Liber XV

I

Of the Furnishings of the Temple

In the East, that is, in the direction of Boleskine, which is situated on the south-eastern shore of Loch Ness in Scotland, two miles east of Foyers, is a shrine or High Altar. Its dimensions should be 7 feet in length, 3 feet in breadth, 44 inches in height. It should be covered with a crimson altar-cloth, on which may be embroidered fleur-de-lys in gold, or a sunblaze, or other suitable emblem.

On each side of it should be a pillar or obelisk, with counter-charges in black and white.

Below it should be the dais of three steps, in black and white squares.

Above it is the super-altar, at whose top is the Stélé of Revealing in reproduction, with four candles on each side of it. Below the stélé is a place for the Book of the Law, with six candles on each side of it. Below this again is the Holy Graal, with roses on each side of it. There is room in front of the Cup for the Paten. On each side beyond the roses are two great candles.

All this is enclosed within a great veil.

Forming the apex of an equilateral triangle whose base is a line drawn between the pillars, is a small black square altar, of two super-imposed cubes.

Taking this altar as the middle of the base of a similar and equal triangle, at the apex of this second triangle is a small circular font.

Repeating, the apex of a third triangle is an upright tomb.

Notes:

[of Boleskine] This instruction demonstrates that East is a concept, not a direction. In London, for example, "east" would be almost directly north.

[dimensions] These dimensions may be a veiled reference to the "Principles" mentioned in the seventh of eleven Collects: "Mysterious matter triform, mysterious matter in fourfold and sevenfold division...": 3, 4, 7; with 4 x 11 = 44. We have also seen it stated that these are the dimensions of the sarcophagus in the King's Chamber of the Great Pyramid at Giza. Also note that 44 = דם‎, blood.

[each side] These mimic Boaz and Jachin, the pillars of Solomon's temple. Together with the Stélé, they indicate the Supernal triad: Binah, Chokmah, Kether, above the Veil of the Abyss.

[great veil] This represents the Abyss. When Mass begins, it is open; the Priest will close it later.

[tomb] This description shows that the temple is laid out as though it were the Tree of Life. Stélé, square altar, font, and tomb form the middle pillar.