The Kabbalah Unveiled — S. L. MacGregor Mathers (from Knorr von Rosenroth's Latin) (1887)

182. Concerning this it is written, Ps. xxxix. 2 : “I said I will take heed unto my ways, that I offend not with my tongue.”

183. The place of commencement is found from the Most Holy Ancient One, and it is illuminated by the Influence. That is the Light of Wisdom.

184. And it is extended in thirty-two directions, and departeth from that hidden brain, from that Light which existeth in Itself.

185. And because the Most Holy Ancient One shineth in;the beginning (otherwise, in the wisdom), this itself is

* MZL = 40 + 7 + 30 =■= 77, which is OZ, Strength or Vigour. This Gematria is worthy of note as giving the idea of foundational power.

KABBALAH.

this. And the same is that beginning from which manifestation is made.

1 86. And is conformed in the Three Heads, which
One Head inclndeth.

187. And those three are extended into Microprosopus, and from them all things shine forth.

188. Thenceforth this Wisdom instituteth a formation, and prodnceth a certain river which floweth down and goeth forth to water the garden.

189. And it entereth into the head of Microprosopus, and formeth a certain other brain.

190. And thence it is extended and floweth forth into the whole body, and watereth all those plants (of the garden of Eden).

1 9 1 . This is that which standeth written. Gen. ii. 9 :

“ And a river went out of Eden to water the garden,” &c.

192. But also this Wisdom instituteth another formation, and is extended and goeth into the head of Microprosopus, and formeth another brain.

193. That is the Light from which are produced those two rivulets which are associated together, carved out hollows in the One Head, which is called the depth of the fountain.*

194. Concerning which it is written, Prov. iii. 20 :

“ In DOTH, JDaathf Knowledge, the depths are broken up.”

195. And it entereth into the head of Microprosopus, and formeth another brain.

196. And thenceforth is it extended and goeth into the interior parts of His body, and filleth all those conclaves and assemblies of His body 4

197. This is that same which is written, Prov. xxiv. 4 :

In Daath shall the secret places be filled.”

198. And those shine from the Light of that supernal t Daath is the conjunction of Chokmah and Binah. (See “Book of Concealed Mystery,” ch. i. § 40.)

* the containing power.

t See “ Greater Holy Assembly,” ch. xxviii. § 566.

THE LESSER HOLY ASSEMBLY.

2 79 concealed brain which shineth in the Influence, MZL, of the Most Holy Ancient One.

199. And all things depend mutually from Himself, and mutually are bound together unto Himself, until Heis known, because all things are one, and HYA, Hoa , He, the Ancient One, is all things, neither from Him can anything whatsoever be separated.

200. Into three other Lights, which are called the- Fathers, do these three Lights shine, and these fathersshine into the children, and all things shine forth from the one place.*

201. When He, that Ancient One, who is the Grace of all Grace, is manifested, all things are found in light and in perfect happiness.

202. This Eden is derived from the superior Edeny the Concealed with all Concealments.

203. And therefore is that Eden called the beginning in the Ancient One ; neither yet, however, is therebeginning or end.f

204. And since in Him beginning and end exist notr hence He is not called AThH, Atah , Thou ; seeing that He is concealed and not revealed. But HYA, Hoa , Her is He called.

205. But in that aspect wherein the beginning is found, the name AThH, Atah , Thou, hath place, and the name AB, Ab , Father. For it is written, Isa. lxiii. 16 : “ Since Atah , Thou, art Ab , our Father.”

206. In the teaching of the school of Rav Yeyeva the Elder, the universal rule is that Microprosopus be called AThH, Atah , Thou ; but that the Most Holy Ancient One, who is concealed, be called HYA, Hoa , He ;• and also with reason.

* This is analogous to the teaching of the “Sepher Yetzirab,” that the Three Mothers A, M, Sh, radiate into three paternal forms of the same. A, Mr and Sh, symbolize the potencies of Air, Water, and Fire.

+ For commencement denotes end, and end denotes commencement; how, then, in the Absolute can there be either? Nevertheless, in the Absolutemust we seek for the hypothetical starting-point of life.

28o

KABBALAH.

207. Now truly in that place wherein beginning is found, is He thus called, although He is concealed.

208. And therefrom is the beginning, and it is called AThH, Atah , Thou ; and He is the Father of the Fathers.