Welcome to the sixth tea of the course! This is it. Halfway. Well, after this month is over, since we have an even number of lessons.
I mentioned last month that by bringing in Netzach, we were finding the opposite to Hod, and thereby bringing balance and harmony to Hod. Balance and harmony are the essence of Tifareth.
We are at the heart of the Pillar of Balance, of Equilibrium, of the Middle. Essentially we are what is considered the middle of the middle. (You will notice that I always add a bit of qualification to Tifareth being the centre of the tree – that is because when we look at the tree we can see that there is not a ‘true’ middle where there is a centre point around which everything revolves – there is a complexity to the ‘centre’ of the tree, which we will touch on later, but for now, we will just accept that Tifareth is for most intents and purposes, the centre.)
When we began, we travelled to the Kingdom and then up to the Foundation, if we had continued straight up the tree, we would have arrived directly at Harmony. We took the side journeys to Victory and Glory instead. Why? So that Harmony and Beauty would have greater meaning, greater depth. Without exploring the opposites that lie below and above Tifareth on the tree, we cannot come to a true understanding of the Beauty at the centre.
All that being said, let’s go deeper into Tifareth.
From here on up the tree things may get more surprising and potentially disturbing or difficult to orient to. The concepts and experiences will be farther from normal life and experience. This may cause difficult experiences. If that happens, take care of yourself. Come back to the lower spheres, to the comfort and familiarity of Malkuth and the Kingdom. Ground into the earth. Eat a little something.
As usual, there are four lessons or exercises if you prefer in this week. They can be done together, as in all of them contemplated (if alone) or discussed (if working this in a group) all on the same day, or you can spread them out over the week as works for you.
Tea Preparation
For those who will be doing tea like I will, here’s the things to keep in mind:
- Wear some form of yellow to connect with the (Queen’s) colour of Tifareth
- Tea suggestion (mine are added to a rooibos base) **always take care that there are no allergies with what you choose to use**. Use all or some of the following:
- rose buds
- calendula
- chamomile
- dandelion root
- Tifareth oil blend:
- frankincense
- ginger grass
- wild verbena
- rose
- jasmine
- sandalwood
- lemon
- chamomile
- lemon grass
- Optional (well, it’s all optional, but this item is particularly so): dress (anoint) a yellow candle with the oil, to burn during the tea, to help bring connection to the contemplation/discussion.
Tea Process
Anoint self with oil.
Do the meditation.
Make tea.
Contemplate/discuss Tifareth while drinking tea.