In mainstream Hermetic Qabalah, the Devil path connects the Spheres of Hod, intellect, and Tipareth, Beauty. In meta-magick, because we use the proximized Tree, the Devil path runs straight between Tipareth and Yesod. This has some consequences for the philosophy of the system that differenciates it from most occult schools.
The Devil is often treated in two ways: one, as a card symbolizing, evil, darkness, the shadow, and alternatively as symbolizing, vigor, energy, sexuality, and the verile force of God-as Nature.
We understand this archetype on both levels - initially when we encounter it, it may manifest as force representing what is being repressed - what we call our shadow selves. Once we become comfortable with these feelings and can allow them to transmute into higher levels of operation (for example, let fury become focus, let fear become courage, let envy become originality, etc....), the devil's menacing aspects tend to change - as if the meaning of this god was moving through its negative monotheistic phase back towards its older meanings - the immanence of god and the divinity of nature. The more the developed a practitioners practice, the less threatening the devil and "demons" are, and the whole complex transforms into a form of play - with plenty of humor.
And yet - these are both valid levels and their dynamics need to be understood and respected. Recognizing that this path (technically the 26th) properly runs right up the center of the Tree helps to facilitate this metamorphosis because it highlights the fact that this entity sits at the threshold of the conscious (light) and unconscious (shadow) realms of our being - allowing them to become one within clear light. While the mainstream displacement tends to exacerbate the division, because it attempts to subject the shadow to a kind of fearful, control based regime - a strategy that ultimate will backfire.
Shadow is processed through acceptance, love, and transmutation, not through threats and force. The central pillar adds up to 26, and the 26th path is directly aligned to it. To come to a genuine understanding of god, (YHVH=26), we must learn how to make an ally of our shadow-selves by transmuting them into wisdom.
Connect the sun and the moon!
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