The 10 Sephiroth

The Ten Sephiroth

The Kabbalistic Tree of Life is a mystical diagram used in Jewish Kabbalah, which represents the structure of the universe and the different levels of reality. The Tree of Life is composed of ten sephiroth, or spheres, which are interconnected by paths, and each sephirah represents a different aspect of the divine emanation.

The ten sephiroth are divided into three pillars: the Pillar of Mercy, the Pillar of Severity, and the Middle Pillar. The Pillar of Mercy represents the qualities of mercy and compassion, while the Pillar of Severity represents the qualities of justice and severity. The Middle Pillar represents balance and harmony.

The Three Pillars

In addition to the ten sephiroth, the Kabbalistic Tree of Life is also divided into three pillars, each of which represents different aspects of the divine manifestation and the balance of opposing forces in the universe.

The Pillar of Mercy

The Pillar of Mercy is located on the right-hand side of the Tree of Life, and is associated with the qualities of compassion, benevolence, and forgiveness. It represents the positive, creative aspect of the divine, and is often associated with the Hebrew letter Shin. The sephiroth on the Pillar of Mercy include Keter, Chokmah, Chesed, Netzach, and Hod. In Freemasonry, this could be equated to the Ionic column.

The Pillar of Severity

The Pillar of Severity is located on the left-hand side of the Tree of Life, and is associated with the qualities of discipline, judgement, and justice. It represents the negative, destructive aspect of the divine, and is often associated with the Hebrew letter Aleph. The sephiroth on the Pillar of Severity include Keter, Binah, Geburah, Netzach, and Hod. In Freemasonry, this could be equated to the Doric column.

The Middle Pillar

The Middle Pillar is located in the centre of the Tree of Life and represents the balance and harmony between the Pillar of Mercy and the Pillar of Severity. It is associated with the qualities of equilibrium, healing, and wholeness, and is often associated with the Hebrew letter Mem. The sephiroth on the Middle Pillar include Keter, Tiphareth, Yesod, and Malkuth. In Freemasonry, this could be equated to the Corinthian column.

The three pillars on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life thus represent the balance and interplay between different aspects of the divine, and the journey of the soul towards enlightenment and unity with the divine source. The Pillar of Mercy represents the positive, loving aspect of the divine, the Pillar of Severity represents the negative, disciplined aspect of the divine, and the Middle Pillar represents the harmony and balance between these two opposing forces.

The Sephiroth

The following is a detailed description of each of the ten sephiroth, including their color and planetary attributions, and the God-names associated with each of them.

Kether (Crown)

Kether is the highest sephirah, located at the top of the Tree of Life. It represents the ultimate divine unity and the source of all creation. Kether is associated with the color white, which represents purity and clarity. The planetary attribution of Kether is the Primum Mobile, the sphere of the stars, which symbolizes the highest level of cosmic consciousness. The God-name associated with Kether is Eheieh, which means "I am."

Chokmah (Wisdom)

Chokmah is the second sephirah, located at the top of the Pillar of Mercy. It represents the divine masculine energy and the power of creation. Chokmah is associated with the color grey or silver, which represents the radiance of wisdom. The planetary attribution of Chokmah is Uranus, which symbolizes the power of transformation and change. The God-name associated with Chokmah is Yah, which means "He."

Binah (Understanding)

Binah is the third sephirah, located at the top of the Pillar of Severity. It represents the divine feminine energy and the power of intuition and understanding. Binah is associated with the color black, which represents the darkness of the unknown. The planetary attribution of Binah is Saturn, which symbolizes the power of discipline and order. The God-name associated with Binah is Jehovah Elohim, which means "Lord God of Hosts."

Chesed (Mercy)

Chesed is the fourth sephirah, located in the middle of the Pillar of Mercy. It represents the qualities of mercy and compassion, and the abundance of divine blessings. Chesed is associated with the color blue, which represents the expansiveness of the sky. The planetary attribution of Chesed is Jupiter, which symbolizes the power of expansion and growth. The God-name associated with Chesed is El, which means "God."

Geburah (Severity)

Geburah is the fifth sephirah, located in the middle of the Pillar of Severity. It represents the qualities of justice and severity, and the power of restraint and limitation. Geburah is associated with the color red, which represents the intensity of fire. The planetary attribution of Geburah is Mars, which symbolizes the power of courage and strength. The God-name associated with Geburah is Elohim Gibor, which means "Mighty God."

Tiphareth (Beauty)

Tiphareth is the sixth sephirah, located at the center of the Tree of Life. It represents the qualities of balance and harmony, and the beauty of divine creation. Tiphareth is associated with the color yellow, which represents the radiance of the sun. The planetary attribution of Tiphareth is the Sun, which symbolizes the power of light and vitality. The God-name associated with Tiphareth is YHVH Eloah Va-Da'at, which means "Lord God of Knowledge."

Netzach (Victory)

Netzach is the seventh sephirah, located on the Pillar of Mercy, below Tiphareth. It represents the qualities of victory and endurance, and the power of love and emotion. Netzach is associated with the color green, which represents the lushness of nature. The planetary attribution of Netzach is Venus, which symbolizes the power of beauty and attraction. The God-name associated with Netzach is Jehovah Tzabaoth, which means "Lord of Hosts."

Hod (Glory)

Hod is the eighth sephirah, located on the Pillar of Severity, below Tiphareth. It represents the qualities of glory and splendor, and the power of intellect and communication. Hod is associated with the color orange, which represents the brilliance of the sun. The planetary attribution of Hod is Mercury, which symbolizes the power of communication and thought. The God-name associated with Hod is Elohim Tzabaoth, which means "God of Hosts."

Yesod (Foundation)

Yesod is the ninth sephirah, located at the base of the Tree of Life, below Tiphareth, Netzach, and Hod. It represents the qualities of foundation and stability, and the power of the unconscious mind and dreams. Yesod is associated with the color violet, which represents the mystery of the unconscious. The planetary attribution of Yesod is the Moon, which symbolizes the power of intuition and emotion. The God-name associated with Yesod is Shaddai El Chai, which means "Almighty Living God."

Malkuth (Kingdom)

Malkuth is the tenth and final sephirah, located at the bottom of the Tree of Life. It represents the physical world and the material realm, and the manifestation of divine creation in the physical universe. Malkuth is associated with the color black and white, which represents the balance between the physical and spiritual worlds. The planetary attribution of Malkuth is the Earth, which symbolizes the power of grounding and stability. The God-name associated with Malkuth is Adonai Ha-Aretz, which means "Lord of the Earth."