THEORICUS CD:
Guided Meditations for the Grade of Theoricus and Beyond
 
Yesod
Yesod, the ninth Sephirah, is the subtle basis on which the physical world is founded and is the lowest of the spheres that form a triad on the Qabalistic Tree of Life together with Hod and Netzach above it. It is known as “the Foundation,” because in its endless, constant ebb and flow, it guarantees the stability of Malkuth below it. According to both Madame Blavatsky and Eliphas Levi it is the astral realm, collecting and reflecting the energie from above, much as the Moon, to which it is assigned, reflects the Sun. The astral light is all-permeating and is a medium of extremely subtle matter that provides the universal reproductive force of nature. Yesod is the seat of the Qabalistic Nephesh and the subconscious. It is the link between the G’uph, the physical body and the Ruach. In the astral we move in a body of light and the astral light is sometimes referred to as the Anima Mundi – the Soul of the World.
Yesod is the Pure or Clear Intelligence of the Sepher Yetzirah through which the emanations of the higher spheres permeate down into Malkuth and our physical world. In this guided pathworking the student advances to the temple of Yesod, meeting the archangel Gabriel and encountering the four Kerubim of the elements Fire, Water, Air and Earth – the very constituents of our physical world in their ethreal forms.
 
The Thirty-First Path of Shin
The 31^st path leads from the Sephirah of Malkuth to that of Hod, linking and harmonizing the intellectual powers of the former with the corporeal energy of the latter.   The 31^st path is known as the “Perpetual Intelligence” and forms the connection between the body and the rational mind. It requires constant attention and care. The student advances closer to the object of his or her desire and in the process all imperfections are slowly burnt away by the purifying fire of Shin, which is the holy fire of the Divine.  Finally only the balanced and pure portions remain and the result is a kind of resurrection or rebirth where the various portions of the lower personality are exposed to study and evaluation by the logical mind.  In this stage of psychic awareness, the normal waking consciousness begins to accept that it is not isolated from the spiritual energies surrounding it. The student must learn to recognize what is rational and what is instinctive and develop the ability to balance experience with logic.
 
The letter of this path, Shin, is one of the three mother letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The path of Shin is sometimes called the path of rebirth and initiation. Shin is closely connected to fire and spirit, the burning away of dross to reveal the pure spirit.  The Tarot trump assigned to this path is Judgement, associated both with the Archangels Sandalphon and Metatron.
 
The Thirtieth Path of Resh
The 30^th path leads from the Sephirah of Yesod, the intuitive and imaginative astral world, as a conduit to that of Hod, the sphere of the rational mind. Also named the “Collecting Intelligence”, this path is that of increasing consciousness and serves to permit the student to collect and integrate all forms thereof, for use to aid his or her aspirations to the Higher. The path leads to the refinement of the lower personality of the student and culminates in balance between the imagination and the intellect.
 
The letter of this path, Resh, is also assigned to the element of fire and to the Sun, which as well is the Tarot trump with which it is associated.  The meaning of this double letter is “head”, suggesting that not just human but also divine consciousness is involved.  The Path of Resh is said to be the place where the initial communication with the so-called “Illuminated Masters” or inner planes contacts takes place and the gift of rejuvenation or regeneration is bestowed by the divine consciousness on it.
 
These guided meditations are narrated by Sandra “Tabatha” Cicero. They were first printed in the third edition of Israel Regardie’s book: A Garden of Pomegranates: Skrying on the Tree of Life (edited and annotated with new material by the Ciceros).