Qlippoth

What it is

The qlippoth are impure spiritual forces within Jewish mysticism. They serve as the dark counterparts to the sefirot, which are the holy emanations of God. The realm they inhabit is known as Sitra Achra, or the Other Side. These entities are often described as husks or shells that remain after divine light has been withdrawn. In some traditions, they are viewed as remnants of creation that were not fully integrated into the holy structure.

Where it comes from

The concept appears first in the Zohar. It is linked to an esoteric reading of Genesis 1:14. The text uses a defective spelling for luminaries that matches the word for curses. This verse is interpreted as describing the moon dimming its light. That resulting darkness gave birth to the qlippoth. Later Kabbalists, such as those in the Lurianic school, expanded on these ideas. Christian scholars later translated these texts into Latin, introducing them to European occultism.

What it is for

These forces are associated with destruction and anger. Specific names like Mashhith and Af correspond to specific sefirot. Practitioners of Hermetic Qabalah sometimes study them to understand the full spectrum of spiritual energy. Some modern orders believe integrating these darker aspects leads to holistic growth. They are not typically used for direct ritual work by mainstream communities.

Who does it

Scholars of Kabbalah and Hermetic Qabalah study these concepts. The Golden Dawn order included them in their magical correspondences. Aleister Crowley listed them in his tables of magic. Kenneth Grant explored them through the Typhonian Order. He viewed them as pathways for transformative energy. These studies are generally academic or esoteric rather than communal religious practice.

Peoples and places

The tradition originates in Jewish Babylonian Aramaic texts. It is central to Lurianic Kabbalah. Hermetic Qabalah adopted and adapted these ideas in Europe. The Typhonian Order continues to explore them in contemporary occultism. The concept remains a key part of understanding the shadow side of the Tree of Life in these systems.

What people believe

The qlippoth are seen as the opposite of holiness. They are personifications of darkness and void. Names like Tohu and Bohu describe formless states. The structure includes seven divisions of Hell and twelve orders of demons. Each qlippa has a one-to-one match with a sefira. This balance suggests that darkness is necessary to define light.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Christian Knorr von Rosenroth published the Kabbala denudata in 1684. Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers translated it into English. This work introduced the qlippoth to Western esotericism. Modern researchers view these concepts as part of a complex theological system. They analyze how the idea evolved from Jewish mysticism to demonology.

Compare and confuse

The qlippoth are distinct from fallen angels in Christian theology. They are related to the concept of Yetzer hara, the evil inclination. The term Sitra Achra is also used in broader Kabbalistic discourse. Different orders interpret the hierarchy of these forces differently.

Questions people ask about Qlippoth

Good reading and sources

• Qlippoth on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data