Official
Descriptions: It is believed that within Lévi's Baphomet, are
contained the dualistic nature of life and the male female aspects of
creation. The image combines both male and female qualities; one arm
masculine, one feminine; the breasts of a woman with a phallic object on
its lap; one arm pointing skyward while one pointing down, perhaps a
representation of the Hermetic axiom "As Above...So Below". The
illustration also shows one arm points toward a white crescent moon the
other towards a dark crescent moon, perhaps a representation of the waxing
and waning phases of the moon but it could also represent the duality of
good and evil. On the right arm is written "Solve" Solution and
on the Left "Coagula" Coagulation. These are references found in
alchemy a study that Lévi not only undertook but wrote about in his
books. Eliphas Lévi
The Man Behind The Baphomet External link
"The goat on the frontispiece carries the
sign of the pentagram on the forehead, with one point at the top, a symbol
of light, his two hands forming the sign of hermetism, the one pointing up
to the white moon of Chesed, the other pointing down to the black one of
Geburah. This sign expresses the perfect harmony of mercy with justice.
His one arm is female, the other male like the ones of the androgyn of
Khunrath, the attributes of which we had to unite with those of our goat
because he is one and the same symbol. The flame of intelligence shining
between his horns is the magic light of the universal balance, the image
of the soul elevated above matter, as the flame, whilst being tied to
matter, shines above it. The ugly beast's head expresses the horror of the
sinner, whose materially acting, solely responsible part has to bear the
punishment exclusively; because the soul is insensitive according to its
nature and can only suffer when it materializes. The rod standing instead
of genitals symbolizes eternal life, the body covered with scales the
water, the semi- circle above it the atmosphere, the feathers following
above the volatile. Humanity is represented by the two breasts and the
androgyn arms of this sphinx of the occult sciences." (
Dogme Et Rituel De La Haute Magie, Eliphas Levi, Paris, 1861)
According
to Michael Howard: The Occult Conspiracy
"The
Gargoyle is in the form of a bearded horned figure with pendulous female
breasts, wings and cloven feet. It sits in a crossed-legged
position which resembles statues of the Celtic stag god, Cernnunnus or
the Horned One, found in Gaul (France) before the Roman
occupation."
According
to Manly P. Hall: Famous Mason
According to a
research monograph on the Dionysian Artificers and Early Masonry edited
by Manly P. Hall, the symbolism of the goat relates to the pre-christian
God Pan, Dionysius. The Goat-God was accepted by the later Greek
Mystery Schools as the symbol of the Temple Builders. In fact the
Dionysian Artificers was such a mystery school. http://www.freemasonwatch.freepress-freespeech.com/baphomet.html
External link
Pentagram
