the other side

Ine

In my opinion, the qlippoth correspond to the "other side" of the tree of life: a barren place. If it was necessary to visit this place to reach Kether, it would say so in the kabalistic lore somewhere.

I think we face the dark side of the sephirah in the tree of life, and not in the qlippoth side. I have to say, I always tought of them as "waste" products of the sephirah. However, the question remains.. what are they?
 

Fulgour

Tohu & Bohu

The Qlippoth

Jewish qabalists envisioned a Kingdom of Shells, known as the Qlippoth
or Kelippot. This Infernal kingdom is also known as Hell, though what is
intended is not exactly the same as the place of torment.

Qlippoth means "shells" and is said to consist of debris left over from
an influx of divine force too strong for the lower planes or sephiroth
to withstand.

The shells are usually considered as realms containing demons
or evil spirits as a negative reflection of the Tree of Life.

*

The Qlippoth: Seven Abysses

1. Gehenna
2. Death's Shadow
3. Death's Gate
4. Mire of Mud
5. Pit of Corruption
6. Place of Destruction
7. Sheol

Note that the qlippoth is an inversion of the Tree of Life,
so the realms corresponding to the Supernals lie furthest
from Earth.

*

The Qlippoth is said to consist of

TOHU (impure earth)
BOHU (impure water)
DARK (opposite light)

terms all found in Genesis 1:1
and Emmanuel Rose 2000