As I approach one year of blogging, I reflect back on how I felt at the beginning and all the things I wanted to share. Through time I have been able to write about the things that are not only important to me, but I provided tools for everyone to improve life on an individual level and on a global level.
One such tool that was high on my list was tarot. Having spent a year studying with a tarot reader and continuing my education since then, I know both the complexity/overwhelming quality of the tarot as well as the wonderful benefits.
The tarot was built to combine the tools of mysticism, esoteric, that provided an understanding and improvement. Woven within a tarot deck are other tools manifested since ancient tools. One such tool is the Qabalah.
Qabalah: “The ancient Jewish tradition of mystical interpretation of the Bible, first transmitted orally and using esoteric methods (including ciphers).”
The literal translation of the word Qabalah (Kabbala, Cabbala) is: “that which is received,” and this tool brings with it a whole world of wisdom. While the tarot combines wisdom from astrology, numerology, symbology, and the Qabalah each of these tools are their own world.
For this reason, I only started my researched into this tool recently. But I am covering all about tarot, each component within the 78 cards, and so I am putting together what I know. In this way, you can be like me and dip your toe into this world.
Knowledge of each tool found within tarot strengthens your readings but it also offers you another tool for your life. That’s how I felt about numerology and astrology. Now the Qabalah is next.
In this post I will be covering the basics so you can understand just what the Qablalah is in reference to tarot and decide for yourself if this is a tool you wish to uncover for yourself.
The History of the Kabbalah:
While the exact history concerning the origin of the Kabbalah is debated, it was in the 13th Century in Southern Spain, that a group of Jewish Rabbi created a school revolving around wisdom passed down via the oral tradition.
What we know as the Kabbalah is a set of wisdom or understanding of the core truths of life. Through the study of these lessons and perception, you learn to open yourself up to a higher reality. Raising your consciousness or vibrational level to a point where evidence of the divine/Spirit is witnessed everywhere.
Jewish Kabbalah:
This wisdom was compiled to help people understand the relationship between the infinite (God), mortals, and the universe. As an integral component of Judaism, the Kabblah plays a vital role along with the Hebrew Bible, rabbinic literature, and the Zohar.
Christian Cabbala:
It was then in the 16th Century (Renaissance) when those of the Christian faith took the wisdom of the Kabbalah and put their own spin on it. Seen through the lens of Christian theology with a focus on Christ, his death, and his resurrection they perceived a new understanding.
Hermetic Qabalah:
At or around the same time as the Christians placed their own understanding of life onto the wisdom of the Kabbalah, the western world did the same. Each school/practice of mysticism in the western world took the Kabbalah and put their own spin on it.
Some groups did so with a belief in Spirit, some brought their own faith, while others didn’t believe in a God at all. These underlying philosophies created the framework for many schools of thought. Including, the Golden Dawn, Thelemic orders, Wicca, and other new age groups.
It was within the Golden Dawn that Rider, Waite, and Smith found one another. Students and teachers of this community, we can see evidence of the Qabalah woven into the Rider-Waite-Smith deck.
Check out this video on: How did Kabbaah Begin? Brief History of Jewish Mysticism.
The Three Categories of Focus:
Within the school of Kabbalah, there are three categories or areas of focus. In choosing to take the wisdom found within this philosophy you can apply the knowledge in three different ways with three different results.
The first option it Theoretical, which has been the most widely practiced. Within the sacred work of the Zohar (23 volumes deciphering and understanding the Bible, universe, and life) written by Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (a Talmudic Mystic) a student can achieve a deeper understanding of life.
From this knowledge a “perfection” can be attained. Or a more expanded upon and attuned self. Where a person not only is more connected with their true essence or soul, but they also can bring this level of understanding back to the present.
Since life is happening in the here and now, it is the purpose of those who study the theoretical aspect of the Kabbalah to bring this understanding of the weaving of life back to life and serve the world.
The second option, is the category of Meditation. It is believed that through deep meditation you can use the wisdom found within the Kabbalah to attain a higher state of consciousness. Some even believe that through this process you can become prophetic and gain psychic powers. But overtime, this category has not been pursued or nurtured to the same degree as theoretical.
The final category is Magic. Since this category of the Kabbalah has been rumored to drive some of the rabbis of old to madness, this category has been avoided. The power is said to be too great to master and due to the huge level of neglect, the wisdom and practices surrounding this category have mostly been lost through time.
The Tree of Life:
Another integral component of this philosophy is the Tree of Life. While many people have heard of this title before, few understand its origins or true meaning. Often referenced as the Map of the Universe, the purpose of this diagram is to not only help a person conceptualize life but this diagram covers each aspect of life.
From this diagram you can learn much about life, how it all works, and more about yourself. For that reason, I found people who taught the Tree of Life from #1-10, and others started from #10-1. In both cases I learned more about the Tree of Life and about the world as well.
Depending on the reason for studying the Qabalah and in what context of life you wish to learn more, each order offers something unique and wonderful. In this instance I want to follow the example I have found with many people and start with #10 and work my way to #1.
Within the Tree of Life we have 10 Sephirahs or circles. Connecting them are 22 pathways (22 Hebrew letters). We can see the layout of the Tree of Life within the 10 of Pentacles tarot card. From this diagram I will provide the most basic summary of each Sephirah. From this information you can begin to understand the wisdom found within the Tree of Life.
#10: Malkuth (translated- Kingdom).
- Archangel Sandalphon
- Planet Earth
- Meaning: The physical of life. This means the presence/material/day-to-day life/$/the planets/the 4 elements. Malkuth pertains to what we know here on Earth. What we can see, taste, and touch.
#9: Yesod (translated- Foundation).
- Archangel Gabriel
- The Moon
- Meaning: The imagination, subconscious. Dreams & the dream world. Deciphering what is your spirit guides and your inner voice. It is within Yesod that we are connected to all of the other possibilities found within life.
#8: Hod (Translated- Splendor).
- Archangel Micheal
- Mercury
- Meaning: The mind/thought process. It is within this Sephirah/circle that we encounter the intellect in life.
#7: Netzach (Translated- Victory).
- Archangel Haniel
- Venus
- Meaning: Emotions/feelings.
#6: Tipheret (Translated- Beauty).
- Archangel Rapheal
- Sun
- Meaning: Beauty, the messiah figure. Both the sacrifice aspects of life and redemption.
#5: Geburah (Translated- Severity).
- Archangel Kameal
- Mars
- Meaning: Anger, passion, violence, nobility.
#4: Chesed (Translated- Mercy).
- Archangel Tzadkiel
- Jupiter
- Meaning: Benevolence, kindness.
#3: Binah (Translated- Understanding).
- Archangel Tzaphkiel
- Saturn
- Meaning: Fulfillment, manifestation. The Great Mother.
#2: Chokmah (Translated- Wisdom).
- Archangel Raziel
- The Zodiac
- Meaning: 1st manifestation. The Great Father.
#1: Keter (Translated- Crown).
- Archangel Metatron
- Pure essence of life.
- Meaning: Un-manifested divine, pure Spirit, the Divine. The beginning of the whirlings.
Check out this video: #1 The Tree of Life: A Beginner’s Guide [Esoteric Sundays] This Video is great because it not only provides you a basic understanding of the Tree of Life, but he also draws the tree for you in the video. As a visual person, I know that this video helped me understand how it all works.
Final Thoughts:
The Kabbalah offers insight into life. As I begin this journey into this new tool what I know and how I perceive and understand things is changing. I am excited to see where this path leads me and just what I might discover about life.