32 paths of wisdom
The 32 paths of wisdom on the Etz h'Chayim consist of the 10 sefiroth and the 22 interconnecting paths.
Each of these 32 paths represents a different state of consciousness reflected by the relationship
between the 2 sefiroth which it connects. They are listed here in numerical (1-10) and then alphabetical
(alef-taw) order.
http://www.servantsofthelight.org/QBL/Paths/
[Kether to Chokhmah]
Meaning The Ox or Yetziric Text
Primal Energy The Eleventh Path is named The Glaring Consciousness (Sekhel
MeTzuchtzach) . It is called this because it is the
Path 11 essence of the veil which is ordered in the arrangement of the
Aleph system. It indicates the relationship of the paths (netivot)
whereby one can stand before The Cause of Causes.
Symbolic meaning of Path: the scintillating Intelligence
Occult Concept of Path: The primeval movement of the Great, Creative Breath, spinning the chaos from
the moment of creation into a creative core
Basal attribute of the Path: Air
Tarot trump: Zero, 0, The Fool
[Kether to Binah]
Meaning The House Yetziric Text
The Twelfth Path is named The Glowing
This is the Crown of creation and
the radiance of the homogeneous Consciousness (Sekhel Bahir) It is
Path 12 unity that “exalts itself above all as called this because it is the essence of the Orphan-
Beth the Head.” The masters of wheel of Greatness. It is called the Visualiser
Kabbalah call it the Second Glory. (Chazchazit), the place which gives rise to the
vision that the Seers perceive in an apparition.
Symbolic meaning of Path: the Transparent Intelligence
Occult Concept of Path: The combined natures of the Sephirot Chokmah & Hod are reflected by this
path, their properties are mercurial, here in an alchemical sense of Universal Mercury, as hinted at in
the section on Hod. That is, due to the higher octave of this path, the mercurial nature expressed here is
more in line with the intelligible Quality found in the Mercury of the philosophers, which can be reached
through the higher aspects of sensible Qualities of Hod. The mercurial principle is the ever changing
Principle of cohesive force that holds all the creation together, from the subtlest of matter to its most
material of form
Basal attribute of the Path: Mercury, the planet with the understanding given above
Tarot trump: One, 1, The Magician
[Kether to Tipheret]
Meaning Yetziric Text
The Camel The Thirteenth Path is named The Unity Directing Consciousness
(Sekhel Manhig HaAchdut) It is called this
Path 13 because it is the essence of the Glory. It represents the completion of the
Gimel true essence of the unified spiritual beings.
Symbolic meaning of Path: the Uniting Intelligence
Occult Concept of Path: The portal of entry into an Inner Magical Sanctum or College of the Masters
Basal attribute of the Path: Moon
Tarot trump: 2, The High Priestess
[Chokhmah to Binah]
Meaning Yetziric Text
The Door The Fourteenth Path is name The Illuminating Consciousness (Sekhel Meir)
It is called this because it is the essence of the Speaking
Path 14 Silence (Chashmal). It gives instruction regarding the mysteries of the holy
Daleth secrets and their structure.
Symbolic meaning of Path: the Luminous Intelligence
Occult Concept of Path: The force by wich opposites are attracted to each other. Due to the Basal
Attribute assigned to this path, the implication is one of Love, although in a higher aspect. In this
instance a Love whose end result of uniting the opposites, produces a mystical creation and experience
through the act of union
Basal attribute of the Path: Venus
Tarot trump: 3, The Empress
[Chokhmah to Tifareth]
Meaning Yetziric Text
The The Fifteenth Path is named The Stabilising Consciousness (Sekhel
Window
Ma'amid) It is called this because it stabilises the essence
Path 15 of creation in the "Glooms of Purity." The masters of theory said that this is
Heh the Gloom [at Sinai]. This is the meaning of, "Gloom is its cocoon" (Job,
35:9)
Symbolic meaning of Path: the Constituting Intelligence
Occult Concept of Path: The alchemical Sulphur that possess a physical vehicle. It is this vehicle chich
embodies & contains consciousness of the substance being worked upon alchemically
Basal attribute of the Path: Aries, zodiac
Tarot trump: 4, The Emperor
The
word consecration
literally means
"association with
the sacred".
[Chokhmah to Chesed]
Meaning Yetziric Text
The Nail The Sixteenth Path is named The Enduring Consciousness. (Sekhel Nitzchi)
The Hook
It is called this because it is the Delight (Eden) of the
Path 16 Glory. As it is, there is no Glory lower than it. It is called the Garden of
Vav Eden, which is prepared for the [reward of the] Saints.
Symbolic meaning of Path: the son of the Tetragrammaton
Occult Concept of Path: act of Redemption & Joy
Basal attribute of the Path: Taurus, zodiac
Tarot trump: 5, The Hierophant
[Binah to Tifareth]
Path 17 Meaning Yetziric Text
The Sword The Seventeenth Path is named The Consciousness of the Senses.
(Sekhel HaHergesh) . This is prepared for the faithful saints
so that they should be able to clothe themselves in the spirit of holiness. In
Zayin the arrangement of the supernal Entities, it is called the Foundation of
Beauty (Yesod HaTiferet).
Symbolic meaning of Path: the disposing intelligence
Occult Concept of Path: is symbolic of the Primal Force behind all of the fabricating and forging forces
within Nature, and as symbolic of the depths of the nature itself
Basal attribute of the Path: Gemini, zodiac
Tarot trump: 6, The Lovers
Binah to Gevurah
Path 18 Meaning Yetziric Text
A Fence The Eighteenth Path is named The Consciousness of the House of Influx.
Enclosure
(Sekhel Bet HaShefa) . By probing with it, a secret
mystery (raz) and an allusion are transmitted to those who "dwell in its
Cheth shadow" and bind themselves to probing its substance from the Cause of
Causes.
Symbolic meaning of Path: the house of influence
Occult Concept of Path: the process of accomplishing the Great Work, by which one comes to grasp the
reality of Keter, which is the attainment of the (K&C) Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian
Angel (HGA)
Basal attribute of the Path: Cancer
Tarot trump: 7, the Chariot
[Chesed to Gevurah]
Path 19 Meaning Yetziric Text
The The Nineteenth Path is named The Consciousness of the Mystery of all
Serpent Spiritual Activities (Sekhel Sod HaPaulot HaRuchniot Kulam)
It is called this because of the
Teth influx that permeates it from the highest blessing and the supreme Glory.
Symbolic meaning of Path: is the alternate path, uniting the opposites of the male potency of Chesed
with the female potency of Geburah, Mercy & Severity
Occult Concept of Path: aunque la serpiente está asignada a este path, debido a su asociación con Teth,
el Lion es una consecuencia de conectar Hesed con Gevurah. Este león tiene un significado especial en
alquimia, la producción de Menstrum o Green Lion del cual se aobtiene la Piedra de la Sabiduría.
También tiene un significado psico-espiritual de auto transformación en el cual el plomo humano, su
baja naturaleza se transmuta a su Alta
Basal attribute of the Path: Leo
Tarot trump: 8, Strength
[Chesed to Tifareth]
Path 20 Meaning Yetziric Text
Closed The Twentieth Path is named The Consciousness of Will. (Sekhel HaRatzon)
Hand
It is called this because it is the structure of all that is
Jod formed. Through this state of consciousness. One can know the essence of
the Original Wisdom
Symbolic meaning of Path: the Forceful Intelligence
Occult Concept of Path: the movement of the One Consciousness through which the force of the
Universe have been set in motion
Basal attribute of the Path: Virgo
Tarot trump: 9, The Hermit
Chesed to Netzach
Path 21 Meaning Yetziric Text
Grasping The Twenty-first Path is named The Desired and Sought Consciousness
Hand
Arm, Wing (Sekhel HaChafutz VeHaMevukash) It is called
this because it receives the divine influx so as to bestow its blessing to all
Kaph things that exist.
Symbolic meaning of Path: Conciliatory Intelligence
Occult Concept of Path:
Basal attribute of the Path:
Tarot trump:
Gevurah to Tifareth
Path 22 Meaning Yetziric Text
Ox-goad The Twenty-second Path is named The Faithful Consciousness.
(Sekhel Ne'eman) It is called this because spiritual powers are
increased through it, so that they can be close to all who "dwell in their
Lamed shadow".
Symbolic meaning of Path:
Occult Concept of Path:
Basal attribute of the Path:
Tarot trump:
Gevurah to Hod
Path 23 Meaning Yetziric Text
Water The Twenty-third Path is named The Sustaining Consciousness.
(Sekhel Kayam) It is called this because it is the sustaining
power for all the Sephiroth.
Mem
Symbolic meaning of Path:
Occult Concept of Path:
Basal attribute of the Path:
Tarot trump:
Tifareth to Netzach
Path 24 Meaning Yetziric Text
Fish The Twenty-fourth Path is named The Apparitive Consciousness.
(Sekhel Dimyoni)
It is called this because it provides an appearance for all created
Nun apparitions, in a form fitting their stature.
Symbolic meaning of Path:
Occult Concept of Path:
Basal attribute of the Path:
Tarot trump:
Tifareth to Yesod
Path 25 Meaning Yetziric Text
Prop The Twenty-fifth Path is named The Testing Consciousness. (Sekhel
Apuntalar
Nisyoni)
It is called this because it is the original temptation through which God
Samekh tests all of his saints.
Symbolic meaning of Path:
Occult Concept of Path:
Basal attribute of the Path:
Tarot trump:
Tifareth to Hod
Path 26 Meaning Yetziric Text
Eye The Twenty-sixth Path is named The Renewing Consciousness. (Sekhel
MeChudash)
It is called this because it is the means through which the Blessed Holy One
Ayin brings about all new things which are brought into being in His creation.
Symbolic meaning of Path:
Occult Concept of Path:
Basal attribute of the Path:
Tarot trump:
Netzach & Hod
Path 27 Meaning Yetziric Text
Mouth The Twenty-seventh path is named The Palpable Intelligence. (Sekhel
Murgash) It is called this because the consciousness of all
things created under the entire upper sphere, as well as all their
Peh sensations, were created through it.
Symbolic meaning of Path:
Occult Concept of Path:
Basal attribute of the Path:
Tarot trump:
Netzach & Yesod
Path 27 Meaning Yetziric Text
The Fish- The Twenty-eighth path is named The Natural Intelligence. (Sekhel Mutba)
hook
It is called this because the nature of all that exist under
the sphere of the sun was completed through it.
Peh
Symbolic meaning of Path:
Occult Concept of Path:
Basal attribute of the Path:
Tarot trump:
Path 29 Meaning Yetziric Text
Back of The Twenty-ninth path is named The Physical Intelligence. (Sekhel
Head Mugsham)
It is called this because it depicts the growth of everything that becomes
physical under the system of all the spheres.
Qoph
Symbolic meaning of Path:
Occult Concept of Path:
Basal attribute of the Path:
Tarot trump:
Path 30 Meaning Yetziric Text
Face or The Thirtieth path is named The General Intelligence.
Head
(Sekhel Kelali) It is called this because it is the means through
which the "generalisers of the heavens" collect their rules regarding the
Resh stars and constellations, forming the theory that comprises their
knowledge of the Orphan-wheels of the spheres.
Symbolic meaning of Path:
Occult Concept of Path:
Basal attribute of the Path:
Tarot trump:
Hod to Malkhut
Meaning Yetziric Text
Path 31 Tooth The Thirty-first path is named The Continuous Intelligence.
(Sekhel Tamidi)
Why is it called this? Because it directs the path of sun and moon
according to their laws of nature, each one in its proper orbit.
Shin
Symbolic meaning of Path:
Occult Concept of Path:
Basal attribute of the Path:
Tarot trump:
Path 32 Meaning Yetziric Text
Cross The Thirty-second path is named The Worshiped Intelligence.
(Sekhel Ne'evad) It is called this because it is prepared so as
to destroy all who engage in the worship of the seven planets.
Tau
Symbolic meaning of Path:
Occult Concept of Path:
Basal attribute of the Path:
Tarot trump:
Within the construct of the Etz haĦayim, there are twenty-two interconnecting paths which each
connect a specific pair of sefiroth. These interconnecting paths are arranged according to a
symmetrical mathematical arrangement of ten sefiroth into three columns, with three horizontal
paths, seven vertical paths, and twelve diagonal paths, similar in many ways to the ‘natural’
geometrical arrangement of ten elements into three columns. Each of these twenty-two
interconnecting paths relates to a specific Hebrew letter and represents an order of consciousness
(Path of Wisdom) which expresses the relationship between the energies of the two sefiroth
joined by the path in question. A table detailing each of these twenty-two interconnecting paths
(along with the associated Hebrew letter, Path of Wisdom, and associated Lurianic Tarot Major
Arcanum) is given below (descriptions of the Paths of Wisdom below are quoted directly from
Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan’s commentary on the Sefer Yetzirah):
a – Alef [Ħesed/Gevurah] fool שכל סוד הפעולות הרוחניות כולם
Sekhel Sod haPauloth haRuaħnioth Kulam: Consciousness of the Mystery of all Spiritual
Activities. It is called this because of the influx that permeates it from the highest blessing
and the supreme Glory.
b – Beth [Ħokhmah/Ħesed] cosmos שכל נצחי
Sekhel Nitzħi: Enduring Consciousness. It is called this because it is the Delight (Eden) of
the Glory. As it is, there is no Glory lower than it. It is called the Garden of Eden, which is
prepared for the [reward of the] saints.
g – Gimmel [Binah/Gevurah] fortune שכל בית השפע
Sekhel Beit haShefa: Consciousness of the House of Influx. By probing with it, a secret
mystery (raz) and an allusion are transmitted to those who ‘dwell in its shadow’ and bind
themselves to probing its substance from the Cause of Causes.
d – Daleth [Kether/Tifareth] tower שכל מנהיג האחדות
Sekhel Manhig haAħduth: Unity Directing Consciousness. It is called this because it is the
essence of the Glory. It represents the completion of the true essence of the unified spiritual
beings.
e – Heh [Kether/Ħokhmah] emperor שכל מצוחצח
Sekhel Metsuħtsaħ: Glaring Consciousness. It is called this because it is the essence of the
Veil which is ordered in the arrangement of the system. It indicates the relationship of the
Paths (netivoth) whereby one can stand before the Cause of Causes.
u – Waw [Kether/Binah] hierophant שכל בהיר
Sekhel Bahir: Glowing Consciousness. It is called this because it is the essence of the Ofan-
Wheel of Greatness. It is called the Visualizer (Ħazħazit), the place which gives rise to the
vision that the Seers perceive in an apparition.
z – Zayin [Ħokhmah/Gevurah] lovers שכל מגשם
Sekhel Mugsham: Physical Consciousness. It is called this because it depicts the growth of
everything that becomes physical under the system of all the spheres.
h – Ħeth [Ħesed/Tifareth] chariot שכל הרצון
Sekhel haRatson: Consciousness of Will. It is called this because it is the structure of all that
is formed. Through this state of consciousness one can know the essence of the Original
Wisdom.
j – Teth [Ħokhmah/Tifareth] strength שכל מעמיד
Sekhel Ma’amid: Stabilizing Consciousness. It is called this because it stabilizes the essence
of creation in the ‘Glooms of Purity.’ The masters of theory said that this is the Gloom [at
Sinai]. This is the meaning of, ‘Gloom is its cocoon’ (Iyov/Job 35:9).
i – Yodh [Tifareth/Netsaħ] hermit שכל דמיוני
Sekhel Dimyoni: Apparitive Consciousness. It is called this because it provides an
appearance for all created apparitions, in a form fitting their stature.
k – Kaf [Ħesed/Netsaħ] sun שכל החפץ והמבוקש
Sekhel haĦafuts w’haMevukash: Desired and Sought Consciousness. It is called this
because it receives the divine Influx so as to bestow its blessing to all things that exist.
l – Lamed [Hod/Yesod] justice שכל כללי
Sekhel Kelali: General Consciousness. It is called this because it is the means through which
the ‘generalisers of the heavens’ collect their rules regarding the stars and constellations,
forming the theory that comprises their knowledge of the Ofan-wheels of the spheres.
m – Mem [Netsaħ/Hod] pendulant שכל מורגש
Sekhel Murgash: Palpable Consciousness. It is called this because the consciousness of all
things created under the entire upper sphere, as well as all their sensations, were created
through it.
n – Nun [Netsaħ/Yesod] death שכל מוטבע
Sekhel Mutba: Natural Consciousness. It is called this because the nature of all that exist
under the sphere of the sun was completed through it.
x – Samekh [Tifareth/Hod] temperance שכל מחודש
Sekhel Meħudash: Renewing Consciousness. It is called this because it is the means through
which the Blessèd Holy One brings about all new things which are brought into being in His
creation.
o – Ayin [Binah/Tifareth] devil שכל ההרגש
Sekhel haHergesh: Consciousness of the Senses. This is prepared for the faithful saints so
that they should be able to clothe themselves in the spirit of holiness. In the arrangement of
the supernal Entities, it is called the Foundation of Beauty (Yesod HaTifareth).
p – Peh [Gevurah/Hod] empress שכל קיים
Sekhel Kayyam: Sustaining Consciousness. It is called this because it is the sustaining power
for all the sefiroth.
c – Tsaddi [Gevurah/Tifareth] star שכל נאמן
Sekhel Ne’eman: Faithful Consciousness. It is called this because spiritual powers are
increased through it, so that they can be close to all who ‘dwell in their shadow.’
q – Quf [Binah/Ħesed] moon שכל תמידי
Sekhel Tamidi: Continuous Consciousness. Why is it called this? Because it directs the path
of the sun and moon according to their laws of nature, each one in its proper orbit.
r – Resh [Tifareth/Yesod] prophet שכל נסיוני
Sekhel Nisyoni: Testing Consciousness. It is called this because it is the original temptation
through which God tests all of His saints.
s – Shin [Ħokhmah/Binah] angel שכל מאיש
Sekhel Me’ir: Illuminating Consciousness. It is called this because it is the essence of the
Speaking Silence (Ħashmal). It gives instruction regarding the mysteries of the Holy Secrets
and their structure.
t – Taw [Yesod/Malkuth] torah שכל נעבד
Sekhel Ne’evad: Worshipped Consciousness. It is called this because it is prepared so as to
destroy all who engage in the worship of the seven planets.
