Chakra Systems
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Hi there,
I would like to know what chakra systems people are using, especially if Temple of Thelema uses a system of chakras. What element and planetary correspondences are used? Is the chakra system considered an important or major part of the system?
How is the chakra system reconciled (or incorporated) with a qabalistic system (especially the planetary correspondences)?
Thanks!
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@JNV33 said
"I would like to know what chakra systems people are using, especially if Temple of Thelema uses a system of chakras. What element and planetary correspondences are used? Is the chakra system considered an important or major part of the system?
How is the chakra system reconciled (or incorporated) with a qabalistic system (especially the planetary correspondences)? "
There are numerous models and theories of how to discuss this. I gave several of these in sort of a composite in a table in 776 1/2 back in 1995.
But, most simply, we use two traditional methods, both of which have roots in the East, and which, together, basically define the whole traditional (GD-style) Qabalistic model. I'll leave you to work out the formula yourself, but here are the basic points.
Correspondence to Elements: From bottom up, the chakras correspond to Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Akasha (Spirit). (It seems functional to attribute the top three to a three-fold expression of Spirit, though that's technically a variant on the traditional attributions.)
Correspondence to Planets: From bottom up, Saturn, Mars, Jupiter, Sun, Venus, Moon, Mercury. (Notice that this is the exact pattern of the Double Letters except that the Sun is out of sequence - which, actually, is a necessary part of the system.)
The chakra system is considered a major part of the system in that the whole architecture of the system is based on it.
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I'm just beginning to read about chakras in detail, having focused mainly on the tree of life up till now, so I guess I have some work to do! Book suggestions are welcome.
I recently picked up "Wheels of Life: A User's Guide to the Chakra System" by Anodea Judith. It doesn't have the same planetary correspondences (which spurred this thread) but seems decent.
The planetary correspondences and how they mesh with the tree I do find confusing. It's discussed a bit here:
www.polarissite.net/TOL/Chakras.html"The chakra system is considered a major part of the system in that the whole architecture of the system is based on it."
I'm not sure what you mean here - Is Jewish kabbalah based on Eastern chakra systems?
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@JNV33 said
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"The chakra system is considered a major part of the system in that the whole architecture of the system is based on it."I'm not sure what you mean here - Is Jewish kabbalah based on Eastern chakra systems?"
Not per se, though it does articulate the same essential esoteric elements.
I can't say much more without essentially saying everything. Let's try this: You're looking at roots and history, but I'm talking about how it works, and what is unlocked (in what way and with what consequences) when one moves through the system.
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Sorry for bumping an old post.
Can someone please explain how the chakra system relates to the Sephiroths on the tree of life - if at all?
When preforming the Middle Pillar ritual, we make vibrate divine names of certain spheres that correspond with parts of our body. Some of these overlap with the chakras, some don't.
Should these two systems simply be kept separate?
Also, in the chakra system there is a "Void" surrounding Swadishthan & Nabhi. It is also called the Ocean of Illusion and apparently needs to be crossed with a spiritual guide.
How does this correlate to Crossing the Abyss in crowley's system? They sound very similar, but seem to happen at very different times. Crossing the Abyss is after K&C of HGA, which is well into a magicians career. -
V, 93,
The simplest way to look at it is to recognize the two systems as separate but parallel. Malkuth and the Muladhara can be equated, as can Tiphereth and the Anahatta, or Kether and the Sahasrara. But the chakras are, in practical terms, equated to connecting paths on the Tree, not to the sephiroth.
It's also important to remember that the chakras are positioned up the spinal column, from coccyx to the fore-brain. The sephiroth are usually seen as being in the frontal part of the body.
I'm not really familiar with the void surrounding the Svadisthana and Nabi, though working both the path of Tav and the path of Samekh normally represent extended periods of crisis of attainment for the aspirant, and they would correlate to this section of the chakras. The Abyss, being higher up the Tree, is not related to chakras in and around this void at all. People make a big fuss over the Abyss, something few of us will ever approach. Tav and Samekh, however, both mark significant stages in growth towards Adepthood, and the ordeals of these steps are much more likely to be encountered by most aspirants.
93 93/93,
Edward
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"":2eh7dv1p]When preforming the Middle Pillar ritual, we make vibrate divine names of certain spheres that correspond with parts of our body. Some of these overlap with the chakras, some don't.
Should these two systems simply be kept separate?."
I was taught -- and I've found this a useful way to think about it -- that the chakras are closely connected to the physical body (or the almost physical "etheric" body), while the spheres in the Middle Pillar exercise are in the astral. That's why they don't quite coincide.