THE FOURTH or Practicus KNOWLEDGE LECTURE

To be studied in the Grade of Practicus (3=8). Aspirants will be tested on their knowledge of the following material, which must be committed to memory.

see also: the Curriculum for more information

Numbers and Lineal (2D Figures of the Planets

Draw the following figures on the tree of life

The Cup of the Stolistes	The Symbol of Mercury

What is a Magical Square?

A two dimensional array of integers arranged so the sum of each row and column is equal to the same value.

Examples:

How are they related to the planets?

The dimensions of the matrix is defined by the numeric attribution of the planet (i.e. Saturn is 3 X 3, the Moon is 9 X 9, etc.

What are they used for?

Talismanic Magic and Sigil Creation.

What is the Pyramid of Fire?

A red tetrahedron with Hebrew words on the faces.

What is the "other" name for a Tetrahedron?

A solid Triangle.

What do each of the triangular faces represent?

Three kinds of fire and latent heat.

Name the kinds of fire:

Solar, Volcanic and Astral.

What are the Hebrew words on the faces?

• (AUD) is active fire
• (AUB) is passive fire
• (AUR) equilibriated fire
• (ASCH) is the Hebrew name of fire.

The Tetrahedron is the admission badge for what path?

The 31st path, the path of Shin ().

Describe the Sword on the Tree of Life.

It descends the Tree in numeric order of the Sepheroth.

Describe the Snake on the Tree of Life.

It climbs the Tree using the Paths in reverse numeric order.

Geomancy and Zodiacal Attributions

Geomantic Figure	Name	Zodiacal Attribution
	Puer
	Amissio
	Albus
	Populus
	Via
	Fortuna Major
	Fortuna Minor
	Conjunctio
	Puella
	Rubeus
	Acquisitio
	Carcer
	Tristitia
	Laetitia
	Caput Draconis
	Cauda Draconis

The Greek Cross of 13 Squares

To what three powers does it refer?

To the Sun in the 12 Signs of the Zodiac and also in the midst of the four elements.

It is the admission badge for what path?

The 30th Path, the Path of Resh ().

What is the Tetractys?

The tetractys is a symbol composed of ten objects in an upward-pointing triangular formation.

Who discovered it?

Pythagoras.

What is its relevance?

It shows the process of creation and is an image of the whole.

What are some of its Greek titles?

Ouranos/Heaven, Cosmos/Order or Universe, Pan/All

What glyph is it most like in Qabalah?

The Tree of Life

Attribution of the Tarot Trumps

Path	Number	Traditional Deck	Thoth Deck	Letter	Yetzeratic Attribution
11	0	The Foolish Man	The Fool
12	1	The Magician, The Juggler	The Magus
13	2	The High Priestess, The Popess	The High Priestess
14	3	The Empress	The Empress
15	4	The Emperor	The Emperor
16	5	The Hierophant, The Pope	The Hierophant
17	6	The Lovers	The Lovers
18	7	The Chariot	The Chariot
19	8*	Strength	Lust
20	9	The Hermit	The Hermit
21	10	The Wheel of Fortune	Fortune
22	11*	Justice	Adjustment
23	12	The Hanged Man	The Hanged Man
24	13	Death	Death
25	14	Temperance	Art
26	15	The Devil	The Devil
27	16	Tower Struck By Lightning	The Tower
28	17	The Star	The Star
29	18	The Moon	The Moon
30	19	The Sun	The Sun
31	20	Last Judgment	The Aeon
32	21	The World	The Universe

*The Golden Dawn swapped Teth and Lamed and their attributes from a previous commonly known system of attribution.

Familiarize yourself with the numbering of the paths on this diagram.

Meditation

Please see the separate Grade Meditations Page.

To advance to the grade of Philosophus, the following are also required:

• Arrange and Conclude a conversation with the Chief Adept. Be prepared to discuss in detail:
• Your experience of the above meditation
• Your experience of the Middle Pillar Ritual

Further Reading:

• "Notes on the Tarot," by Frater S.R.M.D. (see Regardie's The Golden Dawn, Fourth Knowledge Lecture)
• On the General Guidance and Purification of the Soul v2.0

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