Tattwas & Uses

What Tattwas Are & Uses for the Aspirant

Frater Adonis

0=0 A.'.A.'..

There is a theory that Solar Prana vibrates through the universe from the sun by way of the etheric current. Think of this current as an electrical wire that can carry all kinds of messages from pure power for appliances to sophisticated voice and computer signals. Faith is not something that is required; all you need to do is to begin to use the etheric current and test it in a scientific manner. With experience you can verify its existence and learn about its capacities.

The Tattwas represent a westernization of the Hindu theory of the elements. They represent a synthesis of western and eastern ideas about the mystic elements in the Western Mystery Schools. Your Tattwa cards will prove useful in showing you some of the facets of Solar Prana as it is carried through the etheric current. As well, these cards will prepare you for the more advanced visualization exercises that the student will become involved with when learning the Tarot later on.

But first, let's examine a working theory in order to better describe exactly what Solar Prana is, and its relationship to the Tattwas. For starters, lets travel to the beginnings of what is to become our galaxy. Now imagine the existence of a formless cloud. If you are already familiar with the Qabalah, this can be equivocated with Kether on the Tree‑of‑Life. This is a cloud that contains the potential for all that will exist and is called AKASA.

As this scattered cloud begins to contract, it will begin to whirl. The 'matter' will start to move in a fashion as if blown by some etheric or solar wind. The spirit that is AKASA is stirring in its wholly inorganic state and pushing itself to maneuver from an unmanifested state; eventually towards a state of manifestation. This whirling is an airlike quality that is referred to as VAYU.

Now, these particles, in their whirling have formed a Nebula. And as they co‑exist, they each react to the magnetic pulse of the surrounding particles. This increases, not only the intensity of the whirling; pushing it into a feverish and frenzied state, but the increase in friction between each magnetic particle creates a potent heat. This heat rises in temperature to a point of incandescent luminosity and a raging fire breaks out. This condition is known as TEJAS.

When this Nebula reaches its climax of motion, it will then begin to slow down; thereby producing a cooling‑off in temperature. Along with this, the Nebula will coagulate into a fluid‑like substance; still hot and molten, like the lava of a volcano ‑‑ or moreover, the lava that once covered this planet that still remains hot at the center of this planet. This watery phase is known as APAS.

The final stage is reached when it cools completely. It will then solidify and form a large mass such as our own planet earth. Here the original primordial substance is manifested and moving at its slowest rate of vibration. As well, it is in its most dense form. The particles are dense and close together; tightly wound into complex molecular structures. This is the manifestation that was originally sought; and in the Qabalah it is known as the tenth sephirah called the Kingdom. In the Tattwa system, it is referred to as PRITHIVI.

From what has been delineated above, the Tattwas could be said to be modalities of matter as it transitions from the primordial and unmanifested state into the finite and manifested state. These are the elemental conditions of being (and non‑being) that serve not only as points of reference for the development of material substances, but are the base substances which the Prana acts through. However, this paradigm but can be empirically applied to the immaterial, as well ‑‑ such as conditions of the soul or functions of the personality.

A study of these same ancient Greek elements would be advisable. The student will note that there are only four elements in the Greek system as compared to the five of the Tattwas. But in actuality, fire in the Greek system does the double duty of taking on the Spiritual qualities as AKASA does in the Tattwa system. The Tattwas being eastern and Hindu in origin do not necessarily represent a divergence from the western model, however. If the student examines the five points of the Pentagram, note that the four bottom points represent the four Greek elements and the top point represents those four elements being ruled by Spirit. Therefore, it is only a matter of perspective as to whether or not Spirit is to actually be considered an element.

Up to this point we have discussed the five Tattwas in their course of existence. To summarize more succinctly the Tattwas, they are listed as follows; showing their geometric representation:

Akasa Spirit Black Egg

Tejas Fire Red Triangle

Apas Water Silver Crescent

Vayu Air Blue Circle

Prithivi Earth Yellow Square

The five principal tattwa cards denote these symbols. The prana is evendenced by the human breath which is referred to as Swara. This prana either comes directly from the sun (IDA) or indirectly fromt he moon (PINGALA). And the neutral point of rest betwen the two is referred to as Susumna ‑‑ which relates directly to the human spinal column. Therefore, the IDA is in the left side of the body and the PINGALA is in the right side.

Now the Tattwas break down into sub‑elements which correspond to the remaining cards in the Tattwa deck. This is listed as follows: