The 31st Path is the Path of Shin, which is the second of three paths leading up from Malkuth, the realm of the ordinary material reality, to the spheres beyond. Similar in a way to the Path of Tau, it connects to the mundane world which the magician experiences. From this common point however, these two paths diverge sharply. The Path of Tau moves by patient steps in the direction of the forces which lie just behind the material world, and it ends in Yesod. The Path of Shin, by contrast is a path of test and trial and of sudden dramatic change ... and it ends in Hod which is the Sphere of ideas and intellect. 'The 31st path is the Perpetual Intelligence, and why is it so called? Because it regulates the motions of the Sun and Moon in their proper order, each in an orbit convenient for it."
The Hebrew letter for this Path, which is Shin, meaning 'Tooth'. Shin is described as being formed of three Vaus ('Nails'), each of which is topped by a Yod of Divine Spirit. All three rise from a common base-line, so that this three-fingered shape exhibits the unity, symmetry and energy of the three flames of Divine Love in our world: the Divine Spark in the human body; the Divine Wisdom, timeless and universal, which exists in our world; and the Divine Source of which both are a part.
The three connected fingers of Shin also symbolize the trinities of Mother, Father, Child; body, Soul and Divine Spirit; and the three pillars of the Sephirothic Tree : Form (the coal of entropy); Force (the flame of decomposition); and the Middle Pillar of Balance (the Way).
All this triplicity and unity is reflected, too, in the Cabbalistic number for this Path - 21 - in which 2 +1 = 3 and 3 x 7 = 21 (where 7, the number of worldly completion, signifies the third, Spiritual, birth which should occur on this Path
The Traditional Tarot card of Judgement , with the Earthly representatives of the Supernal Triangle of Father, Mother and Child are shown emerging from the earth, summoned by the trumpet of an airy, Mercurial angel, which appears (as befits one of the most important energies of Hod) in clouds of glory.
The male figure (Father; Reason), is set a little apart from the other two, both in position and by his abstract, Heavenward gaze. He clasps his hands together, as if absorbed in prayer or wonder. The woman (Mother; Intuition) holds the child's hand lovingly close to her heart. Her gaze could be on the child or on us, but it remains Earth-focussed. Between the man and the woman, with its back to us, is the child, whose circle of golden hair looks like an active but Earth-bound sun.
