The Kabbalah Unveiled · 2 of 16 · tr. S.L. MacGregor Mathers
Introduction, Section 1b
[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, because the balance p.
45 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 we 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 Vast Countenance, and is the same as the Ancient One, or Crown Kether.
It is were, for therein axe 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 , AVR, proceeding from the Limitless One.
The Mantuan Codex calls the skull or cranium the first, and the crystalline dew the second conformation of Macroprosopus.] 11.
His skin is of other, clear and congealed.
12.
(His hair is as) most fine wool, floating through the balanced equilibrium.
[The ether is the clear and insupportable brilliance of his glory.
The hair is white-- i.e.
; spotless as wool--to denote the utter absence of matter and of shell.
The Mantuan Codex calls the ether the third conformation, and the hair the fourth, which latter it refers to the Sephira Netzach, victory.] 13.
(His forehead is) the benevolence of those benevolences which are manifested through the prayers of the inferior powers.
p.
46 [The supernal benignity which transmits their qualities, powers and offices, to the lower Sephiroth (the inferior powers).
It must be remembered that each Sephira receives from that which immediately precedes it, and transmits to that which next follows it.
Thus, each Sephira is said to be feminine or passive as regards its predecessor, and masculine or active in respect to its successor.
(See Introduction, §§ 43 and 51.) The Mantuan Codex calls this the fifth conformation, and refers it to the idea of the ninth Sephira, Yesod, foundation.] 14.
His eye is ever open and sleepeth not, for it continually keepeth watch.
And the appearance of the lower is according to the aspect of the higher light.
(Were the eye to close (the directing thought Divine to be abstracted from the Sephiroth), the whole universe would give way, for its mainspring would be withdrawn.
Because the appearance (development) of the lower (nine Sephiroth) is according to (dependent on) the aspect (ruling thought) of the higher light (Kether, the first Sephira).
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.
The text states that 'the appearance of the lower is according to the aspect of the higher light', reflecting the as above so below principle.
Pronoia — the doctrine that the divine actively orders the unfolding of the cosmos and human affairs toward intelligible ends, against pure chance or blind necessity.
The divine eye 'continually keepeth watch' and the universe depends on this directing thought to avoid giving way.
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] It describes the flow of light from the Limitless One to the first Sephira as a potential limitation, indicating a hierarchical structure.
The human being as a small-scale image of the entire cosmos; the body, soul, and intellect mirroring the structure of the heavens and the divine — distinct from correspondence in that it makes the human the privileged mirror.
The description of Macroprosopus (Vast Countenance) with human features implies the divine archetype of the cosmic man.
Luria's doctrine of the divine self-contraction by which Ein Sof withdraws to make ontological room for a created world; creation as divine self-limitation rather than emanation outward.
The text describes Kether as the 'first potential limitation of the boundless light', conceptually aligning with divine self-contraction.