Does anyone have any information or insight on this blade - maybe if its meant to be used for a specific something for a specific tradition or whatnot - or the symbolism in its details? I'm very curious what the tassels represent or mean, and why they're red & yellow with a specific knot and a set of two tassels specifically. I find the "Made In China" print amusing, but the whole thing is an interesting design. Thanks!
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One of the most interesting aspects of any proposal to reform or restore esoteric correspondences is a question that is rarely asked explicitly: what happens when we try to work with them in practice?
In recent years I have devoted a significant part of my research to the study of the attribution of Tzaddi and its consequences for the structure of the Tree of Life, a subject I explore at length in "The Star in Aries". However, beyond textual, historical and kabbalistic analysis, one question remains open: if certain symbolic relationships have been correctly restored, should they produce observable effects in magical and contemplative work?
With this question in mind, we have embarked on a small practical experiment using the Genii of Liber XXII.
The Genii constitute a set of symbolic intelligences whose attributes present a complex network of astrological, zodiacal and kabbalistic relationships. Precisely for this reason, they offer a particularly interesting field of work for exploring how certain theoretical configurations manifest in practical experience.
The aim of the experiment is not to prove any preconceived theory. Nor is it intended to obtain ‘evidence’ in a strictly scientific sense. What we seek is something more modest, though equally valuable: to observe whether consistent patterns emerge when different practitioners work following a common ritual structure.
To this end, a simple methodology has been designed. Each participant undertakes a contemplative practice based on the corresponding sigil, using a structured visualisation and subsequently recording their impressions, perceived symbols, emotional content and any significant elements that arise during the practice.
The underlying question is particularly interesting. If certain symbolic relationships possess genuine internal coherence, one would expect certain images, themes or experiences to appear repeatedly among different participants. Conversely, if the correspondences are arbitrary or incorrect, the results would tend to be more scattered and less consistent.
Naturally, this type of work lies somewhere between symbolic research, the psychology of the imagination and esoteric practice. The results should therefore be interpreted with caution. We do not seek to confirm pre-existing beliefs, but rather to observe what happens when a theoretical hypothesis is transferred to the realm of experience.
As the experiment progresses, we will publish observations and reflections arising from the process.
Perhaps the most valuable outcome is not the confirmation of a specific theory, but the opening up of new avenues for studying esoteric correspondences from a more experiential and less purely speculative perspective.
After all, any symbolic system claims to describe something about reality. And if that claim is true, it should be possible to explore it not only through texts and diagrams, but also through practice.
The Star in Aries, available from 21 June, sets out the theoretical framework that has given rise to this line of research. (https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0H3FN8CGN)
No one with any real understanding would dispute the importance of transmission; we have inherited tools of extraordinary sophistication that remain highly relevant and accurate today: the Hermetic Qabalah, planetary attributions, the ritual architecture of the Golden Dawn, the vast geography of Enochian Magick, and the various Thelemic initiatory traditions constitute an invaluable repository of accumulated knowledge. Thanks to this lineage, we do not have to start from scratch every time we wish to tackle an operational problem. We have a common language, a shared symbolic grammar, and a vast network of empirical observations made by the Adepts who preceded us.