"All the divine powers form a succession of layers and are like a tree."
"As above, so below", representing as it does both the universe (macrocosm) and the body of man (microcosm), each reflecting the other, but on a different scale. On another level it is a map of the psyche, enabling the practitioners to explore their own mental and emotional landscapes with a well-used and effective map that is designed to facilitate growth and realisation of the self through integration of the parts of the psyche to create a unified consciousness and soul.
The Tree of Life is a geometric glyph comprising ten circles, the Sephiroth, meaning "Emanations", arranged in three vertical columns and connected by twenty-two diagonal, horizontal and vertical paths. Each of the Sephira within the Tree of Life has unique qualities as an expression of the different aspects of the divine manifesting on different levels.
The first recorded images of the Tree of Life occur in thirteenth century CE Spain, and this underwent some changes as different models were postulated. The version we are familiar with in modern Qabalah dates back to around sixteenth century CE
The twenty-two paths express the subjective experiences of the self and the world necessary for the development and realisation of inner potential. To each of the paths is attributed a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and a whole host of symbols.
The Tree of Life may be divided into parts by a variety of classifications, each of which give insight into the nature of Qabalah. These divisions include the Three Pillars, the Four Worlds, the Triads and the
