The Equinox (Volume I, Number II)

THE EQUINOX Upon them should be represented in counterchanged colours any appropriate Egyptian design emblematic of the soul. The scarlet tetrahedronal capitals represent the fire of Test and Trial, and between the Balance is the porch way of the Immeasurable Region. The twin lights which flare on the summits are the “ Declarers of Eternal Truth.” The pillars are really obelisks with tetrahedronal capitals slightly flattened at the apices so as to bear each a lamp. At the Eastern part of Malkuth, at its junction-point with the path of n, is placed the altar in the form of a double cube. Its colour is black to represent to the Neophyte the colour of Malkuth; but to the adept there lies hidden in the blackness the four colours of the Earth, in their appropriate positions on the sides. The base only is wholly black ; whilst the summit will be of a brilliant whiteness although invisible to the material eye, “The symbols upon the altar represent the forces and manifestations of the Divine Light concentrated in the white triangle of the Three Supernals. Wherefore upon this sacred and sublime symbol is the obligation of the Neophyte taken as calling therein to witness the operations of the Divine Light. The red cross of Tiphereth representing 5°=6° is placed above the white triangle; not as dominating it, but as bringing it down and manifesting it unto the Outer Order : as though the Crucified One having raised the symbol of Self-Sacrifice had thus touched and brought into action in matter the Divine triad of Light. * Around the cross are the symbols of the four letters of Tetra- grammaton, the W of Jeheshua being only implied and not expressed in the Outer. And these are placed according to the winds.” The door should be situated behind and to the West of the Throne of the Hiereus; it is called «The Gate of the Declarers of Judgment,” and its symbolic form is that of a straight and narrow doorway between two mighty pylons, The Altar Symbol in the o°=o” Ritual. THE THREE CHIEFS At the East of the Temple before Paroketh sit the three Chiefs who govern and rule all things and are the viceroys in the Temple of the Second Order beyond. They are the reflections therein of the 7°= 4°, 6°= 5°, and 5°= 6° Grades, and are neither comprehended in, nor understood by, the Outer Order. They represent, as it were, Veiled Divinities, and their seats are before the veil (Paroketh) which is divided into two parts at the point of the rending, as though it answered unto the veils of Isis and Nephthys impenetrable save to the initiate. 246