by Rebekah Kenton
The metaphysical system of Kabbalah is based on the Tree of Life diagram, which sets out the fundamental laws of existence (Fig.1). Another primary concept is that of four Worlds: the eternal World of Emanation (Azilut), the cosmic World of Creation/Spirit (Beriah), the subtle World of Formation/Psyche (Yezirah) and the natural World of Action (Asiyyah). The diagram called Jacob’s Ladder or the Extended Tree illustrates how the four Worlds overlap and interact as a unified system (Fig.2). This model applies both to the macrocosm of existence and the microcosm of a human being.
Astrology studies the movement of the physical planets in time and space and their influence on human beings. Kabbalistic astrology relates the planetary principles to the sefirot of the Tree of Life and considers the practical, emotional, intellectual and divine levels of a horoscope in a vertical mode. Other traditions allocate planetary rulership of the chakras differently. Here we relate the principles of kabbalistic astrology with the seven major chakras.
The chakras are called wheels. We may imagine them as radiant spheres turning in every direction, The sefirot are also multi-dimensional; it is said that each sefirah contains a complete Tree. The chakras are the connections between the body and the psyche on the central pillar of consciousness of the Tree of Life (Fig.3). Here we have a psychosomatic network combining the more subtle level of the body, the electromagnetic field, with the lower, more dense part of the psyche. The chakras are always active at a subliminal level maintaining all the vital functions of a living organism. However, when an individual begins the psychological and spiritual journey of development, the awakening of the chakras will manifest as the unfolding of unconscious potential.
Malkhut; Ascendent; lower chakras
On the Tree of Life diagram Malkhut represents the body and the external world. There are lower chakras which relate to instincts in the animal kingdom but are not conscious in humans. These inferior chakras are said to be situated in the legs and they can also be seen as Malkhut, which is the domain of the four elements Earth, Water, Air and Fire as well as the four states of matter solid, liquid, gaseous and radiance.
Yesod; the Moon; Mooladhara/base chakra
Yesod is called the Foundation. At the centre of the great yeziratic triad Malkhut-Hod-Nezah, it relates to the autonomic nervous system of the body. It responds to the rule of Mother Nature, which is concerned with life and the continuation of the species. Thus Yesod governs the principle of sexuality.
Astrologically Yesod relates to the Moon, the ego or outer personality. This is conditioned by family and tribal customs as well as the zodiacal sign and aspects of the Moon in a birth chart.
Mooladhara, the root chakra, is the lowest of the seven major chakras. If not developed, it will remain rather infantile or primitive and delude a person to believe only in materiality. As we can see on the Jacob’s Ladder, the Yesod of the psyche overlaps the Daat of the body; they are at the same level but in different realities. Mooladhara contains the dormant power of Kundalini shakti. When it is awaken, it provides the alchemical fire which fuses the physical, psychological, spiritual and divine levels together. It also starts an intense purification process. Ordinary body-mind work is just like dusting compared with the deep cleaning after Kundalini awakening.
Hod-Nezah; Mercury-Venus; Swadhisthana/sacral chakra
The two sefirot Hod/Reverberation and Nezah/Eternally Repeating at the the bottom of the left and right pillars of the Tree of Life work as complementarities in everyday action. The path between these sefirot is called the Liminal Threshold as it defines the border between ordinary waking awareness and the great unconscious above.
The planet Mercury corresponds to the function of Hod ruling normal thinking processes, while Venus or Nezah provides the feeling and necessary energy for running everyday activities. All impressions are registered and then pass through this threshold into the unconscious to be stored there as various complexes, which have a largely unnoticed influence on the ordinary mind.
Anatomically the Swadhisthana and Mooladhara chakras are close to each other and share similar qualities. The chakras can be seen as points on the central pillar of the Tree of Life; as such they represent different levels of consciousness. Swadhisthana contains aspects of both Hod and Nezah. When this chakra is awakened by Kundalini rising, it starts an intense psycho-biological process of purification. Old karmas and unconscious tendencies must be dealt with. While Hod can manifest as excessive fear, Nezah can explode in obsessive sexuality. Many saints describe this phase as Purgatory. One needs to develop detachment in order to move on to higher levels.
Tiferet; the Sun; Manipura/solar plexus chakra
The Tiferet of the psyche at the centre of the yeziratic Tree coincides with the Keter of the body and the Malkhut of the spirit on Jacob’s Ladder. It is both the coordinator and the watcher. It overlays the 1st Heaven of ‘Devotion’, which is also called ‘the Kingdom of Heaven’ or ‘the Veil of Heaven’.
Tiferet corresponds to the Sun. It represents the individual self and as such has a much larger capacity than the ego/Moon. The old maxim ‘know thyself’ also means studying one’s horoscope and astrological type.
Manipura is the solar principle of the chakra system. It distributes pranic energy throughout the entire human organism. Vitality and good health as well as self-confidence depend on the activity of Manipura. When consciousness rises to this level, one starts to realise the possibilities of becoming truly human and acquiring a spiritual perspective. However, with increased personal power come also temptations which can block one’s further development.
Gevurah-Hesed; Mars-Jupiter; Anahata/heart chakra
Gevurah or Judgement functions as discrimination and limitation, balanced by the expansive sefirah of Hesed or Mercy. This pair of sefirot, together with Tiferet below, constitutes the soul triad. This is the domain of higher emotions, which are more refined and permanent than ephemeral feelings.
The psyche is also called the astral body as it responds to planetary influences. The qualities of Mars are discipline and determination, while Jupiter is associated with love and compassion. Depending on the birth chart, they can be strong or weak or in a conflicting aspect.
When consciousness rises up to the Anahata chakra, one acquires a certain inner freedom. The mind is detached from the ego and physicality, which makes exercising free will possible. One is not entirely dependent on preordained fate if one can change one’s attitudes and actions. Therefore it is important to correct any negative tendencies and cultivate love and equanimity. A full awakening of this chakra will release one’s emotional potential and enrich one’s outlook on life.
Daat; Pluto; Vishuddhi/throat chakra
Daat or Knowledge is called a non-sefirah. Its position on the Tree of the psyche overlays the Yesod of Beriah, which is the 2nd Heaven of ‘Purity’. Daat is like a trap-door opening in both directions. It is also a veil that conceals the light of the supernal sefirot from the lower levels.
Kabbalistic astrology relates the mysterious planet Pluto at the outer edge of the solar system with Daat. It is said to symbolise death and transformation. The old saying “The mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine” is a good analogue of Pluto’s influence on a human psyche.
The throat chakra Vishuddhi has many aspects. It transmits transcendental nectar, or the Dew of Heaven, which is vital for physical and psychological regeneration. One achieves a larger overview of existence, and opposing concepts such as good and bad are integrated into the total scheme of being. Here more abstract knowledge can be revealed and one may acquire new faculties such as telepathy and clairaudience. Vishuddhi is also the sleep centre where one is refreshed during deep sleep.
Binah-Hokhmah; Saturn-Uranus; Ajna chakra/Third Eye
Binah/Understanding and Hokhmah/Wisdom are the sefirot of higher intellect. They can manifest as reason and revelation. Collective and cosmic consciousness belong to this transpersonal level, which overlays the 3rd Heaven of ‘Sincerity’ on Jacob’s Ladder.
The planet Saturn relates to Binah and Uranus to Hokhmah. Their influence is profound. One person described how her nervous system suddenly switched to high voltage electricity when she had six different transits to her natal Uranus within one week. She could hardly eat or sleep for a month. Slowly she returned to normal life but with a deeper awareness and sensitivity. This episode prepared the ground for a full Kundalini rising some twenty years later.
The Ajna chakra is the Third Eye which looks inward and upward. When this chakra is activated, it becomes a detached witnessing centre. Universal laws of cause and effect are understood and the mind acquires a spiritual dimension. One may become clairvoyant or visionary as well as having prophetic insights.
Keter; Neptune; Sahasrara/the Crown chakra
The topmost sefirah of the Tree of the psyche is Keter, the Crown. While Tiferet represents the self, Keter is the higher self. Its position on Jacob’s Ladder where the three upper Worlds meet indicates both a spiritual and divine dimension, as it overlays the 4th Heaven of ‘With God’, also called ‘the Kingdom of God’.
Neptune is associated with Keter in kabbalistic astrology. Neptune is the most subtle of planetary influences. It dissolves and transcends boundaries as well as representing one’s highest ideals.
Sahasrara the Crown chakra is traditionally depicted as a thousand petalled lotus, symbolising its infinite potential. Patanjali classifies samadhi or enlightenment in three different stages. “Sahasrara is both formless and with form, yet it is also beyond, and therefore untouched by form.” Awakening this chakra is the aim of a mystic.
While Sahasrara is the highest point of the astral body or the human psyche, tradition states that there are higher chakras above. In Kabbalah they can be seen as the 5th Heaven of ‘Holiness’, the 6th Heaven of ‘Sanctification’ and the 7th Heaven of ‘In the Presence’, which are the rarefied layers of the purely spiritual World of Beriah (Fig.4). The four lower Heavens are parallel with the psyche, meaning that certain astrological aspects can also stimulate awareness of the spiritual dimension.
Each individual is unique and their interior experiences vary greatly. Astrological birth charts show graphically how everyone is wired differently. A horoscope is closely linked to a person’s fate and karma; transits and progressions are often the triggers for the unfolding of karmic tendencies in time. Likewise, the chakras can be active at a particular time and dormant at another, and their awakening does not always happen in the same order as described above. It is helpful to know when the astrological configuration is favourable for meditation and interior work, and when it is better to focus on external matters.
Here we have three very old maps Kabbalah, astrology and the chakra system depicting the same human landscape of the body, the psyche and the spirit. The maps are only outlines. It is up to each individual to fill in the details by how they live their lives. These maps show the way to self-knowledge and ultimately to the discovery of our divine origin and purpose.
Illustrations
Fig. 1. Halevi, Zev ben Shimon. The Kabbalistic Tree of Life. Page xiv. London: KS Books Ltd, 2024.
Fig.2. Halevi, Z’ev ben Shimon. Kabbalah and Astrology. Page 40. London: KS Books Ltd, 2024.
Fig.3. Halevi, Z’ev ben Shimon. Kabbalistic Contemplations. Page 174. London: KS Books Ltd, 2024.
Fig.4. Halevi, Z’ev ben Shimon. Kabbalistic Contemplations. Page 54. London: KS Books Ltd, 2024
