I’m interested in initiating into the Qlipoth and I’m curious to hear from others who’ve done it. What are some things that changed in your life as a result of working with the Tree of Death?
Brave move, the Qliphoth is not for the faint of heart.
I am currently working in A’arab Zarag getting ready to transition into Thagirion, which I am really looking forward to (with a slight aftertaste of dread).
I work pretty eclectically. Of course I’ve read The Nightside of Eden by Kenneth Grant. It would pretty much be on the mandatory reading list if Descending The Tree Of Death was an academic course. But my main reference for the practical work is the Qliphotic Trilogy by Asenath Mason. Aside from that I’ve adapted some ideas and techniques from V.K Jehannum and a lot of philosophical insights and practical techniques from Current 218 as well. I am currently initiating fully into the Primal Craft current, which will play a dominant part on the rest of my journey down The Tree from now on. I also make sure to take the opportunity to design my own rituals and spellwork and give my own spin to the work and let my own creativity guide me. Strictly sticking to the guidelines from someone more experienced is advised and highly effective. But picking ideas from several sources and molding it into something more personal by adding my own techniques also makes the work and the journey very personal on all levels for me.
My theory is that the 10 shells of the Qliphoth represent 10 of the most influential traps that chain us to the material plane of existence and keep us shelled off from any (real) spiritual growth and our connection to our own and the external true divine and eternal nature. I think you could also initiate yourself in a similar manner using the 7 capital sins, for instance.
That should give you a bit of a hint on what to expect.
Prepare to be triggered a lot, depending on how much of your own issues and such you have already examine and worked on, there will be a lot of unresolved stuff surfacing. In ritual and meditation I get insights and lessons on how to deal with stuff that gets thrown my way. Most of the direct effects and tests and clues to where I am on the journey, for me at least, come in the mundane and material life. People acting in line with the essence of a Qliphoth and it’s ruler, finding myself in situations that trigger experiences from past events and the corresponding emotional and physical responses, opportunities thrown at me that allow me to learn and grow in very specific ways etc. etc.
Figuring out ways to deal with the bombardment of influences, triggers and tests I found myself developing my occult practice at a very fast pace searching for ways to keep centered and dealing with it all. I also found myself trying to figure out healthy responses and outlets all the time in order not to fall into self-destructive behavior (or getting myself into new wasteful or harmful habits) like many of us normally do. Some Qliphoth were easier on me than others. Lilith and Gamaliel really kicked my arse right out of the gate I was in serious danger of going under right away, but those shells are a nice and gradual learning experience to get started for others. For me Samael was just a delightful break from the harsh reality you exist in most of the time when doing this work, which has driven others to insanity (in some cases even literally). There have been many moments of failure, despair, doubt, fear, pain and death. Feeling like you’re going under and drowning with nothing to grasp on to will probably just be “same shit, different day” a lot of the time. It really is no joke and I truly understand why so many fail and get stuck sometimes without even realizing it while doing this work. I’ve been triumphant so far, but I am only halfway there. The actual really serious shit is still ahead of me.
Once you dealt with your own shit and examined and tuned or radically changed your (trauma) responses into beneficial instincts and found ways to be stripped of the parts you have no other choice to get rid off, it is a beautiful thing. You really get to know the essence of these shells and how they can benefit you as a physical being in the material plane of existence and getting some valuable hints to what it actually means to exist on this plane, instead of having it trap you and keep you anchored to some hollow existence. The somewhat menacing and adversarial energy of it’s rulers turned into powerful streams of consciousness I can ride and tap into (still with some effort though, I must say). I got so much more understanding of existence, life, my own and the collective (sub)consciousness. I’ve always been pretty fluid in adapting my views, philosophy and beliefs, but goin through The Tree so far has developed that ability to the extreme. Once these influences of the shells don’t trigger instinctual responses and don’t rule you anymore. You can really start to learn how there is a divine grace even in the despicable, the horror and the filth. Some parts of me changed profoundly. My family and friends that don’t know about my practices and path were very worried about me at first, since you do tend to become a little unhinged and unstable at times, but also noticed the positive changes and this growth a lot sooner than I did. I am still just a normal human being though, with strengths and flaws, good days and bad days. I haven’t changed that drastically overall, but the subtle changes add up immensely. I mainly became a lot more perceptive and adaptive and with a clearer and stronger intuition so far. I design and plan out rituals carefully in advance when really needed, but thanks to gaining a shit-ton of experience in a relatively short time and a stronger connection to my intuition. Most of the magick I do nowadays is on the spot and highly intuitive.
I use the Qliphotic rituals and meditations to connect to my current Qliphoth and it’s ruler. Mainly to make sure the influence of it stays constant and strong and to contemplate and get insights in the present situations. When it’s time, they are also the planned events where I revere Death in general and attempt to become one with nothingness and Death in particular (a huge part of the work, or at least it is for me) and they are the events in which I die the holy, necessary and cleansing deaths, stripping away the old me. Usually leaving me confused, raw and in pain, but able to be born again stronger and wiser. (what kills you, also makes you stronger ^^)
It’s become a bit of read, sorry about that! But I hope it might give you a sense of what’s in store for you when starting this dreadful, but amazing work. Even if it is just the experience from one individual.
A bit of parting advice:
Stay focused on what you hope to achieve with this at all times. Your goals may change along the way, but keep your focus on the goals you have. It helps you stay strong and stand firm.
Try to go with the flow as much as you can. The more you stay rigid and fight the currents, the more they will pull you under. (You usually learn this quickly in the first two spheres). This also helps to recognize challenges, opportunities and lessons better.
At all times, have healthy outlets and coping mechanisms in place. You’re going to need them. Also know your automatic responses and coping mechanisms and/ or work diligently in learning how to recognize those responses and mechanisms, so you know what’s going on if you find yourself in a dire situation. It can really help you learn to pinpoint exactly what is going on and what the cause of it is.
Go out, have fun, do the things in life that you must do and also the things that make you happy.
You shouldn’t stay inside, shun the outside world and mainly just see your altar. Not only helps it relieve some of the severity of the work. This work is really meant to be triggered by and experienced in tangible mundane life.
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