cosmology
Polarity
The Hermetic doctrine that apparent opposites are identical in nature but differ in degree — two extremes of the same scale (hot/cold, love/hate) — such that one pole can be shifted toward its opposite by a change of degree ('mental transmutation'). Distinct from opposites_transcended (a completion-state marking the path's end, not this doctrine's active technique) and magical_equilibrium (balance held BETWEEN two forces, not identity-by-degree of what looks like two forces).
175 passages · 2 traditions
theosophy105
The Secret Doctrine | Page 2 (part 10)
“Helped by his knowledge of landscapes left behind him, he can get a general and pretty correct idea of the transmural view, if he will only climb to the loftiest summit of the altitudes in front of him.
Once there, he can gaze at it, at hi…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 3 (part 2)
“The latter is either "awake" or "asleep." The Svabhavikas, or philosophers of the oldest school of Buddhism (which still exists in Nepaul), speculate only upon the active condition of this "Essence," which they call Svabhavat, and deem it f…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 3 (part 4)
“The orthodox Brahmins, those who rise the most against the Pantheists and Adwaitees, calling them Atheists, are forced, if Manu has any authority in this matter, to accept the death of Brahma, the creator, at the expiration of every "Age" o…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 3 (part 5)
“But this view does not prevent him from believing in its existence so long as it lasts, to wit, for one Mahamanvantara; nor from applying Akasa, the radiation of Mulaprakriti,* to practical purposes, connected as the World-Soul is with all…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 3 (part 6)
“." For clearer understanding on the part of the general reader, it must be stated that Occult Science recognises Seven Cosmical Elements -- four entirely physical, and the fifth (Ether) semi-material, as it will become visible in the air to…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 3 (part 7)
“Herbert Spencer has of late so far modified his Agnosticism, as to assert that the nature of the "First Cause,"* which the Occultist more logically derives from the "Causeless Cause," the "Eternal," and the "Unknowable," may be essentially…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 3 (part 8)
“Moreover, the Secret Doctrine teaches: -- ( c ) The fundamental identity of all Souls with the Universal Over-Soul, the latter being itself an aspect of the Unknown Root; and the obligatory pilgrimage for every Soul -- a spark of the former…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 4 (part 2)
“T HE ROOT REMAINS, THE LIGHT REMAINS, THE CURDS REMAIN, AND STILL O EAOHOO IS ONE.
6.
T HE ROOT OF LIFE WAS IN EVERY DROP OF THE OCEAN OF IMMORTALITY, AND THE OCEAN WAS RADIANT LIGHT, WHICH WAS FIRE, AND HEAT, AND MOTION.
D ARKNESS VANIS…”
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The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter II (part 1)
“CHAPTER II THE SEVEN HERMETIC PRINCIPLES "The Principles of Truth are Seven; he who knows these, understandingly, possesses the Magic Key before whose touch all the Doors of the Temple fly open."--The Kybalion.
The Seven Hermetic Principle…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter II (part 2)
“The ancient Hermetists considered this Principle as one of the most important mental instruments by which man was able to pry aside the obstacles which hid from view the Unknown.
Its use even tore aside the Veil of Isis to the extent that…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter II (part 4)
“The Hermetists have grasped this Principle, finding its universal application, and have also discovered certain means to overcome its effects in themselves by the use of the appropriate formulas and methods.
They apply the Mental Law of Ne…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter III (part 1)
“CHAPTER III MENTAL TRANSMUTATION "Mind (as well as metals and elements) may be transmuted, from state to state; degree to degree; condition to condition; pole to pole; vibration to vibration.
True Hermetic Transmutation is a Mental Art."--…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter III (part 2)
“So you see, therefore, that Mental Transmutation is really the "Magic" of which the ancient; writers had so much to say in their mystical works, and about which they gave so few practical instructions.
If All be Mental, then the art which…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter VI (part 5)
“With this difference, always, between the various hypotheses--that under the old views Mental Power was ignored as a Natural Force, while under Mentalism it becomes the Greatest Natural Force.
And this one difference revolutionizes Life, t…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter VIII (part 6)
“Only those whose minds have been carefully trained along the lines of the Hermetic Philosophy for years--yes, those who have brought with them from other incarnations the knowledge acquired previously--can comprehend just what is meant by t…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter IX (part 1)
“CHAPTER IX VIBRATION "Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates."--The Kybalion.
The great Third Hermetic Principle--the Principle of Vibration--embodies the truth that Motion is manifest in everything in the Universe--that noth…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter IX (part 3)
“It must be remembered, in the above illustration, that at the stages at which the "object" throws off vibrations of light, heat, etc., it is not actually "resolved" into those forms of energy (which are much higher in the scale), but simply…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter X (part 3)
“And it will also be noticed that even to those unfamiliar with the Principle of Vibration, the Positive pole seems to be of a higher degree than the Negative, and readily dominates it.
The tendency of Nature is in the direction of the domi…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter XI (part 1)
“CHAPTER XI RHYTHM "Everything flows out and in; everything has its tides; all things rise and fall; the pendulum-swing manifests in everything; the measure of the swing to the right, is the measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensat…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter XI (part 2)
“But the Hermetists carry the principle much further, and know that its manifestations and influence extend to the mental activities of Man, and that it accounts for the bewildering succession of moods, feelings and other annoying and perple…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter XI (part 3)
“It is this Law of Compensation to which the Kybalion refers when it says: "The measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensates." The Law of Compensation is that the swing in one direction determ…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter XII (part 3)
“One of the series of events arising from the tiny bit of soot was the writing of these lines, which caused the typesetter to perform certain work; the proofreader to do likewise; and which will arouse certain thoughts in your mind, and that…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter XII (part 4)
“But the Masters, knowing the rules of the game, rise above the plane of material life, and placing themselves in touch with the higher powers of their nature, dominate their own moods, characters, qualities, and polarity, as well as the env…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter XIII (part 1)
“CHAPTER XIII GENDER "Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles; Gender manifests on all planes."--The Kybalion.
The great Seventh Hermetic Principle--the Principle of Gender--embodies the truth that ther…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter XIII (part 2)
“The Cathode, or Negative Pole, is the Mother Principle of Electrical Phenomena, and of the finest forms of matter as yet known to science.
So you see we are justified in refusing to use the term "Negative" in our consideration of the subje…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter XIV (part 1)
“CHAPTER XIV MENTAL GENDER Students of psychology who have followed the modern trend of thought along the lines of mental phenomena are struck by the persistence of the dual-mind idea which has manifested itself so strongly during the past t…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter XIV (part 2)
“While at first there seems to be only an "I" existing, a more careful and closer examination reveals the fact that there exists an "I" and a "Me." These mental twins differ in their characteristics and nature, and an examination of their na…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter XIV (part 4)
“Many have sought for an explanation of these varied phases of phenomena under the theories of the various "dual mind" teachers.
And in a measure they are right, for there is clearly a manifestation of two distinct phases of mental activity…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter XV (part 1)
“CHAPTER XV HERMETIC AXIOMS "The possession of Knowledge, unless accompanied by a manifestation and expression in Action, is like the hoarding of precious metals-a vain and foolish thing.
Knowledge, like wealth, is intended for Use.
The La…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter XV (part 2)
“An understanding of this principle will enable one to change his own Polarity, as well as that of others, if he will but devote the time, care, study and practice necessary to master the art.
The principle is true, but the results obtained…”
Psychic Self-Defence (Dion Fortune) | 8. The Risks Incidental To Ceremonial Magic-a
“If the problem of psychic self-defence is to be adequately dealt with, we must have an understanding of a subject upon which very little has been written - the nature of the forces of intelligent and organised evil.
The great faiths of the…”
Psychic Self-Defence (Dion Fortune) | 11. The Psychic Element In Mental Disturbance-a
“WE have seen in a previous Chapter that nervous and mental disorders can simulate a psychic attack, especially if the subject is familiar with the terminology of occultism.
We must also consider the part played by psychic attack in nervous…”
Psychic Self-Defence (Dion Fortune) | 11. The Psychic Element In Mental Disturbance-c
“In fact, we may say that no occult process is really potent, nor can it be said to have completed its circuit, unless it has its point of contact with dense matter; a point which many occultists leave out of their calculations.
Occultism,…”
Psychic Self-Defence (Dion Fortune) | 11. The Psychic Element In Mental Disturbance-d
“The older faiths knew this, but popular Christianity, which has no roots in tradition, has forgotten it.
Protestant Christianity threw away its occult aspect at the Reformation.
All the pagan pantheons have gross aspects of divinities as…”
Psychic Self-Defence (Dion Fortune) | 12. Methods Employed In Making A Psychic Attack-b
“Experimental psychologists are already suspecting that emotion is closely akin to electricity; they have proved conclusively that emotional states alter the electrical conductivity of the body.
The occultist believes that emotion is a forc…”
Psychic Self-Defence (Dion Fortune) | 15. Physical Aspect Of Psychic Attack And Defence-d
“In front of an old-fashioned four-poster bedstead stands a ferocious female armed with a rolling-pin, and from under the valance protrudes the head of her spouse, who says, “Ye may whack me, and ye may thwack me, but ye canna break my manly…”
Psychic Self-Defence (Dion Fortune) | 19. Methods Of Defence III-c
“Having discerned the type of the force with which he has to deal, he then proceeds to meditate upon its opposite, concentrating upon purity and selflessness if the force be lust; compassion and love, if it be malice; and upon God as the cre…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter II (part 2)
“The ancients used a dot in the centre of a circle as the symbol of this idea, the representation of the Unity-principle ( the dot ) in the centre of eternity ( the circle , a line without beginning or end).
According to these demonstration…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter II (part 3)
“The Vau The Median letter, the link , which unites the active to the passive.
The Affinity between the Ego and the Non-Ego = 6.
These three letters express the Trinitarian law of the Absolute.
The 2nd He The second He marks the passage f…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter III (part 2)
“The results of this consideration are: (1) That all the numbers in their evolution, reproduce the 4 first; (2) That the last of these 4 first, the figure 4, represents the unity at a different octave.
The sequence of the numbers may theref…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter VI (part 1)
“GENERAL KEY TO MINOR ARCANA CHAPTER VI.
THE KEY TO THE MAJOR ARCANA.
The Major Arcana--1st Ternary--2nd Ternary--1st Septenary--2nd Septenary--The Three Septenaries and the Ternary of Transition.
THE MAJOR ARCANA.
THE fundamental differ…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter VI (part 2)
“FIRST SEPTENARY.--The application of one law to very different terms has led us so far; we must not abandon this system, but persevere and say-- If in one ternary exist an active term = yod , a passive term = he , and a neuter term = vau ,…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter VII (part 1)
“CHAPTER VII.
CONNECTION BETWEEN THE MAJOR AND MINOR ARCANA.
GENERAL AFFINITIES.
KEY OF THE TAROT.
Domination of the 1st Septenary--Affinities of the 2nd Septenary in the Tarot, Card by Card--Ditto of the 3rd Septenary--General Affinitie…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter VII (part 2)
“Each element of this septenary thus rules over-- Arcanum 13 (+) Knight of Sceptres, (+) Knight of Swords, (-) Arcanum 16 (-) Knight of Cups, (+) Knight of Pentacles, (-) Arcanum 14 (+) Three of Sceptres, (+) Three of Swords, (-) Arcanum 17…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter VIII (part 1)
“PART II.
SYMBOLISM IN THE TAROT.
APPLICATION OF THE GENERAL KEY TO SYMBOLISM.
CHAPTER VIII.
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF SYMBOLISM.
The Symbols--The Primitive Terms--Key of Symbolism--Definition of the Sense of one of the Symbols--The…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter VIII (part 2)
“4--Passage from one series to another.
We can then represent the series in this way-- And what is true for each of the terms of a ternary is also true for the ternary taken as a whole , and this leads us to new considerations.
For the fir…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter VIII (part 3)
“We may therefore say, more explicitly-- The 5th arcanum is: The reflex of yod considered negatively.
But what is yod considered negatively?
To find this out, I look in my left column at the letter yod , I seek in the secondary vertical co…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter IX (part 6)
“Seven doubles (double because they express two sounds, the one positive strong, the other negative soft); The B (Beth) ב The G (Gimel) ג The D (Daleth) ג The Ch (Caph) כ The Ph (Pe) פ The R (Resh) ר The T (Tau) ט 3rd.
Lastly, twelve simple…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 14 (part 1)
“THE JUGGLER THE JUGGLER .
1.
א 1st Hebrew letter (Aleph).
ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE FIRST CARD OF THE TAROT.
The Aleph hieroglyphically expresses Man himself as a collective unity, the master principle, ruler of the earth.
From th…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 15
“THE HIGH PRIESTESS. THE HIGH PRIESTESS. 2. ב 2nd Hebrew letter (Beth). ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE SECOND CARD OF THE TAROT. The Beth hieroglyphically expresses the mouth of man as the organ of speech. Speech is the production of man's i…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 16
“THE EMPRESS. THE EMPRESS. 3. ג 3rd Hebrew letter (Gimel). ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE THIRD CARD OF THE TAROT. The hieroglyphic meaning of the letter Gimel is the throat, the hand of man half closed in the act of prehension. Hence it sig…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 17 (part 1)
“THE EMPEROR.
THE EMPEROR.
4.
ד 4th Hebrew letter (Daleth).
ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE FOURTH CARD OF THE TAROT.
The hieroglyphic meaning of Daleth is the womb.
It suggests the idea of an object giving plentiful nourishment, the so…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 18 (part 1)
“THE POPE.
THE POPE.
5.
ה 5th Hebrew letter (He).
ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE FIFTH CARD OF THE TAROT.
The hieroglyphic meaning of He is aspiration, breath.
It is by aspiration that life is incessantly maintained and created.
Hence…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 18 (part 2)
“Their reciprocal action will give rise to the universal attraction or universal Love represented by the 6th arcanum.…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 19 (part 1)
“THE LOVERS.
THE LOVERS.
6.
ו The 6th Hebrew letter (Vau).
ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE SIXTH CARD OF THE TAROT.
The hieroglyphic sign for the Vau is the eye, all that relates to light and brilliancy.
The eye establishes the link bet…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 21
“7. ז 7th Hebrew letter (Zain). ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE SEVENTH CARD OF THE TAROT. Hieroglyphically the Zain expresses an arrow, and therefore it suggests the idea of a weapon , of the instrument which man uses to rule and conquer , a…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 24
“THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE. THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE. 10. י 10th Hebrew letter (Yod). ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE TENTH CARD OF THE TAROT. The hieroglyphic meaning of the Yod is the finger of man; the forefinger extended as a sign of command. This…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 26
“THE HANGED MAN. THE HANGED MAN. 12. ל 12th Hebrew letter (Lamed). ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE TWELFTH CARD OF THE TAROT. Hieroglyphically the Lamed designates the arm, and therefore it is connected with anything that stretches, that rais…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 29
“DEATH. DEATH. 13. מ 13th Hebrew letter (Mem). ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE THIRTEENTH CARD OF THE TAROT. The hieroglyphic meaning of the Mem is a woman, the companion of man, it therefore gives rise to ideas of fertility and formation. It…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 30
“TEMPERANCE. TEMPERANCE. 14. נ 14th Hebrew letter (Nun). ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE FOURTEENTH CARD OF THE TAROT. The hieroglyphic sense of the Nun is the offspring of the female; a son, a fruit of any kind, all things produced. This let…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 31 (part 1)
“THE DEVIL.
THE DEVIL.
15.
ס 15th Hebrew letter (Samech).
ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE FIFTEENTH CARD OF THE TAROT.
The Samech expresses the same hieroglyphic sign as the Zain (7th arcanum), that is to say, an arrow; a weapon of any k…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 37
“THE SUN. THE SUN. 19. ק 19th Hebrew letter (Qoph). ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE NINETEENTH CARD OF THE TAROT. HIEROGLYPHICALLY the Qoph expresses a sharp weapon, everything that is useful to man; defends him; makes an effort for him. The…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 39
“THE FOOL. THE MATE. 21. סה 21st Hebrew letter (Shin). ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE UNNUMBERED CARD OF THE TAROT. The Shin expresses the same hieroglyphic meaning as the Zain (7th arcanum) and the Samech (15th): this is an arrow, an object…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter XIV (part 1)
“CHAPTER XIV.
GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE SYMBOLICAL TAROT.
THEOGONY--ANDROGONY--COSMOGONY.
Involution and Evolution.
Theogony --The Absolute according to Wronski, Lacuria, and the Tarot--Theogony of divers Religions identical with that of th…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter XIV (part 3)
“An indeterminable and unnamable principle, of which we are content to assert the existence only-- 2.
This synthetic principle, when analyzed , is found to consist of a Trinity thus constituted-- Neuter ∞ SYNTHETIC PRINCIPLE Negative - NEGA…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter XIV (part 6)
“The second, symbolized by Eye, is the origin of feminine Grace, of Authority.
We have seen that Power and Authority find their equilibrium in Love.
Each man, a reflected molecule of humanity made in its image, contains in himself an Adam,…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter XIV (part 8)
“This is the God adored by materialist science, and we see that unconsciously its homage is offered to the Divinity itself under its most material form, even whilst it foolishly boasts of Atheism.
DEATH, CORPOREAL LIFE, and the DESTINY whic…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter XVI (part 4)
“The Tarot is a deduction of the sideral book of Henoch , who is Henochia; it is modelled from the astral wheel of Athor , which is As-taroth , resembling the Indian ot-tara , the polar bear or arc-tura of the north; it is the major force (…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter XVI (part 5)
“For instance, the 2nd NORTH א ב ג ד ה ו ז ח ט י כ W 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 E E Juggler The High Priestess Empress Emperor Pope Lovers Chariot Justice Hermit The Wheel of Fortune Strength A S ש ת ר ק צ פ ע ס נ מ ל S T 0 21 20 19 18 17 16 15…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter XVI (part 6)
“With regard to the arcanum 0 (ש), which is unnumbered in the Tarot, although it is eminently passive in itself, it must not be included in the feminine series, for reasons easily discerned in the study of the exact signification of each arc…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter XVII (part 3)
“We must also point out some features of the theory, which are necessary for the comprehension of our principal subject; the reader must only remember that this explanation is entirely due to the author of this article, and he must not imput…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter XVII (part 4)
“But since, as our sciences prove to us, the Kosmos itself is in a state of evolutive movement, and since according to their teachings this movement clearly inclines towards a progressive synthesis, which spiritualizes the living being by en…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter XVII (part 5)
“It is called DEATH and RESURRECTION, and it represents absolute Inertia, only found in Death; but here Involution stops and Evolution commences, for the equilibrium of the two principles, active and passive, is never prolonged.
This would…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter XVII (part 6)
“He is the animal that in the morning (that is to say, in the infancy of humanity) goes on four feet (4 being the number of realization, expresses matter and its instincts, the visible world); at noon (that is to say, in the maturity of his…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Chapter XVII (part 7)
“Third hour of Apollonius: " The serpents, the dogs, and fire ." The first manifestation of force applied externally to inert matter for affecting transmutations; this is Alchemy.
The Neophyte having attained this step in practice must be r…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 46 (part 3)
“This representation, which geometricians name projection upon the plane of the Equator, gives the second figure (the 4 circles of the centre only); to it, for the sake of clearness in the symbols, has been added an equilateral triangle insc…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 52 (part 1)
“SECOND LESSON.
MINOR ARCANA.
SIGNIFICATION FROM THE DIVINING POINT OF VIEW.
THE Tarot pack is composed of 78 cards or plates; 22 of them bear symbolical names (the Juggler, Sun, Moon, Hanged Man, etc.), and they should be separated from…”
The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus) | Page 52 (part 3)
“It symbolizes a Bachelor.
QUEEN OF CUPS.
A fair woman, a friend .
The woman loved.
The Mistress.
KNIGHT OF CUPS.
A young fair man, a friend .
The young man loved.
The Lover.
KNAVE OF CUPS.
A fair child .
A messenger.
Birth .
AC…”
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