The doctrine of Height Depth East South encompasses esoteric concepts, entities, and relationships that weave together to form a rich body of philosophical and theological ideas. At its core, this tradition revolves around the notion of sympathy, where various triads, worlds, and elements converge to create a harmonious and balanced cosmos.
The Triadic Structure
The foundation of this hermetic lineage lies in the seven triads, each representing a distinct world or element. The Ophiaphic or Iynx Triad (V S W) corresponds to the vital and fiery world, while the Ibimorphous Triad (O Q R) is associated with the second intellectual or ethereal world, concerned with the principle of humidity. The Nephtæan Triad (X Y Z) represents the third ethereal world, embodying fecundity. These triads, along with the Hecatine and Serapæan Triads, form the four triads of the sensible or material worlds.
The relationships between these triads reveal a sequence of worlds or elements, with each triad building upon the previous one. The Ophiaphic or Iynx Triad is connected to the seventh world, which is the terrestrial and hater of light, under the Moon, containing matter called fundus. The Ibimorphous Triad follows the Ophiaphic or Iynx Triad in the sequence, while the Nephtæan Triad follows the Ibimorphous Triad. This hierarchical structure suggests a gradual progression from the vital and fiery world to the material and terrestrial realms.
The Interconnected Worlds
The seven worlds, including the seventh world, are interconnected and interdependent. The Holy Temple, situated in the central position, holds a central place in the conceptual framework governing the structure of the Tablet. Surrounding the Holy Temple, the concepts of height, depth, East, West, North, and South are interwoven, serving as the fundamental elements that both complement and sustain the overall structure.
The relationships between these elements illustrate their interconnectivity and integration within the structure of the Tablet. The Holy Temple integrates with the concepts of height, depth, East, West, North, and South, completing the structure of the Tablet. This harmonious convergence of elements and worlds demonstrates the idea that the Height Depth East South tradition represents a holistic and balanced cosmos.
The Triad of Faith, Truth, and Love
The Triad of Faith, Truth, and Love is interconnected with the Ophiaphic or Iynx Triad, symbolizing key religious and moral values. While the Ophiaphic or Iynx Triad focuses on world elements or forces, the Triad of Faith, Truth, and Love emphasizes the spiritual and ethical dimensions of human existence. This dual-triadic structure highlights the manifold nature of the topics it addresses, touching on both natural and spiritual aspects.
The coexistence of these triads within a broader framework indicates that the Height Depth East South tradition is a rich source of diverse and interrelated ideas. The integration of the Triad of Faith, Truth, and Love with the descriptions of triads representing world elements suggests a holistic approach to understanding the Tablet and its teachings.
Bibliographia & Fontes
Primary Source Books Used in This Article
The doctrines, historical citations, and symbolic correspondences synthesized in this article are drawn from the following primary works and chapters:
- I.Manly P. Hall, The Secret Teachings of All Ages1928
An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic and Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy
Chapters / Sections Consulted:Ch. “The Bembine Table of Isis”
The Hermetic Museum: Restored and Enlarged (Waite Edition)
A compendium of twenty-two celebrated seventeenth-century alchemical treatises on the Philosopher’s Stone, the Tria Prima, and the Spagyric Art, translated and annotated by Arthur Edward Waite.