The Ascent from Not
Good & Evil
Contemplate that Goodness can only be defined by Evil (the negation of Evil is Goodness). Evil can only be defined by Good (the removal of Good results in Evil). Neither of these ideas can exist independently of each other. Both Good & Evil are needed.
Good & Evil are not universal forces, but rather moral assessments created by humanity to categorize actions. Good & Evil is essentially the application of morality onto action. This is done through Judgement. It is only after we perform an action that we can then apply the mantle of Good & Evil to the action and answer the question, “Was that a Good action or an Evil action?”
Ascent VI
Good & Evil
Here we see the arms of Baphomet – one inscribed with Solve (“dissolve”) pointing up, one inscribed with Coagula (“join together”) pointing down. The significance here is the occult message, “As above, so below.” The images of the Baphomet arms are shrouded (further occulted) in the haze of the gradient Yin-Yang. The gradient Yin-Yang shows us that there is no pure white and there is no pure black. The significance of this symbolism is to indicate that there is no pure good and there is no pure evil. In the top-left corner of this card is an AON symbol for Good & Evil indicating that this trump is part of the Self Well.
For simplicity “Evil” is defined as behavior we engage in which knowingly harms someone else while (probably) benefiting us, but we do it anyway. This can be as simple and “harmless” as cutting someone off in traffic or not holding the elevator door for someone and can be as egregious as causing personal injury or death to another lifeform (human or otherwise).
Goodness, on the other hand, is action taken to help other people even if there does not seem to be a benefit to ourselves. Goodness is also a striving for truth which me may also see in Love (Key 24). Good is the giving of positive energy without an expectation of thanks or reciprocation.
Guided Meditation
Good & Evil
Good & Evil
Should.
In Key 5 (Authorization) we came to understand that we were Authorized to be here because we are here. Authorization for Being led to Authorization for action. Before we act in the World, we must consider the question, “Will the action I am about to perform be judged as Good or Evil?” Along with this we might consider who is going to make that judgement? Our Self? Our friends and family? A stranger?