Further Reading

Thursday, 28 June 2007

On the Wand of Double Power

When we apply this definition to the Tree of Life, the nature of the Wand of Double Power becomes clear. The Waas Sceptre symbolizes the various attributes of divine rulership, a quality of Chesed. The Phoenix Wand is attributed to Geburah as the Wand of the Second Adept, as well as due to its fiery and destructive nature. Geburah is the active force, and Chesed is the passive force. That which controls or mediates the forces of Chesed and Geburah is Tiphareth. Furthermore, the "Lord of the Double Wand of Power" is Ra-Hoor-Khuit, the Sun-god.

If we link the colors of the first two Wands to those of the Sephiroth, the same pattern emerges. The Waas Sceptre is green, the color of Netzach and Venus, the passive force. The Phoenix Wand is red, and is associated with Geburah and Mars, the active force. Therefore the color of the Wand of Double Power is yellow or gold, the colors of Tiphareth and Sol, the mediator of the active and the passive forces.

Three Aeons, Three Wands

The Wand of Double Power is actually the latest incarnation of a Wand that has evolved throughout the Aeons. The first incarnation of this Wand was the Waas Sceptre of the Egyptians, corresponding with the Aeon of Isis. The second incarnation was the Phoenix Wand, which corresponds with the Aeon of Osiris. The Wand of Double Power corresponds with the present Aeon of Horus. In each Aeon the symbolism and color of the Wand is different; thus each wand must be examined in order to fully understand the symbolism and significance of the Wand of Double Power.

The Waas Sceptre

The wand pictured in the Stele of Revealing, taken in historical context, is the Waas Scepter. The waas sceptre was a symbol of health, happiness, and divine prosperity but also of power and dominion.The waas scepter was associated with the qualities of divine rulership, and was carried exclusively by gods and goddesses until late in Egyptian civilization, when the pharaohs took on this attribute in funereal works. In Egyptian art as well as in the Stele, the waas scepter is green in color. To the Egyptians, green was a symbolic of fertility, life and resurrection.

The Phoenix Wand

The Phoenix Wand of the Golden Dawn is described by the Second Adept in the Adeptus Minor Ritual: "Mine is a Wand terminating in the Symbol of the Binary, and surmounted by the Tau Cross of Life, or the head of the Phoenix, sacred to Osiris. ...It symbolizes Rebirth and Resurrection from Death."

By Frater Osiris