| For the past several years I
have added to my path the concepts and rituals of Kabbalah (QBLH, QBL, Qabala, Cabala,
etc.) and Hebrew Mysticism to help me understand how other cultures and scholars
throughout history have interpreted the nature of creation, Divinity, and magic. I was drawn to these practices because I was growing
dissatisfied with the limits of Wicca as it was prescribed by its ancestry and modern
founders such as the eccentric Gerald Gardener and the more so questionable Alex Sanders
(of whose path I was formally trained by the way.)
Though I have become quite adept at the operations
and rituals of classic and modern Wicca, as well as other forms of witchcraft, I needed
something that was specifically geared to help me see how the ancients of other races
developed their ideals.
A portion of Wicca and Ceremonial High Magick
utlizes the archetypal symbology of the Tree of Life. This symbology has been used and
adapted across different cultures including the Druids, the Norse, and even the Eastern
European slavic shamans. There are indeed aspects of Egpytian Magick/Heka, Zoroastrianism,
Sumerian Mysticism, and Eastern Asian mysticism in its concepts as well.
Kabbalah is a very complex system of understanding
and is broken down into various aspects such as the symbols, the angelic correspondences,
the meditations, Gematria (numerology), the use of Notaricons (mystical acronyms like our
modern RADAR, MBA, USA, and SCUBA), and even---most importantly---the human condition and
its psychological development!
The lore of Kabbalah finds itself rooted in the
Genesis account of Creation, the concept of the Garden of Eden and the "fall" of
man. The idea is that the universe is broken up into different spheres of creation,
each a separate aspect of Divinity and its progressive (or regressive) transmutation of
Light ("Ohr") into the material world that we perceive. Each of these
spheres, or "Sephiroht (Sephiroth)" consists of angelic forces, planetary
energies, and qualities of development that allow humans to microcosmically be forged in
"God's Image" (The Macrocosm).
(Side note: Isn't it interesting how much the common
representation of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life resemebles our modern day molecular
models?)
The purpose of this page is not to educate the
uninitiated in the Tree of Life or Kabbalah, however for the general viewer I will present
below very fundamental ideas which I suggest you study in depth on your own. It is a
complex system wrapped around these fundamental ideas.
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- a. Ain-That which is "Nothing"
to be understood by mortal thought.
- b. Ain Soph- That which is defined
as Divine force "Without Limit".
- c. Ain Soph Or (Ohr)-
That which defines space and raditates "Limitless Light".
These are external of the tree and make up the
boundaries of existence. In reality these are spheres, with Ain being undefined and Ain
Soph only being divided from Ain Soph Or because it is at that division empathically that
Light is born from Limitlessness (True Source of God).
- A. Pillar of Serverity (3, 5,
8)-These are the active spheres and the Yang principle. (Lord)
- B. Pillar of Mercy (2, 4, 7)-These
are the passive spheres and the Yin Principle. (Lady)
- 0. Pillar of Mildness (1, 6, 9,
10)-These are the balanced transitions of being which harmonize the extremes of matter,
God, and Man. This is also the Middle Pillar used in the ritual of that name. Here
is the hidden Sphere of True Knowledge (Da'Ath), which is not defined as the others
but simply acts as the "Link" between the realms of the Upper Triangle (1,2,3)
and the lower divisions of the Tree. (It is here also where the Qlippoth or
"Shells" are hidden as an implied reverse of the Tree).
The Pillars each contain the Sephiroth and their
corresponding qualities. The Pillars and the paths between each Sephiroth are life choices
and stages of developement linked to the Tarot Cards (count-22 in number, just as 22 Major
Arcana Cards, and each has a card assigned) and tasks we must accomplish.
- 1-Keter-The Crown. This is where the
Divine Presence is born of the Limitless Light and begins creation. It is separated into
two halves, each to compliment the other and spur dynamic change/evolution.
- 2-Hockmah (Ch'kMah)-Understanding.
This is where the light spills over from Keter and forms the material for
self-awareness and divine communication. This is the source of the Goddess energy of the
macrocosm.
- 3-Binah-Wisdom. This is where the
light spills over to form the material for self-preservation, power, and divine
inspiration. This is the source of the God energy of the macrocosm.
- 4-Hesed (Ch'Sehd)-Mercy. This is
where the light has crossed the hidden veil of Da'Ath and formulates the ability to show
compassion and apply understanding to the emotions of love, joy, and comfort.
- 5-Geburah (G'Vurah)-Strength or
Judgement/Severitiy. This is where the compassion of Mercy must balance with the
ability to protect and punish inappropriate deeds or choices. This is also where power to
control others must be balanced with Mercy to avoid tyranical behavior.
- 6-Tifereth (T'Phareht)-Beauty. This
is the main point of systematic balance between all of the Worlds (implicit layers) and
Pillars to achieve spiritual, emotional, and mental wellbeing and harmony. It is
also said to be the level at which one's Holy Guardian Angel or Higher Self resides.
Reaching this level with perfect union is the main focus of the Hermetic system of
the Great Work and Inner Alchemy.
- 7-Netzach-Victory. This Sephiroth
represents the ability to perceive achievement as well as strive for evolution of the
self. It is the sphere which teaches us that every success is a test for the new
challenges in life to come.
- 8-Hode (Hod)-Splendor. This is
the sphere which balances our perception of success with the need to succeed to better
ourselves and survive as we are. Where we can simply fulfill desire in Netzach, we
can "Reason" that the achievement is for a greater cause and our own
self-empowerment so that we do not lose focus.
- 9-Yesode (Yesod)-Foundation.
This is the first "Gateway" Sephiroth that helps us begin to understand
that there are forces outside of Malkuth which we must eventually seek inorder to
understand our condition and how to achieve immortality of the soul. It is also the
framework by which Divinity defines the motion of planetary bodies, how elemental forces
will act here on Earth, and how the spirits may find means to materialized on our level of
perception. Yesod is a two way lens-Divinity may see us. And through it, we can
witness the greater acts of Divinity.
- 10. Malkuth-World/Kingdom. This is
the final destination for the Divine emissions before they transmute and return back up
the Tree to be recycled as Light. Here we see the division of the Quarters, the
materialization of existence, the laws of the human form, as well as the laws of physics.
This is the material plane, whereas all others are Astral in nature (or beyond).
This is OUR starting point, in which we first master our environment, and then
begin to ascend to Divinity.
The maroon line represents the
"Thunderbolt" or "Sword of Michael" which divideds the Tree and keeps
the negative influences of the flesh (The Serpent?) from disrupting the flow. This is also
symbollicaly the Sword of Fire, that keeps the descendents of Adam and Eve from the Garden
of Eden.
Interestingly enough, in Heremtics, and
particullarly the magical symbology of the Orders of the Golden Dawn, the following
alternative version of the Tree is presented. I will not explain, but it is for the
visitor to meditate and study upon. |
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