The Magic Octahedron
[Note: The following article describes meditative practices that are based on information contained in my book: Formation of the Tree of Life.]
The magic octahedron is a three dimensional representation of the Tree of Life. Esoterically, it's a symbolic form that's employed during meditation to assist the kabbalist to consciously attune to major cosmic evolutionary forces that flow into our solar system from other star systems within our galaxy (and beyond).
The basic structure of the magic octahedron is outlined in the ancient Hebrew metaphysical text called the Sefer Yetzirah (or Book of Formation). However, most kabbalists interpret the book's instructions as detailing the blueprint of a cube (commonly called the 'cube of space'). A cube however, is a symbol of physical and spiritual limitation (or stasis) whereas an octahedron symbolizes the evolution of planet Earth and Humanity (i.e. evolution beyond the confines of dense physical matter).
An octahedron is composed of two square pyramids joined together base to base. The upper half of an octahedron resembles an Egyptian pyramid while the lower half is its inverted reflection. For this reason the octahedron contains all the occult properties (i.e. 'pyramid powers') that are attributed to the pyramid shape.
The magic octahedron is located in the lower (i.e. 'microcosmic') portion of the Tree of Life diagram. Its form encompasses the full 'octave' of human consciousness including the 'superhuman' levels of Hesed (Spiritual Intuition, or Buddhi) and Da'at (Spiritual Will, or Atma).
Located above the octahedron lies the 'macrocosmic' realm of the three supernal sefirot: Binah, Hockmah, and Keter. These three sefirot represent divine cosmic influences that oversee and supervise the evolution of life in our solar system. The portal through which these three divine forces enter human consciousness is represented by the (normally concealed) sefirah Da'at.
[Note: Because Da'at forms the invisible capstone of the upper pyramid (of the magic octahedron) it corresponds perfectly to the 'missing' capstone of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Our esoteric work with the magical octahedron is designed to return the missing capstone (Da'at) to its rightful place within our own field of consciousness.]
You may notice that the diagram above differs slightly to a similar diagram that I included in my book Formation of the Tree of Life. The change is to the sefirotic correspondences of Sirius and Ursa Major. I've swapped them around so that Ursa Major is now assigned to the sefirah Keter, and Sirius to Hockmah. I've come to feel that these new sefirotic assignments more accurately reflect the esoteric nature of these two star systems when they're related to the Tree of Life. Sirius is the cosmic 'middle principle' (of Love-Wisdom) that's located between Ursa Major (Will) and the Pleiades (Intelligence) just as Hockmah is nested between Keter and Binah. Sirius is esoterically known as 'the Sun behind the sun' thereby reflecting Hockmah's relationship with Tifaret in the Tree of Life diagram (as I understand it). During the formation of the Tree the sefirah Tifaret (Sun) is made manifest as a lower expression of the pathway that extends from Hockmah to Da'at. In other words, Tifaret represents an extension of the energy of Hockmah into the lower portion of the Tree of Life. (See the diagram.) Ursa Major projects the principle of Will into our solar system and is therefore aligned with the nature of the first sefirah Keter.
The diagram on the right is a basic wire-frame representation of the magic octahedron as it's meant to be visualized during meditation. The kabbalist stands within the octahedron, enclosed on every side by its eight triangular faces. The upper half of the octahedron houses the torso, arms and head of the kabbalist, while the lower half contains his legs. (The geometric centre of the octahedron is anchored at the base of the spine.)
The kabbalist stands within the magic octahedron like an ancient Egyptian king mummified within his sarcophagus, awaiting his divine birth into the Field of Aaru. He stands with the Moon/Earth (Yesod/Malkut) beneath his feet and Saturn (Da'at) above his head. The Sun (Tifaret) is positioned at his centre. These three sefirot belong to the Middle Pillar of the Tree of Life and form the central vertical axis of the octahedron.
[Note: The Middle Pillar of the Tree of Life extends to Keter at the top of the Tree, but because Keter represents a divine cosmic influence it exists beyond the bounds of the magic octahedron.]
Sitting atop the octahedron and adjoining it is a tetrahedron. (See diagram at right.) The tetrahedron represents the cosmic influence of the supernal triad (of Keter, Hockmah, and Binah) that seeks to enter into the consciousness of the microcosm via Da'at (Saturn). These forces flow from the star constellations: Ursa Major, Sirius, and the Pleiades, and enter into human consciousness through the hidden portal that's symbolized by the planet Saturn.
The six vertices of the magic octahedron are anchored by the six sefirot...
[Note: These directions are merely symbolic. They're associated with the twelve signs/houses of the zodiac.]
The six directions (i.e. vertices of the magic octahedron) are derived from instructions given in the Sefer Yetzirah. Unfortunately, there are numerous copyist errors in verse 5:2 of all the known manuscripts of the ancient text. [See: Sefer Yesira, by A Peter Hayman. Pp. 149-150. 2004.] But I feel that the following GRA version arrangement as presented by Aryeh Kaplan is reasonable:
5:2. Twelve Elementals
הוז חטי לנס עצק
Their foundation is the twelve diagonal boundaries:
The east upper boundary
The east northern boundary
The east lower boundary
The south upper boundary
The south eastern boundary
The south lower boundary
The west upper boundary
The west southern boundary
The west lower boundary
The north upper boundary
The north western boundary
The north lower boundary
They extend continually until eternity of eternities
And it is they that are the boundaries of the Universe.
In other words: The sefirah Geburah (i.e. the eastern vertex) emanates three edges of the magic octahedron. They are Aries, Taurus, and Gemini. The sefirah Hod (i.e. the southern vertex) emanates three edges of the magic octahedron. They are Cancer, Leo, and Virgo. The sefirah Netzah (i.e. the western vertex) emanates three edges of the magic octahedron. They are Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius. The sefirah Hesed (i.e. the northern vertex) emanates three edges of the magic octahedron. They are Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. I view this configuration of the twelve simple letter pathways as merely one of several meaningful possibilities.
The original Tree of Life formation process (as described in my book: Formation of the Tree of Life) has the four cardinal pathways extending from the four directional sefirot to Tifaret. But as the focus of consciousness rises along the Middle Pillar from Tifaret (Jacob) to Da'at (Israel) the cardinal pathways also ascend and in the process form the magic octahedron.
The magic octahedron is used during meditation to help facilitate this advanced initiation process (as symbolized in the Hebrew Torah by Jacob's name being changed to Israel).
The diagram above shows the seven Hebrew double letter sefirot arranged within the magic octahedron. The upper sloping edges of the octahedron are associated with the four cardinal signs/pathways. The lower sloping edges are associated with the four mutable signs/pathways. The four horizontal edges are associated with the four fixed signs/pathways. The central vertical column is associated with the Middle Pillar of the Tree of Life—specifically with an advanced composite pathway called ShM (שם, Shin-Maym). (The nature of ShM will be explained in future pages.)
Blessings,
Patrick Mulcahy
(3rd December, 2011)