I am curious about why you use the term 'Jewish Kabbalah' in reference to this deck.  What makes this 'Jewish' Kabbalah as opposed to the 'Kabbalah' developed and used by Western Hermetic occultists which appropriates the skeletal structure of Jewish Kabbalah but then creates it into a whole new, different, non-Jewish thing.  

Gershom Scholem, the foundational scholar of the modern academic study of Kabbalah, wrote in the Encyclopedia Judaica:

"The many books written on the subject [Kabbalah] in the 19th and 20th centuries by various theosophists and mystics lacked any basic knowledge of the sources and very rarely contributed to the field, while at times they even hindered the development of a historical approach. Similarly, the activities of French and English occultists contributed nothing and only served to create considerable confusion between the teachings of the Kabbalah and their own totally unrelated inventions, such as the alleged kabbalistic origins of Tarot-cards. To this category of supreme charlatanism belong the many and widely read books of Eliphas Lévi (actually Alphonse Louis Constant; 1810–1875), Papus (Gérard Encausse; 1868–1919), and Frater Perdurabo (Aleister Crowley; 1875–1946), all of whom had an infinitesimal knowledge of Kabbalah that did not prevent them from drawing freely on their imaginations instead."

@Natural Mystic Guide Thank you for your insightful comment. You're absolutely right to point out the distinction between Jewish Kabbalah and the version adapted by Western Hermetic traditions. My use of the term 'Jewish Kabbalah' was intended to acknowledge the origins of some of the symbolism, but I understand how it could be misleading in this context. The Hermetic Deck indeed draws on a version of Kabbalah that has been reinterpreted and integrated into Western occultism, which differs significantly from the traditional Jewish Kabbalistic teachings.

Gershom Scholem’s critique is especially relevant here. The Hermetic tradition, while borrowing some elements from Jewish Kabbalah, has created a unique system that diverges from its origins. I appreciate your bringing this up, and I'll be more precise in future references to clarify the distinction between these two different traditions.

I added a note to this blog post for clarification.

36 minutes ago, Kluizenaar said:

Gershom Scholem’s critique is especially relevant here. The Hermetic tradition, while borrowing some elements from Jewish Kabbalah, has created a unique system that diverges from its origins. I appreciate your bringing this up, and I'll be more precise in future references to clarify the distinction between these two different traditions.

 

I added a note to this blog post for clarification.

Thanks so much for your understanding and sensitivity to this important issue.

4 hours ago, Natural Mystic Guide said:

... Gershom Scholem, the foundational scholar of the modern academic study of Kabbalah, wrote in the Encyclopedia Judaica:

 

"The many books written on the subject [Kabbalah] in the 19th and 20th centuries by various theosophists and mystics lacked any basic knowledge of the sources .... .... Similarly, the activities of French and English occultists contributed nothing and only served to create considerable confusion between the teachings of the Kabbalah and their own totally unrelated inventions, such as the alleged kabbalistic origins of Tarot-cards. ... drawing freely on their imaginations ...

This is one reason I rejected the Kabbalah-based Tarot cannon I learnt growing up [back in the day it was *the* method].

I had a Jewish tarot friend and as I heard her pronounce the Hebrew words and talk about Tarot from an actual awareness of the Jewish Kabbalah---I realized the so-called Occult Kabbalah overlaid on Tarot was completely artificial.

This led my studies into Neoplatonic directions [far more historically relevent] and astrolgocial directions which seem more natural to work WITH tarot rather than make it into something it never was.

I respect Waite and Crowley for their contributions, but I reject their made-up, ignorant, non-Jewish Kabbalah. In 10 minutes of discussion, my Jewish friend made more sense when she spoke about Kabbalah than in 10 years of studying the so-called "Hermetic" nonsense. Which in fact isn't even Hermetic. There's nothing about that stuff in Hermes Trismegistos.

OK, this post is harsh. Many people enjoy the GD-based traditions which is fine. Chacon a son gout. But we need to get very honest that it is made-up and artificial. Authentic Jewish kabbalah is much deeper and cohesive in a way this Frankenstein Kabbalah is not. We also need to stop calling it Hermetic b/c it isn't from Hermes Trismegistos. Golden Dawn Kabbalah is the accurate name for it since it's not real kabbalah and its not really Hermetic.

1 hour ago, Misterei said:

This is one reason I rejected the Kabbalah-based Tarot cannon I learnt growing up [back in the day it was *the* method].

 

I had a Jewish tarot friend and as I heard her pronounce the Hebrew words and talk about Tarot from an actual awareness of the Jewish Kabbalah---I realized the so-called Occult Kabbalah overlaid on Tarot was completely artificial.

 

This led my studies into Neoplatonic directions [far more historically relevent] and astrolgocial directions which seem more natural to work WITH tarot rather than make it into something it never was.

 

I respect Waite and Crowley for their contributions, but I reject their made-up, ignorant, non-Jewish Kabbalah. In 10 minutes of discussion, my Jewish friend made more sense when she spoke about Kabbalah than in 10 years of studying the so-called "Hermetic" nonsense. Which in fact isn't even Hermetic. There's nothing about that stuff in Hermes Trismegistos.

I totally understand and respect this point of view, which I am fully aware of, even though I myself still see quite some value in the "Hermetic" approach to Kabbalistic concepts. It has evolved into something seperate. I hope I am not antagonizing people with my point of view. I do respect Kabbalah, and I also see value in its symbolism beyond that. Is the use of Kabbalistic imagery in the Hermetic Deck based on ignorance? Probably. Does that mean there is no truth or value to it? Definitely not. One symbol can refer to one thing in one context and the other in another. 

And about Hermes Trismegistos: he was also a symbol to the true Hermes, not Hermes himself. Just like that, the imagery used in this deck are symbols, not the concepts they originally refer to.

6 hours ago, Misterei said:

I respect Waite and Crowley for their contributions, but I reject their made-up, ignorant, non-Jewish Kabbalah. In 10 minutes of discussion, my Jewish friend made more sense when she spoke about Kabbalah than in 10 years of studying the so-called "Hermetic" nonsense. Which in fact isn't even Hermetic. There's nothing about that stuff in Hermes Trismegistos.

Exactly.  Thank you.  I've tried a few times to wrap my brain around this western occult non-Jewish Kabbalah.  My eyes cross and my brain freezes over.  It is such gobbly gook to me.  It has been a great relief to have my gut reaction to it all verified later in life.  There is a reason why within Orthodox Jewish tradition, it is recommended that people wait until age 40 to begin studying Kabbalah.  It takes great wisdom and maturity to go there.

9 hours ago, Kluizenaar said:

I totally understand and respect this point of view,  I hope I am not antagonizing people with my point of view.

Not at all, Many people enjoy the GD approach. You have lots of company 🙂
I only want to see it evolve into more accurate language [i.e. just call it Golden Dawn kabbala. Not Hermetic. Not Jewish.}

9 hours ago, Kluizenaar said:

And about Hermes Trismegistos: he was also a symbol to the true Hermes, not Hermes himself. Just like that, the imagery used in this deck are symbols, not the concepts they originally refer to.

I'm aware that Hermes Trismegistos is a nom de plume for the many scribes who no doubt wrote based-on older oral teachings. OTOH the Hermetica makes no mention of anything like Kabbala, so I think that calling it "Hermetic" Kabbala is inaccurate. So many ppl throw around the word Hermetic and don't even read the Hermetica. I was one of them until many years ago I thought I'd better actually read the source!

2 hours ago, Natural Mystic Guide said:

Exactly.  Thank you.  I've tried a few times to wrap my brain around this western occult non-Jewish Kabbalah.  My eyes cross and my brain freezes over.  It is such gobbly gook to me.  It has been a great relief to have my gut reaction to it all verified later in life.  There is a reason why within Orthodox Jewish tradition, it is recommended that people wait until age 40 to begin studying Kabbalah.  It takes great wisdom and maturity to go there.

LOL yep.

I dunno about age 40 but I don't think it's possible to learn real Kabbala unless you also know Hebrew. One reason my studies in that direction were limited. Jewish Kabbala actually makes sense, but I saw that I would need to learn Hebrew if I wanted to go deeper than the surface.

2 hours ago, Misterei said:

I don't think it's possible to learn real Kabbala unless you also know Hebrew.

Yes, you are absolutely right.  When I speak about 'within Orthodox Jewish tradition' that presupposes a knowledge of Hebrew.

7 hours ago, Misterei said:

 

Not at all, Many people enjoy the GD approach. You have lots of company 🙂
I only want to see it evolve into more accurate language [i.e. just call it Golden Dawn kabbala. Not Hermetic. Not Jewish.}

I'm aware that Hermes Trismegistos is a nom de plume for the many scribes who no doubt wrote based-on older oral teachings. OTOH the Hermetica makes no mention of anything like Kabbala, so I think that calling it "Hermetic" Kabbala is inaccurate. So many ppl throw around the word Hermetic and don't even read the Hermetica. I was one of them until many years ago I thought I'd better actually read the source!

LOL yep.

I dunno about age 40 but I don't think it's possible to learn real Kabbala unless you also know Hebrew. One reason my studies in that direction were limited. Jewish Kabbala actually makes sense, but I saw that I would need to learn Hebrew if I wanted to go deeper than the surface.

It’s clear that we’re all trying to navigate the complexities of these traditions in our own way, and I appreciate our differences.

Regarding the use of the term "Hermetic" in the context of Kabbala, I agree that precision in language matters, especially in esoteric studies where terms carry weight. "Hermetic' not only refers to the Hermetica, but could also be nothing more than an evocation of Hermes (Mercury) as a spiritual messenger.

I see your point about the value of knowing Hebrew, regarding Kabbala. The language is not just a means of communication but a key to unlocking deeper layers of meaning within the texts. Without this foundation, it’s challenging to engage with Kabbala in its full depth.

Whether one’s path leads through Hermetic or Jewish traditions—or both—each journey offers its own unique insights, provided we approach with humility and a genuine desire to explore.

7 hours ago, Kluizenaar said:

... could also be nothing more than an evocation of Hermes (Mercury) as a spiritual messenger.

It's possible the original Tarocchi of 1400s Italy were Hermetic in the true sense of the word. Tarocchi was invented right around the time that The Hermetica was translated into Latin and printed for the first time. Thus there is a possible link between the Hermetica and early Tarocchi decks.

But Kabbalah wasn't part of this original milieu. And Kabbalah isn't *Hermetic* by its very nature. It's Jewish and their God is not Hermes.