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

[It must he remembered that the beard of Macroprosopus had thirteen divisions, therefore the other four forms are the difference between the nine of Microprosopus and the thirteen of Macroprosopus.]

2. Thus, therefore, is this most excellent beard arranged. The hairs overhang the hairs from before the opening of the ears, even unto the beginning of the mouth. (This is the first conformation.)

3. From the one beginning even unto the other beginning (of the mouth. This is the second conformation— namely, the beard on the upper lip).

4. Beneath the two nostrils existeth a path filled with hairs, so that it appeareth not. (This is the third conformation.)

5. The cheeks extend on one side and on the other.
(This is the fourth conformation.)

6. In them appear apples red as roses. (This is the fifth conformation.)

7. In one tress hang down those hairs strong and black, even unto the breast. (This is the sixth conformation.)

8. Red are the lips as roses, and bare. (This is the seventh conformation.)

9. Short hairs descend through the place of tbe throat and cover the position of the neck. (This is the eighth conformation.)

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KABBALAH.

10. Long and short descend alike. (This is the ninth conformation.)

1 1 . Whosoever is fonnd among them, is found strong and robust. (That is, he who directeth his meditations herein.)

12. It is written, Ps. cxviii. 4: “ I called upon

Yah , IH, in distress.” (In this place) David commemorateth (these) nine (conformations) even unto (those words) “ all nations compassed me about,” in order that they (the nine above mentioned) might surround and protect him.

13. (It is written, Gen. i. 12): “And the earth brought forth germination, the herb yielding seed after its kind ; and the tree bearing fruit, whose seed is therein, according to its kind.”

14. Those nine (paths of Microprosopus) are evolved from the perfect name (that is, from the understanding or mother, in whom they were conceived ; for unto her pertaineth the name IHVH, which is Tetragrammaton expressed and Elohim hidden, which form the nine in power). ‘ And thence are they planted into the perfect name, like as it is written, Gen. ii. 8 : “ And IHVH ALHIM planted ” (that is, these nine letters of the perfect masculine and feminine name, so that they may be a garden — that is, Microprosopus in action).

[By the expression “ Tetragrammaton expressed and Elohim hidden,” is meant that the former is written with the vowel points of the latter. They “ form nine in power,” because the four letters IHVH together with the five letters ALHIM make nine.

1 5 . The conformations of the beard (of Micropro- 'sopus) are found to be thirteen when that which is superior becometh inferior. (That is, whensoever the beard of Macroprosopus sendeth down its light. But in the inferior (that is, Microprosopus taken by himself), they are beheld in nine (parts of that form).

16. The twenty-two letters are figured forth in their

THE BOOK OF CONCEALED MYSTERY.

colour ; not only when the law is given forth in black fire upon white fire, but also in ordinary writings, because this beard is black.)

[The number of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet is twentytwo. “ Black fire ” and “ white fire ” are the colours of the beards of Microprosopus and of Macroprosopus respectively.]

I 7. Concerning this (beard, that is understood which is said) concerning him who in his sleep beholdeth the beard. “ When any one dream eth that he taketh the upper beard of a man in his hand, he hath peace with his Lord, and his enemies are subject unto him.”

[By the “ upper beard ” is meant the moustache.]

I 8. Much more (if he seeketh to touch) the supernal beard. For the inferior light, taking its rise from the supernal light which existeth within the benignity (thus the beard of Macroprosopus is entitled), is called in Microprosopus the benignity in a more simple manner ; but when it hath its action within the light, and it shineth ; then is it called abounding in benignity. (Others read this passage thus : — He who dreameth that he toucheth the moustache of a man with his hand, he may be sure that he hath peace with his Lord, and that his enemies are subject unto him. If that happeneth because he beholdeth in sleep such a thing as this only, much more shall it occur if he be found sufficiently worthy to behold what the supernal beard may be. For this, seeing that it is the superior, and is called the benignity, irradiateth the inferior. But in Microprosopus, &c.)