“The fifth path is called the Radical Intelligence because it resembles Unity, uniting itself to Binah, Understanding, which emanates from the primordial depths of Chokmah, Wisdom.”

Sepher Yetzirah

Geburah, pronounced Ge-vur-ah (b’s are often v’s in Hebrew) means Severity and is the balancing partner to Chesed across on the pillar of Mercy.

Think of its planet (Mundane Chakra), Mars, and you will get an immediate flavour of its decisive and discriminating nature. Modern interpretations of “severity” can go too far into the territory of war and miss the intelligence of discrimination and discernment that is the positive aspect of this sephirah.

Geburah is the sephirah of “fitness for purpose” and is therefore a sphere of assessment and adjustment. It is also a great sphere of Truth.

Geburah is the essence of determined “let’s get on with it” energy.  But remember that it’s on the pillar of Form, and therefore will primarily be associated with using the energy generated by its partner, and originating in the Supernals. For this reason, the use of Geburah as an archetype has to be approached carefully.  The warrior’s drawn sword can be a fearful and indiscriminate weapon unless a carefully thought-out battle plan has been put in place first.

Energy and Courage are the virtues of working with Geburah - mighty allies indeed!

On to the next sephirah, Tiphareth, the centre of the Tree of Life.