{{Short description|Impure spiritual forces in Kabbalah}} {{About}} {{redirect|Sitra Ahra|the Therion album|Sitra Ahra (album)}} {{Kabbalah}}
In the ''Zohar'', Lurianic Kabbalah, and Hermetic Qabalah, the '''''qlippoth''''' ({{Langx|he|קְלִיפּוֹת|translit=qəlippōṯ}}, {{literal}} "peels", "shells", or "husks", {{singular}} {{lang|arc|קְלִפָּה}} ''qəlippā''; originally, {{langx|tmr|קְלִיפִּין|translit=qəlippin}}) are the representation of evil or impure spiritual forces in Jewish mysticism, the opposites of the ''sefirot''.{{sfnp|Mathers|1887|loc="The Book of Concealed Mystery"}}{{sfnp|Franck|1926|p=279}} The realm of evil is called '''''Sitra Achra''''' ({{langx|tmr|סִטְרָא אַחְרָא|siṭrā ʾaḥrā|link=no|the Other Side}}) in Kabbalistic texts.
== In the Zohar == {{religious text primary|section|date=September 2023}}
The qlippoth are first mentioned in the ''Zohar'', where they are described as being created by God to function as a 'nutshell' for holiness.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zohar |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar.1.19b?ven=Sefaria_Community_Translation&lang=bi |website=www.sefaria.org |access-date=2021-10-10 |archive-date=2021-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010202527/https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar.1.19b?ven=Sefaria_Community_Translation&lang=bi |url-status=dead }}</ref> The text subsequently relays an esoteric interpretation of the text of Genesis creation narrative in Genesis 1:14,<ref>{{Tanakhverse|Genesis|1:14}}</ref> which describes God creating the moon and sun to act as "luminaries" in the sky. The verse "Let there be luminaries ({{lang|hbo|מְאֹרֹת}} ''məʾoroṯ'')," uses a defective spelling of the Hebrew plural form for "luminous body, light source" ({{lang|he|מְאוֹרוֹת}}), resulting in a written form identical to the Hebrew word for "curses." In the context of the ''Zohar'', interpreting the verse as calling the moon and sun "curses" is given mystic significance, personified by a description of the moon descending into the realm of Beri'ah, where it began to belittle itself and dim its light, both physically and spiritually. The resulting darkness gave birth to the ''qlippoth''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zohar, Bereshit 9:110 |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar%2C_Bereshit.9.110?lang=bi |website=www.sefaria.org|quote={{lang|arc|כַּד הֲוַת סִיהֲרָא בְּשִׁמְשָׁא בִּדְבֵקוּתָא חָדָא, הֲוַת סִיהֲרָא בִּנְהִירוּ. כֵּיוָן דְּאִתְפָּרְשָׁא מִן שִׁמְשָׁא וְאִתְפַּקְדַּת עַל (כל) חֵילָהָא, אַזְעִירַת גַּרְמָהּ, אַזְעִירַת נְהוֹרָא. וְאִתְבְּרוּן קְלִיפִּין עַל קְלִיפִּין לִגְנִיזוּ דְמוֹחָא. וְכֹלָּא תִּקּוּנָא דְמוֹחָא. וְעַל דָּא יְהִי מְאֹרֹת חָסֵר (כתיב). וְכָל דָּא לְתִקּוּנָא דְעָלְמָא. וְדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב לְהָאִיר עַל הָאָרֶץ:}} When the moon was in connection with the sun, she was luminous, but as soon as she separated from the sun and was assigned the charge of her own hosts, she reduced her status and her light, and shells upon shells were created for covering the brain, and all for the benefit of the brain. Hence ''meoroth'' is written defectively. All this was for the benefit of the world, and hence it is written, “to give light upon the earth”.}}</ref> Reflecting this, they are thenceforth generally synonymous with "darkness" itself.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar.2.115b.10?vhe=New_Torat_Emet_Zohar&lang=bi |title=Zohar 2:115b |access-date=2021-10-10 |archive-date=2021-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010202525/https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar.2.115b.10?vhe=New_Torat_Emet_Zohar&lang=bi |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Full Zohar Online - Mishpatim - Chapter 10 |url=https://www.zohar.com/zohar/Mishpatim/chapters/10 |website=www.zohar.com}}</ref>
Later, the ''Zohar'' gives specific names to some of the ''qlippoth'', relaying them as counterparts to certain ''sefirot'': Mashhith ({{langx|he|מַשְׁחִית|mašḥīṯ|destroyer|link=no}}) to Chesed; Af ({{langx|he|אַף|ʾap̄|anger|link=no}}) to Gevurah; and Hema ({{langx|he|חֵמָה|ḥēmā|wrath|link=no}}) to Tiferet.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar.3.279b.1?vhe=New_Torat_Emet_Zohar&lang=bi |title=Zohar 3:279b |access-date=2021-10-10 |archive-date=2021-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010202525/https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar.3.279b.1?vhe=New_Torat_Emet_Zohar&lang=bi |url-status=dead }}</ref> It also names Avon ({{langx|he|עָוֹן|ʿāvon|iniquity|link=no}}),<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar_Chadash%2C_Tikuna_Kadma'ah.31?vhe=Zohar_Chadash&lang=bi Zohar Chadash, Tikuna Kadma'ah 31], Sefaria</ref> Tohu ({{langx|he|תֹהוּ|tohu|formless|link=no}}), Bohu ({{langx|he|בֹהוּ|bohu|void|link=no}}), Esh ({{langx|he|אֵשׁ|ʿēš|fire|link=no}}), and Tehom ({{langx|he|תְּהוֹם|təhom|deep|link=no}}),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar.3.227a.10-14?vhe=New_Torat_Emet_Zohar&lang=bi |title=Zohar 3:227a |access-date=2021-10-10 |archive-date=2021-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010210627/https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar.3.227a.10-14?vhe=New_Torat_Emet_Zohar&lang=bi |url-status=dead }}</ref> but does not relate them to any corresponding ''sefirot''. Although the ''Zohar'' clarifies that each ''sefira'' and ''qelippa'' has a one-to-one match, even with equivalent ''partzufim'', it does not give all their names.{{cite needed|date=July 2025}}
==In Hermetic Qabalah==
=== Mathers' interpretation ===
Christian Knorr von Rosenroth's Latin ''Kabbala denudata'' (1684) (translated ''The Kabbalah Unveiled'' by Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers) equates these forces with the Kings of Edom and also offers the suggestion they are the result of an imbalance towards Gedulah, the Pillar of Mercy or the merciful aspect of God, and have since been destroyed.{{sfnp|Mathers|1887|loc="Greater Holy Assembly", [http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/tku/tku34.htm Chapter XXVI: Concerning the Edomite Kings]}} In subsequent Hermetic teachings, the qlippoth have tended, much like the sefiroth, to be interpreted as mystical worlds or entities, and merged with ideas derived from demonology.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}
In most descriptions, there are seven divisions of Hell:{{sfnp|Boustan|Reed|2004|p={{pn|date=December 2023}}}}{{sfnp|Mew|1903|p={{pn|date=December 2023}}}}{{sfnp|Lowy|1888|p=339}}{{sfnp|Pusey|1881|p=102}} #Sheol or Tehom "the Deeps" #Abaddon "Doom" or Tzoah Rotachat "Boiling excrement" #'Well of Corruption {{lang|he|בְּאֵר שַׁחַת|}} or Mashhith "destroyer" # Cistern of Noise ({{lang|he|בּוֹר שָׁאוֹן}}) or "Sticky Mud/Filth" ({{langx|he|טִיט הַיָוֵן|link=no}}) # Silence or Gates of Death ({{lang|he|שַׁעֲרֵי מָוֶת|}}) # Oblivion ({{langx|he|נְשִׁיָּה||link=no}}) or Shadow of Death ({{lang|he|צַלְמָוֶת}}) # Lowest Earth ({{lang|he|אֶרֶץ תַּחְתִּית}}) There are also twelve qlippothic orders of demons, three powers before Satan, and twenty-two demons which correspond to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}
===The Golden Dawn and Aleister Crowley=== {{thelema|expand=Related topics}} In the late 19th century, The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn began teaching about the qlippoth in relation to the sephiroth. Much of the orders material was stolen and republished by Israel Regardie as the book "The Golden Dawn", and the table of magical correspondences by Aleister Crowley as the book 777.
Regardie{{sfnp|Regardie|1970|p=82|loc="Fifth knowledge lecture"}} and Crowley{{sfnp|Crowley|1986|p=2,24|loc=Table VIII, table CXXIII}} list the qlippoth and their associated sephiroth on the tree of life as:
{| class="wikitable" !Qlippoth !Description given by Golden Dawn and Crowley, resp. !Sefirah |- |Thaumiel |"The two contending Forces" / "Dual Contending Forces" |Keter |- |Ghogiel |"The Hinderers" / "Hinderers" |Chokmah |- |Satariel |"The Concealers" / "Concealers" |Binah |- |Agshekeloh |"The Breakers in Pieces" / "Breakers in Pieces" |Chesed |- |Golohab |"The Burners" / "Burners" |Gevurah |- |Tagiriron |"The Disputers" / "Disputers" |Tiferet |- |Gharab Tzerek |"The Ravens of Death" / "Dispersing Ravens" |Netzach |- |Samael |"The Liar or Poison of God" / "Deceivers" |Hod |- |Gamaliel |"The Obscene Ones" / "Obscene Ones" |Yesod |- |Lilith |"Queen of the Night and of Demons" / "The Evil Woman or (simply) The Woman" |Malkuth |}
===Kenneth Grant=== Kenneth Grant, founder of the Typhonian Order, provided extensive teachings on the qlippoth. Grant emphasized the importance of understanding and integrating these darker aspects for a holistic spiritual perspective.{{sfnmp|1a1=Grant|1y=1991|2a1=Asprem|2y=2013|3a1=Rees|3y=2022}} In ''Nightside of Eden'', Grant adds to the structure defined by the Golden Dawn and Aleister Crowley, and explores the "Tunnels of Set", said to be the pathways connecting the qlippoth and corresponding to the paths in the sephirotic Tree of Life. These tunnels symbolize hidden paths filled with transformative energies beneath the surface of consciousness. Traversing these tunnels involves confronting and integrating darker aspects of the psyche and the universe, which Grant views as crucial for spiritual development.{{sfnmp|1a1=Grant|1y=1977|2a1=Butler|2y=2011|3a1=Fries|3y=2012}} Grant advocated for balancing light and dark forces, believing that engaging with Qlippothic energies can lead to significant spiritual growth. He often linked the Qlippoth to sex magic and Tantric practices, suggesting these could harness primal energies for transformation.{{sfnmp|1a1=Grant|1y=1991|2a1=Rees|2y=2022}} Grant suggested that H. P. Lovecraft's description of Yog-Sothoth as a conglomeration of "malignant globes" may have been inspired by the Qlippoth, part of his view that Qlippothic forces are integral to ancient and contemporary esoteric thought.{{sfnmp|1a1=Grant|1y=1991|2a1=Drury|2y=1989|3a1=Harms|3a2=Gonce|3y=1998|3p=109}}
== See also == {{div col}} * Fallen angel * Goetia * ''Tohu'' and ''Tikun'' * ''Yetzer hara'' {{end div col}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
===Works cited=== {{refbegin}} *{{cite book |last=Asprem |first=E. |year=2013 |title=Arguing with Angels: Enochian Magic and Modern Occulture |publisher=State University of New York Press |isbn=978-1-4384-4190-0}} *{{cite book |editor1-last=Boustan |editor1-first=Ra'anan S. |editor2-last=Reed |editor2-first=Annette Yoshiko |title=Heavenly Realms and Earthly Realities in Late Antique Religions |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2004 |isbn=978-1139453981}} *{{cite book |last=Butler |first=Alison |title=Victorian Occultism and the Making of Modern Magic: Invoking Tradition |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-230-29470-7}} *{{cite book |last=Crowley |first=Aleister |author-link=Aleister Crowley |title=777 and Other Qabalistic Writings of Aleister Crowley |year=1986 |isbn=0-87728-670-1 |publisher=Weiser Books}} *{{cite book |last=Drury |first=Nevill |author-link=Nevill Drury |title=The Occult Experience: Magic in the Modern World |publisher=Prism Press |year=1989}} *{{cite book |last=Franck |first=Adolphe |author-link=Adolphe Franck |year=1926 |title=The Kabbalah: Or, The Religious Philosophy of the Hebrews |place=New York |publisher=Kabbalah Publishing Company |translator=I. Sossnitz |chapter=Relation of the Kabbalah to Christianity |url=https://archive.org/details/kabbalahorreligi00fran/page/270/mode/2up }} * {{cite book |last=Fries |first=Jan |year=2012 |title=Nightshades: A Tourist Guide to the Nightside |place=Oxford |publisher=Mandrake of Oxford |isbn=978-1906958459}} *{{cite book |last=Grant |first=Kenneth |author-link=Kenneth Grant (occultist) |year=1977 |title=Nightside of Eden |place=London |publisher=Frederick Muller Limited |isbn=0-584-10206-2}} *{{cite book |last=Grant |first=Kenneth |title=The Magical Revival |publisher=Skoob Books Publishing |year=1991}} *{{cite book |last1=Harms |first1=Daniel |last2=Gonce |first2=John Wisdom |title=The Necronomicon Files |publisher=Red Wheel/Weiser |year=1998 |isbn=1578632692 |location=York Beach, Maine}} *{{cite journal |last=Karr |first=Don |title=Notes on the Study of Later Kabbalah in English |journal=Journal of the Western Mystery Tradition |number=3 |date=Autumn 2002}} *{{cite conference |last=Lowy |first=A. |conference=Proceedings of the Society of Biblical Archaeology |volume=10 |title=Old Jewish Legends of Biblical Topics: Legendary Description of Hell |year=1888}} *{{cite book |first=S. L. MacGregor |last=Mathers |author-link=Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.36728 |title=The Kabbalah Unveiled |year=1887 |location=London |publisher=Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co. |url-access=registration }} *{{cite book |last=Mew |first=James |title=Traditional Aspects of Hell: (Ancient and Modern) |publisher=S. Sonnenschein & Company Lim. |year=1903}} *{{cite book |last=Pusey |first=Edward Bouverie |author-link=Edward Bouverie Pusey |title=What is of Faith as to Everlasting Punishment: In Reply to Dr. Farrar's Challenge in His 'Eternal Hope', 1879 |publisher=James Parker & Co. |year=1881}} * {{cite book |last=Rees |first=Ian |year=2022 |title=The Tree of Life and Death: Transforming the Qliphoth |publisher=Aeon Books Limited |url=https://health.aeonbooks.co.uk/Preview/9781801520065_PDF.pdf|isbn=978-1801520065}} *{{cite book |last=Regardie |first=Israel |author-link=Israel Regardie |title=The Golden Dawn |year=1970 |isbn=0-87542-663-8 |publisher=Llewellyn Worldwide}} {{refend}}
==Further reading== {{refbegin}} * {{cite book |editor-last=Dan |editor-first=Joseph |author-link=Joseph Dan |year=1986 |title=The Early Kabbalah |publisher=Paulist Press |isbn=978-0809127696 |ref=none}} * {{cite book |title=Cults of the Shadow |last=Grant |first=Kenneth |publisher=Skoob |year=1994 |isbn=978-1871438673 |ref=none}} * {{cite book |last=Scholem |first=Gershom |author-link=Gershom Scholem |year=1974 |title=Kabbalah |publisher=Quadrangle/New York Times Book Company |isbn=978-0812903522 |ref=none}} {{refend}}
==External links== * [https://theomagica.com/on-the-nature-of-the-qlippoth On the Nature of the Qlippoth]
Category:Qlippoth Category:Kabbalah Category:Hermetic Qabalah Category:Left-Hand Path Category:Kabbalistic words and phrases