Geburah (“Strength”) is the Fifth Sefira on the Tree of Life, and thus, the Fifth Path in the Sefer Yetzirah. Geburah is sometimes called either “Pachad” (“Fear”) or “Din” (“Judgement”). It lies directly under Binah and across from Chesed, so it is the Second Sefira on the Pillar of Severity. Geburah is thus, continuing the Pattern started with Chokhmah, a reflection of all that is “above” it and a precursor to all “below” it. The Fifth Path in the “Thirty-Two Paths” reads:
-The Fifth Path is called the Rooted Intelligence (Sekhel Nishrash נשרש שכל), because it is itself the essence of the Unity, uniting itself to the essence of Understanding, which emanates from the domain of the ancient Wisdom.
The Planet associated with Geburah is Mars, the "Red Planet", Named after the God of War. The Angels are the Serafim (“Fiery Serpents”), and the Archangel is Khamael (“God’s Seeker”), and the God Name is Elohim Gibor ("God the All-Powerful Judge”). Geburah correlates to the Second Day of Creation, Monday, in Genesis.
And Elohim said, "Let there be an expanse in the midst of the water, and let it be a separation between the waters."
And Elohim made the expanse and it separated between the water that was below the expanse and the water that was above the expanse, and it was so.
And Elohim called the expanse Heaven, and it was evening, and it was morning, the Second Day.
Quite naturally, Geburah is about separation. Traditionally, many have taken Geburah as a “negative” Energy, but, sometimes, God’s Wrath is necessary. Geburah can indicate the Process by which the outworn is replaced by the new. This is similar to the Teachings of the late Susan Jeffers, who taught us to “Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway”.
In Tarot, Geburah correlates to the Four “Fives”.
The Five of Wands is Geburah in Atsilut. It deals with conflict, whether outer or inner. Generally this conflict is impeding further progress. It may also indicate a Time to entertain new Ideas, and deal with Passion.
The Five of Cups is Geburah in Briah. It deals with sadness, grief, disappointment and regret. There is also an indication of “crying over spilt milk”, in the sense of not valuing what remains.
The Five of Swords is Geburah in Yetzirah. The imaged evoked is that of penetrating one’s fears and continuing on with life. There is a sense of partial defeat, but also, partial victory. It can also be a warning against arrogance.
The Five of Disks is Geburah in Assiah. Like the other Fives, there is a sense of dealing with loss. In this case, it usually has to do with money, but not always. It has to deal with passing through a difficult Time, but with an Idea of planning for a later improved outcome.
In Nova Thought, we would connect Geburah with the Flame Principle, the Number Three, Tuesday, the Manipura Chakra and the “Character” of the Warrior This connection leads us back to the Three Norns, associated with the Rune Nauthiz, and the other Flame Runes, Kaunaz and Tiwaz.
An Affirmation for the Energy of Geburah might be:
I am more than Powerful enough for the break-through that awaits me.
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