GK – The Unknown Friends

Eight of Batons

We begin by placing this image in the context of the entirety of the Suit of Batons, focusing the mantra HE WILLS on the region of the solar plexus. The reader is then encouraged to move the first part of the Inner Radiance Sequence, beginning with the mantra “In purest outpoured light radiates the Godhead of the world”, and then working through the chakras from root to crown in relation to the seven Healing Miracles and the seven I AM statements.

We then bring the Eight of Batons into relation with the 5th Letter of the Divine Alphabet: He; the Fifth Arcanum: The Pope; and the quality of “Love of God.” This finds its radiation in the Tree of Life between the sephira of the heart (Glory) and the sephira on the right side of the head (Light). Those who know the Grail Knight’s Practice can then perform the 5th part: Healing of the Breath in the Full Circle; “Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread.”

Alternatively, we can bring the Eight of Batons into relation with the 3rd Letter of the Divine Alphabet: Gimel; the Third Arcanum: The Empress; and the quality of “Sacred Magic.” This finds its radiation in the Tree of Life between the sephira on the crown (Eternity) and the left side of the head (Warmth). Those who know the Grail Knight’s Practice can then perform the 3rd part: the Gethsemane Experience; “Thy Will be Done on Earth as it is in Heaven.” (See Six of Batons, conversation two for the realisation that unlike the prior Suits of the Minor Arcana, in which the “turning point” of the Suit was the Five, here in the Batons the “turning point” may be the Six).

The Apocalypse readings for the Seven of Batons come from Chapter 21:3-9:

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look: The tabernacle of God is with human beings, and he will tabernacle with them, and they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them [as their God], and he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and no longer will there be death, no longer will there be sorrow or lamentation or pain, for the first things have passed away.” And the one who sat upon the throne said, “Look: I make all things new.” And he said, “Write, because these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said, “It is done. I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. To the one who thirsts I will give freely from the fountain of life’s water. The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be a God to him and he will be a son to me. But, for the whorish and sorcerers and idolaters and all the liars, their part is in the marsh burning with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.”

Conversation—Part One

Seven of Batons

We then bring the Seven of Batons into relation with the 4th Letter of the Divine Alphabet: Dalet; the Fourth Arcanum: The Emperor; and the quality of “Hermeticism.” This finds its radiation in the Tree of Life between the sephira on the right side of the head (Light) and the left side of the head (Warmth). Those who know the Grail Knight’s Practice can then perform the 4th part: Paradise—Nourishment from the Force of Seeds; “Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread.”

Alternatively, we can bring the Seven of Batons into relation with the 2nd Letter of the Divine Alphabet: Bet; the Second Arcanum: The High Priestess; and the quality of “Gnosis.” This finds its radiation in the Tree of Life between the sephira on the right side of the head (Light) and the crown (Eternity). Those who know the Grail Knight’s Practice can then perform the 2nd part: the Stages of the Passion; “Thy Kingdom Come.” (See Six of Batons, conversation two for the realisation that unlike the prior Suits of the Minor Arcana, in which the “turning point” of the Suit was the Five, here in the Batons the “turning point” may be the Six).

The Apocalypse readings for the Seven of Batons come from Chapter 20:13-15, 21:1-2:

And the sea yielded up the dead within it, and Death and Hades yielded up the dead within them, and they were judged, every one of them, according to their works. And Death and Hades were cast into the marsh of fire. This—the marsh of fire—is the second death. And, if anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the marsh of fire.

And I saw a new sky and a new earth, for the first sky and the first earth have passed away, and the sea no longer is. And I saw the holy city, a New Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride adorned for her husband.

Conversation—Part One

Conversation—Part Two

Six of Batons

We then bring the Six of Batons into relation with the 3rd Letter of the Divine Alphabet: Gimel; the Third Arcanum: The Empress; and the quality of “Sacred Magic.” This finds its radiation in the Tree of Life between the sephira on the crown (Eternity) and the left side of the head (warmth). Those who know the Grail Knight’s Practice can then perform the 3rd part: the Gethsemane Experience and Levels of Apocalyptic Judgement; “Thy Will Be Done on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

Alternatively, we can bring the Six of Batons into relation with the 1st Letter of the Divine Alphabet: Aleph; the First Arcanum: The Magician; and the quality of “Mysticism.” This finds its radiation in the Tree of Life between the sephira on the crown (Eternity) and the heart (Glory). Those who know the Grail Knight’s Practice can then perform the 1st part: the Nine Beatitudes; “Hallowed Be Thy Name.” (See conversation two for the realisation that unlike the prior Suits of the Minor Arcana, in which the “turning point” of the Suit was the Five, here in the Batons the “turning point” may be the Six).

The Apocalypse readings for the Six of Batons come from Chapter 20:8-12:

…And [he] will go forth to lead astray the gentiles in the earth’s four corners, Gog and Magog, to assemble them for the war, they whose number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched across the earth’s broad expanse and encircled the camp of the holy ones and the beloved city, and fire descended out of the sky and consumed them. And the Slanderer who led them astray was cast into the marsh of fire and sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet are also, and they will be tormented day and night unto the ages of the ages.

And I saw a great white throne and the one who sat upon it, from whose face the earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book—the one of life, that is—was opened; and, from the things written in the book, the dead were judged according to their works.

Conversation—Part One

Conversation—Part Two

Five of Batons

We then bring the Five of Batons into relation with the 2nd Letter of the Divine Alphabet: Bet; the Second Arcanum: The High Priestess; and the quality of “Gnosis.” This finds its radiation in the Tree of Life between the sephira on the right side of the head (Light) and the crown (Eternity). Those who know the Grail Knight’s Practice can then perform the 2nd part: the Stages of the Passion; “Thy Kingdom Come.”

The Apocalypse readings for the Five of Batons come from Chapter 20:3-7:

…And cast him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he should no longer lead the gentiles astray until the thousand years are finished; thereafter he must be set loose for a little while. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgement was given to them, as well as the souls of those who had been decapitated on account of the witness of Jesus and on account of God’s word, and who did not make obeisance to the beast or to its image, and did not receive the impress on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with the Anointed for a thousand years. Until the thousand years had elapsed, the rest of the dead did not have life. This is the first resurrection. How blissful and holy the one who has a share in the first resurrection: over these the second death has no power; instead they will be priests of God and of the Anointed, and will reign with him a thousand years.

And when the thousand years have elapsed, the Accuser will be released from his prison…

Conversation—Part One

Conversation—Part Two

Four of Batons

We then bring the Four of Batons into relation with the 3rd Letter of the Divine Alphabet: Gimel; the Third Arcanum: The Empress; and the quality of “Sacred Magic.” This finds its radiation in the Tree of Life between the sephira on the crown (Eternity) and the left side of the head (Warmth). Those who know the Grail Knight’s Practice can then perform the 3rd part: the Gethsemane experience and levels of Apocalyptic judgement; “Thy Will Be Done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

The Apocalypse readings for the Four of Batons come from Chapter 19:19-21, 20:1-2:

And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies assembled to wage war with the one who sat upon the horse and with his army. And the beast was seized, and with it the false prophet who had performed before it the signs by which he had led astray those who had received the impress of the beast, and who made obeisance to its image; the two of them were cast alive into the marsh of the fire, of the one burning with sulphur. And the rest were killed by the sword of the one sitting on the horse, that which came forth from his mouth, and on their fleshes all the birds were gorged.

And I saw an angel descending from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is a Slanderer and the Accuser, and bound him for a thousand years…

Conversation—Part One

Conversation—Part Two

Three of Batons

We then bring the Three of Batons into relation with the 4th Letter of the Divine Alphabet: Dalet; the Fourth Arcanum: The Emperor; and the quality of “Hermeticism” or “Obedience.” This finds its radiation in the Tree of Life between the sephira on the right side of the head (Light) and the left side of the head (Warmth). Those who know the Grail Knight’s Practice can then perform the 4th part: the healing of the relationship to the entire surrounding sheath, Paradise—nourishment from the force of seeds; “Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread.”

The Apocalypse readings for the Three of Batons come from Chapter 19:14-16:

And the armies who were in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in bright, clean, fine linen. And from his mouth comes forth a sharp sword, so that with it he might strike the gentiles; and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron; and he treads the winepress of the wine of the vehemence of God the Almighty’s ire. And on the robe and on his thigh he has a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

And I saw one angel who stood in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice, saying to all the birds flying in mid-heaven, “Come, gather to the great supper of God, so that you meat eat fleshes of kings, and fleshes of chiliarchs, and fleshes of the mighty, and fleshes of horses and of those sitting upon them, and fleshes of everyone, both freemen and slaves, both small and great.”

Conversation—Part One

Conversation—Part Two

Two of Batons

We then bring the Two of Batons into relation with the 5th Letter of the Divine Alphabet: He; the Fifth Arcanum: The Pope; and the quality of “Love of God” or “Poverty.” This finds its radiation in the Tree of Life between the sephira on the right side of the head (Light) and the heart (Glory). Those who know the Grail Knight’s Practice can then perform the 5th part: the healing of the breath in the full circle, the path to the Tree of Life; “Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread.”

The Apocalypse readings for the Two of Batons come from Chapter 19:9-13:

And he tells me, “Write: ‘How blissful those called to the supper for the marriage of the suckling lamb.'” And he says to me, “These are God’s true words.” And I fell down at his feet to make obeisance to him. And he says to me, “See here, no! I am a fellow slave along with you and with your brothers who hold to the witness of Jesus; make obeisance to God. For the witness of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

And I saw heaven opened, and look: a white horse, and the one sitting on it called Faithful and True, and he judges and wages war in justice. And his eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, he who has a written name that no one except him knows, and who has been clad in a robe deep-dyed in blood, and his name is called the Logos of God.

Conversation—Part One

Conversation—Part Two

Ace of Batons

We then bring the Ace of Batons into relation with the 6th Letter of the Divine Alphabet: Vau; the Sixth Arcanum: The Lover; and the quality of “Love of Neighbor” or “Chastity.” This finds its radiation in the Tree of Life between the sephira on the left side of the head (Warmth) and the heart (Glory). Those who know the Grail Knight’s Practice can then perform the 6th part: the sanctification of nourishment; levels of communion as eating the fruit of the Tree of Life; “Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread.”

The Apocalypse readings for the Ace of Batons come from Chapter 19:1-8:

Thereafter, it was as if I heard a loud noise of a large crowd in heaven saying, “Alleluia, the salvation and the glory and the power be to our God! For his judgements are true and just, because he has judged the great whore who defiled the earth with her whoring, and exacted justice for the blood of his slaves at her hand.” And a second time they said, “Alleluia, and her smoke rises up unto the ages of the ages!” And the twenty-four elders and the four animals fell down and made obeisance to the God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen, alleluia!” And a voice came forth from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all his slaves, [and] those who revere him, the small and the great!” And it was as if I heard a noise of a large crowd and a sound of many waters and a sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Alleluia, because our Lord God the Almighty has reigned! Let us rejoice and exult, and we shall give him the glory, for th marriage of the suckling lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready!” And it was granted her that she be clad in bright, clean, fine linen—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the holy ones.

In our work with the Major Arcana, we experienced the journey from the Magician to the World as a journey from conception, to birth, to death, and finally to the Saturn sphere. With the Minor Arcana, we have been imagining them as the journey back into incarnation: the Numbered Coins as the realm of Midnight Hour; the Court Coins as the Saturn sphere; the Numbered Swords as the Jupiter sphere; the Court Swords as the Mars sphere; the Numbered Cups as the Sun sphere; and the Court Cups as the Venus sphere. We have been considering this journey of the soul into incarnation in relation to the musical pieces selected for the Sophia Grail Circle of the same name. With the Ace of Batons, we enter into the Mercury sphere on the path of incarnation. The music selected by Robert Powell to express this experience of the Mercury sphere is Beethoven’s Piano concerto no.5 in Eb major, op.73. 3rd movement Rondo, Allegro ma non troppo:

Conversation—Part One

Conversation—Part Two

Conversation—Part Three

King of Cups

In our work with the King of Cups, we are primarily bringing him into relationship with the 6th Arcanum, The Lover. In terms of practice, this is related to the downward stream from the left side of the head (Warmth) to the heart (Glory), the quality of “Love of Neighbor”, and the Hebrew letter Vau. It is also related to the 6th portion of the Grail Knight’s Practice: “Give us this day our daily bread”, in relation to the sanctification of nourishment on four levels (wine, honey, milk, bread).

We continue to invoke our conversations with the mantra SHE FEELS in the region of the heart, as well as the second portion of the Inner Radiance Sequence (the seven stages of the Passion).

We are also reading from Revelation 18: 16-24:

“…’Alas, alas, the great city, which is clad in fine linen and purple and scarlet, gilded with gold and precious stone and pearl, for in a single hour such enormous wealth was rendered desolate.’ And every ship’s pilot, and all those under sail to any destination, and sailors, and as many as toil on the sea stood far off, and cried out on seeing the smoke of her conflagration, saying, ‘Who is like the great city?’ And they threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and grieving, saying, ‘Alas, alas, the great city, wherein all who have ships on the sea were enriched by her opulence, for in a single hour she was rendered desolate.’ Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you the holy ones and the apostles and the prophets, because God has pronounced the verdict of your judgment against her.”

Then a mighty angel picked up a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, “Thus, with a sudden rush, Babylon the great city will be cast down, and will certainly no longer be found; and certainly no sound of lyricists and musicians and flutists and trumpeters shall any longer be heard in you; and certainly no craftsman of any craft shall any longer be found in you; and certainly no sound of any mill shall any longer be heard in you; and certainly no lantern’s light shall any longer appear in you; and certainly no voice of bridegroom and bride shall any longer be heard in you—for your merchants were the great men of the earth—for by your sorcery all the gentiles were led astray. And inner was found blood of prophets and holy ones, and of all those slaughtered upon the earth.”

Conversation—Part One

Conversation—Part Two

Conversation—Part Three

Queen of Cups

In our work with the Queen of Cups, we are primarily bringing her into relationship with the 7th Arcanum, The Chariot. In terms of practice, this is related to the downward stream from the left side of the head (Warmth) to the left shoulder (Activity), the quality of Self Mastery, and the Hebrew letter Zayin. It is also related to the 7th portion of the Grail Knight’s Practice: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”, specifically the 1st level of trespass (Doubt) which is healed by the first level of communion (Wine) and the first healing miracle (the Changing of Water into Wine).

We continue to invoke our conversations with the mantra SHE FEELS in the region of the heart, as well as the second portion of the Inner Radiance Sequence (the seven stages of the Passion).

We are also reading from Revelation 18: 7-15:

“To whatever degree she has glorified herself and luxuriated, give her torment and grief in that same measure, because in her heart she says, ‘I sit as queen, and I am not a widow, and I shall most certainly see no sorrow.’ Hence in a single day her calamities will come—death and sorrow and famine—and she will be consumed by fire, because the Lord who judges her is mighty. And the kings of the earth, who whored and luxuriated with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her conflagration, standing far off, out of terror at her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, the great city, Babylon the mighty city, for in a single hour your judgement has come.’ And the merchants of the earth weep and grieve over her, because no one buys their cargo any more—cargo of gold and of silver and of precious stone and of pearls, and of fine linen and of purple and of silk and of scarlet, and every citrine wood and every ivory vessel, and every vessel of the most precious wood and of bronze and of iron and of marble, and cinnamon and cardamom and incenses and perfumed unguents and frankincense, and wine and oil and fine wheat flour and grain, and beasts of burden and sheep, and of horses and of carriages and of bodies and souls of human beings. ‘And the ripened fruit of your soul’s desire has departed from you, and all the sumptuous and splendid things have passed away from you’—and surely they shall find them no more. The merchants of these things, who have been made rich by her, will stand far off, out of terror at her torment, weeping and grieving…”

Conversation—Part One

Conversation—Part Two