of Nwyfre, Gwyar, and Calas
Awen, Annwn, and Nwyfre are a trinity—Unity, Nothing, and Consciousness. In my earlier studies of Cabala, the idea was presented that the Creator perceived itself, in effect ‘withdrawing’ to contemplate itself, which was the beginning of Consciousness. While the Cosmos is not required to provide me with explanations that make sense, I do appreciate metaphors that have a logical progression for me to follow, which Awen to Annwn and Nwyfre does.
Awen (the Absolute) causes the manifestation of Nothing and Infinity in Annwn. In Cabala, Nothing is Ain (“no”) and Infinity is Ain Soph (“no limit”). When Ain Soph distinguishes itself from Ain, what remains is Ain Soph Aur (“no limit light”). Ain Soph Aur is the reflection of the Absolute. In other words, Ain Soph Aur is Nwyfre, the reflection of Awen in Annwn.
Ain, Ain Soph, and Ain Soph Aur are referred to as the Veils of the Unmanifest, Veils because they are something we cannot comprehend. (Or, as the Third Triad puts it, Awen is unknowable, unthinkable, and ineffable.) But the three principles of manifestation (Calas, Gwyar, and Nwyfre) and their permutations (the Seven Laws) are more accessible.
The first Law, Unity, is a reflection of Awen in Annwn—Nwyfre.
The second and third Laws, Polarity and Balance, are reflections of Infinity and Nothing—Gwyar and Calas.
Nwyfre, Gwyar, and Calas are a trinity: one cannot exist without the others. Nwyfre is made of and makes Calas and Gwyar. All “substance” moves; all “motion” requires an object. A moving substance creates a “track in space”, a memory. And memory, plus reaction, is consciousness (The Cosmic Doctrine).
The remaining Laws are combinations of the first three. (If Unity = A, Polarity = B, and Balance = C, the remaining Laws are A-B, B-C, A-C, and ABC.)
I align the Law of Causation with A-B. Awen is the First Cause, so the Law of Causation incorporates Nwyfre, the reflection of Awen. If something is caused, that means there is a change (from the previous state to the changed state) and change implies movement (Gwyar).
I align the Law of Vibration with B-C. Vibration can be visualized as a back-and-forth movement, centered around a point of balance.
I align the Law of Correspondence with A-C. Though all substances vibrate, some vibrate at lower frequencies than others. As things degrade to lower Planes and become more material, their vibrations slow. Things vibrating on a lower Plane correspond to things on a higher plane.
I align the Law of Circularity with A-B-C. One of the ideas presented in The Dolman Arch is that things can vibrate at such a high frequency that they appear to be at rest. “Appearing” at rest would mean there is no Polarity that needs to be Balanced by a Vibration; it is a reflection of Unity on another plane (Correspondence). And then the cycle starts again…
The Seven Cantrefs and their corresponding Law:
- Awyr: Unity
- Ufel: Polarity
- Dwr: Balance
- Daear: Causation
- Maen: Vibration
- Nef: Correspondence
- Byw: Circularity