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The Tree of Life The Kabbalah




The Tree 0f Life The Kabbalah | by Cultural Mosaic
Written by | Gaurav Mathur , Edited By | Sneha Rajadhyaksha


The kabbalah 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. This is "The Tree of Life"

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

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"

The kabbalah Frame

The centers are arranged in three columns.
The left column is called the Pillar of Severity. This represents the female side of man and contains three sephira: Binah (Understanding), Geburah (Severity) and Hod (Splendor).

The right column is called the Pillar of Mercy.
This represents the male side of man and also contains three sephira: Chokmah (Wisdom), Chesed (Mercy) and Netzach (Victory).

The middle pillar is called the Pillar of Equilibrium.
It represents the balance between the male and female pillars. It contains four sephira: Kether (Crown), Tiphareth (Beauty), Yesod (Foundation) and Malkuth (Kingdom).

Sphere 1 - Kether

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. It was also said, talking about it too much, evaporates your understanding of it.

Sphere 2 - Chokmah

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.

Sphere 3 - Binah

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.

Sphere 4 - Chesed / Gedulah

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.

Sphere 5 - Geburah

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.

Sphere 6 - Tiphareth / Tiferet

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.

Sphere 7 - Netzach

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.

Sphere 8 - Hod

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.

Sphere 9 - Yesod

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.

Sphere 10 - Malkuth

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.

Sphere 0 - Daath

Name: Daath
English meaning: The Abyss
Random chaos of thought and conception

The sphere of knowledge Daath is invisible because it contains both accessible and hidden knowledge. This sphere has no archangel but is used as an entrance and exit point to the Yetzirah (the third world of formation), the realm of the angels. Daath is often called the Abyss, the gulf between the phenomenal world of manifestation and its source. Only by passing through the Abyss can we realize out innermost spiritual nature. Daath is the primary junction where various forces on the Tree of Life come together, yet it is also a barrier that you must pass beyond if you wish to scale the Tree of Life.





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