A drawn gateway gives the lunar opening of doors an architectural form. Psalm 107’s broken gates of brass and severed bars of iron supply its scriptural counterpart. [1]
Mathers 1889 · Book I, chapter XVIII; printed p. 69; figure 49, Plate XI; plate PDF page 95
Tall uprights and a central arched doorway form a gate, with names distributed through its construction and an angular terminal at the lower right. [1]
Source reproduction The 1st Pentacle of the Moon · Book I, chapter XVIII; printed p. 69; figure 49, Plate XI; plate PDF page 95.
Purpose in the text
The first lunar pentacle invokes the spirits of the Moon and opens doors. Names are distributed along the gateway’s uprights and arched opening, bringing the assigned office into the figure’s construction. [1]
The diagram and its inscriptions
Tall uprights and a central arched doorway form a gate, with names distributed through its construction and an angular terminal at the lower right. Mathers reads IHVH in the center; IHV, IHVH, AL and IHH on the right; Schioel, Vaol, Yashiel and Vehiel on the left. The commentary identifies Psalm 107:16 with the doorway. [1]
Reading the design
IHVH occupies the centre, with additional divine names on the right and Schioel, Vaol, Yashiel and Vehiel on the left. Psalm 107:16 describes broken gates of brass and cut bars of iron. The verse supplies the force of the opening, while the gateway gives its object a tangible form. The printed plate places this construction sideways; its architectural shape remains readily recognisable. [1]
S. L. MacGregor Mathers, 1889; printed edition, including editorial restoration of Hebrew characters. Book I, chapter XVIII; printed p. 69; figure 49, Plate XI; plate PDF page 95
