XIV - Temperance

 

Psalm 119 (113–120)

113 I hate vain Thoughts: but Thy Law Do I Love.

114 Thou Art My Hiding Place and My Shield: I Hope in Thy Word.

115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I Will Keep the Commandments of My God.

116 Uphold Me According Unto Thy Word, that I May Live: and Let Me Not be Ashamed of My Hope.

117 Hold Thou Me Up, and I Shall be Safe: and I Will have Respect unto Thy Statutes Continually.

118 Thou hast trodden down all them that Err from Thy Statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I Love Thy Testimonies.

120 My flesh trembleth for Fear of Thee; and I Am Afraid of Thy Judgments.

 

Samekh (ס)

 

The Kabbalistic Path of Samekh

On the Tree of Life, Samekh governs the Twenty-Fifth Path, ascending directly along the Middle Pillar from Yesod (Foundation/Astral Sphere) straight into Tiphareth (Beauty/Solar Consciousness). The Hebrew letter Samekh translates to a "Prop" or "Support." Esoterically, it is the firm pillar that sustains the Seeker during the Vertical Ascent across the lower astral currents. Astrologically attributed to Sagittarius, the sign of the Archer, Samekh Represents the Focused, Unwavering aim of the Soul Directing its Arrow Straight into the Supernal Heart of Divine Light.

 

The Arcana Symbolism - Temperance (XIV)

Temperance represents the alchemical operation of Solve et Coagula—the Continuous Purification, Blending, and Distillation of Vital Spiritual Energies into Harmonious Equilibrium.

 

The Winged Solar Angel

Standing in serene composure is an angelic figure with Vibrant Fiery-Red Wings, wearing a Flowing White Robe. On the forehead rests a golden circlet bearing a Radiant Solar Disk, marking the bearer as an Emissary of the Sun and the Higher Self.

 

The Breastplate Emblem

Over the Heart is a Golden Square enclosing an Upright Triangle. This Sacred Geometric Glyph Signifies the Trinity of Spirit active within the Fourfold material realm—the Fire of Divine Will Purifying the Manifest Vessel.

 

The Mingling of Dual Chalices

The angel holds two golden vessels, pouring an unbroken, crystalline stream of Living Water Upward and Downward between them without losing a single drop. This Continuous flow illustrates the Perpetual Interchange between Conscious and Subconscious Currents, Spirit and Matter, Active Fire and Receptive Water, blended into a singular Elixir of Life.

 

The Dual Grounding

The angel places one foot upon the dry, rocky shore and the other directly into the flowing river, Maintaining Perfect Poise between the material stability of earth and the fluid depths of the astral waters.

 

The Path to the Crowned Dawn

On the green bank bloom yellow irises, symbols of the rainbow messenger Iris and Divine Promise. Behind them, a winding path leads between mountain peaks toward a brilliant Golden Sun that rises like a Supernal Crown on the distant horizon, indicating the True Goal of the Middle Path.

 

The Alchemical Transmutation (Verses 113–120):

The octave of Samekh focuses intensely on the concept of Divine Sustainment and Support. In verse 114, the Psalmist declares: "Thou Art My Hiding Place and My Shield: I Hope in Thy Word." This protective enclosure mirrors the meaning of Samekh as the firm support that props up the Soul when lower astral illusions threaten to pull it down.

 

Verses 116 and 117 reiterate this central prayer: "Uphold Me According Unto Thy Word... Hold Thou Me Up, and I Shall be Safe." The Alchemical distillation of the self is made explicit in verse 119: "Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross." Through the Steady Pouring and Tempering of the Soul's Dual Currents, every Impure element is separated out, Refining the Consciousness so it can walk the narrow Middle Pillar straight into the Golden Dawn.