Temple Classroom:
Sipru Chukmi

The Seven Components

• Introduction to the Seven Components
• The Seven Components
  • Cedar
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Lapis Lazuli
  • Gems (or Ore)
  • Fire
  • Brick
• Table of Suggested Correspondences
• Creating Temple Space

For a Site Map, please see Stele.

Introduction to the Seven Components

The idea of the Seven Components and their associations is my own modern-day idea: this is not something the ancient Canaanites have in their writings. The ancient Canaanites may have had an idea that as Ba’al’s palace exists “on high,” i.e. the sacred Mount Tzapanu, so his temple exists in the human city below.(1)

I thought that as Ba‘lu Haddi's palace is built of, conveniently and appropriately, seven components, that perhaps these seven components should be present when creating a place of veneration. In this way, we can reenact the reconstruction, albeit temporarily, of a sacred temple as we are creating a sacred space for ritual. I feel that having the Seven Components present helps to define temple space: here are the components, thus here is the temple. In addition, I associate each one of the Components with themes I’ve found in the ancient texts. I encourage you to read and examine the texts for yourself to find what you think are important themes and values to the Canaanites. The ancient Canaanites would not have needed to use this system because their temple space was always ready and waiting for activity: most of us do not have this luxury today.

If you wish to see the Seven Components in context of their Canaanite myth of “Ba‘lu Builds His Palace” please see the Ba‘lu Haddi texts in the Library. If you wish to study further, and I certainly encourage it, please consult one of the Resources.

See also my article on Creating Temple Space for more on how to use these Components below.

1. Del Olmo Lete, Gregorio. La Religión Cananea Según la Liturgia de Ugarit. Editorial Ausa, Barcelona, 1992.
There is an Engish Language Version: Canaanite Religion According to the Liturgical Texts of Ugarit. Eisenbrauns, Winona Lake, IN, 2004, p. 28

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The Seven Components

Cedar: Arzu

Cedar represents wisdom, grounding centering. The Ugaritic word for wisdom is chukmu. 'Athiratu and 'Ilu are known by their great wisdom; the element of cedar honors them. Sometimes cedar is associated with the direction of center, the axis mundi. Using essential oil of cedar, or an actual piece of cedar is a great way to connect with this Component, and to feel your own inner strength.

Silver: Kaspu

Silver represents intuition and dreaming. The Ugaritic word for dream is chalmu. Silver honors Yarikhu the silvery moon that shines at night, the time of dreams; and silver honors 'Ilu who speaks in dreams, offerining advice and guidance. Sometimes silver is associated with the direction of above.

Gold: Khuratzu

The component of gold symbolizes hospitality and compassion. We are all welcome at the deities' table, and as such, gold honors the Assembly of Deities. The hospitality of Gold also reminds us to offer compassion and hospitality to the less fortunate. Gold also indicates to us that we should remember our ancestors and make offerings to them. The Ugaritic word for hospitality is pi'du. Gold is sometimes associated with the direction of east, the direction of birth and the beginnings of life. Shachru and Shalim as young children live in the eastern desert for a duration into their childhood.

Lapis: Iqun'u

Lapis is a "true blue" color. Because Yarikhu gives lapis to Nikkalu's family as part of a gift and as part of negotiations, lapis reminds us of love and communication. The Ugaritic word for love is dadu. Lapis gives honor to both Yarikhu and Nikkalu, and to the messenger deities, such as Gapnu and 'Ugaru, as well. The component of Lapis is sometimes associated with the direction of west, the direction of death. In Canaan, the sun sets over the Mediterranean Sea, and the color of this stone can remind us of the sea. There is a slight possibility that lapis carries an association with funereal practices. Also, because this stone is associated with love and communication, it may help to clear the way to communicate with the ancestors who have passed beyond the sunset of their lives into the night of the underworld.

Gems: Ilqatzuma

Because of their many properties and energies, I associate gems with health and healing. The Ugaritic word for healing is shalamu which can also mean peace, wellbeing, and wholeness. I associate gems with Kotharu-wa-Khasisu, the deity of crafting and magic; with Shapshu as she visits the underworld at night, and as her sunlight burns the "fog" of illness; with Rashap, the god of plague and healing of plague; and with Choronu who is somtimes called upon to heal snakebite. Sometimes the component of gems is associated with the direction of below. In some translations of the Ba‘lu Haddi texts, the translation reads "ore" instead of "gems."

Fire: Ishatu

Fire represents creativity, passion, and magic. The Ugaritic word for magick and crafting (as in creating an object) is the same word: charshu. Fire honors the crafting Deity Kathiru-wa-Khasisu, as well as the passionate ‘Anatu. The element of fire may also honor one of Yammu's allies 'Ishatu; but do not call 'Ishatu and ‘Anat at the same ritual as they are enemies. Fire may sometimes be associated with the directions of south or east, due to the dryness of Egypt (except during Nile floods), and due to the eastern desert.

Bricks: Labnatu

Bricks symbolize community service, a coming together of individuals to form a whole. This component reminds us of community, family, clan. The Ugaritic word for clan is 'umatu. The component of brick honors Kathiru-wa-Khasisu, the team of ‘Anat and Ba‘lu Haddi, the Assembly of Deities, the Katharatu who function as a team to ensure the survival of the community, and the past communities of the Canaanites. The direction of north is sometimes associated with the component of bricks.

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Table of Suggested Correspondances

Creating Temple Space, Canaanite Style

Temple space is space that is sacred, but I call it "temple space" because I am, in essence, re-creating a temple to the ancient deities. Many ancient cultures had temples set aside for their deities, and clergy regularly maintained these temples as sacred space. Sometimes we don't have that luxury, but we can always find ways to set up temporary temples that can be created and dismantled. There are many ways of creating/ re-creating temple space, and it will depend on one's personal path.

Because I am a qadish, an adherent of Canaanite religion, I rely on the Ba'al Epic from Ugarit, a city-state in Syria from around 1250 BCE. In the Ba‘al Epic, the scribe Ilumilku describes the God of Magic and Craftsmanship, Kathiru-wa-Khasisu, as constructing Ba'al's palace of cedar, brick, silver, gold, gems, and lapis.(1) Kathiru-wa-Khasisu then sets an alchemical fire at the site which blazes for seven days and transforms the regular structure into a dwelling fit for a god. The ancient texts often implied an idea of "as above, so below"(2) so we're probably not too far off in assuming that the temple of Ba‘lu Haddi represented an earthly version of this palace high upon Mount Sapunu. Please note, however, that what follows is a modern practice.

Before I begin constructing temple space, I like to purify the space using scented water or oil. The scented water can be water to which a drop or two of essential oils have been added--cedar is a favorite of mine and cedar represents Ba‘lu Haddi. If I use oil, then I make a blend of olive oil and a few drops of myrrh essential oil. I use fresh herbs when possible to asperge the area: I like to use marjoram, hyssop, or rosemary. If I use oil instead of water, then I may strategically anoint items within the area instead of making large oil droplets on everything. In lieu of all of the above, creative visualization works just as well.

Next, I will either visualize or bring in the items representing the Seven Components (cedar, brick, silver, gold, gems, lapis, and fire). I like to associate a Component for each of the seven directions (north, south, above, east, below, west, and center), but this is not absolutely necessary.(3) I like to place the cedar item in the north because cedar represents Ba‘lu Haddi's lightning, and Ba‘lu Haddi's home is Mount Tzapanu to the north of the city-state of Ugarit. Brick goes in the south, reminding us of the pyramids to the south of Ugarit in Egypt. Silver represents the silver light of the Moon God Yarikhu and of the Kabkabuma, the Star Gods, so silver represents the direction of above. Gold reminds us of the golden sunrise and the golden deserts to the east of Ugarit. Gems represent the direction of below, for that is where gems originate. Lapis brings to mind the azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea, which lies west of Ugarit. Fire resides in the center, representative of the dynamic force of change which burns in us all. I then do what I would like to or need to in temple space: celebrate holidays or life changes, have a ritual feast, create magic, and so on.

After I have finished with the temple space, I deconstruct it by going in the opposite order to which I began. I pick up each item that represents one of the Seven Components or use visualization to imagine the Component as returning to the earth. I start with Fire in the Center, then I go to Lapis in the West. Gems in the Below is next, followed by Gold in the East. I finish with Silver in the Above, Bricks in the South, and, finally, Cedar in the North.

1) See Gibson, John C.L. Canaanite Myths and Legends, 2nd Edition. T. and T. Clark, Ltd., Edinburgh.1978, p. 61. Parker, Simon B., ed.
See also: Translated by Mark Smith, et al. Ugaritic Narrative Poetry. Society of Biblical Literature, U.S.A., 1997, p. 131.
There are many more translations available!

2) del Olmo Lete, Gregorio. _Canaanite Religion According to the Liturgical Texts of Ugarit._ Eisenbrauns, Winona Lake, IN, 2004, p. 28. Originally published in Spanish.

3) The Seven Components relate even more to qualities or values than they do to directions. For more information, see
http://cananitepath.com/seven_components.htm

The above is edited from an email I posted to the Natib Qadish Discussion Group on August 28, 2008.

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Sipru Chukmi

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All original written work on this site is copyright © 2005, 2008, 2011 Tess Dawson, unless otherwise noted.
Please do not use without permission, proper crediting, and a link to my site.

All original artwork and photographs on this site are copyright © 2005, 2008, 2011 Tess Dawson, unless otherwise noted.
Please do not use without permission, proper crediting, and a link to my site.

Natib Qadish: Modern Canaanite Polytheism is a site about Canaanite religion, also called Canaanite revivalism, or Canaanite reconstructionism. This site explores topics of interest for people who practice Canaanite religion, information regarding the ancient Canaanites themselves, and includes both ancient Canaanite religion and its modern counterpart.