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The Hierophant - Meaning and Symbolism



HIEROPHANT.


I saw the great Master in the Temple. He was siting on
a golden throne set upon a purple platform, and he wore
the robe of a high priest with a golden tiara. He held a
golden eight-pointed cross, and lying at his feet were two
crossed keys. Two initiates bowed before him and to
them he spoke:-—
"Seek the Path, do not seek attainment, Seek for the
Path within yourself.

"Do not expect to hear the truth from others, nor to
see it, or read it in books. Look for the truth in yourself,
not without yourself.

"Aspire only after the impossible and inaccessible.
Expect only that which shall not be.

"Do not hope for Me, — do not look for Me,—do not
believe—that I am outside yourself.

"Within your soul build a lofty tower by which you
may ascend to Heaven. Do not believe in external
miracles, expect miracles only within you. Beware of
believing in a mystery of the earth, in a mystery guarded
by men; for treasuries which must be guarded
are empty. Do not search for a mystery that can be
hidden by men. Seek the Mystery within yourself.

"Above all, avoid those towers built in order to
preserve the mysteries and to make an ascent to Heaven
by stone stairways. And remember that as soon as men
build such a tower they begin to dispute about the
summit.

"The Path is in yourself, and Truth is in yourself and
Mystery is in yourself.