As an esoteric seeker, I’m uncomfortable with the fact with the use of kabbalah (Qabalah) because it’s a semi-closed form of Jewish mysticism. Why is it seen as still acceptable? Please note I have nothing against you or the Western Esoteric movements, but am figuring this out as a brother

ceremonialmagick:

First of all thank you for your calm tone. Perhaps this will clear help:

Yes Kabbalah (with a K and two B’s) is a practice usually reserved for jewish mystics. But even in jewish circles, this is a very controversial practice that has even been banned at certain points in history. Jewish Kabbalah as nothing to do with esotericisim/occultism.

Hermetic Qabalah (with a Q and one B) is not the same thing, this practice draws from many sources, including gnosticism, alchemy, etc. it also is not a new practice, as some less informed people around here have suggested, it has been around since aprox. the 14th Century and it is the framework of many esoteric currents that are still around to this day, so it is not some kind of new shallow fad. Thelema incorporates many aspects of Hermetic Qabalah, for example. 

Equating the two (as unfortunately some people have on this website) might even be considered offensive to practitioners of either one. You can practice magick without Qabalah, no one is forcing anyone to, but you should now that there are many people who do, yes even jewish people, for example Israel Regardie or Donald Michael Kraig, both world-renowned jewish occultists who had zero problems not just practicing but disseminating Hermetic Qabalah’s principles around the world, because again, they are not the same.

I hope that clears it up for you, here are the links two both wikipedia pages if you would like to compare/contrast:

Kabbalah (Jewish Kabbalah)

Hermetic Qabalah