” It is with the precision of a surgeon’s scalpel

or the more radical aggression

of the soldier wielding the sword

that the imbalance of disease

or disharmony of unchecked (unrestrained) power

is excised, reshaped and transmuted by the catalytic energy of Geburah.”

     … Rcf…

 

        

Keywords

Resistance

Justice 

Strength  

Choice/Free Will/Discernment

Justice

 The Energy of the Sphere 

The sphere of Geburah is probably the most feared sphere on the Tree. It is also largely the most understood or misinterpreted as its energy is fierce in nature, accepts nothing less than change and exerts a force that is transformative. These, all being precisely what is needed for spiritual growth. If you look at the energy of Geburah and see its balance on the pillar of mercy- Chesed, it is easier to see exactly why things must be exactly as they are in the realm of Geburah. This dynamic flow of energetic alchemy

On the ascent up the Tree, having moved from the harmony and balance of  Tiphareth, arriving in Geburah we are now faced with choice and free will. Geburah is the place of creating and exercising discernment. Knowing when to push to the limits and how to issue the necessary resistance to the surge of creativity that provides boundaries to create form from what has potential to  become chaos.  It is through this process of movement, challenge, obstacle, push and friction that we have the greatest potential for growth and greater free will of a higher frequency that is more spiritual in nature and further away from the mundane plane of Malkuth.

The energy of Geburah gives us courage to see with more clarity. With that courage there is a necessary caution that arises as we continue towards building a space of strength from which to exert the force and action that is needed. This is a place of  wise caution that takes the form of  reverence for that which is greater than yourself and  using only enough force necessary to purge that which we should versus.  ‘throwing the baby out with the bathwater”

When we begin to trust our abilities to make wise choices about what must be released and what lends itself to transformation we begin the first steps towards  drawing on the guidance of the Higher Self. The Self that is  devoid of EGO and guided by the merciful (Chesed) seeing of the bigger picture and thus, allowing that which must fall to the wayside do so with the strength of knowing it is for the greater good

The Rooted Consciousness

The energy of Geburah  is one of Consciousness that is both unified and productive. One of its direct points of emanation is from Binah (Understanding). Binah holds within its energy that of true understanding and comprehension having come from the Source of Kether. In this way, Geburah serves as anchor for this stream of understanding and provides the filtering point from which this denser manifestation of that understanding can emanate into the lower spheres of experience.

The Radical Intelligence

The sphere of Geburah is designated as the Radical Intelligence. By definition the word “radical” means…

1.  of or from the roots; going to the foundation or source of something [as in a radical principle].

2.  extreme; thorough [as in a radical change].

3. favoring fundamental or extreme change, especially in socio-economic structure.

4. (noun)  a basic or root part of something.

If we think of these definitions in terms of intelligence or “knowing” it is evident that in order to successfully to change or modify something there should be a basic understanding (Binah) or the workings, principles and energies of that thing. Once these “knowings” have been established the excision can be made and healing and new growth are just ahead.  This is also the point where response to the boundaries that have been created by this informed intelligence can be distributed either in the manner of what appears to be the extreme of what is currently held in place or with justified reservation.

Fire

Geburah is assigned the element of fire and unlike the other elements cannot exist in physical form without consuming and destroying something else, thus causing transformation of that thing.  It is out of that destruction that the potential for the most growth often occurs. Like the legendary Phoenix rising from the flames of ash, the work of Geburah is to heat things up, and at this level, it carries the seeds of change that are the stuff of initiatory change, action and development of the Higher Will.

Numerical Value

Geburah is the 5th Sphere.  Within the energy of the  # 5 is the regenerative process and the

potential for directing that energy towards a specific and defined goal of new creation. When we arrive at the number Five we have opened up the stable base of four- think of a square. Something has disruptive the order of that four and made way for a new form to appear.  We see also the number five as represented by the Pentagram. Five points, each reflective of a quality of element (fire, water, air and earth) and at the pinnacle or point that of Spirit. Spirit being the essence and sum total containing all of the basic elements within it and in a point of focus and direction reaching upwards towards the higher experiences.

Location on the Tree

….Nothing escapes the Principle of Cause and Effect,

but there are many planes of Causation

and one may use the laws of the higher

to overcome the laws of the lower….

- The Kybalion -

The Middle Sphere  On the Middle Pillar of Severity

Strategically placed at the center of the Middle Pillar of Severity Geburah receives the downpour from Binah and the upward striving of Hod’s energy. If we equate Binah with understanding and Hod with reason, we can think of Geburah as being the central activator that takes in both streams of emanation, transforms them through its creative and disruptive action and renders them useable. This is the “tough mother” who takes into consideration the logic of her child’s folly and the empathy from having traveled the same road herself and finally from a place of ultimate love does what is necessary in whatever way s necessary to make this lesson a remembered one. And depending upon the severity of the action, thus to, the extremes that may be taken on her part will be in the form of both judge and juror. 

Choice and Free Will

So, if we look at the scenario outlined above, you may wonder where choice and free will come into play. If we consider Geburah and the energy it receives on the diagonal path through Tiphareth and emanating from Netzach, we see the end release of these prior potent energies. Netzach is the place of desire in its stages of initializing the energy needed for action upon what we desire. I equate it to some degree with the raw need for something, the will to claim that something perhaps just becoming to come into play and the necessary steps leading up to the resolved achievement of that desire are still in the planning stages.

If, however, we move that initial will up into Tiphareth we gain more insight and illumination or light on what is the object of our desire, and because information is being gathered from a variety of sources (remember Tiphareth stands as the central receiver of all of the spheres’ energies) w now have many choices about how to proceed.

As this desire moves forward into the realms of Geburah, the need to organize and reform and toss aside those options that are not viable, mix and match those that are and then pare it down again becomes the imminent need. This process is one which calls upon the individual’s strength and will to make these choices as well. And, when the final agreement as to how to proceed is made, action and movement may take hold and choice and free will are the parents of what has been created.

Energetic Triad

If we look at any of the three connecting points in the diagram above as we move around the perimeter of the square there is a pattern that emerges. The pattern is that of FIRE-WATER and AIR. This triad , or triangle represent the three points of flow and return that form the basis for energetic fire. This thought process is particularly useful if you engage in a regular energetic practice to enliven the spiritual fires within. In each case one of the elements acts as the positive point from which the initializing effects proceed. There is a moment of neutrality or pause where the initial charge is synthesized, transformed and reversed and the outpour or flow towards the point of negative magnetic polarity. The action of positive and negative reacting and acting upon one another creates the electric burst or fire that produces energy.

Through the Medium of Water (neutral point)  the  Directive Energy of Fire (positive)

  moves to a place of discharge within the organizing, lawful movement of Air (negative)

~ in the space of Ether (energetic vessel of boundary)

For example:

The outpour of  desire for  beauty and harmonious union (Netzach) moving through the waters of pure mind (Hod) are polarized, acted upon and  released by the breath of strength and sacrifice (Tiphareth) to produce informed and unconditional love.

or

The release and creative outpour Will (Geburah) moving through the waters of  pure reason (Hod) are polarized , acted upon and released through the downpour of the sun's light  as informed action

The Outpour of the  8 Pathways

This bears repeating and now that we know the true nature of Geburah, we can see the importance of the release and transformation that is called for to maintain the flow of balance.

At the level of Tiphareth the PATHS become Living means of conducting energy to and from the Central Source devoid of their attributes and codifications.  Each of the spheres as they proceed into the heart of Tiphareth becomes less identifiable as it blends with and establishes a place of collaborative energetic flow, one to the other. None being more important than the other, and all being of great necessity for the overall output.

From:  

Yesod = The creative image board from which conclusion can be formulated

Hod = Decoding of Symbols, Metaphor and the Illusions of Yesod  and communication

     Netzach = Intelligence of the Heart. The combining of pure thought & compassionate grace.

Geburah = The necessary release and rebirth

Chesed = The broader perspective and keen discernment

Binah = The womb that gives form to what is formless

Chokmah = The first impulse and creation  towards duality

Kether = The infinite Source that both begins and ends the process

The Spiritual Experience

The Vision Of Power

The spiritual vision of Geburah is one of power. The immediate response to the word "power" is usually one of awe and feeling as though something great has been won or achieved.  It also usually has the connotation of being superior or exerting will over someone or something.  These qualities in and of themselves are not necessarily negative of their own accord, but become of a less than higher nature if infused with overinflated and self-indulgent ego. The energy of Geburah in its pure and true sense is one that commands awe and most importantly- respect. Respect for the strength and courage needed to be the ultimate "down-sizer" and awe at the newly formed creation that is its result. This action does bring us to a superior place. Superior in that its energy is that of refined higher spiritual essence and the one we have exerted will over to achieve this great vision is our Lower Mind and spiritual self that is driven by the needs of the human ego and personality devoid of spiritual insight. 

It is with reverence and awe that we hold in mind  any of the energies of the sephiroth and it is with the grace of the Divine and the upholding of our higher state of being that we claim the mantle of Power.

The Illusion of the Sphere

Cruelty, Needless Destruction

When the reformative energy of Geburah takes hold it is not always easy to determine when we have crossed the line from constructive criticism and egging on towards reaching your fullest potential to harsh words of no value and tearing down an individual's self worth.  These are some of the pitfalls of the Geburic energy when it is not truly aligned with that which is for the highest good. The power one can exert over another and the Pygmalion complex is an alluring one that does much to feed the ego and baser personality of the one in charge. The danger in this is even more potent in that often the person issuing what they believe to be  encouragement, albeit  in a negative way, may actually believe that it is in the best interest of the one who is receiving this negative outpour.  Knowing when and how far to go with critiques and judgment  is the hardest lesson of this sphere; but once those boundaries have been established one can truly say that justified harshness is to better the situation.

The Briatic Color

Scarlet

When we see the color red, we feel rejuvenated and stirred to action.  Red is the color of blood ( when it has been acted upon by air/oxygen)  and the life that this fluid running through our bodies brings.  Red is also equated with anger and aggression.  When we hear the phrase "seeing red" it generally has a negative connotation and avoid whoever is in that state. Interestingly, red is also the color of passion. The imagery of excitement and sexual arousal has provided the cosmetics companies with multi-billion returns. All of these energies are running through the energy of Geburah.

Magickal Image

"A Mighty Warrior in his Chariot"

The images that is attributed to the sphere of Geburah is that of a mighty warrior in his chariot. In synchronicity, the Tarot card - The Chariot - connects the spheres of Geburah and Binah by way of the 18th Path. 

This Path is attributed to water, the zodiac sign of Cancer and the Moon. The Chariot stands as connection to the Fire of Geburah and  the Root of Water of Binah- The Great Mother. It is within the catalytic energies of these waters that the spark of fire or creative effort pours forth. It is through the dedicated action of exerting control over those parts of ourselves that need reigning in and tempering that the transformed newly forged self may appear.