Book 25: The Aquarian Qabalah by Naomi Ozaniec
Book 25: The Aquarian Qabalah: A Contemporary Initiation Into a Secret Tradition.
Author: Naomi Ozaniec, 2003.
Genre: Non Fiction. Spirituality. Tarot. Hermetic Tradition. Magic and the Occult. Meditation.
Other Details: Paperback. 454 pages.
Qabalah is a Judaic path of mystical self-revelation. The word Qabalah means "from mouth to ear", indicating that this system originated as an oral teaching between teacher and pupil. Through a series of structured exercises, 'The Aquarian Qabalah' leads the reader on an experiential journey of self-discovery into the Tree of Life which lies at the heart of Qabalah. In a unique combination of Tarot and Qabalah, the reader "climbs" the Tree of Life by interacting with the 10 Holy Sephiroth and the 22 Paths which together make up the traditional 32 Places of Wisdom. The Sephiroth are approached through the imagery of a series of Inner Temples and the Paths are approached through the related 22 Tarot cards. This powerful process of initiation can result in an enlightening personal spiritual awakening. - back cover summery, UK edition.
This work is concerned with the Hermetic Qabalah as developed within the Western Esoteric Tradition by such practitioner/writers as Dion Fortune, Gareth Knight, William G. Gray and others. In addition to this foundation Naomi has incorporated material from Humanistic Psychology and various spiritual teachings that have inspired her and serve to promote the ideals of the Aquarian Age.
The layout of the book works very well presenting the Sephiroth of the Tree of Life and its paths with their attendant Major Trumps of the Tarot in order in ascending order. Each chapter opens with a concise Table of Correspondences and illustrations of its place on the Tree of Life. The 22 paths are also illustrated with their Tarot Trump utilising the images of the Rider-Waite deck. The book opens with an overview of how to work practically with the material and concludes with more detailed descriptions of the inner temples of the Tree of Life, notes, a bibliography that provides suggestions for further reading and a glossary.
Naomi has been a close friend for many years and we have trained and worked together in this tradition as well as served as fellow priestess of the Goddess. Due to this I am aware that she has incorporated into this work values we share and can also attest to her integrity in terms of only including practical material that has been tried and tested. It has been written in clear language suited for the 21st century reader. Naomi's approach to teaching is to engage her students either in person or through the pages of the works she has written in a very respectful way valuing their life experiences and this attitude is very evident here.
The material contained within is certainly sound and even with Aquarian in the title doesn't include the kind of fluff found in some New Age teachings. My only minor quibble that has nothing to do with Naomi and that was the decision by its US publisher to rebrand their edition against her wishes as The Kabbalah Experience: The Practical Guide to Kabbalistic Wisdom. This spelling of Kabbalah is more properly associated with the Judaic mystical tradition as distinguished from the Hermetic Qabalah with its roots in occult and magical traditions. While acknowledging its origins, Naomi makes it very clear what tradition she is working within.
I found it very inspiring to read even with my own years of study and practice of the Hermetic Qabalah. It is certainly a book I would recommended to others wishing to work in-depth with this system.