Whoa...

[Shy Hawk]

Lookie lookie a new topic!

I for one know nothing about the Qaballah...so we should talk about it, let's go!...:D
Shy Hawk

[mol]

What DO you know about it?

[Shy Hawk]

A very meager amount. What I know...or think I know is, it's a book that has something to do with the Jewish faith (right so far?). And, that it's supposed to have mystical properties, but that many Jews don't use it anymore.
That's what I know.
Shy Hawk

[Revelation]

[Shy Hawk]

Enlightening. Thank you, I did not know that.
Shy Hawk

[Illyandra]

Hooray! I was told this was going to be made into a forum last night!

This topic is of utmost interest to me! From what I understand wicca is based on the Hermetic system, but I may be wrong!

What I don't understand is if most Jews do not know enough to study Jewish Kabbalah, how are we supposed to be able to learn enough of Judaism to study Hermetic Kabbalah? Especially if those studying (me to be precise) are pagan and not able to study other religious systems because I have a hard enough time just getting information to study my own path??

How is it that some covens make the study of the Kabbalah a requirement? Does that mean I should scrap what I know and first study Judaism? I am confused.

[Revelation]

[

[Illyandra]

okay confusion time over....:P

I'm just going to pay attention and ask gazillion questions during the lessons! :D

[Shy Hawk]

I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one who found this a little overwhelming...:D
However, I'm willing to learn, and I'm trying. That must count for something. :D
Shy Hawk

[Shy Hawk]

Very cool and thank you. I have really never entered discussion about this before, so it's completely new to me. But, I'm not uncomfortable with it.
It's good to see that we all grow together.
Shy Hawk

[Wyrdsister]

MM, all! Thank you for taking on this forum, Revelation. I've been waiting for a Kabbalah forum for awhile now! :)

I'm wondering if you could start a thread on Judaism. I, along with many here, know very little about Judaism and knowing the basics will probably help us all start from a simple but similar point. I understand that the best way to learn is to study for ourselves (which I love to do, btw :)), but I think it might be good to have a thread on this topic to which we can all refer. What do you think?

Thanks again, and looking forward to the discussions!!

Wyrdsister

[Wyrdsister]

Thank you Revelation! This is perfect. I'll definitely take a look at the sites.

Wyrdsister

[Illyandra]

Hee hee....

If only it was that simple...:P

Definitely going to get Garden of Pomegranates and read until I drop! And then you will see the questions flow! Oh yes...

And if that won't be annoying enough, I'll ask more! Hee hee! My little ripple in the pool of thought will become a tidal wave....

But I am definitely going to check out the Judaism links to get a better understanding of what I am studying.

[Jazzy Cat]

Hi Guys and Gals

Just wanted to mention the Arabic Qabalah. After a lot of research many years ago I found out that the Arabs had their own version which I think (but can't be sure as it's only gut feeling) is older that the Jewish version. I have practised Qabalistic magic in both Hermetic and Arab traditions and I must say the Arab tradition seems much more effective and to the point. I firmly believe anything that is hard to find is worthwhile searching for, for me the Arabic system is in that camp.

Does anyone else use the Arabic version? Also just a point of interest, the best books on the subject of Classical Qabalah for me is The Mystical Qabalah by Dion Fortune. Some people love the Garden of Pomegranates by Regardie while others don't like it. If you fall into the latter camp why not look up the Dion Fortune book.

May Gibreel bestow great dreams to you on the Full Moon!

Jazzy Cat

[Shy Hawk]

My father is an Arab, specifically from Jordan. Though he denies it, he practices the path.
He has several thick "magick books". Though he wont translate them for me. They do center on the idea of one God and several spirits (but they call them genies)....angels and such. I'm off the point, lol, sorry. Anyhow, I was under the impression that these were non Qaballah.
And, that practicioners of the path with Arab decent don't follow any books at all, but more of a family trad...as we do.
ShyHawk

[bananabrain]

arabic kabbalah? do tell - i am intrigued. unless you're talking about the 'qibla' (which i don't think is the same thing at all) can you tell us a bit about how you practiced it? if it's 'older than judaism' it's pre-islamic also - who is practicing it now?

which arabic tradition are you talking about? wouldn't islam have counted it as part of 'jahil'liya'? or are you talking about those kurdish fellers, you know, the protozoroastrians, the yezidis?

do let me know!

b'shalom

bananabrain

[Revelation]

While I haven't heard of ARabic Qabalah so to speak, I *have* heard of an Arabic Tree of Life, or something quite similar. I believe it was inheritted from the Babylonians? (I could be making that up, but I think that's what I read).

[bananabrain]

inherited from the babylonians? i dunno. never heard that. where's yer reference, rev?

on the islamic front i can definitely check, although their specifically mystical tradition tends to be a bit more contemplative, in the sufi orders ( i have friends in several sufi orders, so i can check)

i note that the 'garden of pomegranates' is also the title of a text in classical jewish kabbalah, 'pardes rimonim' - is there a connection between the two? i daresay it's not a coincidence. the pomegranate, incidentally, as well as the nut, are considered symbolic of 'hidden wisdom' in kabbalah, this comes from a statement in the Talmud:

"Rabbi Meir found a pomegranate; he ate the contents and threw the peel away" [Tractate Hagigah 15b]

hence 'pardes rimonim' as well as 'ginat egozim', the 'nut garden', which is sometimes where i feel like i am living *wink* and of course the symbolism of the garden or PaRDeS will not be lost on you if you've read the other threads in here.

shy hawk, do you speak arabic? it's a FANTASTIC language and i only wish i spoke more of it. i just about know the alphabet and some of the grammar - obviously hebrew is very similar so that helps. plus a lot of original kabbalah texts and just about anything from the gerona or andalusian communities was originally in arabic, like the 'guide of the perplexed'. anyway, it doesn't necessarily sound to me like he practices the 'path'; although he may know a lot about angels and djinns, they are very much part of orthodox islamic thought. i have some very knowledgeable friends who are islamic theologians of various flavours, so i can refer questions to them if you like.

i do have one friend that was having trouble with a djinn that had been set on her family by some nasty relatives in pakistan and i managed to find her a shaykh who knows how to sort this sort of thing out, but then again, he'd just be using a traditional method grounded in qur'anic texts. maybe what your dad is into is some kind of family tradition of being djinn-wranglers or whatever the term is? is he a practicing muslim? (either way, if he's a muslim at all that technically makes you one according to islamic law) have you not considered that path at all? it is an immensely rich, vibrant and rewarding one and my life has been immeasurably enriched by the dialogue i have had with muslim friends and teachers - don't let anyone tell you muslims and jews can't get on!

b'shalom

bananabrain

[Shy Hawk]

lol So many things to comment on. Hehe...well, first off, I speak a bit of Arabic, though my father doesn't speak it with me much. I took a class through our mosque. I read it fairly well (if it's written in child's arabic, lol)...grammar is so-so.

As far as my father's path...well...he's a muslim, but he does things that he says are outside of traditional sunni muslim tradition. He practices magick and such...I'm not sure how to explain it, but he makes charms and spells and whatnot...which he says are unacceptable to islam traditionally.
Also, he is religious in belief but not action. He does not pray 5 times a day, but he does give to charity. He does not go the mosque on Fridays, but he does fast on ramadan.
I'm not blaming him, but I really didn't have much of a rolemodel in that respect. My mother converted to islam when she was pregnant with me...

As far as myself...yes I was born a muslim. I respect those on that path, and I definately love the culture and atmosphere...but you have to understand my situation as far as my religion. I was born a muslim this is true. But my mother's side of her family is Santerian...Catholic at best. I was baptized as a baby, and again when I was 13. I also did the lord's prayer instead of any muslim prayers as a child, because my mother's mother was around, not my father (he was away on business often). I have celebrated every muslim holiday of my life, however, I've also celebrated the christian ones. I've never learned all the prayers, and my father is not interested in teaching me...though I can't blame him, he does work 16 hrs a day....
I'm not saying I don't appreciate a varied backround...however...I have been exposed to many things in my lifetime..and I'm still young lol. And, I think that Islam is not for me...not something that will make me happy. I was at a time, very religious and worse hijab and even jilbab...but I found in the end that I was unsatisfied with myself and my surroundings.
I do know a lot about the muslim faith, at least my sect, and I have many many relatives who are quite religious, we have a few imams..but still, I do not chose it.

Sorry, I was just rambling on and on...lol. I tell you...there are some (my father included) who has a hard time relating to the Jewish people...but I am not one of them. I respect all people, and I'm glad we can have this dialogue.
ShyHawk

[bananabrain]

He practices magick and such...[...]...he makes charms and spells and whatnot...which he says are unacceptable to islam traditionally.

i dare say he knows what he's talking about! although judaism places an awful lot of restrictions and safeguards on it which effectively make it really difficult to find a scenario in which it would be permitted, it is not anti-magic per se, although rabbinic opinion tends to disapprove of it. this is because they see goetic practices such as divining, fortune-telling, illusion (in particular, there seems to be a rule about not creating illusionary fields of cucumbers, don't ask me what that's about) or necromancy as having been associated with idolatry and the attribution of higher powers to other than the Divine. however, it is recognised that in exceptional cases, such as that of honi the circle-drawer in the Talmud (a weather-wizard, who is considered to have been a great and good sage) magic can draw upon Divine power instead of from the sitra ahra, but it's pretty circumscribed. now i don't know what islamic law mandates in this area, but i'd expect them to be pretty strict about it, as strict as us. i can find out for you if you're interested, but all i'm aware of is stuff about how you can get rid of a djinn rather than if it is ever permissible to do the opposite. i am aware of course that there are loads of, if you like, 'folk' traditions in this area - we have our own equivalents, amulets and such, but it's the intention that counts. i assume your dad helps people rather than anything else. he sounds like an interesting man - but i wouldn't judge him harshly for not praying 5 times a day, especially if he gives to charity. he might get into trub for not fasting during ramadan though, except he's hardly in a minority in the muslim world.

obviously you know that islam can be extraordinarily tolerant of other faiths, especially those in the abramic tradition, what with jesus being considered a prophet and all. but santeria would be a bit, whoa! for most, i'd have thought. mind you, santeria and its brazilian cousins, candomblé, macumba and the like (which i have had some experience with) are what you might call 'doctrinally underground theologies', if you like, being basically animist traditions dressed up in catholic clothes, something which catholicism is peculiarly well suited for.

hijab and jilbab, huh? well, we have some similar laws. they can be very meaningful traditions for some, as long as they are not imposed, although opinion remains divided!


there are some (my father included) who has a hard time relating to the Jewish people...but I am not one of them.

i am glad to hear that, although obviously your father will have his reasons. i am coming to feel that these issues can only be resolved through a younger generation, but there is no religious reason why we can't get along. fortunately i saw some good news this morning for a change: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,3-2001230725,00.html i have studied with this rabbi froman on a couple of occasions and i had no idea at the time that he did this sort of thing... plus rabbi melchior is also a surprising man for a politician, but it fits right in with what he said last time i heard him speak at a jewish education conference. however, this is not the place to discuss politics!

i still want to hear from jazzy cat though!

b'shalom:was-salaam

bananabrain

[Jazzy Cat]

Ahh, back on terra firma! Wonderful. I have enjoyed the comments. Shy Hawk it must be frustrating for you to know your Father is practising that type of magic but won't pass it on yet. Then working 16 hours a day would limit ones teaching time! On the subject of what exactly the Arabic Qabalah is, by reading various texts in old books from the vaults of the National Library I came across references to it and to the mathematics in relation to number and letter values. I cannot remember the book names now as this was 14 years ago and I took notes from them, not thinking about taking the names of the authors etc. Essentially the reasoning was that Arabic Qabalah is less expansive than its Jewish counterpart but the meanings and Archangel s were the same, except for having the Arabic names, Gibreel for Gabriel for instance. It makes me think the system was there from the start and when religions developed the system was brought into it adopting the equvalent names for that culture. So I use Arabic Invocations and the Arabic Equivalents. Many books spoke of the Arab Qabalah but did not go into any detail. This could be due to purely academic authors or ones wanting to keep the system closed, or perhaps fear from very orthodox wings. I do have arabic alchemical texts including some in English which are very Qabalistic in nature. I forget the web link but you can download Arabic alchemical texts from the web.

As I said in the last e-mail, I find working the Arabic Qabalah far stronger and fitting to me than the Jewish or Classical version, but I believe this is because I have a deep respect for the Muslim faith as it if practised properly is a beautiful and as Bananabrain rightly comments is very tolerant faith, to my mind it is very attuned to the human condition, personally I feel a strong tie with it although it is not my chosen path. As for the Babalonian tree of life, the middle eastern prejewish, Muslim and Christian doctrines used trees symbolically, Ishtar for example was represented by what was called the moon tree. So trees crop up a lot. As a side note, for anyone that has read it, what's your take on the Epic of Gilamesh?

May summer continue to reign (for another month at least anyway
!)

Jazzy Cat

[Shy Hawk]

Well, in all honest it's not that he doesn't have time to teach me. He frankly denies he does it (my mom was telling me, and showing me his books)....also, he thinks poorly (or speaks poorly anyway) of those that do....so he's closeted...and always will be. Heh.
But I don't mind, I still inherit....some of his...hmm....something. We've got a weird sort of family trad going on here. What with me getting it from both sides though both sides are very different. VERY different. lol

[EasternPriest]

Originally posted by bananabrain


i dare say he knows what he's talking about! although judaism places an awful lot of restrictions and safeguards on it which effectively make it really difficult to find a scenario in which it would be permitted, it is not anti-magic per se, although rabbinic opinion tends to disapprove of it. this is because they see goetic practices such as divining, fortune-telling, illusion (in particular, there seems to be a rule about not creating illusionary fields of cucumbers, don't ask me what that's about) or necromancy as having been associated with idolatry and the attribution of higher powers to other than the Divine.


Actually, the proscription against many of these practices isn't based in rabbinic opinion, but comes directly from Torah. Deuteronomy 18:9-14 is the best example.

[bananabrain]

Jazzy Cat: obviously, when islam was founded a lot of its ethical principles and thinking was influenced by the jewish halachic system. it would also make sense, i would have thought, that the contemporary mystical systems were bubbling in the background and being equally influential - the names of the angels are a case in point. however, it does not necessarily follow that "the system was there from the start and when religions developed the system was brought into it adopting the equvalent names for that culture." although it is a possibility, if you adopt this evolutionary model. i will say that if, as i and all believing muslims do, one believes that one's sacred texts were Divinely revealed to a prophet, a certain amount depends upon this. without the revelatory experience, you have to use different rules - i just ought to say that, just like a muslim would be, i'm working on the basis of a revelatory experience.


I do have arabic alchemical texts including some in English which are very Qabalistic in nature.

fine, but although there are similar links, alchemy is not necessary kabbalistic and kabbalah is not necessarily alchemical, so the same point as i made about tao, physics and the like should apply here.


As for the Babylonian tree of life, the middle eastern prejewish, Muslim and Christian doctrines used trees symbolically, Ishtar for example was represented by what was called the moon tree. So trees crop up a lot.

OK, but, again, remember that for all three abramic traditions ishtar is a BIG no-no. really big. don't get hung up on the fact that the sefirot diagram is referred to as a tree - this is because of the references to the 'ETZ ChaYIM' (lit. tree of life) in the Torah - it can also be understood as ADaM KaDMON, the 'primordial man'. the trees you are talking about may well be the ones that are associated with the 'sacred groves' which the Torah is so disapproving of. one of the reasons kabbalah is supposed to be
dangerous is that it's *so* easy to misinterpret - classical jewish kabbalah, or indeed jewish or muslim anything is *not* compatible with the prejewish canaanite deities. much of the TaNaKh, as you will know, is about the jewish struggle to liberate ourselves from our dependence on this type of polytheism and its concrete manifestation. ditto the Qur'an's attitude to 'jahilliyah'. NB: i should warn you that this is *not* a popular point of view on this board, particular with those who hold to the 'matriocratic golden age' theory. if you're going to come at me with all sorts of reasons why ba'al and astarte/ishtar/ashera are the path you have chosen to follow, i'm going to have difficulty with it - just so you know. as far as i am concerned, kabbalah, as a jewish system, is predicated on Divine Unity. as far as i am aware, this goes pretty much for hermetic kabbalah as well.


As a side note, for anyone that has read it, what's your take on the Epic of Gilamesh?

i've got a book on the 'enuma elish' at home - i'll see if it'll be any use to you.

now:

EasternPriest: when i say it's rabbinic, i am referring to explicitly magical practices that are described in the Talmud in terms that suggest that they a) are not prohibited and b) have been practised by major talmudic figures. for example, the figure of 'honi the circle maker' or shimon bar yochai, both of whom are approved of in no uncertain terms. the sages permit, for example, one to carry a "fox's tooth or a nargol's egg" to prevent certain medical conditions, both of which remedies are magical in nature. likewise, the use of water shields against the evil eye are discussed. also, despite the fact that amulets are generally disapproved of, their use remains widespread - and don't even get me started on hamzas - or mezuzahs. what are those if not amulets? the sages in many cases prohibit practices that are explicitly permitted by the Written Torah, because of the principles a) "it is not in heaven" and b) "make a fence for the Law". what they are concerned about is both the problem of people using Divine power for aims that further the Sitra Ahra as well as the problem of people using the power of the Sitra Ahra itself. when in doubt (as it usually is) that a practice is being done for the right reasons, it tend to be forbidden to be on the safe side. that's what i mean, but i freely admit that it is bloody confusing if you're not used to it!

b'shalom

bananabrain

[Shy Hawk]

By the by, I've read excerpts of the Epic of Gilgamesh. I thought it was interesting and all...very long.

[Jazzy Cat]

Dear Mr Bananabrain,

Did you wake up on the wrong side of the banana bed this morning? I am making no particular point in saying alchemical texts had Qabalistic reference. If you looked at what I posted you would see I stated there appeared to be lots of talk about an Arabic system but little in the way of the 1000 and 1 books on the Jewish system seems to have. I mentioned the alchemy to show there was Qabalistic content in Arab writings, I am not tying the two together for the sake of it, considering the Arabs skill and history in that department is unparalleled, that is where enlightened thought and influence would show. Also, someone earlier on this chain refered to a Babalonian tree of life therefore I added the bit about the Moon tree out of interest.

At no point Did I say I worshipped Istar, Astarte, Baal etc As a matter of a fact I am Asatru, and have been for many years, so my polytheistic beliefs will not sit well with you I have no doubt, just as much as your monotheistic ones (if that is your view) do not sit well with me, however do not think as your comments suggest I have any intention on bringing that into this board, after all we are meant to talk about the Qabalah. Qabalah to me is a system of magic that works, and I have large fondness for the Arab side of things and the Qaran as I think it is a wonderfully scripted work, that is where my interest ends.

Also Considering the babylonian moon tree looks like a pillar with a crescent moon pointing upwards and a circle with a hole in it floating above it (think polo mint) I don't think I am in any danger of confusing it with the Qabalistic tree of life. which incidentally I do not think has acorns growing on it and birds tweeting on its branches.

On the subject of me saying the system was there from the start, I detect you are stroking your beard with that one and frowning, so you know where I get that reasoning from, did you know there is a very ancient memory technique where facts are stored in ten different houses constructed mentally? This predates written record and was first noted by the ancient Egyptians I believe, therefore I think the system was there to begin with, my opinion.

I hope that clarifies things to you Mr B

[magicbabs]

My friend is Muslum and she believes in Jins or Gins. Not sure about the spelling. She said a lot of her fellow muslum's believe in Jins.

They are spirits that hook into people and cause trouble (accornding to her definition). They are more of a problem than say --- polterguists....and are supposed to cause trouble and evil....

[Shy Hawk]

My father said that when God was writing the book of a person's life, the jinn would listen to what he said. The book of a person's life, meaning that I guess most Muslims believe in fate.
Anyhow, when the jinn listened to what he said, he would come to earth and tell whomever would listen the story of a person's life. And, that is why fortune telling is supposedly wrong according to Islam....because God didn't want the jinn to give people the knowledge that only he had...
He punished the jinn for that too...but I don't remember how...lol

[Rick]

Originally posted by Shy Hawk
My father said that when God was writing the book of a person's life, the jinn would listen to what he said. The book of a person's life, meaning that I guess most Muslims believe in fate.
Anyhow, when the jinn listened to what he said, he would come to earth and tell whomever would listen the story of a person's life. And, that is why fortune telling is supposedly wrong according to Islam....because God didn't want the jinn to give people the knowledge that only he had...
He punished the jinn for that too...but I don't remember how...lol

Umm... put her in bottle, where the astronaut found her, & then they had zany adventures?

[Shy Hawk]

Hmmm...yes it was something like that....oh yes, and forced her to wear pink hammer pants for eternity.

[Sighing_Softly]

Reading through ive notices that noeones given a defintion of what kabbalah is, so here goes.. wel first of all its not a book. There have been many writen on the subject. There is jewish mystical book whos name begins with Z (cant remember it soz!) but it is a practice, a philosophy that centers on union with God by climbing the tree of life that encompases all aspects of ones soul and life. Each "branch" of the tree is of a diferent side of life.. the object is to reach the top rung of the spiritual ladder by having passed trhough as many sections of the tree (that represents life) as possible, as many times as possible. I really shouldnt say this... but it reminds me of a board game in that respect! Think of it like this... if we liken it to the chakras, each chakra is for something different. As we grow and evolve the chakras open and enlarge some more; the chakras can be a good reflection of someones stage in life. If someone is wroking on their emotions, it could be said they are living in the heart. If they are developing their creativity, it could be said they are living in the sacral etc... and our aim is to live in all the centers as many times as possible before reaching the crown.
Much of the teachings focuses on Torah code, that is the hidden messages in the text that are revealed when a specific counting system is aranged for example, every 23rd letter. It would be interesting to note that aplicants for kabbalah courses must be at least 40; this is so that the person wil have already lived wil already have grounding and also if they choose to change their life and start working for higher purposes then it wont matter as much! But having said that, my ancestor and perhaps the most famous of Jewish mystics, Itzach Ben Luria, said that anybody of any age can learn kabbalah. oh Well! BTW, I did not see any of Revelation's posts, is that just sommething wrong at my end?
Lylah Tov, Love and Light

[magicbabs]

This is a modern restatement of an old Kabbalistic idea. In this view, God gives life to the Creation: from second to second the
Creation is sustained by this giving, and if it were to cease even for an instant, the Creation would be no more. If someone
wants to know God then they have to resemble God, and this means they must give to others. Kabbalah is not a self-centred
pursuit; it pivots around the Kabbalist's relationship with all living beings.

Q2.2 : I want to know more about the Archangels.

The following information was derived initially from a discussion on alt.magick where several people contributed pieces, in
particular, (in no order) Le Grand Cinq-Mars, Amanda Walker, Leigh Daniels, Patric Shane Linden, B.A. Davis-Howe, Mark
Garrison, Baird Stafford, and myself. Apologies if you said something and I missed it.

Angels are found in the Judaic, Christian, Islamic and Zoroastrian traditions. The word "angel" is derived from the Christian
Latin "angelos", itself derived from the Greek "aggelos", which is a translation of the Hebrew word "mal'akh", a messenger.

Angels are typically found in groupings of four, seven and twelve, reflecting their role in mediating the divine influence via the
planets and the stars. For example, in Zorastrianism there was a belief in the Amesha Spentas, seven holy or bounteous
immortals who were functional aspects of Ahura Mazda, the Wise Lord. In Islam four angels are well known: Jibril (Gabriel),
the angel of revelation; Mikal (Michael), the angel of nature; Izrail (Azrael), the angel of death, and Israfil, the angel who places
the soul in the body and sounds the last judgement.

The sources for the angels used in Kabbalah and ceremonial magic are primarily Jewish. The canonical Old Testament books
mention only Michael and Gabriel, but apocryphal and Talmudic literature provide richer sources, and there is a suspicion that
this was a result of contact with Zoroastrianism during the period of the Babylonian Exile (6th-5th centuries BC). The four
best-known angels are

Michael
According to one source his name is his war-cry: "Who is like God?". Michael is at war with the great dragon or serpent,
often identified with Samael in Jewish sources. Michael's original position in the celestial hierarchy has been progressively
eroded by angels such as Metatron. In medieval Kabbalah he is attributed to Chesed, but in modern Kabbalah he is
attributed to Tipheret, and sometimes to Hod.
Uriel/Auriel
Uriel means "Fire of God", from the word "oor" meaning "fire" and Auriel means "Light of God", from the word "or"
meaning "light". Both names tend to be used synonymously, and the association with light is common in Kabbalah. In
medieval Kabbalah Uriel is attributed to Truth and the middle pillar of the Tree, in Tipheret. The association with light is
significant because of the importance of light in practical Kabbalah, where several different kinds are distinguished,
including: nogah (glow), tov (good), bahir (brilliant), zohar (radiant), kavod (glory), chaim (life), and muvhak
(scintillating). In Christian times Uriel may have been identified with Lucifer ("light-bearer") and Satan, an odd
identification as the diabolic angel according to Jewish tradition is Samael.
Raphael
Raphael means "Healing of God". Raphael is sometimes attributed to Hod and sometimes to Tipheret.
Gabriel
Gabriel means "Strength of God" and in medieval Kabbalah was attributed to Gevurah (the words share a common
root). In modern Kabbalah Gabriel can be found further down the Tree in Yesod, using his strength to hold up the
foundations.

The four archangels can be found in a variety of protective incantations where they guard the four quarters, an almost universal
symbolism which can be found in guises as diverse as nursery rhymes ("Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, bless this bed that I lie
on") to ancient Egyptian protective deities. A well-known incantation can be found in the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the
Pentagram (see below).

The angel Samael is also important in Kabbalah. Scholem shows (in "The Origins of the Kabbalah") that in early medieval
Kabbalah, Samael retained some of the characteristics of the Gnostic demiurge Ialdebaoth (the blind god), and derives the
name from "sami", meaning "blind". He is attributed consistently to the planet Mars and the sephira Gevurah, and is the source
of all the nastiness in the world. He appears in various guises as the Dark Angel and the Angel of Death. The suffix -el betrays
his divine origin, and Kabbalists have been divided between placing him at the head of a demonic hierarchy (alongside his wife
Lilith), and viewing him as an unpleasant but necessary component of creation. Samael is identified with the serpent in the
Garden of Eden, a tempter and a poisoner of life.

The archangel Metatron does not appear in many lists of archangels, but has an important role in Kabbalah as the archangel of
the Countenance. Legend has it that Metatron is none other than the Old Testament sage Enoch, lifted up to Heaven by God.
Scholem comments that "...there is hardly a duty in the heavenly realm and within the dominion of one angel among the other
angels that is not associated with Metatron". Metatron is usually associated with Kether.

There are many lists of seven archangels. Almost all of them differ from each other. Mark O. Garrison
(ORMUS@SORINC.CUTLER.COM) kindly provided the following information which clarifies the difficulty: