Falling Through The Palace Floor
"There are four gates to one palace; the floor of that palace is of silver and
gold; lapis lazuli & jasper are there; and all rare scents; jasmine & rose, and the emblems of death. Let him enter
in turn or at once the four gates; let him stand on the floor of the palace. Will he not sink? Amn. Ho! Warrior, if thy servant
sink? But there are means and means. Be goodly therefore; dress ye all in fine apparel; eat rich foods and drink sweet wines
and wines that foam! Also, take your fill and will of love as ye will, when, where and with whom ye will! But always unto
me." Liber al vel Legis 1:51
Standing alone, this lengthy verse appears to cover many different subjects, none of them connected,
and few of them making much sense. Thus it becomes yet another riddle nestled within the Book of the Law.
My interpretation may be one of many possible solutions. This magical book speaks to all of us in
unique and separate ways. I find new wisdom tucked within its pages, usually pertaining to my personal needs at the moment,
when I examine its pages.
The reference in mid-verse to the "warrior," and the question about the possibility that "thy servant"
might sink through the floor of the palace seems to link this verse with the previous one. Verse 51 spoke of the Hierophant,
or Beast that would appear in the time of Horus. Here we seem to be looking at some form of test, or a warning for the Beast,
who also is described as a warrior and a servant.
In the world of the esoteric there is a lot of symbolism. Thus Nuit's reference to "one palace"
with four gates and floors made of silver and gold appear to be just that. The gates could be a reference to the four-corners
of the Earth, the four elements, or the four directions.
That the palace contains the stones lapis lazuli and jasper, plus "rare scents," jasmine and rose
oils, and "the emblems of death" then offers clues as to just what it is we are looking at.
From the Cabala we find that gold is known as Zahav, the metal of the sun. It's number is 14. This
is a number that also refers to sufficiency, a land of plenty.
Silver is the metal of the moon. It's Cabalistic number 880 refers to Eram, a duke of Edom (an ancient
name for Jordan) who is associated with Malkuth, the emanation in the Tree of Life representing the physical world.
Lapis lazuli is a blue stone popular for jewelry, artists. But it has been thought to also contain
magical powers. Ancient healers used it to bring healthy limbs and "free the soul from error, envy and fear." The Romans considered
the stone an aphrodisiac.
Jasper is a reddish stone, also popular for making jewelry.
So what is the link between all of these items found within the palace? We have decorative stones,
a gold and silver floor, rare and not-so-rare scents, and "all the emblems of death."
Are we not talking about the Beast's entrance into the physical world? Nuit allows his entrance
"in turn or at once the four gates; let him stand on the floor of the palace. Will he not sink?"
We would be kidding ourselves if we thought for a moment that this person, once revealed standing
"on the floor of the palace," will not be in great physical danger. The religious factions of the world; especially the Christian
church, is fearful of the Beast. He is part of the black lore of that religion. Instead of a savior, the Christians perceive
the Beast as an accomplice of Satan and one who helps bring on the world apocalypse. Many see the Beast as a block of nations
that bring forth the evil world leader known as the Antichrist. They would destroy the Beast if they could.
Nuit seems to laugh at the thought, however. Her expressive word is "Amn." This is a modern word
that stands for an Air Force rank for an aviator. I doubt if this is what Nuit was saying. I think this was an expression
of humor, perhaps the sound of trying to conceal of chuckle. This is followed by: "Ho! Warrior, if thy
servant sink?" It is almost as if this is a big joke. She was telling us that the destruction of the Beast would
be as improbable as seeing a mortal sink through a solid floor made of gold and silver.
She hints: "there are means and means." The Beast has a way of escape
from all of the traps that await him.
Following her assurance that the Beast is coming, and that he will be safe from any harm from the
fools of the world, Nuit then proclaims that it is time for a celebration.
"Be goodly therefore: dress ye all in fine apparel; eat rich foods and drink sweet
wines and wines that foam! Also take your fill and will of love as ye will, when, where and with whom ye will!"
Enjoy life, Nuit proclaims. "But always unto me."
Copyright - James Donahue
