Review by Bonnie Cehovet
The Qabalah sets a wonderful
foundation for Tarot, even if one views it as a esoteric
system that was overlaid on the cards. It is also a
system that can be difficult to grasp, leaving it to be,
in general, one of the last things that a Tarot
student turns to in their studies. In "The Mystical
Qabalah", Dion Fortune presents the Qabala from the
viewpoint of Western Mysticism. It was written to be used as
an introduction to the Tree of Life for students of
the Society of the Inner Light, a society founded by
the author.
The background for "The Mystical Qabalah"
lies in work done by MacGregor MAtthews - specifically
in the tables of correspondence that he presented in
"Kabbalah Unveiled". The style employed in "The Mystical
Qabalah" is one of the first things that struck me, with
each paragraph being numbered. Perhaps this is simply a
reflection of the times that Dion Fortune was writing in, and
of the fact that the book was written as a study
guide for students of her society.
Some of the
information presented in this book not only reflect the times
that they were written in, but come across as highly
judgmental. For example, from the chapter entitled "Yoga of
the West"
"2. The adepts of those races whose
evolutionary destiny is to conquer the physical plane have
evolved a Yoga technique of their own which is adapted to
their special problems and peculiar needs. This
technique is based upon the well-known but little understood
Qabalah, the wisdom of Israel."
"18. In consequence of
this deplorable limitation on the part of our theology,
many Western aspirants take up Eastern methods. For
those who are able to live in Eastern conditions and
work under the immediate supervision of a guru this may
prove satisfactory, but it seldom gives good results
when the various systems are pursued with no other
guide than a book and under unmodified Western
conditions.
19. It is for this reason that I would recommend to
the white races the traditional Western system, which
is admirably adapted to their psychic constitution.
It gives immediate results, and if done under proper
supervision, not only does it not disturb the mental or
physical equipose, as happens with regrettable frequency
when unsuitable systems are used, but it produces a
unique vitality. It is this pecular vitality of the
adepts which led to the tradition of the elixir of life.
I have known a number of people in my time who might
justly be considered adepts, and I have always been
struck by that peculiar ageless vitality they all
possessed."
The Qabalah itself is covered well, if at a beginners
level and in a somewhat repetitious manner. Fortune goes
into the choice of the Path (manner of spiritual study
and growth), the "method" of Qabalah and the Tree of
Life (with its esoteric symbolism), negative existence,
the four worlds and the three Supernals, the ten
Sephiroth, the Gods upon the Tree (the Tree of Life) and
practical work done upon the Tree. It was of interest to me
to see the reference that Fortune made to MacGregor
Matthews essay on what he termed the four types of Qabalah
the practical Qabala (which deals with Talismanic and
ceremonial magic; the Dogmatic Qabalah, which refers to
Qabalistic literature; the Literal Qabalah, referring to the
use of numbers and Hebrew letters and the Unwritten
Qabalah, which concern itself with the "correct" manner in
which the symbols/systems are arranged on the Tree of
Life.
Separate chapters are devoted to each of the Sephiroth,
including the following information title, magical image,
situation on the Tree, Yetziratic text, God name, Archangel,
order of angels, mundane chakra, spiritual experience,
virtue, vice, correspondence in the microcosm, symbols,
Tarot cards and color in Atziluth, Briah, Yetzirah and
Assiah.
Included is a table of correspondences for pathworking, as
well as an editorial update covering corrections to the
transliteration of Hebrew into English, with corrections to the
existing text, a fold out series of diagrams for the Tree
of Life and an additional chapter of Dion Fortune's
writings.
This is not a book for beginning students, as there are
enough inconsistencies that there could be confusion as
to what was being presented. I did find it well
written, and easy to follow - if a bit verbose. It has its
place as a reference book (even though some things are
implied, rather than stated), and acts as a good reflection
of the times that it was written in. I fully intend
to keep it as part of my Tarot/esoteric library.
© August 2003
Footnotes
1. Fortune, Dion. "The Mystical Qabalah". Weiser Books. page 3.
2. Fortune, Dion. "The Mystical Qabalah". Weiser Books. page 7.
Bonnie Cehovet is Certified Tarot Grand Master, a professional Tarot reader with over ten years experience, a Reiki Master/Teacher and a writer. Bonnie has served in various capacities with the American Tarot Association, is co-founder of the World Tarot Network, and Vice President (as well as Director of Certification) for the American Board For Tarot Certification. She has had articles appear in the 2004 and 2005 Llewellyn Tarot Reader.
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