Qliphoth

In the '' Zohar'', Lurianic Kabbalah, and Hermetic Qabalah, the ''qlippoth'' (, originally , plural of ''qəlippā''; literally "peels", "shells", or "husks"), are the representation of evil or impure spiritual forces in Jewish mysticism, the opposites of the sefirot. The realm of evil is called ''Sitra Achra'' () in Kabbalistic texts.

In the Zohar

The qlippoth are first mentioned in the '' Zohar'', where they are described as being created by God to function as a nutshell for holiness. The text subsequently relays an esoteric interpretation of the text of Genesis creation narrative in Genesis 1:14, which describes God creating the moon and sun to act as "luminaries" in the sky. The verse "Let there be luminaries ( ''məʾoroṯ'')," uses a defective spelling of the Hebrew plural form for "luminous body, light source" (), resulting in a written form identical to the Hebrew word for "curses." In the context of the ''Zohar'', interpreting the verse as calling the moon and sun "curses" is given mystic significance, personified by a description of the moon descending into the realm of Beri'ah, where it began to belittle itself and dim its light, both physically and spiritually. The resulting darkness gave birth to the qlippoth. Reflecting this, they are thenceforth generally synonymous with "darkness" itself.

Later, the ''Zohar'' gives specific names to some of the qlippoth, relaying them as counterparts to certain sephirot: Mashhith () to Chesed, Af () to Gevurah, and Hema () to Tiferet. It also names Avon (), Tohu (), Bohu (), Esh (), and Tehom (), but does not relate them to any corresponding sefirot. Although the ''Zohar'' clarifies that each sefira and qlippa is 1:1, even with equivalent partzufim, it does not give all their names.

In Hermetic Qabalah

Mathers' interpretation

Christian Knorr von Rosenroth's Latin ''Kabbala denudata'' (1684) (translated ''The Kabbalah Unveiled'' by Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers) equates these forces with the Kings of Edom and also offers the suggestion they are the result of an imbalance towards Gedulah, the Pillar of Mercy or the merciful aspect of God, and have since been destroyed. In subsequent Hermetic teachings, the qlippoth have tended, much like the sefiroth, to be interpreted as mystical worlds or entities, and merged with ideas derived from demonology.

In most descriptions, there are seven divisions of Hell:
# Sheol or Tehom "the Deeps"
# Abaddon "Doom" or Tzoah Rotachat "Boiling excrement"
#'Well of Corruption or Mashhith "destroyer"
# Cistern of Noise () or "Sticky Mud/Filth" ()
# Silence or Gates of Death ()
# Oblivion () or Shadow of Death ()
# Lowest Earth ()
There are also twelve qlippothic orders of demons, three powers before Satan, and twenty-two demons which correspond to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Regardie and Crowley

According to Aleister Crowley, the three evil forms (before Samael), are said to be Qemetial, Belial, and Othiel.

Crowley (who calls them "Orders of Qliphoth") and Israel Regardie list the qlippoth and their associated sephiroth on the tree of life as:

#Thaumiel, associated with Kether
#Ghogiel, associated with Chokmah
# Satariel, associated with Binah
#Agshekeloh, associated with Chesed
#Golohab, associated with Geburah
#Tagiriron, associated with Tiphareth
#Gharab Tzerek, associated with Netzach
# Samael, associated with Hod
#Gamaliel, associated with Yesod
# Lilith, associated with Malkuth.

Kenneth Grant

Kenneth Grant, founder of the Typhonian Order, provided extensive teachings on the qlippoth. Grant emphasized the importance of understanding and integrating these darker aspects for a holistic spiritual perspective. In ''Nightside of Eden'', Grant explores the Tunnels of Set, pathways corresponding to the Qlippothic Tree. These tunnels symbolize hidden paths filled with transformative energies beneath the surface of consciousness. Traversing these tunnels involves confronting and integrating darker aspects of the psyche and the universe, which Grant views as crucial for spiritual development. Grant advocated for balancing light and dark forces, believing that engaging with Qlippothic energies can lead to significant spiritual growth. He often linked the Qlippoth to sex magic and Tantric practices, suggesting these could harness primal energies for transformation. Grant suggested that H. P. Lovecraft's description of Yog-Sothoth as a conglomeration of "malignant globes" may have been inspired by the Qlippoth, part of his view that Qlippothic forces are integral to ancient and contemporary esoteric thought.

See also

* Fallen angel
* Goetia
* ''Tohu'' and ''Tikun''
* '' Yetzer hara''

References

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Further reading

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External links

On the Nature of the Qlippoth


Kabbalah
Hermetic Qabalah
Left-Hand Path
Kabbalistic words and phrases