Being an oral tradition, the telling could change and shift, grow and develop with the minds and views of the people. It was not until the middle ages that documents began appearing that attempted to set the myth in a fixed form. The belief system then became a tale that shifted and twisted from one mind’s perspective to the next.
It has become a revelation of ongoing translation and interpretation.
What you have here, in the Rectified tree of Life, is the latest interpretation.
Seeking to make sense of the non-sense.
It has become a revelation of ongoing translation and interpretation.
What you have here, in the Rectified tree of Life, is the latest interpretation.
Seeking to make sense of the non-sense.
The Rectified Tree of Life
The Traditional Tree of Life existed in some form before the Fall.
It is my contention that, if the traditional Tree of Life shows the condition of man after the Fall,
then to seek guidance for growth and development, necessary for the soul's evolution & return to the source, the key is to regain the Tree's form before the Fall.
Universal Principles
Clues are given in the Sepher Yetzirah.
The Sephiroth "ran and returned like a whirlwind" & "their end is as their beginning".
The guiding principles, the Law of Correspondences and the Law of Duality, provide further clues..
The Law of Correspondence is often referred to as "As above - so below".
There is no reason it cannot be stated in the reverse "So below - as above".
Things work the same irrespective of the dimension in which they are perceived.
The Law of Duality says that everything has its opposite and opposing force.
A quality that balances.
Another principle that I derive from the Kabbalah is:
everything starts from nothing.
Keeping these principles in mind is helpful when reconstructing the Tree of Life.
It must follow these principles or your solution is not correct.
The image below shows the Tree of Life as I have reconstructed it.
The Universal Principles discussed above are all obeyed in this model.
The Traditional Tree of Life existed in some form before the Fall.
It is my contention that, if the traditional Tree of Life shows the condition of man after the Fall,
then to seek guidance for growth and development, necessary for the soul's evolution & return to the source, the key is to regain the Tree's form before the Fall.
Universal Principles
Clues are given in the Sepher Yetzirah.
The Sephiroth "ran and returned like a whirlwind" & "their end is as their beginning".
The guiding principles, the Law of Correspondences and the Law of Duality, provide further clues..
The Law of Correspondence is often referred to as "As above - so below".
There is no reason it cannot be stated in the reverse "So below - as above".
Things work the same irrespective of the dimension in which they are perceived.
The Law of Duality says that everything has its opposite and opposing force.
A quality that balances.
Another principle that I derive from the Kabbalah is:
everything starts from nothing.
Keeping these principles in mind is helpful when reconstructing the Tree of Life.
It must follow these principles or your solution is not correct.
The image below shows the Tree of Life as I have reconstructed it.
The Universal Principles discussed above are all obeyed in this model.
As you will learn, this rectified model also works with the Seven Chakras, the Four Gates of Consciousness and the the 22 cards of the Tarot Major Arcana.
The downward arrows show the Outward Paths, developing the ego, on the soul's descent to earth.
The Inward Paths, returning to the Source, follow the same pattern.
They "run & return like a whirlwind" and "their end is as their beginning".
The downward arrows show the Outward Paths, developing the ego, on the soul's descent to earth.
The Inward Paths, returning to the Source, follow the same pattern.
They "run & return like a whirlwind" and "their end is as their beginning".
The paths down the Tree follows the zig-zag concept of the Lightning Flash.
To return, follow the same pattern of the Lightning Flash back up the Tree.
If you consider the paths to be curved, rather than straight lines, then they "run and return like a whirlwind".
Similarities can be seen between this and the double-helix of the genetic, DNA molecule and the intertwined serpents of the Caduceus.
To return, follow the same pattern of the Lightning Flash back up the Tree.
If you consider the paths to be curved, rather than straight lines, then they "run and return like a whirlwind".
Similarities can be seen between this and the double-helix of the genetic, DNA molecule and the intertwined serpents of the Caduceus.
The names of things on the Tree of Life:
Sephiroth, Paths, Worlds and Pillars
are translations from the Hebrew to the modern day English.
The meanings can be obscure and difficult.
This obscurity is helpful.
It forces the student to search and inquire for the true meaning.
Researching the meaning of the Hebrew words often leads to various interpretations.
It is obvious that much is lost in translation from the earthy Hebrew language.
The Tree of Life is a living model and shimmers and turns in a way similar to life.
From one perspective it looks like this and from another it looks like something else.
Maybe it all comes down perhaps to whose mind is looking at it.
The student of Kabbalah and the Tree of Life is embarked upon a lifelong study.
Let’s look at each of the elements of the Tree individually:
Sephiroth, Paths, Worlds and Pillars
are translations from the Hebrew to the modern day English.
The meanings can be obscure and difficult.
This obscurity is helpful.
It forces the student to search and inquire for the true meaning.
Researching the meaning of the Hebrew words often leads to various interpretations.
It is obvious that much is lost in translation from the earthy Hebrew language.
The Tree of Life is a living model and shimmers and turns in a way similar to life.
From one perspective it looks like this and from another it looks like something else.
Maybe it all comes down perhaps to whose mind is looking at it.
The student of Kabbalah and the Tree of Life is embarked upon a lifelong study.
Let’s look at each of the elements of the Tree individually:
The Source
The Source is generally represented by 3 curved lines above the Tree.
This is the Ain Soph Aur which translates as the Absolute Limitless Light.
The Ain Soph Aur is also called Nothingness.
A principle in Kabbalah is that everything always starts from nothing.
The Absolute Limitless Light exists as an expanded, limitless source of light.
To create this world, into which we incarnate, as a separate distinct entity the Absolute Limitless Light had to undergo contraction to enable a void to be formed.
The light energy then expanded again and established itself within the void.
This activity sets up a pattern of equilibrium, expansion, contraction and resolution.
The Source is generally represented by 3 curved lines above the Tree.
This is the Ain Soph Aur which translates as the Absolute Limitless Light.
The Ain Soph Aur is also called Nothingness.
A principle in Kabbalah is that everything always starts from nothing.
The Absolute Limitless Light exists as an expanded, limitless source of light.
To create this world, into which we incarnate, as a separate distinct entity the Absolute Limitless Light had to undergo contraction to enable a void to be formed.
The light energy then expanded again and established itself within the void.
This activity sets up a pattern of equilibrium, expansion, contraction and resolution.
The Lightning Flash
Once established within the void the light energy expanded, contracted and balanced repetitively, forming the pattern of the Lightning Flash.
At each point of expansion to the right and then contraction to the left and then balance once again, where it returned to the centre (after expansion & contraction), the Lightning Flash formed a node. In time and sequential order 10 nodes were formed.
These nodes are the 10 Sephiroth (Emanations or States of Being).
The connecting lines of the Lightning Flash form the 22 paths.
Once established within the void the light energy expanded, contracted and balanced repetitively, forming the pattern of the Lightning Flash.
At each point of expansion to the right and then contraction to the left and then balance once again, where it returned to the centre (after expansion & contraction), the Lightning Flash formed a node. In time and sequential order 10 nodes were formed.
These nodes are the 10 Sephiroth (Emanations or States of Being).
The connecting lines of the Lightning Flash form the 22 paths.
3 Pillars
In the movement of the Lightning Flash, 3 vertical columns were created.
The energy moved from the centre to the right and then across to the left and then back to the centre.
The central or middle column is called the Pillar of Mildness.
It is also referred to as the Pillar of Consciousness.
It represents balance, neutrality and equilibrium.
The pillar to the right is called the Pillar of Force.
It is also called the Pillar of Mercy.
It represents expansion and is considered masculine.
The pillar to the left is called the Pillar of Form.
It is also called the Pillar of Severity.
It represents contraction and is considered feminine.
In the movement of the Lightning Flash, 3 vertical columns were created.
The energy moved from the centre to the right and then across to the left and then back to the centre.
The central or middle column is called the Pillar of Mildness.
It is also referred to as the Pillar of Consciousness.
It represents balance, neutrality and equilibrium.
The pillar to the right is called the Pillar of Force.
It is also called the Pillar of Mercy.
It represents expansion and is considered masculine.
The pillar to the left is called the Pillar of Form.
It is also called the Pillar of Severity.
It represents contraction and is considered feminine.
10 Sephiroth
As explained above the Sephiroth formed in a sequential manner following the path of the Lightning Flash.
The Sephiroth are displayed as circles or spheres on the Tree of Life.
The Book of Formation, known as the Sepher Yetzirah, is the document that describes the process and clearly states that there are "Ten Sephiroth of nothingness, ten and not nine, ten and not eleven".
These 10 Sephiroth relate to the decimal numbering system and the 10 digits from which all of our numbers are created.
The English translations of the Hebrew Names of the Sephiroth are as follows:
22 Paths
Once again referring to the Book of Formation, it is said that the Sephiroth “run and return like a whirlwind.”
This is very important because in the diagram at right as you count the number of connecting paths there are only 11 paths.
This because only the downward or outward paths are being shown.
It is very important to be aware that in the numbering of the paths the first path is numbered 0.
Although there are 11 paths, the last path shown here is path 10.
Essentially, what happens here is that the paths turn back and run back to the source on parallel, or what I call Reciprocal, paths.
So there is one set of paths running down and another set of paths running up.
In essence Path 10, the Wheel of Life, is a circular path.
The same path leaves and returns to Malkuth.
(This will be explained further later on.)
This also means that on the return upward paths (see diagram at left), the final path at the top (Path 20) is the 21st Path.
The question is “Where is the 22nd Path?”
The 22nd Path is numbered 21 (remember, because the 1st Path is numbered 0).
The 22nd Path is known as the World and represents everything that has been created.
The Paths and their names are identified by combining what we know from the Kabbalah with what we know about the Tarot Major Arcana.
The complete Tarot deck of cards consists of 78 cards.
56 of these cards are known as the Minor Arcana and 22 of them are called the Major Arcana.
The 22 paths of the Tree of Life are associated with the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
In the Tarot we have a set of 22 cards.
The correlation is quite simple and the relationship works well.
The table below provides the Path Numbers and the Path Names.
The complete Tarot deck of cards consists of 78 cards.
56 of these cards are known as the Minor Arcana and 22 of them are called the Major Arcana.
The 22 paths of the Tree of Life are associated with the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
In the Tarot we have a set of 22 cards.
The correlation is quite simple and the relationship works well.
The table below provides the Path Numbers and the Path Names.
To summarise, the diagram below shows the Outward Paths and the Inward Paths.
The entire diagram is called "Path 22 - The World".
The entire diagram is called "Path 22 - The World".
Compare this image with the Tarot card the World.
The model dances, twists and turns, within a green wreath ellipse.
Bringing the paths together you can start to see the shape of the Tree of Life Spiritual Walk on the ground.
The black lines are the paths as they move outward from the Source and the purple lines are the reciprocal paths moving inward, returning to the Source.
Enclosed within an elliptical wreath of green.
Four Worlds
The Source is where the soul resides in-between incarnations as light energy.
From the Source, the energy of life emanates.
The journey follows the outward paths and travels through each of the 4 worlds.
Each World becomes more dense as the energy descends into physical existence.
These 4 worlds are Emanation, Creation, Formation and Manifestation.
The Source is where the soul resides in-between incarnations as light energy.
From the Source, the energy of life emanates.
The journey follows the outward paths and travels through each of the 4 worlds.
Each World becomes more dense as the energy descends into physical existence.
These 4 worlds are Emanation, Creation, Formation and Manifestation.
Emanation relates to the world of Spirit.
It may also be described as Spirituality, Intuition, Passion and Inspiration.
Creation relates to the world of the Intellectual Mind.
These include the mental processes of thinking and imagination.
Formation relates to the world of the Emotions.
This includes emotional processes, feelings, and social relationships.
Manifestation relates to the world of Physical Sensation.
The material world of the 5 senses, the physical body and actions.
The horizontal layers of the Worlds may be referred to as “Planes of Existence”.
People generally have a more comfortable relationship with one or more of these planes.
In life they operate or communicate more easily on one plane more so than another.
Note that at the bottom I add an extra layer to the diagram - “Earth of Malkuth”.
The connection between Malkuth & the Earth of Malkuth is the Path of the Wheel of Fortune.
The 11th path is represented by the Tarot card of the Wheel of Fortune X (10).
I prefer to call this card the "Wheel of Life".
It is not an extra world or an extra layer, it drills down into the Manifest layer.
This is the actual existence in and on the Earth.
The Earth exists in the World of Nephesh.
Nephesh is a Hebrew word meaning "Living Soul".
Nephesh is the acquiescence of the four layers of the Kabbalistic Worlds into one Living Entity.
The return of the Soul to the Source, sees the ascent back through these same layers.
The inward paths, move progressively back through each of the 4 Worlds.
Gradually relinquishing the hold that Form has acquired over Force.
Letting go of the physical shackles of life and the Ego,
The return journey is a return to enlightenment.
This is the development of the conscious self over the ego.
it is about finding balance and harmony within yourself.
Recommunicate with the Source and equalise the energies that make us human.
The Worlds are shown below on the Tree of Life Spiritual Walk diagram:
It may also be described as Spirituality, Intuition, Passion and Inspiration.
Creation relates to the world of the Intellectual Mind.
These include the mental processes of thinking and imagination.
Formation relates to the world of the Emotions.
This includes emotional processes, feelings, and social relationships.
Manifestation relates to the world of Physical Sensation.
The material world of the 5 senses, the physical body and actions.
The horizontal layers of the Worlds may be referred to as “Planes of Existence”.
People generally have a more comfortable relationship with one or more of these planes.
In life they operate or communicate more easily on one plane more so than another.
Note that at the bottom I add an extra layer to the diagram - “Earth of Malkuth”.
The connection between Malkuth & the Earth of Malkuth is the Path of the Wheel of Fortune.
The 11th path is represented by the Tarot card of the Wheel of Fortune X (10).
I prefer to call this card the "Wheel of Life".
It is not an extra world or an extra layer, it drills down into the Manifest layer.
This is the actual existence in and on the Earth.
The Earth exists in the World of Nephesh.
Nephesh is a Hebrew word meaning "Living Soul".
Nephesh is the acquiescence of the four layers of the Kabbalistic Worlds into one Living Entity.
The return of the Soul to the Source, sees the ascent back through these same layers.
The inward paths, move progressively back through each of the 4 Worlds.
Gradually relinquishing the hold that Form has acquired over Force.
Letting go of the physical shackles of life and the Ego,
The return journey is a return to enlightenment.
This is the development of the conscious self over the ego.
it is about finding balance and harmony within yourself.
Recommunicate with the Source and equalise the energies that make us human.
The Worlds are shown below on the Tree of Life Spiritual Walk diagram:
Outward & Inward Journeys
On the Outward journey the world of Spirit sees the soul move from the Source to the Crown sphere.
This first path is the Path of the Fool bearing the number 0.
This is not a path of living experience.
At this time the soul has incarnated and taken up residence within the Crown chakra of the physical body.
The Crown is now the gateway from the World of Spirit to the World of Creation.
The World of Creation sees the development of the mind and the mental processes.
Within this world are the states of being known as Wisdom and Understanding.
These two states exist as dual opposites.
A balance is necessary to ensure a functional mental attitude.
The first two paths are the Magician (1) and the High Priestess (2).
They combine their energies in the form of the Empress (3).
This is the path from Understanding to Beauty.
The Empress represents a natural, creative faculty of expression that results in Beauty.
This is the outcome of a functional, balanced mind-set.
Beauty sees the development of the highest human consciousness.
Beauty is the gateway between the World of Creation and the World of Formation.
The World of Formation sees the development of the emotions.
Within this world are the states of being known as Mercy and Severity.
Again these two states exist as dual opposites.
A balance is necessary to ensure a functional emotional attitude.
The dual opposite paths within this world are the Emperor (4) and the Hierophant (5).
The Emperor represents rules, structure, discipline and the built environment.
The Hierophant represents values, standards, principles and compassion.
The outcome of a balanced harmony of these dual states is expressed in the path of the Lovers (6).
The Lovers is the path from Severity to Foundation.
We ground ourselves through our relationships.
This path is about relationships and emotional choices.
Foundation sees the development of the Ego and what is referred to as the Lower Consciousness.
This means the imposition of a further restriction upon consciousness.
Foundation is the gateway between the World of Formation and the World of Manifestation.
The World of Manifestation is the physical world of actions.
Our reasoning and emotions manifest in our actions.
Actions may be seen as either instinctive or planned.
Again we have two states, Power and Glory, that exist as dual opposites.
Balance is necessary to ensure a functional physical existence.
The paths leading down to Power & Glory are the Chariot (7) and Justice (8).
The Chariot is about willpower and Justice is about fairness and just decision making.
These dual energies must be balanced within the World of Manifestation.
This balancing provides a functional physical response.
This physical response culminates in the path of the Hermit (9).
The Hermit is the manifestation of the living ego.
Power/Victory & Glory/Splendour/Reverberation
These are good examples of the obscure meanings derived from the translations from Hebrew to English.
But the obscurity forces research and study seeking understanding.
The difference between the pillars of Force and Form suggest actions of opposing energy.
Reverberation to me suggests an echo – a second instance of something rather than the first response.
Power/Victory is gained in instinctive action but Glory/Splendour is found in planned action.
The meanings of these terms change depending whether they are focused through the ego consciousness or through the spiritual consciousness.
The path from Glory to Kingdom combines the energy of the human physical actions.
A balance is necessary to ensure a functional physical attitude & actions.
The energy has completed the descent from spirit, through mind and emotions to physical manifestation.
The four layers acquiesce as one being, encased in form.
In this dense form, the energy struggles to communicate and engage in relationship with the original Source.
The imagery of the Hermit conveys the archetypal concept of Hermits and their descent into a cave and retreat from life.
The light of the Hermit is very dim compared with the light of the Sun.
The Hermit (9) is the final living path on the descent to the Earth.
The Sun (19) is the final living path on the ascent and return to the source.
On the Outward journey the world of Spirit sees the soul move from the Source to the Crown sphere.
This first path is the Path of the Fool bearing the number 0.
This is not a path of living experience.
At this time the soul has incarnated and taken up residence within the Crown chakra of the physical body.
The Crown is now the gateway from the World of Spirit to the World of Creation.
The World of Creation sees the development of the mind and the mental processes.
Within this world are the states of being known as Wisdom and Understanding.
These two states exist as dual opposites.
A balance is necessary to ensure a functional mental attitude.
The first two paths are the Magician (1) and the High Priestess (2).
They combine their energies in the form of the Empress (3).
This is the path from Understanding to Beauty.
The Empress represents a natural, creative faculty of expression that results in Beauty.
This is the outcome of a functional, balanced mind-set.
Beauty sees the development of the highest human consciousness.
Beauty is the gateway between the World of Creation and the World of Formation.
The World of Formation sees the development of the emotions.
Within this world are the states of being known as Mercy and Severity.
Again these two states exist as dual opposites.
A balance is necessary to ensure a functional emotional attitude.
The dual opposite paths within this world are the Emperor (4) and the Hierophant (5).
The Emperor represents rules, structure, discipline and the built environment.
The Hierophant represents values, standards, principles and compassion.
The outcome of a balanced harmony of these dual states is expressed in the path of the Lovers (6).
The Lovers is the path from Severity to Foundation.
We ground ourselves through our relationships.
This path is about relationships and emotional choices.
Foundation sees the development of the Ego and what is referred to as the Lower Consciousness.
This means the imposition of a further restriction upon consciousness.
Foundation is the gateway between the World of Formation and the World of Manifestation.
The World of Manifestation is the physical world of actions.
Our reasoning and emotions manifest in our actions.
Actions may be seen as either instinctive or planned.
Again we have two states, Power and Glory, that exist as dual opposites.
Balance is necessary to ensure a functional physical existence.
The paths leading down to Power & Glory are the Chariot (7) and Justice (8).
The Chariot is about willpower and Justice is about fairness and just decision making.
These dual energies must be balanced within the World of Manifestation.
This balancing provides a functional physical response.
This physical response culminates in the path of the Hermit (9).
The Hermit is the manifestation of the living ego.
Power/Victory & Glory/Splendour/Reverberation
These are good examples of the obscure meanings derived from the translations from Hebrew to English.
But the obscurity forces research and study seeking understanding.
The difference between the pillars of Force and Form suggest actions of opposing energy.
Reverberation to me suggests an echo – a second instance of something rather than the first response.
Power/Victory is gained in instinctive action but Glory/Splendour is found in planned action.
The meanings of these terms change depending whether they are focused through the ego consciousness or through the spiritual consciousness.
The path from Glory to Kingdom combines the energy of the human physical actions.
A balance is necessary to ensure a functional physical attitude & actions.
The energy has completed the descent from spirit, through mind and emotions to physical manifestation.
The four layers acquiesce as one being, encased in form.
In this dense form, the energy struggles to communicate and engage in relationship with the original Source.
The imagery of the Hermit conveys the archetypal concept of Hermits and their descent into a cave and retreat from life.
The light of the Hermit is very dim compared with the light of the Sun.
The Hermit (9) is the final living path on the descent to the Earth.
The Sun (19) is the final living path on the ascent and return to the source.
The Wheel of Life (10) is the path that leads down from Malkuth (Kingdom) to Earth.
This is the World of the Living Soul (Nephesh).
This is the World of the Living Soul (Nephesh).
The thing to note here is that the Wheel of Fortune is a wheel.
It turns, rotating down and then back up again.
The Soul takes the Wheel down to Earth.
Perhaps this is the meaning of the term "stuck on the wheel of life".
When the time is right, the Soul rides the the cycle of the Wheel back up to Malkuth.
It turns, rotating down and then back up again.
The Soul takes the Wheel down to Earth.
Perhaps this is the meaning of the term "stuck on the wheel of life".
When the time is right, the Soul rides the the cycle of the Wheel back up to Malkuth.
First, the Soul travels back through Malkuth, the gateway to the World of Manifest Actions.
Find that balance once again between Glory and Power.
This time with a spiritual focus.
Travel the paths of Strength (11) and the Hanged Man (12).
The path from Power returning to Foundation, is the path of Death.
Death is the release from physical boundaries.
Foundation is the gateway returning to the World of Formation.
Break down the emotional bondage that has been formed.
Find a new spiritual balance between Severity & Mercy.
The path from Mercy to Beauty is the Path of the Lightning Struck Tower.
The energies of Temperance & the Devil are resolved in the path of the Lightning Struck Tower.
To attain Beauty we must challenge and remove old beliefs, behaviours and relationships.
Find the middle path.
Once again we enter the World of Creation.
We must restructure & rebuild (The Star).
Restructure our thinking in light of the changes that have occurred.
The next three paths through the World of Creation are the Star, the Moon and the Sun.
As a consequence of our journey, we now have a deeper understanding.
We must balance this new understanding with the wisdom derived from the learning.
The balance of Understanding & Wisdom is found in the path of the Sun.
The Sun returns from Chokhmah (Wisdom) to Kether (the Crown).
The human journey is complete.
We have now arrived again at Kether the Crown and prepare to return to the Spiritual World.
The final ascent in the Spiritual World of Emanation to the Source is shown in the Tarot card Judgment (20)..
Find that balance once again between Glory and Power.
This time with a spiritual focus.
Travel the paths of Strength (11) and the Hanged Man (12).
The path from Power returning to Foundation, is the path of Death.
Death is the release from physical boundaries.
Foundation is the gateway returning to the World of Formation.
Break down the emotional bondage that has been formed.
Find a new spiritual balance between Severity & Mercy.
The path from Mercy to Beauty is the Path of the Lightning Struck Tower.
The energies of Temperance & the Devil are resolved in the path of the Lightning Struck Tower.
To attain Beauty we must challenge and remove old beliefs, behaviours and relationships.
Find the middle path.
Once again we enter the World of Creation.
We must restructure & rebuild (The Star).
Restructure our thinking in light of the changes that have occurred.
The next three paths through the World of Creation are the Star, the Moon and the Sun.
As a consequence of our journey, we now have a deeper understanding.
We must balance this new understanding with the wisdom derived from the learning.
The balance of Understanding & Wisdom is found in the path of the Sun.
The Sun returns from Chokhmah (Wisdom) to Kether (the Crown).
The human journey is complete.
We have now arrived again at Kether the Crown and prepare to return to the Spiritual World.
The final ascent in the Spiritual World of Emanation to the Source is shown in the Tarot card Judgment (20)..
Patterns
The Path and Sephiroth structures on the Rectified Tree form interesting patterns.
Again these are not to be found in the Traditional Tree.
Essentially there are two types of patterns.
This pattern can be seen:
between the Source and Kether (Crown)
between the Earth and Malkuth (Kingdom).
Although slightly different in the symbols that I have used for the Source and Earth, the dual path structure is the same.
The first shows the Soul moving from Spirit to the Crown chakra to commence Human experience.
The second shows the Soul, enveloped in Dense Matter and commencing the return to spirit.
The Path and Sephiroth structures on the Rectified Tree form interesting patterns.
Again these are not to be found in the Traditional Tree.
Essentially there are two types of patterns.
- The first pattern is the Emanation/Involution of spirit into matter and return pattern.
- (shown at left).
This pattern can be seen:
between the Source and Kether (Crown)
between the Earth and Malkuth (Kingdom).
Although slightly different in the symbols that I have used for the Source and Earth, the dual path structure is the same.
The first shows the Soul moving from Spirit to the Crown chakra to commence Human experience.
The second shows the Soul, enveloped in Dense Matter and commencing the return to spirit.
I see a relationship here with the generic male and female symbols shown here:
The Male symbol represents the expansion of energy into the void from the Source and the Female symbol represents the devolution of energy into the 4 quadrants of Malkuth.
The Male symbol represents the expansion of energy into the void from the Source and the Female symbol represents the devolution of energy into the 4 quadrants of Malkuth.
The second type of pattern is the Equilibrium, Expansion, Contraction and resolution to Equilibrium pattern.
This pattern repeats in the Worlds of Creation, Formation and Manifestation.
From the Middle Pillar of Equilibrium the energy expands to the Pillar of Force and is then balanced by contraction on the Pillar of Form. Finally the energy returns to equilibrium on the Middle Pillar.
This pattern repeats in the Worlds of Creation, Formation and Manifestation.
From the Middle Pillar of Equilibrium the energy expands to the Pillar of Force and is then balanced by contraction on the Pillar of Form. Finally the energy returns to equilibrium on the Middle Pillar.
In each World you have a balanced place of Consciousness on the Middle Pillar.
This is the gateway into this World from the previous World.
Then there are two dual opposite energies that make up a Sephira on each of the side pillars of Force and Form.
The energy then centres back onto the Middle Pillar.
Again this Sephira performs the role of a gateway to the next World.
Moving down through the Worlds on the Middle Pillar, the points of Consciousness shift progressively from:
spirit consciousness
higher (human) consciousness
lower (ego) consciousness
physical awareness & sensation
. Kether (Crown) is Spirit Consciousness.
Tiphareth (Beauty) is Higher (human) Consciousness.
Yesod (Foundation) is Lower (Ego) Consciousness.
Malkuth (Kingdom) is Physical (awareness & sensation) Body Consciousness.
This is the gateway into this World from the previous World.
Then there are two dual opposite energies that make up a Sephira on each of the side pillars of Force and Form.
The energy then centres back onto the Middle Pillar.
Again this Sephira performs the role of a gateway to the next World.
Moving down through the Worlds on the Middle Pillar, the points of Consciousness shift progressively from:
spirit consciousness
higher (human) consciousness
lower (ego) consciousness
physical awareness & sensation
. Kether (Crown) is Spirit Consciousness.
Tiphareth (Beauty) is Higher (human) Consciousness.
Yesod (Foundation) is Lower (Ego) Consciousness.
Malkuth (Kingdom) is Physical (awareness & sensation) Body Consciousness.
The World of Creation
In the World of Creation the two balanced Sephiroth are Chokhmah (Wisdom) and Binah (Understanding).
They sit midway between Kether (Crown) and Tiphareth (Beauty)
Spirit Consciousness and Higher (Human) Consciousness.
In the World of Creation the two balanced Sephiroth are Chokhmah (Wisdom) and Binah (Understanding).
They sit midway between Kether (Crown) and Tiphareth (Beauty)
Spirit Consciousness and Higher (Human) Consciousness.
The World of Creation deals with the development of the mental processes.
The shift from Spirit Consciousness to Higher (Human) Consciousness (the Intellect).
The downward paths in this World are the Magician 1, the High Priestess 2 and the Empress 3.
They show the development of the mind, the mental processes and the consciousness from spirit to human consciousness.
The upward paths in this World are the Star 17, the Moon 18 and the Sun 19.
They show the development of these same qualities returning from human consciousness to spirit.
The shift from Spirit Consciousness to Higher (Human) Consciousness (the Intellect).
The downward paths in this World are the Magician 1, the High Priestess 2 and the Empress 3.
They show the development of the mind, the mental processes and the consciousness from spirit to human consciousness.
The upward paths in this World are the Star 17, the Moon 18 and the Sun 19.
They show the development of these same qualities returning from human consciousness to spirit.
The World of Formation
The next World beneath this is the World of Formation.
The two balanced Sephiroth in this World are Chesed (Mercy) and Geburah (Severity).
They sit midway between Higher (Human) Consciousness and the Lower (Ego) Consciousness.
The World of Formation involves the emotional processes & emotional development.
The next World beneath this is the World of Formation.
The two balanced Sephiroth in this World are Chesed (Mercy) and Geburah (Severity).
They sit midway between Higher (Human) Consciousness and the Lower (Ego) Consciousness.
The World of Formation involves the emotional processes & emotional development.
The downward paths in this World are the Emperor 4, the Hierophant 5 and the Lovers 6.
They teach about moving from mental to emotional cognizance.
From the head to the heart.
The upward paths are Temperance 14, the Devil 15 and the Lightning Struck Tower 16.
They show the extremes that the heart can take you to and the way to return to the truth.
They involve breaking down the power of the ego on the return to the Higher Consciousness and enlightenment.
They teach about moving from mental to emotional cognizance.
From the head to the heart.
The upward paths are Temperance 14, the Devil 15 and the Lightning Struck Tower 16.
They show the extremes that the heart can take you to and the way to return to the truth.
They involve breaking down the power of the ego on the return to the Higher Consciousness and enlightenment.
The World of manifestation
Beneath Formation is the World of Manifestation.
Moving down the Tree we have balanced the Mind and then the Emotions.
Now we arrive at the physical body and contemplate our actions.
The two balancing Sephiroth in this World are Netzach (Power & Victory) and Hod (Glory & Reverberation). These two show the extremes of physical actions from Instinctive to Planned.
They sit midway between Yesod (Foundation), Lower (Ego) Consciousness, and the Physical (Sensory Awareness) Body of Malkuth (Kingdom).
Beneath Formation is the World of Manifestation.
Moving down the Tree we have balanced the Mind and then the Emotions.
Now we arrive at the physical body and contemplate our actions.
The two balancing Sephiroth in this World are Netzach (Power & Victory) and Hod (Glory & Reverberation). These two show the extremes of physical actions from Instinctive to Planned.
They sit midway between Yesod (Foundation), Lower (Ego) Consciousness, and the Physical (Sensory Awareness) Body of Malkuth (Kingdom).
The downward paths in this World are the Chariot 7, Justice 8 and the Hermit 9.
They show the manifestation of the human will and the danger of rigidity in thinking and action.
The upward paths are Strength 11, the Hanged Man 12 and Death 13.
They show the struggle to liberate and release the soul from the physical prison that it has created.
They show the manifestation of the human will and the danger of rigidity in thinking and action.
The upward paths are Strength 11, the Hanged Man 12 and Death 13.
They show the struggle to liberate and release the soul from the physical prison that it has created.
The Paths on the Rectified Tree of Life are orderly & balanced.
They follow a logical progression.
Everything within the model has a balancing energy in the form of a dual opposite.
The Rectified Tree readily provides recognisable relationships between the paths that are not found in the Traditional Tree.
I define these basic relationships as Reciprocal Paths and Complementary Paths.
There is another relationship that I call the Reflexive Association.
This is formed through a process of called Fadic Reduction or Fadic Addition.
Reciprocal Paths
On the Rectified Tree, each path has a dual opposite path that I call a Reciprocal Path.
Between each Sephira there are two paths running in opposed directions.
For instance between the Source and Kether (Crown) the path of the Fool (0) runs down and the path of Judgement (20) runs up.
This example it is particularly interesting.
The Fool is the Soul (the traveller on the journey) incarnating into life
Judgment is the event that occurs when the Soul returns from life to the Source.
There are some very interesting relationships identified through the Reciprocal Paths of the Rectified Tree.
The following table shows the Reciprocal Paths:
On the Rectified Tree, each path has a dual opposite path that I call a Reciprocal Path.
Between each Sephira there are two paths running in opposed directions.
For instance between the Source and Kether (Crown) the path of the Fool (0) runs down and the path of Judgement (20) runs up.
This example it is particularly interesting.
The Fool is the Soul (the traveller on the journey) incarnating into life
Judgment is the event that occurs when the Soul returns from life to the Source.
There are some very interesting relationships identified through the Reciprocal Paths of the Rectified Tree.
The following table shows the Reciprocal Paths:
Complementary Paths
Each path going down has a complementary path running back up.
For instance, the Magician (1) is the first path on the outward journey.
The complementary path of the Magician (1) is Strength (11).
Strength (11) is the first path on the inward journey.
The Magician and Strength are essentially both numbered 1.
The Magician is the number 1 in the series numbered 1 to 9.
Strength is numbered 11 because it is the number 1 on a higher series from 11 to 19.
The Hierophant (5) and the Devil (15) are very special & have a very interesting relationship.
They are the only paths to have the same Reciprocal Paths and Complementary Paths.
The path not mentioned here is the 22nd Path of the World (21).
It offsets and balances with the Source - the relationship of Nothingness with Everythingness.
The Complementary Paths are shown in the following table:
Each path going down has a complementary path running back up.
For instance, the Magician (1) is the first path on the outward journey.
The complementary path of the Magician (1) is Strength (11).
Strength (11) is the first path on the inward journey.
The Magician and Strength are essentially both numbered 1.
The Magician is the number 1 in the series numbered 1 to 9.
Strength is numbered 11 because it is the number 1 on a higher series from 11 to 19.
The Hierophant (5) and the Devil (15) are very special & have a very interesting relationship.
They are the only paths to have the same Reciprocal Paths and Complementary Paths.
The path not mentioned here is the 22nd Path of the World (21).
It offsets and balances with the Source - the relationship of Nothingness with Everythingness.
The Complementary Paths are shown in the following table:
Reflexive Association
The third relationship between the paths is derived through reducing the double digit path numbers by adding the digits together to achieve a number between 1 and 9.
For instance the Hanged Man 12 is reduced by adding 1 + 2 to give 3.
This indicates a relationship between the Hanged Man 12 and the Empress 3.
I call this a Reflexive Association.
It is not a direct relationship such as 12 and 2.
The Reflexive Paths are shown in the table at right:
The third relationship between the paths is derived through reducing the double digit path numbers by adding the digits together to achieve a number between 1 and 9.
For instance the Hanged Man 12 is reduced by adding 1 + 2 to give 3.
This indicates a relationship between the Hanged Man 12 and the Empress 3.
I call this a Reflexive Association.
It is not a direct relationship such as 12 and 2.
The Reflexive Paths are shown in the table at right:
Putting this altogether gives us the Spiritual Walk that has been established in the natural setting of Earth & Soul.