Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law
Liber Tzaddi vel Hamus Hermeticus sub figura XC
This Book
contains 857 words.
857 = Thou art
like a lonely pillar in the midst of the sea, there is none to behold thee, O
Thou who beholdest all!
If we sum the word-total with the number of the Book, we have:
857 + 90 = 947.
947 = Hebrew ShBOH-OShR = Shivah-Asar = (the number) Seventeen.
Atu Seventeen is the Star, attributed to Tzaddi.
The verses are numbered from 0 to 44; the sum of these is 990 =
the sum of the two forms of Tzaddi + Tzaddi final (90 + 900).
This may indicate that there is an esoteric and exoteric value to
Tzaddi that needs revelation. The verse that causes so many headaches, AL 1:57,
plainly states something about Tzaddi, and goes on to say "this also is
secret". Well it is certainly not
a secret if the answer has just been given plainly! So the surface reading of this verse cannot be the whole story.
“All these old letters of my Book are aright, but Tzaddi is not
the star.”
In all the talk about this verse in the past, I have never seen
anyone offer the possibility that the letter Tzaddi that is mentioned could
well be the final form, and not the regular form.
Perhaps Tzaddi is not the Star, Tzaddi-final is?
The sum of the Hebrew letters of the Tarot Trumps is 1495. If,
however, Tzaddi is replaced by Tzaddi-final, the total goes up to 2305 = 5 x
461. These are prime numbers.
Therefore the sum of the factors of 2305 = 466 = NUITh.
This would make much clearer the statement of Nuit that the Tarot
is "my Book". This 'ownership' of the Tarot by Nuit is usually
conveniently sidestepped in discussions about this verse. It is assumed that it
is her Book because she says it is, but with this substitution of Tzaddi-final,
we can see how the claim can be substantiated.
This substitution will not only solve the verse, but also not contradict
the other references in the Holy Books to the assignment of Tzaddi to the sign
Aquarius.
Nuit says that her number is 11, and Aquarius is the 11th sign,
and 11 x 90 = 990, so that in a way there is an implicit connection between the
sign and the two forms of Tzaddi, for multiplying the ordinal value of the sign
by the letter-value attached to it, we get the sum of the two forms of Tzaddi.
I began this exegesis by the simple enumeration of the verse
numbers in this Book. The last verse number is 44 = DLI = the name of Aquarius
in Hebrew. So the 'mystic number' of 44
is equal to the two forms of Tzaddi, again cementing the connection between
this letter and the sign of the Water-bearer.
If hyphenated words are counted as one word, then the 90th word
of this Book is NOT, in verse 6.
NOT = 43 = STAR
Thus, in an esoteric sense, Tzaddi/90 is NOT, the STAR.
> 0. In the name of the Lord of Initiation, Amen.
By TQ, this verse total 373 = Hexagram 10 of the I Ching, called
Treading (on the tiger's tail).
But obviously, AMEN has an esoteric sense to it, so it makes
sense to enumerate this as 91, according to its Hebrew value. This is further
justified because Amen is normally a word that ends a prayer, rather than
beginning one; but here it appears in the first verse of Liber XC, and 1 + 90 =
91.
Using the value of 91 for Amen makes this verse total 401 =
Hebrew ATh = essence = a glyph for the First and the Last. Appropriately, this
same sentence is the first and the last in the Book, the only such case in the
Holy Books of Thelema.
The following is taken from "The Inner Meaning of the Hebrew
Letters" by Robert M. Haralick. Parenthetical expressions are mine.
“The eighteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is Tz, spelled
TzDI. It has the numerical value of 90. it has a final form, which has a
numerical value of 900. One word related to TzDI is (also spelled) TzDI, which
means 'lateral or side'.
Within TzDI is the root TzD, which means to 'capture'. What Tz
captures is N, the letter energy intelligence of emergence, for the shape of
the letter Tz is that of a humble N bowed down in humility and carrying on its
back the creative force of the I, whose energy intelligence is that of the
unbridled pulsating force of A (since 10 is an expression of 1), projected into
conditioned existence of time, space and causality.
What is it that emerges through Tz? We just need to see how Tz relates
to Q to get the answer. When Q, the cosmic unbridled pulsating force of A, is
captured, the word TzDIQ forms. TzDIQ is an alternate form of TzDI and carries
the meaning of one who is 'right, righteous, just, innocent, honest, upright,
pious, or correct'. There is a related root TzDQ, which is the verb to be
'right, correct, just, righteous, and innocent'. The corresponding noun is
(also spelled) TzDQ, which means 'justice, rightness, righteous, righteousness,
and just or true'.
The gematria of TzDI is 104. Also with the gematria of 104 is the
word VIPCh, 'breathed'. (None, breathed the light...)
The full gematria of TzDI can be determined by spelling out:
TzDI, DLTh, IVD. The full gematria is 558.
When the power of being of H is breathed into a side (TzDI =
side, see above) path instead of the main path, there forms the word TzDIH,
which means 'evil design, wicked intent, malice, or malicious intent'.
From this we learn that we must stay on the main path. To stay on
the main path is to will one thing; anything else is doublemindedness.”
(End quote)
One interesting aspect of all the Hebrew letters is their shape.
The account here describes Tzaddi as a Nun bending down and carrying the Yod.
This is startlingly close to the image of Nuit, bending down, a lambent flame
of blue, and surmounted by the Yod, representing Hadit. Adding to this idea of
the combination of these two is that Nun + Yod = 60 = Samek, related to the Art
Atu, and thus the chymical marriage.
In light of this imagery, the depiction on the Star Atu of a
woman kneeling by the stream is very apt.
Liber Tzaddi gives a description of two types of bending down; in
one the adept lays his head upon the altar, expecting the sweep of the sword,
(Zain = Lovers Atu = royal marriage?); in another there are those who have bent
their backs to the yoke of slavery (Xtianity?).
Clearly the latter are a lost cause; they can no longer stand
upright, they are incapable of capturing the Qoph and being TzDIQ = upright.
But "My adepts stand upright". So in one sense, the theme of this
Holy Book is the ability to be righteous, as it relates to the expression of
the letter Tzaddi, and its expansion, symbolized by spelling it in full, TzDI.
The author goes on to discuss the method of 'spelling doubly in
full', i.e., taking the full spelling of a letter, and then spelling each of
those in full. (e.g., the letter Tav in full = 406 = TV; but doubly in full, it
is TVVV = 418).
This fully expressed value is 558, which is of interest to
Thelemites, since it equals 6 x 93.
An example of this gematria occurs in two successive phrases in
Liber Tzaddi, and explains one of the rewards given by the God:
558 = your mouths shall drink of a delicious wine---the wine of
Iacchus;
558 = they shall reach ever to the heavenly kiss of the Beautiful
God.
The sum of this combination is 1116 = 12 x 93 = one solution I
have proposed for the answer to verse 1:24-25 of Liber AL, dealing with the
word of Nuit.
The author goes on to warn of the dangers of allowing the
entrance of the letter Heh into the spelling of the letter TzDI, and certainly
the admixture of Heh and Tzaddi in the supposed solution to AL
1:57 is volatile.
> 3. Children of Earth! rejoice! rejoice exceedingly; for your
> salvation is at hand. = 666
> 33. I reveal unto you a great mystery. Ye stand between the
abyss
> of height and the abyss of depth.
height = 39, depth = 52; 39 + 52 = 91 = AMN
The following two verses have expressions that are treated as
quotes, which deal with bending down and, presumably, raising up. It seems
worthwhile to pull out the Transitional Triad method here:
[Seek out the glittering Image in the place ever golden, and
unite
yourselves with It.] = 785
[Stoop down unto the darkly splendid world, and be wedded to that
Blind Creature of the Slime.] = 936
785 = 1002002
936 = 1021200
820 = 1010101
The transitional figure is 820, a balanced septagram, the same
forward and backward; its lower hexagram = 91 = height + depth.
Interestingly, this Triad sums to 2541, just one shy of 2542, the
value of the word Thelema spelled in full. Since all Triads are divisible by 3,
this is as close as we can ever get using this method.
> 38. I who am beyond Wisdom and Folly, arise and say unto
you:
> achieve both weddings! = 801 = Alpha + Omega
Unite yourselves with both! = 279 = 558/2
> 40. My adepts stand upright; their head above the heavens,
their
> feet below the hells. = 719
719 = I Ching Hexagram # Modesty; "It is the law of heaven
to make fullness empty and to make full what is modest..."
> 42. Thus shall equilibrium become perfect. = 358 = Reversal
of 418.
> I will aid my disciples; as fast as they acquire this
balanced power and joy so faster will I push them. = 801 = Alpha + Omega
> 43. They shall in their turn speak from this Invisible
Throne; their words shall illumine the worlds. = 824 = 2 x 412.
2 = Bet, multiplying 412 = Bet spelled in full.
Thus related to the issuing of a Word through a Magus.
The Invisible Throne is Binah, as Korsia, Throne, is one of its
titles. "By a Magus is this writing made known through the mind of a
Magister" = From Chokmah to Da'ath, via Binah.
Love is the law, love under will.
R. Leo Gillis
black earth; = 89
Light, Life, Love; = 96
your heart. = 111
be radiant = 113
lustral wine, = 115
kiss of love = 115
your follies. = 119
being foolish. = 119
delicious wine --- = 134
stand upright; = 142
balanced power = 142
conquerors. = 143
length of days. = 144
the wine of Iacchus; = 144
Children of Earth! = 146
heavenly kiss = 146
become perfect. = 146
Lord of Initiation. = 151
Beautiful God. = 154
upon mine altar, = 155
you unto me. = 155
the God who giveth all. = 155
the abyss of height = 159
a great mystery. = 165
Invisible Throne; = 168
beyond Decay. = 169
Wisdom and Folly, = 171
the abyss of depth. = 172
the golden thread, = 174
the Lord of Initiation. = 176
upon the black earth; = 177
Force, Fantasy, Fire; = 178
black and terrible = 181
I am the God who giveth all. = 181
darkly splendid = 181
the name of the Lord = 183
unutterable joy. = 193
I fly and I alight as an hawk: = 194
this Invisible Throne; = 195
the house of happiness. = 196
beyond the grave: = 198
a watering of the flowers. = 209
the groves of Eleusis. = 214
My disciples are proud = 220
balanced power and joy = 229
myself beneath a mask: = 230
a black and terrible God. = 230
proud and beautiful; = 238
consciousness of bliss. = 243
A rooting-out of the weeds: = 246
my mighty-sweeping wings. = 247
beautiful and joyous; = 247
mine unutterable joy. = 251
I am a black and terrible God. = 256
divine dew of immortality. = 256
victory and splendour; = 256
Blind Creature of the Slime = 260
there is joy in the journey; = 262
their head above the heavens, = 273
Light, Life, Love; Force, Fantasy, Fire;
= 274
There is joy in the setting-out; = 276
beyond Wisdom and Folly, = 279
Unite yourselves with both! = 279
be beautiful and joyous; = 280
the divine dew of immortality. = 281
equilibrium become perfect. = 281
a delicious wine --- the wine of Iacchus;
= 283
conquered by subtlety = 288
Ye can have no other Companion. = 288
I swoop down upon the black earth; = 289
Many have arisen, being foolish. = 301
the heart of the groves of Eleusis. = 305
In the name of the Lord of Initiation. =
310
their words shall illumine the worlds. =
315
I who am beyond Wisdom and Folly, = 326
I bring you joy to your pleasure, = 333
the certain consciousness of bliss. = 335
clothed with victory and splendour; = 337
the Abodes that are beyond Decay. = 338
All that ye do is right, if so be that ye
enjoy it. = 357
Thus shall equilibrium become perfect. = 358
I have hidden myself beneath a mask: =
359
I ask you to sacrifice nothing at mine
altar; = 359
I give you power earthly and joy earthly;
= 361
in the Abodes that are beyond Decay. =
362
lay down your heads upon mine altar, =
370
ye are more beautiful than the flowers: =
370
the heavenly kiss of the Beautiful God. =
372
In the name of the Lord of Initiation,
Amen. = 373
In the name of the Lord of Initiation.
Amen. = 373
My disciples are proud and beautiful; =
382
I will kiss you, and bring you to the
bridal: = 391
to the heavenly kiss of the Beautiful
God. = 391
I will give you all that is desirable
upon the earth. = 393
They shall be masters of majesty and
might; = 399
peace to your languor, wisdom to your
folly. = 418
I pour you lustral wine, that giveth you
delight = 418
I am come to destroy them. This also is
compassion: = 418
With courage conquering fear shall ye
approach me: = 420
they shall stand upon the firm
foundation; = 421
they shall be clothed with victory and
splendour; = 438
[Stoop down unto the darkly splendid
world, = 443
I guide you to the heart of the groves of
Eleusis = 449
I will ravish you away into mine
unutterable joy. = 452
I am the God who giveth all. Light, Life,
Love; Force, Fantasy, Fire; = 455
This immortality is no vain hope beyond
the grave: = 463
their head above the heavens, their feet
below the hells. = 469
I am not come to rebuke you, or to
enslave you. = 478
Light, Life, Love; Force, Fantasy, Fire;
these do I bring you: = 482
of mother-of-emerald are my
mighty-sweeping wings. = 483
between the abyss of height and the abyss
of depth. = 483
my children, ye are more beautiful than
the flowers: = 489
Those who have bent their backs to the
yoke of slavery = 490
achieve both weddings! Unite yourselves
with both! = 496
The end of sorrow is come; I will ravish
you away into mine = 498
come; I will ravish you away into mine
unutterable joy. = 498
I will spread a feast before you in the
house of happiness. = 498
O my children, ye are more beautiful than
the flowers: = 499
ye shall be with Me in the Abodes that
are beyond Decay. = 505
I would sprinkle you with the divine dew
of immortality. = 509
the kingdom shall be theirs; yea, the
kingdom shall be theirs. = 522
all my darkness and terror shall turn to
light and joy. = 525
The weak, the timid, the imperfect, the
cowardly, the poor, the tearful = 532
these are mine enemies, and I am come to
destroy them. = 533
I ask you to sacrifice nothing at mine
altar; I am the God who giveth all. = 540
They flee away, but my joy abideth even
unto the end. = 544
the certain consciousness of bliss. I
offer it at once, on earth; = 546
your mouths shall drink of a delicious
wine --- the wine of Iacchus; = 558
they shall reach ever to the heavenly
kiss of the Beautiful God. = 558
In the name of the Lord of Initiation,
Amen. I fly and I alight as an hawk: = 567
I will take you unto me. I ask you to
sacrifice nothing at mine altar; = 568
Beware, beware, I say, lest ye seek after
the one and lose the other! = 601
I love you; I would sprinkle you with the
divine dew of immortality. = 608
Because I give you that of which Earth
and its joys are but as shadows. = 611
Only your mouths shall drink of a
delicious wine --- the wine of Iacchus; = 611
the thread wherewith I guide you to the
heart of the groves of Eleusis. = 612
I have hidden myself beneath a mask: I am
a black and terrible God. = 615
My disciples are proud and beautiful;
they are strong and swift; = 636
let the first strengthen the lower link,
the last attach more firmly to the higher. = 646
they are strong and swift; they rule
their way like mighty conquerors. = 656
the abyss of height and the abyss of
depth. In either awaits you a Companion; = 659
I offer you the certain consciousness of
bliss. I offer it at once, on earth; = 660
I am the God who giveth all. Light, Life,
Love; Force, Fantasy, Fire; these do I bring you: = 663
they shall stand upon the firm foundation;
the kingdom shall be theirs; = 664
I am a black and terrible God. With
courage conquering fear shall ye approach me: = 676
I fly and I alight as an hawk: of
mother-of-emerald are my mighty-sweeping wings. = 677
I give you power earthly and joy earthly;
wealth, and health, and length of days. = 682
The end of sorrow is come; I will ravish
you away into mine unutterable joy. = 691
ye shall lay down your heads upon mine
altar, expecting the sweep of the sword. = 703
I swoop down upon the black earth; and it
gladdens into green at my coming. = 704
Also I give you power earthly and joy
earthly; wealth, and health, and length of days. = 713
their words shall illumine the worlds.
They shall be masters of majesty and might; = 714
There is joy in the setting-out; there is
joy in the journey; there is joy in the goal. = 716
My adepts stand upright; their head above
the heavens, their feet below the hells. = 719
shall ye approach me: ye shall lay down
your heads upon mine altar, expecting the sweep = 723
my darkness and terror shall turn to
light and joy. Only those who fear shall fail. = 729