Tool & the Occult [Intension]
This is a very rough sketch of how tool's
"intension" can be seen as a lyrical adaptation
of the Qabalistic cross or middle pillar.
Pure as we begin---------------------Ateh
Pure as we come in
Pure as we begin
Ruled by will alone
Pure as we begin
Here we have a stone-----------------Malkuth
Gather, place, erase so
Shelter turns to home
Pure as we begin
Here we have a stone
Throw to stay the stranger-----------ve-Geburah
Swore to crush his bones
Ruled by will alone
Spark becomes a flame
Flame becomes a fire
Light the way or warm this-----------ve-Gedulah
Home we occupy
Spark becomes a flame
Flame becomes a fire
Forge a blade to slay the stranger
Take whatever we desire
Moved by will alone
Pure as we begin
Pure as we begin
Move by will alone
Leave as we come in
Pure as light, return to one---------le-Olahm, Amen
Move by will alone
"Pure as we begin" representing the "purity" of keter
before it permeates into the other spheres of the TOL.
"Here we have a stone" The earth/"manifestation" that
is represented by Malkuth.
These two lines represent the first two steps of the QC
i. Touching the forehead, say Ateh (Unto Thee),
ii. Touching the breast, say Malkuth (The Kingdom)
after that it becomes much harder to try to find a 1:1
correlation for the remaining 3 steps.
"Throw to stay the stranger" is the first act of
agression (might) represented by Geburah and therefor
takes the place of the 3rd step of the QC:
iii. Touching the right shoulder, say ve-Geburah
(and the Power)
"Light the way…" represented by chesed (mercy) this
line shows a beneficial use of a potentially
destructive force, the 4th step of the QC:
iv. Touching the left shoulder, say ve-Gedulah
(and the Glory)
"Pure as light, return to one" although this reads as
if referring back to keter, I chose to attribute it to
tiphareth as it can be seen as a lower reflection of
keter and represents "balance" symbolized by the fifth
and final step of the QC:
v. Clasping the hands upon the breast, say le-Olahm,
Amen (To the Ages, Amen).
Part five ending with "to the ages, amen" provides
another line of interpretation, as the song shows
progression through the develoupment of mankind.
"Shelter" becomes "home" we stop throwing rocks and
begin to forge blades, the spark becomes a flame and
humanity enters a new stage in its develoupment.
“Those who regard this ritual as a mere device to
invoke or banish spirits, are unworthy to possess it.
Properly understood, it is the Medicine of Metals and
the Stone of the Wise.” -Aleister Crowley (on the LBRP)
