K
We currently have 3 entries that begin with this letter.
From the Hebrew word QBL meaning 'an oral tradition', the
esoteric and mystical division of Judaism. The Kabbalah presents a
symbolic explanation of the origin of the universe, the relationship
of human beings to the Godhead, and an emanationist approach to
creation whereby the Infinite Light (AIN SOPH AUR) manifests
through different SEPHIROTH on the TREE OF LIFE. Although the central
book of the Kabbalah, the ZOHAR, was not written down until around
1280 -- probably by MOSES de LEON -- the Kabbalah has spiritual links
with GNOSTICISM and other early mystical cosmologies.
In the Kabbalah, all manifestations are said to have their origin
in the AIN SOPH AUR and the successive emanations of the Godhead reveal
aspects of his divine nature. The system is thus monotheistic in
essence, but allows for the tenfold structure of the sephiroth
upon the tree of life. The emanations as they proceed down from the
Godhead to the manifested world, are:
KETHER (The Crown);CHOKMAH(Wisdom); BINAH(Understanding);CHESED(Mercy)
GEBURAH(Power);TIPHARETH(Beauty & Harmony);NETZACH(Victory);
HOD(Splendor);YESOD(Foundation);MALKUTH(The Kingdom)
Occultists in the HERMETIC ORDER OF THE GOLDEN DAWN use the Kabbalistic
Tree of Life as a matrix or Grid for comparing the Archetypal images of
different mythologies that could be adapted to Ceremonial Magic.
For example, the merciful father (Chesed) has parallels in other
pantheons, namely ODIN (Scandinavia); ZEUS(Greece);JUPITER(Rome);
and RA(Egypt). This system of comparison became known as
MYTHOLOGICAL CORRESPONDENCES. It has become common in the occult
tradition to link the ten sephiroth of the Tree of Life with the
22 cards of the MAJOR ARCANA of the TAROT.
The belief that one's thoughts and deeds can be either counted against them or added
to their spiritual path during several life times. In Sanskirt it means "action." Follow the law of
cause and effect.
Reincarnation is the after-death return of the soul to another physical life.
In Hunduism and Buddhism, karma consists of the thoughts and actions taken in life which will determine the circumstances of subsequent reincarnations.