The Cry of the 23rd Aethyr, Which is Called TOR[1]
23. "The Kerubim of Earth and Air (Minor officers in the
Initiation to 8$ = 38.) The Vision of the Interplay
And Identity of Earth and Air."[2]
The Rose Cross theme continues.
It is shown that the 30 Aethyrs are contained by the 4 elements.
In the brightness of the stone are three lights, brighter than all,
which revolve ceaselessly.[3] And now there is a spider's web of
silver[4] covering the whole of the stone. Behind the spider's web is
a star of twelve rays;[5] and behind that again, a black bull,
furiously pawing up the ground. The flames from his mouth increase and
whirl, and he cries: Behold the mystery of toil, O thou who art taken in
the toils of mystery.[6] For I who trample the earth thereby make
whirlpools in the air; be comforted, therefore, for though I be black, in
the roof of my mouth is the sign of the Beetle.[7] Bent are the backs
of my brethren, yet shall they gore the lion with their horns. Have I not
the wings of the eagle, and the face of the man?
The spider’s web appears again and as light, but is here given a silver attribute that suggests a lunar light, the Goddess (The Daughter of Light in Liber Loagaeth) and the zodiac of stars that are the constellations that form the “star of twelve rays” behind it. The angel of the Aethyr declares to “trample the earth;” suggesting the 4 (elements) and to make “whirlpools in the air;” suggesting the 7 (Ruach). And again appears the eagle-angel of the 29th Aethyr that is symbolic of the East and the element of Air; hence again, the Ruach. The ‘black’ plays to the symbol of Osiris, as a black god and hence, Tiphareth, but in the darkness of the dying god in the outer, but carries esoterically, the light of the Sun, as Kephra, the “Beetle.