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Qliphoth - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Qliphoth

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Qliphoth/Qlippoth/Qelippot or Kelipot (Heb. , the different English spellings are used in the
alternative Cabalistic traditions[1] of Hermetic Qabalah and Jewish Kabbalah respectively), literally "Peels",
"Shells" or "Husks" (from singular: Qliphah/Kelipah "Husk"),[2] are the representation of evil or
impure spiritual forces in Jewish mysticism.[3] The realm of evil is also termed "Sitra Achra/Ahra"
(Aramaic , the "Other Side" opposite holiness) in Kabbalah texts.

Contents
1 In Jewish Kabbalah
2 Hermetic Qabalah magical views
2.1 Mathers' interpretation
2.2 Crowley, Regardie, and Heidrick
2.2.1 Thamiel
2.2.2 Chaigidel
2.2.3 Sathariel
2.2.4 Gamchicoth
2.2.5 Golachab
2.2.6 Thagirion
2.2.7 Harab Serapel
2.2.8 Samael
2.2.9 Gamaliel
2.2.10 Nehemoth
3 See also
4 Notes
5 References

In Jewish Kabbalah
In Jewish Kabbalistic cosmology, the Kelipot are metaphorical
"shells" surrounding holiness. They are spiritual obstacles receiving
their existence from God only in an external, rather than internal
manner. Divinity in Judaism connotes revelation of God's true unity,
while the shells conceal holiness, as a peel conceals the fruit within.
They are therefore synonymous with idolatry, the root of impurity
through ascribing false dualism in the Divine, and with the Sitra
Achra (" Other Side"), the perceived realm opposite to
holiness. They emerge in the descending Seder hishtalshelus (Chain of
Being) through Tzimtzum (contraction of the Divine Ohr), as part of
the purpose of Creation. In this they also have beneficial properties, as
peel protects the fruit, restraining the Divine flow from being
dissipated. Kabbalah distinguishes between two realms in Kelipot, the
completely impure and the intermediate.
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The Sephirot in Jewish Kabbalah

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Their four "concentric" terms are derived from Ezekiel's vision (1:4),
"And I looked and behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great
cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it..."[4]
The "Three Impure Kelipot" (completely Tamei "impure") are read in
the first three terms, the intermediate "Shining Kelipah" (Nogah
"brightness") is read in the fourth term, mediating as the first covering
directly surrounding holiness, and capable of sublimation. In medieval
Kabbalah, the Shekhinah is separated in Creation from the Sephirot by
man's sin, while in Lurianic Kabbalah Divinity is exiled in the Kelipot
from prior initial Catastrophe in Creation. This causes "Sparks of
Holiness" to be exiled in the Kelipot shells, Jewish Observance with
physical objects redeeming mundane Nogah, while the Three
Completely Impure Kelipot are elevated indirectly through Negative
prohibitions. Repentance out of Love retrospectively turns sin into
virtue, darkness into light. When all the sparks are freed from the
Kelipot, depriving them of their vitality, the Messianic era begins. In
Hasidic thought, the kabbalistic scheme of Kelipot is internalised in
psychological experience as self-focus, opposite to holy Deveikut selfnullification, underlying its Panentheistic Monistic view of Kelipot as
the illusionary self-awareness of Creation.

Category:Sephirot

Hermetic Qabalah magical views

In some non-Jewish Hermetic Qabalah, contact is sought with the Qliphoth unlike in the ethical-mystical
Jewish prohibition, as part of its process of human self-knowledge. In contrast, the theurgic Jewish Practical
Kabbalah was understood by its practitioners as similar to white magic, accessing only holiness, while the
danger in such venture of mixing impure Magic ensured it remained a minor and restricted practice in
Jewish history.

Mathers' interpretation
Christian Knorr von Rosenroth's Latin Kabbala denudata (1684) (translated The Kabbalah Unveiled by
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.[5]
In subsequent Hermetic teachings, the Qliphoth have tended, much like the sephirot, to be interpreted as
mystical worlds or entities, and merged with ideas derived from demonology.
In addition to this, there are seven "infernal habitations" (Tehom/Sheol, Abaddon, Be'er Shachat (

, "pit of corruption"), Tit ha-Yaven (

, "clinging mud"), Sha'arei Mavet (

, "gates of
death"), Tzalmavet (

, "shadow of death"), and Gehenna), twelve Qliphotic orders of demons, three

powers before Satan and twenty-two demons which correspond to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Crowley, Regardie, and Heidrick

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According to Aleister Crowley, the three evil forms (before Samael), are said to be Qemetial, Belial, and
Othiel.[6]
According to Israel Regardie, the "qlipothic tree" consists of 10 spheres in opposition to the sephirot on the
Tree of Life. These are also referred to as the evil twins. They are also the Evil Demons of Matter and
the Shells of the Dead.[7]
Bill Heidrick gives his own interpretation on the adverse tree, saying that the spellings are mostly
reconstructions with alternatives. Nonetheless, it is believed that the majority of the above are at least
suitable if not perfect. He also goes on to say that These names are sometimes called the 'adverse
Sephiroth' instead of the Demonic Orders. A. E. Waite makes this later point in his Holy Kabbalah, page
256.[8]
The following comes from the Notes on the Demonic Orders (Adverse Sephiroth) in Magical
Correspondences by Bill Heidrick.
Thamiel
Thamiel: Duality in God
Thamiel represents duality whereas Kether represents unity. Thus Thamiel is the division of that which is
perfect only in unity. As a demonic order name, the Thamiel were before their 'revolt'. This signifies
'Perfection of God'. These angels sought to become more powerful by adding an Aleph to their name. They
then became the 'Duality of God,' an order of the lesser demons. In the lowest state of their 'fall', they
become 'the Polluted of God.' The cortex or outer form of the Thamiel is called Cathariel, 'the Broken' or
'Fearful Light of God'.
Satan: Adversary
To Thamiel, there are two demons that are attributed to stress the view that the demonic opposite of Kether
is duality instead of unity and are Satan and Moloch or Malech.
Chaigidel
Chaigidel: Confusion of the Power of God
These are the confusion of that great power which, as Chokmah, goes forth at the beginning to give the
vital energy of creation to the processes of Binah. The cortex of the Chaigidel is called Ghogiel, 'Those Who
Go Forth into the Place Empty of God'.
Beelzebub: Lord of the Flies and Adam Belial: Wicker Man
To Chaigidel, both Satan and Beelzebub are attributed as well as Adam Belial. The name Belial is often
used separately as a demonic name.
Sathariel
Sathariel: Concealment of God
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Even as Binah is the great revealing one who bestows the structure of the Absolute onto the created, its
opposite, the Sathariel, conceal the nature of The Perfect. The cortex or outer form of the Sathariel is called
the order of Sheireil, 'The Hairy Ones of God'.
Lucifuge: One Who Flees Light
To Sathariel, Lucifuge is attributed and is probably a name made up to replace the name Lucifer, 'Light
Bearer'.
Gamchicoth
Gamchicoth: Devourers
Chesed is the source of bounty both in idea and in substance to the lower forms. Gamchicoth is the order of
'Devourers' who seek to waste the substance and thought of creation. The outer form is the order of Azariel,
'The Binding Ones of God'.
Astaroth: from the Flood
To Gamchicoth, Astaroth is attributed. This is the name of the goddess Astarte, the Ishtar of the
Babylonians and perhaps also the Isis of the Egyptians.
Golachab
Golachab: Burning Bodies
Geburah is a going forth in power to rule in strength. The order of Golab is composed of those who burn to
do destruction --- even on themselves. The outer form is Usiel, 'The Ruins of God'.
Asmodeus: The Destroying God or Samael the Black.
To Golachab, Asmodeus is attributed. This name is half Hebrew and half Latin. Asmodeus is often
mentioned in the literature of demonology. The name can also be translated as 'The one adorned with fire'.
Whom they call also Samael the Black.
Thagirion
Thagirion(n): Those Who Bellow Grief and Tears
Tiphereth is the place of great beauty and rejoicing. The Thagirion build ugliness and groan about it. The
cortex of the Thagirion is called Zomiel, 'The Revolt of God'.
Belphegor: Lord of the Dead
To Thagirion, the replacement of Tiphereth, the sphere of the vitalizing Sun, with a place holding
Belphegor, the lord of dead, is most striking.
Harab Serapel

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Harab Serapel: Ravens of the Burning of God

Netzach is the openness of natural love. The Harab Serapel are the Ravens of Death who reject even their
own. The outer form is Theumiel, 'The Fouled Substance of God'.
Baal: Lord and Tubal Cain: Maker of Sharp Weapons
To Harab Serapel, Baal is attributed, and is "a word which means Lord, much as Adonai means Lord. The
word Baal or 'Bel' has become restricted in its usage to signify a 'Lord of Darkness'. Also attributed is
Tubal Cain.
Samael
Samael: The Desolation of God, or The Left Hand
Hod is the complex working of the will of the Absolute. Samael represents the barren desolation of a fallen
and failed creation. The outer form is Theuniel, 'The filthy Wailing Ones of God'.
Adrammelech: Powerful King
To Samael, Adrammelech is attributed. This name is found in Fourth Kings: XVII, 29-31: ' And the men of
Babylon made Succoth-benoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,
and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt their children in the fire to
Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.
Gamaliel
Gamaliel: Polluted of God
Yesod is the place of the final forms that become matter in Malkuth. The Gamaliel are the Misshapen and
polluted images that produce vile results. The outer form is the order of Ogiel, 'those Who Flee from God'.
Lilith: Night Specter
To Gamaliel, Lilith is attributed and is the grand lady of all demons. The demons are sometimes considered
to be the children of Lilith and is said to be the woman who comes to men in their dreams.
Nehemoth
Nehemoth: Whisperers (or Night Specter)
These are responsible for frightening sounds in strange places. They excite the mind and cause strange
desires. This corresponds with Malkuth as well.
Nehema: Groaning
To Nehemoth, Nehema is attributed, and is traditionally a demon and the sister of Lilith, possibly a
remembrance of the Egyptian Nephthys and Isis. It is conceivable that Nehema is the same as Naamah, the
sister of Tubal Cain.
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See also
Fallen angel
Makif-External light
Satan
Shevirah-Shattering
Tumah and taharah
Yetzer hara

Notes
1. KABBALAH? CABALA? QABALAH?
(http://www.kabbalaonline.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/380679/jewish/KABBALAH-CABALAQABALAH.htm) from kabbalaonline.org
2. The Kabbalah or, The Religious Philosophy of the Hebrews Adolphe Franck translated by I. Sossnitz (1926):
Relation of The Kabbalah to Christianity page 279
3. The Book of Concealed Mystery translated by Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers
4. Ezekiel 1:4 (King James Version)
5. "The Kabbalah Unveiled: Greater Holy Assembly: Chapter XXVI: Concerning the Edomite Kings"
(http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/tku/tku34.htm). Sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
6. Liber 777 by Aleister Crowley
7. The Golden Dawn by Israel Regardie
8. Magical Correspondences by Bill Heidrick

References
The Early Kabbalah by Joseph Dan
Kabbalah by Gershom Scholem
Qabalah, Qliphoth and Goetic Magic by Thomas Karlsson ISBN 978-0-9721820-1-0
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Qliphoth&oldid=629141465"
Categories: Kabbalah Qliphoth Hermetic Qabalah Left-Hand Path Hebrew words and phrases
Kabbalistic words and phrases
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