Plate III
The Tablet and the Pen
“Every symbol requires two movements to instantiate: an Opening (an act of Mercy, possibility), and a Closing (an act of Wrath, determination).”
Four irises stacked on one axis, with a single bead of light that descends through them and can be lifted back up
Emanation
Return
Four irises stand on one axis, from the top Ground, Determination, Mechanism and Actuality. A bead of light, the particular, descends from the undrawn Source above. Ground dilates, an act of Mercy; Determination constricts to a shaped aperture, an act of Wrath; Mechanism dilates, Mercy; Actuality constricts, Wrath. Going down, the principle acts at Ground and Determination, and their blades are gold; the symbol acts at Mechanism and Actuality, and their blades are ivory steel. Lift the bead with the pointer, or with the Up and Down arrow keys, and it rises through the same four registers, named Initiation, Opening, Ascent and Return. Each iris performs the same act again, but now the Real acts at Determination and Mechanism, which turn gold, while the self acts at Actuality and Ground, which are ivory steel. Carried to the top, the bead is taken into the Source and the descent begins again.
Fig. III — every symbol is opened, then closed: Mercy dilates, Wrath constricts.