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I have been working on my Malkuth initiation for a few months now. I feel that I am close, but i do not want to assume im there without knowing for sure. As that would likely be dangerous.
I feel @Aeternus is bringing up an important point here... Hermetic Kabbalah is not my path, so my personal perspective is limited, but my own experience mirrors the truth of "descending" traversal, following the process of Creation, being "correct" from a theurgical / quote-unquote "holy magic" perspective.
I feel there are analogs in various traditions of ascension, like in kundalini yoga, you have flow both ways, you call down Shiva to awaken Sakhti.
Reading your original post and your replies, I get the feeling that you have very definite and fixed ideas about what Malkuth is and why a special initiation is required for that sefirah, which makes it more difficult for us to give you advice. I would recommend loosening up a bit and start researching alternative takes on Malkuth, esp. various correspondences. For example, a good case could be made for associating Malkuth with the root chakra (muladhara) as the material foundation of it all, earth, physical power, being grounded, common sense, etc. Try different lenses, and a solution will present itself more easily.
Baby, I am no fan of the Cabalistic system but if you are going to do this, do it right.
Malkuth isn't a personal thing, it is manifestation in its densest sense. A boulder or rock is the perfect symbol of Malkuth: no consciousness, no agency, just the fullest, weightiest expression of what it is, fully formed in one sense but lacking the form that comes from consciousness acting on a thing. Your body, without considering its animating principle, is Malkuth and it will never be more Malkuth than when it is a corpse.
You don't "attain" it, the point of the Cabalistic system is to move away from it, towards the subtler realms.
If by "reaching Malkuth" you mean something like "attaining mastery over your life as it is lived in this world", your bills, relationships, habits, etc. then that's a worthy goal but "Malkuth" is the wrong word for it.
Baby, I am no fan of the Cabalistic system but if you are going to do this, do it right.
Malkuth isn't a personal thing, it is manifestation in its densest sense. A boulder or rock is the perfect symbol of Malkuth: no consciousness, no agency, just the fullest, weightiest expression of what it is, fully formed in one sense but lacking the form that comes from consciousness acting on a thing. Your body, without considering its animating principle, is Malkuth and it will never be more Malkuth than when it is a corpse.
You don't "attain" it, the point of the Cabalistic system is to move away from it, towards the subtler realms.
If by "reaching Malkuth" you mean something like "attaining mastery over your life as it is lived in this world", your bills, relationships, habits, etc. then that's a worthy goal but "Malkuth" is the wrong word for it.
I have been working on my Malkuth initiation for a few months now. I feel that I am close, but i do not want to assume im there without knowing for sure. As that would likely be dangerous.
Let me preface by warning that I am not familiar with the particular method you follow so some terminology may miss the mark. I am familiar with the sephiroth and the theory of ascending "back up the waterfall" of the ray of creation or the tree of life.
When I think of being grounded in Malkuth I imagine that means having skill in life and in action, but without being tied to those actions. Being "in" the world yet aware that you are not "of" the world. It is the first step of real initiation and yet it can take a lifetime to arrive at this point. Few people are able to master their surroundings and live well, and yet what seems like the finish line of normal life is the starting line for magic. Many people believe that they can avoid the work required by normal life, that magic will make things easier, but real magic only begins when some measure of internal weakness and gullibility has been boiled out of you through the crucible of regular life. To conquer the menial barriers life throws at you, to make a living, to provide for others: all this is a prerequisite to a serious study. Otherwise you gain powers but are not able to use them, they use you.
So if you want to know if you have "completed" Malkuth, look around at your life. Are you able to say you live gracefully? That you have the strength to always have your needs met or conversely, you are strong enough to endure privations? If you can't say you have mastered life and yet still yearn for something beyond then it cannot be said that you have mastered Malkuth.
I think if someone is mentoring you and they suggest it takes just a few weeks to achieve what is essentially the apex of most normal humans achievements... I would be very suspicious of this person.
Baby, I am no fan of the Cabalistic system but if you are going to do this, do it right.
Malkuth isn't a personal thing, it is manifestation in its densest sense. A boulder or rock is the perfect symbol of Malkuth: no consciousness, no agency, just the fullest, weightiest expression of what it is, fully formed in one sense but lacking the form that comes from consciousness acting on a thing. Your body, without considering its animating principle, is Malkuth and it will never be more Malkuth than when it is a corpse.
You don't "attain" it, the point of the Cabalistic system is to move away from it, towards the subtler realms.
If by "reaching Malkuth" you mean something like "attaining mastery over your life as it is lived in this world", your bills, relationships, habits, etc. then that's a worthy goal but "Malkuth" is the wrong word for it.
That's a good way to put it, I was confused by the term "mastery" being used in relation to the Sephiroth. My assumption was like yours, that it would imply the conquering of life's mundane tasks and requirements.
As previous replies of stated my understanding of Malkuth is groundedness and the earthly body. This goes hand-in-hand with the sensation of being sensitive to the human experience. A very basic term for it would be mindfulness. Seeing the entirety of your vision, not just the focal point. Hearing the background noise and Electric buzz of wires, not just the person you're talking to. Feeling what you're holding your hand the weight of the air on your shoulders the hair on your head (if you're so lucky) and each breath you take. I've heard this described his full consciousness but it's an earthly consciousness without thoughts and without mind, just existence.
Some can hold this for minutes some of the entire day and most of humanity will never experience this once. Like many others have said I don't see this as a "achievement" but more an awareness of when it's needed and can be used to connect to the "Malkuth" earthly body, human experience.
Hmmm ... I didnt notice that , I was looking for a symbol that showed the 4 divisions and the four colors . Either a mistake or the constructor of the image had some thing in mind .
Fire and water are gone ; Earth , Air and sulphur ? Thats the 'tria prima ' ; sulpur salt and mercury , but why did they mix the 'metaphors' and why is it down in malkuth ? Such triangular principals [ the relationships of the three principles of the 'ideal' would seem to belong up with the three supernals ... perhaps it is a reminder that malkuth contains them or they form the 'real' ; malkuth 'world' , 'kingdom' of manifestation ... I dont know ... I am clutching at straws here .
I have been working on my Malkuth initiation for a few months now. I feel that I am close, but i do not want to assume im there without knowing for sure. As that would likely be dangerous.
In my initiation tradition , that is not Kabbalistic but has some association with chakras , the first initiation can be seen to relate to this realm and the base chakra ... moving up to the next chakra , one starts going beyond these , and working with systems is recommended , like Qi gong , internal martial arts , moving up to your 'hara ' ( Japanese concept ) or 'Lower dan tien ( Chinese ) .
Good point up there about the flow in both directions , some systems start at the top and work down ( eg 'Kabbalistic Cross ' exercise / mediation ), other start at the base ( as in some yoga ) ... or even ' starting with the 'top' then working back 'up'
- the need to energize and activate them before more in depth working starting at the base . But some see that as dangerous , and you can get 'fried' by the energy coming down into unprepared chakras .
I suppose I did a bit of both ; kabbalistic cross and LBR were recommended from the start as a preliminary to starting at the bottom and working up
of course up and down too, are merely a schemata taken from the 2D Tree of Life ... it might be 'concentric spheres' inside each other ... much like the 'spheres of the planets ' of early astronomical concepts and the idea of hermetic incarnation down through them ( resulting in a particular natal horoscope ) giving boons and trails in particular areas, then through life we go back up and out through those spheres , adjusting and learning abut our boons and trials , to eventually transmigrate back to 'source' .
Good point up there about the flow in both directions , some systems start at the top and work down ( eg 'Kabbalistic Cross ' exercise / mediation ), other start at the base ( as in some yoga ) ... or even ' starting with the 'top' then working back 'up'
- the need to energize and activate them before more in depth working starting at the base . But some see that as dangerous , and you can get 'fried' by the energy coming down into unprepared chakras .
I suppose I did a bit of both ; kabbalistic cross and LBR were recommended from the start as a preliminary to starting at the bottom and working up
of course up and down too, are merely a schemata taken from the 2D Tree of Life ... it might be 'concentric spheres' inside each other ... much like the 'spheres of the planets ' of early astronomical concepts and the idea of hermetic incarnation down through them ( resulting in a particular natal horoscope ) giving boons and trails in particular areas, then through life we go back up and out through those spheres , adjusting and learning abut our boons and trials , to eventually transmigrate back to 'source' .
First of all, wonderful post and amazing sources. I would like to focus on that last aspect.
Are you suggesting that focusing on the "last" sphere or base chakra of Malkuth is the most in-depth? I would've assumed that because it is the worldly embodiment it would be the most accessible to an every day practitioner and need the most work prior to any other spiritual progression.
Of course there needs to be some amount of higher body enlightenment in order to energize the work at the base. I don't think anyone here would say their Keter is unknown, yet having an all encompassing vision is only possible after finding what the base is capable of withstanding IMO.
Not sure I would use the term ' the most in-depth ' ... however ..... 'here we are ' .
All yogas are valid , that includes ' Hatha Yoga' . And I stand by what I previously said about first establishing a firm foundation and developing balance there . We all know what happens when a thing starts 'gaining height' without those two ; it's either a collapse straight down or in some lateral direction.
'' Learn first --- Oh thou who aspirest unto our ancient Order! --- that Equilibrium is the basis of the Work. If thou thyself hast not a sure foundation, whereon wilt thou stand to direct the forces of Nature? ... Therefore, as hath already been said, Establish thyself firmly in the equilibrium of forces, in the centre of the Cross of the Elements ( which is in malkuth ) .... Be thou therefore prompt and active as the Sylphs, but avoid frivolity and caprice; be energetic and strong like the Salamanders, but avoid irritability and ferocity; be flexible and attentive to images like the Undines, but avoid idleness and changeability; be laborious and patient like the Gnomes, but avoid grossness and avarice.
'' So shalt thou gradually develop the powers of thy soul, and fit thyself to command the Spirits of the elements ... ''
I would've assumed that because it is the worldly embodiment it would be the most accessible to an every day practitioner and need the most work prior to any other spiritual progression.
Of course there needs to be some amount of higher body enlightenment in order to energize the work at the base. I don't think anyone here would say their Keter is unknown, yet having an all encompassing vision is only possible after finding what the base is capable of withstanding IMO.
'' Learn first --- Oh thou who aspirest unto our ancient Order! --- that Equilibrium is the basis of the Work. If thou thyself hast not a sure foundation, whereon wilt thou stand to direct the forces of Nature? ... Therefore, as hath already been said, Establish thyself firmly in the equilibrium of forces, in the centre of the Cross of the Elements ( which is in malkuth ) .... Be thou therefore prompt and active as the Sylphs, but avoid frivolity and caprice; be energetic and strong like the Salamanders, but avoid irritability and ferocity; be flexible and attentive to images like the Undines, but avoid idleness and changeability; be laborious and patient like the Gnomes, but avoid grossness and avarice.
'' So shalt thou gradually develop the powers of thy soul, and fit thyself to command the Spirits of the elements ... ''
I was recently told that most people can either choose to "grow up or wake up" in that order. Growing up is taking responsibility for the relationships and earthly understanding of the man and waking up is the spiritual understanding of our interconnectedness through the universe. To do one is to ignore the other and a man is responsible for both of them.
Thank you for the insight, much more reading and equilibrium to find in my own journey. The philosophical concepts are easy enough to follow but the magick takes a truly dedicated scholar, which I hope to embody one day.
