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Introduction
Although some people might disagree, the fountain or basis of most of Western Magic is in Qabalah — not a religion, but a permanently evolving, philosophical system explaining the Universe and the Self. Unique and sophisticated, this system immortalizes its wisdom by encapsulating it in its central schema: The Tree of Life (Ets Chayyim).
Having multiple ways to be looked at and numerous layers of understanding, the Tree of Life is one of the first things to get acquainted with when studying methods like Golden Dawn and Thelema. And while that implies delving into its different segments, examining it as a whole first seems to be the best approach to take if considering Dion Fortune’s Mystical Qabalah. Due to that and convenience, this post bases itself on a brief introduction and examination of one of the tree’s concepts — its Three Pillars.
The Three Veils Of Negative Existence
Having its roots heaven, the tree of life grows top to bottom, flourishing oppositely. Omitted on most diagrams, above it are found the 3 veils of negative existence representing the highest Divinity which is the source of all. If included at all, the tree veils are commonly depicted as tiny arched lines right above the topmost sephira. In actuality, however, they are said to look a lot like circles or ellipses forming a cosmic egg totally independent of time and space.
Qabalisticaly, the absolute Deity is beyond opposites, i.e., good and evil, God and Devil, black and white, male and female, etc. Therefore it’s the ultimate unity beyond duality. It can not be comprehended by a mere mortal. Nor can it have any qualities or traits attributed to it, for they’re all limiting.
Due to this inscrutability, its first segment or veil of negative existence is called No-Thing (Ain); the second (Ain Soph) or Without Limits, and the third, Ain Soph Or (Limitless or Infinite Light).
This brings us to one of the principles the glyph communicates — the one of polarity. Like the supreme Divinity transcends division, the tree encompasses reconciling opposites in its entirety. And this is displayed through its most apparent component — the 10 circles.
The 10 Spheres
Called sephiroth which is the plural for sephira or sphere, these circles are regarded as divine emanations. Еach of them is a level of consciousness and realm of specific characteristics, processes, and forces existing in the Cosmos and the Self. Hence the totality of the tree represents the totality of the Universe or God and that of the human being.
Said differently, the diagram outlines all levels of divine manifestation and roadmap of your soul. As such a roadmap, the tree provides understanding far superior to those of various psychology schools.
Going way deeper than the simplistic division of conscious and subconscious, it gives tools and tactics for exceedingly more profound analysis. And despite sharing some commonalities with those systems, Qabalah’s ageless wisdom regards humans as potentially becoming something far beyond what they would ever allow.
Besides the 10 spheres, there’s another regarded as theoretical or shadowy. But that’s a subject calling for a different post.
Emanating straight out of the “cosmic egg,” and highest in the three, the first is the sphere of Kether or (Crown). It is the omnipresent and omnipotent perfection of one. Unmanifested, and concentrated the same is regarded as pure light.
This means it’s pure consciousness, the radiance of which never diminishes. It only degenerates with each next sephira on the tree. And the more that happens, the more it increases density until finally materializing at number 10, which is the physical universe, including planet earth and our physical bodies. Based on that, the spheres below Kether might be regarded as distortions or filters of its pure light.
The Three Pillars
Taking a deeper look shows that the sephiroth are actually grouped in different ways. Being the most apparent, the first is in three lines/columns referred to as pillars. Called Boaz and Jachin, as displayed on many masonic artworks and Tarot Decks, particularly in the High Priestess Tarot Trump, the outer 2 are those of Mercy and Severity.
Composed of sephiroth 3, 5, and 8 (Binah, Geburah, and Hod) or Form, Severity, and Glory/Splendor, the black represents harshness, discipline, etc. Including sephiroth 2, 4, and 7 (Chokmah, Chessed, and Netzach), the right is that of Mercy. Interestingly, different authors name their sides differently. Either way… between those 2 is the Middle Pillar, known as that of Mildness and Balance. The same is made of spheres 1, 6, 9, and 10 (Kether, Tiphereth, Yesod, and Malkuth) or Crown, Beauty, Foundation, and Kingdom). Much like the Chinese yin and yang, the pillars express the complementary principles of duality and polarity.
Duality and Polarity
Although it may be more logical for the black pillar to be masculine while the white feminine, this isn’t the case. One explication of it can be found in Jung’s theories of archetypes. They reveal that besides the nurturing, supportive, and carrying “Great Mother,” there’s also the so-called “Terrible Mother,” to be no longer fertile. Attributed to Binah (Understanding), that archetype is expressed in numerous myths as an evil older woman or witch.
Tantra and Qabalah
Another reason for this reversal, as explained in Donald Michael Kraig’s Modern Magick, is because of some “links” existing between Qabalah and Indian Tantra. And more specifically, how Binah is expressed through Kali, whereas Chokmah is through Shiva.
Tantra views the archetypal female power as outgoing, stimulating, and electric, while the male, as receptive, calming, and magnetic. This dynamic seems to align with the concept of the pillars.
Severity And Mercy
Considering the names of the spheres making the left and right pillars reveals what Severity and Mercy are made of and their perfect balance within the tree.Those of the black pillar show that Severity requires understanding (Binah) the dynamics and laws of the Cosmos and applying and empowering them with justice. And while that’s implemented via strength (Geburah), if done without Mercy, it leads to a surface display of power and Splendor/Glory (Hod) divided of virtues like grace, compassion, and humanity. On the other hand, being merciful requires the wisdom of Chokmah for acknowledging that Victory or Netzach really isn’t possible without it.
Lastly, the names of the 4 Middle sephiroth unfold that we’re within the Kingdom (Malkuth). Yet to reach the Crown (Kether), we need a balanced approach to life and everything, hence to not swing the pendulum too much to one side or the other — as written in the Kybalion. The way to achieve that balance is by aiming for beauty (Tiphereth) that really is “harmony” (or “beauty resulting from harmony…”). In other words, the road to the top can only be walked via the opposing forces’ permanent reconciliation. And this brings us back to the tree in its entirety.
One of the key messages it conveys is that we should be responsible, always acting accordingly. Obviously, some situations call for Severity, whereas others for Mercy. Yet, just like too much Severity leads to cruelty and perhaps unreasonable or senseless brutality, too much Mercy makes one meek and a dummy to be taken advantage of.
And though following the middle path might be the most beneficial for the vast majority of the time, life demands flexibility. Plus, becoming complete and reaching one’s full potential is only possible through the free utilization of all spheres. As Oscar Wilde says: “Everything in moderation, including moderation…“
Thank You For Your Time!
