Ritual Protocol for The Wyoming Valley Society for Esoteric Studies Page 1 of 9

Ritual Protocol for The Wyoming Valley

Society for Esoteric Studies
P.O. Box 2920, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18703-2920

Mark Stavish, M.A.

Copyright 1998 Mark Stavish

3 May 1998

The Purpose of Ritual

The Wyoming Valley Society for Esoteric Studies is a teaching organization that respects the
freedom of its members. As such, the rituals used represent a collective act of worship using
the same personal rituals of magic on a group level. The Society offers no initiations, makes no
attempt to create or form an egregore, or creates rituals secret and private to it. All that the
Society does can be found in the standard works on British and Continental esotericism.

Through group work, the proper conditions can be created, wherein each participant receives
Light and Illumination according to their ability and need. Thus, true, or interior initiation[1]
can be achieved, free from the problems of a formal and highly structured lodge setting.

This distinction is important, as it is the only thing that really distinguishes the Society as a
teaching organization, from esoteric lodges which are by definition initiatic. “A lodge, in the
present context, is a group of people that come together to prepare and perform initiations. An
initiation can be seen as a formal process for bringing about specific long-term changes in
human consciousness.”[2]

The purpose of ritual is to create a dramatic and emotional climate wherein the dry symbolism
of occultism can come to life. Through color, sound, movement, and imagination, symbolism
takes on a meaningful existence and becomes a living language of the soul. In short, symbolism
without ritual is like learning a foreign language without moving your lips. You can learn to
read it, and communicate to some degree, but fluency and direct experience will escape you.

It is important to note, that ritual is only a means to an end, and not an end in itself. Once the
proper inner state is established, and the work of spiritual repair completed in a particular
area, rituals will no longer be needed, as they will be replaced with direct experience. The true
adept has no need of ritual, as can be seen in the works of Christ, Boehme, St. Martin, and
many others, known and unknown.

Thus, the purpose of ritual, as applied in the Society, can be summarized as the following:

1. To learn the basic structure of ritual and its proper application for personal use.

2. To increase the understanding and ‘fluency’ in the use of symbols.

3. To contribute to the collective unfoldment of group members, for greater efficiency, in their
personal work.

4. To create psychic and emotional conditions wherein heightened states of awareness are
experienced, or interior initiation.

5. To use ritual as a means to achieve personal repair, so that they themselves become obsolete,
and are replaced by direct experience.

Thus, individual and group work are not seen as distinct, but instead, complimentary. By using

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the same rituals in both settings, members are able to become better at them on both a
personal and collective level. Experiences from group work may be taken home and stimulate a
new level of activity, and vice versa.

To establish a proper atmosphere and maximize our time together, the following protocol has
been established for members of the Society and visiting guests. Please read the following
material and adhere to it as strictly as possible.

Preparation

Prior to the beginning of ritual, and while robing, please keep all chatter and conversation to a
minimum. Focus on the intention of the upcoming ritual, if it is something special and
announced in advance, or simply focus in the meaning of the Great Work and ask that the
event to follow assist you in your unfoldment. The period of time while robing should be one of
silent meditation, prayer, and reflection.

While specific robing prayers exist[3] and will be supplied, they need not be used dogmatically.
The nature and intention of taking the time between lecture and ritual to move from a more
mundane state of consciousness, to a more focused and inner state is what is important. Our
ritual robes and tools are to help us make this transition.

Dress

No one should be wearing any jewelry during ritual, except something consecrated to the work,
such as a Rose+Cross, ank, or something similar. Please remove all metal from your pockets as
well, such as keys, and coins. Metal should be minimized in the ritual circle[4]. Beepers, and
watches with alarms, must be turned off while in ritual.

If possible, all members should be robed in white robes with hoods and black cords. The hoods
[5] are worn up while in ritual and are symbolic of the fading of the personality, and the
anonymity. Soft, neutral colored shoes should be worn if possible.

There is no limitations on what you can wear in ritual, so long as it is covered by a robe.
Appropriate dress is requested for the lecture portion of the program.

Perfume and cologne should be used sparingly so as to not conflict with any incense being
used.

Starting the Ritual

Once the ritual area is established, and the altar set, no one should enter the circle before the
announced time. This time can be established by a gong, bell, rapping with a mallet, or pole, or
a verbal announcement by the officers.

All members will enter by the Northwest corner in single file. Those with the most ritualistic
and/or esoteric experience, and visiting dignitaries will sit in the Southeast corner; those with
the least, opposite in the Northeastcorner. Presiding Officers will enter after the members, also
in single file, circle around the alter once, and ‘peel off’ to their stations. All movements, except
for the circumabulations[6], are to be at right angles.

Movement at right angles is symbolic of the ‘squaring off’ or making clean and straight the
elements of the personality and character so that it might better reflect the ‘rightness’ of
Cosmic, or Divine, Consciousness. The circle represents the movement of Divine energy back
towards itself (see the symbol of the Orobourus), as well as the unseen spiral of force that is
constantly moving energy into and out of being. Circumabulation is a very potent means of
quickly bringing energy into a ritual area, as well as a means of releasing it. Since the energy
being directed is concentrated around the altar, it is the altar then, that becomes the focal point
of the circumabulations by participants.

The Officers will enter in the following manner: North, West, South, East, and presiding
Master/Adept/Hierophant.

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This combination of the traditional Egyptian rectangular temple plan, as used in Masonic and
Rosicrucian societies, and the magical circle seems to appear for the first time in the Hermetic
Order of the Golden Dawn and is perpetuated by its successor organizations.

Traditionally three passes, or circumabulations are made in the ritual circle, although more
can, and are often made. However the number should be chosen ahead of time, and have a
symbolic significance. Three is used because that is the number of coils in the ‘dragon’ or
‘serpent’ of ancient lore. Long the traditional symbol of the ‘secret’ or ‘hidden fire’, the serpent
is unraveled and made to ‘stand straight’.[7] This symbol of the Serpent on the forehead of the
crowns, symbolic of awakened Divine Consciousness, of the Egyptian Pharaohs has been
preserved in the magical crown of some magical orders.

When making the circular passes around the circle, or altar, it is customary to imagine oneself
being elevated, as well as a counter-spiral of light being pulled down into the circle and being
anchored at the central focus point of the altar. Thus, two spirals are in motion, that of the
participants who seek to elevate themselves, and that of the counter flux of energy, being
drawn down, to make itself manifest.[8]

One of the finest examples of this three coiled symbolism of the serpent in a ritual circle can be
found in The Book of the Goetia,[9] in which the various Divine Names are written around the
circle in the shape of a serpent. The labyrinths in old cathedrals, such as Chartres, are also
good examples of mystical contemplative practices using coils as a means of accessing inner
states.

“The Egyptian initiates were called scarabs; these insects apparently push along their eggs,
which contain their own regeneration. The path of this alchemist is a double spiral,
representing the alchemist’s alternate dissolution and coagulation, the expansion and
contraction of the spherical vortex, and the phases of the subtle energies. ‘The spiral progress if
the mundane spirit’ passes from his source through all the planetary spheres (or psychic
centers) to arrive perfected at the centre; from there he expands, sees the centre from the
‘outside’, and spirals unto the upper world, back to his divine source. (The key to alchemy
according to the Egyptians, from Athanasius Kircher’s Oedipus Aegyptiacus, Germany, 1652-
54)[10]

Since the magicians in personal as well a collective practice often identify themselves with their
patron god Thoth-Hermes[11], it is interesting to note that Hermes is called in one magical
Exordium, “The Piercing of the Coils of the Stooping Dragon.”[12]

The Officers

The officers in the temple represent the mediating forces of certain energies. While in private
work, each must mediate all of the energies of the ritual, in group work, specific patterns are
allocated to each person. General group members not given a specific energy to mediate, may
participate at appropriate times of the ritual, as designated by the presiding
Master/Adept/Heirophant.

The East

The Master generally sits in the East. When this is not permissible however, the Second Adept
or Deputy Master will sit there. Thus, it is not uncommon for two (or three) chairs to be place
in the East. If three chairs are used, the Master will sit in the Southeast one, the Deputy Master
in the Northeast one. When the Master begins the ritual, the deputy Master will move to the
central chair, directly in the Eastern Quarter.

The East represents the Elemental Air, and the powers of the mind and intellect. It helps give
us clarity of vision and purpose. As such, the Officer of the Eastern Quarter needs to build up
and image of a brilliant yellow pentagram behind them. It is circles with stone tracery (to
contain the energy, and act as a literal gateway). The sense of and feeling of air in springtime is
strong, and the colors of a sunrise, or sunset (yellow, with violet highlights) is imagined. A
perpetual soft, warm breeze should be felt. Its kerubic sign is Aquarius, and is imagined in
violet.

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The archangel is Raphael, and is imagined in robes of the foregoing colors, with massive
sweeping wings, and a staff[13] before him[14]. The image is imagined as standing behind the
Officer, coming out from the other side of the pentagram, to assist in the ritual.

Later on, when experience in attained, each Officer must use the technique of “Assumption of
the Godform” to experience the ritual from the perspective of the Archangel. That is, not just
call the energy and assist it, but become it, and its representative form.

The South

The South is the realm of Fire, and represents the purifying Element in nature. It is the most
potent of all of the Elements, and through it, mastery of the other three is achieved. It is
dynamic force and purification, and as such, is often seen as the Inner Guardian of the Temple.
If there are enough members, and a second chair is used, then that chair is occupied by an
Officer designated as Inner Guardian, or Warden.[15] There purpose is to ensure that the
Temple and altar are not defiled in any manner. However, most cases, only one Officer will be
needed, and can combine the roles.

The image created by the Officer of the Southern Quarter is done in the same fashion as the
east, only the Pentagram flashes to brilliant cherry red, and the complimentary color for the
kerubic sign is green. The image is one of intense heat, brilliance, and flame. Oranges, reds,
and traces of yellow, and green, dominate the scene. Mikael, the Archangel of the Quarter is
massive, and wears a robe of matching color. He bears a Sword, point down, and if you like,
dominating a winged dragon, serpent, or Ouroborous[16]. The South is summer, and the heat
it radiates should approximate the feeling of being exposed to the sun at its most intense time
on a summer day.

As with the East, the archangel is seen as standing behind the Officer, coming our of the world
behind the Pentagram, to assist with the ritual, and overshadows the Officer of the Quarter.
Later on, the Officer must take on the perception of Michael.

The West

The West is our psychic and emotional nature, and has an affinity for physical water as well.
The Quarter is often seen as passive, or feminine, but in reality is androgynous, and every one
must take their turns at all four quarters to be balanced in the Work.

The Pentagram changes to brilliant blue, and the sense of a waterfall, a running stream, clear,
clean, crisp, refreshing water is what is imagined. The sense of this being a reflection of our
psyche and a means to peer into our ‘watery’ unconscious is present here. Gabriel is imagined
as a vast figure, with massive wings, dressed in robes of blue, and a hint of violet, with orange
highlites. These are also the colors of the watery world of the Western Quarter. Gabriel holds a
chalice, sometimes silver, typical of ‘grail’ chalices, that ever overflows with the psychic waters
of life.

The kerubic sign of the West is the Eagle’s head of Scorpio, and is imagined in brilliant orange.
This is Autumn period of the circle.

The North

The North is solidity, stability, fecundity, and fertility. It is among the most complex of the four
Elements, and even has a hidden, or ‘secret fire’ (kundalini) aspect to it. The solidity of Earth
gives fruit and manifestation to our esoteric activities and anchors us so that we can access
greater energy from the Invisible. The stronger, deeper, and broader our foundation, the
greater the heights of our Work.

The Officer of the Northern Quarter is to imagine a brilliant green pentagram, when the
charging occurs. The kerubic sign of Taurus is imagined in the center of the pentagram in red.
The colors of the North are varied according to the different schools, as are the symbols
associated with it. Dark greens, earth tones, the color of wheat, are all what are used in the
North. It is felt as a strong, slow, moving mass of matter, and imagined as a great fertile field of
all human activity. The joy of life, along with the stability of life, are part of this realm. This is

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the final quarter, or Winter phase of the circle when it is used to represent the seasons of the
terrestrial year according to European tradition.[17]

Auriel is imagined in matching robes, with a sheaf of wheat at her feet, and holding a disk of
earth. This is to be imagined as a circular shield, reflective like a mirror, with a Star of David
[18] engraved on it. Just as Water reflects out inner state, the Earth reflects out inner state, as
made manifest in the outer world.

The Pentagrams are to be imagined as being connected with a brilliant bluish-white line,
forming a circle, which for some, seems to fade into a sense of their being a bluish-grey wall, or
curtain around the area of working, when the preliminaries are complete.

It should be noted that some schools eschew all forms of anthropomorphism and instead
imagine the Archangels of as vast and intelligent fields of Elemental imagery. Others see them
as towering crosses formed of the Hebrew letters of their names (see: handouts for an example
of this). The latter technique tends to bring in a more pure Elemental energy, as it is less
associated with our ‘human’ preferences.[19]

Kerubic signs represent the protective aspects of the fixed zodiacal signs in their Elemental
attributes. All of the signs given are ‘fixed’, or steady and unchanging in astrological language.
The Kerbubs are the guardians of the Tree of Life in the Biblical Garden of Eden, and prevent
any unworthy, or unprepared beings, from attempting to return to Unity prematurely. In this
sense, they act as Guardians on the focal points of our circle (and psyche), and assist us in
traversing from the visible realm of Malkooth to the invisible world of Yesod.

“The Kerubim, “the Strong Ones,” are the living Powers of Tetragrammaton (YHVH) on the
Material Plane and the Presidents of the four Elements. They operate through the Fixed of
Kerubic Signs of the Zodiac.”[20]

The Altar

The altar is placed directly in the center, or slightly East of center (so the Master is directly
center) of the circle. It is considered ‘dressed’ or ready for use when it is in this position, and
nothing should be placed on it that is not needed for the ritual at hand. An altar can be
‘dressed’ but if not ready for immediate use, set slightly askew, or have the candles off center,
so at to be not ‘on’ if you will. When the altar is placed in the center, and candles returned to
their normal position, it will be like flipping the switch of an electric lamp and setting the
current in motion. This is most important in rooms used exclusively for ritual work.

The altar is dressed in white, with two candles, and will have the needed tools placed upon it as
we progress through the course.

It is not uncommon in Continental esotericism to have two altars, one in the center, the Cubic
Altar,[21] and the other to the East, or Table of Sacrifice, identical to the old Catholic
Churches.

Candles will be lit prior to and/or during the ritual, and are to be snuffed or pinched out at the
end. They are never to be blown out, as such is considered sacrilegious, and symbolic of the
‘snuffing out’ of the Light. During the ritual act of excommunication, the symbols of Bell, Book,
and Candle are used. The Bell announces the exclusion of the fellow from the Church; the Book
(Bible) is shut, signifying the silence of God’s Word; and the Candle is blown out, to show that
they are beyond God’s light and in the grips of Darkness. As such, a snuffer or the fingers are
used to extinguish (i.e. transmute) the flame.

The Working Tools or Weapons of Magic

The principle ceremonial tools used in magic are the Elemental Tools, also known as Weapons,
which correspond to the Four Quarters and their associated powers, attributes, and qualities.
While these tools technically belong to the Adeptus Minor grade of most esoteric orders that
use them, they are explained here since they may be seen occasionally in some rituals.

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However, in the curriculum of the Society, they will not be made or consecrated for use until
the third year. The reason for this is simple: while the weapons, or tools, could be made early
on, the students understanding of them at that point would be limited. As such, these
limitations would show up in the construction and use of the tools, resulting in the need to
make new ones later on, or to re-consecrate them as their skills developed to the appropriate
level.

The necessary rituals used in their consecration require about three years of work prior to their
use in this context.[22] After their creation they are generally wrapped in silk (colors matching
their Elemental affinity) when not in use. They are also never to be touched by anyone other
than the student who created and uses them, or to be seen by the ‘profane’, or someone who is
not a student of the Great Work.

The Dagger- Reason and intellect. The application of the mind to carve and etch the magic
figures and sigils which give us a means of entering into the Invisible, or for it to become visible
to us in the world of Duality.

The Wand - This is the human will, which seeks to unite with the Divine Will. It is the means
by which all magic is accomplished and the Great Work achieved. “The Magickal Will is in
essence twofold, for it presupposes a beginning and an end; to Will to be a thing is to admit
that you are not that thing.[23]”

The Cup - Our human understanding, emotions, and reflective qualities. “As the Magick Wand
is the Will, the Wisdom, the Word (Creative power) of the Magician, so is the Magick Cup his
Understanding.[24]” It is ‘the vehicle of Grace’.[25]

The Pantacle (or Disk) - This is the body of the Adept, and the material world in which they
live. It is the earthly expression of attainment, and the symbol of perfection - the Great Work
achieved - “..and the Pantacle shall be his body, the Temple of the Holy Ghost.”[26]

Also used are, the Bell, Book (Holy Scripture), Sword, Great Wand, Holy Oil, Holy Water,
Incense, Triangle of Art (or Evocation), Lamen (or Rose+Cross). Other tools may also be
employed, but these constitute the basic and most fundamental ones for beginning and
advanced works.

It is important to note, that depending on the intention and symbols applied to the Elemental
Quarters, the basic Pentagram rituals can be used as either means of opening our vision to the
hidden ‘etheric/astral’ world immediately behind our material one (i.e. Elemental), or they can
take on the roles of the lower spheres of the Tree of Life[27], and become a means of entering
and mastering the Qabalistic World of Yetzirah.[28]

Generalities of Ritual

Each ritual will consist of:

1. An Opening, or general banishing.

2. An invocation.
3. A meditation.
4. A Closing, or release of the powers invoked.

While in ritual, all members will be able to perform the following:

1. Foursquare breathing
2. The Qabalistic Cross
3. Invocation of Divine Names at the Quarters
4. Assist in the construction of the Archangels at the Quarters.
5. Invocation of Names for the general meditation, as well as actively visualize the subject
of the meditation.
6. Assist in the ‘winding down’ of the energy via visualization.

The degree of participation will increase over time as the nature of the rituals being performed

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changes slightly. For the first year, familiarity is being developed, and the fundamental Lesser
Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram forms the basis for our work. In the second year, the
Supreme Ritual of the Pentagram is introduced, along with the Hexagram rituals. In the third
year, “Opening by Watchtower”, in both its basic and advanced forms, form the basis of the
work.

The Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram is used to purify and strengthen the aura while teaching
the basics of ritual. The Supreme Ritual of the Pentagram is used to introduce the most basic
concepts of Enochian magic, while giving the student a means to act powerfully on a single
Element (i.e. Earth, Air, Water, Fire, or Spirit) if they chose. The Hexegram Rituals allow for a
clearing of unwanted ‘planetary’ or psychic energies of a specific nature, as well as to invoke
them and make them a potent part of our daily consciousness. Opening by Watchtower allows
for the harmonization of the Elements on a higher level, as well as opening the means for a
personal initiation into Tiphareth, or the first genuine level of adepthood (Adeptus Minor).
This last ritual is a progressive one, that entails learning all of the previous rituals by heart, and
working through them in single collective rite. In addition, the energy contacted in this ritual is
brought in according to the order of creation as outlined in the Sepher Yetzirah, or the Hebrew
“Book of Creation”, and not the usual “Elemental” manner of the earlier rites.

All of the above rituals can be found in modified form in John-Micheal Greer’s Circles of
Power. The originals are in Regardie’s Golden Dawn, the Cicero’s Self-Initiation into the
Golden Dawn Tradition, and their Secrets of a Golden Dawn Temple.

It is often considered ‘poor magic’ to make known the exact nature of a groups rituals.
However, such secrecy is often for reasons less than noble. The Society feels that openness will
attract the right people to its fold, and that it is a greater guarantee of success than any occult
benefits derived from secrecy.

[1] Those wishing more information on methods of interior initation and general esotericism
are urged to contact The Philosophers of Nature (PON) and subscribe to their Fundamentals
of Esoteric Knowledge Course, and the forthcoming, Advanced Esoterics Course. PON may be
contacted at: 125 West Front Street, Wheaton, Ill. 60187. Phone: 630. 682.3938, Fax:
630.665.2364. Email: pon@mcs.com, or http://www.mcs.net/~alchemy/

[2] “The Hall of Thmaa” by John Michael-Greer, The Golden Dawn Journal, The Art of
Hermes, Book Three, edited by Chic and Sandra Cicero. Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul,
MN.1995. p. 124.

[3] Robing is considered “putting on the armor of God” and is to be done silently. For examples
of prayers, see: The Ritual Magic Workbook by Delores Ashcroft-Nowicki (Aquarian Press)
and, The Martinist Tradition Vol.1, by Rene Cossey ( Int. College of Martinist Studies,
Worthing, Barbados, West Indies)

[4] The energy acts much like static electricity, and is attracted to metal points, thus dispersing
the concentrated core or vortex, ritual activity seeks to develop.

[5] In French schools of Martinism, the hood is replaced with a mask, and the robes are
(Catholic)clerical in design.

[6] Members may also be asked to circumabulate the altar as well. Such is common in modern
magical and wiccan circles, but less so in other Hermetic schools, particularly those using an
“Egyptian style” (square) Temple layout.

[7] See when Moses ‘raised up the Serpent of Brass’ in the Old Testament. This symbol belongs
to the 4=7 (Philosophus) Degree of the Golden Dawn, and is symbolic of the ‘awakening of
Kundalini’ (i.e., Secret Fire, in Western Esoteric Practices). See also: The Secret Fire:
Kundalini in Qabalistic and Alchemical Practices by Mark Stavish, M.A., available from The
Philosophers of Nature (PON).

[8] For more information on the spiral in art, esotericism, and symbolism see: The Mystic

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Spiral by Jill Purce. Thames and Hudson, New York, NY. 1974.

[9] Edited by Aliester Crowley, 1904. A copy can be seen in Art and Symbols of the Occult,
Images of Power and Wisdom by James Wasserman. Destiny Books, Rochester, VT 1993. P.
70.

[10] Purce, commentary, Plate 43.

[11] Thoth is also associated with the Greek Hermes; Roman Mercury; Jewish Enoch; the
Archangel Michael; and the Christian Saint James, the patron saint of alchemists and
physicians.

[12] See: Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Z.1 Document, General Exordium.

[13] Some interchange the tools of East and South, ie. The Staff and the Sword.

[14] In truth, the Archangelic energies are androgynous. Tradition makes the East and South
active or ‘male’, and the West and North passive, or ‘female’.

[15] For more information on the various Officers and their ritualistic functions see Greer’s
article.

[16] This is symbol is of more interest to those working alchemy as well, but appropriate. If
used, the orobourus is green and red in color, representing phases of the Great Work, of which
Michael is a useful friend.

[17] This is important to note, since other regions of the world often have only two or three
seasons: dry and wet. The Sepher Yetzirah lists only three for the Middle East.

[18] Some use a disk with a Pentagram on it.

[19] The technique of imagining the archangels seems to have its origins in the Golden Dawn,
as it is absent in Martinism, Rosicrucianism, Franz Bardon, or any of the Renaissance
materials.

[20] Self-Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition by Chic and Sandra Cicero. Llewellyn
Publications, St. Paul, MN. 1995. P.149.

[21] It is stated that a triangular altar was introduced into Rosicrucianism in the 18th century
by French Illuminists. One such example exist and is of black marble, highly suggestive of
Binah and the “Triangle of Art”. This form of altar became known in modern circles as the
‘shekinah’ or ‘presence of God in the midsts’. See: A Rosicrucian Notebook by Willy Schro(e)
dter, Weiser; and, The Rosicrucian Manual, by AMORC, San Jose, California.

[22] For more information on magical tools see: The Golden Dawn by Isreal Regardie; Magick-
Book Four by Aleister Crowley; and Mysteria Magica vol. 3, The Magical Philosophy by Melita
Denning and Osborne Phillips.

[23] Crowely, p. 62

[24] Magick: Book Four by Aliester Crowley, Second Revised Edition, (Wieser)p. 73.

[25] Ibid, p. 95.

[26] Ibid.

[27] This is done by using the “Great Names” of the quarters (see: The Golden Dawn), wherein
the East becomes Tiphareth, the South becomes Netzach, West is Yesod, and the North
becomes Hod. The center point of the circle is the mediating point on the Tree of Life of all of

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these spheres, or the crossing point of the Paths of Samehk and Peh. Here, the Pentagrams
used would be either all four (thus corresponding the Elemental attributes of the sphere, with
Hod giving mastery over matter); or, only one Elemental Pentagram could be used. If Air is
used, a more intellectual and mental feeling of the spheres would be experienced
(corresponding to Briah, the World of Air). If Fire is used the experience is more dynamic and
purifying (Atzilooth, the World of Fire). Water is an emotive, empathic, psychic response
(Yetzirah, the World of Water). Earth is more concrete and material, reflecting our inner state
in the outer world (Assiah, the World of Action, or form). A cautionary note: both Fire and
Water are ‘emotional’ Elements. Water is more passive and reflects our sensitivity towards
others and the environment, our ‘psychic nature’. Fire is our inner drive expressed outward,
and our emotional desire for spiritual purity, and mastery of a topic or situation.

[28] The World of Yetzirah is the Qabalistic equivalent of the ‘astral world’.

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