In the Third Path, we are dealing with the “motherly” Energy of Binah.
The Third Path is Named the Sanctifying Intelligence (Sekhel MeKudash מקדוש שכל ), the Foundation of Primordial Wisdom, which is called the Parent of Faith, as from its Power does Faith emanate.
Binah ("Understanding"; בינה) is the second power of conscious intellect within Creation, also referred to as “Supernal Mother”, is the uppermost of the Sefirot of the left hand side of the Tree (kav smol, which is also the "Pillar of Severity"). It is to the lower left of Keter, and with Chokhmah across from it. Under it are the Sephirot of Geburah and Hod. It commonly has four paths going to Keter, Chokhmah, Tiferet, and Geburah. This is a good Time to point out, that the Numbers in Kabbalah do not follow exactly the Pythagorean interpretation. Pythagoras taught, for example, that Two was the Primary Female, and Three the Primary Male. Although the Sefirot are not generally associated with gender, Chokhmah has always been "Abba" the Father, and Binah "Imma", the Mother. The other Sefirah with apparent Female characterics is Malkut ("Kingdom"), Sefirah NumberTen. Another point of view about the Sefirot is that each is "Masculine" to the One immediately after it, Numerologically speaking, and "Feminine" to the One before it.
The Four Treys of the Tarot Deck reside in this Third Sefirah, Binah. They represent change. While the Aces stood alone, the Deuces indicated the beginnings of relationships, the Four Treys deal with groups, and interpersonal communications.
The Trey of Wands refers to Binah in Atsilut, where planning and putting energy and action behind those plans results in success. It also suggests the creative cooperation towards manifesting a common goal, and can also indicate leading a group.
The Trey of Cups is Binah in Beriah implies reconciliation and dealing with emotions. It can represent a change of living situation, not necessarily good or bad. It might also imply a business meeting or a social gathering, partying and celebrating, or a change in social status.
The Trey of Swords represents Binah in Yetzirah often seen as one of the negative cards, with a feeling of separation, desolation, anxiety, unhappiness. However, there is also a feeling of breakthrough, and the resolution of a stalemate.
The Trey of Disks correlates to Binah in Assiah; it deals with achieving mastery and accomplishment, the Card of the craftsman or foreman. It also implies financial advancement, a promotion or new job, and the approach to success.
Traditionally, the Color for Binah is Black. The Planet Saturn was traditionally correlated to Binah, but the recently-discovered Uranus makes much more sense. The Name of God is “YHVH Elohim”. The Archangel is Tzafkiel (“God's Contemplation”), and the Angels are the Erelim, the “Valiant Ones” (this Name also means “Thrones”).
In Nova Thought, Binah would relate to Black, the Order Source, the Number Nine, the Ida Nadi, and the Character of the Servant. It is also the Left, Upward moving Black Pillar Boaz ("Strength") of Solomon's Temple, and the Rune Isa. There is also a Kabbalistic Attribution to the Hebrew Letter, Shin. This is a strange juxtaposition of “Primordial Fire” and Ice, isn’t it? You may remember that the Merkabah was composed of the Primordial Fire. It has been said, that Binah was created to limit Chokhmah. Think of the connection between the Chaotic Chokhmah and Leviathan, and you will Understand how this works. The connection between Binah and Order was covered in an earlier article by this writer.
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