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Model of tree of emanation as dodecahedron. In visualizing the tree in this manner the twelve faces are the spheres and the twenty corners are the court cards. The icosahedron can be seen by switching faces for corners. In both forms the thirty edges are the paths.

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Another view of the tree of emanation folded into an icosahedron. From above and front with Queen of Disks centered and then looking down and back with the Princess of Disks centered. As normally cast the path of Empress is directly overhead and Lust is directly below, but these two views make it easier to see patterns of path oppositions.

List of path oppositions. The "-" indicates that path directionality is reverse while "+" indicates that it is complementary if the direction of the paths were extended in circular movement around the icosahedron. As a few hybrid paths have no clear directionality, an "=" sign is used to indicate these.

- Fool / Moon + Juggler / Alchemist - Priestess / Tower - Empress / Lust - Emperor / Angel + Hierophant / Art + Lovers / Aeon + Chariot / Shadow + Justice / Judgement + Hermit / World = Strength / Daimon - Hanged One / Headless One - Death / Life = Baphomet / Darkness = Prometheus / Light

The meanings of these pairs is a matter of continued research. Some seem obvious, such as Judgement complimentary to Justice and Death being the reverse of Life. Others elucidate meanings of new paths such as Emperor reverse of Angel indicating that the Emperor's control is found reversed in the Angel's releasing, it being a sort of a psychopomp, echoing the Angel that appeared in traditional versions of Judgement.

The meanings of these pairs can be applied directly to the tarot or indirectly in the case of hybrid paths. For example, Death is reverse from Life. The path of Life is hybrid from Magus and Sun, telling us to look for these cards in the spread to help further explain the meaning of Death. Magus may imply ending as opening up new possibilities while Sun may indicate a more material change.

This is, of course, within the system of Emanant Void Magick. Apply this interpretation to traditional tarot at your own discretion.

Some background on path hybridization in the folding of the tree of emanation can be found in this previous post.

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The folding of the tree of emanation into the icosahedron involves hybridization of seven paths which give rise to eight. Previous diagrams mapped existing path names to these new hybrid paths. This may be misleading as the meanings of these paths changes so significantly. This updated diagram shows the influence of hybridized paths in the formation of the paths of the icosahedron along with potential names.

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The tree of emanation folds upon itself to form an icosahedron. Its twelve corners are the spheres. Its thirty edges are the paths. Its twenty sides are the court cards.

The geometry of the icosahedron is shown here flattened. As this form is normally cast, the spheres of Chaos & Agent are above the magician with Chaos behind and Agent before. In front of the magician is Form & Change to the left and right respectively. Behind are Matter & Soul. To the Right is Pattern & Thought with Pattern above Thought. To the Left Process & Sense in the same way. Below is Kia & Desire, behind and front. The path of Lust connects below Kia and Desire below as the path of the Empress connects Chaos and Agent above.

The paths are affected by the folding of the tree in their connections and meaning. The entire meaning of the tree is also changed, no longer representing the process of formation but instead symbolizing formed reality.

In the tree of emanation there are twenty-nine paths. In the icosahedron there are thirty. The path of the Devil hybridizes with Sun and Rebel to split to paths. This division is echoed in imagery of the Devil as Pan/Baphomet vs Prometheus/Lucifer.

The spaces between the spheres and paths are areas of influence which define the court cards. The pattern of Queen & King above is echoed by Princess and Prince below. The Knights are a special case as these most directly represent the magician as oneself in the act of working. In a tarot spread they are represented in the layout of the spread itself rather than by cards in the deck.

The suits are assigned with Wands circling Change and Disks circling Matter. Swords reaches above to bellow following Pattern and Thought. Cups mirrors Swords following Process and Sense.

Interpretation of the court cards is derived from their influences. For example, the Queen of Swords is bounded by Empress, Priestess, and Hermit. From this we understand her as an architect. A person who designs experiences from others but remains distanced. She works in big ideas and abstractions perhaps even preferring the ideas retain purity by being unexpressed.

The genders associated with Queen/King and Princess/Prince hint at associations between these pairings, but are not usefully interpreted as female/male. The concepts of active/receptive that are associated to gender in some traditions merely confound understanding here.

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Diagram showing how the twelve spheres of the tree of emanation form the icosahedron. In this representation the spheres are corners, the paths are edges, and the court cards are faces. The geometry is represented flat with two faces on the outside of the figure, divided by the path of Lust which wraps bottom to top.

The linkage of some paths shift, which somewhat changes the interpretation of the paths. The Devil fully splits into two paths, one generative and the other destructive. Shadows are shown where paths connect in the tree form.

The spaces between the spheres and paths make the court cards. Typically these are only sixteen, but here we find twenty. The four knights represent the querant and are present in the spread and act of reading rather than being cards in the deck.

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Tree of emanation showing fools journey trough paths with color.

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Flower of Emanation

In the center of the flower is a point, representing sphere (00⋮01) Chaos. Crossing the point is a line, representing sphere (01⋮02) Process. This line also divides a triangle, representing sphere (02⋮03) Pattern. These give the progression 0 → 1 → 2 → 3, the numbers of the first triad. With sphere (03⋮05) Form we move from its sequence, 3, to its prime, 5. Then we jump to sphere (05⋮11) Agent with its sequence number, 5, and its prime, 11, which brings us to the 11 pointed star. From 11 we jump to the sequence number of sphere (11⋮31) Kia. Its prime of 31 is represented in the 31 petals of the flower. These petals are arranged following the Fibonacci sequence: 2 → 3 → 5 → 8 → 13. The Fibonacci sequence is known to occur in many natural systems including growth of flower petals, making it particularly suited for reflecting the intricacy and delicacy of manifestation.

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Latest diagram of the Fool's Journey of Emanant Void Magick.

Also have been plugging away at adding content to covn.io.

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Star of Um-Oos. Sphere (3/5) Form.

Rules of a game shape the strategy but do not define the strategy. Strategies are discovered by the players. Three points define a plane. Five points make the simplest star.

This is the essence of Form: the pattern of a system forms nodes, emergent properties. There are things which simply appear within complex systems.

A system may be closed, static, such as the universe of number, or it may be dynamic and changing. Forms in a dynamic system may be created and destroyed and they may influence the unfolding of the system itself to form self-perpetuating agents.

Each sphere exists within each other. In the sphere of (4/7) Change this sphere appears as a unit of change. In (8/19) Desire a form is a goal, an intent.

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Structure of Void Emanation emphasizing the Star of Desire and its higher octave.

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Structure of Void Emanation as nested spheres with connecting paths.

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Path Working of Fep-Yu-She

Looking for collaborators to explore the associations with the path of Fep-Yu-She /fɛp.ju.ʃɛ/. The method of the path-working is given below. Please respond with results by commenting, reblogging, or dm. Any result is a result, including if you don't feel you get anywhere with the working. With luck you'll get some result that helps inform the symbolism and naming for the tarot card.

The path of Fep-Yu-She runs from the sphere of (11/31) Feh-Sher to (9/23) E-pep, that is the sphere of Kia to Manifestation. It is the connection between the complete freedom of void within manifestation and the manifestation it mediates. This suggests that conscious experience directly causes manifestation, akin perhaps to the interpretation of quantum mechanics that suggests that observation itself causes the collapse of the wave function. However, this is not an observer, but pure consciousness itself, beyond any desire for what result comes to be.

Fep-Yu-Sheh has Emanation number 26, yoj (/joʊd͡ʒ/), and Fool's Journey number 27, mu (/mu/). The associations of these numbers suggest it in some manner associates with the Magus (emanation number 2) and Death (emanation number 13) as well as Empress (fool's journey 3) and Hermit (Fool's Journey 9). The symbolism of this card may echo symbolism of these others it partakes of.

Method

To perform the path working begin by performing a banishing of your choice to prepare your space then sit comfortably in a meditative posture of your choosing.

Middle Pillar

Now imagine a sphere above you of pure chaos. The principle of void spontaneously collapsing into being. Intone Nesh-Hin (/nɛʃ.hɪn/).

Next imagine a sphere bud off from above and descend down around your head. This is the sphere of agency, the self-organizing principle that defines the self. Intone Oor-Fem (/uɹ.fɛm/).

Now the sphere around your head buds off another that descends down to your genitals. This is the sphere of desire, the principle of transcendence of self by connection to other. Intone Aat-Thel (/ɑt.θɛl/).

An now this sphere buds off another than descends below you. This is the sphere of kia, the void within being, the pure freedom of the unmanifest present in manifestation. Intone Feh-Sher (/fɛ.ʃɛɹ/).

The Cube

Now picture a cube forming around you made of eight spheres at its corners.

Above, behind, left is the sphere of Process, the principle than nothing is ever complete. Intone Hezh-Eesh (/hɛʒ.iʃ/).

Above, behind, right is the sphere of Pattern, the principle that there is always a unified whole to every moment of being. Intone Ees-Uzh (/is.ʌʒ/).

Above, front, left is the sphere of Form, the principle of identifiable "things" which appear within the pattern of being. Intone Um-Oos (/ʌm.us/).

Above, front, right is the sphere of Change, the principle of the flow of time being the continual making and unmaking of being which never fully is but is always in the moment of coming to be and ceasing to be. Intone Aw-Chaz (/aʊ̯.t͡ʃæz/).

Below, front, left is the sphere of Sense, the principle of encounter with the other. Intone Joth-Toi (/d͡ʒɑθ.tɔɪ/)

Below, front, right is the sphere of Thought, the principle of memory, symbol, language, and representation. Intone Cho-Kow (/t͡ʃoʊ.kaʊ̯/).

Below, behind, left is the sphere of Manifestation, the principle of that which exists independently of self and which the self has only a small and indirect influence over. Intone E-pep (/ɛ.pɛp/)

Below, behind, right is the sphere of Life, the principle of agency within manifestation which mediates communication and connection between other conscious agents. Intone Vu-Soub (/vʌ.soʊb/).

The Path of Fep-Yu-She

The path working process is a bit like generating a current in a pool. We begin with conscious effort to build a cycling of attention and association until it becomes automatic, we then let go and let the current move us.

The path of Fep-Yu-Sheh runs from the sphere of Feh-Sher below you to E-pep, behind and to your left. Focus your attention upon this connection. From Kia to Manifestation. Kia below, Manifestation behind left. Repeat reminding yourself of this a few times.

Now begin chanting slowly "Fep-Yu-She" as you move your attention from the sphere of Kia to Manifestation over and over. Use a full breath cycle for each utterance and focus. Repeat this until you begin to feel your mind drawn into and traveling down the path. When you feel yourself in this flow drop the mantra and observe whatever arises to your mind.

Close out and banish your working space as you see fit.

Please sent in your findings, whatever they may be!

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Banishing of the Three Circles

Start facing forward in whatever direction you wish to orient your working space.

Draw a circle turning around you clockwise while intoning the Hanged One and the Headless One: dou-o͞ou mĕ-sĕ

Draw a second circle from above right, circling clockwise down, under, and back up and over while intoning the Star and the Magus: kōk-ŭō hĕzh-thēzh

Draw a third cirle starting above and behind, stepping slightly to the right and facing left, circling clockwise over, down in front, below, and back up behind intoning the Empress and Lust: ŭl-hĕr bä-thĕh

Finally reach above you and draw down the path of the Devil through you intoning: ōg-fĕt

This ritual is a quick way to evoke the greater form of the icosahedron through the four cross paths and middle three paths of the tree.

As described, through the form of the icosahedron, the elemental polarities are in the corners with fire and water forward and air and earth behind. The ritual may also be adapted to rotate which elements are forward to suit.

The circles may be drawn in reverse to close the working. In closing the intonations change to correspond to the spheres in reverse.

Reversing the order above and tracing each circle counter-clockwise.

Above, behind, below, front. Empress & Lust: ŭl-fĕsh bä-shĕt

Above, left, below, right. Magus & Star: hĕzh-ēth kōk-kŭ

Front, left, behind, right. Hanged One & Headless One: dou-cho͞om mĕ-pŭ

Closing out with the Devil moving upwards: ōg-thĕr

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Sigil of the root triad: Chaos + Process + Pattern

0, 1, 2, 3. Void emanates chaos which self organizes by process into the pattern which forms the fabric of reality.

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Tree of Void Emanation

The void of non-being emanates existence through a generative process and pattern which produces systems of increasing complexity and representative power. At the twelfth emanation we reach what is likely a limit of usefulness in balance with complexity.

Each emanation builds contains and is connected to the previous emanations. The term “sphere” is used as is common in platonic and qabalistic systems as an to reference the formative principles of each emanation. The term “path” describes the connections between the spheres.

Each sphere is counted in two ways, once by sequence starting from zero and again by prime number starting from one. Zero and one represent the identity functions of addition and multiplication. Each subsequent is then given its own sigil which is produced from merging the numeric sigils of its sequence and prime. The pronunciations of the spheres are similarly generated by combining the pronunciations of these numbers.

From this numeric skeleton the story of manifestation is developed upon it both as structured metaphor and ontological framework. Exploration of this framework reveals formulas and techniques for relating to and manipulating reality through the arts of magick.

Chaos 0⋮1 - nĕsh-hĭn - /nɛʃ.hɪn/

Existence emerges spontaneously and without reason from Void. Existence requires no reason. As the Void has no quality whatsoever it is in no way restricted making it the root generative force. This is the fundamental nature of existence. It is spontaneous and without purpose or design. All possibilities assert themselves into being at once, each becoming a “one”, a unity of existence unto itself while retaining nothing in itself.

Process 1⋮2 - hĕzh-ēsh - /hɛʒ.iʃ/

That which asserts itself into being does not exhaust possibility. Every aspect of being is incomplete, retaining its relation to void while constraining and permitting that which may follow. Each emmanation leaves space for the next emmanation so that the process may continue. All connection is made possible by what is left undetermined and reality is never fully manifest.

Pattern 2⋮3 - ēs-ŭzh - /is.ʌʒ/

As the process of manifestation proceeds the shape of the unmanifest spaces influences that which may follow. This causes patterns to arise that unify the discrete units of being. Though each is completely free and separate, they are also manifest as a unified pattern. It is precisely because of incompleteness that these units are able to also become a new unity.

Form 3⋮5 - ŭm-o͞os - /ʌm.us/

Within pattern there emerge forms defined by the pattern and yet independent within it. For example, 5 & 7 are a twin prime pair as they are both prime with a difference of 2. Other twin primes pairs include 11 & 13, 17 & 19, 29 & 31. All prime pairs greater than 3 & 5 have the property of having their sum being evenly divisible by 12. This form of a “prime pair” is well known in mathematics but primeness, divisibility, and addition were not in any way defined in order to produce this form. Number emanates the form of the prime pair. Likewise we may take nearly any game and learn its rules rather quickly, but to learn a strategy is an entirely different matter. Games like Chess or Go give rise to whole vocabularies for naming forms within them. Though the rules teach us how to play, one must become familiar with these forms to play well.

Change 4⋮7 - ăou-chăz - /aʊ̯.t͡ʃæz/

Manifestation may stop at Form to make a complete but static world. The universe of number is a perfect example of static manifestation. Alternately manifestation may remain forever in flux, manifesting and collapsing back into the unmanifest. This gives rise to time and change. Further manifestation takes on a destructive aspect as forms that were can now also cease to be. We move up a level in our analysis to describe types of change and change itself becomes a new type of form. The mathematically inclined may find it useful to meditate on the relationship of a mathematical function and its derivative.

Self 5⋮11 - o͞or-fĕm - /uɹ.fɛm/

In the flow of change through time forms emerge which influence change in order to sustain themselves. These forms are agents of change. Like the first cellular organisms self-organizing around volcanic vents on the ocean floor in the chemical soup of the earth’s ancient oceans. The basic aspect of these agents is homeostasis. These agents direct change to create a dynamic constant. As these agents guide change we may now call this activity Will. In the fullness of emanation we come to identify one of these agents with the self.

Sense 6⋮13 - jŏth-tŏi - /d͡ʒɑθ.tɔɪ/

Agents may be blind actors, no more than a self-catalyzing reaction, or the agent may develop the capability of sensing and reacting to its environment. Sense is the essential element of the encounter of that which is beyond the self. It is the beginning of external self-organization that leads to external manifestation. It is an echo of Process yielded through the incompleteness of the agent.

Thought 7⋮17 - chō-kou - /t͡ʃoʊ.kaʊ̯/

If what is sensed leaves its mark upon the agent then we find the seed for the emergence of representational systems. The agent can now experience itself in time, forming memories, and gains the ability to not just change behavior based on current circumstance but also based on past learning. These internal marks can then be sensed and manipulated and so give rise to symbol, language, and communication.

Desire 8⋮19 - ät-thĕl - /ɑt.θɛl/

Having formed memory the agent now is able to experience the external as something to be sought after or avoided. Want and fear and all the aspects of emotional attachment emerge. Desire attaches the agent to the external and so opens a channel for the external to truly manifest. It is attachment to the world that makes the world. We regard this as a positive development, an overcoming of the limited solipsistic self through desire.

Object 9⋮23 - ĕ-pĕp - /ɛ.pɛp/

Through desire the agent manifests the objectively real. The external is truly manifest beyond whatever sense, thoughts, or desires the agent may hold regarding it, so completing the self-overcoming of the agent. The objective binds the agent while also making possible the emergence of the next level of agency within objective reality. The agent has surrendered its naive omnipotence in its embrace of a new greater level of being in which it only has marginal and indirect power in exchange for a greater state of being.

Subject 10⋮29 - vŭ-sōb - /vʌ.soʊb/

The manifestation of objective reality allows the agent to itself become a manifest object. By surrendering itself into objectivity and becoming limited the agent is able to enter into a space where it can come into authentic contact with other agents manifest as other subjects. Each aspect of the agent obtains and is constrained by a physical correlation. For us humans, this is our brains. Every thought, sense element, and desire is within our brains and is lost to us with disruption of this fragile tissue.

Kia 11⋮31 - fĕ-shĕr - /fɛ.ʃɛɹ/

Kia is the void which remains within manifestation. In the twelfth tree all has manifested and yet Nothing remains. This Nothing is experienced as consciousness, free will, and ecstasy. More than that, Kia is the basis of having any experience whatsoever. All of the aspects of manifestation through the agent can carry on quite well without any conscious experience or free choice within it. In dreamless sleep and in normal waking when on auto-pilot Kia retreats. Kia manifests as the absurd, wonder, the presence of the undefined and unknown. Kia can arise in quiet contemplation, ecstatic overload, and in many ways that open the fundamental questions of being.

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Star of Desire (8/19), Babalon.

Whereas the traditional star of Babalon has seven points and is closed, the emanant void magick system assigns her the numbers 8 and 19. Her star is open rather than a closed loop.

The number 8 evokes as well the star of chaos. The 19, being the eighth prime is one step beyond the sum of thrice 6, or 6,6,6, making her number suitable compliment to the beast.