The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn - 00 - Neophyte.0=0.pdf
The Ancients knew of six planets besides the Sun. They also assigned planetary values to the Moon's north and south nodes—the points where the Moon's orbit intersects the ecliptic. These were named:
Caput Draconis (Head of the Dragon) Cauda Draconis (Tail of the Dragon)
After the discovery of Neptune and Uranus, these two terms were partially replaced:
The effect of Caput Draconis corresponds to Neptune: The effect of Cauda Draconis corresponds to Uranus:
The ancient planets were: Sol Saturn Mars Venus Jupiter Mercury Moon
The Hebrew Alphabet The Hebrew Alphabet is given on the following page. Each letter represents both a number and carries an additional meaning. Five letters take a different shape when written at the end of a word, along with a different numerical value. Among these final forms, Mem (\ ) is unique as the only oblong letter. The other four—Kaph (]), Nun (}), Peh ([), and Tzaddi ({)—have distinctive tails that extend below the line. Hebrew letters are written from right to left. The Dagesh, or pointing system, which represents vowel sounds in modern Hebrew script, is not included here. This system was developed later to standardize pronunciation and is detailed in Hebrew grammar texts. The Dagesh pointing is not essential to the Golden Dawn magical system, though it helps indicate specific vowel sounds. While understanding this system can be beneficial, it is not mandatory. Hebrew letters are Holy Symbols and should be drawn carefully in a square form.
Let the Neophyte consider a point as defined in mathematics--having position, but no magnitude --and let him note the idea to which this gives rise. Concentrating his faculties on this, as a focus, let him endeavor to realize the immanence of the Divine throughout Nature, in all her aspects. Begin by finding a position, balanced, but sufficiently comfortable. Breath rhythmically until the body is still and the mind quiet. Keep this state for a few minutes at first-- and for longer as you get more used to preventing the mind from wandering. Think now of the subject for meditation in a general way-- then choose one thought or image and follow that to its conclusion.
The two pillars in the Neophyte Ritual are known as the pillars of Hermes, Seth, and Solomon. In the ninth chapter of the Ritual of the Dead, they are referred to as the pillars of Shu, the pillars of the Gods of the Dawning Light, and the Northern and Southern Columns of the Gate of the Hall of Truth.
Ruach Elohim forms the ineffable name of God at creation, symbolized by the black and white cubical bases of the pillars.