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[[Kabbalah|Kabbalistic]] mysticism attempted to establish a more exact relationship between Lilith and God. With her major characteristics having been well developed by the end of the Talmudic period, after six centuries had elapsed between the Aramaic incantation texts that mention Lilith and the early Spanish Kabbalistic writings in the 13th century, she reappears, and her life history becomes known in greater mythological detail. Her creation is described in many alternative versions. | [[Kabbalah|Kabbalistic]] mysticism attempted to establish a more exact relationship between Lilith and God. With her major characteristics having been well developed by the end of the Talmudic period, after six centuries had elapsed between the Aramaic incantation texts that mention Lilith and the early Spanish Kabbalistic writings in the 13th century, she reappears, and her life history becomes known in greater mythological detail. Her creation is described in many alternative versions. | ||
The ''[[Zohar]]'' contains 48 references to her in numerous passage. It explicitly mentions her creation as being before Adam's, on the fifth day, because the "living creatures" with whose swarms God filled the waters included Lilith. A similar version, related to the earlier Talmudic passages, recounts how Lilith was fashioned with the same substance as Adam was, shortly before. A third alternative version states that God originally created Adam and Lilith in a manner that the female creature was contained in the male. Lilith's soul was lodged in the depths of the Great Abyss. When God called her, she joined Adam. After Adam's body was created a thousand souls from the Left (evil) side attempted to attach themselves to him. However, God drove them off. Adam was left lying as a body without a soul. Then a cloud descended and God commanded the earth to produce a living soul. This God breathed into Adam, who began to spring to life and his female was attached to his side. God separated the female from Adam's side. The female side was Lilith, whereupon she flew to the Cities of the Sea and attacked humankind. | |||
Yet another version claims that Lilith emerged as a divine entity that was born spontaneously, either out of the Great Supernal Abyss or out of the power of an aspect of God (the Gevurah of Din). This aspect of God was negative and punitive, as well as one of his ten attributes ( | Yet another version claims that Lilith emerged as a divine entity that was born spontaneously, either out of the Great Supernal Abyss or out of the power of an aspect of God (the Gevurah of Din). This aspect of God was negative and punitive, as well as one of his ten attributes ([[sefirot]]), at its lowest manifestation has an affinity with the realm of evil and it is out of this that Lilith merged with [[Samael]]. | ||
An alternative story links Lilith with the creation of luminaries. The "first light," which is the light of Mercy (one of the Sefirot), appeared on the first day of creation when God said "Let there be light." This light became hidden and the Holiness became surrounded by a husk of evil. "A husk (klippa) was created around the brain" and this husk spread and brought out another husk, which was Lilith. | An alternative story links Lilith with the creation of luminaries. The "first light," which is the light of Mercy (one of the Sefirot), appeared on the first day of creation when God said "Let there be light." This light became hidden and the Holiness became surrounded by a husk of evil. "A husk (klippa) was created around the brain" and this husk spread and brought out another husk, which was Lilith. | ||
The western mystery tradition associates Lilith with the [[qlippoth]] of [[Kabbalah]]. [[Dion Fortune]] writes, "The Virgin Mary is reflected in Lilith," and that Lilith is the source of "lustful dreams." She is the ruler over [[Gamaliel]], but there is also a sphere on the [[Tree of Death]] named [[Lilith (qlippoth)]]. | The western mystery tradition associates Lilith with the [[qlippoth]] of [[Kabbalah]]. [[Dion Fortune]] writes, "The Virgin Mary is reflected in Lilith," and that Lilith is the source of "lustful dreams." She is the ruler over [[Gamaliel]], but there is also a sphere on the [[Tree of Death]] named [[Lilith (qlippoth)]]. | ||
==Renaissance magic== | |||
Lilith is found in very few [[grimoire]]s of [[King Solomon|Solomonic]] magic. The most well-known is the 15th century manuscript known as the ''[[Munich Manual of Demonic Magic]]''. This book contains a ritual called the [[First Mirror of Lilith]] which allows a magician to gain hidden knowledge by means of a mirror engraved with sacred symbols and texts. This mirror is consecrated to Lilith and used as part of an invocation to summon her in a cemetery or at a crossroads. | |||
Some scholars believe her name may be simply a misspelling of the [[Goetic demon]] [[Bereith]], but references to her as the "matron of night" and her "avian friends" seem to confirm that the ritual is intended to invoke Lilith. | |||
==As an occult figure== | ==As an occult figure== | ||