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March / April 2010 Issue

Download the PDF File version of the latest issue of Llewellyn's New Worlds Catalog

Home > Encyclopedia > Term: qabalah

Term: qabalah

DEFINITIONS

Qabalah: "Qabalah" is a Hebrew word which means "tradition.” It is derived from the root word "Qibel," meaning, "to receive." This refers to the ancient custom of handing down the esoteric knowledge by oral transmission. What the word Qabalah encompasses is an entire body of ancient Hebrew mystical principles that are the cornerstone and focus of the Western Esoteric Tradition. Virtually all Western spiritual systems can trace their roots to the Qabalistic Tree of Life. The exact origins of the Qabalah are unclear, but it certainly contains some vestiges of Egyptian, Greek, and Chaldean influence.

By its nature, mysticism is knowledge that cannot be communicated directly, but may be expressed only through symbolism and metaphor. Like other esoteric systems, Qabalah also draws upon the mystic's awareness of the transcendence of the Divine or the Eternal. Another element of Qabalah is that of theosophy, which seeks to reveal the hidden mysteries of the Divine as well as the relationship between the Divine Life on one hand, and the life of humans on the other. The goal of the Qabalist is to discover and invent keys to the understanding of arcane symbols that reflect the eternal mysteries.
source: The Truth about the Golden Dawn, Chic Cicero and Sandra Tabatha Cicero

Cabala: Cabala...is a system of mysticism with its origins in Judaism, stemming in part from the "chariot" visions of first-century mystics, in part from Gnosticism and ceremonial magic.
source: The Truth About Cabala, David Godwin

Kabbalah: A mystical system which forms the mystical underpinnings for the three major Western religions as well as for modern Ceremonial Magick. The word is transliterated Hebrew, and is spelled in English in various ways, including Qabala, Cabala, etc.
source: Modern Magick, by Donald Michael Kraig (Llewellyn Publications)

Also See: Cabala, Qabalah, Qabala, Kabbalah

ARTICLES

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Qabalah

"Qabalah" is a Hebrew word which means "tradition." It is derived from the root word "Qibel," meaning, "to receive." This refers to the ancient custom of handing down the esoteric knowledge by oral transmission. What the word Qabalah encompasses is ...

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Gematria

Of all the ancient magickal languages, the mysticism surrounding biblical Hebrew is the best known in the West. The body of esoteric teachings concerning the Hebrew language is known as the Qabalah (meaning that knowledge which can only be imparted ...

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The History of the Golden Dawn

The story of the Golden Dawn, like that of any human organization, is replete with high points and low points—with human achievements and human failings. There is no need for us to try to whitewash or sugarcoat the faults of some of the individuals ...

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Golden Dawn Bibliography

Cicero, Chic and Cicero, Sandra Tabatha. Creating Magical Tools: The Magician’s Craft. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1999. ____________. Experiencing the Kabbalah: A Simple Guide to Spiritual Wholeness. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn ...

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Calculating the Number for Your Name

Now modern numerology, having its antecedents in the Hebrew Qabalah, is a simplification of the very complicated number system charted out by the ancient rabbis. The main difference between modern numerology and ancient gematria is the scope of ...

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Enochian Magic

The Enochian system originated with the ceremonial skrying of Dr. John Dee and Edward Kelly toward the end of the sixteenth century in England. Dr. Dee was one of the foremost thinkers of his time—a Hermetic philosopher/magician who was also a ...

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Enochian Magic

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Hermeticism

Throughout history, several people have contributed to the collective knowledge of the Western Esoteric Tradition or Western Hermetic Tradition, a tradition in which the Golden Dawn plays an important role. Such individuals as Pythagoras, ...

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The Structure of the Golden Dawn

Any discussion of the Golden Dawn tradition must include a description of the various grades or levels of initiation. The Order is entirely based upon a hierarchical system in which certain information and knowledge is retained for students who have ...

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Review of The Witches Tarot

Summary: A deck with magnificent art that will specifically appeal to both ceremonial magicians and Witches, Pagans, and Wiccans. It will introduce many people to Kabalistic concepts that are associated with the Tarot. While great for magickal and ...

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The Hats We Wear in Tarot

Looking through a typical tarot deck, you find that human characters in the cards are distinguished by many different kinds of headwear. Tarot artists are limited by how much detail they can fit into such small illustrations, but by drawing people with different hats, crowns, helmets, and other head coverings, they concisely convey information... read this article

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