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Underground > Temple >

"Doing" the Sephira

16:25 / 03.07.03

I'm about to embark on an exploration of the Tree of Life. I'll be starting in Malkuth and will probably be at it for a while. The plan is to start with simple daily meditations and then incorporate Bill Hendrick's Sephira meditation techniques into the mix. My question is this: Is it all right to perform simple, one-off meditations on the other Sephira during this process. The reason I ask is that I've recently become aware of personality traits within myself that I think I'll be able to analyze/understand a bit better if I use the structure of the Tree, specifically the Sephira Geburah. Is this a good idea?

gotham island fae

17:17 / 03.07.03

In my experience with the Tree of Life, I avoided working with Geburah, Chokmah and Chesed because they embodied what I saw as a Dark Trinity of Patriarchy in the upper levels of the Tree. I worked with and studied the other spheres in a number of different ways, while only giving perfunctory attention to these three.

Recently, I sent myself on a journey through all ten spheres and down the Middle Pillar through Da'ath, having to deal with the three Sephira I had neglected. It was a wonderful comprehensive experience that has helped me to a more balanced understanding that goes beyond the simple male/female relationships I was perceiving.

I don't think there is anything wrong with focusing your attention on the Sephira that appeal to you and the specifics of your path, provided there is an understanding that only when all aspects are considered does one reach full understanding of the whole. As long as your intention is to eventually touch on/study/immerse yourSelf in the other aspects of this esoteric tool, I don't see any problem with putting more exclusive effort towards Geburah or any other Sephira you feel connection to.

18:32 / 03.07.03

Thanks Frater F. I wonder if you could elaborate on the different ways you've worked with the sephira. I myself only know the meditation route and the "how does this information apply outside the sacred temple" route. I'm not asking you to be too descriptive/perscriptive with your info as I assume I will find my own ways of working as I progress, but a glimpse would be ginchy.

And why are Geburah, Chokmah and Chesed the Dark Trinity? I've been working under the impression that none of the sephira are specifically "light" or "dark", but contain an amount of each. I'm basing this thought on the "Virtue" and "Vice" aspects referred to by Colin Low in his "Notes on Kabbalah" (my travelling companion of late).

gotham island fae

19:31 / 03.07.03

And why are Geburah, Chokmah and Chesed the Dark Trinity? I've been working under the impression that none of the sephira are specifically "light" or "dark", but contain an amount of each.

That is exactly the lesson I was needing to learn in my own path up the tree. My own understanding of QBLH has been very intuitively crafted. That comment on the three was merely based upon the godforms associated with the Sephira and what I perceived as a reversal of masculine and feminine between the two outer pillars. I saw an imbalance in the sexual attributions of these spheres. I am realizing that my attribution of sexual characteristics is not necessarily worthwhile. However, as one of the largest tasks I have in my life (magickally, socially and otherwise) centers around the perceptions and realities of sex and gender, it is important for me to work through this false understanding before doing more focused work with the Tree. If I were to embark on the Night/Shadow Side work I am looking forward to with this misconception, even greater difficulties than those I do expect would be likely.

As for other methods of working, they have mostly been Word and Art based. Allowing what I know and see in the glyph to inspire my mind and spirit in new ways. I can't lay claim to having done a great deal of actual ritual regarding any particular Sephiroth. But, it was the first tool I threw in my magickal bag, over five years ago, and I have never stopped looking back to it as a basis for my magickal path.

In study, I have spent a great deal of time focusing on the spaces in between the spheres. The traditional paths have provided a basic pattern on which I've played and fiddled and tinkered in an attempt to grasp how I see the entirety of Universe/GOD. I've added and discarded paths beyond the traditional 22 so often I can't tell you. Purists may scoff at the conclusions I have come to for myself, but I'm not usually one to prove anything to anyone, so that bothers me not.

19:42 / 03.07.03

That comment on the three was merely based upon the godforms associated with the Sephira and what I perceived as a reversal of masculine and feminine between the two outer pillars.

I think that's very interesting because I felt that the Kabbalah's godforms has actually helped me understand my parents and gender wars in increasing complexity. I've always felt judgment coming from Carol and genuine magnanimity from Craig. It's that truth that inspired me to consider a replacement godform for Geburah -a female diety on par with the skyfathers. I chose Hera -goddess of marriage. What greater judgment can one be given or participate in than whom to marry? Think about it, it works.

20:20 / 03.07.03

If I recall correctly, the sphere of judgment is traditionaly female in Jewish Kabbalah (think Jewish mothers and you'll know why), whereas Understanding is masculine.

20:43 / 03.07.03

Note also that duality really only exists below the Abyss. So while it is helpful to describe Chokmah as masculine and Binah as feminine, these terms really do not adequately describe the spheres. Active/Passive, Fire/Water, Force and Form - these apply to the two spheres and also to the two columns.

As far as working with the Sephira, I've had great results with invocations of the god forms and characteristics of the particular sphere your trying to engage. Note also that this can be expanded to pathworkings between the spheres. It may be helpful to lay out the Tarot cards associated with the sphere (I use Thoth) and meditate/skry/invoke them.

13:53 / 04.07.03

This is maybe addressed to a degree but LVX23’s post above, but I wondered if anyone would like to comment on the following. I’m not an expert on the Qabalah, so be gentle with me. I’ve been thinking about the Sephira because I may be undertaking some group-based qabalistic work. It struck me that to rush through the spheres one per session, say, would be a mistake. I don’t think (like most other areas of magical experience) that they are things you can “master” or totally integrate. They seem more like areas of experience that one will revisit over and over again from different perspectives, making a variety of different entries in the “cosmic filofax” . Maybe, they all contain each other? “Malkuth is in Kether, but after a different manner”.

Also, from my point of view Malkuth, as the material plane/ the body - is where it’s at. I wonder to what degree the top down structure of the tree might limit our experiences of it ie. is any part of it really “higher” than Malkuth?

05:28 / 05.07.03

You could hop through them if you just wanted to start getting a feel for each sphere. But to really progress with it and interface whith the Tree you need to dwell in each sphere for some time, slowly working you way up through the Sephiroth. For many this is a lifelong journey.

14:09 / 05.07.03

is any part of it really “higher” than Malkuth?

In my limited understanding, all Sephira are equal. The unfolding of the tree is in a sequence of what can be readily comprehended as opposed to a heirarchical system. The Sephira become more abstract, closer to the source perhaps, but none should be regarded as higher.

But then, I'm just a beginner myself. I'm probably wrong.

21:15 / 05.07.03

Frater Fae: "As for other methods of working, they have mostly been Word and Art based. Allowing what I know and see in the glyph to inspire my mind and spirit in new ways."

It's great to have this independently confirmed, as I've used Art as a major tool in a lot of my workings. Glad to know it will carry over so well to the Tree. Are you speaking of sigils or another method? I've considered taking all the correspondences for a sephira and working up a collage of sorts as a focal point for meditation. No practical work as of yet, but if I get results I'll post them here.

Thanks, everyone, for your input. All of your insights inspire me all the more. I'm copying the thread thus far into a text file for later reflection.

22:21 / 05.07.03

you are approaching the path from many different directions but the destination is one
choose the path of least resistance
let the one who sees, receive the word