Blind impulse, irresistibly strong and unscrupulous, ambition, temptation, obsession, secret plan about to be executed; hard work, obstinacy, rigidity, aching discontent, endurance.
ע
ATU XV
ATU XV The Devil
The Lord of the Gates of Matter.
The Child of the Forces of Time
The Devil
The Lord of the Gates of Matter.
The Child of the Forces of Time
This card is attributed to the letter Ayin, which means an Eye, and it refers to Capricornus in the Zodiac. In the Dark Ages of Christianity, it was completely misunderstood. Eliphaz Levi studied it very deeply because of its connection with ceremonial magic, his favourite subject; and he re-drew it, identifying it with Baphomet, the ass-headed idol of the Knights of the Temple. [The Early Christians also were accused of worshipping an Ass, or ass-headed god. See Browning, The Ring and the Book (The Pope).] But at this time archaeological research had not gone very far; the nature of Baphomet was not fully understood. (See Atu 0, above.) At least he succeeded in identifying the goat portrayed upon the card with Pan.
On the Tree of Life, Atu XIII and XV are symmetrically placed; they lead from Tiphareth, the human consciousness, to the spheres in which Thought (on the one hand) and Bliss (on the other) are developed. Between them, Atu XIV leads similarly to the sphere which formulates Existence. (See note on Atu X and arrangement.) These three cards may therefore be summed up as a hieroglyph of the processes by which idea manifests as form.
This card represents creative energy in its most material form; in the Zodiac, Capricornus occupies the Zenith. It is the most exalted of the signs; it is the goat leaping with lust upon the summits of earth. The sign is ruled by Saturn, who makes for selfhood and perpetuity. In this sign, Mars is exalted, showing in its best form the fiery, material energy of creation. The card represents Pan Pangenetor, the All-Begetter. It is the Tree of Life as seen against a background of the exquisitely tenuous, complex, and fantastic forms of madness, the divine madness of spring, already foreseen in the meditative madness of winter; for the Sun turns northwards on entering this sign. The roots of the Tree are made transparent, in order to show the innumerable leapings of the sap; before it stands the Himalayan goat, with an eye in the centre of his forehead, representing the god Pan upon the highest and most secret mountains of the earth. His creative energy is veiled in the symbol of the Wand of the Chief Adept, crowned with the winged globe and the twin serpents of Horus and Osiris.
The sign of Capricornus is rough, harsh, dark, even blind; the impulse to create takes no account of reason, custom, or foresight. It is divinely unscrupulous, sublimely careless of result.
"thou hast no right but to do thy will. Do that, and no other shall say nay. For pure will, unassuaged of purpose, delivered from the lust of result, is every way perfect." AL. I, 42-4.
It is further to be remarked that the trunk of the Tree pierces the heavens; about it is indicated the ring of the body of Nuith. Similarly, the shaft of the Wand goes down indefinitely to the centre of earth.
"If I lift up my head, I and my Nuit are one. If I droop down mine head, and shoot forth venom, then is rapture of the earth, and I and the earth are one." (AL. II, 26).
The formula of this card is then the complete appreciation of all existing things. He rejoices in the rugged and the barren no less than in the smooth and the fertile. All things equally exalt him. He represents the finding of ecstasy in every phenomenon, however naturally repugnant; he transcends all limitations; he is Pan; he is All.
It is important to notice some other correspondences. The three vowel-consonants of the Hebrew alphabet, Aleph, Yod, 'Ayin, these three letters form the sacred name of God, I A O. These three Atu, IX, 0, and XV, thus offer a threefold explanation of the male creative energy; but this card especially represents the masculine energy at its most masculine. Saturn, the ruler, is Set, the ass-headed god of the Egyptian deserts; he is the god of the south. The name refers to all gods containing these consonants, such as Shaitan, or Satan. (See Magick pp.336-7).
Essential to the symbolism are the surroundings - barren places, especially high places. The cult of the mountain is an exact parallel. The Old Testament is full of attacks upon kings who celebrated worship in "high places"; this, although Zion itself was a mountain! This feeling persisted, even to the days of the Witches' Sabbath, held, if possible, on a desolate summit, but (if none were available) at least in a wild spot, uncontaminated by the artfulness of men.
Note that Shabbathai, the "sphere of Saturn", is the Sabbath. Historically, the animus against witches pertains to the fear of the Jews; whose rites, supplanted by the Christian forms of Magic, had become mysterious and terrible. Panic suggested that Christian children were stolen, sacrificed, and eaten. The belief persists to this day.
In every symbol of this card there is the allusion to the highest things and most remote. Even the horns of the goat are spiral, to represent the movement of the all-pervading energy. Zoroaster defines God as "having a spiral force". Compare the more recent, if less profound, writings of Einstein. [Compare Saturn, at one end of the Seven Sacred Wanderers, with the Moon at the other: the aged man and the young girl -see "The Formula of Tetragrammaton". They are linked as no other two planets, since 32=9, and each contains in itself the extremes of its own idea. (See also Appendix: Atu xxi.)]
On the Tree of Life, Atu XIII and XV are symmetrically placed; they lead from Tiphareth, the human consciousness, to the spheres in which Thought (on the one hand) and Bliss (on the other) are developed. Between them, Atu XIV leads similarly to the sphere which formulates Existence. (See note on Atu X and arrangement.) These three cards may therefore be summed up as a hieroglyph of the processes by which idea manifests as form.
This card represents creative energy in its most material form; in the Zodiac, Capricornus occupies the Zenith. It is the most exalted of the signs; it is the goat leaping with lust upon the summits of earth. The sign is ruled by Saturn, who makes for selfhood and perpetuity. In this sign, Mars is exalted, showing in its best form the fiery, material energy of creation. The card represents Pan Pangenetor, the All-Begetter. It is the Tree of Life as seen against a background of the exquisitely tenuous, complex, and fantastic forms of madness, the divine madness of spring, already foreseen in the meditative madness of winter; for the Sun turns northwards on entering this sign. The roots of the Tree are made transparent, in order to show the innumerable leapings of the sap; before it stands the Himalayan goat, with an eye in the centre of his forehead, representing the god Pan upon the highest and most secret mountains of the earth. His creative energy is veiled in the symbol of the Wand of the Chief Adept, crowned with the winged globe and the twin serpents of Horus and Osiris.
Hear me, Lord of the Stars,
For thee have I worshipped ever
With stains and sorrows and scars,
With joyful, joyful Endeavour.
Hear me, O lily-white goat
Crisp as a thicket of thorns,
With a collar of gold for thy throat,
A scarlet bow for thy horns.
For thee have I worshipped ever
With stains and sorrows and scars,
With joyful, joyful Endeavour.
Hear me, O lily-white goat
Crisp as a thicket of thorns,
With a collar of gold for thy throat,
A scarlet bow for thy horns.
The sign of Capricornus is rough, harsh, dark, even blind; the impulse to create takes no account of reason, custom, or foresight. It is divinely unscrupulous, sublimely careless of result.
"thou hast no right but to do thy will. Do that, and no other shall say nay. For pure will, unassuaged of purpose, delivered from the lust of result, is every way perfect." AL. I, 42-4.
It is further to be remarked that the trunk of the Tree pierces the heavens; about it is indicated the ring of the body of Nuith. Similarly, the shaft of the Wand goes down indefinitely to the centre of earth.
"If I lift up my head, I and my Nuit are one. If I droop down mine head, and shoot forth venom, then is rapture of the earth, and I and the earth are one." (AL. II, 26).
The formula of this card is then the complete appreciation of all existing things. He rejoices in the rugged and the barren no less than in the smooth and the fertile. All things equally exalt him. He represents the finding of ecstasy in every phenomenon, however naturally repugnant; he transcends all limitations; he is Pan; he is All.
It is important to notice some other correspondences. The three vowel-consonants of the Hebrew alphabet, Aleph, Yod, 'Ayin, these three letters form the sacred name of God, I A O. These three Atu, IX, 0, and XV, thus offer a threefold explanation of the male creative energy; but this card especially represents the masculine energy at its most masculine. Saturn, the ruler, is Set, the ass-headed god of the Egyptian deserts; he is the god of the south. The name refers to all gods containing these consonants, such as Shaitan, or Satan. (See Magick pp.336-7).
Essential to the symbolism are the surroundings - barren places, especially high places. The cult of the mountain is an exact parallel. The Old Testament is full of attacks upon kings who celebrated worship in "high places"; this, although Zion itself was a mountain! This feeling persisted, even to the days of the Witches' Sabbath, held, if possible, on a desolate summit, but (if none were available) at least in a wild spot, uncontaminated by the artfulness of men.
Note that Shabbathai, the "sphere of Saturn", is the Sabbath. Historically, the animus against witches pertains to the fear of the Jews; whose rites, supplanted by the Christian forms of Magic, had become mysterious and terrible. Panic suggested that Christian children were stolen, sacrificed, and eaten. The belief persists to this day.
In every symbol of this card there is the allusion to the highest things and most remote. Even the horns of the goat are spiral, to represent the movement of the all-pervading energy. Zoroaster defines God as "having a spiral force". Compare the more recent, if less profound, writings of Einstein. [Compare Saturn, at one end of the Seven Sacred Wanderers, with the Moon at the other: the aged man and the young girl -see "The Formula of Tetragrammaton". They are linked as no other two planets, since 32=9, and each contains in itself the extremes of its own idea. (See also Appendix: Atu xxi.)]
| Also see ATU XV: The Devil according to: | ||||
| Tarot de Marseilles (Gebelin) | Eliphas Levi | Golden Dawn (Regardie) | Aleister Crowley | Frater Achad |
777 for key 26
I
Key Scale 26
II
Hebrew Names of Numbers and Letters Ayin
III
English of Col. II. Eye
VI
The Heavens of Assiah Gedi
VII
English of Col. VI. Capricorn
VIII
Orders of Qliphoth Dagdagiron
X
Mystic Numbers of the Sephiroth 351
XI
Elements (with their Planetary Rulers) Venus Earth Luna
XII
The Tree of Life Pathjoins 6–8
XIII
The Paths of the Sepher Yetzirah Renovating I.
XIV
General Attribution of Tarot The Devil
XV
The King Scale of Colour (y) Indigo
XVI
The Queen Scale of Colour (h) Black
XVII
The Emperor Scale of Colour (v) Blue black
XVIII
The Empress Scale of Colour (#) Cold dark grey near black
XIX
Selection of Egyptian Gods Khem (Set)
XX
Complete Practical Attribution of Egyptian Gods Set
XXI
The Perfected Man As 10, for Ayin means Eye
XXII
Small selection of Hindu Deities Lingam, Yoni
XXIII
The Forty Buddhist Meditations Limited Aperture K
XXXIV
Some Greek Gods Pan, Priapus [Erect Hermes and Bacchus]
XXXV
Some Roman Gods Diana (as Archer) [[Iris]]
XXXVIII
Animals, Real and Imaginary. Goat, Ass [[Oyster]]
XXXIX
Plants, Real and Imaginary Indian Hemp, Orchis Root, Thistle [[Yohimba]]
XL
Precious Stones Black Diamond
XLI
Magical Weapons The Secret Force, Lamp
XLII
Perfumes Musk, Civet (also saturnian Perfumes)
XLIII
Vegetable Drugs Orchis [Satyrion]
XLV
Magical Powers [Western Mysticism] The Witches’ Sabbath so-called, the Evil Eye
XLVIII
Figures related to Pure Number Calvary Cross of 10, Solid
XLIX
Lineal Figures of the Planets, &c., and Geomany Carcer
LI.II
Numeration of Col. LI. 70
LI.III
English equivalent of Col. LI. O
LIII
The Greek Alphabet Ο ο
CXXXVII
Signs of the Zodiac ♑ Capricorn
CXXXVIII
Planets ruling Col. CXXXVII. Saturn
CXXXIX
Angel Lords of the Triplicity in the Signs by Day Sandali
CXL
Angel Lords of the Triplicity in the Signs by Night Aloyar
CXLI
The Twelve Tribes Zebulon
CXLII
Angels ruling Houses Kashenyaiah
CXLIII
Twelve Lesser Assistant Angels in the Signs Samqiel
CXLVI
Angels of the Decantes (Ascendant). Misnim
CXLVII
Angels of the Decantes (Succedent). Yasyasyah
CXLVIII
Angels of the Decantes (Cadent). Yasgedibarodiel
CXLIX
Magical Images of the Decans (Ascendant) A man holding in his right hand a javelin and in his left a lapwing.
CL
Magical Images of the Decans (Succedent) A man with an ape running before him
CLI
Magical Images of the Decans (Cadent) A man holding a book which he opens and shuts
CLII
Perfumes (Ascendant) Assafœtida
CLIII
Perfumes (Succedent) Colophonum
CLIV
Perfumes (Cadent) Cubel Pepper
CLV
Goetic Demons of Decans by Day (Ascendant) Berith
CLVI
Magical Images of Col. CLV. Gold-crowned soldier in red on a red horse. Bad breath.
CLVII
Goetic Demons of Decans by Day (Succedent) Asteroth
CLVIII
Magical Images of Col. CLVII. Hurtful angel or infernal dragon, like Berot, with a viper [breath bad].
CLIX
Goetic Demons of Decans by Day (Cadent) Forneus
CLX
Magical Images of Col. CLIX. Sea monster.
CLXI
Goetic Demons &c. by Night (Ascendant) Haures
CLXII
Magical Images of Col. CLXI. Leopard.
CLXIII
Goetic Demons &c. by Night (Succedent) Andrealphas
CLXIV
Magical Images of Col. CLXIII. Two beautiful angels sitting in chariot of fire.
CLXV
Goetic Demons &c. by Night (Cadent) Kimaris
CLXVI
Magical Images of Col. CLXV. Angel with raven’s head. Rides black wolf, carries sharp sword. Warrior on black horse.
CLXVII
Egyptian Gods of Zodiac (Asc. Decans) Soda
CLXVIII
Egyptian Names of Asc. Decans Themeso
CLXIX
As Col. CLXVII (Succedent) Riruphta
CLXX
As Col. CXVIII (Succendent) Epima
CLXXI
As Col. CXLVII (Cadent) Monuphta
CLXXII
As Col. CXLVIII (Cadent) Homoth
CLXXIII
Genii of the Twelve Hours (Levi) Sezarbil, Azeph, Armilus, Kataris, Razanil, Bucaphi, Mastho
CLXXV
Hebrew Letters ע
CLXXVI
Numerical Value of Col. CLXXV. 70
CLXXVII
Geomantic Intelligences Hanael
CLXXIX
Numbers printed on Tarot Trumps 15
CLXXX
Title of Tarot Trumps The Lord of the Gates of Matter. The Child of the Forces of Time.
CLXXXI
Correct Design of Tarot Trumps The figure of Pan or Priapus *
CLXXXII
The Human Body Genital System
CLXXXIII
Legendary Orders of Being Satyrs and Fauns, Panic-demons
CLXXXIV
Numeration of Arabic Alphabet 70
CLXXXV
Numeration of Greek Alphabet 70
CLXXXVI
Diseases (Typical) Arthritis
CLXXXVII
Magical Formulæ (see Col. XLI) ON