LIBER P

LIBER 'P'

Being a Study Paper
and Qabalistic Key to LIBER AL

Part One: Mysteries of NUIT and HADIT

*** The Formation of the Tree of Life ***
___________________________

I:1. Had! The manifestation of Nuit. (Liber AL, I,1)

1. NU = 56
2. NUN UU = 106 + 12 = 118
3. NU NUU = 56 + 62 = 118
4. NU AL LA = 56 + 31 + 31 = 118
5. IHI LA AL LA = 25 + 31 + 31 + 31 = 118

The reasoning behind the above process needs explanation...

Step (2) shows NU undergoing a fundamental change of form within Herself. This is expressed by the formula NU assuming its 'grand scale' values and total. The Hebrew letters 'N' and 'U' are spelled 'NUN' (or, nun-vav-nun) and 'UU' (or, vav-vav), so that when we add together these expanded values we arrive at the sum: (50 + 6 + 50) + (6 + 6) = 118. Note that in this step NU does not completely lose Herself (i.e. Her identity as NU), but rather She is maintained in the new term 'NUN'.

In Step (3) there is a reformulation of NU as She reestablishes Herself (i.e. as 'NU') by differentiation from the term 'NUN' which leaves the composite 'NUU' as the remainder. Note here that NU now exists within both terms of the equation.

Step (4) shows the change in form that the term 'NUU' (62) undergoes in order to become 'AL + LA' (31 + 31). This is a balanced (Lamed) division into equal and opposite halves. The term 'AL' is a qabalistic name of God and is masculine in nature while the term 'LA' is essentially feminine (see below). We see here the establishment of the universal polarity of Yang and Yin.

The final Step (5) shows 'NU' Herself assuming a different (i.e. concealed) form comprising the terms 'IHI' and 'LA'. The former (i.e. 'IHI') is the Hebrew word yehi which means 'let there be...' and is prominent in the first book of Genesis in the Old Testament of the Bible. The second term (i.e. la) means 'of negation; not; no' in Hebrew. So this new expression of 'NU' can be read as yehi la or 'let there be naught'. This is an interesting and apt description of Kether - the sephirah to which 'NU' (i.e. as 'IHI LA') is ascribed on the Tree of Life diagram. 'LA' can thus be viewed as a 'void of darkness' from which all forms emerge.

The term 'IHI' (yod-ha-yod) has the numerical value 25 (or 5²) and appears (from my personal researches) to represent the generative function of the Great Mother principle (i.e. 'NU' in Liber AL). This makes sense when we realise that 5² is ha² (or, 'Ha' x 'Ha') because the Hebrew letter 'ha' is equal to five. The letter 'ha' is a symbol of Binah, the Great Mother principle, and its self-multiplication suggests form generation.

Another Hebrew word of the same value as 'IHI' is koh, spelled 'KH' (Kaph + Ha = 20 + 5 = 25) which means 'thus; so', and also suggests the generative principle because the words 'thus' and 'so' introduce the emerging expression of something.

Thus, the entire equation can be read as 'Let there be LA and AL and LA', or, 'Let there be Kether and Hockmah and Binah' (see diagram).

The symbolic implication of the mathematical (or qabalistic) operation described above is to show the internal workings of the 'NU' principle (or unmanifest Mother principle) as She differentiates Herself into particular components that are required for the next stage of the divine creative process.

NU = 56
Thelema = 93
NU (Grand Scale) = 118

Note: The Egyptian sign for Nuit that is found on the Stele of Revealing is:

'Nuit'

See: An Egyptian Hieroglyphic Dictionary, by Budge (pg. 350a), and A Concise Dictionary of Middle Egyptian, by Faulkner (pg. 127).

She is described as 'the Sky goddess'.

The god NU is not found on the stele, but is represented by the following:

'Nu' (Budge, p. 349b. Faulkner, p. 134)

'Nu' signifies 'the primeval or celestial waters'.

*****

The opening statement (i.e. first verse - see below) of Liber AL refers to Kether of the qabalistic Tree of Life, and especially to the process whereby HAD emerges into manifestation out of NU. By so doing He also brings into being the manifest (or 'form-aspect') of NU which is NUIT.

Incidentally, note how the image of HAD and NU (in the diagram below) vaguely resembles the upper section of the image painted on the front side of the Stele of Revealing. It is an image of NUIT enfolding the winged disk of HADIT.

HAD (Grand Scale) = 555

The Nature of HAD.

HAD is the male counterpart (and inherent component) of the Great Mother Goddess NUIT. He exists within Her omnipresent body, buried deep within Her at cosmic (and microcosmic) levels, as I will now explain.

Like NU, HAD has two important qabalistic values. We have seen that in the case of NU these numbers are 56 and 118.

NU = nun-vav = 50 + 6 = 56 (Small scale)

NU = NUN-VV = 106 + 12 = 118 (Grand scale)

The corresponding numbers for HAD are 10 and 555 and are calculated as follows:

HAD = ha-aleph-daleth = 5 + 1 + 4 = 10 (Small scale)

HAD = HH-ALP-DLT = 10 + 111 + 434 = 555 (Grand scale)

Firstly, it should be noted that the 'ha' (or, 'heh') in HAD is spelled heh-heh (i.e. HH) instead of heh-aleph (i.e. HA) which latter was the spelling used previously in our 'NU' calculations. HH is a recognised spelling for 'heh' in the Hebrew language and the Qabalah, and I shall leave the possible reasons for its particular usage here for the reader to intuit.

HAD can be found dwelling below the surface of Kether, Hockmah and Binah in the Grand scale values of LA and AL...

LA + AL + LA = lamed-aleph + aleph-lamed + lamed-aleph; = 31 + 31 + 31; = 93 (Small scale)
: LA + AL + LA = LMD-ALP + ALP-LMD + LMD-ALP; = (74 + 111) + (111 + 74) + (74 + 111); = 185 + 185 + 185; = 555 (Grand scale)

This is what Hadit means when He says in verse II:2 - "...I am not extended...", because the Hebrew word 'la' is equivalent to the English word 'not'.

Now that we have determined this number (i.e. 555) we can note a confirming correspondence in the gematria of this first verse…

I:1. Had! The manifestation of Nuit. (Liber AL, I:1)

(Note that the following is a Hebrew transliteration of the phrase - not a translation.)

' The manifestation of Nuit '

= (9+5+0) + (40+1+50+10+80+0+60+9+1+9+10+70+50) + (70+6) + (50+6+10+9)

= 555

= HAD (Grand Scale)

Note: In the Hebrew transliteration given above, an asterisk (*)
replaces the letter 'E' when its value is 0.

Note: The Gematria of the corresponding verse II:1 of LIBER AL is given
below.

The gematria of this verse gives us some valuable clues to the numerological key that will unlock some of the mysteries of Liber AL. This key, as I understand it, can be viewed in the…

Sign Values Table.

The 22 letters of the expression ' The manifestation of Nuit ' alludes to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alephbet and the 22 Paths of the Tree of Life. This correspondence therefore suggests that HAD is associated with the 22 Paths - these often being represented graphically as a serpent entwined about the ten sephiroth. Thus HAD can be seen here to symbolise the active interrelationship and the energetic exchange that arises between the ten sephiroth of the Tree of Life.

One of the conclusions from this first verse then is that HAD basically represents the evolutionary and creative processes that are active within the framework of the ten sephiroth, and similarly that He personifies the movement of the kundalini serpent between the seven major chakras of the human spiritual-psycho-physical system.

***

We can see (from the diagram above) that HAD also infuses the three supernal sephiroth of the Tree of Life, but at a very esoteric level. His more obvious aspect is His identification with the sephirah Hockmah that is associated with the Hebrew letter yod. Yod has the numerical value 10 which corresponds with HAD's Small scale value as shown above.

The Egyptian word for HADIT on the Stele of Revealing is 'Behedet' and is transcribed like so:

'Behedet'

This is actually an Egyptian name for the town of Edfu, however it is also used to signify 'Behedeti' ('He of Behedet'), the 'winged solar disk', whose name is written thus:

'Behedeti' (Budge, p. 220b. Faulkner, p. 84)

Here is a quote from the Grolier Encyclopedia concerning Edfu to give you a better understanding of the etymology of the word...

{ed'-foo}

The Egyptian town of Edfu, or Idfu (1966 est. pop., 27,326), is situated on the Nile River. Many of the present inhabitants once lived south of Aswan. They were resettled when their homes were threatened by the waters rising behind the Aswan High Dam, constructed in 1960-71.

Known to the ancient Egyptians as Djebu and to the Greeks as Apollinopolis Magna, Edfu has ancient remains ranging from Old Kingdom burials to Byzantine private houses. The principal feature is the magnificent temple of Horus. He was represented either as a man with a falcon's head or as Horus of Behedet, a solar disk with outstretched wings. In this form he was equated with Apollo by the Greeks. During certain festivals, the priests of Horus of Edfu celebrated rites in association with priests of his consort, Hathor of Dendera, and of their offspring Harsomtus. The temple, begun (237 BC) by Ptolemy III Euergetes and completed (57 BC) by Ptolemy XII Auletes, is among the best-preserved examples of Egyptian temple architecture. The entrance lies in the middle of two pylons that open onto a forecourt. Beyond is the sanctuary proper composed of an outer and an inner hypostyle, or hall of many columns, an outer and inner vestibule, and the inner sanctum surrounded by subsidiary chapels.

Robert Steven Bianchi

© 1997 Grolier, Inc.

In other words HADIT seems to be an aspect of Horus (the Elder), but one that is of a very high vibration - Horus identified as RA the solar deity. One might in fact say that HADIT personifies the creative essence of Horus.

***

The 'IT' component of NUIT and HADIT resides in the mysterious sephirah Daath, and as we know from verse I:1 of Liber AL its appearance is triggered by HAD. This will be explained further below. Suffice it to say for now that when HAD and NU take Their places in the Heavens, thus conforming the Macrocosm, the formula 'IT' also becomes potentially active in the Abyss of Daath. 'IT' seems to be a special connecting link between NU and HAD that is established within Daath at the beginning of the Creation. It signifies the creatively empowered (i.e. yod, I) 'serpent of knowledge' (i.e. teth, T).

NU (Grand Scale) = 118
PALACE = 137

II:1. Nu! the hiding of Hadit.

Just as in verse one of Chapter One of Liber AL there is a significant clue hidden in the gematria of the verse, so also in verse one of Chapter Two there is a corresponding numerical clue derived therefrom.

' the hiding of Hadit '

(9+5+0) + (5+10+4+10+50+3) + (6+6) + (5+1+4+10+9)

= 137

= PALACE (IHI + LA + AL + LA + IT) - see diagram above

We already know that HAD (555) indwells the triad LA + AL + LA which in turn is the extension (or manifestation) of NUIT. It follows therefore that when NUIT withdraws Her tri-fold extension back into Herself (thereby becoming NU) then She also conceals Her masculine counterpart HADIT. So, it follows that when we take the gematric value of AL:I;1 'the manifestation of Nuit' (555) and subtract the corresponding value of AL:II;1 'the hiding of Hadit' (137) the remainder is 418 because 555 - 137 = 418 (see below). This is just another verification of our qabalistic key.

I:46. Nothing is a secret key of this law. Sixty-one the Jews call it; I call it eight, eighty, four hundred & eighteen.

I:47. But they have the half: unite by thine art so that all disappear. (Liber AL, I:46-7)

The above verses from Liber AL, Chapter I, give us some valuable clues to the nature and function of the 'IT' formula.

As you might know, a Hebrew word and qabalistic term that means 'nothing' is the word 'ain'. This word, by gematria, equals 61.

AIN = 1 + 10 + 50 = 61

The phrase 'sixty-one the Jews call it' is a subtle clue that links the two words 'AIN' and 'IT', and if we unite them by our 'art of gematria' so that 'all' (i.e. AIN - because ALL = 61 = AIN) 'disappears' then we derive the number 80.

IT + AIN = 19 + 61 = 80

The appropriateness of this number is confirmed by the statement 'I call it eight, eighty, four hundred & eighteen'.

So by our reckoning, we must combine the formulae 'IT' and 'AIN' in the 'Abyss of Daath' to produce the value 80, or the Hebrew letter peh (whose value is 80). This operation has the effect of producing three 'ALePhs' in our emerging Tree of Life diagram - that is, by connecting Kether (LA), Hockmah (AL), and Binah (LA), each individually with Daath (P).

Kether (LA) + Daath (P) = ALP = aleph (1)
Hockmah (AL) + Daath (P) = ALP = aleph (1)
Binah (LA) + Daath (P) = ALP = aleph (1)

48. My prophet is a fool with his one, one, one; are not they the Ox, and none by the Book? (Liber AL, I:48)

Here in verse 48 we see our three alephs (i.e. 1, 1, 1, - because aleph = 1) being identified with 'none' (i.e. AIN, meaning 'nothing' or 'none'). This is further confirmation that we are on the right track.

The procedure that happens next in the growth of our Tree of Life is very special. It involves the birth of the 'microcosm' from the body of the 'macrocosm'. This is achieved by the projection of an embryonic 'organism' from the supernal sephiroth (i.e. Kether, Hockmah, and Binah - plus an emission from Daath) across the Abyss of Daath.

After it descends below the Abyss, the 'embryo' attaches (or anchors) itself to another single 'aleph' and the next stage of the process can begin.

Note: Because we are discussing an archetypal and symbolic operation,
the term 'embryo' must not be thought of as being simply biological.
The term 'embryo' as used in the present context could in fact be
descriptive of any immature entity - depending on what level of
existence (or what qabalistic 'world') our emerging Tree of Life
diagram is depicting. For instance, the diagram could be describing the
birth (or rebirth) of a human soul within the 'psycho-spiritual' levels
of our reality.

PALACE = 137

KING = 83

PALACE + KING = 220

In the diagram above we see the 'embryo' (or 'king') descend from the supernal sephiroth (or 'palace') to below the Abyss of Daath. As you can see, it (i.e. the embryo) is comprised of three 'aleph's (i.e. three 'A's) and one 'peh' (i.e. 'P') - AAAP.

The mechanics of this birthing process involves each of the four upper sephiroth contributing one component each to the embryo's (i.e. KING's) constitution. Kether (i.e. LA) emits the embryo's topmost aleph (i.e. A), Hockmah emits the right-hand aleph, Binah emits the corresponding left-hand aleph, while Daath (i.e. 'IT') combines with 'AIN' in the 'Abyss' to produce peh (i.e. P - because IT + AIN = P). Peh conforms the lowermost component of the embryo's constitution.

A + A + A + (IT + AIN) = 1 + 1 + 1 + (19 + 61) = 1 + 1 + 1 + 80 = 83

It is interesting to note that the combination of PALACE (137) and KING (83) derives the number 220 which is the total number of verses in Liber AL thereby suggesting that this process of the KING going forth from the PALACE - crossing the Abyss and assuming a physical form - is one of the main themes of the book. (Notice also that these two words PALACE and KING are quite interesting in themselves when analysed qabalistically - for instance PALACE contains ALP, the spelling of the letter aleph, and also AL and LA like so - PALACE.) We shall discover below that as the KING (83) descends beneath the Abyss he becomes transformed into HERU-RA-HA (418) such that our equation becomes 137 + 418 = 555 revealing HAD (555) in a new form.

As mentioned previously, the next step in the embryo's birth process is its attachment to a fourth, but independent, aleph (A). This step might be compared to the moment when an incarnating human soul anchors itself to a biological embryo in its chosen physical mother's womb.

Now that the prenatal entity has become grounded in Malkuth, a very mysterious process ensues that involves the unfoldment (or expansion) of the soul-triad (or what I label as the Ruach).

Up until this point the soul-triad has been contracted within the embryo's highest aleph - the 'A' that originally issued from 'LA' of the sephirah Kether. This topmost aleph has assumed the place of Tifareth on the Tree of Life, but Hesed and Pachad (or Geburah) are as yet absent from our Tree diagram.

What now occurs is that the aleph (A) in Tifareth expands into its Grand Scale 'ALePh' (ALP) and at the same time actualises the missing sefiroth Hesed and Pachad. The Hebrew letters lamed (L) and peh (P) take their positions in Hesed and Pachad respectively.

Simultaneously, the other sefirothic components of the microcosm also expand into their Grand Scale forms, thus mirroring the development of the soul-triad.

HERU-RA-HA = 418 = ALP + ALP + ALP + PH
HOOR-PA-KRAAT = 529 = ALP + ALP + ALP + PH + ALP
RA-HOOR-KHU = 449 = AL + ALP + ALP + PH + ALP

_______________

You will see from the above that the KING (A+A+A+P=83) has now become HERU-RA-HA (ALP+ALP+ALP+PH=418) which transforms our original equation (i.e. PALACE + KING = 220) into PALACE + HERU-RA-HA = 555. The following diagram will clarify...

The name HERU-RA-HA does not appear on the Stele of Revealing and nor can I find it in my Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphic dictionaries, but its transliteration into the ancient language might look something like this...

' Heru-ra-ha '

HERU-RA-HA
= (5 + 0 + 200 + 6) + (200 + 1) + (5 + 1)
= (211) + (201) + (6)
= 418

We already know that HAD (555) is 'not (i.e. LA) extended' (See: Liber AL: II;2) in relation to LA+AL+LA=555 (grand scale), and here we see HAD as 'not extended' in another sense - that is, as the god HERU-RA-HA 'extended' below the Abyss from the PALACE as a manifestation of the KING.

HOOR-PA-KRAAT
= (5 + 6 + 6 + 200) + (80 + 1) + (20 + 200 + 1 + 1 + 9)
= (217) + (81) + (231)
= 529

' Heru-pa-khart ' (Budge, p 501b.)

This rendering of Harpocrates refers to 'Horus, the child of Osiris and Isis' - according to Budge. The name does not appear on the Stele of Revealing.

The name HOOR-PA-KRAAT is very significant because it actually contains encoded within it the form of the microcosmic 'embryo' - the immortal aspect 'AAAP' (83) embodied in the mortal sheath 'HOOR-KRT' (446). 'HOOR-KRT' suggests the mortal covering because it has the same numeration as MaVeTh - meaning 'death' in Hebrew.

HOORKRT = 446 = MVTh ('death')

On our Tree diagram the mortal component of the microcosm is symbolised by the Hebrew letters that grow out of the embryonic AAAP as it assumes the grand scale plus the lowest ALP in Malkuth - the tenth sefirah, to which it attaches itself. That is…

Immortal component:
A + A + A + P = 1 + 1 + 1 + 80 = 83 = AAAP

Mortal component:
LP + LP + LP + H + ALP = 110 + 110 + 110 + 5 + 111 = 446 = HOORKRT

Mortal plus Immortal components:
ALP + ALP + ALP + PH + ALP = 111 + 111 + 111 + 85 + 111 = 529

HOOR-PA-KRAAT = AAAP + HOORKRT = 83 + 446 = 529

This might be the 'splendour hidden and glorious' that HOOR states is 'hidden in my name' (in Liber AL, verse III:74).

RA-HOOR-KHU

= (200 +1) + (5 + 6 + 6 + 200) + (20 + 5 + 6)

= (201) + (217) + (31)

= 449

' Ra Heru-aakhuti ' (Budge, p 418b.)

According to Budge this name refers to Ra Harmakhis, or 'Ra + Horus of the Two Horizons'. It does not appear on the stele.

*****

I feel that understanding this particular step in the unfoldment of the microcosm (as diagrammatically expressed above) is crucial in terms of our understanding of the whole creative-evolutionary process.

What the above diagram implies is that the development and expression (or form) of the various members (i.e. sefiroth) that compose the microcosm are precisely synchronised with the active creative-evolutionary mechanism of the soul-triad.

This 'active mechanism', as you can also see from the diagram, is symbolised by the pathways yod ( I ) and teth ( T ) of the Tree of Life, and thus by the formula 'IT'.

It appears then, that in this context 'IT' expresses the dynamic growth of the soul, and consequently, of the entire microcosmic organism.

Among other things, we will discover in Part Two of Liber P that the dynamic mechanism of this form of the Tree of Life is personified by RA-HOOR-KHU as He stimulates (or facilitates) the evolution of the divine personage of HOOR-PA-KRAAT.

So, now we can reveal our Tree of Life diagram (as derived from Liber AL) in its entirety.

TheRION = 666 = NU + AL + LA + IT + ALP + ALP + ALP + PH + ALP