✡️ Kabbalah and Western Esotericism
✡️ Kabbalah and Western Esotericism
- Course Code: ESOT 5302
- Florida Course Numbering System: REL 5361
- Credits: 3
- Level: Graduate
- Program: Master of Theosophy
📘 Course Description
This course explores the core teachings of Jewish Kabbalah and its influence on Western esoteric traditions including Hermeticism, Rosicrucianism, Theosophy, and Christian mysticism. Students will investigate the symbolic structure of the Tree of Life, the Sephiroth, the duality of light and shadow (Qliphoth), and the evolution of soul through mystical ascent. The course includes comparative studies with alchemy, tarot, and magical traditions of the Renaissance and modern occultism.
🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Analyze the symbolic system of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life and its philosophical underpinnings.
- Identify key Kabbalistic concepts such as Ein Sof, Sephiroth, Tzimtzum, and the Four Worlds.
- Evaluate the impact of Kabbalah on Western esoteric systems, especially Theosophy and Hermetic thought.
- Compare Jewish Kabbalah with Hermetic and Christian Kabbalah.
- Engage with primary texts and symbolic diagrams in their historical and spiritual context.
🗂️ Weekly Topics Breakdown
| Week | Topic | Key Readings & Resources |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Kabbalah: Origins and Definitions | The Essential Kabbalah – Daniel C. Matt (Intro) |
| 2 | Ein Sof and the Emanation of the Sephiroth | Zohar (excerpts), Lurianic interpretation |
| 3 | The Tree of Life: The Ten Sephiroth and Their Attributes | Diagram analysis, Mystical Qabalah – Dion Fortune |
| 4 | The Four Worlds: Atziluth, Beriah, Yetzirah, Assiah | Kabbalistic cosmology, inner and outer worlds |
| 5 | The Lightning Flash and the Path of Descent | Kabbalistic evolution and soul descent |
| 6 | The Path of Return: Spiritual Ascent through the Tree | Sephiroth as stages of consciousness |
| 7 | The Qliphoth: The Shadow of the Tree | Left-hand paths, Daath, Jungian parallels |
| 8 | Hermetic Kabbalah and the Renaissance | Pico della Mirandola, Agrippa, magical correspondences |
| 9 | Christian Kabbalah: Integration with Christian Theology | Reuchlin, Knorr von Rosenroth, symbolic syncretism |
| 10 | Rosicrucianism and the Kabbalistic Science of Transformation | Fama Fraternitatis, Alchemical links |
| 11 | Kabbalah and Tarot: Archetypes, Paths, and Divination | Eliphas Levi, Golden Dawn, Tree/Path correspondences |
| 12 | Theosophy and the Kabbalistic Influence | Blavatsky, Besant, Bailey on the Tree of Life |
| 13 | Meditative Kabbalah: Practical Techniques and Contemplation | Sefer Yetzirah practices, visualization, mantra |
| 14 | Final Presentations and Integration | Student-led presentations and synthesis |
🧾 Assessments
- Symbolic Analysis (20%) – Diagram interpretation or written analysis of Sephiroth/Qliphoth
- Research Essay (25%) – Topic exploring cross-influence (e.g., Kabbalah and Hermeticism)
- Creative Project or Presentation (25%) – Option: meditative pathworking, comparative diagram, or ritual design
- Weekly Reflections (20%) – Short analysis of readings and symbols
- Participation (10%) – Discussion, seminar engagement, forum posts
📚 Required Texts
- The Essential Kabbalah – Daniel C. Matt
- The Mystical Qabalah – Dion Fortune
- Kabbalah and the Tree of Life – Z'ev ben Shimon Halevi
- The Zohar – (excerpts, standard translation or guided edition)
- The Kabbalah Unveiled – S.L. MacGregor Mathers (optional for deeper exploration)
- Supplementary readings from Eliphas Levi, Aleister Crowley, H.P. Blavatsky, and modern commentators