The Equinox (Volume I, Number IV)

THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING the spinal column called respectively Pingala and Ida, and between these is placed the Sushumné, an imaginary tube, at the lower extremity of which is situated the Kundalini (potential divine energy). Once the Kundalini is awakened it forces its way up the SushumnA,* and, as it does so, its pro- gress is marked by wonderful visions and the acquisition of hitherto unknown powers. The Sushumna is, as it were, the central pillar of the Tree of Life, and its six stages are known as the Six Chakkras.+ To these six is added a seventh; but this one, the Sahasrdara, lies altogether outside the human organism. These six Chakkras are: 1. The Milédhara-Chakkra. This Chakkra is situated between the lingam and anus at the base of the Spinal Column. It is called the Adhar-Padma, or fundamental lotus, and it has four petals. ‘In the pericarp of the Adhar lotus there is the triangular beautiful yoni, hidden and kept secret in all the Tantras.” In this yoni dwells the goddess Kundalini; she surrounds all the Nadis, and has three and a half coils. She catches her tail in her own mouth, and rests in the en- trance of the Sushumna.t “The Book of Concealed Mystery.” Note too the lotus-leaf that backs the throne of a God is also the hood of the Cobra. So too the Egyptian gods have the serpent upon the brow. * Provided the other exits are duly stopped by Practice. The danger of Yoga is this, that one may awaken the Magic Power before all is balanced. A discharge takes place in some wrong direction and obsession results. + The forcing of the Kundalini up the Sushumna and through the six Chakkras to the Sahasrara, is very similar to Rising on the Planes through Malkuth Yesod, the Path of 5, Tiphereth, the Path of 0, and Daath to Kether, by means of the Central Pillar of the Tree of Life. { The following Mystical Physiology is but a symbolic method of expressing 87