Societas Rosicruciana in America

Associate Membership
OCCULT SCIENCE, LIBER III

Liber 3: Kabalistic Series: No. 3 Serial Number 39

THE SEFER DTZENIOUTHA

By Dr. George Winslow Plummer, X°, 32°

"This is a Great Mystery." Eph. V, 32

The Sefer Dtzenioutha, or Book of Concealed Mystery, is the first of the three most
important books of the Zohar, the two others being the Idra Rabba, the Greater Holy
Assembly, and the Idra Suta, the Lesser Holy Assembly. The whole substance of the
Zohar is contained in the Sefer Dtzenioutha, the two lesser treatises being the
explanations and developments of the doctrines outlined in the Book of Concealed
Mystery. The last paragraph of which reads as follows: "Thus far, the Book of the King,
or of the Mysteries, or of Occultations, remains involved and hidden. Happy is that man
who goes in and comes out, and learns its paths and crossways."

The Sefer Dtzenioutha is divided into five chapters, containing respectively 49, 67, 36, 21
and 44 verses. The total number of verses thus being 217, which is the product of 7 and
31. Now 7 is a mystic number denoting the number of creative days, the colors of the
solar spectrum, the tones of the musical scale, the seven planets and many other things;
while 31 is by Gematria the number of AL, El, God. So this may symbolize or denote that
God moves in a sevenfold manner to produce His mysteries.

As it is considered that the first 24 verses of the first chapter contain the essence of the
Zohar, they will be given in full, and be followed by explanatory notes.

2002-2015 (c) Society of Rosicrucians/Societas Rosicruciana In America, Inc. All rights reserved.
Societas Rosicruciana in America Kabala Series

SEFER DTZENIOUTHA. CHAPTER 1.

1. The Book of Concealed Mystery is the book of weighing in the Balance.

2. Before this Balance was, countenance answered not back to countenance.
3. And the kings of ancient times were dead, and their crowns were nowhere to
be found, and the earth was desolate.
4. Until that incomprehensible Head, longed for by all desires, appeared and
bestowed the vestments of honor.
5. This Balance hangeth in that region which existeth not in the Ancient One.
6. Powers, which appeared not, were weighed in it.
7. The Balance existeth in His Form; incomprehensible, unseen.
8. Therein have ascended and therein do ascend they who are not, they who are
and they who shall be.
9. The Head, which is incomprehensible, is undisclosed in occultation.
10. The incomprehensible Head is framed and prepared after the similitude of a
skull, and is filled with crystalline dew.
11. The covering membrane of this skull is of aether, clear, transparent and
closed.
12. From it hair, like most fine white wool, hangeth on either side in equilibrium.
13. The supreme loving-kindness of His forehead reveals itself to the prayers of
that which is below.
14. His eye is ever open, slumbering not, for continually it keepeth watch. And
the aspect of the lower accordeth with the aspect of the higher Light.
15. In the superior aspect are two nostrils like mighty galleries, through which His
Spirit rusheth forth over all.
16. In the beginning the Elohim created the substance of the heavens and the
substance of the earth. Six created six. Upon these depend all which is below.
17. And the splendor of splendor hangeth from the seven conformations of the
skull.
18. But the second earth counteth not among the six.
19. For it hath proceeded out of that earth which hath born the curse; as it is
written, (Gen. V, 29.), "Because of the ground which the Lord hath cursed."
20. And the earth was formless and void, and darkness was upon the face of the
Abyss. Thirteen below answer to the thirteen of the splendor of splendor.
21. Six thousand years answer to the six first.
22. The Seventh thousand years are apart and over that One which alone is
mighty. And all was desolate for twelve hours, - the hours during which the
earth was formless and void.
23. But in the thirteenth hour that One which alone is mighty was raised up
through mercy and renewed. And all six continued steadfastly, for it is
written; "And the earth was," for it is certain and most true.
24. Therefore that One which alone is mighty was a subsisting reality, although
not an actuality, even while existing potentially only. And the Lord alone shall
be exalted in that day.

© 2002 Society of Rosicrucians/Societas Rosicruciana In America, Inc. All rights reserved. 2

Societas Rosicruciana in America Kabala Series

The foregoing rendering of the beginning of the Sefer Dtzenioutha is an occult

description of the generation of Adam Kadmon, the primordial Adam of the Kabalists.
We shall dwell upon each verse in sequence.

1. At the beginning of the papyrus of Ani (one of the three writers of the Book of
the Dead) there are hymns to Ra and Osiris, and the famous scene of
judgement where is depicted the heart of Ani being weighed in the Balance
against the symbol of Righteousness. The great company of the Gods present
and the weighing takes place at one end of the House of Osiris while Osiris
himself sits enshrined at the other. Anubis is the Guardian of the Balance and
Thoth registers the result of the weighing.

Balance is a fundamental verity of the Universe. It is the symbol of all

equilibrium. Unity can only be manifested by the binary. Unity itself and the
idea of Unity are already two. God himself, though one in essence, has two
essential conditions as fundamental bases of existence, Necessity and Liberty.
It is Necessary that God exist, and He must have Liberty to do that which He
wills.

The Smaragdine Table of Hermes says: "What is below is like that which is
above, and what is above is like that which is below, to accomplish the
miracles of one thing." Nature is filled with the duality of the Balance. We
have Light and Darkness, Life and Death, Mind and Matter, the Beginning
and the Ending, Time and Eternity, Harmony and Discord, Construction and
Destruction, Upwards and Downwards, Right and Wrong, Love and Hate,
Order and Chaos, Evolution and Involution, Progression and Retrogression,
and a host of similar duads, the contrasts of opposites.

In the mystery of the Equilibrium in the Deity between the Infinite Divine
Wisdom and the Infinite Divine Power lies the Stability of the Universe, the
unchangeableness of the Divine Law, and the principles of Truth, Justice and
Right which are a part of it. With this, results also the Supreme Obligation of
the Divine Law upon all men, superior to all other man-made law, but forming
the part and basis of the legal codes of men.

2. During this period of unbalanced forces there was no Microprosopus, and for
this reason the lesser countenance could not answer back to the greater
countenance. The Supreme Being had not yet proceeded from the Absolute.
The Abyss was yet in a chaotic state in which the unbalanced forces swayed
hither and thither, without the creative Will to control their fearful turmoil.

3. The Kings of Edom, mentioned in the first Instruction of this Series, may be
considered as the remains of the former Saturn, Sun and Moon Periods. It was
a transition period between the earth's incarnations, and the creative forces
had not recommenced work upon the earth.

2002-2015 (c) Society of Rosicrucians/Societas Rosicruciana In America, Inc. All rights reserved. 3
Societas Rosicruciana in America Kabala Series

4. Now appears that mystical Head of Macroprosopus, otherwise known as Arik

Anpin, the Vast Countenance or Adam Kadmon. During the succeeding verses
this magical Head gradually rises from out the Waters of the great Abyss and
comes into manifestation. The vestments of honor are the bodies wherein
came into being those spiritual entities which were ready for incarnation, but
of course this did not occur just at the time of this first appearance of
Macroprosopus.

5. The term Ancient One, as well as the Crown, Kether, both also mean the
Macroprosopus, but are here introduced to bring into the theme the Ten
Sefiroth, which will be duly mentioned. In the preceding verse
Macroprosopus, otherwise Kether, is beginning to manifest. The other Nine
Sefiroth, which are equilibrated by their formation in trinities, are not yet
developed in the Ancient One, the Adam Kadmon, but exist within it in the
same manner as the tree exists latent within the seed from which the tree will
spring. Therefore these Sefiroth can be considered as negatively existent.

6. The powers, or Sefiroth, in their negative existence might be symbolized as a

point within a circle. The point, having neither length, breadth nor thickness,
can be thought of as negatively existent. It is a mere locus, without form or
body. The circle is the limiting boundary, to which the powers will extend
when they come into full manifestations. But when a mere point there is latent
all the equilibrium which later develops. Just as in the seed is latent all the
balance of the many branches of the tree as yet not grown. The phrase "were
weighed in it" is here simply another way of expressing equilibrium. The
balance of the powers of the Sefiroth was latent in their as yet invisible
existence.

7. In one sense this verse is but a repetition of the idea expressed in verse 5, and
adds emphasis by that repetition. A balance in the physical sense consists of a
pivoted beam from the ends of which hang two scales. The point of the
equilibrium is in the center, when the scales are equally weighted. Similarly,
in His form, that is, in the form of the Ancient One, is a central point, which is
the Equilibrium, but the Balance is as yet undeveloped, latent. This first
notion of equilibrium is in the Ancient One because He is the first limitation
of the En Soph Aur, the Limitless Light, which proceeds from En Soph.

8. The allusion here is to the Sefiroth and refers to an activity within the
Equilibrium existing within the Ancient One. The words "ascended" and
"ascend" indicate the first existence of the Sefiroth.

The subsequent terms "who are not," "who are" and "who shall be" indicate
first, the Sefiroth in their negative existence; secondly, the Sefiroth as coming
into positive existence; and lastly, the Sefiroth, because they are balanced

2002-2015 (c) Society of Rosicrucians/Societas Rosicruciana In America, Inc. All rights reserved. 4
Societas Rosicruciana in America Kabala Series

powers, existing permanently. These terms also allude, though in a more

recondite manner, to the triple trinity of the Sefiroth.

9. Here, as before, the Head is that of the Ancient One, or Macroprosopus. In

it are secretly hidden all the potentialities of future creations. They are as yet
undisclosed, they are truly occulted by the incomprehensible mystery.

10. The profundity of the Kabala is manifest through the sublime simplicity of
its images, its symbols. The human form, which our author ascribes to Deity,
is but an image of his meaning, for God is beyond expression by human
thought or representation by any figure. According to the Mantuan Codex the
skull or cranium is the first, and the crystalline dew the second conformation
of the Macroprosopus. The crystalline dew is the Creative Lux or Aur,
proceeding from the En Soph.

11. 12. This Aether, which the Mantuan Codex calls the third conformation, is the
clear and unsupportable brilliance of the unspeakable Glory of the Ancient
One. The almost repulsive representation of the Macroprosopus as an
Aether-covered skull is depicted, not with the purpose of giving any true
conception of the Ancient One, but with the intention of causing, by that very
repulsion, the mind of the student to go to the opposite extreme and to
attempt, at least, to formulate mentally his own concept of the Supreme Being,
insofar as may be humanly possible.

13. This Forehead is the fifth conformation of the Ancient One. It is endowed
with a supernal benignity from which descend certain powers, qualities and
offices to the lower Sefiroth. Each Sefira is double in gender, it is feminine
inasmuch as it receives powers and qualities from the Sefira above it, and
masculine insofar as it transmits them to that below it. Thus is the propagation
of the powers of the Ancient One effected.

14. This is the origin of the concept of the All-seeing Eye. As it is written in
Prov. xv:3, "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and
the good." Also in Job, xxiv:21, "For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and
he seeth all his goings."

We find also in the Book of the Dead Chapter LXXXIX, this expression: "For
thou shalt find the Eye of Horus, standing by thee like those watchful gods."

2002-2015 (c) Society of Rosicrucians/Societas Rosicruciana In America, Inc. All rights reserved. 5
Societas Rosicruciana in America Kabala Series

Among the Hindu legends there is the allegory of Vishvakarma, the Creative
Power, who is called in the Rig-Veda the "All-seeing God." Were this Eye to
close, the whole universe would be dissolved, for the Divine Thought
directing it would be withdrawn from the Sefirotic emanations and chaos
would ensue.

The aspect or development of the lower nine Sefiroth accords with or depends
upon the ruling thought of the Higher Light, the first Sefira, Kether. The
Codex terms this the sixth conformation of the Ancient One.

13. This describes poetically the out-breathing of the creative spirit, the breath of
life, upon all forms that are to live. This is the seventh conformation of the
Macroprosopus.

14. This is the literal translation of the opening verse of Genesis. In the Hebrew it
reads: "BRAShITh BRA ALHIM ATh HShMIM VATh HARTz." Berashith
Bera Elohim Ath Hashamaim Vaath Haaretz. Now BRAShITh, Berashith, "In
the Beginning," may also be read BRA ShITh, Bera Shith, "He created the
Six."

We may interpret this not only as relating the genesis of the world, but also
the development of God, the Supreme Being thinking himself into
manifestation.

2002-2015 (c) Society of Rosicrucians/Societas Rosicruciana In America, Inc. All rights reserved. 6
Societas Rosicruciana in America Kabala Series

The Six, which He created, are the six Sefirotic attributions of the
Microprosopus:

Mercy Justice
The Right Arm The Left Arm
Beauty
The Body
Firmness Splendor
The Right Leg The Left Leg
Foundation
Reproductive

The Microprosopus, being the reflection of the Macroprosopus, has these six
Sefiroth corresponding to the six conformations of Macroprosopus. Upon
these six depend the three inferior worlds, Briah, Yetzirah and Assiah.

15. By the Splendor of splendor is meant the magnificent beard of the Ancient
One. This beard is divided into thirteen parts, but yet is the one beard. Here
we have an application of the gematria, for the Hebrew word for Unity is
AchD, Achad, and its numerical equivalent is:

A ................... 1
Ch.................. 8
D ................. 4
13

The thirteen parts of the beard, therefore, symbolize Unity.

16. The world of unbalanced force was destroyed, the second earth, the restored
world, was not counted among the six Sefiroth enumerated above.

17. Seven Edomite kings died in the destroyed world and their possessions were
broken up. From these remains was the kingdom of the second earth formed.

18. The first sentence is from Gen. 1:2, and in the Hebrew text there are thirteen
words from the words "And the earth" to the end of the verse. Again there is
the symbol of Unity. The Face of the Abyss is the Vast Countenance, the
Macroprosopus, Kether, the Crown. Reflected in the Waters of the Abyss is
the Lesser Countenance, the Microprosopus, adorned with a lesser splendor of
splendor, a beard, which is divided into thirteen parts answering to the thirteen
divisions of that of Macroprosopus.

2002-2015 (c) Society of Rosicrucians/Societas Rosicruciana In America, Inc. All rights reserved. 7
Societas Rosicruciana in America Kabala Series

19. There are six Hebrew words; "VIAMR ALHIM IHI AVR VIHI AVR."
Veyomar Elohim Yehi Aur Vayehi Aur, meaning: "And the Elohim said, Let
there be Light, and there was Light." Numerical Units are sometimes used to
signify divine things; numbers of tens, celestial things; numbers of hundreds,
terrestrial things; and numbers of thousands, future things. Here we have the
number "six thousand," deduced both from the number of words in the verse
of Genesis, and also from the six enumerated Sefiroth, and as it is given in
thousands, it symbolizes the number six on the plane of an age yet to come.

20. The seventh period means Malkuth, the Kingdom, or the Queen, and these
with the six Sefiroth already given, constitute the seven lower Sefiroth. The
six mentioned Sefiroth denote mercies and judgements, and they are subject to
the balancing power of the seventh. The Kingdom, Malkuth, of the higher
powers, is the antitype of the Sanctuary, and as that was destroyed during the
exile of the Hebrews so also the Shekinah, the Divine appearance, exiled for
that period. The Hebrews include all the time of their exile figuratively in the
space of one day.

21. The last word of Gen. i:2 is HMIM, Hamim, "of the waters," and this is, as
already explained, the thirteenth word in this verse of Genesis. Now water is
the symbol of that measure of Mercy through which judgements and
punishments are mitigated. The six Sefiroth members of Microprosopus
persist and stand fast, therefore the Kingdom perished not; for though perhaps
formless and void, it retained the essence of its being.

22. At the end of the state of Chaos, Void and Darkness the Tetragrammaton
appears in exaltation. The Lord compriseth the Ten Sefiroth, and thus
expresseth their three Trinities of Balanced Force; Now disappear the
Formless, the Void and the Darkness and in their place reigneth Form,
Fullness and Light.

2002-2015 (c) Society of Rosicrucians/Societas Rosicruciana In America, Inc. All rights reserved. 8
Societas Rosicruciana in America Kabala Series

In order to give a greater unity of thought to the student of this Instruction,

there now follows a simplified reading of the Zohar which is quoted from the
History of Magic, by the great French occultist, Eliphas Levi Zahed, known in
private life as Alphonse Louis Constant. It reads as follows:

“The Science of Equilibrium is the Key of occult Science. Unbalanced forces

perish in the void. So passed the Kings of the elder world, the princes of the
giants. They have fallen like trees without roots, and their place is found no
more. Through the conflict of unbalanced forces the devastated earth was void
and formless, until the Spirit of God made for itself a place in Heaven and
reduced the mass of Waters.

All the aspirations of Nature were directed then towards Unity of Form,
towards the living synthesis of Equilibrated Forces; the Face of God, crowned
with Light, rose over the vast sea and was reflected in the Waters thereof. His
two eyes were manifested, radiating with splendor, darting two beams of light,
which crossed with those of the reflection. The brow of God and His eyes
formed a triangle in Heaven, and its reflection formed a second triangle in the
Waters. So was revealed the number Six, being that of Universal Creation.

That synthesis of the Word, formulated in the human figure, ascended slowly
and emerged from the Water, like the Sun in its rising. When the eyes
appeared, Light was made; when the mouth was manifested, there was the
creation of Spirits and the Word passed into expression. The entire Head was
revealed, and this completed the first Day of Creation. The shoulders, the
arms, the breast arose, and thereupon work began.

With one hand the Divine Image put back the sea, while with the other it
raised up continents and mountains. The Image grew and grew; the generative
organs appeared, and all beings began to increase and multiply. The Form
stood at length erect, having one foot upon the Earth and one upon the Waters.

Beholding itself at full length in the Ocean of Creation, it breathed on its own
reflection and called its likeness into life. It said: Let us make Man -and thus
Man was made.”

Such in brief is the creation of Man according to Kabalistic verbiage and the
oriental imagery in which it is clothed. There is nothing so beautiful in poetry
as this vision of creation accomplished by the great Prototype of Humanity.
According to this, Man is but the shadow of a shadow, and yet he is the image
of Divine Power. He stretches his hands forth from East to West, and to him is
the Earth given as a dominion. Such is Adam Kadmon, the primordial Adam
of the Kabalists.

2002-2015 (c) Society of Rosicrucians/Societas Rosicruciana In America, Inc. All rights reserved. 9
Societas Rosicruciana in America Kabala Series

The Kabala shows that God manifests both male and female potencies, and it
agrees with Genesis in stating that the first man was androgynous. In Gen.
1:27 we read: "So God created man in his own image; in the image of God
created He him; male and female created He them." Also we find that God
was not considered as a single individual, but plural, for the ALHIM, Elohim,
has the plural ending IM, and moreover this ending is usually that of the
masculine plural, but is here added to ALH, which is a feminine singular
noun.

God, the Ancient of Days, thus is not a single, masculine power, but combines
the attributes of both Father and Mother. Their offspring is the Holy Spirit,
which is generally considered masculine, but the word RVCh, Ruach, Spirit,
is feminine, as is shown in this passage from the Sefer Yetzirah: "AchTh
RVCh AlhIM ChIIM," Achath Ruach Elohim Chiim; One is she, the Spirit of
the Elohim of Life. Here the word AchTh, Achath, One or Unity, is the
feminine of AchD, Achad, Unity. Hence we find the principles both of
polarity and of Gender at their primal origin in the Great Creative Intelligence.

ll ll ll ll ll

PROBLEM

READ THIS LESSON CAREFULLY ONCE EACH DAY UNTIL YOU RECEIVE
THE NEXT LESSON.

2002-2015 (c) Society of Rosicrucians/Societas Rosicruciana In America, Inc. All rights reserved. 10