Yesod

Yesod (pronounced "yes-odd") is generally translated into English as "foundation".  Other uses of the word encompass the ideas of secrecy, consultation and assembly.

The realm of Yesod is the hidden pattern to which matter adheres.  In Malkuth we witnessed the dynamic point of interface between this underlying energy matrix and physical matter.  Here in Yesod though, we encounter the energy matrix itself. 

In very universal terms, this energy matrix is the intermediary state between mind and matter.  If we symbolically posit mind as a gaseous state and matter as a solid state, then the astral matrix is seen as an intermediate, liquid state which shares features of both.  Thus the astral substance is shaped by mind and in turn, determines the shape of matter.

The astral substance itself is caused by the passage of universal-mind into specific-matter and exists only because of this passage.  As individual-minds pass through the astral substance, the astral crystallizes, forming an energy matrix to which matter invariably adheres.  This is rightly called an "astral body" in that it is an organic structure through which individual-mind becomes active within the astral realm, and by extension, within the physical realm.  Every material thing is founded upon an astral body.

The moment mind releases itself from matter, the corresponding astral matrix begins to decay.  This happens because there is no longer a flow of mind through the astral substance and therefore, no longer a mental-matrix in place to determine and sustain the astral crystallization.

During material incarnation, individual-mind (whether it be manifest as a human being, a rock, a tree, or a bird does not matter) is invariably provided with experiences which cause it to evolve and mature.  As individual-mind is changed by its incarnation, those changes will be reflected in the crystallization of the astral substance (and to a lesser extent, they will be reflected in the crystallization of the material substance or physical body).

All of these universal aspects of the astral substance become easier to comprehend when we consider our own human manifestation of them.  Indeed, personalizing one's experience of the astral is the first step in learning how to work effectively with its more universal manifestations.  Thus, our focus in this meditation will be upon how Yesod manifests within each of us individually.

In directly human terms, Yesod is the personality we manifest -- that unique combination of habits, idiosyncrasies, preferences, and countless other factors, through which we express our inner selves, externally.  Generally, our personalities are not clear reflections of our inner selves, but rather a compromise between the demands of our inner and outer worlds. 

Boiled down to its most basic elements, each personality contains aspects that are sub-consciously motivated; others that are consciously intended; and still others that flow from super-conscious levels.  This points out an inherent three-fold nature of the personality, and the astral substance in general, symbolized almost universally by the three faces of the "triple-goddess": maiden, mother and crone. 

During the span of one solar year (the time it takes the Sun to circle the zodiac), the Moon will accomplish the same task 13 times.  The Moon moves around the entire zodiac (the equivalent of a solar year) in approximately 28 days, making it the fastest and most versatile of the planets.  It constantly passes into, and quickly out of, aspect with each of the other planets; and just like the personality, it weaves together all the various planetary influences. 

The 13x12 rhythm of the Moon interlocks the 1x12 rhythm of the Sun, with the 1x4 rhythm of the Earth, through its 3-faces (waxing, full and waning).  The lunation cycle mimics both the 4 seasons of the Earth and the 12 zodiacal periods of the sun as it passes through its four-phases (new, first quarter, full and last quarter).  A lunation (passage from one new moon to the next new moon; a.k.a. "moonth" or "month") is longer than a single lunar circling of the zodiac.  Since the lunation is a geo-soli-lunar cycle, the concurrent movement of the Sun means that the Moon passes through 13 signs of the zodiac from one new moon (conjunction of moon and sun) to the next new moon, resulting in 12 lunations per solar-year (13x12 = 12x13). 

Sound complex?  Well, it is and this perfectly reflects the complexity of the human personality!  But just because a thing is complex, doesn't mean that there are no simple ways by which to gain an understanding of it. 

Though its complexity might seem a disadvantage, it is nonetheless intentional.  It forces us to use more than just our rational minds to reach an understanding of it -- we must also intuit the relationships and dynamics it illustrates.

Yesod is seen as the combination (assembly) of Tiphareth/Sun (mental matrix), Netzach/Venus (lower instinctual emotions), and Hod/Mercury (lower rational intellect).  As such, it is a realm that is unlocked only when we employ ration in conjunction with emotion.  Approaching it only rationally will not get one any further than approaching it only emotionally -- either course will lead one to an incomplete experience of this realm.

In the Malkuth meditation, I spoke of analyzing your personality with the tool of the Four Elements.  In Yesod, we see those Elemental aspects of personality in action.  Here they are joined as complexes.  Each of the nine faces of Yesod (e.g., ADULT Neutral, CHILD Negative, etc.) represents a complex of several Elemental aspects, working together in unison.  So in Yesod, we can reach into the most dynamic manifestation of these Elemental factors.

The titles of these nine aspects are meant to be very general descriptions of very personal things.  For example, the CHILD Negative station is one we will all easily recognize.  It is typified by our urge to throw a tantrum when we don't get our way.  While this is an aspect of self we all manifest, it is manifest uniquely by each one of us.  My own CHILD Negative is a complex of specific Elemental influences -- your own CHILD Negative is a similar complex, but composed of a slightly different set of Elemental influences. 

The average human manifests a personality that is primarily emotional, reactionary and sub-consciously motivated (i.e., instinctual).  We have all experienced this way of being: shaped by circumstances and adrift with little true self-determination. 

Yet, hidden within the foundation of the personality, are assembled all the tools for self-crafting a conscious personality, one which clearly reflects the individual-mind's influx.  Since self-crafting of one's own personality is, as I said before, the first step in learning to work with the more universal facets of the astral substance, our task in this meditation will be to familiarize ourselves with the intricacies of our personalities as they are reflected to us in the Yesod Temple.

Behind the throne, forming a part of the Temple structure itself, stands an archway supported by two pillars.  The white pillar symbolizes the polarity of force, and the black symbolizes that of form.  The arch which surmounts and unites these poles, is composed of 28 stones -- one for each of the days it takes the Moon to circle the zodiac.  [These are known as the 28 "mansions of the Moon".]  This archway opens to the star-filled infinity of deep space, symbolizing the universal-mind's influx (each star an individual-mind) from higher levels which sustains the astral matrix.

Though illustrated here in only black-and-white tones (pretty much all that's visible on a moonlit night), the ray of light that strikes the mirror is in reality tinged with color.  That ray starts as sunlight, but during its passage through Yesod, it is shifted to the spectrum of reflected light (i.e., the pigment colors). The example illustrated above, is meant to be the "ADULT Neutral" face, so the ray of sunlight might reflect from the mirror as a bright, pure yellow.


MEDITATION #2: YESOD

Begin as in the Malkuth Meditation: pass through the Cave Entrance, along the Tunnel passage, up the ten steps, and into the Malkuth Temple where I stand awaiting your arrival.

When all the participants have arrived, I will gather us together and cast a ritual circle. 

Once our circle is cast, we will spend several moments together in the center of the Malkuth Temple, holding hands in a circle and bringing our awareness of the presences of the other participants into focus.  As you look around the circle, try to sense the unique presence of each participant.  Look to your own uniqueness and honor the differences and similarities you perceive in the others. 

At the appropriate moment, I will bring our focus to the East quarter altar -- our gateway to Yesod.  Upon the altar there now sits a mirror and behind it we see the same curtain and symbol we encounter at the Cave Entrance. 

Our transition to the Yesod Temple is sudden and complete.  We stand, still holding hands, at the center of the nine-pointed star mosaic. 

Take a few moments to visually orient yourself to the Yesod Temple; and at the same time, notice the presences of the other participants and your hand-held connection to them.

At the appropriate moment, I will bring our focus together and we will then release the hands we have been holding.  I will direct each of you individually to the very center of the Yesod Temple and ask you to call out your name.  [Note: This will happen for you all individually and simultaneously, so you needn't visualize yourself having to stand in line, awaiting your turn, etc.]

As you speak your name, the Temple darkens and your awareness of the other participants disappears.  Suddenly, a ray of bright sunlight descends from directly above you and strikes the crown of your head.  It passes down and into you, then bursts forth from your heart center as nine differently colored rays.  Each one of these rays reaches out and strikes one of the nine darkened mirrors, illuminating them all with your own refection. 

These are the nine faces of your own unique personality.  Take your time now to investigate the image reflected in each of the nine mirrors.  I recommend that for your first experience of Yesod, you work your way clockwise around the Temple and focus primarily upon identifying each of these aspects of yourself.  You will naturally be tempted to deny certain parts of yourself and to embrace others, but I urge you to avoid this sort of judgmentalism for the moment and adopt a more objective attitude.  You can always return to the Yesod Temple and pursue a more thorough self-examination later.  For now, your objective is to begin the process by learning to recognize the faces of your personality. 

If you encounter something that either frightens you so much that you feel yourself needing to escape, or pleases you so much that you find yourself entranced, immediately distance yourself from it.  Take note of it and identify it, but nonetheless distance yourself from it.  Approach your first encounter with Yesod systematically and without any dallying.

At the appropriate time, I will call everyone away from their private explorations and back to a group focus at the center of the Yesod Temple.  We will take a moment to again join hands and to notice the presences of the other participants.

Then together, as with a single voice, we speak the word "Malkuth" and we find ourselves suddenly transiting back through the archway into the Malkuth Temple.  Again we stand together in the center of the Malkuth Temple, holding hands in a circle.

After a few moments of re-orientation, I will release the circle casting.  Participants will then exit the way they came: down the stairs, along the Tunnel, and out the Cave Entrance, ultimately returning to normal physical awareness.


Follow-up Work --

As before, immediately write down a few notes outlining the key points of your experience.

Then try to remember each of the nine faces you saw and write a brief description of the ones you recall.  This particular information should not be shared with anyone else -- the exploration of your personality is to be conducted in privacy.  This will foster a sense of security and will aid you in your work with your personality by providing you a safe space within which to exercise the radical self-honesty such work will require of you.

In the days immediately following your Yesod meditation, take note of the faces you recognized as they show themselves in your actions.  At different points during this time, something you say or do will remind you clearly of one of the faces you saw during the meditation.  Take a mental note when this occurs and compare the real-life manifestation with the remembered face.  In this way, you will experience connection between the Yesodic symbol and the material reality.

Return regularly to the Yesod Temple and thoroughly familiarize yourself with each of the nine faces mirrored there.  Work your way carefully past/through your natural self-judgmentalism till you come to a place of self-acceptance and self-love. 

This place of self-acceptance is another "place of great power".  From this dynamic place you can begin to safely and effectively change the personality you see manifest.  When you can stand in the center of the Yesod Temple, stare each mirror in the face, and accept with love everything you see as the raw material you must work with, then you are certainly ready to begin self-crafting.

In the Yesod Temple, I advise that you support your self-crafting efforts by visualizing appropriately symbolic tools.  For example, when I work with self-crafting my personality in Yesod, I envision a simple throne stationed at the exact center of the Temple.  I sit myself down in the throne and speak my name.  As the ray of sunlight descends into me, I accept conscious control of it.  I then turn my throne (it's on a lazy-susan sort of thing I guess) to the aspect/mirror of my choosing and consciously emit the ray that emerges from my heart center.  I look at the reflection, ask myself how clearly it reflects the incoming light, and decide the ways in which I desire to change it.  I visualize these changes occurring and I take very, very careful note of what actions are required to manifest these changes in my day-to-day life.

Please take note here:  As I stated earlier, the astral is crystallized only by the passage of mind into specific-matter.  Modification of the astral crystallization (i.e., astral-body/personality) can only be accomplished if specific changes are brought all the way down into material manifestation.  In other words, visualization alone (i.e., bringing the mental down into the astral) does not suffice to effect genuine change in your personality.  You must consciously integrate those intended changes into your daily life (i.e., bring the astra-mental down into the material).  Otherwise they will remain only aspirations, never becoming fully permanent, reliable aspects of your manifest personality.

The goal of Yesodic self-crafting is to consciously crystallize the astral substance -- to manifest a personality that clearly reflects the individual mental influx.  Yup, that is a never ending, lifelong process!  It is also the conscious use of Nature's own ways, so we are always supported by the universe in such work.


Astrological Considerations --

Since it moves so quickly around the zodiac, the Moon will be in aspect with another planet for only a couple of hours at a stretch.  It usually makes two or three such aspects, with different planets, during every 24 hour period.  In effect, the Moon plays the strings of the solar system, plucking each one as she comes into aspect with the planets.

Furthermore, she passes into a new sign of the zodiac every 2 1/2 days (approximately).  And with each new sign, she changes the tempo and style of music she plays upon the planet-strings.

The physical Moon shares an essential resonance (I know of no other way to say it) with the human personality and with the astral matrix of all things physical.  Her phases and her aspects with the other planets directly affect our lives.  Most often we feel her touch emotionally as she sets the tone of our responses to life's events. 

If you don't already have one, I recommend that you purchase a calendar that lists each day's astrological aspects.  Make sure the calendar is calculated for your local time zone.

Looking at such a calendar, you will see how frequently the Moon comes into aspect with the other planets, or changes signs.  Instead of going into detail here as to the possible meaning of these aspects, I will leave that to your own investigation.  Most astrological calendars will give you a brief description of the effects of the lunar aspects.  Take these with a grain of salt -- they are oversimplifications and generalizations that have no way of taking into account your own unique set of responses to life.  Only by observing the effects of the aspects upon yourself and your environment in real-time, and then comparing them to the descriptions you'll find in books, will you come to a personal understanding of their significance.

A discipline I recommend is, at the end of each day, review what specific astrological phenomena occurred that day and then compare your day's events with that information.  Try to discern how (if) the individual aspects affected you or your surroundings.  Over time, these personal observations will teach you the true meaning of the astrological symbols.