In this post, I focus on the three stages of experience of the Holy Guardian Angel.
These three experiences correspond to the threefold division of the soul. (For reference, see the Tree of Life diagram just below.)
In order to achieve the three experiences of the Holy Guardian Angel, the practitioner must untie the three knots, or Granthis, as I shall explain.
The Threefold Division of the Soul
The First Stage of Experiencing the Holy Guardian Angel: The Body
The first stage happens at the level of the Nephesh on the Tree of Life (i.e., Malkuth and Yesod). This level of the soul has to do with the body.
This is known as the man of Earth grade in magick.ย
The first knot that needs untying is called Brahma, which is found near the Muladhara chakra. The associated path is The Universe (Tavโืช), which connects Malkuth and Yesod.
This knot rules the energy of Tamas (ื), which is associated with inaction, sluggishness, lethargy, ignorance, and negativity. One who has not untied this knot is still focused on materialistic, worldly objectsโphysical pleasures, selfishness, etc.
Once the focus shifts, however, to spiritual pursuits then the first experience of the Angel is nearby. This means that one has certainty in something greater, specifically the One True God. Part of this process entails setting up the Rainbow bridge between Heaven and Earth by working the three Lesser Lotuses.
The Three Lesser Lotuses
J. Edward Cornelius states, โThe three Lesser Lotuses refer to the paths of The Moon (Qophโืง), Judgement (Shinโืฉ), and The World (Tavโืช)โ (Essays No. 10, โOn the Rainbowโ)โืงืฉืช is the word for โRainbowโ in Hebrew:
First Lesser Lotus
- The anal lotus (8 petals); activates the Muladhara chakra; The Universe ืช (Saturn); Privithi (Earth).
Second Lesser Lotus
- Connected with โthe sensitive, bulbous rimโ of the penis in men and the clitoral glans in women (32 petals); activates the Manipura chakra; The Moon ืง (Pisces), which connects Malkuth and Netzach; Tejas (Fire).
Third Lesser Lotus
- Refers to the perineal rapheโthe ridge from the anus to the underside of the penis that is โmost sensitive underneath the scrotumโ (Ibid) (49 petals); activates the Svadisthana chakra; The Aeon ืฉ (Shin), which connects Malkuth and Hod; Apas (Water).
If successful, one obtains The Vision of the Holy Guardian Angel, which is not so much a โvisionโ as an awareness of spiritual beings both inside and outside of oneself. This is often inaugurated by taking the Oath of the man of Earth with genuine intent. Simply said: The Angel exists, it has fallen, and it is occupying your body.
The Second Stage of Experiencing the Holy Guardian Angel: The Mind
The second stage occurs in the Ruach /ย Mind on the Tree of Life (i.e., Hod, Netzach, Tiphareth, Geburah, and Chesed), especially in Tiphareth.
This is known as the Lover grade in magick.
It is the realization that one has had Divine Guidance and has been led by the Angel via signs, synchronicities, intuition, and sometimes an internal voice as well. It is channeled into Tiphareth by prayer and Devotion.
This is the Higher Self as Hoor-paar-kraat (the infant Horus), the god of Silence and the unconscious. These realizations, and being filled with Love and compassion, are the result of untying the second knot of Vishnu, which occurs in the grade of Lover. This experience is called The Guidance of the Holy Guardian Angel.
This knot rules the energy of Rajas (ืฉ)โactivity, excitability, and an abundance of energy.
The Third Stage of Experiencing the Holy Guardian Angel: The Spirit
The third stage occurs at the levels of the Neshamah, Chiah, and Yechidah, which are One above the Abyss.
Once the third, and last, knot of Rudra is untied, we finally realize that what we have been searching for all along was ourselves as a Spirit of God. The Holy Guardian Angel is neutral and androgynous (it chooses a sex before incarnating). It serves to watch over all humankind.
This experience is characterized by a Union with God. Here the โAdept embraces the Will of humanityโ (Cornelius, โOn Knotsโ) over oneโs own wants. For a man, this final stage might be Union with the feminine form of his Holy Guardian Angel.
In any case, this process cannot be forcedโSHE chooses to unite with you and not the other way around. This experience is called The Knowledge and Conversation with the Holy Guardian Angel. All this occurs in the Hermit grade above the Abyss, as the Angel cannot enter the realm of duality.
This knot rules the energy of Sattva (ื)โlucidity, fluidity, and clarity.
Summary
| Part of the Soul | Grade | Knot | Experience | Energy |
| Nephesh | man of Earth | Brahma | Vision of the HGA | Tamas |
| Ruach | Lover | Vishnu | Guidance of the HGA | Rajas |
| Neshamah, Chiah, Yechidah | Hermit | Rudra | K&C of the HGA | Sattva |
In this article I have covered the experiences of the Holy Guardian Angel as one ascends the Tree of Life.
In the end, it is quite simple. By faith, certainty, prayer, devotion, ego dissolution, and the sacrifice of personal wants, one reaches to the summit of the Mountain.
Granted: this is often easier said than done, but itโs never too late to start.
References for Further Study
- Essays No. 9
- Essays No. 10
- The Magickal Linkย (Spring-Summer) 1994