The Chariot V - Archangel Michael

The Chariot
Major Arcana V - Archangel Michael

The Ma'aseh Meravah,  one of the principal works of the written Qabalah,

is based  on the vision of the Merkabah or the Celestial Chariot as described

 in Ezekiel in the Bible.

It is understood that the Chariot in this context is an allusion to the Tree of Life and

specifically to the Inner Court of the tree.

According to the Work of the Chariot, the Lord YHVH is 'riding in the Chariot'

and 'seated upon the Throne'.

Most of the descriptions of the Merkabah appear in the Books of Enoch.

The prophet Enoch was taken up to the heavens in a type of winged chariot-throne, 

a merkabah or merkavah.

There is no Book of Enoch in the Hebrew Bible and the Book of Enoch is considered

 an apocryphal book. Enoch was once an important figure in

Christianity, but he disappeared from the tradition.

He is identified with the Ibis headed god Thoth in Egyptian mythology

as well as Hermes, the Greek god of wisdom

and to the Arabs he was Idries, corresponding to their prophet hero Elijah.

Enoch is often regarded as the  Archangel Michael.  

The ascent of Enoch in the celestial chariot, is a psychological and spiritual one.

It is the ascension into higher consciousness and a spiritual journey into other, 

higher realms with metaphysical, spiritual and supernatural properties.

According to the Book of Enoch, he ascends through the four worlds (of the Tree of Life)

and sees a crystal wall surrounded by fire, a palace whose ceiling is stars and lightning

and within it another palace of fire. Within this palace of fire are cherubim

and a chariot throne with shining wheels and on it the Great Glory sits, the 

Lord of Spirits in radiant white robes.

The Chariot, vehicle of ascension symbolises the crystal clear clarity

that comes through ascension into higher consciousness.  The human becomes

an exalted being of angelic stature and has access to other realms and incredible knowledge

based on direct experience and gnosis. And this transformation happens without

mortal death.

The Book of Enoch is considered to have been written by Enoch, the seventh from Adam. It is considered an apocryphal book as well as a part of the Pseudepigrapha (literally means “falsely ascribed” is a collection of works supposedly written by a biblical character), although it is not a part of the canonical Apocrypha.

Once considered to be of Christian origin because of its obvious references to Christ, ten fragments of The Book of Enoch have been found at Qumran in the Dead Sea Scrolls, it is known to have existed in its present form since at least the 2nd Century BC.

The book was believed to have been composed by Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah. Most critics and scholars believe it was begun in the second century BC and was a collection of works that includes writings for the first century BC as well. Some believe it contains the actual words of Enoch and that it was handed down through the ages. There is no real way to know for certain if that is so. The only thing we know for certain is that fragments of the book date back to the 2nd century BC.

It is generally believed that the Apostles and the writers of the New Testament were fully aware of the Book of Enoch also called 1 Enoch. -  www.bookof-enoch.com

References :

Books of Enoch translated by  R.H. Charles. H. Odeburg

The Book of Knowledge : The Keys of Enoch by Dr J J Hurtak