The Tree of Life consists of ten Sephira, energetic spheres that Kabbalists say contain different emanations of God. Pathworking is believed to access the energy of these emanations via visualization, enhancing spiritual growth.
Use of Major Arcana and Hebrew Letters in Pathworking
There are 32 paths, the first ten consisting of the Sephira themselves. The remaining 22 are the "paths" that a pathworker "travels" to connect with the higher self (also called the Holy Guardian Angel) and to the Divine.
Each path is associated with one of the Major Arcana of the Tarot and one of the Hebrew letters. The particular Major Arcana card that goes with a path is used as a visual tool to help enter into the meditation. It is also thought to contain archetypal images that evoke the energy needed to complete the journey. The Hebrew letters are believed to have been used by God as tools for creation. They are seen as portals to each path, containing elements of divine energy.
Setting Goals and Creating the Proper Environment for Pathworking
The pathworker sets a goal to be illuminated. Deciding on this goal should not be done quickly, but after a period of introspection and prayer. The purpose is for the greatest good to evolve on both a personal and universal level.
Before beginning, the pathworker readies the space for meditation. This is done by using colors, plants, gems and other correspondences associated with the particular path that is to be explored. Working with correspondences on a material and psychic level is considered the most important element of Pathworking.
A pathworker may choose guided meditation, led by someone else usually in a group, or to work independently, allowing the subconscious to guide the visualization. The Holy Guardian Angel is summoned as a guide, and the Hebrew name of God associated with the Sephiroth of origin is chanted. The Bible has 72 names for God. Each path has at least one corresponding divine name for the Sephiroth the pathworker begins with and another for the destination. It is believed that the vibrations of the name create a state in which the subconscious becomes open to the reservoir of divine energy.
Sequence of Pathworking
It is suggested that the work begins on the 32nd path that links the Sephiroth of Malkuth to Yesod (Earth to Foundation), as these are the ones that link closest to the material world. As work is done on the Tree of Life, and the higher one "climbs," the energy encountered is believed to become more spiritual, until the Supernal Triangle is encountered. The Supernal Triangle is where the aspects of God are believed to transcend thought.
A temple with two pillars that guard the entrance is visualized. The Major Aracana card is seen on one of the pillars and the Hebrew letter on the other. The pathworker then waits with the Holy Guardian Angel for a guide to come from the temple to lead the journey. It's believed this guide is created via the vibrations caused by chanting the God name of the Sephiroth. If the guide does not represent the divine energy of the sphere, it's said that it should be dismissed and another guide summoned.
- Paths 32 through 30 are seen as steps in initiation.
- Paths 29 through 27 explore personality.
- Paths 26 through 24 explore the differences between materialism and spirituality.
- Paths 23 through 19 explore the qualities of higher spirituality.
- Paths 18 through 14 view ways to transition to the Supernal Triangle, crossing the Abyss.
- Paths 13 through 11 consist of the highest and most abstract qualities of God.
What to Consider While Doing Pathwork
According to Alex Sumner in his essay, Path-working on the Qabalistic Tree of Life, during the visualization, the pathworker constantly considers the meaning of the scene, objects, and individuals who are encountered. How do they relate to the path's correspondences? How do they relate to each other? How do they connect with the magical powers, or phenomenon of the path? An example of a magical power would be "visions of destiny" for Path 32.
The pathworker asks what knowledge is needed to use these powers. Finally, the pathworker asks what is needed to be done to change from the mode of consciousness associated with the first Sephiroth to be able to step into the next. Once this is realized, it is time to close the mediation by refocusing on the Major Arcana card until normal consciousness returns.
Sources:
Inner.org, Kabbalah, Harav Yitzchak Ginsburgh, Retrieved July 5, 2010.
Nick-Farrel'sBlogspot.com, Nick Farrel, Golden Dawn Spirit Vision Over Pathworking. Retrieved July 7, 2010.
Sorar A. L., Archetypes on the Tree: Teachings of the Paul Foster Case Tarot, The Raphael Group, Berkeley, 2009.
WMP.org, Alex Sumner, Pathworking on the Qabalistic Tree of Life, Retrieved July 6, 2010.
Alethea Eason - Alethea Eason is a writer, teacher and free-lance editor. Hungry, her humorous middle grade science fiction novel was published by ...
