It is Time for a disclaimer. This series about the Kabbalah, and other similar series by this writer, are purely intended, from a journalistic point of view, to give readers a “feel” for these concepts. There is no claim being made, to be teaching Kabbalah, Judaism or any other Religion. The Ideas contained herein are expressed from a Metaphysical, that is, a New Age, point of view. Some correspondences, particularly when this writer is discussing Nova Thought, may vary from what is taught by Kabbalah, Wicca, or Western Mainstream Occultism. True Kabbalah can only be learned from a one-on-one Teacher/Student relationship. "When the Student is ready, the Teacher will appear".
Da’at, ("Knowledge,") is located on the Middle Pillar of the Tree of Life below Kether, and above Tiferet, lying also between Chokhmah and Geburah, and between Binah and Chesed. There is no mention of Da’at in the “Thirty-Two Paths of Wisdom”, although there seems to be a referent or two in the Sefer Yetzirah. Da’at is in the “Abyss” (“She’ol”). Da’at reflects the same Energy that is manifest in Malkuth, the Sefira representing the Material World.
How is this possible? The answer is complicated. It all has to do with the Doctrine of Sheviret HaKelim, ("Shattering of the Vessels”). Our original Existence, according to this Teaching, was in Spirit Form, directly in the Presence of the Ancient One, reflected through Keter. Mankind is in the current incarnate form, only waiting to return to God.
Most of the correspondences for Malkut are also correct for Da’ath. It has, however, its own Archangel, Abaddon (“Destroyer”), who assists the Souls across the Abyss to return to God. When one has made it to the Abyss, Malkut disappears and Da’at appears manifest. This Concept is very similar to the Buddhist Teaching that “in the midst of Samsara we are in Nirvana”. We are already in the Presence of God at all Times; we are simply unaware of this.
In Nova Thought the Day for Da’at is Saturday, the Planet is Saturn, the Color is Indigo, and the Number is Five, relating to the Essence Principle. Thus, Da’at also refers to the Throat Chakra, the Vishuddhi. The Three Essence Runes are Gebo, Algiz, and Mannaz.
In the Teachings of Rudolph Steiner, there is the fascinating Idea that Human Souls originated on the Planet Saturn. The current Theosophical view in reference to this theory is that it is symbolic and not to be taken literally. It is important to remember that, from a Metaphysical point of view, we are never separated from the Divine at any Time.
An Affirmation for Da’ath might be:
Through Knowledge, I bridge the apparent gap between myself and the Divine.
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