The Holy Kabbalah

Kabbalah has gained notoriety in recent years, thanks in large part to a publicity boost from celebrity adherents like Madonna. Yet the uninitiated may be surprised to learn that Jewish mysticism has been practiced for thousands of years. First published in 1929, The Holy Kabbalah is Arthur E. Waite's guide to these esoteric teachings. Divided into twelve books, with five appendices and a detailed index, this heavily researched volume traces the origins of Kabbalah and examines its influence (if any) on astrology, alchemy, and freemasonry. Including a close look at Kabbalistic literature, and sections on the Zohar and the Ten Sephiroth, this volume will serve as an excellent introduction to the secret tradition for those wanting to learn more about Kabbalah out of scholarship or curiosity. American-born British author ARTHUR EDWARD WAITE (1857-1942) was cocreator of the famous 1910 Rider-Waite Tarot deck. Among his numerous books are Book of Ceremonial Magic, Devil Worship in France, and New Encyclopedia of Freemasonry.

Furnishing an accessible introduction to the traditions and teachings of the Kabbalah, this informative volume discusses the origins, history, study, and trends of Jewish mysticism, covering such topics as meditation and mystical techniques, the Kabbalahistic theory of creation and the human role in the universe, Kabbalahistic philosophy, and more.

This is a book of the key text of the Kabbalah, a work known as the Zohar ("Splendour"). The Zohar is a commentary on the Torah and although it is sometimes ascribed to a second-century rabbi, Simon Bar-Yochai, the form in which it is most widely known originates with Moses of Leon, a native of Granada, who died in 1305.The kabbalists believe that the undefinable origin of all things is Ein Sof - the cause of causes, the infinite, that which underlies everything. The universe emanates from the divine in successive layers called esefiroti. Everything exists in God, but God extends infinitely beyond existence. All we know and are is linked together, pervaded and maintained by the divine. According to this work, the light of God must be concealed in order to be revealed to creation. Even though the kabbalists believe that ultimately Ein Sof is beyond expression or understanding, the contemplation of God's presence in all things causes our thoughts to be purified.

The official companion to the world famous Original Rider Waite Tarot - the most popular deck in the world. The Key to the Tarot is the essential guide to unlocking the secrets of tarot from renowned scholar of the occult, A. E. Waite. This enlightening book, which can be used in conjunction with any set of tarot cards, explains the history and symbolism of the tarot deck as well as providing a step-by-step guide to using the cards for divination practices. This is your key to harnessing the power of the tarot.

This is the first translation with commentary of selections from The Zohar, the major text of the Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition. This work was written in 13th-century Spain by Moses de Leon, a Spanish scholar.

The Kabbalah is the occult or secret tradition within Judaism. Waite's comprehensive and annotated guide to this tradition of mysticism is enthusiastic in tone and grounded in scholarship. The author presents and interprets the fundamental ideas within this tradition. He also discusses Kabbalah's foremost interpreters, its impact on Christian scholars, and its reputation as "the secret tradition." Waite's thought-provoking analysis includes a rejection of proposals by earlier occultists that many esoteric practices - alchemy, astrology, and Freemasonry, for instance - are founded on or are integral to Kabbalah