Orientations of Sigils / Cube of Space
By the late Shomer Michael Freedman S.G.
We, in the Society of Guardians, use the Cube of Space, but I understand from friends who have done the BOTA lessons, in a much more complex way than it is taught there, at least in their books and elementary lessons.
The Guardians have a tradition of working extensively with Sacred Geometry.
We have a model built that consists of two large Tetrahedra moving through each other. At that point where they are in perfect equilibrium, their eight [two times four] apexes are the apexes of a cube. A tetrahedron and a cube are both perfect solids.
The model is built of rods, such as are used by science teachers to construct molecular models.
Each of the two large Tetrahedra are constructed from four smaller Tetrahedra. Because the model is skeletal, it is easy to see that at the centre of each Tetrahedron is another perfect solid, the octahedron. When the two large Tetrahedra are in balance through each other, their octahedra are exactly superimposed so that there is one octahedron at heart of each tetrahedron and also at the heart of the Cube. Esoterically, this is a 3- dimensional version of the hexagram, which is formed from two triangles moving through each other until they are in perfect equilibrium, representing the upward aspiration of Humankind towards the Divine, met and balanced by the Divine reaching down towards Humankind. There are six Trees of Life in Weavers’ Woods in which the hexagram is found, all referred to Sefiroth of the central pillar in various worlds.
If you look along any of the diagonals of the model described above, and mentally flatten it all out, so that it looks like a two-dimensional diagram, it is possible to see it as a six pointed star standing within a six pointed star. This symbol also appears on the Cap worn in our Rituals by the Senior Guardian. It is a symbol of the Sun beyond the Sun.
Apprentices are expected to conduct thought experiments assigning various sets of correspondences within the 36 degrees to the various faces, apexes, edges, diagonals, triangles, directions, etc. that are perceptible within the model.
A couple of hours mentally limbering up on the Star Tetrahedron, which is the name of the whole construction, is the equivalent of a morning’s work at the bar by a ballet dancer, in my opinion.
We have had the Star Tetrahedron [built of light plastic rods, with the cube outlined with thread] in the Sanctuary since it was first built in 1973. In 1989, Frater Fiat Lux (Frank Salt) of the Whare Ra lodge of the Golden Dawn suggested we visit the very modern Auckland orthodox synagogue on one of their regular sightseeing tours. As I had never seen the inside of a synagogue, I accepted eagerly.
As he had anticipated, my breath was taken away when we went into the synagogue itself, having spent the previous hour sightseeing the various school rooms, library and other activities within the synagogue complex.
Hanging from the centre of its ceiling was an enormous Star Tetrahedron, constructed from iron piping, and painted light brown.
I asked the guide about it, His response was quite grumpy, “It was put there by the architect. It is supposed to be a Star of David. Some of us think it will fall and kill someone one of these days.”
When we went up into the gallery, as I suspected, from there it was possible to find a place from which you could see the six pointed star inside the six- pointed star.
Is this construction used in other synagogues sometimes ? Or is it just a modernist architect’s decorative conceit, as the guide implied ?
I have just realised that I referred to the 36 degrees in the above message, and no one will know what I mean.
It is similar to the 32 Paths used in many lodges, but the number of each “degree” is always in tune with the number of the Sefirah or Hebrew letter corresponding to it. Briefly:
1st Kether 10th Malkuth/’Alef 19th Yodh 28th Qof
2nd Chokmah 11th Beyth 20th Kaf 29th Reysh
3rd Binah 12th Gimel 21st Lamedh 30th Shin
4th Gedulah 13th Daleth 22nd Meyim 31st Tav
5th Gevurah 14th Heh 23rd Nun 32nd Kaf final
6th Tifareth 15th Wav 24th Samek 33rd Meyim final
7th Netsach 16th Zayin 25th “Ayin 34th Nun final
8th Hodh 17th Cheyth 26th Peh 35th Peh final
9th Yesodh 18th Teyth 27th Tsaddi 36th Tsaddi final
The 37th degree is referred to both Great ‘Alef and Kether of a succeeding world, and so on, ad infinitum.
The five finals are referred thus:
32nd Spirit Yahuel Centre or Above [Metatron]
33rd Earth ‘Uriel West or below [Sundalfon]
34th Water Mikael South [S. Hemisphere] North [N. Hemisphere]
35th Fire Gavriel North [S. Hemisphere] south [N. Hemisphere]
36th Air Rafael East
Which are how the elements fall, reading anticlockwise on the points of the Pentagram of Opening to the Spirit in our pentagram rites system.
Read clockwise, the five points of this Pentagram give the order of the elemental tides around the 24 hours of the day, beginning at dawn when the air tide peaks.
Using Above for Spirit and Below for Earth, you can readily assign these directions to a Tetrahedron, with one face to the East.
At this point, my students usually start to get glazed eyes, and they need some meditation to let it all sink in and the various images sort themselves out within. It can be like a visit to a Hall of Mirrors, the first few times.
Blessed be all who walk in the Way of the Great Work of lifting all living beings to full awareness of Light and Life and Love.
Be blessed,
Michael Freedman, S.G.
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