The Qabbalah
The Qabbalah is a magical framework constructed by the Hebrews as a structure for their mystical thoughts. It is comprised of ten sephiroth, with twenty-two paths interconnecting them, the diagram of which has been named "The Tree of Life," being analogous to the one in the Garden of Eden. Here, only the sephiroth themselves are discussed.
The Hebrew names of the Sephiroth give a key, but no more than a key to their meanings.
The word "Sephir," from which "Sephira" is derived, is usually translated as "Book," "Letter," or "Number," but the underlying idea is "Information" or "Pattern." The ideas interconnecting the sephiroth, the zodiac, and the elements represent "hooks," on which to hang experiential data, in the same way that we hang our visual experience of the sky on blue. Thus it remains as flexible as the instrument of language, without many of the semantic blind-spots that constantly haunt the writer on theoretical magick. Thus, we may communicate our experiences to others that know this magickal language, as well as the spirits and entities that it encompasses.
The basis of Qabbalistic thought is the same as the basis for most western science: the universe is most adequately described by a system of number. It differs from western science in that it considers the qualitative properties of number rather than the quantitative.
The Tree of Life
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The Tree of Life is the central sigil in qabbalistic literature. Shown here is the one used by most western ceremonial magicians, which differs significantly from the ones employed by Judiac scholars. It is surprising that, although the paths of the Tree have been through countless reconfigurations, the arrangement of the sephiroth themselves has remained consistant on nearly every document. It is fitting, I think, since the sephiroth are things-in-themselves in the qabbalistic model, while the paths are merely points of resonance between them. The sephiroth operate on a numeric progression. The ideas corresponding to the number one naturally lead on to the ideas corresponding to the number two, and so on. The Sephiroth, when referred to by number, are always shown in their descending order, referring to their order of emanation. However, the task of the mystic is to move his consciousness in their reverse order, this process being called "The Way of Return." |
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1 - Kether
Name: Kether
Number: 1
English meaning: Crown
Sphere: Primum Mobile/Uranus
Gem: Diamond
Plants: Almond
Magical Tool: Crown
Divine Name: Eheieh
Archangel: Metatron
Angelic Choir: Chayoth ha-Qadesh
Neurocircuit: Atomic
Yogic Practice: Samhadi
The First Cause, timeless and eternal, the first emanation of diety as our universe is Kether. The Chinese called it the Tao and mentioned that too much talking about it evaporates your understanding of it. I personally agree.
2 - Chokmah
Name: Chokmah
Number: 2
English meaning: Wisdom
Sphere: Zodiac/Pluto
Gem: Star Ruby/Turquoise
Plants: Amaranth
Magical Tool: The Inner Robe of Glory
Divine Name: Yah
Archangel: Raziel
Angelic Choir: Auphanim
Neurocircuit: Genetic
Yogic Practice: Dhyana
While Kether is timeless, the action of Chokmah is completely dynamic. It is the Lingam of creation, the "bang" part of the big bang, the massive Yang exploding outwards in all directions with the energy of Kether. This explosive nature is admirably suited to the astrological character of Pluto, to which it has now been assigned.
3 - Binah
Name: Binah
Number: 3
English meaning: Understanding
Sphere: Saturn/Neptune
Gem: Star Sapphire, Pearl
Plants: Cypress, Poppy
Magical Tool: The Outer Robe of Concealment
Divine Name: YHVH Elohim
Archangel: Tzaphquiel
Angelic Choir: Aralim
Neurocircuit: Genetic
Yogic Practice: Dhyana
The Yin to the Yang of Chokmah, Binah receives the projective force of Chokmah and limits it to give it form. It is the last of the supernal powers, which are beyond manifestation. Saturn was placed upon this sephira, but with the discovery of the three outer planets, it is more effectively associated with Neptune. Binah is also the Great Mother, the ocean that gives birth to the life of the universe.
4 - Chesed
Name: Chesed/Gedulah
Number: 4
English meaning: Mercy
Sphere: Jupiter
Gem: Amethyst/Sapphire
Plants: Olive, Shamrock
Magical Tool: Staff, Sceptre, or Crook
Divine Name: El
Archangel: Tzadiquiel
Angelic Choir: Chashmalim
Neurocircuit: Genetic
Yogic Practice: Pratyahara
The first sephiroth below the supernals is Chesed, which means "Mercy." This is a sephira of merciful power, benevolence and generosity. The leaders and fathers of pantheons are here, as well as priests and judges. The influence of this sephira is kingly and mystical.
5 - Geburah
Name: Geburah
Number: 5
English meaning: Severity
Sphere: Mars
Gem: Ruby
Plants: Oak, Nux Vomica, Nettle
Magical Tool: Sword,Spear, Scourge, or Chain
Divine Name: Elohim Gibor
Archangel: Kamael
Angelic Choir: Seraphim
Neurocircuit: Electric
Yogic Practice: Daharana
The primary influence of this sephira is strength. Specifically, the strength of the righteous against the forces of evil. The warrior gods may be found here, in their full Spartan simplicity and power. This sephira governs the will of those who go against wrong: the surgeon as well as the prosecuting attorney.
6 - Tiferet
Name: Tiferet
Number: 6
English meaning: Beauty/Harmony
Sphere: Sol
Gem: Topaz/Yellow Diamon
Plants: Acacia, Bay, Laurel, Vine
Magical Tool: The Lamen or Rosy Cross
Divine Name: YHVH Eloah Ve-Daath
Archangel: Raphael
Angelic Choir: Melekim
Neurocircuit: Somatic
Yogic Practice: Mantra
At the center of the sigil of the Tree of Life lies Tiferet, the sephira of the sun. It is the main connection between the Divine and the mundane, and is the only sephira below the supernals which has a direct path with Kether. The gods attributed to this sphere are the child, and the sacrificed god, as well as the more obvious solar dieties.
7 - Netzach
Name: Netzach
Number: 7
English meaning: Victory
Sphere: Venus
Gem: Emerald
Plants: Rose
Magical Tool: The Lamp and Girdle
Divine Name: YHVH Tzabaoth
Archangel: Haniel
Angelic Choir: Elohim
Neurocircuit: Sociosexual
Yogic Practice: Niyama
The sephira of nature is Netzach. Its nature is ecstatic, the joyous play of the divine energy. It is also the first sephira of emanation that operates without "ethics," It contains within its meaning the process of negative feedback. To this sphere are attributed the gentle gods of life and beauty, of which some are Venus, Aphrodite, and Bast. Their terrible aspect comes from their inhuman natures with respect to justice or morality. To note that the most successful are often those unworthy of it is to operate within the laws of this sphere.
8 - Hod
Name: Hod
Number: 8
English meaning: Glory/Splendour
Sphere: Mercury
Gem: Opal/Fire Opal
Plants: Moly, Anhalonium Lewinii
Magical Tool: The Names, Versicles, and Apron
Divine Name: Elohim Tzabaoth
Archangel: Michael
Angelic Choir: Beni Elohim
Neurocircuit: Semantic
Yogic Practice: Yama
Hod is the sephiroth of the scientific intellect, which operates here in a passive sense to the emotional Netzach. Instead of unintelligable ecstasy, we have wonderful ideas, words of knowledge and poetry, and inspirations. All gods of the intellect are represented here.
9 - Yesod
Name: Yesod
Number: 9
English meaning: Foundation
Sphere: Luna
Gem: Quartz
Plants: Mandrake, Damiana
Magical Tool: Perfumes and Sandals
Divine Name: Shaddai El Chai
Archangel: Gabriel
Angelic Choir: Kerubim
Neurocircuit: Territorial
Yogic Practice: Pranayama
The sephiroth of Yesod is the process of crystalization, where energy becomes definable as forces. The action of Hod and Netzach comes together before its final projection into Malkuth. It is of supreme importance in magical working, as its nature is still dynamic enough to be altered by a current of Will. It does little good to bang on the physical world with your mind.
10 - Malkuth
Name: Malkuth
Number: 10
English meaning: Kingdom
Sphere: Elements/Saturn/Earth
Gem: Rock Crystal/Salt
Plants: Willow, Lily, Ivy
Magical Tool: The Magical Circle and Triangle
Divine Name: Adonai ha-Aretz
Archangel: Sandalphon
Angelic Choir: Ashim
Neurocircuit: Biosurvival
Yogic Practice: Asana
The last emanation of creation is Malkuth, which represents the final solidification of the energy of Kether. It is result of all the work done through the preceding sephiroth. This sephira is totally passive; all energy directed to it works it's change and is grounded. The titles of Malkuth are "Malkah," the princess and "Kalah," the bride, when considered as the Spouse of Zauir Anpin, the Microprosopus.
