The Kabbalistic Tree of Life and The Fool’s Journey

Each of the Ten Sephiroth corresponds with a particular number in The Minor Arcana through which their numerical qualities and energy are individually expressed within their own Suit.

The  2^nd, 3^rd, 6^th and 10^th Sephira also corresponded with the Court Cards again reinforcing their meaning through the qualities of their Sephira and its number.

The 10 Sephiroth are further broken down into Four Different Realms of Creation from the Supernal World in Sephira 1, 2 and 3 followed by The World of Creation in Sephira 4, 5, and 6, followed by The World of Formation in Sephira 7, 8 and 9 to The World of Action in Sephira 10.

The Four different Realms of Creation are linked to the Chakra System. The Ten Sephiroth also carry a planetary association, once more adding depth and meaning to each stage of the Journey.

This allocation is laid out in the Table below:

The First Three Sephiroth represent,  Atziluth – The World of The Supernals – Crown and Brow Chakra

The Second Three Sephiroth represent,  Bria – The World of Creation – Throat and Heart Chakra

The Third Three Sephiroth represent,  Jetzirah – The World of Formation – Solar Plexus and Sacral Chakras

The last Sephira represents, Assia – The World of Action  – Root Chakra

The 10 Sephira are linked by 22 connecting paths that chart and guide the progress of each emanation from God/Source.   Each pathway contains lessons that must be understood before progressing on and through the next Sephira.

Each of the 22 connecting pathways corresponds with one of the 22 Major Arcana. Each of these Major Arcana Cards contain the lessons that The Fool must understand or endure before he can confidently move forward.  The Fool must not get stuck on his journey for his mission is to complete it and then return home.   The 22 connecting pathways are numbered by the Hebrew Alphabet.

This may all sound like double-dutch to you right now but as we work our way through the Major Arcana, you will begin to understand the connections and associations.  If you are like me, you will find this area quite fascinating to study.  Remember though that you are not expected to be an expert on the Kabbalah for that is a huge study in itself.  All you need is a basic understanding of it so that you can apply its process to the Major Arcana Cards and the Journey of The Fool.  Believe me, it will make much more sense as you go through the individual cards and I will give you as much detail as possible.  I also need to set the record straight as to my own knowledge of the Kabbalah.  It is basic and I am sure many reading this information will disagree of some of my observations or theories.  When it comes to The Kabbalah, there are many different versions of it, different spellings of the words and different allocations of planets to the Sephiroth.  I am afraid you will have to embark on further studies if you wish to gain a deep knowledge and understanding of this fascinating subject.  There is a wealth of information on the internet and also hundreds of books written on the topic so you have no excuse.

Working with The Major Arcana and The Kabbalistic Tree of Life we can chart the progress of The Fool as he sets out on his journey.  Like all forms of energy The Fool is no different.  He starts out as mere potential and then raw energy before he can begin to take form and realise his full potential.  From the moment of his emanation from the Source or Creator he sets forth on a personal quest for self-definition. He must follow his destiny and find his true purpose in life.  To do so, The Fool travels the 22 connecting pathways from one Sephira to the next.  He cannot skip any part of this journey, for in doing so he would fail to evolve and develop.

The Fool’s journey however, is not finite.  For all his effort and endeavour to reach full realisation and manifestation in the 10^th Sephira, it is merely only one journey or cycle completed.  The Fool must then find his way back to the Source and await his next journey.  The Fool will experience each journey in a different manner and will be expected to use his past experiences on each Journey to evolve further until total self-realisation has been secured and then he need journey no longer.

 The Tree of Life – Individual Sephira Meaning

The Sephiroth

Listed Below is a breakdown of The Tree of Life and the Esoteric Meaning of each Sephira.  As we travel with The Fool on his Journey through The Major Arcana we will be exploring each Stage and Pathway of The Tree of Life and its effect on The Fool.   We must remember that The Fool’s Journey also corresponds with our own journey through life.   By getting to grips with The Major Arcana we can greatly assist our own journey and enjoy a deeper understanding of the Self.

1st Sephira – Kether  (Crown) is the highest and purest.  It is closest to God and is the source of all creation.  The Four Aces of The Minor Arcana  also reside in Kether .  It is a fitting and appropriate place for the Aces as we see Spirit, in the form of a hand extending from a cloud, offer the gift of the potential of each element to its corresponding Suit.

Astrologically – Corresponds to the ‘Big Bang’

2^nd Sephira – Chokmah (Wisdom/Supernal Father) Primal Masculine energy.  The raw force that brings the change to initiate creation.   The Four Kings of the Court Cards and the Four Two’s of The Minor Arcana  also reside here.

Astrologically – Corresponds to The whole Zodiac

3^rd Sephirah – Binah  (Supernal Mother/Womb/Understanding)Primal Feminine energy.  Binah  is receptive and gives shape and form to the creation of energy released as it manifests. The Four Queens of the Court Cards and the Four Threes of The Minor Arcana  also reside in the third Sephirah Binah .  This is a fitting residence as the Queens being feminine and the number three related to creation and growth provide the necessary energy to facilitate manifestation.  However, this energy is still abstract at this stage but the first stirrings of creation have been initiated.

Astrologically – Corresponds to Saturn

4^th Sephira –  Chesed  (Mercy/Kindness/love). Energy is less abstract now as Chesed  is the first Sephira of Action.  The previous three are connected to the Intellect; Conscious and Subconscious.  Chesed  provides the nurturing stability for God’s emanation as it comes into being. The Four Fours of The Minor Arcana  reside here.

Astrologically – corresponds with Jupiter

5th Sephira – Geburah  (Stength/Judgement/Power).  This Sephira brings with it restrictions, chaos and upheaval. Restrictive and eliminating it can cause energy to die.  The Four Fives of The Minor Arcana  also reside here.  As we know the Four Fives brings difficulties and challenges that must be overcome.

Astrologically – Corresponds with Mars

6^th – Sephira Tipareth  (Beauty/ Balance/Son of God) lies half way between The Divine Source in Kether  and the physical or purely world focus of Malkuth (Kingdom/Physical World).  Tipareth’s role is that of the converter and harmoniser.  All spiritual energy from the source must pass through Tipareth  to become physical and all returning physical energy must pass through likewise to become spiritual.  The pure energy of each Sephira on its own is not possible. Tipareth  on The Tree of Life , is unique in the fact that it is connected to all the other Sephiroth except Malkuth (Kingdom/Physical World).  Tipareth  acts to balance and integrate all of the other Sephiroth’s energies in order to create harmony.  Tipareth (Beauty/Balance/Son of God) bridges the divide between The Divine God and the Physical world.

The Four Knights of the Court Cards and the Four 6’s of The Minor Arcana  also reside here.

 Astrologically – Corresponds with The Sun

 7^th  Sephira – Netzach  (Victory/Endurance) provides the fortitude and determination to succeed in one’s endeavours and overcome obstructions or challenges. It deals with the emotions and feelings and the focussed concentration or control over same.  The Four Sevens of The Minor Arcana  also reside here.   All the Sevens in the Tarot  carry the message of victory as a result of grim determination and stamina.

Astrologically – Corresponds with Venus

8^th  Sephira – Hod  (Splendor)  brings the force that breaks down energy into different, distinguishable forms and is associated with mental energy, communication, reasoning, action, movement.  Hod allows the diversity and expression of energy in its many forms.  It provides structure.  The Four Eights of The Minor Arcana  reside here.

Astrologically – Corresponds with Mercury

9th Sephira – Yesod  (Foundation)  Translates spiritual concepts into actions. It is linked to the imagination and the Moon with the energies of reflection and illumination.   Also connected to the sex organs. The Four Nines of The Minor Arcana  also reside here.

Astrologically – Corresponds with The Moon

10^th Sephira – Malkuth (Kingdom/Physical World).  Manifestation of all creation; life, ideas, form.  Malkuth  gives tangible form and density to all God’s Emanations. This is the furthest Sephira from the Kether  (Source) but this does not mean that it is un-spiritual.

The Four Pages of The Court Cards and The Four Tens of The Minor Arcana  also reside here.

Astrologically – Corresponds with The Earth.

As a student of the Tarot , your first encounter with the Kabbalistic Tree of Life may indeed be confusing and far too Esoteric for you to grasp.  Many courses start with The Major Arcana  but I believe that it can be off-putting to many students who believe that it is all “too heavy” to follow.  Therefore, I introduce The Minor Arcana  first and by doing so the student is slowly and subtly brought round to thinking outside the box and developing their own Esoteric and Mystical understanding of the Tarot .  When The Major Arcana is then introduced with its deeply mystical and esoteric background, it is not such a daunting task after all.

Do not be afraid of this part of your studies.  I would advise those who wish to delve deeper to do some further study into the Kabbalah and The Tree of Life  for it provides a wealth of knowledge and wisdom that will never go to waste.  It will also make for richer and more meaningful card readings.

The Kabbalah

Lesson 1

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