Hermetic Qabalah ( from the Hebrew קַבָּלָה "reception"), is a Western esoteric and mystical tradition. It forms the underlying philosophy and framework for magical societies such as the Golden Dawn and Thelemic orders, mystical societies such as the Builders of the Adytum and the Fellowship of the Rosy Cross, and is a precursor to the Neopagan, Wiccan and New Age movements.^[1] This article is about traditional Jewish Kabbalah. ... “Hebrew” redirects here. ... Not to be confused with Magic (illusion). ... The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (or, more commonly, the Golden Dawn) was a magical order of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, practicing a form of theurgy and spiritual development. ... Thelema is the English transliteration of the Ancient Greek noun : will, from the verb θέλω: to will, wish, purpose. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... B.O.T.A. (Builders of the Adytum), which is registered as a non-profit tax-exempt religious organisation, is a worldwide mystery school based in Los Angeles. ... The Order of the Rosy Cross, or Rosicrucians, is a worldwide esoteric society and fraternity officially called the Ancient Mystic Order of Rosae Crucis (AMORC), whose official emblem is a cross with a single rose in the center. ... Neopaganism or Neo-Paganism is any of a heterogeneous group of new religious movements, particularly those influenced by ancient, primarily pre-Christian and sometimes pre-Judaic religions. ... For other uses, see Wicca (disambiguation). ... New Age describes a broad movement characterized by alternative approaches to traditional Western culture. ...

It draws on a great many influences, most notably: Jewish Kabbalah, Western astrology, tarot, alchemy, pagan religions (especially Egyptian and Greco-roman), neoplatonism, gnosticism, the Enochian system of angelic magic of John Dee, hermeticism, rosicrucianism, Freemasonry, and tantra. It differs from the Jewish form in being a more admittedly syncretic system; however it shares many concepts with Jewish Kabbalah. This article is about traditional Jewish Kabbalah. ... Western astrology is the system of astrology most popular in Western countries. ... This article is about the general history, iconography, and uses of tarot cards. ... For other uses, see Alchemy (disambiguation). ... Pagan and heathen redirect here. ... Neoplatonism (also Neo-Platonism) is the modern term for a school of religious and mystical philosophy that took shape in the 3rd century AD, based on the teachings of Plato and earlier Platonists. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This article is about the Angelical Language recorded in the journals of Dr. John Dee. ... For the American college basketball coach, see John Dee (basketball coach). ... Hermeticism should not be confused with the concept of a hermit. ... The Temple of the Rose Cross, Teophilus Schweighardt Constantiens, 1618. ... “Freemasons” redirects here. ... The Sri Yantra This article is an overview of Tantra and an in-depth look at the Tantra of Hinduism. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

It is most often transliterated with a 'Q' rather than a 'K' or a 'C', distinguishing it from Jewish Kabbalah and Christian Cabbalah.

[edit] Conception of Divinity

A primary concern of Hermetic Qabalah is the nature of divinity, its conception of which is quite markedly different from that presented in monotheistic religions; in particular there is not the strict separation between divinity and man which is seen in monotheisms^[2]. Hermetic Qabalah holds to the neoplatonic conception that the manifest universe, of which material creation is a part, arise as a series of emanations from the godhead^[3]. For the Celtic Frost album, see Monotheist (album) In theology, monotheism (from Greek one and god) is the belief in the existence of one deity or God, or in the oneness of God. ...

These emanations arise out of three preliminary states that are considered to precede creation. The first is a state of complete nullity, known as Ain (אין "nothing"); the second state, considered a "concentration" of Ain, is Ain Suph (אין סוף "without limit, infinite"); the third state, caused by a "movement" of Ain Suph, is Ain Suph Aur (אין סוף אור "limitless light"), and it is from this initial brilliance that the first emanation of creation originates^[4]. Ein Sof (Hebrew: without end denoting boundlessness), also known as Divine Being, is the name for God, within the Kabbalah of Judaism, as he is unknown, or the mysterious and ultimate source of all existence. ...

God is seen ultimately within the concept of the Theosophical-Buddhist notion of being the Infinite-All, and further each person has the ability to achieve unity with God once again through a process of ascending the tree of life in the Lightning Flash as symbolized by the Golden Dawn's gradation system. Once Supreme attainment is Achieved, or, what the Hermetic Qabalists view as synoptical with the Enlightenment of Buddha, the Baptism of Jesus, the ascension of Dionysus/Osiris etc... the Magus has reached the Sephirah of Binah, the last attainable position in life, before death, the aspirant has become a living vehicle of the Godhead. I, or Ego has been eradicated in the infinite and the Magus has reached Godhood on earth. This is the goal of "The Great Work," and thus the next steps follow traditionalized philanthropic activity on behalf of selfless and charitable rightworking.

[edit] Sephirot

The Sephirothic tree showing the lightning flash and the paths.

The emanations of creation arising from Ain Suph Aur are ten in number, and are called Sephiroth (סְפִירוֹת, singular Sephirah סְפִירָה, "enumeration"). These are conceptualised somewhat differently in Hermetic Qabbalah to the way they are in Jewish Kabbalah^[5]. See Sephirot for the Jewish conceptualisation. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Category:Sephiroth      Sefirah redirects here. ...

From Ain Suph Aur crystallises Kether, the first sephirah of the Hermetic Qabalistic tree of life. From Kether emanate the rest of the sephirot in turn, viz. Kether (1), Chokhmah (2), Binah (3), Daath, Chesed (4), Geburah (5), Tiphareth (6), Netzach (7), Hod (8), Yesod (9), Malkuth (10). Daath is not assigned a number as it is considered either a false or a hidden sephirah^[6].

Each sephirah is considered to be an emanation of the divine energy (often described as 'the divine light') which ever flows from the unmanifest, through Kether into manifestation^[7]. This flow of light is indicated by the lightning flash shown on diagrams of the sephirotic tree which passes through each sephirah in turn according to their enumerations.

Each sephirah is a nexus of divine energy and each is given a number of attributions. These attributions enable the Qabalist to form a comprehension of each particular sephirah's characteristics. This manner of applying many attributions to each sephirah is an exemplar of the diverse nature of Hermetic Qabalah. For example the sephirah Hod has the attributions of; Glory, perfect intelligence, the eights of the tarot deck, the planet Mercury, the Egyptian god Thoth, the archangel Michael, the Roman god Mercury and the alchemical element Mercury^[8]. The general principle involved is that the Qabalist will meditate on all these attributions and by this means acquire an understanding of the character of the sephirah.

The Tree of life serves as an explanation of Hermetic Morality. In a similar notion of "The Middle Way" the Hermetic Qabalah strives for the Magus to remain balanced within the "The Middle Pillar" and thus and Balance of both Severity and Mercy. Since, reason serves as proof that excess in one pillar or one category of Severity or Mercy denotes immorality. Thus, the only way to truly be a Godly person is to strive for the balance of both the left and right pillars. Thus: Kether, Da'ath, Tiphareth, Yesod and Malkuth. In Liber 777, sephirah 1-10 are representative of transcendental morality: 1) Accomplishment of the Great work, 2) Devotion, 3) Silence, 4) Obedience, 5) Energy, 6) Devotion to the Great Work, 7) Unselfishness, 8) Truthfulness, 9) Independence, 10) Skepticism.

The Sephirotic tree showing the placement of the tarot trumps on the paths.

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[edit] Tarot

The tarot forms an important part of the Qabalistic system^[9]. While the sephirot describe the nature of god, the paths between them describe ways of knowing god^[10]. As the sephiroth are numbered in turn, so are the paths numbered. This article is about the general history, iconography, and uses of tarot cards. ...

the Minor Arcana are based in four suits of the Magus tools, which all have elemental attributes: Wands- Wind; Swords- Fire; Pantacles- Earth; Cups- Water -- each of these from 1-10 are placed in the positions of the Sephiroth as the representations of the Tetragrammaton's presence within each emanation. The Major Arcana are then placed along the pathways or channels according to their Alpha-numerical Gematrial correlation. The Tree of life in itself is a glyph that also allows immense applicable meaning to be drawn from card spreads and is the ultimate guide to reading the tarot.

Within the Tradition of Hermetic Qabalah, Tarot cards are used primarily within the middle point of the ceremony itself -- ie: after banishings, invokings, planetary magic and adorations to the highest are performed. The Magickal circle is an extension of either your own personal microcosm or can be flipped into the condensation of the macrocosm, depending on the situation, the middle point of the ceremony varies and the tarot can be used more specifically in different times for different reasons. Outside of the Magickal circle however the Magi see Tarot cards as mere cards that are designed for Qabalistic and Ceremonial use; therefore, outside of the circle, they're still just cards, nothing more -- there is no rhyme or reason why they fall into place or do what they do -- however WITHIN the circle itself is a different situation... for the Qabalist to presume that the circle is an extension or condensation of microcosm or macrocosm, this implies that the Qabalist is constructing a MAGICKAL ENVIRONMENT, in which all things within the circle are used as MAGICKAL TOOLS. This is where the Tarot comes into Magickal use. During the middle point of the ceremony, Tarot cards are no longer Tarot Cards, they're tools that are used for divination in which the Tree of life is used as the map in which gives meaning to them.

[edit] History

The "Kircher Tree": Athanasius Kircher's 1652 depiction of the Tree of Life, based on a 1625 version by Philippe d'Aquin.This is still the most common arrangement of the Sephiroth and paths on the tree in Hermetic Qabalah.

Jewish Kabbalah was absorbed into the Hermetic tradition at least as early as the 15th century when Giovanni Pico della Mirandola promoted a syncretic world-view combining Platonism, Neoplatonism, Aristotelianism, Hermeticism and Kabbalah^[11]. This was further developed by Athanasius Kircher, a Jesuit priest, hermeticist and polymath, who wrote extensively on the subject in 1652, bringing further elements such as Orphism and Egyptian mythology to the mix^[12]. Modern Hermetic Qabalah is the product of all these influences. Today, though eclipsed by more modern movements like Wicca, Hermetic Qabalah still remains to be the most collegically approached form of Occultism and is held in high, protective guard by those initiates who profess adepthood. Though most Neophyte rituals are available online and in printed books, further grades depending on the Fraternity progress to stages of high magick that uses and expands on all of the preliminary Golden Dawn rituals. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1128x1668, 268 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Kabbalah ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1128x1668, 268 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Kabbalah ... Athanasius Kircher (sometimes spelt Kirchner) (May 2, 1601?–27 November 1680) was a 17th century German Jesuit scholar who published around 40 works, most notably in the fields of oriental studies, geology and medicine. ... Category:Sephiroth      Main article: Sephirot (Kabbalah) Tree of life is a mystical concept within the Kabbalah of Judaism which is used to understand the nature of God and the manner in which He created the world ex nihilo (out of nothing). ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... Pico della Mirandola. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Platonic idealism is the theory that the substantive reality around us is only a reflection of a higher truth. ... Neoplatonism (also Neo-Platonism) is the modern term for a school of religious and mystical philosophy that took shape in the 3rd century AD, based on the teachings of Plato and earlier Platonists. ... Aristotelianism is a tradition of philosophy that takes its defining inspiration from the work of Aristotle. ... Athanasius Kircher (sometimes spelt Kirchner) (May 2, 1601?–27 November 1680) was a 17th century German Jesuit scholar who published around 40 works, most notably in the fields of oriental studies, geology and medicine. ... // Events April 6 - Dutch sailor Jan van Riebeeck establishes a resupply camp for the Dutch East India Company at the Cape of Good Hope, and founded Cape Town. ... Orphism or (more rarely) Orphicism seems to have been a mystery religion in the ancient Greek world. ... Egyptian mythology or Egyptian religion is the succession of tentative beliefs held by the people of Egypt for over three thousand years, prior to major exposure to Christianity and Islam. ...

[edit] Hermetic Order Of The Golden Dawn

Hermetic Qabalah reached its peak in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn,^[13] a 19th century organization that was arguably the pinnacle of ceremonial magic. Within the Golden Dawn the syncretic fusing of Qabalistic principles such as the ten Sephiroth with Greek and Egyptian deities was made more cohesive and was extended to encompass other systems such as the Enochian system of angelic magic of John Dee and certain Eastern (particularly Hindu and Buddhist) concepts, all within the structure of a Masonic- or Rosicrucian-style esoteric order. The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (or, more commonly, the Golden Dawn) was a magical order of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, practicing a form of theurgy and spiritual development. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... This article is about the Angelical Language recorded in the journals of Dr. John Dee. ... For the American college basketball coach, see John Dee (basketball coach). ... This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ... A replica of an ancient statue found among the ruins of a temple at Sarnath Buddhism is a philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, a prince of the Shakyas, whose lifetime is traditionally given as 566 to 486 BCE. It had subsequently been accepted by... “Freemasons” redirects here. ... The Temple of the Rose Cross, Teophilus Schweighardt Constantiens, 1618. ...

Crowley is the most widely known exponent of Hermetic Magic^[14] or Magick as he preferred to render it. Crowley's own writings on the Qabalah were idiosyncratic, and in some cases purposely blasphemous. However his book Liber 777 is a good illustration of the wider Hermetic approach, and is seen as Crowley's 'Masterwork.' It is a set of tables relating various parts of ceremonial magic, Eastern and Western religion to thirty-two numbers representing the ten spheres and twenty-two paths of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. The attitude of syncretism embraced by Hermetic Qabalists is plainly evident here, as one may simply check the table to see that Chesed (חסד "Mercy") corresponds to Jupiter, Isis, the colour blue (on the Queen Scale), Poseidon, Brahma, and amethyst. Aleister Crowley, born Edward Alexander Crowley, (12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947; the surname is pronounced // i. ... This article refers to the magical system of Aleister Crowley and Thelema. ... The full name of this Class B document by Aleister Crowley is Liber 777 Vel Prolegoma Symbolica Ad Systemam Sceptico-Mysticae Viae Explicande, Fundamentum Hieroglyphicum Sanctissimorum Scientiae Summae. ... Category:Sephiroth      Main article: Sephirot (Kabbalah) Tree of life is a mystical concept within the Kabbalah of Judaism which is used to understand the nature of God and the manner in which He created the world ex nihilo (out of nothing). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Category:Sephiroth      Note: The Hebrew word chesed חסד is also the root word upon which the name Hasidism is based. ... Jupiter et Thétis - by Jean Ingres, 1811. ... Isis is a goddess in Egyptian mythology. ... Neptune reigns in the city of Bristol. ... This article concerns the Hindu creator god, Brahma. ... For other uses, see Amethyst (disambiguation). ...

Many of the Golden Dawn's rituals were published by Crowley and were eventually compiled into book form by Israel Regardie. The credibility of Crowley is inconsistent though, as many of the rituals published were actually manipulated versions. Regardie however developed a much better reputation through his own research, practice and publications after he broke with Crowley.^[15] Golden Dawn rituals are often times structured in such a way that the Gematrial vibration of every word is placed into a systematic format that achieves the desired goal. Because of the necessity of Gematria's interplay with linguistic vibration, learning Hebrew, Greek and Latin are often required to preform the specific ceremonies. Derivations from the traditionalized rituals often appear on the internet as edited depending on the Magus at work, though, this degenerates the ritual as the Magus is oftentimes as substandard Qabalist, and thus a very uninformed Mathematician. The purpose of the specificity is the desired numerical value of the words vibrated, the symbols casted with numerical vibration and the interplay of yoga and vibration. Thus, the Hermetic Qabalah remains to be one of the most specific and scientific models of Magickal tradition without the room for deviation if the lack of Mathematic skills are also not present. Israel Regardie (Francis Israel Regudy) was born on November 17, 1907 in London, England to poor Jewish immigrant parents. ...

Dion Fortune, a fellow initiate of the Golden Dawn, wrote the seminal book The Mystical Qabalah, one of the best general introductions to modern Hermetic Qabbalah.^[16] Violet Mary Firth Evans, born Violet Mary Firth (December 6, 1890[1] - 1946) and better known as Dion Fortune, was a British occultist and author[2]. Her pseudonym was inspired by her family motto Deo, non fortuna (Latin for God, not fate)[3]. // She was born at Bryn-y-Bia...

Pat Zalewski is a student of Robert Felkin's school, as taught in New Zealand after Felkin emigrated there. Wikibooks has more about this subject: Pat Zalewski Patrick Zalewski is an occultist and author. ...

Samael Aun Weor has many significant works that discuss Kabbalah within many religions, such as the Egyptian, Pagan, and Central American religions, which is summarized in his work The Initiatic Path in the Arcana of Tarot and Kabbalah. Samael Aun Weor Samael Aun Weor (March 16, 1917 - December 24, 1977) was a prolific writer, lecturer and teacher of occultism. ...

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Kabbalah and the Divine Name Ehyeh in Exodus 3:14
• Revived Qabalah/Kabbalah
• Mystical Keys Library