Tree of life (Kabbalah)

The Tree of Life is a central mystical symbol used in Kabbalah, a Jewish mystical tradition. It is depicted as a diagram composed of ten interconnected spheres, called Sephirot (singular: Sephirah), and 22 connecting paths. The Sephirot represent different aspects or emanations of God's divine attributes and act as channels through which divine energy flows into creation.

Each Sephirah embodies a specific divine quality or principle. The order of the Sephirot represents a hierarchical structure, starting with the most abstract and transcendent at the top and becoming increasingly concrete and manifest toward the bottom. The Sephirot are usually arranged in three columns or pillars: the Pillar of Mercy (right), the Pillar of Severity (left), and the Pillar of Mildness or Equilibrium (center).

The twenty-two paths connecting the Sephirot are associated with the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, and by extension, with the twenty-two major arcana of the Tarot. These paths represent different states of consciousness and pathways of connection between the Sephirot.

The Tree of Life serves as a map of creation, a model of the human soul, and a guide to spiritual transformation. Kabbalists use the Tree as a framework for understanding the nature of reality, the relationship between God and creation, and the inner workings of the self. Through meditation and contemplation on the Sephirot and the paths, practitioners seek to ascend the Tree, ultimately achieving union with the divine.

Interpretations and applications of the Tree of Life vary within different schools of Kabbalah and among individual practitioners. However, its fundamental structure and symbolism remain a cornerstone of Kabbalistic thought and practice.