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The Kabbalah Unveiled · 14 of 16 · tr. S.L. MacGregor Mathers

Introduction, Section 1n

Furthermore, the circumstance of certain words being written defectively or redundantly is commented on in the Introduction, § 15. The term "square," or "square name." is sometimes applied to the Tetragrammaton. The p. 63 phrase "member of the treaty" probably alludes to the symbolism of circumcision. In this sense, I, Yod , in the path of Yesod, the ninth Sephira, has a symbolical phallic signification.) 43. I, Yod , therefore irradiateth two. (That is, the letter I, Yod , in this square of the Tetragrammaton hath a double sense of influx, forasmuch as in the first instance it signifieth the father who illuminateth the mother; and forasmuch as in the second instance it signifieth the Microprosopus, or rather his treaty, which illuminateth the kingdom.) And (again in another manner) it shineth (that is, and also hath a third signification, whilst in the complete name it constituteth the last letter), and passeth on into the woman. That is, and denoteth the bride of Microprosopus, as is shown above, because it is put in the place of the last H, He , of the Tetragrammaton IHVH; like as also it hath the same power of signification in the connection of the names of existence and domination in this manner, IAChD, VNHI.) 44. (Now he turneth to the last part of this square, which is I, Yod , alone, and saith), I, Yod , remaineth one and alone (in order that it may show that all flow out from the one single letter I, Yod , which is in the form of a point, yet partaking of three parts, concerning which see elsewhere; yet in this place denoting only the woman, or the kingdom, wherein are contained all the supernals.). [Yod at the end of the Tetragrammaton denotes the synthesis, the circular movement by which the end returns to the beginning. In the secret qabalistical alphabet known as the "celestial alphabet," Yod is represented by three circles at the angles of an equilateral triangle with the apex uppermost. Malkuth, the tenth Sephira, of course receives the influx of all the other Sephiroth (see Table showing the reception and transmission of the Sephiroth in the four worlds.] 45. And then (if now the Tetragrammaton be not considered in the manner just described, but in this manner of instituting the square, IHVI, IHV, IH, I, p. 64 then Yod also is in a certain sense solitary, but in a plainly contrary sense. For it ascendeth in its path upwards and upwards. (That is, it doth not so much receive the higher sense, in order that it may denote the beautiful path or the foundation; but the highest , that is, the father or the wisdom.) The woman is again hidden. (That is, in this instance, the former meaning by which it denoted the bride of Microprosopus, namely, the last letter of the above-written form of the Tetragrammaton, ceaseth in itself.) (This is in the converse manner. The letter I no longer signifies the bride when it ceases to be the final letter of a Tetragrammaton.] 46.
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Themes
Anthropomorphismtheology

Attributing human characteristics, emotions, or form to the divine; embodied divine imagery.

[auto] Attributes human characteristics like father, mother, bride, and phallic signification to divine entities.

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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.

Letters and names are shown to correspond to cosmic functions like father, mother, and kingdom.

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Covenanttheology

A binding agreement or relationship between the divine and a people or individual, establishing mutual obligations.

[auto] References the 'member of the treaty' alluding to circumcision symbolism.

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Divine Lighttheology

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

[auto] Uses terms like 'irradiateth', 'illuminateth', and 'shineth' to describe divine action.

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Divine Marriagesoteriology

The reunification of complementary divine principles (male-female, spirit-matter) as a symbol of wholeness and salvation.

[auto] Describes the relationship between Microprosopus and his bride, and the father illuminating the mother.

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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 influx and illumination flowing from higher principles (Father/Microprosopus) to lower ones (Mother/Kingdom).

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Hidden Sayingssoteriology

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

[auto] Explains symbolic and double meanings behind words written defectively or redundantly.

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Letter Meditationpraxis

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

[auto] Engages in contemplative analysis of Hebrew letters as cosmic symbols.

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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] The text focuses extensively on the letters Yod and He within the Tetragrammaton as carriers of meaning and creative power.

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Logoscosmology

The divine reason, word, or ordering principle through which the universe was created; mediates between the transcendent God and the material world.

The Tetragrammaton functions as the divine Word or ordering principle in this context.

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Microcosm Macrocosmcosmology

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 term Microprosopus is used to denote a divine aspect that mirrors or illuminates the kingdom.

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Numerical Mysticismtheology

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

References the 'ninth Sephira', indicating numerical significance in the divine structure.

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Permutation Of Letterspraxis

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

[auto] Discusses the placement and substitution of letters (Yod in place of He) within names.

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Return To Sourcesoteriology

The soul's journey back to its divine origin, reversing the fall into matter through stages of purification or illumination.

The passage describes a circular movement where the end returns to the beginning through the letter Yod.

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Ritual Puritypraxis

The maintenance of a state of cleanliness—physical, moral, or spiritual—required for encounter with the divine.

Alludes to circumcision symbolism which is tied to ritual purity and covenant status.

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Sacred Namestheology

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

[auto] Discusses the 'Tetragrammaton', 'square name', and 'complete name' as central divine formulas with ontological power.

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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] References specific Sephirot and paths, implying the structured Tree of Life system.

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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 ninth Sephira' and 'Yesod' as part of the divine structure.

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Spiritual Ascentpraxis

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

The text mentions the letter ascending in its path upwards towards the father or wisdom.

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