The shape of the figure I suggests the Phallus; this
chapter is therefore called the Sabbath of the Goat, the
Witches' Sabbath, in which the Phallus is adored.
The chapter begins with a repetition of O! referred
to in the previous chapter. It is explained that this triad
lives in Night, the Night of Pan, which is mystically
called N.O.X., and this O is identified with the O in
this word. N is the Tarot symbol, Death; and the X
or Cross is the sign of the Phallus. For a fuller commentary
on Nox, see Liber VII, Chapter I.
Nox adds to 210, which symbolises the reduction of
duality to unity, and thence to negativity, and is thus
a hieroglyph of the Great Work.
The word Pan is then explained, Π, the letter of
Mars, is a hieroglyph of two pillars, and therefore
suggest duality; Α, by its shape, is the pentagram,
energy, and Ν, by its Tarot attribution, is death.
Nox is then further explained, and it is shown that
the ultimate Trinity, O!, is supported, or fed, by the
process of death and begetting, which are the laws of
the universe.
The identity of these two is then explained.
The Student is then charged to understand the
spiritual importance of this physical procession in
line 5.
It is then asserted that the ultimate letter A has two
names, or phases, Life and Death.
Line 7 balances line 5. It will be noticed that the
phraseology of these two lines is so conceived that the
one contains the other more than itself.
Line 8 emphasises the importance of performing
both.
COMMENTARY (Α)
The shape of the figure I suggests the Phallus; this chapter is therefore called the Sabbath of the Goat, the Witches' Sabbath, in which the Phallus is adored.
The chapter begins with a repetition of O! referred to in the previous chapter. It is explained that this triad lives in Night, the Night of Pan, which is mystically called N.O.X., and this O is identified with the O in this word. N is the Tarot symbol, Death; and the X or Cross is the sign of the Phallus. For a fuller commentary on Nox, see Liber VII, Chapter I.
Nox adds to 210, which symbolises the reduction of duality to unity, and thence to negativity, and is thus a hieroglyph of the Great Work.
The word Pan is then explained, Π, the letter of Mars, is a hieroglyph of two pillars, and therefore suggest duality; Α, by its shape, is the pentagram, energy, and Ν, by its Tarot attribution, is death.
Nox is then further explained, and it is shown that the ultimate Trinity, O!, is supported, or fed, by the process of death and begetting, which are the laws of the universe.
The identity of these two is then explained.
The Student is then charged to understand the spiritual importance of this physical procession in line 5.
It is then asserted that the ultimate letter A has two names, or phases, Life and Death.
Line 7 balances line 5. It will be noticed that the phraseology of these two lines is so conceived that the one contains the other more than itself.
Line 8 emphasises the importance of performing both.