Search A Light In The Darkness

Friday 9 April 2010

A Word on 'Chiah'

As for the human, the highest level of the soul is Chiah, the 'general living spark', the vitality itself, our collective unconscious, connected with all life and being held for the level closest to the universe. Chiah is best described as the general instinct to live, but on a much higher level than just the instinct to exist as represented by the animal soul of Nefesh.

In Tarot, Chiah is connected to the Wands and the element of Fire, and it corresponds to the world of Atziluth. Atziluth is the world of pure emanation, the world which flows directly out of the infinite, the human soul in general, the spirituality which lives within us. This fire - the living light - motivates us to strive for consciousness and action.

In the positive aspect, Fire manifests as will, inspiration, the wish and power to achieve honor and victory. Negatively, these last qualities become pride, egoism, despotism, and tyranny. In a literal sense, Fire is the provider of warmth and light, but uncontrolled is the most destructive of the elements.