Introduction to the Qabalah

With my latest book, Practical Qabalah Magick due out this week, I thought it might be a good thing to reproduce this introductory article on the Qabalah which I originally wrote a few years ago for my original “avalonia.co.uk” website here.  For those readers unfamiliar with the Qabalah it should serve as a good introduction to the subject from a magical perspective.

What is Qabalah?  (Written by Sorita d’Este for avalonia.co.uk, 2006)

The Qabalah is a vital and dynamic system of spiritual growth which is used widely within the Western Mystery Tradition today from the Golden Dawn to the Servants of the Light, Wicca through to the Ordo Templi Orienti, Qabalastic thought, symbolism and ideas are incorporated in both rituals and philosophies.

The word Qabalah comes from the Hebrew “QBL” meaning “received teaching/tradition”. Qabalah is a truly ancient system that can be traced back thousands of years with the first major Qabalistic book, the Sepher Yetzirah (Book of Formation) dating to around the time of the birth of Christ. The wellknown image of the Tree of Life, which embodies the Qabalastic system, was first recorded around the 15th century, although it may have existed prior to this. The Tree of Life glyph is a symbolic representation of man and his relationship with the universe and the divine. The ten Sephiroth (spheres) of the Tree of Life can be seen to be akin to bridges, connecting man and the finite universe with the infinite and ultimate deity.

It is important to keep in mind that although the Qabalah is originally Hebrew system, there are many different forms, schools of thought and ideas concerning the tradition today and it has, as already been stated become widely incorporated into much of Western magic. To distinguish the Western Mystery system from that of the original Judiac system the term “Qabalah” is used, with Kabbalah denoting the original Jewish system of mysticism. When spelt Cabala, it refers to the specifically Christian interpretation of the system. These distinctions may seem a bit silly at first, but they are necessary in order to coherantly understand the system without the contradictions which may be inherent in trying to merge the different systems without sufficient knowledge. It is also used in order to show respect by making a distinction between the original Hebrew system and those practiced in other cultural and philosophical settings, as often the way in which it is taught may be quite contrary, or developed along a different philosophy from that originally intended.

According to tradition Adam learned Kabbalah from the archangel Raziel (archangel of Chokmah – Wisdom), in the Garden of Eden. Adam taught his descendants, like Hanoch and Methuselah, who taught Noah. Noah taught Abraham, who taught some of its mysteries to the Egyptians. Moses learned Kabalah first in Egypt, but learned much more from the angels in the wilderness, studying Kabbalah for 40 years. Moses taught the seventy elders, establishing the line of transmission of Kabbalah into the tribes. Abraham was said to have written the “Sepher Yetzirah” (Book of Formation), which is the first great Kabbalistic book, laying the foundations and symbolisms which much of this course is derived from.

The Qabalah is a very dynamic system that lays out a map of the human psyche and the universe, giving you the tools to pursue your spiritual path at your own pace. This means that you can pursue your spiritual development and relationship with the divine without the need for an intermediary priest telling you how things have to be. It is also very powerful as it enables you to explore and re-explore different aspects of yourself, integrating your energies to make you more efficient and better able to develop your own gifts and genius, and appreciate the qualities of others.

The different ways of looking at the Tree of Life all give you different keys to unlocking your own potential. You can work on developing the different aspects of yourself in harmony, rather than unbalancing yourself by focusing exclusively on one aspect of your psyche. This means that you have a safe way to develop. Qabalah will push you to always strive for the next level, making it a pleasure to become a better person, and helping you enjoy your life more as your horizons expand and your appreciation of the universe becomes more panoramic. You can find your limits and then transcend them!

Extremely Compatible

Qabalah has become part of what is called the Western Mystery Tradition, referring to the practice of magic in Europe through the last few centuries. This is partially because Qabalah is extremely compatible with other spiritual systems, and can help you to explore different religions and gain a greater appreciation of the inherent truths within them. For instance, you can be a Christian, a Wiccan or a Buddhist and still benefit from practising the Qabalah, as it provides a model that enables the comparison of different religions, different pantheons and different myths. Qabalah permeates both the Old Testament and modern pagan thought.

The Qabalah is relevant to our mundane lives as well as our spiritual ones. By working on improving our virtues and eradicating our vices, we become more positive and productive members of our communities. The ideas within Qabalah are multi-layered, and can be appreciated within many different contexts. Hence even scientific ideas can often be explored within a Qabalistic framework – a rare phenomenon for spiritual systems. Qabalah helps you make links between all the different areas of your life, appreciating it as part of a holistic journey, and yourself as part of a greater whole, the sum of life striving for perfection.

 Further Reading:

Practical Qabalah Magick, David Rankine & Sorita d’Este
Climbing the Tree of Life, David Rankine
Qabalah: a Magick Primer, John Bonner
Magic of Qabalah, Kala Trobe