Right Hand Path and Left Hand Path

 

The Paths and Magic

The Left Hand Path is an approach to knowledge that is dark, hidden, and receptive. It is the path of silence and inner revealing through meditation. The passive, feminine, Yin influence is felt here. The symbol is the pentagram with the point going earthward. Some say that the position of the points are very relevant, representing the female genitalia, and the two points up, symbolizing the breasts. This pentacle with the earthward point also symbolizes power going in. It is almost always seen in silver.

The right hand path is an approach to knowledge that is illuminated, evident and active. It is evidentiary and active. It is interactive and participative. It corresponds to the masculine and the yang. It is symbolizes power or energy going out. Those following the right hand path wear this in silver or gold, and sometimes copper.

The pentacle that represents the right hand path has the point of the star

pointing skyward. Some say the star is reminiscent of Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man” Others point to the symbolism of the erect phallus as being the skyward point, with the two earthward points denoting the testicles.

Left hand pathers will often add the head of the goat to their pentacle, which they call a pentagram. The head of the goat invokes the earth element and the Hebrew letters for Leviathan signify the waters of the abyss. Often referred to as the Baphomet, from the Greek "Baphe and Metis" meaning wisdom and measurement, this symbol may take its cue from LeviÂ’s Baphomet and may also pay homage to the Goddess Sophia.

Eliphas Levi drew the most used and popular image of the Baphomet. This 19^{th century Catholic priest turned occultist, he believed the Baphomet was the deity that the Knights Templar were said to have followed.}

Stephen Dafoe explains the significance of the Baphomet:

“It is believed that within Lévi's Baphomet, are contained the dualistic nature of life and the male female aspects of creation. The image combines both male and female qualities; one arm masculine, one feminine; the breasts of a woman with a phallic object on its lap; one arm pointing skyward while one pointing down, perhaps a representation of the Hermetic axiom "As Above...So Below". The illustration also shows one arm points toward a white crescent moon the other towards a dark crescent moon, perhaps a representation of the waxing and waning phases of the moon but it could also represent the duality of good and evil. On the right arm is written "Solve" Solution and on the Left "Coagula" Coagulation. These are references found in alchemy a study that Lévi not only undertook but also wrote about in his books. (“Author of Unholy Worship”, www.templarhistory.com/levi.html)

While many see the Baphomet as evil, its meaning is certainly not as simplistic as that. Sadly, most left hand pathers who use copies of this image for their workings are unaware of the BaphometÂ’s artist or the meaning of all the symbology.

Here is the answer to the great question about the use of the two pentacles and Magic with both paths. Neither path has a trademark on a particular symbol.. If the Working involves sending or transmitting energy, the skyward pentacle is used. If the Working involves receiving or absorbing energy, the earthward symbol is used. Now we see the polarities come into play and it is all about energy not a judgment call - Passive and Active. Form and Force. Flesh and Spirit. The same qualities come into play.

Furthermore, you cannot elevate the spirit while condemning the flesh and visa -versa! . The aspiring magician must maintain a BALANCE in his or her perspective and not place one symbol above the other because they compliment, define and complete each other.

As with the great rite, the male and female come together and this is the interplay  between the right hand path and left hand path.

When a man and a woman argue it is a terrible thing - but when they are

making love it is a beautiful expression of their love for each

other. Look at tantra and the great rite. These are culminations of the LHP and RHP together - there is no involvement of good and evil.

There is no conflict between these paths if they are true; there are

bumps in the road as in any meeting of minds or coupling, but they are

yin/yang and exist together.

There is always RHP in LHP, and always LHP in RHP. There is the "Being"

of the receptive LHP and then the "Becoming" which is the active RHP.

There is the Knowledge of the LHP that leads to the \ deeds of the RHP. Everything is Yin and Yang. Passive Idea and Active Deed. Like Sat-Being and Tan-Becoming comes from the Vedic. This is where some believe SAT-TAN, or Satan, came from.

The RHP is the way of Yang. The LHP is the way of Yin. That's it.

Like Yin and Yang, you cannot separate the two. Yin/Dark/Receptive.

Yang/Light/Active.

High Priest of the Correllian Tradition Reverend Don Lewis High-Correll states:

“Like Wicca, Tantra (Hindu, Buddhist and Taoist alike) perceives the world as being created and sustained by polar forces, represented by feminine and masculine. Also like Wicca, Tantra teaches that worldly problems are created by not moving in synch with the flow of the Polarities. The goal of Tantra is to bring about the union of the polarities….and thus transcend worldly difficulties and achieve enlightenment or oneness with deity.” (73)