Kabbalah, Kabbalistic or Mazal is a Jewish form of astrology. Kabbalah astrology is used to analyse an individual’s chart. This type of astrology looks at an individual’s bond with the universe from a spiritual perspective and stresses the spheres of the traditional Tree of Life. This tree is likened to an astrological map of the solar system with all the planets and Sun Signs.
An Introduction to a Kabbalah Reading
Generally, a reading includes a summary of the person’s personality traits, position in the tree of life, lucky day, ruling planet, element and more. There are ten visible and one invisible spheres (sephiroth), and each are ruled over by an individual guardian angel. These ten spheres are, Binah, Chesed, Chokmah, Gevurah, Hod, Keter, Malkhuth, Netzach, Tipheret and Yesod. Da'at is the invisible sphere.
Kabbalah astrology has many similarities to Western astrology except for the Tree of Life- an astrological map with the planets placed into spheres. A sphere aligns with a particular planet, gives an insight into a person’s soul, and can show the health and energy too. The Tree of Life links biblical teachings to astrology and from Genesis (3.22) to Revelation (22.2), there are references to astrological traditions and its role within Christianity.
The Ten Spheres in Kabbalah Astrology
There are ten spheres and each position on the Tree of Life has a relevance to an area of life. Here is a breakdown of what each sphere represents, respective position and the particular guardian angel:
- Malkhuth (10th position) – Malkhuth represents home life, family, and close relationships, and is in the bottom position on the Tree of Life. This sphere is associated with the archangel Sandalphon and ruled by the rising sun. The energy of Malkuth is said to help a person decide on their ideal lifestyle.
- Yesod (9th position) – Yesod shows a person’s unconsciousness or their secret thoughts, hopes, and fear. This sphere physically represents the ego and is embodied by the archangel Gabriel. Yesod corresponds with the Moon, and helps a person determine how to react to life events.
- Hod (8th position) – This sphere deals with the career, business and creative activities and is ruled by the archangel Michael. Hod corresponds with Mercury and therefore identifies with the thought process and communication.
- Netzach (7th position) – Netzach is to the east of Hod and represents emotions and feelings in close relationships. This sphere is depicted by the archangel Haniel and corresponds with planet Venus.
- Tiphereth (6th position) – Tiphereth represents what some refer to as our “higher self”, this sums up the life purpose and goals. This sphere is ruled over by the archangel Raphael and corresponds with the sun.
- Gevurah (5th position) – Gevurah represents life challenges and physically stands for discipline. The sphere is ruled by the archangel Kamael and aligns with the planet Mars.
- Chesed (4th position) – Chesed is to the east of Gevurah and represents the opportunity to grow and rewards for challenges that are overcome. The sphere is governed by the archangel Tzadqiel and is linked with the planet Jupiter.
- Binah (3rd position) – Binah represents innate knowledge and physically represents reason. Ruled by the archangel Tzaphqiel, Binah is associated with the planet Saturn.
- Chokmah (2nd position) – Chokmah is to the east of Binah and represents behaviour and responsibilities. This sphere is ruled by the archangel Raziel and aligns with the planet Uranus.
- Keter (1st position) – Keter is located above all other spheres. This sphere represents new beginnings and creative potential. Keter is ruled by archangel Metatron and corresponds with the planet Neptune.
The Kabbalah Calendar Months
The Hebrew calendar months are each one lunar cycle yet the holidays are related to the seasons, so the calendar is a mix of both lunar and solar. Kabbalah astrology identifies certain energies and events with each month of the calendar which are summed up below:
- Nissan is the first month of the calendar year and commemorates the Israelite exile from Egypt, and the journey from slavery to freedom. According to Kabbalah, this month brings strength to break free of oppression and bondages achieving freedom in life. Nissan is ruled by the planet Mars, linked with Aries and brings strength to fight against conflicts in our lives.
- The month of Iyar is linked with Taurus and is in the period of Sfirat Haomer (the Counting of the Omer). It is believed that each day offers the chance to correct previous negative actions, and the 49 days are seven times seven levels of negativity. Iyar is a time of low energy as it falls during the Omer.
- Sivan is the third month and governed by planet Mercury linked with the sign of Gemini. Sivan is referred to as the month of “Matan Torah” or the giving of the Torah. On the fiftieth day after Passover, the anniversary of when people of the world received the Torah is reached.
- Tamuz is regarded by some as being one of the negative months of the year. The 17th day of this month marks the beginning of mourning over the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The sense of the month is sight and it is believed that people should see things in a positive light. Tamuz is ruled by the moon and governs Cancer.
- Av is the fifth month and relates to the sign of Leo and is ruled by the sun. The ninth day of Av is the day of the sin of the spies and the destruction of the first two Jerusalem temples. Also this day commemorates the birth of Messiah. The fifteenth of Av?is considered to be the happiest day of the year with both the sun and the moon being full and in harmony. Some suggest that this cosmic situation is a good time to find your soulmate.
- The month of Elul corresponds to Virgo and is ruled by Mercury. This month is associated with repentance, mercy and forgiveness. Elul is the month that Moses ascended to Mount Sinai a third time for a period of forty days and also the month of preparation for the holy days of Tishrei.
- Tishrei is the seventh month and begins the tekufah (time) of the autumn. In the Bible, Tishrei is referred to as "the month of the strong" or "the month of the ancients". Tishrei is the sign of Libra represented by the scales.
- Cheshvan is sometimes called Mar Cheshvan is ruled by the planet Mars and Pluto. Noah brought his sacrifice to God on the 28th of Cheshvan and God promised to never bring a flood on the earth again and put the rainbow in the sky. Cheshvan is deemed to contain negative energy and is the only month without holidays.
- Kislev is the month of Sagittarius controlled by planet Jupiter. Sagittarius is called Keshet in Hebrew, meaning rainbow. This represents the omen God showed to Noah when promising a flood would never again destroy the world. The days of Chanukah begin on the 24th of Kislev and end on the 2nd of Tevet. Chanukah candles are lit to celebrate the miracle at Hasmoneans, when a day’s worth of oil burned for eight days in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
- Tevet is the tenth month and is ruled by the planet Saturn and corresponds to the sign of Capricorn. The tenth of this month is a fast day to remember the siege of Jerusalem. The Book of Formation describes Saturn as being responsible for negative events such as disease, death and poverty.
- Shevat is ruled by Uranus and Saturn and linked with Aquarius. The 15th day of Shevat “Tu Beeshvat” is the New Year of Trees and celebrated by eating fruit, especially of the seven types from Israel.
- The Month of Adar is the final month and is linked with Pisces controlled by Jupiter and Neptune. Adar is known for the miracle of and commemorates the change of the Jews' bad fortune to good. Adar is the only month that repeats itself in a single calendar year due to the difference between the lunar and the solar year, an extra month is added 7 times every 19 years.
Kabbalah astrology differs from Western astrology as it doesn’t aim to predict daily events but works in harmony with the months and birth chart to guide an individual towards spiritual development.
Sources:
ExploreAstrology.co.uk Kabbalistic Astrology (Accessed August 27, 2010).
MysticBoard.com Kabbalah Astrology (Accessed August 27, 2010).
ILoveuLove.com Kabbalah on Astrology (Accessed August 27, 2010).
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