The Magickal Pen

The Intelligence of the Heart refers to the concept that was explored by scientist and metaphysician, R.A Schwaller DeLubicz during his studies of Egyptian spiritual and alchemical practices. For most, the concept of intelligence is confined to the physiology of the mind and the sensory experiences that involve the intellect. To the Ancient Egyptians, the “heart”, rather than the brain, was the holder of these attributes of intelligence and knowing. According to Schwaller:

“Our rational mind is unable to grasp the central mystery, he argues, because our “sensory organization clearly seems to be imperfect. This condition can only be alleviated through a “perfecting of consciousness”.1.

This concept is deeply reflective of the principles of love and its force of impact on the rational mind. Without this innate intelligence which serves to produce a deeper understanding (realized through expansion and issuance of those qualities of Divine Love) pure reason will never have the necessary glue to provide the illumined thoughts of substance and viability. They will always remain within the world of lofty ideals that never come to full fruition or manifest life.

When we do the work of magick, one of the first steps is that of intent and the process of using the fuel and force of that intent to generate the necessary and appropriate energy to accomplish the work. Intellectualizing that intention helps to form the structure and container that this idea will be held within. Fueling it with the desire, passion and emotional connection to the idea sets into motion the constructs and pathways through which this intent will become manifest. The fuel of desire emanates from the emotional need to fulfill its needs; but at this level of process they are still considered individual and separate components. Each residing in their own compartmentalized part of self and each working with the best interest of its own purpose as central catalyst.

We are continually reminded of the goal to align heart and mind with each feeding and in support of the other. We aspire towards allowing how we feel about a given subject to be in accord with what we think about it when stripped bare of the superficial emotions surrounding. We further hope that our will to action is in accord with mind and heart so that the expression of this action will be the product of the synthesis of these parts of ourself. What we must then do is integrate these two dynamic forces in a way that they seamlessly flow one into the other to the extent that for all intents and purposes they are one in the same and singular in function. I believe this to be the “perfecting of consciousness” that Schwaller describes. What steps must we take in order to open to a deeper knowing (gnosis) contained within the hidden chamber of the heart that holds the space of informed desire and the fires of compassionate action?

If we think of the state of consciousness that is achieved when we open to all compassionate love and understanding we realize that this depth of love cannot appear simply through the actions of emotional outpour. This state is achieved first when we have concrete understanding of what it is we are directing this love towards. We must have thoroughly and completely dissected and examined all of its components before we can truly say that we have compassion for the situation. We must know what the concrete outcome of this expression of loving compassion will produce and most importantly, trust in this outcome despite what appearances may say otherwise. And, this rationalization must occur with the same ease and speed that our bodies respond to the in-drawing of breath as a sustainer of life. All being transparent, yet purposeful and direct in its singular impact and outcome.

In the Ancient Egyptian’s world, all and everything moved in a specific cycle and all and everything were at once connected to the continuum of this perfect flow and in perfect alignment and accord with it. This was bound within the holistic nature and inter-connectedness of the cosmos and all that is contained within that broader perspective. It was from this central place of deeper understanding of the individual’s place in the world that the heart was the holder of great knowledge and understanding. At death, it was the heart that was weighed upon the scales and measured by the feather of Ma’at, and if found to pass the tests of truth, the continuation of the ever flowing cycle that was life merged with that of the underworld and was opened to the deceased. Even in the transition of death and loss of physical form, the deeper knowledge of the mysteries of the Greater Cycle were held, tested and acted upon.

These are some of the actions I have found helpful in trying to connect with this deeper state of knowing:

Giving pause to reaction and instead cultivating a state of emotional response informed by the knowledge at hand.

Making time to sit in meditation and reflect on the stream of thoughts that pour through my mind and then following the threads of these streams back to their emotional source.

Being mindful of moving in accord with heart-centered action and developing an attitude of perfect love and perfect trust that all will be well when we re-think having to intellectualize our way through every action and then invariably have to deal with the negative emotional repercussions.

Offering up the space within my spiritual heart center to be guided by Higher Mind and giving appreciation to its capacity as holder of the deeper gnosis of the greater mysteries.

And, being ever open and receptive to the gifts of the Divine with the intention of always descending first into the center of my spiritually aligned nature and attuning it as an instrument of expression that is always reflective of the greater state of consciousness that is the Intelligence of the Heart.

1. Schwaller de Lubicz, René. Symbol and the Symbolic: Egypt, Science, and the Evolution of Consciousness. Brookline, MA: Autumn Press, 1978.

Next Week: In-spiring Magick

Everywhere I look
Spring is bursting free
Of the chilled cocoon of Winter.

The gentle breeze whispers to me
Asking if I see the spring time
Growth that I hold within.

The seeds were planted and
Harvest was gathered at a
Previous turn of the wheel.

The ground lay fallow through
Cold dark nights and Solstice light
Cleared the cobwebs and quickened
The inner soils.

Brighid’s hand helped to till and
Prime the depths of waiting
Fertile earth within.

Ostara’s footfall placed gently and lovingly
Brought an offering of new seed and promised beauty
Greedily drawn in and held in quickened
Space of purposeful planting.

And, now everywhere I look
Spring’s seeds are bursting forth
New growth, new life, new potential.

And, the gentle breeze calls out to me
Asking if Spring has come
Asking if I have left the darkness
of Winter’s cocoon behind.

I take a deep breath in
And softly answer “yes’
As I breathe out into gossamer wings
That lift in flight as sacred butterfly
Dances on Spring’s gentle breeze.

Part  Two:  Practical Application of Its Energy

Last week, I gave hint at some of the power that lay within the sphere of Geburah.  Hopefully, you also had time to mull over the poem and allow your own interpretations, images and insights to arise.  As I stated last week:

When we call upon the energy of this sphere we are asking for refinement of transformation and change to occur at the deepest levels of our being. We are trusting that the things that must be purged will produce positive result and we are allowing the organic flow of Geburah’s fiery nature to cleanse and cauterize what has been rendered into new form.

There is a very organic process that occurs when working with the energy of Geburah. It is distinctly the energy of the natural cycle. Quickening, growth, birth, more growth, refining and maturation, contraction and retention and finally the release and decomposition which serve as the food and catalyzing forces to quicken and begin the cycle anew.  This is the cycle of hard choices and at times what appears to be cruelty in deciding what is strong enough to thrive and what must be sacrificed and cut away.   I gave the analogy of a mother’s tough love.  This is the challenge of Geburah’s essence. The challenge of trust and unconditional love of a quality that will follow through with the difficult choice rather than surrender to what is loved most falling prey to its negative actions.

Each of the spheres of the Tree has a vice as well as its virtuous qualities.  For many the above mentioned aspects would be considered vices and negative energies. The real nature of Geburah’s vices is one of cruelty and exertion of power and will where it is neither productive nor applying a destructive nature that will make room for new growth to occur. Geburah’s energies are potent and the dynamic of this potency can turn to abuse and coercion of unjustifiable will that is not tempered and balanced by mercy.

For this reason careful scrutiny should be given to what we wish to cleave from our lives and what is just random and unjustifiable disruption.  Always remind yourself to look at both sides of the outcome of your efforts.  The wound may still be unpalatable that is inflicted, but is the ultimate outcome one of healing and fresh growth or will infection and decay be the byproduct.

Practical Application:

Every time we do a magickal working of release so that something new can be birthed we are using the energy of Geburah.  Cutting away what needs excision; tilling and preparing the internal soil for what seeds of new growth will be planted.

Every time we make a difficult choice in favor of moving towards what will be productive and leaving behind what has burdened or held us in stagnant space we are calling upon Geburah.  We are cutting away what hinders and although the sting of change may painfully be evident, the resultant new space of being we are allowing room for to grow will be soothing and joyful in its dawning.

Every time we offer words of prodding, that may appear harshly true in their delivery, but muster the energy towards positive change in the individual towards whom they are directed, we are acting under the guise of Geburah’s transformative blade.

We can observe the vice of Geburah in reading the atrocities of the world and the stories of those who manipulate and rise to power crowned in the blood of others.

A very simple exercise to align with the energies of Geburah:

• Sit quietly and make a list of those things you would like to change about a select situation
• When you have completed this list, take a look at each of the items you noted on it
• Completely and thoroughly examine each item
• Begin with those that are easiest to remove from the equation and cross them off your list. Making oath that this is done with the highest good and intent for all
• Continue in this way until you have narrowed the list down to one or two items that you see as being completely and justifiably in support of the efforts to change the situation
• On another sheet of paper, write the change(s) you have selected, and sitting quietly and reflectively begin the process of planning what steps you will take to effect this change; what healing will occur from releasing this barrier and the anticipated outcome

You have now become the one who has acknowledged and given careful consideration to all the flaws and strengths of the energies in your current situation; the positive, the neutral and the negative. You have now set into motion the exertion of a higher Will that does not hesitate to release what it must to ensure growth of what it Wills into creation.  You have now used the might of Geburah to stand as the gentle and compassionate surgeon who skillfully wields the scalpel that will heal.

In conclusion:  The study of the Qabalistic Tree of Life is one that looks at the entirety of the energy of the spheres and their connecting paths as a working whole.  You can take each of the components independently to give closer scrutiny, but must always return to the synthesis and totality of their interactions together.  With that thought in mind, the information I have presented on the singular sphere of Geburah merely touches the surface of its deeper meanings within the overarching energy of the complete Tree.  I hope these two articles have served to whet your appetite for deeper exploration of a system that is increasingly becoming a cornerstone for effective and deep magickal working.

For more information:

A Year Within the Tree of Life:

An online monthly study of the Qabalistic Tree within the Western Mystery Tradition offered by Oak and Willow Coven. Includes reading and other resource lists for more in depth study.

The Inner Chamber-Volume Two: Poetry of the Spheres by R. Fennelly

Available through Paypal at: Robin Fennelly Books

The Magickal Self acts as the interface and point of transition from the mundane world to the spiritual realms. It is you, in your higher form of vibration that will more closely match the rhythms of the other worlds you are transiting. It is the trained you that as you progress along the Path also grows and expands to encompass more of knowledge and experience you have gained and reflect it back so that it may be recognizable and usable in your magickal workings.

Read more at WitchVox:  What is The Magickal Self?

Within the Qabalistic Tree of Life, the energy of the sphere of Geburah is one of the most feared of the spheres. It is the nature of the surgeon wielding the scalpel that will excise, albeit painfully, what is no longer productive or useful for the health of his patient.  It is the love a parent who turns her child in to the police for having committed a crime, knowing that this is the only lesson that will ultimately ensure that the child will not die a needless death from his behavior. It is the love that will walk away from an unhealthy relationship, broken hearted and abused, so the suffering of a cruel love will no longer hang heavy.

In order to understand the nature of this sphere you must have a bit a knowledge about the Tree itself and the other spheres that form the greater whole.  The subject matter of the Qabalah is one that  many pagans do not easily gravitate towards, either deterred by the sheer mass of its scope or feeling that this particular overlay of system has no  reference to the purely magickal systems.  Although, rooted in the Judaic mystical system the Kabbalah(spelling is Judaic form)/Qabalah (spelling used to distinguish as Western Hermetic overlay) this construct of energy, thought and working is a  suitable companion to any magickal system. The sheer fact that a statement such as that can be made offers testament to the enduring scope and permanence of its application over a broad and diverse spectrum.  Within the Tradition to which I belong, The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, the principles of the Qabalah are strongly and consistently used throughout all of our covens and the enhancement to the magickal workings and rituals is undeniable.

Qabalah Boot Camp- Just the Basics:

The Qabalistic Tree of Life describes the descent of the divine into the manifest world, and methods by which divine union may be attained in this life. It can be viewed as a map of the human psyche and of the workings of creation, both manifest and un-manifest. Some of its components are:

10 Sephiroth (Spheres) each having their own specific energetic signature and action and having a Hebrew and English name of assignation. (Geburah ‘s name is Might)

22 Paths that connect the spheres and act as the synthesizing conduits of connection

3 Pillars of Application of that energy (Geburah is the middle of three spheres on the Pillar of Severity)

4 Worlds of Action– Each of the spheres exists in each of the four worlds and has a slightly different emphasis of intent depending on which of the worlds is acting upon it.

The Qabalistic story of the creative action of manifestation from the Source of All/Godhead down to the realm of physical and manifest form can be described in this way:

In the beginning there was nothingness- the absence of substance and form (Ain) ; and as the nothing became aware of itself it also realized the limitlessness nature (Ain Soph) of its being. This realization expanded and with more awareness came the birthing of limitless light (Ain Soph Aur) . This limitless light felt the urge to create- and from it emanated Divine Intelligence – Kether. All things needing balance- in its wisdom Kether split and from this source of being the remaining 9 spheres became emanations of the varied permutations of light, knowledge, mercy, severity, beauty, love, glory, imagination and finally rest in the Kingdom of Earth- Malkuth.

10 Sephiroth (spheres) of Emanation

The Sephiroth are States of Being and act as vessels to contain the Divine energy that spills forth from the God-Head or Crown of Kether (being the highest expression of the Divine) down into Malkuth, the densest and manifest physical world of Man. The spheres at the top of the tree are lighter and finer in energy – more transparent and expressive of pure Light. As we descend down the tree each sphere gains more density- less clarity of brilliance of light until we come to rest in the earth plane of Malkuth. Each sphere has both an English and Hebrew name and countless correspondences attributed to each. These are keywords only.

Sphere 1-Kether – The Crown- The Crown of Attainment- the ‘Cause of causes”- the unknowable- The Mystical Consciousness

Sphere 2-Chokmah– Wisdom- The Word of God- true Will untainted by the material nature- The Radiant Consciousness

Sphere 3-Binah– Understanding- The Great Sea- absolute belief- The Sanctified Consciousness

Sphere 4-Chesed– Mercy- Majesty- The place of greater awareness and pure compassion-The Settled Consciousness

Sphere 5-Geburah- Might – Strength and Justice- excision and the necessary cutting away- The Rooted Consciousness

Sphere 6-Tiphareth– Beauty- Sacrifice- the receptive place of the flow of emanations from Kether- The Transcendental Influx Consciousness

Sphere 7-Netzach– Victory- The Beauty of Nature- The Hidden Consciousness

Sphere 8-Hod– Glory- Splendor- the sphere of science and craft- the analytical nature and communicative learning- The Perfect Consciousness

Sphere 9-Yesod– The Foundation- sphere of the subconscious- the Lunar Gates- dreams and illusion – the astral – The Pure Consciousness

Sphere 10-Malkuth– The Kingdom- the plane of physical existence and manifest reality- the elements and all of manifest Life- The Scintillating Consciousness

Back to Geburah

This is a poem I wrote about the energy of Geburah and gives a hint to the potency and dynamics of this sphere.

I sit shivering in the dark
Eyes closed and all of my being
Filled with fear that I will
Lose my most valued possession.

Flame and heat surround
Yet the air is dense with
Energy that moves like
Cold steel wielded by a
Forceful hand.

What I cling to so fiercely
I have long ago outgrown
But the comfort and safety
Provided are like soothing
Ointment on wounds that
Have yet to be opened.

I want to be free of these chains
I want to be whole
What I carry are bits and pieces
Of my own folly and the thought of
Excision sends me into retreat.

As reason gives way to desire
And understanding stands at the
Threshold with outstretched hand
I rise from this place of cowering
I open my eyes to see what lay
Ahead and a cold dark hand
Grasps my own as I look into
The eyes of myself.

The only demons I have to fear is what
Lay within the spectre of my shadow
With the single act of embrace
All that is to be discarded
Falls from me
I am Free.

I am strong and what I had
Feared losing the most
Has only been transformed
And forged anew
The dark gives way to light and
I step forward to greet the
Final outcome.

When we call upon the energy of this sphere we are asking for refinement of transformation and change to occur at the deepest levels of our being. We are trusting that the things that must be purged will produce positive result and we are allowing the organic flow of Geburah’s fiery nature to cleanse and cauterize what has been rendered into new form.

For this week, read through the poem several times and see what images, thoughts and feelings are projected in the reading. Make note of all you experience and in next week’s article I’ll discuss more of how the “tough love” of this sphere can be applied and become part of your spiritual practice.

Next Week:
Geburah’s Might: Practical Application of Its Energy

As Spring approaches and we find ourselves at another turn of the Great Wheel, opportunity abounds for making deeper connection to the natural world and Gaia’s greening of it. Gaia is seen as the maiden offering the promise of new life in a womb that is still developing and preparing for what will be birthed in full glory as the summer approaches and the peak of all living things is held in father sun’s gentle hold……Read more at:   Witchs’ Voice

Be sure to read the accompanying poem – Gaia’s Mantle – in the Poetry section of WitchVox

Athletes train and stretch daily to remain strong and supple.  Dancers take class and rehearse so that their performances will be flawless.  Divers painstakingly increase the depth of their submersions so that their lungs can build larger capacity. In all manner of endeavors requiring an exertion of physical output beyond the norms, preparation and gradual introduction and increase of components of the goal are systematically undertaken to produce maximum effects with minimal strain on the point of exertion.

Although, this is not a concept that is applied overtly to magickal practice and energetic working it is a necessity to insure that the magician or energy worker will remain strong and resilient.

Our energetic anatomy and all that it comprises are one of the areas where slow, steady and precise measure of increase in the duration and type of practice modality used will benefit immeasurably if attention is paid towards expansion and flexibility. In particular, applying this practice to the chakras and the subtle bodies will enliven and offer expansion to the well-being of the entire body.

The subtle bodies along with the chakra vortices that are held within them serve to enliven, inform and act as interface and filter between our physical state of being and our Higher state of consciousness. (See the picture below) Flexibility of the subtle bodies is a prerequisite to higher energetic workings.  Flexibility and resilient strengthening of those sheaths of ephemeral layered structure allows for a greater portion of the Divine to fill our being as we commune and offer up devotion to that Divinity. Flexibility to expand into each of these layers and in turn expand the breath into the chakras allows longevity and greater endurance in being able to hold energy and its flow in ritual or magickal workings.

So, how do we go about training and stretching the subtle bodies. The goal is one of flexibility that can contain increasingly more flow of more highly refined energy.  Communion with the Divine in a more intimate way, receiving more of the Divine essence which acts upon our endocrine system and corresponding organs are all staples of Chinese Medicine and Qigong practice.

A large portion of the practice of expansion is focused and intent-filled direction of the breath toward the specific area you wish to have an increase in energetic flow.  Energy follows awareness and reinforcing this awareness with the flow and push of breath allows for a rhythm of expansion and contraction to be engaged.  This engagement begins at the physical level of actual breath, but the subtle bodies respond in a manner similar to the law of cause and effect.  The end point is all of the bodies working in a type of unison and accord with one another.   As the breath continues, the focus can now be pulled into the visualization and intent of sensing an expansion in the layers of the subtle bodies.  The easiest to begin with is that of the etheric as it is the closest to the physical layers of our bodies (just extending a few inches away from the outline of our physical silhouette).  Additionally, it s this subtle body that filters information received through the emotional and mental bodies and distributes the energy of prana (or life force) gathered from the sun’s light. Below is an exercise that can be used to strengthen and enliven the etheric body and in turn become more consciously aware of its energy surrounding us:

A Practice of Breathing Into the Etheric Body:

Begin by sitting quietly in a space where you will not be disturbed.  Place your chair so that you have a few feet of clear space directly in front of you.  Begin by closing your eyes and allowing your breath to establish a steady and gentle rhythm. As you fall into a rhythmic pattern shift your focus to the inner screen at the place of the third eye.  Form the image of yourself sitting as you are in this space on that inner screen. See the empty space that is directly in front of you.

Continue to breathe in a steady and rhythmic pace.  Now see an exact image of yourself rise out of this sitting position and come to stand directly in front of and facing away from you.  You see the outline of your own silhouette standing strong and erect with as much detail as possible.

Now, with focus and intention take a deep breath in and as you exhale imagine the full expanse of that breath filling out the outer edges of your standing silhouette; creating a duplicate line of tracing just a bit away from the hard line of the physical form. Continue with a few more breaths in this manner, each with the intent of pushing the extended form of the silhouette just a bit further from the hard line of the physical shape. You should now begin to see a clear line of demarcation just a few inches away from the physical silhouette.  This is the etheric body.  Spend a few minutes just simply breathing into this extension. Not pushing it any further out, just simply filling it more densely with breath.

Again with intent and focus now breathe into this sheath and imagine it filling with a brilliant white light of density. See it become brighter and brighter as you continue to gently breathe into it. When it reaches a state of appearing as though your silhouette is being lit from a bright light in front of it; allow the expanse of this shape and energy to settle.  Just gently breathe into it not adding additional force, just simply feeding this sheath the continued light of your breath.

Begin to draw this energy back into your being.  As you inhale imagine the line of extension around your standing silhouette gently pulling back into the hard edge of it.  Each inhalation drawing the light of this energy back into the central body. When it has been reabsorbed back into the center of your form see the silhouette of your standing form moving backwards towards you.  As you breathe in this form rejoins your physical body sitting in the space in which you started this practice. Continue to breathe in and with intent send the light filled  breath of your extended being into circulation and energizing distribution throughout your physical body. Each breath integrates this energy and each breath brings you back to a state of (w)holistic balance. Shift your focus and awareness to the physicality of yourself sitting in your chair. Awareness to the rise and fall of your breath. Awareness to the energy of your own making that surrounds and enlivens you. And, when you are ready gently flutter our eyes open and be fully present in the here and now- renewed and energized by this experience.

Weekly practice of this protocol will bring a deeper awareness to the energy field that surrounds you.  Breathing into the etheric body will help to strengthen, enliven and expand the flexibility of that subtle form.  Filling this sheath with light will bolster the regenerating process and set up a more refined magnetic attraction to bring more light and energy into all of the bodies and most specifically the time spent in disciplining the mind sharpens the visualization skills needed to give form to those energies and beings that you choose to commune with.