The Kabbalists certainly could not get back to God by the Lightning-Flash method, so another idea came to them - the “Edenic” serpent of the legendary Fall must show the ascent by a slow and careful crawling progression from branch to branch. These branches were represented by connecting the Spheres /together by direct Paths. So the serpent-ascent meant going upwards and traversing each branch at least once until coming out clear on top at Zero, thus completing the course of Cosmos.
Each Path being a combination of two Spheres, we have to experience or know the conditions of life while being influenced by both energy-types. In esoteric practice each Path is visualized and meditated on with perhaps some specially formulated prayers as well until it becomes etched into the consciousness of the working Kabbalist deeply enough to act as a life-guide Godwards. This takes a fairly long time, and is known as Pathworking.Again of course we are confronted with the right, left and centre method of considering the Tree, the traditional three-way system of looking at esoteric procedure in general.
1. The Orphic Way. Called so after Orpheus, patron of song, dance, and free expression. Orphically inclined people usually love gaiety and glamour while looking for God emotionally and artistically. They dislike hard and fast rules and regulations, preferring to follow what they consider natural impulses and inner instincts. They tend to associated with the White Pillar side of the Tree.
2. The Hermetic Way. After Hermes Trismegistus, patron of the Hermetic Mysteries. These concern ordered rituals, intellectual pursuits, sciences, and exact procedures governed by definite rules and calculated formulae. Often regarded as the opposite of Orphic procedures. Rationality and logic is the control here. Hermetic people usually associate with the Black Pillar, the Pillar of Severity, of the Tree.
3. The Mystic Way or the Middle Way is the most difficult way of approaching Divinity. It is by sheer devotion and absolute dedication to the cause of cosmos. It takes a very great sense of self-sacrifice to follow this way, and almost no ordinary soul is capable of following this path of progress. Many start, then usually branch to one side or the other because they are safer and more comfortable than this demanding one - the Middle or Golden Pillar of the Tree.
Some humans are drawn naturally to one side or the other and remarkably few to the centre. Most of us use a bit of each in our practice, but the general impression is that the Middle Way is the best approach for a modern Westerner since it includes a workable percentage of both Ways.
There are two other useful concepts to be considered about the Tree on our way back up it. One is that of a Bow, called Keshet, which fires a Golden Arrow, termed Chetz, straight up the Middle Pillar in the direction of divinity. This bow is thought to be just below the Ninth Sphere Yesod, and is symbolised by the rainbow, composed of all colours of the spectrum.
It represents projective energy drawn from every Sphere, and the arrow signifies pure aspiration deliberately aimed at some objective ahead of normal reach in this world - our advanced thoughts and intentions. The fruits of the Tree can sometimes be shot down by arrows rightly aimed from the “ambition and achievement level” before they can be reached by hand from the “rationality stages” higher up.
Another concept to consider is the “curtain” or “veil” called Parochet. This is a sort of imaginary screen drawn across the entire width of the Tree. It is frequently shown as being just before the Sixth Sphere, Tipareth, and the Opening of the higher-Self.
