The Cabbala

The Tree of life

The Cabbala, originally the inner and mystical aspect of Judaism, provides a framework for many magical systems - such as Tarot, astrology and alchemy and is thought to represent every force manifested in universe.

Essentially a form of Neoplatonism, Godhead is seen to be brought down to humanity via spheres ( sephiroth) of the Tree of life. In cabbalistic cosmology, Creation, like the descent of pure light, works downwards from AYIN (God transcendent) to EN SOF (immanent God) through to AYIN SOF OR (limitless light), which becomes manifest in the ten spheres of the cabbala. The relationship of the spheres represent the whole existence - they are both attributes of God and aspects of human experience - and offer human beings the means of attaining spiritual oneness with the Ultimate.

The Tree of life is used as a framework for meditation (on the qualities of a particular sphere,for example), or for pathworking an active meditation that engages the imagination, while in state of trance, on the pathways interlinking the spheres. Cabbalistic magical training concerns training the mind through visualization - the creation of images using the imagination.

Tarot cards are often used to represent the energies and attributes of a particular path on the Tree of life. Thus by working on the Tree of life a magician is said to be able to reach deeper and unknown parts of his or her subconsciousness - this is said to lead to greater self understanding and also spiritual revelation. The Tree of life represents an inner map of the cosmos and a way of uniting with God.