Ritual of the Tree of Life

THE RITUAL OF THE
                          TREE OF LIFE

                        By David Cherubim
                     Copyright (c) 1990 e.v.
                      Thelemic Golden Dawn.

0.  This Ritual is to be performed during any hour as may befit the Magical Will
of the Magician.  It is a ceremonial method of building up the telesmatic image
of the Qabalistic Tree of Life in The Astral, to fortify and exalt the
Magician's knowledge and experience of the Ten Sephirothic forces of universal
energy which constitute the Holy Tree of Life.

                       KETHER - FIRST SWIRLINGS

1.  Let the Magician visualize above his head a flaming whirling sphere of
brilliant white light.  Let him then transfer himself to that sphere of white
light, uniting his consciousness therewith. Let him then say:

     Above me shines the One Light Profound
          Of the Great Unseen and Mystick Crown,
     Radiating Love and Infinite bliss
          From the Great Beyond, above the Abyss!

                           CHOKMAH - ZODIAC

2.  Let the Magician now visualize a bright flash of lightning emanating from
the whirling sphere of white light above his head, descending to the left side
of his face.  Let him then visualize on the left side of his face a flaming
whirling sphere of brilliant grey.  Let him then transfer himself to that sphere
of grey, uniting his  consciousness therewith.  Let him then say:

     The Light descends and Wisdom is come
          Uttering the Word of the Ineffable One!
     And on this day That Word of Power
          Exalts my Will with Force this hour!

                            BINAH - SATURN

3.  Let the Magician now visualize the bright flash of lightning moving across
his face to the right side of it.  Let him then visualize on the right side of
his face a flaming whirling sphere of brilliant black.  Let him then transfer
himself to that sphere of black, uniting his consciousness therewith.  Let him
then say:

     Understanding is come, Primal Matter is born,
          Wisdom penetrates, awakens and informs
     To create the All, of the Vast Living Sea,
          Soul of my soul, Mother of Mystery!

                           CHESED - JUPITER

4.  Let the Magician now visualize the bright flash of lightning moving down to
his left shoulder.  Let him then visualize at his left shoulder a flaming
whirling sphere of brilliant blue.  Let him then transfer himself to that sphere
of blue, uniting his
consciousness therewith.  Let him then say:

     On my left there flames the sphere of Majesty
          Emanating the Glory of divine sublimity,
     Inspiring my mind with a Vision of Love,
          And filling my soul with Wisdom from Above!

                            GEBURAH - MARS

5.  Let the Magician now visualize the bright flash of lightning moving across
to his right shoulder.  Let him then visualize at his right shoulder a flaming
whirling sphere of brilliant scarlet-red. Let him then transfer himself to that
sphere of red, uniting his consciousness therewith.  Let him then say:

     On my right there flames the sphere of Might,
          Emanating the Force of the Unseen Light,
      Energizing my mind with a Vision of Power
          And fortifying my soul with Strength this hour!

                           TIPHARETH - SOL

6.  Let the Magician now visualize the bright flash of lightning moving down to
his heart region, at the centre of his breast.  Let him then visualize at his
heart centre a flaming whirling sphere of brilliant yellow-gold.  Let him then
transfer himself to that sphere of gold, uniting his consciousness therewith.
Let him then say:

     In the centre there shines the Solar sphere
          Emanating  splendour, sublime and pure,
     Illumining my mind, infusing Harmony,
          Embracing my soul with Living Beauty!

                           NETZACH - VENUS

7.  Let the Magician now visualize the bright flash of lightning moving down to
his left hip.  Let him then visualize at his left hip a flaming whirling sphere
of brilliant emerald-green.  Let him then transfer himself to that sphere of
green, uniting his
consciousness therewith.  Let him then say:

     Emanating passion, emotion and desire
          Sphere of victory, abode of Living Fire,
     Filling my heart with love and affection
          For all that is, with zealous devotion!

                            HOD - MERCURY

8.  Let the Magician now visualize the bright falsh of lightning moving across
to his right hip.  Let him then visualize at his right hip a flaming whirling
sphere of brilliant orange.  Let him then transfer himself to that sphere of
orange, uniting his consciousness therewith.  Let him then say:

     Emanating intellect, swift and eager,
          Sphere of mental glory, abode of Water,
     Informing my mind with Reason sublime,
          Shaping keen thoughts, contemplations divine!

                             YESOD - LUNA

9.  Let the Magician now visualize the bright flash of lightning moving down to
his genital region.  Let him then visualize at his genital region a flaming
whirling sphere of brilliant violet.  Let him then transfer himself to that
sphere of violet, uniting his consciousness therewith.  Let him then say:

     Emanating Luna, purifying and fair,
          Sphere of The Foundation, abode of Air,
     Generating life and growth  for all,
          Engendering force of the animal soul!

                          MALKUTH - ELEMENTS

10.  Let the Magician now visualize the bright flash of lightning moving down to
his feet.  Let him then visualize at his feet a flaming whirling sphere of
brilliant mixed colors (citrine, olive, russet, and black).  Let him then
transfer himself to that sphere of mixed colors, uniting his consciousness
therewith.  Let him then say:

     Home of the Living, of every man's birth,
          Sphere of the Elements, abode of Earth,
     Temple of my ghost, vehicle of sense,
          Created by the Spirit for my soul's experience!