Lunar Duality
Yesod, the Sphere of the Moon, represents foundation, the Machinery of the Universe formulated in strength. It is the reconciliation of the firmness and the fluidity represented by Gabriel, the angel of both the Moon (Luna), Yesod, and the Element of Water. It is a perpetual state of influx and reflux, alluding to the function of Yesod as a “receptive transmitter,” as Dion Fortune (Violet Firth) calls it.
The ninth Path is Pure Intelligence, purifying the Sephiroth. Yesod receives energies from the higher realms, which it then transmits to the physical, Malkuth. Whatever takes place in Yesod, inevitably follows in Malkuth. Together, they make a couple, as everything in the Tree diagram is based on dualities and complementary opposites.
The image is of a lean and muscular man holding the world: Atlas is a good example. An alternative perspective is to see it as the front-end code of apps that are physical.
The Animal Soul
Yesod is the home of the animal soul (Nephesh), which encompasses:
- The Freudian Id.
- The Jungian Shadow.
- The childself/inner child.
- The personal/individual subconscious.
When understood, the Nephesh becomes a wellspring of mountain-moving power. When misunderstood and suppressed, it becomes incredibly self-destructive. Napoleon Hill identified mastering the “three basic appetites” as the basis of true self-discipline and, thus, personal development, without which there can be no real “accomplishment.”
- Sex,
- Hunger,
- Loosely organized opinions (snapping at others, gossiping, etc.)
Hill remarks that by not mastering all three, one surrenders to the metaphysical Devil, virtually the Qabalistic “Yetzer Hara,” or humans’ innate drive to self-destruction. This can result in various mental and physical illnesses, such as a lack of vitality and determination. Worshipping hustle culture is an almost guarantee to suffer from all.
The “basic appetites” are all functions of the Nephesh, deeply intertwined with the G’uph, aka the physical body. Examples are the autonomic nervous system, the instincts, and the whole body. Physically, the Nephesh corresponds to the reptilian or ancient brain. Only by mastering their animal soul can one master the body.
Strength
The result is again “Strength,” achieved through “taming one’s inner beast.” Gradually and gently, as displayed in the Strength major arcana: a lady caressing a lion.
Nothing is drastic, nothing is forceful. Eastern methods regard this as using Kundalini for personal transformation. It is the most basic Magick, and Yesod filters all practical Magick as that involves actions that happen in the physical.
Reflection
The Moon, Yesod, reflects Saturn Binah. Among other things, Saturn rules limitations and restrictions. On the other hand, one’s genetic limitations and confines have a lot to do with their Nephesh, and the relationship they build with it.
The Tree is also vastly based on proportions and degrees of Spirit and Matter. Yet Spirit doesn’t work directly on matter, but works on the Astral, which then materializes in the world of actions. Netzach works on Hod, Hod on Yesod, and Yesod on Malkuth.
Mastering the appetites gives one a concrete example of how this works, as Netzach’s urges and passions are Nephesh’s instincts. Additionally, the decisions and willpower of Hod are fueled by Netzach, too. Building an aesthetically pleasing physique (naturally) can help a lot. Plus, it aligns with Atlas.
This lower triangle of the Ruach is often called Lower Self and personality, overshadowed by the “Individuality” comprised of Chesed, Geburah, and Tiphereth. These are separated by Paroketh, aka the Veil, which is rendered in rituals like the Supreme Pentagram and the Watchtowers.
The Moon Sphere is of illusions and images, also reflecting the world of actions. This is why you can substantially influence it through physical action.
Priestess
The thirteenth Path is the High Priestess (Thoth Priestess). It directly links Kether and Tiphereth: Adam Kadmon, pure potential, God among humans, perfect balance between Spirit and Matter. It crosses the Abyss, which separates the Supernals (ideal) from the rest of the Tree (real, actual).
The Priestess is the Hebrew letter Gimel (ג), which means “camel.” Camels are used by travelers to cross the desert, whereas the Abyss is the desert of the soul, holding Choronzon, the utter meaninglessness and futility. The Priestess is the female counterpart of the Magus (Magician), who is Beth (ב), and the highest expression of Mercury.
Forms and Goddesses
The Priestess, as Crowley notes, is the purest form of the Moon, and the highest spiritual form of the Goddess ISIS, and the possibility of “Form” stemming from Nuit, the second veil of Negative Existence.
In Chapter 1 (I:22) of the Book of the Law, Nuit says:
“I am Infinite Space and the Infinite Stars thereof.” It takes little effort to identify her as ISIS, as she gives the initials. Binah-Saturn is also Babalon, who is Nuit on a lower arc,
Some consider Da’ath part of Binah. In the Tree of Life, the hexagram commences at Da’th point ascribed to Binah, the mother of all Forms, and concludes in Yesod.
Track
I’ve worked on this track on and off for a while. I thought that a better name would emerge. Or that I need to tweak parts further. Yet after recording and editing the scratches, the main theme still reminded me of something Lunar and childlike. No matter how many times I listen to it.
The track is the first one in which I use the “clover hammer” scratch, which the god Qbert recognized as my personal innovation of the JackHammer technique, back in the glorious QSU days. It replaces the drill part of the OG JackHammer with a clover tear.
The Moon shines on the Earth, reflecting the Sun at night, time.
I guess it was that point Rick Rubin speaks of in the Creative Act (paraphrasing): The work is done where there’s nothing to add, or take away; when both the piece and the creator have nothing to give each other. So they split ways, each living their own life.
— POTB