Detailed questions on the Klippot
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@he atlas itch said
"1. Are not the Klippot very different from the Sitra Achra – the latter being definitely non-anthropomorphic and referring to destructive forces of older destroyed worlds while the Klippot still relate somehow to the universe of mankind?
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Are the Klippot energetic shards formed from the shattering of primordial Man, Adam Qadmon? (Rabbi Luria seems to suggest this...)
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Do the 10 Klippot correspond in any way to the demonic entities listed in the Goetia or Abramelin?
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If the Klippot are shards from the shattering of Adam Qadmon, does the adept’s act of swearing their allegiance to the HGA constitute a form of tikkun, a slow piecing back together of Adam Qadmon?
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Once the demons swear their allegiance to the HGA, do they change from being perceived as “evil” to “good”? (I''m very interested in the transformation that occurs via this act)"
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The Qliphoth, in my understanding, represent the force of a given Sephiroth that is out of balance, such as the extreme severity of Geburah when not balanced by Chesed or the passivity of the mercy of Chesed when not balanced by Geburah. It is important to keep in mind that the Tree of Life is a harmonious system. Also, the Qkiphoth are not merely the opposite of a given Sephera or it's flipside. The term Sitra Achra can be taken to mean many things, the other side of what?
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I suppose that would be the case if you are a Qabalist of the Lurianic school.
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No, the entities in the Goetia and the Abramelin are considered "infernals" and are from a much different cosmological structure than that of the Tree of Life. In the cosmology of many of the grimoires there are infernal, Terrestrial and Aerial spirits. The Tree of Life does not conform to this structure. That is not to say that you can't fit Goetic and Abramelin spirits onto a given part of the diagram somewhere somehow.
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I would certainly hope so yes, if that's your cosmology/qabalah.
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So far concerns the Law of Thelema, yes. A Christian magician may have other ideas.
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Sure. That can be one way of looking at it. And it has its merits from a practical viewpoint. Thus: to be able to expand the horizons from the limiting aspects of the Sephiras, the Qliphas is used. The descent into the Qliphas becomes a method of initiation.
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Indeed. Most of these entities are more closely connected to the Qliphas. Although some also provide initiation on how to use the Sephiras. Those that do not are quite dangerous to work with.
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@atlantis said
"3. Indeed. Most of these entities are more closely connected to the Qliphas. Although some also provide initiation on how to use the Sephiras. Those that do not are quite dangerous to work with."
My experience with spirits from the Goetia causes me to disagree about connecting them with the qliphot. I think that they are simply a very "low" order of spirits. Somewhere just above elementals, so much to say, that they(at least the ones I have dealt with) have a "self-awareness." I also feel think that their nature reflects the mind of the magician, if you see muck you get muck with this order. I have never had to threaten with punishment evoking these beings, probably because I did a lot of alchemical work to elevate myself MONTHS prior to the evocation, so naturally when I called them they responded as though their God had called (and he did!).
I confess I haven't worked with ALL of them but my experience tells me that it would not be to difficult to accomplish (although I don't see much reason to right now). According to Crowley some spirits only respond to curses, I think I gather what that means because a Goetic that I work with seems to only get the job done if I start to lose my temper (ie. lost packages, short paychecks, troubles at work etc.) then suddenly BANG! I get what I want and their seemed to be no reason to get upset in the first place
! (generally, this is followed by some sort of impulsive insane laughter) -
If you are not contacting them to make alliances, it can be quite wise to protect yourself in the way that works best. IE: if one is not working with the Left Hand Path.
These demons might seem quite un-initiatory in the beginning when one browse through their descriptions. But even the descriptions sometimes can be quite clear about the initiatory value of some of them, quite plainly. See for instance Paimon, a personal favorite.A demon which at face value seems to be about getting laid or making people undress is not only able to do such things; they often have a good understanding of sexuality, and can be great mentors in sexual alchemy - an example of the depth of these descriptions.
The Goetic demons can indeed do the described things for the magician - but I think you underestimate their power and their own interests.
For the adept of the Left Hand Path (by which I mean an adept who works with the Left hand aswell - not trying to subordinate it or shunning it) the Goetic entities are possible alliance partners - they can initiate the adept into many aspects of the trees.
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Please re-read what I wrote:
@TheSilent1 said
" ...I did a lot of alchemical work to elevate myself MONTHS prior to the evocation, so naturally when I called them they responded as though their God had called (and he did!). "
I initiated myself into their sphere at the highest level, then I brought the light down to them. The compact formed at that level was simple: "Aide me in my work, provide what I need to complete what I work (based upon the powers of the spirit), do so without deception and trickery, and perform all of these matters in accordance to the laws of Karma, etc.. do this and I as I elevate myself I will take you with me." (Or something like that, I think that pretty much sums up the idea.)
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The difference between working with them from a RHP perspective (which you seem to be doing) is that doing that means that you have already decided that the gnosis of the left emanations is to be stayed away from.
The AbraMelin is a good example of this. The idea that you are supposed to meet and subdue, definately not open up to and be initiatiated by, these forces.That is quite different than the Left Hand Path. Of course, these demons could be of aid for doing such things as finding a lost wallet as a small favor to you. But that is quite different than meeting these forces in a way where one does not try to sudbue them with for instance the sun of Tiphareth. The adept only climbing the tree of life and not receiving initiation into the tree of knowledge may have the idea that he is superior to these spirits and see them as insignificant. That is however not strange; what is outside of the horizon when you have the experience that the place where you are standing right now is important, what lies beyond the horizon is just not interesting.
I am not saying either is better. I am saying there is more to this particular cake than the first layer.
Ps: In just the same way as you on the street would pass by a secret chief and not notice it, maybe ask her to spare some change for your busticket and afterwards think: "Oh, everything runs so smoothly in my life."
Sure, the secret chief might help you with that, but that says nothing about what she might be able to do for you had you asked and been ready for something else.
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This nonsense about left hand path and right hand path and all that is a bit immature in my opinion. The magician rises straight up, straying neither right nor left. He stands with his feet in the deepest abyss and his head in the highest Heavens.
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I don't see how what I do is either right or left, it is merely a method. My point was simply that there is no evidence to support the spirits of the goetia as being qliphotic, and I also gave a formula by which to deal with them.
The simple fact that I have given something a purpose does not mean that I have subdued it, you are implying that:- the spirit has a will of it's own [which may or may not be true/if true then it's will would certainly be in line with god of it's sphere]
- that I have somehow through force or what not I have made it go against it's will which is NOT THELEMA! [which tells me you don't even see the elegance of the system that I have outlined]
If you feel the need to color techniques as black or white or right or left, well that is your limited paradigm. Honestly, I can't see how you can possibly see the light from the muck of the sewers, but to each their own.
@AEternitas1 said
"This nonsense about left hand path and right hand path and all that is a bit immature in my opinion. The magician rises straight up, straying neither right nor left. He stands with his feet in the deepest abyss and his head in the highest Heavens."
You are absolutely right, and that is what I am trying to say without saying it.
*edit for typo and spacing to be more readible
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I also disagree with the stance that basically says if you approach and deal with a spirit in this fashion it is left hand path and in that fashion it is right hand path which is usually followed by the assertion from either party that by focusing on one path they deny the other which is in itself ironic. I remember a similar way of thinking in which making left hand turns and circumambulations was said to refer to the left hand path, while right hand deosil movements were right hand path which isn't necessarily the case.
TO deal with the spirits in one fasion may be true at one level of initiation while a completely different approach may be called for in another. The actions of the magician and their intentions will determine right hand from left hand path or what have you, how one interacts with a spirit during evocation or which way they turn in a ceremony won't decide that. -
I'm a follower of the Right Hand Doesn't Know what the Left Hand's Doing path.
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"This nonsense about left hand path and right hand path and all that is a bit immature in my opinion. The magician rises straight up, straying neither right nor left. He stands with his feet in the deepest abyss and his head in the highest Heavens."
I'm not here to stir up a hornet's nest, but I wouldn't feel right if I didn't post this. It may be that it is a bit immature to chide another honest seeker's efforts, their work and their paradigm, etc. I have no idea what is right or wrong here, but I think the above quote was rude and un-Thelemic. The work of order such as Dragon Rouge might not be for me, but it certainly isn't immature or insignificant.
Also, it might be that a purely mystical path would lead one straight up the tree without straying, but that a magicians path (at least a magician of the A.'.A.'.) necessarily takes detours from the middle pillar, for are not "the Practicus and Philosophus ... counseled in Liber 185 not to attempt to withdraw from (the order)," but that they "persevere at least to the point of equilibrating themselves, again on the middle pilllar"? Indeed it may be that the concept of standing not only with one's head in the heavens and ones feet in the abyss includes straying at times from the middle pillar.
"I'm a follower of the Right Hand Doesn't Know what the Left Hand's Doing path."
Question- if we don't know what the Left Hand Path is about, how can we know why we are followers of the RHP, and avoid the age old trap of blind dogma?
93 93/93
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hello again. i first developed an interest in qliphotic meanderings a few years ago when i realized, or noticed, that in my own personal experience, the greatest instances of personal growth and self improvement had occurred after and/or seemingly in response to the greatest trials i have faced in life, trials which upon inspection appear to be related to encounters with the darkest ugliest evasive parts of my own nature.
in some traditions typhon and/or set are considered, much like harpocrates, as aspects of horus. in my opinion my spiritual and more "religious" attitudes began to align more with this darker aspect of godhead while remaining purely thelemic. in any case i go on.
but my question is this: am i kidding myself, or simply mistaken, or somehow deceived, etc, as to what is percolating in my head? if the qliphoth are forms, outdated, overused, and no longer useful, what, if anything can they teach us? if qliphoth are no loner useful, why do we even mark their existence? after all we create nothing that is not god (UNTO NU HALLELUIA), so why not create existence without qliphoth? if the qliphoth are not longer useful, then they can't offer any initiation thats worthwhile, or can they? and if so, or if not, what delusions are we under to seek any new understanding from them?
if nothing else i think we can agree that this thread has been going in an attempt to gain more understanding about "them," i.e us.
93 93/93.
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2. Are the Klippot energetic shards formed from the shattering of primordial Man, Adam Qadmon? (Rabbi Luria seems to suggest this...)That's a nice legend; but, even if I said a decisive "Yes," would that tell us anything useful? I think not.
- If the Klippot are shards from the shattering of Adam Qadmon, does the adept’s act of swearing their allegiance to the HGA constitute a form of tikkun, a slow piecing back together of Adam Qadmon?"
I'm not sure how your response to the question above is followed by point four. If it is not useful to give a decisive answer, even from a personal point of view, then what is the purpose of raising the question in point four which can also be defined as a 'legend'? To put it more generally, how can we, as students of the 'mysteries' for want of a better word, talk usefully of such things? Kabbalists argue that they do not name that which they have not experienced, yet themselves have to use attributions that are often interpreted physically or corporeally, which
is to transgress one of the fundamental tenets of Kabbalah. For example, the Baal Shem Tov said that he who
says that there is another power in the world, namely Klipot(shells) is in a state of "serving other gods". It is not necessarily the thought of heresy that is the transgression, but if he thinks there is another authority and force apart from the Creator, by that he is committing a transgression.This may, in part, answer your question raised in point five, which is something that interests me deeply.
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@AEternitas1 said
"This nonsense about left hand path and right hand path and all that is a bit immature in my opinion. The magician rises straight up, straying neither right nor left. He stands with his feet in the deepest abyss and his head in the highest Heavens."
Well, certainly not all magicians do. There are those which when they feel the hellfire under their feet try to banish it. The reason why I talk about the Left Hand Path (which is a classic concept of tantra) is that it points to the possibility of not only working with the Right hand. Grant makes it quite clear that Crowley worked with the Left Hand Path, even though he seldom wrote about the dark mysteries. Liber 333 and 231 are quite qliphothic though!
@TheSilent1 said
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I don't see how what I do is either right or left, it is merely a method. My point was simply that there is no evidence to support the spirits of the goetia as being qliphotic, and I also gave a formula by which to deal with them. The simple fact that I have given something a purpose does not mean that I have subdued it, you are implying that:- the spirit has a will of it's own [which may or may not be true/if true then it's will would certainly be in line with god of it's sphere]
- that I have somehow through force or what not I have made it go against it's will which is NOT THELEMA! [which tells me you don't even see the elegance of the system that I have outlined]
If you feel the need to color techniques as black or white or right or left, well that is your limited paradigm. Honestly, I can't see how you can possibly see the light from the muck of the sewers, but to each their own.
"This seems to become a discussion of vocabularly. Something I quite uninterested in. Yes, through mine and alot of my friends research in goetic magic I think it is quite clear that these entities (as I mainly prefer to call them) have will and some of them are interested in aiding the adept in the initiatory work. I can only make a very simple evaluation of what you describe and notice they they seem to be quite close to what I see from people that work with the goetic entities in a way that could be more beneficial from an initiatory perspective: where the central theme is the building up of alliances with them so that they can guide the adept into the Qliphothic mysteries.
I see nothing "wrong" in approaching the spirits of the goetia from the perspective that they can help with mundane things.
I also see nothing "wrong" in the concept of shutting out and banishing the darkness. I just note that there is a possibility of doing something else. This is generally called the Left Hand Path. There is no moral or idea of higher/better, lower/not good in this. Just like I would call a chair a chair and a table a table or talk about a "thai" or "mexican" kind of food. This makes discussions easier generally. Of course there are nuances. We live in a global world after all filled of individuals. Some people like to label what they do as "Thelema", for different reasons. I mainly agree with Crowleys relation to words that he describes in Liber 333. -
Atlantis wrote:
"Well, certainly not all magicians do. There are those which when they feel the hellfire under their feet try to banish it. The reason why I talk about the Left Hand Path (which is a classic concept of tantra) is that it points to the possibility of not only working with the Right hand. Grant makes it quite clear that Crowley worked with the Left Hand Path, even though he seldom wrote about the dark mysteries. Liber 333 and 231 are quite qliphothic though! "
The point is that all magical working is essentially involves klipot until the ego is completely transecended. The irony is that many would-be magicians seek initiation into the very sphere they already operate in and it is unikely that very few make it out of that domain.
The LHP is to be found in tantra, but is represents a very small part of the vast corpus of tantric material in classical Indian philosophy. -
@Atzil said
"The point is that all magical working is essentially involves klipot until the ego is completely transecended."
That's ridiculous. (Also, simply not true.)
I'm curious: At what grade (or other way of characterizing level) are you suggesting that "complete transcendance" of the ego occurs?
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Jim said
"That's ridiculous. (Also, simply not true.)"
I don't think you have really thought this through. It's a question of which viewpoint you take. Look through your previous posts on the Sitra Achra. Before you can say something is ridiculous, you need to qualify.
I don't think, with all due respect, that you are in a position to unconditionally state what is true or not true, except for yourself, which may be true or not true
I'm not interested in kintergarden philosophy on forums. I am interested in serious discussion however. I am interested in why you think it is 'ridiculous' according to your point-of-view.
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@Atzil said
"Jim said
"That's ridiculous. (Also, simply not true.)"I don't think you have really thought this through. It's a question of which viewpoint you take. Look through your previous posts on the Sitra Achra. Before you can say something is ridiculous, you need to qualify.
I don't think, with all due respect, that you are in a position to unconditionally state what is true or not true, except for yourself, which may be true or not true "The original statement, to which I responded, used the word "all." It allowed no room for exceptions or variances.
I did, nonetheless, try to further the conversation by asking for the definition or clarification of a critical phrase in the statement. Until that appears, there's no way to evaluate further.
"I'm not interested in kintergarden philosophy on forums. I am interested in serious discussion however. I am interested in why you think it is 'ridiculous' according to your point-of-view."
Roughly the same reason that I would think it ridiculous if somebody wrote "all automobiles run on Coca Cola." (1) It simply isn't true, (2) it's observably not true, and (3) even if we were to make allowances for some exceptions, then the word "all" removes that option.
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"The point is that all magical working is essentially involves klipot until the ego is completely transecended. The irony is that many would-be magicians seek initiation into the very sphere they already operate in and it is unikely that very few make it out of that domain."
Sure, the Qliphoth is great in breaking down the Sephirothic ego-complex. That is one of the main results of using the first levels of the Qliphoth. After the ego is done with one proceeds with other mysteries, such as those related to the infinite life, kaivalya and so on.
I agree with that many magicians get stuck in their initiation. That is why it is good to work with a real *initiatory *Order that knows how to handle the alchemical process."The LHP is to be found in tantra, but is represents a very small part of the vast corpus of tantric material in classical Indian philosophy."
Tantra is not limited to "classical Indian philosophy" whatever that might mean. I am not so knowledgeable about indian tantra. My focus has been different buddhist variants of left hand path tantra.
But as far as I have understood, the vamachara tantras are quite many (whatever that has to do with anything).
Today the word Left Hand Path in the west is used as a meta-tradition, where tantra is one part. Sadly, the word has a problematic history of misconceptions surrounding it. Blavatsky, LaVey, Crowley and some others have added their share of misconceptions. But others, such as Grant and Karlsson have pointed the word back to its real current. -
Jim wrote:
"The original statement, to which I responded, used the word "all." It allowed no room for exceptions or variances."
True. Im not sure any other quantifier, such as 'some', 'most of' etc would help either. I generally define magic as operating within the sphere of development towards complete transcendence of the ego, after which I wouldnt call it magic personally. I was not suggesting that all forces that are available during this process are egoistical, but rather that as long as the ego is intact to some degree, the klipot still operate, though their hold is more subtle and
weakened.
As with the concept of Adeptship and many other abstract concepts, including grades, I do not define thresholds. Some would say the grade of 8=3, AA Bailey says the 4th Initiation etc. In my experience, which includes initiations in GD related bodies and outside, the external grade rarely reflects the inner attainment.
Ultimately, only our personal experience teaches us according to my experience. I do think that if you are going to use kabbalistic concepts such as klipot, sitra achra etc, one needs to understand the origin of these terms. The GD and those that followed were in the habit of taking, translating(often inaccurately, due to limited knowledge and availability of first-hand materials) from Jewish texts and usually putting their own interpretation on them. And this is where, rightly or wrongly, I believe the danger lies. Kaplan once suggested that the comparison and evaluation of traditional Kabbalah and the hermetic/christian kabbalah might prove a useful area of research. I am inclined to agree, given the lack of insight into this subject displayed by so many initiates, particularly in the
GD derived bodies, many of whom I know personally across all 'grades'.
I am interested to know where you put the grade or threshold and whether you think that is subject to revision?I am interested in constructive and intelligent dialogue, not merely dismissive statements. We are all students after all