On Combining the 8T and the 231 Gates
© 2003

>> Can you enlarge on how one may combine the working of the 231 Gates into the 8T. <<

Eventually, I will write a comprehensive article with explicit instructions but for now, I suggest that you read my article titled "The 32 Paths of Wisdom".

There, I talk about the "tasks" represented by each of the 32 Paths (10 Sephirot-Paths and 22 Letter-Paths of the Tree of Life). When one completes the tasks of the Sephirot involved in a Gate, and those of the Letter-Path(s) involved, one is the ready to traverse the Gate itself. The Gate work integrates the Sephirotic and Letter-Path work and thus enables the rise to the next Sephirotic level.

Using the first Gate in the sequence/cycle of Initiation (Yetziratic Redemption) as an example, one would first place their awareness within the Yesod Temple. Then, in the *Western* Quarter of the Yesod Temple, one creates the Tarot image associated with the Hebrew Letter Tav -- The World/Universe (or one can use any other relevant symbolism one prefers). This image is placed in the *Western* Quarter because you are traveling "down" the Tree (i.e., to a lower Sephirot). On the other hand, when you are traveling "up" the Tree to a "higher" Sephirot, the image is created in the *Eastern* Quarter.

Combining your understanding of the Tarot symbolism, your experience of having performed the "task" of the Letter-Path of Tav and your experience of Malkuth (where Tav terminates), you must transform your Tarot image into a passage that extends from the Yesod Temple, "down" into the Malkuth Temple's *Eastern* archway. Then, gathering up your Yesodic awareness, you follow that passageway "down" to the Malkuth Temple. There you must focus upon your Yesodic awareness and ground it firmly into your Malkuth awareness.

Then, turning toward the *Eastern* archway of the Malkuth Temple, you must again create the Tarot Image of The World/Universe and transform it into a passage that leads from the Malkuth Temple, "up" to the *Western* Quarter of the Yesod Temple. Then, gathering up your integrated Yesod-Malkuth awareness, you follow your Tav passageway "up" to Yesod.

Upon returning to Yesod, you must again go through the process of integrating your transformed Yesod-Malkuth awareness, into your Yesod awareness.

That, at least, is one method. One can also skip the 8T and Tarot images entirely and simply shift one's focus of awareness to the Yesodic level and then traverse the astra-mental *state* of Tav as one shifts their focus of awareness to the Malkuth level, etc.

My best to you,
:) Rawn Clark
15 Oct 2003