Qabalah: Discover Powerful Tools to Explore Practical Magic and the Tree of Life (Hay House Basics) - David Wells 2017

Tiphareth
The Sephiroth

This Sephira sits in the centre of the tree and is the balancing point. It’s where we first encounter the energy of the soul on the climb up from Malkuth. Of course, that also means it’s where the soul gives way for the personality on the way down!

Tiphareth sits on the pillar of equilibrium, the Middle Pillar, the middle way. This Sephira is a child to Kether, a king in Malkuth, and in its role as the Sephira of transmutation it’s where we meet the sacrificed gods, all those, from Odin to Christ, who give so that others can benefit. It’s where we meet the God-force incarnate, the gods who meet an untimely sacrificial end to take the karmic conditions, pain and troubles from humanity, and it’s where they also rise again.

Here you’re asked what you’re prepared to give up to fulfil your higher calling, to take responsibility for yourself rather than expect others to do it for you.

The four Sephira below, Netzach, Hod, Yesod and Malkuth, have shown you the personality issues you are encountering.

Now it’s time to embark upon the journey to the higher self by placing yourself in Tiphareth and making a connection with your soul by formally acknowledging its presence and clearing your vision and hearing so you can take onboard the messages from your true will.

Are you ready? This is your own inner voice speaking. It’s not guides or astral beings, it’s not the direction of anyone other than your own higher self, your own soul, and it’s very important to remember that. Thy will be done.

This balancing-point is one of my favourite Sephira. It’s very, very special to me and I hope it will be to you. As you look at the Tree, you can see that it can be entirely turned around on this axis, so it’s not only about balancing severity and mercy, but about balancing lower and higher Sephiroth, too. What a magnificent piece of design!

If you consider what’s happening here, you could see it as the point of incarnation, as this is where the soul joins the personality. Even though the path, the Universe path, from Yesod to Malkuth, is sometimes seen as that point, perhaps it’s easier to consider that as physical birth and this as the acceptance of the soul — its agreement to come into this world with all it has learned from its many lives and karmic conditions, and its divinity, grace, understanding and wisdom. In Tiphareth you will find your shining self, your higher self, the mediator between the higher realms and yourself, all in the title!

Ego can step in here, with the assumption that you are now a mighty being of power and glory and can command the lower realms to manifest anything you desire. If it’s solely about what you desire, it’s ego. The higher self is concerned with the harmony and wellbeing of others, even if that means sacrifice. The vice of Tiphareth, as we’ll see later, is false pride.

The higher realms

As you climb the Tree, you’ll feel the difference in the higher realms. This is where you really do get that first initiation into a great shift in your energy. Sometimes this can test friendships, amongst other things. It’s something I experienced and choices had to be made. If you encounter it, you must do what you feel is right.

This is the Sephira associated with the Christ energy and perhaps that may be uncomfortable for some, but every faith is represented on the Tree, as it recognizes the simple fact that they are all from the same source. Some faiths identify more with Kether, some with Yesod, while others look to the green worlds of Netzach for the beauty of Earth magic, Wicca and paganism.

This is also the Sephira of illumination, where you see the glory of the upper realms and your conscious mind catches images of the truth of your soul and how magnificently beautiful it is. It’s where you are crowned as having sought out the truth of your soul and found it, and believe me when I say the light within you changes.

You also begin to understand your own energy more, how perhaps it’s depleted because you’re not getting back as much as you put in and, as odd as it may seem in such a sacred space, that could also be highlighted through the exchange of gold, through money, which is an energy of course. There must be fair exchange and Tiphareth can highlight where there is not.

It’s a place of great healing, of love and also of sacrifice, for what greater love can you show for another than giving something up so that they can blossom? It’s not a pre-requisite, before you panic; it’s simply that soul energy is usually experienced in the act of helping others, be that sacrificial or not. Who or what would you sacrifice everything for?

The keyword, ’Beauty’, reminds you there is beauty in everything if you look for it. Sometimes you do have to look very hard, but it’s there, and in seeing it, you will have reflected it back into even the darkest heart.

You may have heard the expression ’soul decision’. This is where those are made, and seeing the beauty in everything is what will help you make them.

This is also a place where your soul learns from those who have gone before. You may experience the feeling that ’someone’ is watching over you or that a specific piece of knowledge is being put your way. Teachers often appear, both Earthly and spiritual.

Angels

The archangel is Raphael, but sometimes people see Michael too. Raphael is renowned for his healing qualities, so it makes sense that he is here, and of course the fiery Michael suits the element of Fire in this temple. Michael is also a healer; he deals more with deep-rooted injury than Raphael. In the upcoming meditation you will see Raphael, but trust and if you see Michael, then so be it!

The angelic force of Tiphareth is the Malachim, the kings. Amongst other things, they are seen as the great elemental kings you met in Malkuth on a higher level, as keepers of the balance between the solar systems of the universe. Perhaps they also balance the worlds of the higher Sephiroth with those of the lower?

Astrology

The Sun governs Tiphareth and it’s easy to link this planet, strictly speaking a luminary, with the experience of this Sephira. Here you are reaching for your higher good, the part of you that wants to act from as high a level as you can, and when the Sun shines down on you, you feel good. When you act from your soul level, you feel great!

This balancing-point is a wonderful space to be in. When was the last time you felt so balanced?

Vices and virtues

The vice of Tiphareth is false pride. You’ve already seen that it has its roots in ego. There’s nothing wrong with taking pride in your work and what you’ve achieved — you absolutely should — but in attaining great things, you should also share great things. Energy exchange means giving and receiving in balance.

The virtue is devotion to the Great Work — reaching for something higher, and helping others do the same perhaps? For me, this devotion, this virtue, is something that burns in my chest when it needs to remind me to take the higher road. What’s right may not be what your personality or ego wants to hear, but there you have it!

Tarot cards

The Tarot cards are the four sixes:

· Six of Wands: Lord of Victory. Having passed through a tough training course, you have gained a victory, reached a point of ascension.

· Six of Cups: Lord of Pleasure. Entering into pleasure with an open heart, you are willing to receive the blessings ahead.

· Six of Swords: Lord of Science. Clarity comes to a difficult decision, as you now see things clearly.

· Six of Disks: Lord of Success. Abundance comes to you — more than you need, so remember to pass some on.

Visiting Tiphareth

To help you when you visit Tiphareth, find a way to balance your chakra system other than through the meditation. You can find chakra balancings through crystal energy, colour energy or perhaps sound therapy? For me sound therapy is astounding, for others not so much. Find what works for you.

Correspondences

· Keyword: Beauty

· Number: Six

· Archangel(s): Raphael/Michael

· Order of angels: Malachim

· Planet: The Sun

· Virtue: Devotion to the Great Work

· Vice: False pride

· Gods/goddesses: Adonis, Apollo, Helios, Krishna, Ra, Vishnu

· Colour: Yellow

· Crystals: Citrine, topaz, yellow diamond

· Incense: Frankincense

· Body part: Breast

· Tarot cards: The sixes

Exercise: The Temple of Tiphareth

Don’t forget to dress your altar and to use the incense associated with this Sephira, frankincense. Take a Tarot card before your meditation.

Perform your protection and energy work. Create your sacred and beautiful space according to your own divine creativity.

Ask your guides, Archangel Raphael or Michael and the divine beings of Tiphareth to assist you.

Use your 4-2-4-2 breathing or any technique you’re comfortable with to count yourself down into a meditative state of being.

· Allow the material world to melt away and replace it with the temple forest. See it, feel it, be in it completely.

· Once you’re in the garden, in the clearing, see your Tree. This time it will be a citrine crystal that breaks free from the shifting, sparkling branches of the Tree of Life.

· As you stand in the garden, consider your thoughts on Tiphareth, on sacrifice for the good of others, on what it means to work with your higher self and how to bring all that into your life.

· The citrine will spin until it stands before you as a ball of yellow light tinged with golden flecks. Use the symbol for the Sun to enter the sphere.

· As you do so, you feel radiant yourself, full of that beautiful golden light.

· Feel balanced, at peace. Walk forward, communing with any beings that come your way in this, your Tiphareth experience.

· As you reach the garden of Tiphareth, you will see the temple. Perhaps it’s a great cathedral, perhaps it’s a six-sided open-air temple of simple beauty?

· From the temple, your chosen archangel, Michael or Raphael, comes towards you. He has a message for you. You may also see one of the many sacrificed gods, a child, a king or a majestic lion.

· Ask them how you can use the energy of Tiphareth in your life in the here and now for the highest good of others and yourself. How can you use sacrifice, harmony and balance?

· Feel the golden radiance of this space and the beings here. Now see how you too are vibrating with that energy.

· You will be offered a gift and in return you offer yours; a commitment to use the energy of Tiphareth through its virtue of devotion to the Great Work and to avoid its vice, false pride.

· When you’re ready, return to the yellow citrine sphere and back into the temple forest and watch as the citrine returns to the Tree.

· Return to your normal surroundings and close your meditation down.

Make notes in preparation for your consolidation of Tiphareth and when you’re ready eat and drink. Take a Tarot card.

Tiphareth consoliation

’The important thing is this: to be able, at any moment, to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.’

MAHARISHI MAHESH YOGI

’I have a dream…’

Remind yourself of the dream you stated in Malkuth.

Astrology

Look at the Sun in your chart. What does it tell you about your will? Look at the position, sign and aspects.

Tarot cards

· Going into the temple: Card

· Coming out of the temple: Card

· Consolidating the temple: Card

The route the cards are taking

A short analysis of what the cards tell you.

Analysis of the temple visualization

How you felt, what you saw, what the symbols mean to you.

How it has manifested in your life

How has it presented itself in your life here on Earth? What have you noticed that you missed before? What do you want to change?

Moving forward, I commit to…’

Make a commitment to making those changes happen.