The two pillars (the support of the world) figure prominently in the interpretation pertaining to the alchemy of the two nervous systems, which Temple of Solomon and also in the restored Temple of Zerubbabel. In recordings of prophetic visions that were forerunners of the Restoration, being in fact Initiates' visions of the true spiritual Temple on inner planes, these pillars are referred to many times and under many similitudes; but in all cases there is a twofold symbol that has reference to the principle of polarity. Thus, in Zechariah 11:7 it is written: "And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty (graciousness), and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock." The "two staves" have the same meaning as the columns of joachin and Boaz which flanked the entrance to Solomon's Temple. Polarity underlies the entire manifested universe and is also reflected in the body of man, as we noted when considering the meaning of the two olive branches and the golden pipes. As there are positive and negative, masculine and feminine forces channeled through the human body, so in the universe, the visible kingdom of God, are there dual cosmic currents. These are known to the Initiate who uses them scientifically. In unregenerate man the two powers are not under the ego's control because the feminine principle is held in a state of degradation, as is shown in the following verses:

Zechariah 11:10-15
And I took my staff, even Beauty (or graciousness), and cut it asunder that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people.
And it was broken in that day ...
And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed out for my price thirty pieces of silver.
And the Lord said, Cast it unto the potter ... in the house of the Lord.
Then I cast asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
And the Lord said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.

   Like Ezekiel, Zechariah tells of the fall of the feminine pole of spirit in man, and the results of this fall. Silver is a feminine metal belonging to the Moon (generation), and the Moon signifies misapplication of the Holy Spirit, the Creative Principle of the Godhead, to solely material and sensual ends. This necessitated the Christ's great Sacrifice, and we may well recall that the betrayal leading to His Sacrifice was paid for with thirty pieces of silver. Throughout the Book of Zechariah appear expressions made familiar to us by the New Testament wherein God's Priest-King is betrayed.

   By right use of his dual powers man may become a god. By their misuse, their betrayal, he becomes, in the words of Emerson, "a god in ruins," the two columns supporting his spiritual world being broken.

   Israel is feminine; Judah, masculine — as shown in the biblical "daughter of Israel" and "Lion of Judah." True affection and equality between man and woman have not existed on the earth plane since early Atlantean times. The New Age demands equilibrium; hence, a new place for woman. Boaz, the column of Beauty, must be lifted up. When this has been accomplished, the column of Bands (Unity, the binding together in brotherhood) will also be set upright. These two columns will be the pillars of a new civilization that will flourish in righteousness and beauty throughout the earth. Man and woman will walk hand in hand politically, economically, spiritually. They will be blessed and sustained by the loving protection of a masculine-feminine Father-Mother-God. Such will be the humanity and the civilization to which the Christ will return. In preparation for this Event Zechariah the Seer commands that the thirty pieces of silver be cast to the potter in the house of the Lord (Law).

Zechariah 6:1-5
And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.
In the first chariot were red horses, and in the second chariot black horses.
And in the third chariot white horses, and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses.
Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my Lord?
And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

   The four Recording Angels referred to so frequently in sacred literature correspond to the four fixed signs of the Zodiac: Leo, Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio, also known as Lords of the Winds. Zechariah calls them "the four spirits of the heavens." Under their supervision each ego reaps the harvest of causation engendered in his current and previous lives. By this experience he learns to build "more stately mansions" for his future habitation. North is the land of darkness, land of the black horses. The white horses go forth after them, for the power of spirit eventually triumphs over the evils of materiality. "Those that go forth toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country."

   The grisled horses symbolize the work of redemption; they go toward the south, path of the Sun, or Light. To all who follow this path the following verse applies: "Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest." (Zechariah 6: 11) Those who are weaving a new garment of intermingled gold and silver (blended potencies of the masculine and feminine principles) are being prepared to meet the Exalted Master when He returns unto His own.

   Joshua, like Jesus after him, was a high priest "after the order of Melchizedec," as is shown more clearly in these quotations: "Behold the man whose name is THE BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord: ... and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both." (Zechariah 6:12, 13)

 — Corinne Heline