Tree of Life- Averse Reflection

Jim Eshelman

"So how would a Thelemite refer to the averse reflection of the Tree of life? What is the correct term? would tree of the Qlipoth be correct or tree of evil as I saw written in a book? (can't remember which one)"

It's not a Thelemic issue. It's a Qabbalistic terminology issue, neither inherently Thelemic or un-Thelemic.

As Takamba said, you can just call them the Q'lippoth. The "Tree" idea is just one way of modeling it. You can equally think of a mirrored tree reflected downward from Malkuth, or a dense layer (what I sometimes jokingly call the Fifth World, or World Minus-1) of the Four World stack, or other ways.

Freya

Thank you Jim So for example, Hod corresponds to Archangel Michael, in the Q'lippoth to Samael and false accusers. Would this be correct?

Jim Eshelman

@Freya said

"Thank you Jim So for example, Hod corresponds to Archangel Michael, in the Q'lippoth to Samael and false accusers. Would this be correct?"

Exactly.

It's the way the tables are laid out in 776 1/2.

Freya

I must get the book, it's on my wishlist.
The book by Dragon Rouge describes Samael as the one who tempts with knowledge. This is quite different from "false accusers" which one is correct?

Jim Eshelman

@Freya said

"I must get the book, it's on my wishlist.
The book by Dragon Rouge describes Samael as the one who tempts with knowledge. This is quite different from "false accusers" which one is correct?"

"False accuser" is a title, not a translation. The basic idea is a distortion, degradation, and reactive-defensive misapplication of Mercury ideas.

For a literal translation, sm- refers to a category of poisons, drugs, and other related chemicals. I like to call Samael (SMAL) "God's Dope." There is significant reason to believe, though, that a lot of the ideas related to Samael are concatenations of Mars ideas, caused by confusing the name with Zamael (ZMAL), the Angel of Mars.

Frater 639

@Jim Eshelman said

"
@Freya said
"So how would a Thelemite refer to the averse reflection of the Tree of life? What is the correct term? would tree of the Qlipoth be correct or tree of evil as I saw written in a book? (can't remember which one)"

It's not a Thelemic issue. It's a Qabbalistic terminology issue, neither inherently Thelemic or un-Thelemic.

As Takamba said, you can just call them the Q'lippoth. The "Tree" idea is just one way of modeling it. You can equally think of a mirrored tree reflected downward from Malkuth, or a dense layer (what I sometimes jokingly call the Fifth World, or World Minus-1) of the Four World stack, or other ways."

As far as the averse diagram, I agree with Jim - this is just merely one way of looking at the Qlippoth. I looked at it and I was very meh about it. There are many ways to look at the Qlippoth...

Another (and definitely related to the A.'.A.'.) way of looking at it would be contained in the Class A Document Liber CCXXXI, which includes the Genii of the Carcer and of the Dome - the plates/sigils in Liber XXII. The Carcer (Prison) shows the Qlippoth Genii as they relate to the 22 paths, as well as the Genii of the Dome (House) of Mercury.

Evoking these Qlippothic entities are part and parcel to tests related to the mastery of the Astral Plane in the A.'.A.'. System. Also, they aren't so bad and they sure do have a lot of knowledge.

Freya

This gives me food for thought........ Jim, when you mentioned angel of mars and the distortion of mercury ideas, I suddenly thought: would working with the corresponding planetary angel helps someone with an afflicted mercury or mars, someone who displays the destructive influences of Samael? Would this help or is it best left alone?

Jim Eshelman

Yes, that's one traditional approach.

Remember that "working with the angel" means starting with the Divine Name and working down. What you are doing, in effect, is taking ownership of the principle, identifying yourself more closely with it, etc.

Freya

Thank you Jim... do you believe that planetary angels have their corresponding planetary elementals, like a planetary fairy for example? I read this concept in a book, but I have never come across it before. It would make sense that above mirrors below, but maybe not with this one

Jim Eshelman

@Freya said

"Thank you Jim... do you believe that planetary angels have their corresponding planetary elementals, like a planetary fairy for example? I read this concept in a book, but I have never come across it before. It would make sense that above mirrors below, but maybe not with this one"

"Elementals" isn't the usual word. (It's correct in the dictionary sense, just not the usual magical sense.) Each of the planetary hierarchies has a Choir of Angels this is its primary Yetziratic expression. These can be directed solely on the authority of the God and Archangel, but technically the Angel stands at their head as the immediate emissary of the Archangel.

If you aren't familiar with this structure, you need to learn it before jumping in. I give all the tables, plus examples of different types of work, in 776 1/2, so you might want to check it out. (Other books also go through this, of course - those of Denning & Phillips are especially excellent.)

Freya

If i understand correctly, the god you mention is the head-god of the specific sphere, not god intended as the Godhead as such?
This principle would work also with the Qlipoth...

Freya

Has Da'at its equivalent in the qlipoth tree?

Jim Eshelman

@Freya said

"Has Da'at its equivalent in the qlipoth tree?"

Yes. There is a Golden Dawn speech that discusses the 10 s'fiyroth of the normal Tree in contrast to the 11 q'lippoth of the averse Tree.

Freya

Thank you Jim, do you know where I can read it? I would really like to know more about it. I also can't seem to find an angelic correspondence for da'at....

Jim Eshelman

@Freya said

"Thank you Jim, do you know where I can read it? I would really like to know more about it. I also can't seem to find an angelic correspondence for da'at...."

Read through the Golden Dawn rituals as published (e.g., in Regardie's books). I'd have to dig to remind myself exactly where it is. - It's only a flitting reference, must enough to give the visual representation.

EDIT - Ah, found it in a couple of minutes. It's in the 4=7 "Fall" speech. Here's the main passage.

"And because in DA'ATH was the utmost rise of the Great Serpent of Evil, therefore is there as it were, another Sephirah, making eight heads according to the number of the eight Kings. And for the Infernal and Averse Sephiroth, eleven instead of ten, according to the number of the Dukes of Edom. And hence were the Rivers of Eden desecrated, and from the mouth of the Dragon rushed the Infernal Waters in DA'ATH."

Freya

Thank you SO much!!!!