged town.

In conclusion, we have said and we repeat that magnetic intuitions alone give value and reality to these kabalistic and astrological calculations, puerile possibly and completely arbitrary when made without inspiration, by frigid curiosity and in the absence of a powerful will.