Throughout human history, including varied countries, cultures and religions, trees have been cosmological metaphors for understanding Creation.
Why trees?
Perhaps it has to do with the fact trees are the greatest natural conquerors of gravity …think redwoods…with their sap rising without a heart-like pump as if sucked by a giant straw to feed their highest branches and foliage.
Their magnetism is embedded in our psyches and scientists have recently discovered trees actually communicate amongst themselves, even sending the neediest necessary nutrients through their root systems.
To me, the most interesting of these tree metaphors stems from the Hebraic Kabbalah in which what is known as The Tree of Life is embedded in what is known as The Flower of Life.
The latter is a symbol that belongs to Sacred Geometry*, which espouses all life is part of a divine, geometric plan, the Flower being a model of Creation (the 19 circles within the central circle of the above image).
The Tree of Life, itself, is considered to be a map of the universe, the order of Creation within the cosmos. It is an arrangement of ten interconnected spheres (called Sephiroth), that represent the central organizational system of the Kabbalistic cosmology.
The lines or channels of energy that join the Sephiroth together represent the 22 possible pathways to reach Illumination. **
So far, so good.
The problems I have with this metaphor are twofold…
First, the Sephiroth are not inanimate “things” or mere “emanations” of the Creator’s being as most Kabbalists would have it, but actual conscious entities, which I refer to as the highest stratum of Angels.
Second, the energies of the first nine of these beings, taken together as the roots, wood, sap and fruit of the Tree, are aspects of the Divine Feminine, a being who holds all their energies and powers.
Having initially been derived within a paternalistic framework, it’s my view that the feminine nature of these life-giving aspects has not previously been sufficiently recognized. In fact, in large part, it has been ignored or hidden.
In the above representation, this Divine Feminine is linked to the Divine Masculine represented by the Sun Seed that fuels or Illuminates the Tree. Therefore, moving through the aspects of Life leads to Illumination.
So, what is the big deal about this re-envisioning of the Tree ? Why does it matter?
It’s a matter of relevance.
Whether referred to as this galaxy’s Mother Earth, Lady Earth, Gaia or the more universally expansive Angel Barbelo, the Divine Feminine exemplifies today’s re-emergence of the equality women enjoyed in many ancient cultures such as Peru’s 900-year Chavin Era over 3,000 years ago.
What’s more, in the above depiction, that the Divine Masculine energy sits “above” the Tree does not mean it is greater than or even the dominant energy. (What happens when the circle is rotated?)
The reality is that, together, the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine are co-equal energies, forming the stuff of Creation. One without the other would be meaningless. One without the other would not allow for Creation to manifest or even be.
Together, they bring humanity to the closest possible understanding of Creation and the Creator.
This is the relevance of the re-envisioned Tree of Life.
*Sacred Geometry reveals the harmonic energy
patterns by which nature creates and designs.
All structures known to us follow this plan.
It’s fantastic and reveals the miracle of life.
ADDENDUM
Here are the Angels who make up the Tree of Life, their designations/powers and their ministering (i.e. “right hand”) Angels.
Kether – The Divine Masculine – Illumination – The Crown
Metatron
Barbelo – The Divine Feminine – Bliss – All LifeSandal
Sandalphon
(Read right to left within the central circle above)
Chokhmah – Wisdom – The Power of Knowing
Raziel
Binah – Understanding – The Power of Love
Tzaphqiel
Chesed – Mercy – The Power of Vision
Tzadqiel
Gevurah – Strength -The Power of Intention
Khamael
Tipheret – Beauty – The Power of Creativity
Michael
Netzach – Victory – The Power of the Eternal Now
Haniel
Hod – Splendor – The Power of Observation
Raphael
Yesod – The Foundation – The Power of Manifesting
Gabriel
Malkuth – The Kingdom – The Power of Healing
The Shekinah