Kabbalah-of-the-Golden-Dawn-Pat-Zalewski - D Ank Unlimited

64 The Kabbalah ofthe Golden Dawn
The Fourth Sephirah is Chesed, Mercy, and the establishment of
the Quartenary. This shows Mercy being expressed from Wisdom and
Understanding. The Divine Name associated with this Sephirah is AL,
which means God. AL is the Holy Spirit that can loosen its grip on the
material for those traveling up the Sephiroth of the Kabbalah, thus helping
them to cross up to Binah. For while we are investigating here the origins
and formation of the Kabbalah, the practical use of the Kabbalah
must be always kept in mind. It can be used like a ladder for those magicians
and aspirants ascending it in their endeavor to unite with the Godhead
in Kether.
In many respects Chesed is a very important Sephirah, for it is the
first of the manifested Sephiroth beyond the triad of Kether, Chokmah,
and Binah. It is also the first one from which to cross the Abyss (Daath)
to get to Binah, by way of ascent. There is no Path connecting Binah and
Chesed, and how one travels a route that is not laid out is something of a
mystery. It is the area of the shadow Sephirah Daath which cannot be
considered a Sephirah proper. A full explanation will be given in the section
on the Tree of Life, before and after the Fall of Man. The Golden
Dawn taught that before the so-called Fall there was another Tree in
which Daath was a Sephirah proper, connected by two paths. The Golden
Dawn teaching was that to get up to Binah by way of ascent one must
follow the emanation of the old Paths.
Another title for Chesed is "Grace" and this helps us to understand
the term Mercy more correctly. Chesed relates to the accumulation of
good deeds or efforts in which stare forgiveness is given. It is considered
one of the finest virtues one can attain. This is achieved through flawless
love, of a fraternal nature, for the Understanding of Binah is now converted
into a state of further receptiveness. By way of ascent on the Tree,
Chesed takes the power and activity of the subsequent and severe Sephirah
of Geburah and has simply consumed or swamped the severe power
until it is enveloped with a concept of self love. By analogy it is very
much like the cushion absorbing the sharp blow of the rapier until it has
extended irself and encloses it with its receptivity.
In Chokmah is the Radix of blue and thence is there a
blue colour pure and primitive, and glistening with a
spiritual Light which is reflected unto Chesed. And the
Sphere of its Operation is called Tzedek or Justice and it