Discussion/Contemplation Exercise
As you have already experienced, to really get to know the Sephiroth we want to explore not just the associations of the Sephiroth, but how their essence influences, impacts and/or can be used by us. The vices and virtues are integral to this. How does the nature of Geburah, Might, lead to a virtue of Energy and Courage? How does it lead to the vice of Cruelty and Wanton Destruction? What can the vice and virtue tell you about Geburah?
Vice: Cruelty and Wanton Destruction
Geburah gifts us with the Vision of Power. We experience our own strength, the strength and power of the universe, can feel the flow and push and intensity of it. There is a reason that “drunk on power” is a familiar phrase. It can be very easy to become on the thrill of the power and through it forget the point of it.
There is purpose behind Geburah. It does not exist in a vacuum, it does not exist to torment or to punish. It is a natural process of the world and the Tree; it is a natural process to our lives. Yet it can be easy, oh so easy, when the power rushes up inside of us, when we allow ourselves to really feel and connect to our own power and worth, without illusion, delusion or denial, we can be swept up in it. Thrilled by the *lack* of worry, the *lack* of defeat, disappointment, fear, we strike out in the worst ways.
We become cruel. We inflict unnecessary harm and pain onto others, for the thrill of the power, for the thrill of not being the victim. We rush past the need to protect and become so addicted to the sense of power that we become that which needs to be protected from.
We can shed wanton destruction upon the world because we can. When you can smash the bottle in front of you, because the act of destruction feels so good and there appears to be no consequences to run from. Why not destroy everything?
There is power in destruction! New life grows in the wake of it. The roads are cleared or new roads are created. Destruction is a necessary part of creation!
It is so easy to fall into those words and to fall into destruction without purpose, destruction without gain, destruction that holds no other purpose than to destroy.
And that is where it fails. That is where the advantages of Geburah fail and become lost into an overabundance of its nature. It loses its internal balance and we become lost in too much of Geburah.
What are your thoughts on cruelty? Have you ever felt the pull of wanton destruction? If so, what was it like? What inspired it? What purpose does cruelty serve, if any?
How does this align with your ideas of Geburah? of mars? of a mighty warrior in a chariot? Can you get a sense for why the power of this sphere would manifest into this particular vice?
Make notes on your Geburah-General Notes or in your journal.
Virtue: Energy and Courage
The Might of Geburah isn’t without purpose. Without purpose it becomes cruelty and wanton destruction, with purpose that power can propel us forward, can give us the courage we need to keep going, despite all odds, despite all obstacles.
It can be the courage we need to get over the wall or through the wall or to demolish the wall itself. It is also the energy to do so.
Desire and wish isn’t enough. We need the burning fire of energy to drive through us, to propel us forward.
The Vision of Power of Geburah can inspire the courage. It shows us that we can make a difference, that we can affect the world, create impact and change, if we but have courage. It shows us the importance of courage and also that we deserve to have it. That we have what is needed to be courageous because we are also Powerful, Mighty.
The titles of Geburah include Fear and Justice. Fear is a part of Geburah. When it overwhelms us it can lead to the vices of cruelty and wanton destruction out of a desire to keep the fear at bay.
But when embraced? When accepted for the necessity and natural part of us that it is? Fear is a guide, a teacher, and the diving board that feeds us energy and plunges us into courage.
What fears would you overcome? What energy can you draw from the fear? Where and when have you met your own courage? Can you imagine what it would be like to be flooded with it?
How does this align with your ideas of Geburah? of mars? of a mighty warrior in a chariot? Can you get a sense for why the power of this sphere would manifest into this particular virtue?
Make notes on your Geburah-General Notes or in your journal.