There are seven palaces (temples of heaven), each of which is guarded by eight angelic gatekeepers (27:1-8). The mystic must master all their names, calling upon Surya, the Angel of the Presence 112 times to protect him from each of them as he ascends and descends (16:4- 5). At each gate “seals” are shown to the guardians, and the initiate, if allowed to go on, is “sent forth with glory” to the next level (19:1-5). Passage through the sixth palace is especially dangerous; the guards will destroy any who seek to go up higher without permission (19:6). After satisfying certain requirements at
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