Lesson QBL-1:
Basic Axioms
Suited for All
Grade Levels
by Fra. Petros
QBL = Qabalah
= Qoph Beth Lamed = 100 + 2 + 30 = 132 = 12 x 11 (12, number of the
Zodiac, by extension the Universe, times the number of Magick, 11.)
Primary
reference works for our purposes: Crowley's 777;
Dion Fortune's The
Mystical Qabalah;
Wescott's
(or other's) translation of the Sepher
Yetzirah;
Mathers'
The Kabalah Unveiled.
Others as needed.
AXIOMS
1. The Qabalah is based upon a numerical conception of the Universe.
2. It is a
method for reducing all observed experiences to a numerical base. The
purpose is to aid the attainment of the Student by linking various
experiences (material and spiritual) to a common thread.
3. Though
arguably arbitrary, the basics of the Qabalah should be memorized as
one memorizes an alphabet in order to communicate with others.
4. The Tree of
Life (10 Sephira) is also an emblem of the Initiate's progress from
material darkness to the Light of Truth.
5. Meanings of
the Qabalah are infinitely expandable and are limited only by the
imagination and level of attainment of the student.
6. The Tree of
Life, as symbolic of the Universe, begins from an infitesimal point,
Kether (1), which sets into action a response, Chokmah (2), and
equilibrates into a synthesis, Binah (3). From this Supernal Triad
follows the remainder of the Tree and the lower Spheres.
7. The concept
of a Fall and Redemption, though standard in the Golden Dawn
tradition, is not
inevitable nor absolutely necessary to an understanding of the
Qabalah, nor to one's individual progress and spiritual development.
The higher implications of this consideration are a matter for Inner
Order work.
8. The Veil of
the Abyss separates the Supernal Triad (1-2-3) from the remainder of
the Tree. It is the task of the Exempt Adept to cross this Abyss in
the process of attaining to Mastery.
9. The most
critical Sphere is that of Tiphareth (6), the Heart-Center ofthe
entire Tree, balanced both vertically and horizontally. It possesses
the most Paths of any Sphere (eight), and is the only direct link
from the lower worlds to the Highest, Kether. It represents the task
of the Adept Minor, and is the goal of all Outer Order Initiates,
though few will attain to it in this incarnation. Spiritually it
stands for one who has experienced an awakening of Heart against the
materialistic philosophies of mundane life.
10. Malkuth,
the final Sphere (10), represents the material world and is the
lowest crystallization of the energy of the Universe. Spiritually it
represents the naive materialistic viewpoint or philosophy. It is the
natural starting-place of all students of spirituality, and the
gateway to Initiation.