The Equinox (Volume I, Number I)

THE EQUINOX These seventeen squares represent the Sun, the Four Elements, and the Twelve Signs In this grade the lamps on the Pillars are unshaded, showing that you have quitted Altar and the entrance to the Holy Place stood the Laver of Brass, as a symbol of the Waters of Creation.” The Hegemon then explains the sym- bolic drawing of the Zodiac, which is most complicated, but consists mainly of twelve circles and a lamp in the centre to repre- sent the sun, “The whole figure repre- sents the Rose of Creation, and is a synthesis of the Visible Universe, Further- more the twelve circles represent the twelve foundations of the Holy City of the Apocalypse, while in the Christian sym- bolism the Sun and the twelve signs typify our Saviour and the twelve Apostles.”* After which the Hiereus says: “ At the Southern side of the Holy Place stood the seven-branched candlestick. The sym- bolic drawing before you represents its occult meaning. ‘The seven circles which surround the heptagram represent the DiacraM 14. ‘The Hermetic Cross, symbolises the Qliphoth—or evil demons. the darkness of the outer... .” The Neophyte then retires for a short time before commencing the second ritual of this grade, which consists chiefly of symbolic explanations: The Hierophant says: “ While the o°=o° grade represents the portal of the Temple, the 1°= 10° grade of Zelator will admit you into the Holy Place. Without, the altar of Burnt Offering Between the Bayytrofthefost BappuroftheWert Hegemon._ yew Breas pcbed [Spew Bread Tandlestick, Liobts Upspedes.e D1aGRaM 15. The Arrangement of the Temple in the 1° = 10° Ritual (second part). seven planets and the seven Qabalistic Palaces of Assiah, the material world which answer to the seven apocalyptic churches of Asia Minor, and these again represent, on a higher plane, the seven lamps before the throne.” f * See 777, col. cxl., p. 27, “Twelve Banners of the Name,” and Revelations, xxi, 19, 20. T See 777, col. xxxvi., p. 11. 264