Ephesians 6:13-17:
This strikes me as fitting well within a Qabalistic framework, even if independently derived.Quote:
Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breast-plate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
On the microcosm:
(0) The belt of truth matches Hod and Netzach, relating to intellect and emotions. Full apprehension of truth demands an integration of both.
(1) The breast-plate of righteousness matches Tiphareth, sphere of the Redeemer. I think the importance here is fairly self-evident.
(2) Shoes on the feet matches Malkuth, sphere of the Kingdom. Qabalism and ritual magick seeks to bring down God and light into the kingdom, matching Paul's statement to proclaim the gospel. Act in the world as appropriate for this goal.
(3) The shield of faith matches Chesed, Majesty, Love. The virtue of this is obedience, which protects one from the wiles of Satan.
(4) The helmet of salvation matches Kether. Kether is sphere of our connection with the divine, making it an appropriate seat for salvation, i.e. reconnection with God.
(5) The sword of the Spirit matches Gedulah, the Destroyer, Lord of Fear and Severity. We strike down evil by spreading and living the Word.
This does not strike me as coincidence. I am considering taking on this armor as a conclusion to the Middle Pillar exercise, seeing as how I already have strong psychological connections to the Christian tradition.
Any thoughts?
Edit: Typo.
