Dion Fortune systematically explains the nature of the QBLH, specifically the Tree of Life, and then leads the reader through the meaning of each of the Sephiroth. The explainations are a bit jumpy, not due to any lack of ability for Dion's writing, but largely due to the interconnection of the Tree, and the inability to understand one Sephira on it's own. A book that would really improve the reader's understanding with a second time through it. A fairly complete book, which seems beneficial to both beginner and intermediate QBLHists. ( )

"The Qabalah, whose disciplines include the occult sciences of astrology and tarot, forms the basis of the Western Mystery Tradition. It is a system of mystical knowledge and spiritual development in the same way that Yoga is the mystical system of the East. The Tree of Life – a diagram consisting of 10 circles connected by 22 "paths" – is the heart of Qabalistic teaching. It is a cosmic diagram; the blueprint of the universe and the human being, containing within itself a description of all possible relationships and all phenomena."

This is written from within the system of the Hermetic Qabalah (not the Jewish one), but many parallels and insights to our own pathworking can be drawn from it, as well as some clarification...

I am not sure it even deserve that half a star.

I am no Kabalist in any way but I have a certain interest in the subject and until I read this book I wanted to believe I am no Hebrew/Jewish snob.

BUT!!!

When you tell your readers that one does not need to know Hebrew to study Kaballah you tend to make my eyes glaze over for many reasons but mostly as a self defence against anger induced brain hemmorage.

Then if in the same breath you conclude that one must pronounce the Hebrew words and name absolutely correctly I tend to giggle due to the silly inherent in the self contradiction.

THEN... When you confuse TET and TAV...

I just stop reading ... I am surprised this book was not nuked from orbit by me...

I guess it brought out the Jewish/Hebrew snob in me after all... I just rather get lost in the wonderful maze that is the original text of the Zohar... yeah... yeah - its in Arameic... I can read that too... lucky lucky me ... You know I am no Kabalist when I rather go and curl up on the sofa with a trashy gay romance novel and a nice cup of tea... ¬_¬

So ... Dion Fortune... I live in the town you loved and I share that very love with you and your novels are absolute Gems but this book is ... embarasing... ( )

Fortune covers the subject better than anyone when it comes to the paths and the sephiroth. Always insightful, sometimes challenging, and very exhaustive, I believe this is THE best book out there for beginners. ( )

A very complete guide to the magical Kabbalah, this book is probably the second one which ought to be read by the new student (after DuQuette's "The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed ben Clifford"). ( )