PNN-KM: Mainstream archaeologists / historians most often explain that cultural fascination with skulls has to do with a fascination with death, which led to the formation of rituals honoring the dead. What do you think is the connection between "skull consciousness" and death rituals, if any?

SHELLY: Yes, I definitely think there are connections to death rituals. If you look at many archeological sites around the globe, you often see stone carvings of skulls which were symbolic of people who perished in plagues, war and sacrifice. I think when images from that long ago are still present in modern times, they link us to the collective consciousness of our ancestors and definitely have a connection to why skulls currently speak to us at such a deep unconscious level.

PNN-KM: With your extensive background and expertise in crystals, what is it about the skull shape that makes these crystals more powerful energetically than differently shaped crystals?

SHELLY: The shape of any stone contributes to its healing potential. Crystals carved in geometrical patterns allow us to access the form of our own cells and other building blocks of the universe. Likewise, the shape of the skull speaks to the collective generations from times past and allows us to tune into the higher holographic form of ourselves. It is powerful!

PNN-KM: Regarding the discussion you had with the skull crystal, Clyde, how did you receive his responses? In other words, was there a distinctly different voice emanating from the crystal during your meditation with him or was it more like thoughts or even images? (Please don't take this as being facetious...I'm genuinely curious, mainly because I receive impressions from people and things...and have never, as far as I know, received anything on the spiritual level visually or audibly, except maybe through dreams).

SHELLY: When I say Clyde spoke, or any stone spoke to me (I say that a lot, actually) I am not referring to a 3D audible sound but a tangible voice from within. When I write I hear an inner voice, like some psychics receive visuals, which I do at times, in this case, I receive information auditorially, thus I describe it as speaking to me.

PNN-KM: Playing the advocate: Is it possible that the energy from this crystal instead unlocked information or knowledge already stored within you? Maybe having come from experiences during a past life?

SHELLY: Absolutely! All spiritual tools ever do is unlock the wisdom already within. I believe we all lived many past lives and we probably knew a lot of things, but in the Greek mindset, we choose to dip into the river of forgetfulness when we come here and in my opinion, spend our entire lifetimes trying to remember the fact we already know so much.

The other philosophy regarding the skulls is that there are actual light beings who project themselves through the skulls in order to assist humanity with various things. That is why so many who work with skulls report such strong personalities and the phenomenon of the skulls telling people what their name is. With Clyde, I think the latter is the case. I believe there is a being who is assisting people and using the skull form to communicate.

PNN-KM: In my perception, the arrival of Indigo Children should be expected, considering the predictions about the next cycle of spiritual evolution made by cultures such as the ancient Maya. They exemplify intuitively and spiritually what all of us are, but have been taught to deny. Would you elaborate on the connection between the crystal skulls / consciousness and their arrival in this world? And what does all this mean for the rest of us?

SHELLY: I completely agree with you about Indigos. Mankind is evolving so on one level, it makes sense kids born today are smarter, more gifted, than we are. Likewise, the new abilities they possess are much needed in this next stage of human evolvement. Lately both the Crystal Skulls and the Lemurian Seed Crystals (subject of my other book Lemurian Seeds: Hope for Humanity) are coming in big time to assist us with the energy shifts currently taking place on earth prior to 2012. Assuming as I said in the last question, special light beings are projecting themselves through the skulls, I believe they showed up at this time to assist humanity as our planetary frequencies continue to alter and change rapidly in preparation for the New Age.

PNN-KM: After reading your book, Beyond Reality, I'm very curious about what you feel to be the connection between the crystal skulls and multiple realities. If our reality is based on individual choice, which I truly believe it to be so, what roll or rolls are the crystal skulls playing with regards to our awareness of the alternate universes? If everything in our world exist because we chose it to be so, do you think then they are here and being found because we want them to be here or that because others set them here to remind us of the connection we have with everything? Or something else entirely different?

SHELLY: Wow, Kevin! This is an awesome question! I love it! This is kind of a chicken or egg question, isn't it?

In my lectures I talk about the old saying that God gave us everything we need....if this is true, then why do we continually discover new technologies, lifeforms, etc?

I believe this is a function of consciousness, meaning the people who are meant to find, notice and work with these tools will do so, and numbers of people destined, or whatever you call it, to work with crystal skulls happen to be increasing at this time. Why? Again, due to the times we live in. Skulls have been around for millennia, as said earlier, so the fact attention is being placed on it now is for some higher reason, readiness for something we do not entirely know about yet.

Does it have to do with many worlds? I believe yes, there are different simultaneous realities playing out now and in some the skulls may be more prevalent than in others. Interestingly, the film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls was chosen at this time over any number of other possible themes for that latest edition to the franchise. Why? Aside from the fact Spielberg is tuned in to something, it must be important. When Raiders of the Lost Arc was released, some including myself, believe that film spawned the huge wave of explorers and writers to turn their attention to the Arc of the Covenant. That film had a huge impact on reality for a lot of people for many years. The film is important because prior to that, Crystal Skulls were only being talked about by a few obscure researchers. Now it is in the collective consciousness, and I can only imagine it's for some higher purpose, as all things

Janet Farrar & Gavin Bone

Larry Dreller

Jason Augustus Newcomb

Amy Martin

Maria Shaw

Elizabeth Hazel

Tim Wallace-Murphy & Marilyn Hopkins

Useful Links

Do you have some thoughts on a subject you think people might be interested in? Please let us know by sending an email to articles@pagannnews.com. If it looks like a good fit, we'll include it here, with a link back to your site!

Understanding the Kabbalah

Largely due to the interest shown by Esther (The artist formerly known as Madonna), the Kabbalah has received a lot of mainstream media attention of late. It is an integral part of high magic, and yet it is exceptionally difficult to write about concisely, which is why it has taken so long for us to put together a useful section for you, here at Pagan Views.

At last, we have finally been able to pull together some of the key points that you need to know in order to get a basic understanding of this fascinating mystical tradition. However, since we cannot hope to encompass everything you need to know about it in one small article, we have also identified some key books that can help you get a better understanding. You'll find the reading list at the end of the article.

Artwork copyright © 2001 by V. H. Soror Z.O.C.Q.
Used with permission
Kabbalah, Qabbalah, Qabala. The spelling varies because the word, which means 'Oral tradition' comes from Hebrew, which is very much a phonetic language. It evolved from Jewish mysticism, which wanted to penetrate the inner mysteries of the Torah - the Jewish Scriptures. The key symbol of the Kabbalah is the Tree of Life, and the Spheres (or Sephiroth) that it contains. Understanding the Kabbalah allows one to understand the true nature of being. Many Wiccan traditions incorporate the study of the Kabbalah into their higher degrees, and it is also central to the Golden Dawn, Rosicrucianism and Hermeticism.
It is important to understand the Kabbalah because it provides a unified system of theology that in many ways ties quite neatly into current scientific thinking regarding the creation of the Universe.
Basically it goes like this:
In the beginning, there was not even nothing. Not zero, but Null. This was the Ain Soph Aur. Then from that came limitless nothing - the Ain Soph. And in that moment there was a flash of realization, and there was limitless light. And so began the World of Emanation - Atziluth. The Godhead, The Monad, suddenly existed. In order to experience itself it became two - The God and Goddess. And with the knowledge of each other they formed the Supernal Triad, And thus began the world of Creation - Briah. The creation led to the world of Formation (Yetzirah), wherein lay the distinctiveness of individuality. This is the realm of the Gods and Goddesses, or the Archangels and all that live beyond our plane. And it was from here that our plane was manifested - Assiah - The world of Action and Manifestation.

So began the billions of years of expansion and evolution that finally led to a vessel for the Godhead to experience the Material world - Humanity. For in each of us lies the Divine Spirit - the Holy Ghost - The Higher Self. But our animal side makes us forget who we are. We forget we are divine, and so the world's religions and prayers and spells are our (often unconscious) attempt to reconnect with that.

As we grow and evolve, we begin our movement back up the Tree of Life, but beware - for before we can rejoin with the Godhead completely, we must pass the Abyss (the Sphere of Da'ath) through which we can once again fall back to the Material, if we are unready.

The Triads and Pillars

The Spheres on the Tree of life and grouped into three Triads, with the Earth plane, Malkuth, at the bottom. These Sephiroth are arranged on Three Pillars. the outer pillars are The Black Pillar of Might (On the left) and the White Pillar of Mercy (on the right). These are the Pillars of Boaz and Joab that appeared in Solomon's Temple, and which are depicted today in many Tarot decks on the card of the High Priestess. In fact you will find much of the imagery in traditional Tarot decks (particularly Rider-Waite decks and Crowley's Thoth Tarot) are representative of different aspects of the Tree of Life.

The middle, golden pillar of Mildness and Power is a later addition, and is more a path than a true Pillar. One of the key exercises in High Magic is the Middle Pillar Exercise, wherein one vibrates the Divine Names of the Sephiroth on the Middle Pillar as they correspond to key energy points (or chakras) in the body.

The Supernal Triad

This triad represents the highly abstract emanations of Divinity. This level of the Godhead is so far beyond our experience that it is impossible to truly comprehend. It is the essence of all of us, of all things, and the primal force - the Universal Deity. This triad consists of

Kether - Crown

Kether is the Root, the Crown, the 'Primum Mobile'. It is the first state of being. Before Kether, there was nothing. It is the Emanation, which lead to the Creation. Kether is androgynous - neither male or female, and contains the All within in. It is the first realization that says 'I AM'.

Chokmah - Wisdom

Chokmah is the first idea. The idea of Force, or change. It is the first masculine essence, the first positive polarity. Chokmah is totally without form, simply pure force.

Binah - Understanding

Binah is the counterpart - and counterbalance - of Chokmah. Where Chokmah is the force, Binah is the Form. It is the first feminine, the first negative polairty. Where Chokmah is active, Binah is passive. Binah is the great Mother. It is without force. Neither Binah or Chokmah can exist without the other. One without the other is incomplete.

The Abyss

Below the Supernal Triad lies the Abyss. The Abyss is called Da'ath, and is not a Sepirah in the true sense. It is rather a marker, representing the fall of mankind - the fall that lead to our forgetting, for Da'ath represents knowledge - knowledge we have lost. It also separates the lower sephiroth from the Supernals, and acts as a barrier through which only that which is truly ready to rejoin with the Godhead can pass.

The Ethical (secondary) Triad

This Triad echoes the supernal, but contains within it a stronger sense of individuality. It is the realm of the greater gods and archangels. It is here that Might and Mercy are ultimately balanced and tested. This triad consists of

Chesed - Mercy

Chesed is the first sphere of the second triad, the first sphere of actuality. Chesed is Mercy and Love. But unbalanced Mercy is weakness, and so Chesed is balance by Geburah, which is Might.

Geburah - Strength

Where Chesed is Mercy, Geburah is Might. It is Power and Strength, Energy and Courage. Geburah is Severity, but unbalanced severity is cruelty, hence it is balanced by Chesed, the sphere of Mercy.

Tiphareth - Harmony

Tiphareth stands at the center of the tree, and as such represents Harmony, Balance and Beauty. It is called the Lesser Countenance, for it reflects the Divine light of Kether. When one leaves the Outer order of the Golden Dawn, one stands before Tiphareth to commence the Great Work. Tiphareth is Death and Rebirth, being reborn cleansed and purified.

The Lower Triad & Malkuth

This triad reflects and extends the pattern of the previous triads, adding complexity and a stronger individuality. It is this triad that interacts most directly with the Material plane which is found in the last Sephirah, Malkuth. The Sephiroth of this grouping are

Netzach - Victory

Netzach is Victory, Emotion and Love in all its forms. Netzach is first sphere on the third triad, and it is here where the energy we refer to as the God or the Goddess is split into its different aspects. Netzach is selflessness and altruism and. It is the sephirah of animal drives and passion. It is the Natrual as opposed to the Contrived.

Hod - Splendour

Hod is Glory and Splendor. It is Honesty and Integrity.Hod is sound and the word. It is the circuit, energized by Netzach. Where Netzach is Nature, Hod is Knowledge. It is the artificial and the contrived. Hod is the sephirah of mental faculties, of Intelligence and Reason.

Yesod - Foundation

Yesod is the dark side of the Moon. It is the last sphere of the last triad, and the boundary between the material world and the planes beyond. Yesod rules the cycles of Time and of Nature. It is the phases of the Moon. Yesod is fluid, yet precise. Yesod provides the life force for the Material plane, Malkuth. Yesod is the potential - Malkuth is the realization of that potential.

Finally, we enter the Material Plane

Malkuth - Kingdom

Malkuth is the last sphere on the Tree of Life, and the first from our point of view, for it is where we manifestly exist. Malkuth is the Kingdom, where Kether is the Crown. Here is the plane where the princess resides, both the daughter and Bride of the God. Malkuth is where her journey - our journey - both ends and begins.

Correspondences

As one might expect, there are correspondences for each of these spheres to the planets, music, color etc. Each Sephira also has its own vice and virtues. The key correpondences are given below:

Kether - Crown - Ehiyeh asher Ehiyeh - I AM

Incense: Ambergris Attribute: Equilibrium and the beginning of existence, emanation Pillar: Central, will Color: Brilliant White

Planet: Pluto (alt. Neptune) Time: Eternal present Direction: Good Element: Root of Air

Angel: Metatron Musical Note: Do Body area: Above the head and brain Psychology: Spiritual consciousness

Concerns: None Vice: None Virtue: completion of the Great Work Tarot Cards: The Aces

Chokmah - Wisdom - YHVH , Tetragrammaton

Incense: Musk Attribute: Wisdom Pillar: Right, Mercy, active expansion Color: Blue pearl grey

Planet: Uranus Time: Past Direction: Beginning Element: Root of Fire

Angel: Raziel Musical Note: Re Body area: Right ear, right lobe of brain Psychology: Consciousness

Concerns: None Vice: None Virtue: Devotion Tarot Cards: The Twos

Binah - Understanding - Elohim - Creator God

Incense: Myrrh, Civet Attribute: Understanding Pillar: Left, passive, receptive Color: Black

Planet: Neptune (alt. Saturn) Time: Future Direction: End Element: Root of Water

Angel: Zaphkiel Musical Note: Mi Body area: Left ear, left brain, heart Psychology: Rational Intelligence

Concerns: None Vice: Inertia, Avarice Virtue: Silence Tarot Cards: The Threes

Chesed - Mercy - El - Almighty God

Incense: Cedar Attribute: Mercy, Loving Kindness Pillar: Right, active, expansive Color: Blue

Planet: Jupiter Time: Sunday Direction: South Element: Water

Angel: Zadkiel Musical Note: Fa Body area: Right Shoulder Psychology: Expression of Emotion

Concerns: Wisdom Vice: Tyranny, Hypocrisy, Bigotry, Gluttony, Waste Virtue: Obedience Tarot Cards: The Fours

Geburah - Strength - Yah - Eternal God

Incense: Tobacco Attribute: Judgement, power Pillar: Left, Severity, restriction Color: Scarlet Red

Planet: Mars Time: Monday Direction: North Element: Fire

Angel: Samael Musical Note: So Body area: Left shoulder Psychology: Control and discrimination

Concerns: Wealth, Love Vice: Cruelty, Destruction Virtue: Courage, Loyalty Tarot Cards: The Fives

Tiphareth - Harmony - YHVH Elohim, Adonai

Incense: Olibanum Attribute: Beauty Pillar: Central Color: Yellow (Gold)

Planet: Sun Time: Tuesday Direction: East Element: Air

Angel: Michael Musical Note: Half-tone Body area: Below heart, solar plexus Psychology: Self

Concerns: Children and grace Vice: Pride, Self-Importance Virtue: Devotion to the Great Work, Integrity Tarot Cards: The Sixes

Netzach - Victory - YHVH Tzva'ot

Incense: Benzoin, Rose, Red Sandal Attribute: Enternity, victory Pillar: Right, mercy, expansion Color: Emerald

Planet: Venus Time: Wednesday Direction: None Element: Fire

Angel: Haniel Musical Note: La Body area: Right hip, thigh Psychology: Support and determination

Concerns: Life and health Vice: Lust, Wantonness Virtue: Unselfishness Tarot Cards: The Sevens

Hod - Splendour - Elohim Tzva'ot

Incense: Storax Attribute: Glory, majesty, splendor, reverberation Pillar: Left, severity, restriction Color: Orange

Planet: Mercury Time: Thursday Direction: Down Element: Water

Angel: Raphael Musical Note: Ti Body area: Left hip, thigh Psychology: Support

Concerns: Dominance, advancement Vice: Falsehood Virtue: Truthfulness Tarot Cards: The Eights

Yesod - Foundation - El Chai Shaddai

Incense: Jasmine, Ginseng Attribute: Foundation Pillar: Central Color: Violet

Planet: Moon Time: Friday Direction: West Element: Air

Angel: Gabriel Musical Note: Half-tone Body area: Genitals Psychology: Feeling, thoughts, action

Concerns: Peace Vice: Idleness, Sloth Virtue: Independence Tarot Cards: The Nines

Malkuth - Kingdom - Adonai

Incense: Dittany of Crete Attribute: Kingdom Pillar: Central Color: Citrine, Olive, Russet, Black

Planet: Earth Time: Saturday Direction: Center Element: Earth

Angel: Sandalphon Musical Note: Do Body area: Between the feet Psychology: None

Concerns: Grace, attentiveness Vice: Avarice, Inertia Virtue: Discrimination Tarot Cards: The Tens

Additional Reading

We hope this introduction to the Kabbalah has been useful to you. If you would like more information, we recommend the following books:

The Essential Zohar: The Source of Kabbalistic Wisdom

The Tree of Life: An Illustrated Study in Magic

The Mystical Qabalah

Qabalistic Concepts: Living the Tree

The Chicken Qabalah

The Middle Pillar: The Balance Between Mind and Magic

The Witches Qabalah

The Secrets of High Magic

Unless otherwise stated above, this article is Copyright (C) PaganNews.com or the stated author, and may not be reproduced on another website without the express written consent of the author or PaganNews.com

Back