print   send to a friend

Encyclopedia Search

browse the glossary

SEARCH FOR

kabbalah

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

4 ARTICLES ON KABBALAH


1. What Makes Runes Powerful?: Learn how the runes derive their ferocious magical power from ancient archetypes and a link to the elements
relevance: 2%

2. Golden Dawn Bibliography:
relevance: 2%

3. Magic Provides an Alternative Viewpoint:
relevance: 2%

4. Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers:
relevance: 2%