While in the previous centuries books of magic, grimoires, and occult texts usually obscured rather than revealed secrets of power, modern practitioners no longer shy away from such working systems as Goetia, demonolatry, necromancy, etc.—forms of magic that in the previous centuries were feared and avoided because of their dreadful reputation. In present times, however, we are witnessing a radical change in the attitude to darker forms of magic. Rituals that were shunned by magicians of old times are now being revealed as tools of power and personal evolution. No stone is left unturned, and no veil remains between the known and the unknown.

Among these magical traditions we can find the Tree of Qliphoth, the part of the Qabalah, which throughout the ages, has been avoided and rejected by practitioners as it was believed that the only possible way to salvation was through elevation of the soul and union with Divine Light while the path of the Qliphoth was a way to damnation. Traditional Qabalah, developed within the Jewish esoteric tradition and based on the Hebrew Bible and Rabbinical literature, does not involve the forces of the Dark Tree within its working paradigm. Quite the opposite, in this tradition they are viewed as contradictory to salvation of man. And thus they bear the titles referring to their malefic qualities—the Concealer, the Hinderer, the Smiter, the Disputer, and so on. All this implies that they only prevent man from salvation and soul ascension.

Tree of Qliphoth as a map of self-initiation is, therefore, a fairly new invention developed within the Western Tradition and the modern Left Hand Path and discussed in detail in such works as e.g. Kenneth Grant’s Typhonian Trilogies. If you search for older sources, you will find very little or almost no information. You will, however, find the classical sources, such as Sefer Yetzirah, which provide the foundations for the traditional Qabalah. This does not mean that the classical texts are of little or no value to the modern practitioners. I would say it is exactly the opposite.

The Qabalah is a vast tradition and includes many theories and interpretations. There is not one single definition of what the Tree of Life is and how it can be used for the purpose of Ascent. The same can be said about the Dark Tree, and you will find here as many definitions and interpretations as there are students and practitioners.

Some portray the Qliphoth as “shells” that were left after the failed, or aborted, attempt at creation. These shells, or husks, are believed to be inhabited by demons, vampires, larvae, ghouls, succubi, incubi, etc., and ruled by dark gods and goddesses—the “archdemons” of the Dark Tree.

Others will say that the Qliphoth are shadows or reflections of the Sephiroth in the Void.

Another idea is that the Dark Tree is the opposite side, or antithesis, to the Tree of Life, with each Qlipha being the negative counterpart of the corresponding Sephira, thus undoing creation and opening way to primordial chaos and darkness. There are, however, many more of such theories.

I have already discussed the origin and the theories about the na- ture of the Qliphoth in my Qliphothic Meditations. In this book Qliphothic Invocations & Evocations we will refer to some of them, but the focus of this tome is not on the Qliphoth as such, but on their demonic rulers—the dark gods and goddesses of the Dark Tree.

This book is written from my personal perspective, based on my own practice and the work that I share on a regular basis with my ritual friends, partners and students in the Temple of Ascending Flame. There are other methods and approaches to the Dark Tree as well, and what you will find here is quite unique among all these approaches. Tree of Qliphoth in this paradigm is worked with from the perspective of the Left Hand Path and the Nightside traveler.

Another thing that distinguishes this approach from other magical systems based on the Dark Tree is that the Qliphoth are here discussed as a paradigm including Daath/the Abyss. This hidden, or pseudo-Sephira, is viewed in this system as a realm existing on both sides of the Qabalistic Tree as a gateway connecting the Dayside and the Nightside—the Sephiroth and the Qliphoth. In its positive sense, Daath appears as “Knowledge” and as such it is approached from the perspective of the bright side of the Tree. If it is explored in its depth, it is seen by the adept of the Sephirothic path as “the Abyss.” To the Nightside traveler, however, this realm manifests as “the Worthless One,” and is guarded by the Goetic demon-king Belial. This perspective is rarely encountered in the source literature as most accounts of the Qabalistic Tree are usually provided by those who approach it from the bright, Sephirothic side, but those who travel to the Gate of Daath through the pathways of the Nightside will most likely see and experience it in a completely different way.

Finally, what makes this book different from many other approaches to the Qliphoth is that it is written from the perspective of the Draconian Tradition. This means it includes references to the dragon and serpent symbolism provided in this book and the specific terms and concepts that are encountered within the Draconian Tradition only.

I welcome you to study my grimoire for the clearest and most comprehensible explanation and initiation into this Dark Magic.

Darkest Blessings,