THE SAPPHIRE NATURE
An essential edit of the text known as the Sefer Yetzirah or The Book of Formation.
The Book of Formation [or The Book] is perhaps the most influential mystical text arising in the Middle East
between the years 1500 to 500 bce
That is; from the Abrahamic period [the transition of cultural dominance from Sumer to Babylon] to the return of the Hebrews from their exile in Babylon and their adoption of the Babylonian (though originating in Sumer) Alef-Bet
From that somewhat nebulous point of origin its authority was guaranteed by its influence upon the various mystic schools of Alexandrine Egypt; Al-Khemic, Hermetic, Neo-Platonic/Pythagorean etc. [100 bce – 500 ce] through the time of the occult renaissance in Italy where its tenets underscored the works of Marsilio Ficinio [1433-99] and Pico della Mirandola [1463-94] through Giordano Bruno [1548-1600] upon which most ‘modern’ occultism is based.
In particular these tenets included the notion of the ‘magical alphabet’ and the ‘doctrine of correspondence’ upon which their sympathetic magics were based.
The Book also includes a ritual which must be considered the original template for the "pentagram ritual" which has been adapted by so many various occult schools.
want a free copy of The Sapphire Nature
email> rhythmajik [at] yahoo [dot] com – subject> sapphire nature for the free PDF version
Beginning late in 2000 I began working on a series of translations of The Book for release as a CDplus on John Zorn’s Tzadik label. The finished piece included four textual translations; exoteric, esoteric, metaphorical, allegorical versions - and a fifth ‘symbolic’ version which was rendered through sound.
The four textual versions are based on a source text that was first published in London in 1902. It is a ‘Hebrew’ version of an Arabic original written in Tunisia in 955 ce by Donash ibn Tamim. I chose this version because I felt it was informed by the purest strain of its traditions; that is the mysticism shared by both Sufism and what is now known as Qabalha. This would be in contradistinction to versions that are more wholly informed by what can be called a particularly ‘Jewish’ mysticism.
Anyway. Deep in the process of this piece I was inspired to render what I consider to be an ‘essential’ version of the text and which would be the basis for the symbolic/sonic version.
The following text consists of 4 chapters of 4 verses each.
The first chapter lays out the basic elements of this system – it identifies the 1o spheres of consciousness with the well known glyph of the ‘Tree of Life’ [which is missing in any version of the text I have ever seen] and links this with what I feel is one of the most crucial lines in the whole of the Book
of Genesis.
It then goes on to delineate the way in which the 22 letters/numbers are grouped.
The second chapter includes the invocational ritual and describes two of the most important ways of manipulating the letters/numbers.
These methods, and others, are dealt with intensively throughout Rhythmajik.
The third chapter is a series of Al-Khemikal/elemental tantric meditations including both yantric and mantric details.
The fourth chapter describes three meditations: the first of which includes a sort of koan. The following two include specific verses; the first is obviously related to ‘the vision of Ezekiel’ and the second to what can be considered as either a heavenly hierarchy or the elemental orders.
so here follows:
between the years 1500 to 500 bce
That is; from the Abrahamic period [the transition of cultural dominance from Sumer to Babylon] to the return of the Hebrews from their exile in Babylon and their adoption of the Babylonian (though originating in Sumer) Alef-Bet
From that somewhat nebulous point of origin its authority was guaranteed by its influence upon the various mystic schools of Alexandrine Egypt; Al-Khemic, Hermetic, Neo-Platonic/Pythagorean etc. [100 bce – 500 ce] through the time of the occult renaissance in Italy where its tenets underscored the works of Marsilio Ficinio [1433-99] and Pico della Mirandola [1463-94] through Giordano Bruno [1548-1600] upon which most ‘modern’ occultism is based.
In particular these tenets included the notion of the ‘magical alphabet’ and the ‘doctrine of correspondence’ upon which their sympathetic magics were based.
The Book also includes a ritual which must be considered the original template for the "pentagram ritual" which has been adapted by so many various occult schools.
want a free copy of The Sapphire Nature
email> rhythmajik [at] yahoo [dot] com – subject> sapphire nature for the free PDF version
Beginning late in 2000 I began working on a series of translations of The Book for release as a CDplus on John Zorn’s Tzadik label. The finished piece included four textual translations; exoteric, esoteric, metaphorical, allegorical versions - and a fifth ‘symbolic’ version which was rendered through sound.
The four textual versions are based on a source text that was first published in London in 1902. It is a ‘Hebrew’ version of an Arabic original written in Tunisia in 955 ce by Donash ibn Tamim. I chose this version because I felt it was informed by the purest strain of its traditions; that is the mysticism shared by both Sufism and what is now known as Qabalha. This would be in contradistinction to versions that are more wholly informed by what can be called a particularly ‘Jewish’ mysticism.
Anyway. Deep in the process of this piece I was inspired to render what I consider to be an ‘essential’ version of the text and which would be the basis for the symbolic/sonic version.
The following text consists of 4 chapters of 4 verses each.
The first chapter lays out the basic elements of this system – it identifies the 1o spheres of consciousness with the well known glyph of the ‘Tree of Life’ [which is missing in any version of the text I have ever seen] and links this with what I feel is one of the most crucial lines in the whole of the Book
of Genesis.
It then goes on to delineate the way in which the 22 letters/numbers are grouped.
The second chapter includes the invocational ritual and describes two of the most important ways of manipulating the letters/numbers.
These methods, and others, are dealt with intensively throughout Rhythmajik.
The third chapter is a series of Al-Khemikal/elemental tantric meditations including both yantric and mantric details.
The fourth chapter describes three meditations: the first of which includes a sort of koan. The following two include specific verses; the first is obviously related to ‘the vision of Ezekiel’ and the second to what can be considered as either a heavenly hierarchy or the elemental orders.
so here follows:
the sapphire nature
an essential edit of the Sefer Yetzirah
"the pursuit of the Ways transmutes one’s will unto a sapphire nature"
(this quote is typically translated as: "the study of the law breaks one’s will, be it as hard as sapphire")
note that in the device 'the > 1,4oo', the numbers refer to tha assurit letters
(here written left to right but in assurit written right to left)
1.1
down 32 hidden paths does wisdom flow with the power to empower the will to an understanding of the 3 swords; form and proportion and pronunciation
‘keeping the way of the Tree of Life’ [genesis 3.24]:
[keeping > 3o,3oo,4o,2oo – the > 1,4oo – way > 4,2oo,2o – tree > 7o,9o – of life > 5,8,1o,1o,4o]
1o spheres of consciousness which are the secret foundation of the 22 signs comprising: 3 elementals bringing forth
7 dyadic complements and 12 archetypes
1.2
3 elementals; AMSh [1, 4o, 3oo] flow through spirit and water and fire – from the heavens flows the seed of fire -
the earth flows from water – and space, which flows from spirit, balances their strengths
1.3
7 dyadic complements; BGD KPRTh [2, 3, 4, 2o, 8o, 2oo, 4oo] embrace them, dream them, refine them, envision them and associate their names with the inner planets in our solar system, the days of creation and the gates to the body:
2 eyes, 2 ears, 2 nostrils and the mouth --- for through the 7 are ordained:
7 firmaments and 7 earths and 7 cycles and 7 veils – just so is 7 the lucky number
1.4
12 archetypes; HV ZCh TY LN SO TzQ [5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 1o, 3o, 5o, 6o, 7o, 9o, 1oo] embrace, refine, dream, consider, permute, envision and develop them through the 12: constellations, months of the year and nodes of the soul and you know the constellations and you know the months and know then that these are the nodes; the 5 senses and the 7 chakras now! behold these manifestations of Mother Nature illumine the secret balance
2.1
22 signs; embrace, dream, consider, permute and envision them, for through their transformations are developed the essence of all that has been formed as well as all their future forms
2.2
in what manner consider them and transpose them?
envision them; join A with each one – and each one with A -- B with each one – and each one with B – and on and on through all 22 and what results are the 484 roots of which everything in nature and every thought in mind is but an emanation of this united name
2.3
in what manner permute them?
envision them; 2 stones build 2 houses, 3 stones build 6 houses, 4 stones build 24 houses, 5 stones build 12o houses, 6 stones build 72o houses and 7 stones build 5o4o houses – and from that point on the calculations are beyond what the mouth can speak and the ear can hear [note: there are 4o32o permutations of 8 ‘stones’]
2.4
‘the setting of the sun’
envision the great name, permutations of 3 symbols from out the 12 archetypes
invoke the west – face straight ahead and envision and intone HVY [5,6,1o]
invoke the east – turn to face backward and envision and intone HYV [5,1o,6]
invoke the south – turn to face the left and envision and intone VYH [6,1o,5]
invoke the north – turn to face the right and envision and intone VHY [6,5,1o]
invoke the heights – turn your face upward and envision and intone YHV [1o,5,6]
invoke the depths – turn your face downward and envision and intone YVH [1o,6,5]
now! envision and conceive the crown of 22 jewels, and behold --
the tree of life and unto you will be revealed their potencies
withdrawn through water, illumined with fire and vibrating through spirit
3.1
the 3 elementals; AMSh [1,4o,3oo] – comprise a mystical secret sealed within their 6 permutations – their emanations are fire, water and spirit – fire from above, water below, with spirit as the balance between them and a sign of this is that fire evaporates water -- and a sign of this is that M murmurs, Sh sibilates and the Aspirations of spirit mediates between them now! refine and balance them within your male and female aspects
3.2
as A rules spirit; strengthen this connection and refine one with another and join them – the male with AMSh / the female with AShM - to space in nature, the ecstatic dimension and the body for the soul
3.3
as Sh rules fire; strengthen this connection and refine one with another and join them – the male with ShAM / the female with ShMA – with the galaxies in nature, the dilations of time and the source of the soul
3.4
as M rules water; strengthen this connection and refine one with another and join them – the male with MASh / the female with MShA – to earth in nature, the cycles of karma and the fertile fluxions of the soul
4.1
1o spheres of consciousness envision them as thundering lightning
envision their end enfolded in their beginning and their beginning in their end, like a flame enfolds a coal -- their ground is a union which reflects a duality within itself --- reflect upon the measures of your soul and meditate upon this teaching... before 1 what is there to count?
4.2
1o spheres of consciousness envision your heart in meditations binding your receptivity to revelation and let this be a meditation, ‘the holy creatures running and returning’ [ezekial 1.14.]
[the holy creatures > 5,8,1o,6,4oo – running > 2oo,9o,6,1 – and returning > 6,3oo.6,2]
4.3
before the 4 quarters join fire to breath like waves upon the sea - then embrace, dream and envision the path to the throne of the orders of; the ophanim, seraphim, holy creatures and prophetic messages and to establish this nexus with love let this be your meditation:
‘the teachers act through spirit infused with glistening fire’
[psalm 1o4.4 [act > 7o,3oo,5 – teachers > 4o,3o,1,2o,1o,6 – spirit > 2oo,6,8,6,4oo – infused >4o,3oo,2oo,4oo,1o,6 –
fire > 1,3oo – glistening > 3o,5,9]
4.4
now! behold the inner counsel influencing the all bringing about the 3 bringing about the 7 bringing about the 12 and the all of them are bound up in your unbounded revelation
notes:
1.1
The ‘3 swords’: form, proportion, pronunciation can be considered as tantra, yantra, and mantra ie, the physical, the visual, the sonic.
1.4
The identification of the 12 nodes of the soul with the 5 senses and 7 chakras is unique to this version.
2.2
This method of generating 484 unique ‘bi-lateral’ combinations is the basis for the Book of Roots which lies at the heart of Rhythmajik. In the Book of Roots the semantic equivalents of 446 of these 2 numbered combinations are delineated which can allow one, when these number patterns are used as BEAT patterns to, as the saying goes; ‘drum what you mean’.
2.4
There are many differences between this ritual and the common ‘pentagram’ ritual:
this one begins facing the West, which direction corresponds to the element Water relating this ritual to the traditions regarding the ‘crossing of the waters’.
As to the choice of letter/numbers, I think a particular set of correspondences would be instructive here [especially if this verse is considered as a preparation for the series of rites described in chapter three]: 5 = consecration, 6 = the eternal, 1o = initiation.
With regard to its instruction to ‘intone’ these three letters:
We enter here into that concept known as the ‘Word of Power’. The bottom line of all traditions stemming from The Book in this regard is that when one is working with a letter, they must combine that letter with all 5 vowels. If one is interested in following this line of thought then, one would take the guttural H, the labial V and the Palatal Y and run them through their various a – e – i – o – u pronunciations.
This would produce 750 unique versions of the 6 permutations of H V Y which make up this ritual.
But please note that this is a ‘simple’ number in that it does not take into account the combining of long and short vowels – if this is included the number greatly expands
If one explored all of these one would also find which pronunciations "spoke" to them, and thus answer the question "well...how does one pronounce these letters?".
The technique of premutation mentioned in 2.3 is applied to arrive at these 750 pronunciations.
Just to get you started if you would want to go down this path:
Beginning with the combination H V Y:
Ha Va Ya Ha Ve Ya Ha Vi Ya Ha Vo Ya Ha Vu Ya
Ha Va Ye Ha Ve Ye Ha Vi Ye Ha Vo Ye Ha Vu Ye
Ha Va Yi Ha Ve Yi Ha Vi Yi Ha Vo Yi Ha Vu Yi
Ha Va Yo Ha Ve Yo Ha Vi Yo Ha Vo Yo Ha Vu Yo
Ha Va Yu Ha Ve Yu Ha Vi Yu Ha Vo Yu Ha Vu Yu
Repeat this with the other 4 vowels following H and then repeat the whole process for the other 5 permutations
of H V Y
4.3
As elemental orders: the ophanim = water, seraphim = fire, prophetic messages = air holy creatures = earth.
down 32 hidden paths does wisdom flow with the power to empower the will to an understanding of the 3 swords; form and proportion and pronunciation
‘keeping the way of the Tree of Life’ [genesis 3.24]:
[keeping > 3o,3oo,4o,2oo – the > 1,4oo – way > 4,2oo,2o – tree > 7o,9o – of life > 5,8,1o,1o,4o]
1o spheres of consciousness which are the secret foundation of the 22 signs comprising: 3 elementals bringing forth
7 dyadic complements and 12 archetypes
1.2
3 elementals; AMSh [1, 4o, 3oo] flow through spirit and water and fire – from the heavens flows the seed of fire -
the earth flows from water – and space, which flows from spirit, balances their strengths
1.3
7 dyadic complements; BGD KPRTh [2, 3, 4, 2o, 8o, 2oo, 4oo] embrace them, dream them, refine them, envision them and associate their names with the inner planets in our solar system, the days of creation and the gates to the body:
2 eyes, 2 ears, 2 nostrils and the mouth --- for through the 7 are ordained:
7 firmaments and 7 earths and 7 cycles and 7 veils – just so is 7 the lucky number
1.4
12 archetypes; HV ZCh TY LN SO TzQ [5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 1o, 3o, 5o, 6o, 7o, 9o, 1oo] embrace, refine, dream, consider, permute, envision and develop them through the 12: constellations, months of the year and nodes of the soul and you know the constellations and you know the months and know then that these are the nodes; the 5 senses and the 7 chakras now! behold these manifestations of Mother Nature illumine the secret balance
2.1
22 signs; embrace, dream, consider, permute and envision them, for through their transformations are developed the essence of all that has been formed as well as all their future forms
2.2
in what manner consider them and transpose them?
envision them; join A with each one – and each one with A -- B with each one – and each one with B – and on and on through all 22 and what results are the 484 roots of which everything in nature and every thought in mind is but an emanation of this united name
2.3
in what manner permute them?
envision them; 2 stones build 2 houses, 3 stones build 6 houses, 4 stones build 24 houses, 5 stones build 12o houses, 6 stones build 72o houses and 7 stones build 5o4o houses – and from that point on the calculations are beyond what the mouth can speak and the ear can hear [note: there are 4o32o permutations of 8 ‘stones’]
2.4
‘the setting of the sun’
envision the great name, permutations of 3 symbols from out the 12 archetypes
invoke the west – face straight ahead and envision and intone HVY [5,6,1o]
invoke the east – turn to face backward and envision and intone HYV [5,1o,6]
invoke the south – turn to face the left and envision and intone VYH [6,1o,5]
invoke the north – turn to face the right and envision and intone VHY [6,5,1o]
invoke the heights – turn your face upward and envision and intone YHV [1o,5,6]
invoke the depths – turn your face downward and envision and intone YVH [1o,6,5]
now! envision and conceive the crown of 22 jewels, and behold --
the tree of life and unto you will be revealed their potencies
withdrawn through water, illumined with fire and vibrating through spirit
3.1
the 3 elementals; AMSh [1,4o,3oo] – comprise a mystical secret sealed within their 6 permutations – their emanations are fire, water and spirit – fire from above, water below, with spirit as the balance between them and a sign of this is that fire evaporates water -- and a sign of this is that M murmurs, Sh sibilates and the Aspirations of spirit mediates between them now! refine and balance them within your male and female aspects
3.2
as A rules spirit; strengthen this connection and refine one with another and join them – the male with AMSh / the female with AShM - to space in nature, the ecstatic dimension and the body for the soul
3.3
as Sh rules fire; strengthen this connection and refine one with another and join them – the male with ShAM / the female with ShMA – with the galaxies in nature, the dilations of time and the source of the soul
3.4
as M rules water; strengthen this connection and refine one with another and join them – the male with MASh / the female with MShA – to earth in nature, the cycles of karma and the fertile fluxions of the soul
4.1
1o spheres of consciousness envision them as thundering lightning
envision their end enfolded in their beginning and their beginning in their end, like a flame enfolds a coal -- their ground is a union which reflects a duality within itself --- reflect upon the measures of your soul and meditate upon this teaching... before 1 what is there to count?
4.2
1o spheres of consciousness envision your heart in meditations binding your receptivity to revelation and let this be a meditation, ‘the holy creatures running and returning’ [ezekial 1.14.]
[the holy creatures > 5,8,1o,6,4oo – running > 2oo,9o,6,1 – and returning > 6,3oo.6,2]
4.3
before the 4 quarters join fire to breath like waves upon the sea - then embrace, dream and envision the path to the throne of the orders of; the ophanim, seraphim, holy creatures and prophetic messages and to establish this nexus with love let this be your meditation:
‘the teachers act through spirit infused with glistening fire’
[psalm 1o4.4 [act > 7o,3oo,5 – teachers > 4o,3o,1,2o,1o,6 – spirit > 2oo,6,8,6,4oo – infused >4o,3oo,2oo,4oo,1o,6 –
fire > 1,3oo – glistening > 3o,5,9]
4.4
now! behold the inner counsel influencing the all bringing about the 3 bringing about the 7 bringing about the 12 and the all of them are bound up in your unbounded revelation
notes:
1.1
The ‘3 swords’: form, proportion, pronunciation can be considered as tantra, yantra, and mantra ie, the physical, the visual, the sonic.
1.4
The identification of the 12 nodes of the soul with the 5 senses and 7 chakras is unique to this version.
2.2
This method of generating 484 unique ‘bi-lateral’ combinations is the basis for the Book of Roots which lies at the heart of Rhythmajik. In the Book of Roots the semantic equivalents of 446 of these 2 numbered combinations are delineated which can allow one, when these number patterns are used as BEAT patterns to, as the saying goes; ‘drum what you mean’.
2.4
There are many differences between this ritual and the common ‘pentagram’ ritual:
this one begins facing the West, which direction corresponds to the element Water relating this ritual to the traditions regarding the ‘crossing of the waters’.
As to the choice of letter/numbers, I think a particular set of correspondences would be instructive here [especially if this verse is considered as a preparation for the series of rites described in chapter three]: 5 = consecration, 6 = the eternal, 1o = initiation.
With regard to its instruction to ‘intone’ these three letters:
We enter here into that concept known as the ‘Word of Power’. The bottom line of all traditions stemming from The Book in this regard is that when one is working with a letter, they must combine that letter with all 5 vowels. If one is interested in following this line of thought then, one would take the guttural H, the labial V and the Palatal Y and run them through their various a – e – i – o – u pronunciations.
This would produce 750 unique versions of the 6 permutations of H V Y which make up this ritual.
But please note that this is a ‘simple’ number in that it does not take into account the combining of long and short vowels – if this is included the number greatly expands
If one explored all of these one would also find which pronunciations "spoke" to them, and thus answer the question "well...how does one pronounce these letters?".
The technique of premutation mentioned in 2.3 is applied to arrive at these 750 pronunciations.
Just to get you started if you would want to go down this path:
Beginning with the combination H V Y:
Ha Va Ya Ha Ve Ya Ha Vi Ya Ha Vo Ya Ha Vu Ya
Ha Va Ye Ha Ve Ye Ha Vi Ye Ha Vo Ye Ha Vu Ye
Ha Va Yi Ha Ve Yi Ha Vi Yi Ha Vo Yi Ha Vu Yi
Ha Va Yo Ha Ve Yo Ha Vi Yo Ha Vo Yo Ha Vu Yo
Ha Va Yu Ha Ve Yu Ha Vi Yu Ha Vo Yu Ha Vu Yu
Repeat this with the other 4 vowels following H and then repeat the whole process for the other 5 permutations
of H V Y
4.3
As elemental orders: the ophanim = water, seraphim = fire, prophetic messages = air holy creatures = earth.
