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The Book of Concealed Mystery (Siphra Dtzenioutha) · 7 of 9 · tr. S.L. MacGregor Mathers

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The four wheels are their correlatives under the second Sephira, on their four sides--namely, the four elements of the air, fire, water, and earth, which are the abodes of the spirits of the elements, the sylphs, salamanders, undines, and gnomes, under the presidency of the tenth Sephira.] 33. The serpent (which was made from the rod of Moses--that is, the shell--NVOH, Nogah , or splendour) which rusheth forth with three hundred and seventy leaps (the thirty-two names together with the five letters of ALHIM, Elohim , which make 37, multiplied by the p. 105 decad 370, and the judgments of the bride are denoted, to which that shell directeth his springs, because he is of middle nature betwixt the holy and the profane). "He leapeth upon the mountains, and rusheth swiftly over the hills," like as it is written (Cant. ii. 8. That is, he leapeth high above the rest of the shells). He holdeth his tail in his mouth between his teeth (that is, his extremity, by which he is linked to the shells, turneth towards his other extremity wherewith he looketh towards holiness). He is pierced through on either side (so that he may seek to receive the superior and inferior nature). When the chief ariseth (who is Metatron ) he is changed into three spirits (that is, he assumeth the nature of three inferior shells). ["Nogah" is also the qabalistical title of the sphere of the planet Venus. MTTRVN, Metatron , or Methraton, is the particular intelligence of the first Sephira, and is called the "Prince of Faces;" he is said also to have been the "ruler of Moses." Methraton has the same numeration as ShDI, Shaddai , the Almighty.] 34. (But concerning Metatron) it is written, Gen. v. 22: "And Enoch walked with the Elohim" (because out of Enoch, Metatron is formed). And it is written, Prov. xxii. 6: "Enoch hath been made into a boy, according to his path." (That is, "hath been changed into") the boy (namely, Metatron, who is spoken of under his name NOR, Nour , which meaneth a "boy"). ["Enoch hath been made into a boy," &c. This peculiar rendering of the passage, "Train up a child in the way," &c., arises from reading in the Hebrew text ChNVK, Chanokh , Enoch, instead of ChNK, Chanekh , "train up," or "instruct."] 35. With the Elohim, and not with the Tetragrammaton (because he himself is referred unto the path of the queen, to whom is attributed this name of Rigour). "And he existed not" (longer) under this name (Enoch), because the Elohim took him in order that he might be called by this name. (For this name is communicable unto the angels, p. 106 and in the first instance unto this chief among them, namely, Metatron.) 36. There are three houses of judgment given, which are four (that is, the three letters IHV, referred into the understanding, which yield the four letters of the Tetragrammaton, pointed with the vowel points of the name Elohim. For) there are four superior houses of judgment (the four said Tetragrammatic letters) and four inferior (which are the four letters ADNI, Adonaï , belonging unto the kingdom). For it is written, Lev. xix.
Themes
Correspondencecosmology

The Hermetic axiom that the structure of the cosmos is reflected at every scale — 'as above, so below; as within, so without' — making each level a legible map of the others.

Links four wheels, elements, and elemental spirits in a correlated cosmic structure reflecting divine levels.

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Divine Hiddennesstheology

The supreme God's radical concealment beyond ordinary knowledge or perception; the Hidden Father.

The text is a 'Concealed Mystery' and discusses hidden meanings of scripture.

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Divine Lighttheology

The uncreated luminous quality of the divine, sometimes experienced directly in mystical states; illumination as revelation.

Nogah is defined as splendour, and Metatron is associated with light (Nour).

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Letter Meditationpraxis

Contemplative practice focused on Hebrew letters as cosmic symbols or gates of divine power.

Focus on the power and structure of Hebrew letters suggests contemplative use.

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Paradox As Teachingethics

Using apparent contradiction, reversal, or riddle to destabilise ordinary understanding and induce insight.

Uses the image of a serpent holding its tail in its mouth to symbolize linked extremities and cyclical nature.

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Permutation Of Letterspraxis

Combining, transposing, or cycling through letters or names as a meditative or theurgical technique.

Mentions multiplying names and letters (37 by decad) to derive cosmic numbers and judgments.

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Soul Migrationcosmology

The transmigration of the soul across lives.

Enoch is changed into a boy/Metatron, indicating a shift in spiritual state or identity.

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Theosis Deificationsoteriology

The doctrine — central to Eastern Orthodox and Maximian theology — that the human person is progressively transformed into a partaker of the divine nature by grace, not merely justified or united in passing ecstasy.

Describes Enoch's transformation into the angelic being Metatron through divine taking and name change.

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Theurgypraxis

Iamblichean ritual practice that engages the gods directly through consecrated material symbols and actions, on the premise that divine power descends into properly prepared matter — distinct from philosophical contemplation alone.

Use of names and numbers implies ritual or magical engagement with divine powers.

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Cosmic Dualismtheology

Ontological opposition between two primal principles (light/darkness, truth/lie, spirit/matter) as the fundamental structure of reality.

[auto] Explicitly contrasts 'holy and the profane' and 'superior and inferior nature' within the serpent's existence.

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Emanation Hierarchycosmology

A chain of divine beings or principles flowing downward from a single transcendent source (the One or the Father), each level less perfect than the one above.

[auto] Describes a hierarchy where elemental spirits reside under the presidency of higher Sephirot.

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Hidden Sayingssoteriology

Esoteric teachings reserved for those ready to receive them; outer meaning conceals an inner liberating truth.

[auto] The text interprets concealed symbols (serpent, shell, rod) revealing esoteric meanings behind literal descriptions.

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Letters Of Creationcosmology

The twenty-two Hebrew letters as the building blocks through which God creates and sustains all existence.

[auto] Identifies Hebrew letters (ALHIM) and names as fundamental components creating numerical and spiritual reality.

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Numerical Mysticismtheology

Numbers, proportions, and mathematical relationships as the underlying structure of divine reality.

[auto] Detailed gematria calculations involving 37, 370, and the combination of names and letters define the serpent's movement.

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Opposites Transcendedanthropology

The dissolution of binary oppositions (male/female, inner/outer, above/below) as a mark of spiritual completion.

[auto] The serpent holds a 'middle nature' and is pierced to receive both superior and inferior natures simultaneously.

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Sacred Namestheology

Divine names or formulas that carry ontological power, used in prayer, liturgy, or magical practice.

[auto] Invokes specific divine names like 'Elohim' and 'thirty-two names' with ontological significance.

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Sefirot Treecosmology

The diagrammatic arrangement of the ten Sephirot as a structured 'Tree of Life' mapping divine and cosmic forces.

[auto] Maps elements and spirits to specific positions within the Sephirotic structure ('under the second Sephira').

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Sephirotcosmology

The ten attributes or emanations through which the Ein Sof (Infinite) reveals itself and creates the universe in Kabbalistic theology.

[auto] The passage explicitly references the 'second Sephira' and 'tenth Sephira' as structural loci for elements and spirits.

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Spiritual Ascentpraxis

A staged journey of the soul upward through heavenly realms or levels of being toward the divine source.

[auto] The serpent leaps high above shells and looks towards holiness, symbolizing upward movement.

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Related passages · 8 parallels
christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 8 (part 5)
Thus the earth is filled with hunger after the stars and after the spiritus mundi , so that they have no peace." ( Clavis , 110.) "The earth is turning around because she has both fires, the hot and the cold fire, and that which is below al…”
Both passages discuss the nature and interaction of the four elements (fire, air, water, earth) and their relationship to a higher, unifying principle. Passage A describes the elements as abodes of spirits under the presidency of the Sephira, while Passage B discusses the elements as qualities of a single true element, highlighting their desire and conflict.
christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 8 (part 6)
1.) "The terrestrial consciousness corrupted the celestial one, and the former became the Turba of the latter. Likewise, the Fiat made the earth and stones out of the eternal essentiality." ( Menschwerdung , i. 9.) "But in the earth we fi…”
Both passages explore the interplay between the divine and the material world, discussing how elements and creatures are connected to spiritual realms. They share a mystical perspective on the hidden divine qualities within the physical world.
christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 9 (part 5)
189 four states, forms, or temperaments are called the choleric, the sanguine, phlegmatic, and melancholy temperament. In the choleric one is the nature and quality of the fire manifested, in the sanguine that of the air, in the phlegmatic…”
Both passages discuss the concept of elemental qualities or temperaments within humans and their connection to spiritual or divine aspects. They explore the idea of different elemental influences or spirits that manifest in individuals, linking them to broader mystical or theological frameworks.
egyptian|The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani)|Chapter 43 (part 76)
These eight elements were called Nu and Nut,[1] Heh and Hehet,[2] Kek and Keket,[3] and Enen and Enenet,[4] or Khemennu, the "Eight," and they were considered as primeval fathers and mothers.[5] They are often represented in the forms of fo…”
Both passages describe a creation myth involving the emergence of divine beings from a primordial state. They share themes of divine intelligence, the formation of the world from chaos, and the hierarchy of divine entities.
egyptian|The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani)|Chapter 43 (part 77)
The reader has now before him the main points of the evidence concerning the Egyptians' notions about God, and the cosmic powers and their phases, and the anthropomorphic creations with which they peopled the other world, all of which have…”
Both passages describe a creation myth involving divine beings and elements. They share themes of primordial elements, divine intelligence, and the emergence of order from chaos, but they are rooted in different mystical traditions (Egyptian and Kabbalistic).
egyptian|The Egyptian Heaven and Hell|Chapter 18 (part 1)
SEVENTH DIVISION OF THE TUAT. I. KINGDOM OF OSIRIS ACCORDING TO THE BOOK AM-TUAT. The name of this DIVISION, or HOUR, is THEPHET-SHETAT, the name of the Gate is RUTI-ASAR, and the goddess of the Hour is KHEFTES-HAU-HESQ-NEHA-HRA. On loo…”
Both passages describe mystical transformations and the interaction between divine and elemental beings. Passage A discusses the Kabbalistic concept of Metatron and the elements, while Passage B describes the transformation of the Sun-god AFU-RA in Egyptian mythology. Both involve complex symbolic imagery and the interplay between different realms of existence.
neoplatonism|Iamblichus: On the Mysteries|Chapter VIIIc
The fifth according to body, which is called corporeal-formed. And the sixth according to matter, and this is denominated material.” Olympiodorus adds, “or after another manner it may be said, that some of these are celestial, others ether…”
Both passages discuss the hierarchical structure of spiritual beings and their relationship to different realms or elements. They explore the concept of intermediaries between the divine and the material world, though within different mystical traditions.
western_esoteric|Transcendental Magic I: The Doctrine (Éliphas Lévi)|10. The Kabalahd
5 GEBURAH. The four Fives. Four times four sins avenged His justice sum. 6 TIPHERETH. The four Sixes. Four rays unclouded make His beauty known. 7 NETSAH. The four Sevens. Four times His conquest shall in song be shown. 8 HOD. The…”
Both passages discuss the Kabbalistic concept of the Sephiroth and the elements associated with them, particularly focusing on the structure and symbolism within the Tree of Life. They share a conceptual framework rooted in Jewish mysticism, though they use different terminology and contexts.