Lecture 13_Systems of Magic_The Kabbalah, The Tarot and Masonry

Anthropology of the Supernatural: Lecture 13

• Lecture Focus: Systems of Magic: The Kabbalah, The Tarot, and Freemasonry

Three Systems of Symbols

• Magical Systems Overview: Examining the Kabbalah, Tarot, and Freemasonry.

  • Each system has distinct histories and contexts of invention.

  • They influenced one another during specific historical moments.

  • They can be viewed as "archetypal," universal forms applicable across diverse contexts.

• Cultural Creation of Symbols:

  • Many cultures develop complex sets of symbols to categorize magical or mystical experiences.

  • Similarities in tools across cultures can be attributed to independent cultural evolution arising from shared challenges.

Historical Development of Magical Systems

• Western Magical Revival:

  • This process has selected and syncretized magical symbols and systems from various cultural sources.

  • Inquiry into why certain symbols were chosen and their effectiveness despite their accidental emergence.

  • Research on these systems faces stigma and is still evolving.

  • Ongoing reinterpretation of symbols allows cultural evolution in response to contemporary needs.

Origins of the Kabbalah

• Historical Texts and Figures:

  • Early Kabbalistic text: Sefer ha-Bahir (1150-1200, Jewish community in Provence).

  • Systematized by Moses de Leon circa 1280 CE in the Zohar, claiming transcription from an earlier source (Rabbi Shim’on bar Yohai).

  • Contested origin—modern scholars suggest it was primarily authored by de Leon.

Kabbalah's Influences

• Cultural Influences:

  • Builds on earlier Jewish esoteric and mystical traditions, influenced by Gnosticism, Hermeticism, and Neo-Platonism.

  • Represents an integration of Hermetic thought within a Judaic framework.

  • Historical representations of its origins blend legend with history.

The Kabbalah as a System

• Relationship Between Spirit and Matter:

  • Emanationist philosophy posits that existence begins in oneness with the divine and emanates through stages into matter.

  • Symbolized through the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, depicting interpenetration of spirit and matter.

  • Kabbalistic ideas influenced by the 1492 expulsion of Jews from Spain, leading to interactions in Italy with Renaissance Hermeticism.

Kabbalah, Cabala, and Qabalah

• Variants of Kabbalah:

  • Kabbalah: Jewish mystical tradition, often existing outside mainstream Judaism.

  • Cabala: Christian interpretation that emerged in Renaissance Italy influenced by Hermetic ideas.

  • Qabalah: Occult version developed within Western Esotericism, intertwined with magical systems and contemporary Neo-Paganism.

  • Discussion on whether these adaptations represent cultural appropriation from the original Jewish context.

The Kabbalistic Tree of Life

• Symbolism of the Tree:

  • Tree represents ten sephiroth or emanations of divine consciousness—process of making the Infinite tangible.

Structure of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life

• Sephiroth (Emanations):

  • Atziluth: Archetypal World

    • Kether: The Crown

  • Briah: World of Creation

    • Chokmah: Wisdom (the Father)

    • Binah: Understanding (the Mother)

  • Yetzirah: World of Formation

    • Chesed: Mercy

    • Geburah: Severity or Strength

    • Tiphareth: Beauty or Harmony (the Son)

  • Netzach: Victory

  • Hod: Splendour

  • Yesod: Foundation

  • Assiah: Physical World

    • Malkuth: Kingdom or Earth (the Daughter)

Meditative Practice

• Meditation on the Tree of Life:

  • Brief journey up to Netzach, guided by Pagan author Kala Trobe.

Origins of the Tarot

• Historical Context:

  • Originated in Northern Italy with earliest references from 1442 (possible earlier origins between 1410-1425).

  • Associated with courts of Ferrara and Milan. Modern Tarot derives from 16th-century Piedmontese Tarot (78 cards total).

  • Mythical claims link Tarot to ancient Egypt, often exaggerated but reflecting Hermetic influence.

Tarot in Occultism and Western Esotericism

• Origins and Influences:

  • French theologian Antoine Court de Gebelin proposed Egyptian origins.

  • His follower Jean-Baptite Alleitte (Ettiella) associated Tarot with ancient Egyptian magical traditions.

  • Alleitte also linked Tarot to fortune-telling and magical thought.

Major Innovation: Éliphas Lévi

• Biographical Background:

  • Born Alphonse-Louis Constant, known for linking Tarot to Jewish mysticism.

  • Believed Tarot cards represented an esoteric alphabet and were keys to Kabbalistic secrets.

  • Associated Major Arcana cards with Hebrew letters and paths on the Tree of Life.

Rider-Waite Tarot Deck

• Influential Deck:

  • Developed by Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Coleman Smith, first published in 1909.

  • Reflects Hermetic Order’s influence, aligning Kabbalah, Tarot, and Hermetic ideas in design and interpretation.

Structure of Tarot Deck

• Card Structure:

  • Major Arcana: 22 character cards representing life journey.

  • Four Suits: (each with 14 cards)—Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles—totaling 78 cards.

Suit Representations

• Suit of Wands: Creativity, passion, energy (Element: Fire).

• Suit of Cups: Emotions, relationships, intuition (Element: Water).

• Suit of Swords: Thoughts, communication, logic, conflict (Element: Air).

• Suit of Pentacles: Material possessions, practicality (Element: Earth).

Freemasonry and its Context

• Historical Background:

  • An institutional structure providing a safe space for esoteric knowledge during suppression.

  • Established in 1717 with complexities between Operative and Speculative Masons.

  • Operative Masonry functions similarly to modern labor unions.

Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism

• Principles of Freemasonry:

  • Founded on fraternity, ritual structure, and allegorical teachings.

  • Masonic principles: Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.

  • Values egalitarianism and incorporates Hermetic and Kabbalistic imagery, including reference to Solomon's temple.

Religion and Freemasonry

• Belief Structure:

  • Masons must believe in a Divine Being; faith discussions are generally taboo.

  • Freemasonry blends Christian, Jewish, Islamic, and Esoteric thoughts around Solomon's temple legends.

Common Misconceptions of Freemasonry

• Clarifying Misunderstandings:

  • Not a secret society; emphasizes interfaith cooperation.

  • Misconceptions arose from historical Masonic involvement in democratic revolutions.

  • Provided refuge for early Paganism and magical practices.

Women and Freemasonry

• Organized Women’s Lodges:

  • The Order of Women Freemasons (1908) and The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons (1913) both participated in women's suffrage movements.

Freemasonry, the American Revolution & Democracy

• Historical Influence:

  • Popularity surged prior to the American Revolution with significant member involvement.

  • Approximately 3% of the US male population were Freemasons during peak membership.

Anti-Masonry and Fascism

• Targeting of Freemasons:

  • Frequently scapegoated by conspiracy theories, particularly from fascist ideologies.

  • During WWII, targeted and persecuted alongside Jews and other marginalized groups.

  • Fascism and Freemasonic values are fundamentally opposed, showcasing the latter's commitment to egalitarianism and diversity.