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The mystical tradition of the Qliphoth, or the "Tree of Death," offers a shadow counterpart to the Tree of Life in Kabbalistic teachings. While the Tree of Life represents divine emanations and balance, the Qliphoth delves into realms of chaos, imbalance, and hidden knowledge. It serves as a mirror to the light, showing what lies in the shadows of existence. For those intrigued by the darker esoteric paths and work with the deep psyche, here is a comprehensive exploration of the Qliphoth, it's spheres and their profound meanings.
What is the Qliphoth?
The Qliphoth, derived from the Hebrew word for "husks" or "shells," refers to the fragmented remnants of creation. In Kabbalistic lore, these spheres represent the darker aspects of existence, embodying energies that are chaotic, inverted, and often destructive. Unlike the harmonious flow of the Tree of Life, the Qliphoth challenges practitioners to confront the shadow side of their psyche and reality itself. This is everything from parts of the inner child, to raw, primal desires and perversions.
The Qliphoth is often viewed as purely evil by abrahamic religions, but its purpose goes beyond false ideas of duality. It acts as a spiritual crucible, breaking down the ego and forcing practitioners to face the raw and untamed aspects of existence. In doing so, it provides the opportunity for transformation and drastic soul evolution.
The Qliphoth As The Tree of Knowledge
The tree of knowledge is a symbol that is most well-known in religious mythology as being the source of all evil. The serpent tempts Eve and Adam to eat from the tree of knowledge, causing humanity to be banished from the Garden of Eden. How does this mythology inform our view towards knowledge and inner power? It causes us to fear and villainise it entirely, placing our divinity within the external world. Such religions have been established to lose god as opposed to finding it. The Qliphoth is the tree of knowledge and represents the way back to the source and the embodiment of divinity from within the physical body. The tree represents the dark feminine power centres within the primordial chaos/dark womb that birthed creation. The true source is the primordial chaos, the infinite potential that birthed us all into existence.
The Traditional Mythology
To really understand the nature of the Qliphoth, one must explore the traditional mythology before the garden of eden.
The story of the Garden of Eden was taken from an older myth. Lilith and Samael were the first couple. They enjoyed their garden, which was filled with beauty and life, and together through their sexual union, gave birth to all life. They populated the earth with all the animals, including humans. Their union was sustained by the magnetic force of union known as Tanniniver, the Red Dragon.
There was a God filled with jealousy, envious of their affection and creation, who intended to divide them. Over time, the name of this male God evolved, being referred to as the Archon and later as Jehovah. He dispatched his archangel to vanquish the Red Dragon (in a later variation of the myth, it is said he castrated Samael). Regardless, their union was dissolved, they ceased to procreate, and their love was no longer complete.
After Samael departed from Lilith, she tried to fashion people from clay. These clay-born individuals were taken in by Jehovah, while Lilith's offspring were known as the serpent-born. These individuals possessed magic and psychic vision, and were identified as witches and magicians.
The idea of a jealous God arises from separation. When we abandon our power, we lose the ability to create what we desire. Observing someone else achieving what we want can lead to jealousy, which reflects our limited beliefs. If we truly believe we can create anything, jealousy does not exist. We might claim we can create anything, but the moment we feel jealousy, we imply we can create anything except that.
Interpretation
The masculine loses its power without the feminine, leading to jealousy and rage. Such dynamics hint at how the Goddess was lost through false religion. Until 6000 years ago, religions were matriarchal. Over the next 4000 years, patriarchy took over, mainly through violence. Patriarchal religions banned magick, limiting spiritual growth and reinforcing control through violence and intimidation. They diminished Goddesses, portraying them as mere consorts to powerful Gods. For instance, in Egyptian mythology, Hathor, the mother of all was sidelined, and Ra was credited with creation alone. The idea of a singular male creator is flawed, as creation is inherently feminine.
The castration of Samael highlights that chauvinism not only denies the feminine but also distorts the masculine. While some understanding of the feminine exists, true masculine power is hidden by false notions of ego, domination, and violence. Men miss the chance to develop genuine masculine strengths like will, action, focus, protection, and striving for understanding. Without nurturing both feminine and masculine powers, individuals cannot effectively shape their lives.
Those born of clay are of the earth, lacking magick and power within them. The serpent-born possess the authentic power of god from within the physical body. The clay born refers to all who have been born within this multiverse and had their power taken away and their child parts denied. It is important to understand that our pasts are not set in stone. As we broaden our awareness into higher dimensions, we come to realise that the past is an illusion. We are not constrained by our pasts; only by our choices. Thus, initiating through the Qliphoth is essentially choosing to be serpent-born. This is an act of High Magick and full commitment to the evolution of the soul. To leave the ranks of the clay-born, one must break down all of the shells/personas that have imprisoned the inner child and separated them from source. This process is not an easy one as it forces you to face some of the most vulnerable parts of the human psyche. During which, you undergo a transformation whereby you evolve into a different type of organism entirely. Your blood and DNA change, and there is a significant shift in all of your energy centres, as your sense of belonging, your values and way of being undergoes a major transition that continuously unfolds. You are becoming one of the children of Lilith, committed to moving back into your place of genuine true and authentic power.
The Process of Qliphothic Initiation
The Qliphoth, being the centres of primordial chaos is much vaster than the Sephiroth (tree of life). The Sephiroth is an initiation through the principles of creation itself, whilst the Qliphoth takes you beyond it entirely. For this reason, the Qliphoth holds much more power than the Sephiroth, however, it is also a more dangerous operation as well. The Qliphoth is also about forging ones own path, therefore it must be undertaken alone and at the pace of the student. Despite it being self-paced, it is essential to utilise one's intuition and guidance from the spirits as to how long to spend in each stage.
The process of initiating the Qliphoth involves initiating all of the spheres from Lilith (the black earth), up to Thaumiel (the twin gods). Once each of the spheres have been completed, the 22 tunnels of set then follow, each of which hold repressed power and parts of the inner child. It is not a process to take lightly or rush. I am of the view point that the Qliphoth is a journey that is supposed to take a while.
The 22 tunnels of set will be broken down in a separate blog but the spheres are broken down below.
The Ten Qliphothic Spheres
1. Nehemoth (Queen of The Night)
The first sphere is the black earth and is the point of the initiation where the student gains the traits and guides for the initiatory path. As the shadow aspect of Malkuth, Nehemoth represents the realm of nightmares and illusions. It corresponds to the shadowy aspects of desires and the subconscious mind. This realm is ruled by Naamah, the sister of Lilith and feeds on fantasies and primal instincts, often driving people to succumb to their fears and delusions. However, by confronting their fears, practitioners can unearth deeper truths about their inner world and achieve self-awareness. Facing trauma around the sexual energy is a theme in this sphere.
2. Gamaliel (The Obscene Ones)
The next sphere is ruled by none other than Lilith herself. Known as the "Obscene Ones," Gamaliel explores the inversion of purity. This sphere is the shadow aspect of Yesod on the tree of life and is deeply tied to the misuse of sexual energy, where the line between creation and destruction becomes blurred. The effects and feel of this sphere are similar to the previous but stronger. Practitioners working with Gamaliel must reflect on their desires, understanding how their intentions shape the energy they manifest. Sexual alchemy is a theme in this sphere and depending on one's relationship with their sexual energy, Lilith may encourage restraint or the complete release of ones resistance to vulnerability.
3. Samael (The Poison of God)
Samael is ruled by the mighty Adramelech. This sphere is known as "the poison of god" and the shadow counterpart of Hod on the tree of life, embodies falsehood, deceit, and the distortion of truth. It is the sphere where illusions are created and perpetuated, challenging individuals to discern reality from fabrication. Through Samael, practitioners confront their fears of exposure and learn the power of authenticity and self-honesty. This sphere is described as poison for order and separation, causing one to face trials that are associated with facing the illusion of their ego and sanity.
4. A'arab Zaraq (The Ravens of Dispersion)
This sphere, ruled by Baal, is known as the "Ravens of Dispersion" and is the shadow aspect of Netzach on the tree of life. This sphere represents discord and strife and reflects destructive passions and chaotic energies. In Samael, the student will have faced the illusion of separation and of their ego, A'arab Zaraq forces the initiate to face the products of their ego, exposing coping mechanisms and destructive patterns through chaos and dispersion. Whilst the A'arab Zaraq is a domain of ambition warped by envy and rage, practitioners engaging with this sphere learn to master their emotions and channel their energy toward constructive outcomes.
5. Thagirion (The Disputers)
Thagirion, the "Disputers," is the black sun, the central Qlipha on the tree and the shadow aspect of Tiphareth on the tree of life. Ruled by Belphegor, the lord of the dead, it symbolises the dangers of unchecked ego and false glory. It represents the shadow side of ambition and the craving for recognition at any cost. By confronting Thagirion, practitioners are forced to shed their illusions of grandeur and embrace humility as a path to true enlightenment. Balance is also a core aspect of this realm, showing practitioners how they have neglected parts of themselves and others to embody protector parts that are less nurturing for the soul.
6. Golachab (The Flaming Ones)
Golachab is the sphere of destruction and unrestrained fury, ruled by Asmodeus and acts as the shadow counterpart of Geburah. It embodies the chaos of power that has gone unchecked and the primal, violent aspects of existence. It is here where practitioners must step into the furness and burn away the aspects of their false self that are keeping one stuck in a place of repression and fear of the primal urges that dwell beneath the surface. Practitioners must face their own capacity for destruction and transform that raw energy into disciplined strength and purpose.
7. Gha'agsheblah (The Smiters)
"The Smiters" is the sphere that represents Chesed on the tree of life and is associated with vampiric tendencies and the selfish aspects of power. Gha'agsheblah, ruled by Astaroth, is the sphere of greed and consumption without balance. This sphere forces practitioners to confront their desire to take without giving back, teaching the importance of reciprocity and harmonious exchange. Repressed anger and rage is a theme for this sphere, with practitioners being forced to face and their deepest, most untamed rage, whilst being tempted with coping mechanisms they thought they had overcome.
Da'ath (The Abyss)
The abyss is the crossing point that the practitioner must undertake in order to tap into the power of the supernal triad. Da'ath, representing knowledge, is the transformation point on the tree, causing the practitioner to have to undergo the ultimate death of their false self. This is where the floodgates open to the deepest aspects of the unconscious mind, holding all of the repressed aspects of the psyche. In order to cross the abyss successfully, the student must face Choronzon, the daemon of dispersion and surrender everything that is not helping the soul. This is the ultimate process of self-deification, transforming all aspects of the practitioner to the point where their energy field and body is greatly transfigured to be entirely self-sustaining. The abyss of the Qliphoth is different to the abyss of the sephiroth. With the Sephiroth, the student has to dip into the shadow realms and then out again, whilst the Qliphothic abyss causes one to have to travel through the black hole of the void entirely, in order to reach the other side.
8. Satariel (The Concealers)
Satariel, the "Concealers," is the first sphere within the supernal triad, and the last sphere on the dark pillar of judgement, representing the shadow aspect of Binah. Satariel, ruled by Lucifuge Rofocale, represents the realm of hidden knowledge and mystery. It challenges practitioners to embrace uncertainty and delve into the labyrinths of the unknown. By working with this sphere, one learns to find wisdom in the unseen and to trust in the process of discovery. Gnosis of the soul is often bestowed upon the practitioner in this realm.
9. Ghagiel (The Hinderers)
Ghagiel, "the hinderers", is the last sphere on the masculine pillar of mercy and represents the shadow aspect of Chokmah. This sphere is ruled by none other than the lord of the flies, Beelzebub, the daemonic divine masculine. Ghagiel symbolises intellectual perversion and the arrogance of unchecked intellect. It warns against the misuse of knowledge and the potential for wisdom to become corrupted by pride. Practitioners are guided to balance their pursuit of understanding with humility and ethical responsibility.
10. Thaumiel (The Twin Gods)
At the pinnacle of the Qliphoth lies Thaumiel, the shadow aspect of Kether, symbolising the ultimate division and duality. This is known as "The Twin Gods" and is ruled by the highest of the daemonic hierarchies, Satan and Moloch. Lucifer also dwells within this realm. It embodies the conflict between opposing forces, where unity has been fractured into chaos. Thaumiel challenges practitioners to integrate these opposing energies, achieving balance and transcending the limitations of duality. This is the realm where the black diamond/philosophers stone is bestowed upon the practitioner, representing the start of a new journey that is in full harmony with the shadow self.
Navigating the Qliphothic Realms
Engaging with the Qliphoth is not a task to be undertaken lightly. The energies of the Qliphoth are potent and can be overwhelming for those who are unprepared. Each Qlipha represents a shell/persona that has been established to create order from the chaos but in doing so, has shelled the soul, causing the parts of the inner child to remain frozen in trauma. Opening a sphere is like cracking a specific shell/layer of suppression, causing some of the most primal parts of the psyche to flood through to the conscious mind to be integrated. To navigate these realms effectively, practitioners must cultivate courage, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to shadow integration and soul evolution.
Nobody can initiate you into the Qliphoth, you must do it yourself. However, it doesn't mean that you cannot have a mentor on the side to guide you through it - this is in fact, highly recommended. It is also extremely important to adequately prepare for such an endeavour.
I have various programs that can prepare you mentally and energetically to initiate the Qliphoth. My newest program called the Qliphothic Foundation Course , is the most effective for this due to it being specifically designed to prepare students for this journey. This process will guide you through advanced shadow work, parts work and inner child work, whilst giving you in-depth knowledge of each stage of the initiation and guidance of how to build relationships with Qliphothic spirits. This program is also suited for those who do not want to do Qliphothic initiation and who want to develop advanced knowledge and practices for self-evolution.
My Underworld Pathworking also guides you through a potent process of integrating the essences of daemonic spirits into your healing journey, whilst my wheel of shadows program is equally powerful.
The Lessons of the Qliphoth
The Qliphoth teaches that light and darkness, order and chaos, creation and destruction are all interconnected and that embracing one must eventually lead to the other. By confronting and integrating the shadow to this extent, one can achieve profound transformation and soul evolution. The journey through the Qliphoth is not about succumbing to darkness but understanding and transcending it to attain a higher state of awareness and wholeness.
Caution and Respect
Approaching the Qliphoth requires respect and caution. These energies are intense and demand a strong foundation in terms of trauma work, ethics and energy. Misuse or misunderstanding of these forces can lead to imbalance, harm, or unintended consequences. Once you have opened the first sphere, you will be pulled into the primordial chaos, the self-deifying process will begin and you will not be able to back out. Therefore, it is important to really think, is this something that you really want and are you willing to commit fully to your soul's evolution? If it's not a definite yes, it is a no.
It is called the Tree of Death for a reason; you will undergo significant death of the layers of the false self that are not serving your soul. You must embrace the chaos, cease control and be willing to let go of toxic friendships, relationships, jobs, coping mechanisms and perceived securities. The process makes us realise how much of who we really are has been hidden in coping mechanisms.
Practitioners are advised to ground themselves regularly, maintain a clear intent, and approach this path with a sense of sacred responsibility.
Conclusion
The Qliphoth challenges us to embrace the shadow aspects of our being and confront the chaos that lies within and without. By understanding the Qliphothic process, we gain insight into the complexities of existence and the interplay between light and darkness. This journey is not merely about understanding the shadow but integrating it and transcending the false self to emerge transformed. The path of the Qliphoth is one of profound self-discovery, offering lessons that resonate far beyond the esoteric realm. It is a path for those brave enough to face the unknown and emerge with deeper wisdom and balance.
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