Lost & Confused Newbie

[Aeon418]

MacGregor Mathers organized the approach in four areas: Practical, Literary, Unwritten and Dogmatic.

It's a useful way to categorize different things that fall under one name. Some people prefer this to spelling distinctions like Kabbalah, Qabalah, Cabalah, etc.

1) Practical: Applied Qabalah, theurgy, ceremonial magick, talismans, divination, Tarot, initiation schemes, etc.

2) Literal: Gematria, Temurah, Notariqon.

3) Unwritten:

4) Dogmatic: Doctrinal teachings and speculative works. Sepher ha-Zohar, Sepher Yetzirah, Sepher Bahir.

Hermetic Qabalah tends to focus on category 1) Practical. Most of the Qabalistic literature written within the tradition (Fortune, Regardie, Denning & Philips, etc.) is applied practical Qabalah. In Hebraic Kabbalah the focus is more on category 4.

 

[Always Wondering]

Yes, Qabalah.
I finally noticed that I misspelled it so sorry about the confusion.

No worries if you are a Chicken Qabalist. (page 7-8)

Is there a correct way to spell the word Qabalah?

Hell no! You're a Chicken Qabalist. Don't worry about it. Cabaala, Kabbalah, Quabbbalah, Caqubabalalah---There all wrong!(So they may as well be all correct.)

But the guys make a good point too.

I once experimented with an elementary algebra class. I made them learn the methods (the "how") but didn't force the issue of theoretical understanding (the "why"). Amazingly, they automatically developed an understanding of algebra to the extent of being able to analyze and solve fairly complicated "word" problems.

Ah, maybe this was my problem. I still tend to get tangled up in the whys, can't imagine how I got through school. But for now on I think I will claim myself as a Chicken Mathematician. It suits me.

AW

 

[Chiska]

I love that term, Chicken Mathematician. I teach electronics. Our motto is that anyone can do the math (how), but it is the why that we are worried about!

Tying this back to the topic at hand, I did better with Qabalah in the Thoth when I found a balance between how and why. I will never understand the why. I will likely never master the how, but I can at least toddle along and get use out of it in the now.

The more I learn the why, the more I can apply the how.

The more I practice the how, the more I learn of the why.

 

[Aeon418]

I still tend to get tangled up in the whys

We all do. That's one reason why Atu XV The Devil sits on the path between Tiphareth and Hod - the rational mind.

It's very easy to get lost in the 'theory bog' and forget that Kabalistic speculations, occult theories, and esoteric models are merely a means to an end, and not an end in themselves. The 'why' of Hod should ideally become a Cup in which illumination is received. But all too easily it can become a mental cage.

I think this is one reason why Crowley deferred study of theoretical Qabalah and Gnana Yoga until Practicus 3=8. He probably recognised how tempting the prospect of becomming a 'theory hound' was to beginners, who sometimes tend to gorge themselves on theory at the expense of practice.

It's interesting to note that the one Golden Dawn grade title that was dropped in the creation of A.'.A.'. was Theoricus.

 

[treedog]

...Kabalistic speculations, occult theories, and esoteric models are merely a means to an end, and not an end in themselves. The 'why' of Hod should ideally become a Cup in which illumination is received. But all too easily it can become a mental cage.

I especially appreciate this reminder. Intellect alone can certainly be limiting and addictive for me. Funny how I grasp at bondage, rather than trust will to love.

 

[ravenest]

It's interesting to note that the one Golden Dawn grade title that was dropped in the creation of A.'.A.'. was Theoricus.

Yes ... an 'Armchairus Occultus' can only go so far.

 

[ravenest]

I especially appreciate this reminder. Intellect alone can certainly be limiting and addictive for me. Funny how I grasp at bondage, rather than trust will to love.

Anything taken 'alone' can give the comfortable safe baby swaddling of bondage.

" Learn first — Oh thou who aspirest unto our ancient Order! — that Equilibrium is the basis of the Work. ... Therefore, as hath already been said, Establish thyself firmly in the equilibrium of forces, in the centre of the Cross of the Elements ... " Liber Librae.

 

[Always Wondering]

It's interesting to note that the one Golden Dawn grade title that was dropped in the creation of A.'.A.'. was Theoricus.

I hadn't noticed this yet. Thanks.


AW

 

[fyreflye]

I want to second Aeon418's recommendation of John Bonner's Qabalah - A Magical Primer and add my own recommendation for a book by John Michael Greer, Paths of Wisdom, which deals with Qabalah in much greater detail. Greer is the only writer I know of on these topics whose ability to explain things clearly matches Lon Milo's, though he's not as funny. Greer is a Druid (an Archdruid in fact) but he's spent years studying Qabalah and is as authoritative voice on the subject as you can find. His subsequent book Circles of Power, about the practical uses of Qabalah, is also worth studying..

 

[Aeon418]

John Michael Greer, Paths of Wisdom, which deals with Qabalah in much greater detail.

His subsequent book Circles of Power, about the practical uses of Qabalah, is also worth studying..

I had both of those years ago. Great books! Paths of Wisdom, was particularly helpful because it was one of the few books that dealt with the Paths as well as the Sephiroth.

Circles of Power, was a favourite of mine. A good practical guide that filled in a lot of the gaps back then. It's a shame it will probably never be reprinted. One of Greers latest books seems to be a sort of rehash, but he's gone and given it a top to bottom 'Celtic' make over and re-branded it, Druid Golden Dawn, or something like that. Not my cup of tea really.