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

[By the two countenances are meant Macroprosopus and
Microprosopus. See Introduction, §§ 42, 47, 64^65, 67, 73, and 77.]

3 . And the kings of ancient time were dead, and their crowns were found no more ; and the earth was desolate.

[The “ kings of ancient time ” mean the same thing as the “ Edomite Kings ; ” that is, they symbolize worlds of “unbalanced force,” which, according to the Zohar, preceded the formation of this universe. I have explained this also in the Introduction, §§ 41 and 56. This and the immediately following sections are supposed to trace the gradual development of the Deity from negative into positive existence ; the text is here describing the time when the Deity was just commencing His manifestation from His primal

KABBALAH.

negative form. Therefore, according to the qabalistical ideas, the nniverse is the garment as it were of the Deity ; he not only contains all, but is Himself all, and exists in all.]

4. Until that head (which is incomprehensible) desired by all desires (proceeding from AIN SVP, Ain Soph, the infinite and limitless one), appeared and communicated the vestments of honour.

[This Head, which is here described as proceeding from the infinite and limitless One, the Ain Soph , is the first Sephira, the Crown Kether, otherwise called Arikh Anpin, or Macroprosopus, the Vast Countenance. From this first Sephira the other nine emanations are produced. I have explained all this in the Introduction, §§ 38-57, in treating of the Sephiroth.]

5. This equilibrium hangeth in that region which is negatively existent in the Ancient One.

[By the expression “This equilibrium hangeth in that region which is negatively existent in the Ancient One,” is meant that the other nine Sephiroth (which are equilibrated by their formation in trinities) are as yet not developed in the first Sephira, but exist within it as the tree exists in the seed from which it springs. By “ the Ancient One ” is intended the first Sephira, the Crown Kether, one of whose appellations is Autheqa, the Ancient One. From this Sephira, as I have before remarked, the idea of negative existence depends back towards the AIN.]

6. Thus were those powers equiponderated which were not yet in perceptible existence.

[These powers are the other nine Sephiroth, which are, as it were, powers of the first Sephira; as soon as they are equated they become positively existent through correlation of force. The next two sections explain the manner of their equilibration while yet negative entities, or rather ideas.]

7. In His form (in the form of the Ancient One) existeth the equilibrium : it is incomprehensible, it is unseen.

[But the first idea of equilibrium is the Ancient One (the first Sephira, or Crown Kether), because it is the first potential limitation of the boundless light which proceeds from the Limitless One. That is, the central point of Kether is the equilibrium,

THE BOOK OF CONCEALED MYSTERY.

because the balance does not yet exist, the two opposite poles which form the balance not being yet developed. We must not confuse these two terms, equilibrium and balance. The balance consists of two scales (opposing forces), the equilibrium is the central point of the beam.

8. Therein have they ascended, and therein do they ascend — they who are not, who are, and who shall be.

[Therein (in the equilibrium of Kether) have they ascended (developed when they became positively existent), and therein (in the equilibrium) do they ascend (have their first existence), they (the Sephiroth) who are not (exist negatively), who are (then become positive), and who shall be (exist permanently, because they are counterbalanced powers). This triple expression “ are not, are, and shall be,” also refers to the triple trinity of the Sephiroth.] (See Introduction, §§ 52, 64, 65 and 66.)

9. The head which is incomprehensible is secret in secret.

[This head is Macroprosopus, the Yast Countenance, and is the same as the Ancient One, or Crown Kether. It is secret, for therein are hidden the other potentialities.]

10. But it hath been formed and prepared in the likeness of a cranium, and is filled with the crystalline dew.

[The crystalline dew is the creative lux or Aur, AYR, proceeding from the Limitless One. The Mantuan Codex calls the skull or cranium the first, and the crystalline dew the second conformation of Macroprosopus.]

1 1 . His skin is of ether, clear and congealed.

12. (His hair is as) most fine wool, floating through the balanced equilibrium.