Inspired by the famous line drawing by Eliphas
Levi, the great French magus of the 19th century which was composed
as the frontispiece to second section of his masterwork “The Ritual
and Dogma of High Magic”. Levi devised this picture, which
synthesizes many elements and symbols from a variety of religious
and magickal traditions to illustrate the concept of “astral light,
the great magical agent,” the medium through which all seeming
miracles are performed.
Because this drawing was originally intended to be
correctly understood by only initiates of the Mystery Traditions, in
more recent times it has been greatly misunderstood, maligned and
sometimes abused by the ignorant and those who are unable to
perceive its true meaning. Levi alternately titled this drawing “The
Sabbatic Goat” (in reference to rites once held in honor of the
divine goat of Mendes in ancient Egypt). It is also “Baphomet of the
Templars” ( the order of the Knights Templar, the forerunners of
modern Freemasonry). Ceremonial magicians and Witches have often
recognized this symbol as one of the many representations of the
Horned God, although this figure is never worshiped.
To quote Levi, “Baphomet is not a God: he is the
sign of initiation. He is also the hieroglyphic figure of the great
divine TETRAGRAMMATON … he is a hold-over from the cherubs of the
ark and the holy of holies … he is the guardian of the key to the
temple … the goat which is represented in our frontispiece bears
upon it’s forehead the sign of the pentagram with one point in the
ascendant, which is sufficient to distinguish it as a symbol of
light … between his horns he carries the torch of life, and the
living soul of this torch is God … it is also the type of the soul
exalted above matter, even while cleaving to matter, as the flame
cleaves to the torch.”
93 . Crowley . OTO . Ordo Templi Orientis
Resin Finish
9 3/4" x 6" x 15"
Please allow 7-10 days for
shipping