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Tree of Life Use

To: alt.magick.tyagi,alt.magick,alt.magick.moderated,alt.magick.order,talk.religion.misc,alt.consciousness.mysticism
From: tyagi@houseofkaos.abyss.com (nagasiva)
Subject: TMaroney: The Qabalah
Date: 17 Nov 1996 01:31:00 -0800

[from thelema93-l@hollyfeld.org: Tim Maroney ]

>As a matrix for cross cultural mythology studies, the Tree of
>Life is extremely useful.

I don't think I could disagree more. Real studies in comparative religion 
and anthropology are based on an expansive approach to the subject, 
rather than the Tree of Life's minimizing approach, in which symbols are 
boiled down to single attributes (often secondary attributes) in an 
attempt to foster the illusion of "correspondence". Since the 
correspondences are not between the symbols as they exist in their home 
traditions, but between radically stripped-down versions of the symbols, 
their contribution to cross-cultural understanding is negative.

The Tree of Life is useful as one thing: a generator for spells and 
meditations. It creates its own uniquely sparse tabular mythology which 
allows for the ready, automatic construction of rituals and and visions, 
unencumbered by the need for original insight or research. If one can 
ignore the methodological problems with the construction and 
interpretation of this matrix legend, then one may be able to easily 
experience mystical and magical states within its framework.

Tim Maroney

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