The Four Worlds
The Four Worlds of Expression
There are four realms (worlds) of existence within which the Tree of Life is contained. Each world emanates one to the other; from the highest and most refined energy at the place of Atziluth to the densest realm in Assiah. The Four Worlds describe the creative process and each has a section of the Tree contained within its individual realms. Concurrently, as in all viable esoteric systems, the entirety of the Tree itself is also contained simultaneously within each of the worlds. Thus, each sphere exists in All Four Worlds.
Atziluth
World of Archetypes
World of Origin (FIRE)
The Spiritual World. Home to the energies of the Gods/Goddesses. This is the place of the creative urge of Deity to move beyond itself and make manifest something more. This is the place of the un-knowable and un-nameable Source of All. The realm of causes and the home of the Divine names reside here.
Briah
Creative/ Archangelic World
The World of Creation (WATER)
The Soul/or Higher SELF is expressed here. The Archangels reside in this world. This is the realm of Ideas of the highest order. This is the Idea of the manifest world before it is actually brought into being. This is also the world through which the initial study of Qabalah is often begun. Briatic colors are the standard designation for the spheres and it is through this world that clarity and greater communication between man and the Higher Self are realized and acted upon.
Yetzirah
Astral/Angelic World
The World of Formation (AIR)
The Mental Plane. This is the stuff of the Astral and as such is the world of formation. The place of the collective unconscious and Anima Mundi (world soul). This is the realm where specific forms are created. The Angels of the Qabalah reside here.
Assiah
Active/Material World
World of Manifestation (EARTH)
The Physical World. Planetary and Elemental energies are assigned at this level. This is the world in which we feel most comfortable and can identify with the energies most clearly, although we probably know the least about the hidden nature of this world in terms of actual working knowledge. This is the place of knowing “oneself”.
Some Important Correspondences-Part One
Part One: Numerology
These are some correspondences that will add another layer of understanding to the Qabalistic spheres.
The spheres are numbered 1-10
A little numerology to support the sphere’s energies…
0 – Cycles, void, the limitless ALL, womb of creation and the Gate of the Divine
1 – The singular “I”, the individual, the line of continuum, energy held and gathered back to itself
2 – Collaborative effort- moving beyond the “I” to “we”- duality and polarity that results
3 – The point of trinity or third that is created from the friction and combined effort of the two
4 – Opening the point of support to a place of foundation, equanimity and force in a balanced state
5 – The shield whose tip may be directed by Will to disrupt, change and set in motion
6 – Doubled trinity, intersecting energies of descent and ascent, mirrored image of creative product
7 – Carrying forward the lessons learned, the paths taken and the reconvening of the triune
8 – The lemniscate, foundation (4) uplifted to become the container, receipt and release
9 – Threshold /gate to endings and completion with potential for new fully in-formed beginnings
and, the 10 sphere of Malkuth?
1 (the individualized individual) and 0 (the limitless all of the Divine)
Stay Tuned for Part Two: Color
Yesod-The Foundation of Creation
While the drone of life story’s
Narrative hums and buzzes
Around the hornet’s nest
Each stinging more precisely
Each leaving an indelible
Mark as the honey sweetly
Drips from the catacombs
Of Queen Bee’s grand design.
In Hebrew, the word Yesod means “foundation” and the “sod” portion alone means “mystery”. This should give clue as to the energies of the qabalistic sphere of Yesod. It is the stuff of dreams, fantasies, memory and the dwelling place of the mysteries of true magick. This sphere holds the key to the unknown and the unknowable. Just as matter itself resides in Malkuth, the focus and energy that make it “living matter” is contained within the essence of Yesod. As we descend from the higher spheres and move through the varied energies of each of the preceding we come to rest in Yesod, the beginning phase of creation of a thoughtform, the storehouse of images only, without the benefit of the life energy needed before these images can move into a state of manifestation in Malkuth.
Milky whiteness luminescence
Sparkles through veils of dreamtime
Images, shape and form bourne
On gossamer wings of faery flight
And angels beckon from heavenly
Clouds of billowy breath.
Yesod is known as the ” Treasure House of Symbols”. It is here that the Akashic records which contain the memory and experiences of every living being are held within the substance of aether (spirit) . This attribute alone can give rise to illusion, false conceptions and a deluded sense of Soul’s purpose. It is a world of shadow and illusion, of being held in a state of “in-between”. It is higher than the physical plane of Malkuth- yet lower than the Divine/spiritual plane, which would provide the necessary discernment to determine that which is illusion and that which is reality.
By virtue of this state of mediator and filter the natural access to the Astral that is the function of Yesod provides also the necessary accumulation of symbols and images that can be classified, processed, filtered and assimilated to allow movement to the higher realms coming from the place of the concrete manifest energy of Malkuth. Yesod is the place of allegory and allusion to things of a higher nature. Because the information is often muddled or distorted (as in the fun house mirror) it becomes necessary to strengthen the emotion of Trust. Trusting that what is being shown is the truth, and trusting that you will be able to learn the appropriate lesson of the allegory.
Within the sphere of mystery
The moon glows ever bright
And eyes that have no use
For human sight peer
Deeply into the cavernous dark
Moving carefully through the
Storehouse of illusion.
But once the vault is opened
And inspiration comes
Shard-like slicing through
The test has been mastered
The seeker now illumined
And filled with Luna’s grace
Moves boldly and sure footed.
Yesod resonates to the sacral chakra and as such is the plane of sexuality and the potential underlying each act of coupling. It is the fertile breeding ground for all future spiritual development as you move upwards through the Tree. Its nature is that of fecundity and quickening. By definition, fecundity is:
1. The ability to produce offspring, especially in large numbers.
2. The ability to produce many different and original ideas.
This energy is beyond simply being fertile. In Malkuth we were matter incarnate. In Yesod we become matter quickened by greater substance and spirit. We become the replication of all parts of self; each having the ability for quickening and enlivening; and thus become co-creators.
While the drone of life story’s
Narrative hums and buzzes
Around the hornet’s nest
Each stinging more precisely
Each leaving an indelible
Mark as the honey sweetly
Drips from the catacombs
Of Queen Bee’s grand design.
The mind has been set free
Fragile fingers reach ever upward
And the heart waits patiently
Behind the reflection of
The closed door.
Within the sphere of Malkuth…..
“We are the Royals of Malkuth. We are the stewards of its planetary energy, Earth, our home and we are its most prized creation of matter and manifest form.”
Yesod reminds us that we are the masters of our perceptions; and that illusion fades as we set the intention of manifesting reality. This is the healing that Yesod brings…
The Healing Temple
Click here to access the audio pathworking…
Scroll down the page to New Moon in Leo: The Healing Temple
Now that you’ve read through this information, go back and reread…
Yesod-Qabalistic Tymes
A newsletter style format I’ll be using from time to time for each of the spheres that will provide snippets of information and reflections regarding the energy that is part of its emanation…
The Qabalistic Tymes
You might ask what’s with the name? The herb Thyme is a member of the mint family and as such is a very prolific plant. Additionally, there are hundreds of species of Thyme. Thyme has been known since ancient times for its magical, culinary, and medicinal virtues. And its shrub like build offers shade and home to a variety of animal life. Tradition held that an infusion of thyme taken as a tea on midsummer’s eve would enable one to see the fairies dancing.
SO….In the spirit of the vast amount of knowledge, enrichment and nuances provided through study of the Qabalah, what better spelling for “Thymes”
THE SPHERE
OF
YESODIAN CORRESPONDENCES
These are but a few of the many:
PHYSICAL:
SEXUAL ORGANS
MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURE:
COILED SERPENT
PLANT:
DAMIANA
MUGWORT
SCENT:
JASMINE
CINAMMON
GEMS:
AMETHYST
MOONSTONE
MILKY QUARTZ
DEITY:
ROMAN-DIANA
HINDU- GANESHA
EGYPTIAN- TOTH
GREEK:HECATE
CELTIC:ARIANNRHOD
GEOMETRIC SYMBOL:
CRESCENT
TOOL:
THE PERFUMES
THE SANDALS
ILLUSION:
SECURITY
KNOWLEDGE BASED ON EGO
What correspondences would you give based on your knowledge of the astral and dream world?
Another Leaf on the Vine….
The Sphere of Yesod and Awareness
Key concepts are…
Honesty
Reflection
Shadow
Perception
Food for thought?
…Awareness of our physical self and the physical plane leads to a quest to know that which is beyond. Knowledge of Self is the first step towards Gnosis.
From the Book of QBL
..From the mass of information which has been obtained by the parapsychologists, one definite fact has emerged; somewhere in the mental make-up of the individual there is a ‘dormer window”, looking out upon perilous seas and fairy lands , as well as upon scenes of glory and light.
The question which now arises in the minds of some parapsychologists is whether these talents belong to the past or the future of the race. Are they the remnants of a primitive faculty which was superseded by the use of more dependable means of communication by the spoken word or are they faculties which are latent in all and are now gradually evolved into active use?
The esoteric schools say this question can be answered either way depending upon the part of machinery of the mind which is being used. The faculties and powers usually termed psychic are and always have been part of the content of the mind but their mode of manifestation at any time depends upon the conditions under which it takes place. All sense impressions, whether physical or super physical come into waking consciousness through the levels of the mind which are usually know as the “subconscious” or “unconscious, and they are always colored and altered by their journey through their levels.” Excerpted … Magic and the Qabalah by W E Butler
In conclusion…
Yesod holds the potential of all that we wish, dream and desire to manifest in our lives. We look out at a star-filled velvety black night and wish upon a star…..
“Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)”
by Singer, Songwriter Don McLean
Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and grey
Look out on a summer’s day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
Shadows on the hills
Sketch the trees and daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
In colours on the snowy linen land
Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen
They did not know how
Perhaps they’ll listen now
Starry, starry night
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
Swirling clouds and violet haze
Reflect in Vincent’s eyes of china blue
Colours changing hue
Morning fields of amber grain
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artists’ loving hand
Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen
They did not know how
Perhaps they’ll listen now
For they could not love you
But still your love was true
And when no hope was left inside
On that starry, starry night
You took your life as lovers often do
But I could have told you Vincent
This world was never meant for one
as beautiful as you
Like the strangers that you’ve met
The ragged men in ragged clothes
The silver thorn of bloody rose
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow
Now I think I know
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen
They’re not listening still
Perhaps they never will…
Malkuth-Our Kingdom on Earth
When I teach Qabala I begin with the 10th Sphere of the Tree-Malkuth, rather than beginning at the 1st-Kether. My rationale is that Malkuth is the only sphere that we, as corporeal beings can identify with as being the pure essence of manifestation and holds much of the energy of the planet that we inhabit. So let’s explore our world…
Dig your fingers deep into the earth
Granules of life and decay
Tiny bits of energy darting here
And there and the smell
Of emerald green moss embedded
Under freshly painted pink nails.
Life force moves down
Submerged appendage and roots beginning
To weave intricate pathways
Towards the heart of the Mother.
The sphere of Malkuth is both in the place of downpour from the realms of higher and more refined energy as well as the place of beginning towards ascension from the grosser, denser form of matter towards a more refined, evolved state of being. This is the sphere of the Elements (earth, air, fire and water) from which all things are formed and is, quite literally, the place of physical manifestation of the creative life force that has emanated down from the spheres above.
This is the World of Matter, which is our home during this physical incarnation. Because it is familiar, concrete and ever present there is often the tendency towards not fully recognizing and understanding its subtle qualities and energies. It is similar to the comfortable relationship in which you don’t always notice the person in as much detail or with as much appreciation as initially because you now assume you know everything there is to know.
Life force moves in spirals and waves
Translucent body glowing in ocean’s depths
Settling deep into the sand of floor and
Coiling into renewed matter.
Stone and crystal, cavern and dusted white peak
Architecture of the Gods built from the
Feminine body of the sacred Divine.
Tree home and brush of wing in flight
All scanning the maze of earth below
As sun rises and spills over all of
Living breath and silent decay of return.
Malkuth embodies the elements at both their alchemical and scientific levels. Earth-Air-Fire and Water are all components in the pure essence of a sphere whose soul directive is one of receipt of the “stuff” that will ensure manifest form.
All life held within the planetary energy of Earth and the correspondence of Malkuthian energy is subject to the law of potentiality that guides Malkuth’s purpose.
This is the Kingdom, but what of its ruler
Who holds the place of sovereignty and has
Command over planet’s fate?
Flesh and bone and beating of heart
Flowing strength of blood’s circuit
Mind of lightning flash and diversity
Embodied in a vessel of form.
We are the Royals of Malkuth. We are the stewards of its planetary energy, Earth, our home and we are its most prized creation of matter and manifest form.
Malkuth is the experience of being fully present in physical form, of connecting with all that makes us truly human and using that as the foundation upon which we rise on the planes to reach our higher consciousness by coming to “know thyself”; and then transferring that knowing into experiencing everything else that comprises this physical world.
And the Great Mother in her wisdom
Holds the Kingdom close to her breast.
Heart beat to heart beat the exchange is made
Life is given form and the world of the manifest
Holds the key to the Path of Return.
The sphere just above Malkuth, is Yesod. Yesod carries the energy of filter,dreams and the astral. And, the Great Mother Moon is its ruler. The Moon shines down and the tides of Earth move in anticipation of her gaze. This movement is not so different from that of labor and the necessary tides of contraction to bring life into the sphere of Malkuth.
Now that you’ve read through this information, go back and reread…
Malkuth-The Qabalistic Tymes
A newsletter style format I’ll be using from time to time for each of the spheres that will provide snippets of information and reflections regarding the energy that is part of its emanation…
The Qabalistic Tymes
You might ask what’s with the name? The herb Thyme is a member of the mint family and as such is a very prolific plant. Additionally, there are 
hundreds of species of Thyme. Thyme has been known since ancient times for its magical, culinary, and medicinal virtues. And its shrub like build offers shade and home to a variety of animal life. Tradition held that an infusion of thyme taken as a tea on midsummer’s eve would enable one to see the fairies dancing.
SO….In the spirit of the vast amount of knowledge, enrichment and nuances provided through study of the Qabala, what better spelling for “Thymes”
MALKUTHIAN CORRESPONDENCES
These are but a few of the many:
PHYSICAL:
BOTH LEGS, FEET, KNEES, ANKLES AND BASE OF THE SPINE
MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURE:
SPHINX
PLANT:
LILY, IVY
SCENT:
DITTANY OF CRETE
GEMS:
BROWN AGATE
TIGER’S EYE
DEITY:
CELTIC- DANU
HINDU- GANESHA
SANTERIA-ORISHA-OKO
EGYPTIAN- NEPHTHYS
GEOMETRIC SYMBOL:
DECAGRAM
TOOL:
THE MAGICAL CIRCLE
THE TRIANGLE OF ART
ILLUSION:
MATERIALISM AND GREED
What correspondences would you give based on your knowledge of the physical world and the Greater Earth?
Another Leaf on the Vine….
The Sphere of Malkuth and Prosperity
Key concepts are…
Manifestation
Abundance
Receiving
Giving
Food for thought?
“ you will get better prosperity results from eating just one course at a four-star restaurant, than you will by going to a fast-food restaurant a dozen times”
From the Book of QBL
.. we work at this level to awaken greater discrimination within our lives. That is the virtue we uncover for ourselves here- in Malkuth. We learn to discriminate between what is good, what is bad, where to move forward, where not to move, when to work and when to rest. Learning to discriminate and discover what is best for you as an individual. By doing so, we can begin to experience our “higher Selves’- this level of consciousness reveal to us those things hidden within our physical world or Universe. It reveals to us these things which we have trained ourselves to ignore or relegate to fantasy. This is the level wherein we can learn the realities of those we call “ fairy”, “angel”, or “spirit guides”. And acknowledge the reality of the Divine potential within ourselves….. Excerpted from: Qabala Magick by Ted Andrews
In conclusion…
Malkuth is the expression of the Goddess, Gaia-Mother of Earth’s creation and the living body upon which we make our home..
Contemplation of Creation
I sit in the quiet space of my creation
Exhale and inhale of sweet breath and
Manifest being weaving a dance of life.
The singing bowl rings in harmony
With the levels of my being and radiant
Throat gives way to tone of vibration.
The Goddess moves through me as
We sing out the sounds of the
Universe.
I am whole and complete in Her
Light of cosmic reflection.
My practice is that of knowing and
My magick weaves through time
Anchored in the stillness of my
Most loved creation….
…YOU
Art: Geraldine Arata
Excerpt from:
A Year With Gaia-The Eternal Cord
R. Fennelly
First Edition: February 2017
Welcome to Qabalistic Journeys…
Welcome to Qabalistic Journeys! Many years ago I wrote an online course entitled A Year Within the Tree of Life. I revamped my website and that course was archived and used later a the basis for my books, Poetry of the Spheres and Awakening the Paths.
As a result of the books and extensive teaching that I do about the Hermetic Qabalah, I have received several requests lately for a return of those online studies. So, here we go with a blog dedicated specifically to that!
I’ll be posting every couple of weeks and offering a variety of information that includes theory, practical application, meditations, new ways of working with this multi-faceted discipline and more. This is a journey that will enrich every aspect of your life and the new paths created from those first steps of intention to bring this Tree to life within are those that will take root as you aspire to growing your spiritual practice.
Blessings on this new journey…..
Qabalah Boot Camp: Just the Basics
In the beginning there was nothingness- the absence of substance and form (Ain) ; and as the nothing became aware of itself it also realized the limitlessness nature (Ain Soph) of its being. This realization expanded and with more awareness came the birthing of limitless light (Ain Soph Aur) . This limitless light felt the urge to create- and from it emanated Divine Intelligence – Kether. All things needing balance- in its wisdom Kether split and from this source of being the remaining 9 spheres became emanations of the varied permutations of light, knowledge, mercy, severity, beauty, love, glory, imagination and finally rest in the Kingdom of Earth- Malkuth.
The subject matter of the Qabalah is one that many pagans do not easily gravitate towards, either deterred by the sheer mass of its scope or feeling that this particular overlay of system has no reference to the purely magickal systems. Although, rooted in the Judaic mystical system the Kabbalah(spelling is Judaic form)/Qabalah (spelling used to distinguish as Western Hermetic overlay) this construct of energy, thought and working is a suitable companion to any magickal system. The sheer fact that a statement such as that can be made offers testament to the enduring scope and permanence of its application over a broad and diverse spectrum. Within the Tradition to which I belong, The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, the principles of the Qabalah are strongly and consistently used throughout all of our covens and the enhancement to the magickal workings and rituals is undeniable.
The Qabalistic Tree of Life describes the descent of the divine into the manifest world, and methods by which divine union may be attained in this life. It can be viewed as a map of the human psyche and of the workings of creation, both manifest and un-manifest. Some of its components are:
10 Sephiroth (Spheres) each having their own specific energetic signature and action and having a Hebrew and English name of assignation. (Geburah ‘s name is Might)
22 Paths that connect the spheres and act as the synthesizing conduits of connection
3 Pillars of Application of that energy (Geburah is the middle of three spheres on the Pillar of Severity)
4 Worlds of Action– Each of the spheres exists in each of the four worlds and has a slightly different emphasis of intent depending on which of the worlds is acting upon it.
The Qabalistic story of the creative action of manifestation from the Source of All/Godhead down to the realm of physical and manifest form can be described in this way:
In the beginning there was nothingness- the absence of substance and form (Ain) ; and as the nothing became aware of itself it also realized the limitlessness nature (Ain Soph) of its being. This realization expanded and with more awareness came the birthing of limitless light (Ain Soph Aur) . This limitless light felt the urge to create- and from it emanated Divine Intelligence – Kether. All things needing balance- in its wisdom Kether split and from this source of being the remaining 9 spheres became emanations of the varied permutations of light, knowledge, mercy, severity, beauty, love, glory, imagination and finally rest in the Kingdom of Earth- Malkuth.
10 Sephiroth (spheres) of Emanation
The Sephiroth are States of Being and act as vessels to contain the Divine energy that spills forth from the God-Head or Crown of Kether (being the highest expression of the Divine) down into Malkuth, the densest and manifest physical world of Man. The spheres at the top of the tree are lighter and finer in energy – more transparent and expressive of pure Light. As we descend down the tree each sphere gains more density- less clarity of brilliance of light until we come to rest in the earth plane of Malkuth. Each sphere has both an English and Hebrew name and countless correspondences attributed to each. These are keywords only.
Sphere 1 – Kether – The Crown- The Crown of Attainment- the ‘Cause of causes”- the unknowable- The Mystical Consciousness
Sphere 2 – Chokmah– Wisdom- The Word of God- true Will untainted by the material nature- The Radiant Consciousness
Sphere 3 – Binah– Understanding- The Great Sea- absolute belief- The Sanctified Consciousness
Sphere 4 – Chesed– Mercy- Majesty- The place of greater awareness and pure compassion-The Settled Consciousness
Sphere 5 – Geburah– Might – Strength and Justice- excision and the necessary cutting away- The Rooted Consciousness
Sphere 6 – Tiphareth– Beauty- Sacrifice- the receptive place of the flow of emanations from Kether- The Transcendental Influx Consciousness
Sphere 7 – Netzach– Victory- The Beauty of Nature- The Hidden Consciousness
Sphere 8 – Hod– Glory- Splendor- the sphere of science and craft- the analytical nature and communicative learning- The Perfect Consciousness
Sphere 9 – Yesod– The Foundation- sphere of the subconscious- the Lunar Gates- dreams and illusion – the astral – The Pure Consciousness
Sphere 10 – Malkuth– The Kingdom- the plane of physical existence and manifest reality- the elements and all of manifest Life- The Scintillating Consciousness
In example:::
This is a poem I wrote about the energy of the sphere of Geburah and gives a hint to the potency and dynamics of this sphere.
I sit shivering in the dark
Eyes closed and all of my being
Filled with fear that I will
Lose my most valued possession.
Flame and heat surround
Yet the air is dense with
Energy that moves like
Cold steel wielded by a
Forceful hand.
What I cling to so fiercely
I have long ago outgrown
But the comfort and safety
Provided are like soothing
Ointment on wounds that
Have yet to be opened.
I want to be free of these chains
I want to be whole and reborn…
What I carry are bits and pieces
Of my own folly and the thought of
Excision sends me into retreat.
As reason gives way to desire
And understanding stands at the
Threshold with outstretched hand
I rise from this place of cowering.
I open my eyes to see what lay
Ahead and a cold dark hand
Grasps my own as I look into
The eyes of myself.
The only demons I have to fear is what
Lay within the spectre of my shadow
With the single act of embrace
All that is to be discarded
Falls from me
I am Free.
I am strong and what I had
Feared losing the most
Has only been transformed
And forged anew.
The dark gives way to light and
I step forward to greet the
Final outcome.
Whetting Your Appetite..
In the months ahead, I’ll post more about the spheres and some specifics of correspondence relevant to each. Reflect a little on the brief glimpse I’ve given for now..
Qabalistic Journeys 