The Quantum Cross

The Quantum Cross is so called for it is an invocation of the fundamental forces and structures used by magickers. As such it constitutes a Whole Unit. This is expressible in the Greek as a Quantum. In pattern it is very similar to the Qabalistic Cross. This will become evident after examining the meaning of the words. “Chaos” is exactly what it looks like, though I find it best to pronounce it Kha-os, with a short ‘ah’.

This is the foundation out of which all comes: an abyss. Classically, this is stated in Sepher Yetzerah: “You stand between an abyss of height and an abyss of depth, an abyss…, etc.” Out of absolute disorder, complete potential, emerges the manifestation of order which in Greek is “Cosmos”. This, in Qabalistic mode, is viewed as the Tree of Life itself, which is, as it were, the Malkuth of the Ain Soph Aur, the Light, which in turn is the emanation Chaos, the unpatterned. Form begins with Kether. These two words, Chaos and Cosmos cover the vertical component of this gesture, the “Atoh Malkuth” part of the Qabalistic Cross. However, here they are reversed in location as Order is founded upon Chaos and all action is dependent from Order.

Now having Order, Cosmos, there is division. The whole is now divided for love’s sake for the chance of union. Thus we have the merciful power of “Eros”, love, expanding to fill the Cosmos. This is balanced by the dividing, measuring, formulating power of mind: “Nuos”. Here the neoplatonic influence in Qabalah is brought to light. For in the same way as “ve-Gedulah ve-Geburah” express that same expansion and definition process so does Eros and Nuos. It has been clearly demonstrated historically that Qabalah is the union of Neoplatonic cosmology with the Hebrew theurgic practice. This reformulation uses that same pattern but moves it into a non-Jahwistic frame. Agape and Thelema.

Where the Qabalistic Cross continues with “le Olam” or “now and forever,” we have here “Synchronous”, which says in one word the same thing: Union of Time. This bears special significance in the modern era with C.G. Jung’s disclosure of the principle of synchronicity. Magick can be described as the willful manipulation of synchronicity.

The Qabalistic Cross concludes with the word “Amen.” This is a word taken from the Egyptian word for ‘hidden’. It is also the name of the God from which Jehovah was split off: Amun (Amen) the Hidden God (remember that the proper sacrifice to Jahovah was the ram, the zoomorph of Amun). In ritual it signified assent to what had been said. Yet is does so by saying either that it is hidden, “it is a mystery to me,” or that “we will keep it hidden,” i.e. secret. This approach is pathological to me and so inappropriate.

At the conclusion to this recapitulation of the whole of Creation: from Chaos, by Order, through Love and Consciousness, for All Time comes: What? The last word here must express the essence of Magickal action. If Magick is the art and science of causing change in conformity with will, what is more appropriate than Change itself? Thus, again in the Greek we have Allage: Change. This word is pronounced “al-lah-Yee.” ... read more ...