The first path [KETER or Crown] is called the Admirable Intelligence [Mystical Intelligence], the Supreme Crown. It is the light which imparts understanding of the beginning which is without beginning, and this also is the First Splendor. No created being can attain to its essence.

The second path [CHOCHMAH or Wisdom] is called the Illuminating Intelligence. It is the Crown of Creation and the splendor of the Supreme Unity, to which it is most in proximity. It is exalted above every head and is distinguished by Kabbalists as the Second Splendor.

The third path [BINAH or Understanding] is called the Sanctifying Intelligence and is the foundation of Primordial Wisdom, termed the Creation of Faith. Its roots are AMeN. It is the mother of Faith, which indeed emanates therefrom.

The fourth path [CHESED--Mercy, Exuberance or Generosity] is called the Arresting or Receiving Intelligence because it arises like a boundary to receive the emanations of the higher intelligences which are sent down to it. Herefrom all spiritual virtues emanate by the way of subtlety, which itself emanates from the Supreme Crown. (It contains all the holy powers, and from it emanate all the spiritual virtues with the most exalted essences; they emanate one from the other by the power of the primordial emanation of KETER.--Wescott)

The fifth path [GEBURAH--Justice, Limitation or Severity] is called the Radical Intelligence, because it is more akin than any other to the Supreme Unity and emanates from the depths of the Primordial Wisdom (the primordial depths of Chochmah).

The sixth path [TIPHERETH or Beauty] is called the Intelligence of Mediating Influence (or of Separated Emanation), because the flux of the emanations is multiplied therein. It communicates this affluence to those blessed men who are united with it.

The seventh path [NETZACH--Victory or Eternity] is called the Hidden Intelligence, because it pours out a brilliant splendor on all intellectual virtues which are beheld with the eyes of the spirit and by the ecstasy of faith.

The eighth path [HOD--Glory or Reverberation] is called the Perfect and Absolute Intelligence. The preparation of principles emanates therefrom. The roots to which it adheres are in the depths of the Sphere Magnificence, from the very substance of which it emanates. (It is the means of the Primordial.)

The ninth path [YESOD or Foundation] is called the Purified Intelligence. It purifies the numerations, prevents and stays the fracture of their images (or proves and corrects the designing of their representations), for it establishes their unity, to preserve them from destruction and division by their union with itself. (It disposes their unity with which they are combined without diminution or division.)

The tenth path [MALCHUTH or Kingdom] is called the Resplendent Intelligence, because it is exalted above every head and has its seat in BINAH: it enlightens the fire of all lights and emanates the power of the principle of forms. (It causes a supply of influence to emanate from the prince of Countenances.)

The eleventh path is called the Fiery Intelligence. It is the veil placed before the dispositions and order of the superior and inferior causes. Whosoever possesses this path is in the enjoyment of great dignity; to possess it is to be face to face with the Cause of Causes. (It is the essence of that curtain which is placed close to the order of the disposition, and this is a special dignity given to it that it may be able to stand before the face of the Cause of Causes.)

The twelfth path is called the Intelligence of Light (or Transparency), because it is the image of magnificence. It is said to be the source of vision in those who behold apparitions.

The thirteenth path is called the Inductive Intelligence of Unity. It is the substance of glory, and it manifests truth to every spirit. (It is the consummation of the truth of individual spiritual things.)

The fourteenth path is called the Illuminating Intelligence (or Luminous Intelligence). It is the institutor of arcane, the foundation of holiness.

The fifteenth path is called the Constituting Intelligence, because it constitutes creation in the darkness of the world. (or--It constitutes the substance of creations in pure darkness.) According to the philosophers, it is itself that darkness mentioned by Scripture (Job xxxviii. 9), cloud and the envelope thereof.

The sixteenth path is called the Triumphant and Eternal Intelligence, the delight of glory, the paradise of pleasure prepared for the just.

The seventeenth path is called the Disposing Intelligence. It disposes the devout to perseverance and thus prepares them to receive the Holy Spirit. (It is the path of Life and Death.)

The eighteenth path is called the Intelligence or House of Influence, (by the greatness of whose abundance the influx of good things upon created beings is increased) and thence are drawn the arcane and the concealed meanings which repose in the shadow thereof.

The nineteenth path is called the Intelligence of the Secret or of all spiritual activities. The fullness which it receives derives from the highest benediction and the supreme glory.

The twentieth path is called the Intelligence of Will. It prepares all created beings, each individually, for the demonstration of the existence of the primordial glory.

The twenty-first path is called the Rewarding Intelligence (or the Conciliating Intelligence or the Intelligence of Desire) of those who seek. It receives the divine influence, and it influences by its benediction all existing things.

The twenty-second path is called the Faithful Intelligence, because spiritual virtues are deposited and augment therein, until they pass to those who dwell under the shadow thereof. (By it spiritual virtues are increased, and all dwellers on earth are merely under its shadow.--Westcott)

The twenty-third path is called the Stable Intelligence. It is the source of consistency in all the numerations.

The twenty-fourth path is called the Imaginative Intelligence. It is the ground of similarity in the likeness of beings who are created to its agreement, after its aspects.

The twenty-fifth path is called the Intelligence of Temptation or Trial, because it is the first temptation by which God tests the devout.

The twenty-sixth path is called the Renewing Intelligence, for thereby God--blessed be He!--reneweth all which is capable of renovation in the creation of the world (or all the changeable things which are renewed by a new cycle of world creation).

The twenty-seventh path is called the Natural Intelligence, whereby the nature of everything found in the orb of the sun is completed and perfected.

The twenty-eighth path is called the Active Intelligence, for thence is created the spirit of every creature of the supreme orb, and the activity, that is to say, the motion, to which they are subject.

The twenty-ninth path is called the Corporeal Intelligence; it informs every body which is incorporated under all orbs and it is the growth thereof.

The thirtieth path is called the Collective Intelligence, for thence astrologers, by the judgement of the stars and the heavenly signs, derive their speculations and the perfection of their science according to the motions of the stars.

The thirty-first path is called the Perpetual Intelligence. Why is it so called? Because it rules the movement of the sun and the moon according to their constitution and causes each to gravitate in its respective orb.

According to Eliphas Levi, this verse contains the secret of the Great Work of Alchemy. The reason assigned is that path thirty-one corresponds to the Hebrew letter SHIN (Sh), which represents the magic lamp, or the light between the horns of Baphomet. "It is the Kabbalistic sign of God or the Astral Light, with its two poles and equilibrated center" The sun mentioned in the paragraph represents gold, the moon silver, and the planets correspond to the other metals.-LA CLEP DES GRAND MYSTÈRES, p. 234. It is needless to say that the SEPHER YETZIRAH and its developments have nothing to do with Alchemy. As regards the Great Work and Levi's pretended discovery of its secret, see my annotated translation of his TRANSCENDENTAL MAGIC, pp. 345 - 347.

The thirty-second path is called the Assisting Intelligence, because it directs all the operation of the seven planets, with their divisions, and concurs therein.