Chapter 4: Cosmology and Lore:
This page explains the expanded cosmology of Also Sprach Zarathustra.
[Warning: This is a fictional setting that is made from Kabbalah, Thelema and Gnostiscm. It also contains some Buddhist, mainstream Christian elements, and Jungian Physics. It, however, doesn't actually represent these faiths and does not claim actual accuracy. It is purely made for entertainment use, and doesn't intend to offend anyone irrespective of their religious temperament.]
The cosmology has been based on Yin-Yang model from Chinese mythology. As such, it begins from YESH, flows downwards, and ends in AYIN.
YESH:
AKA: The Everything, Pleroma, The Fullness, 1.
Summary:
A semi-conscious divine force, YESH (meaning "something") is the very essence of "All-in-One" and "One-in-All." Virtually boundless and nigh-omnipotent, YESH— alongside its counterpart AYIN (Nothing), is one of the only two supremely powerful entities in existence. It represents the complete totality of "Everything."
YESH is the only presence capable of "filling" the absolute Nothingness that is AYIN. Doing so, however, would nullify their inherent duality— allowing them to merge into one truly "omnipotent" unity called "ATZIMUS." But, since it was the will of ATZIMUS itself to split into AYIN and YESH, it is highly unlikely that such an event would/ could ever come to pass.
YESH is the state of existence into which the Creator's essence— The MONAD— emanates and resides.
Its ultimate wish to become one with its companion— AYIN.
Appearance: It appears as a realm of blinding white: the kind that would sear your retinas with a glance. Although, much like AYIN, this appearance is purely subjective. YESH is mostly perceived as such because it overloads all senses with information, and white is merely the sum totality of all visible wavelengths that a human can comprehend.
Contractee/ Derivatives: The MONAD, Akasha [N2-EoS].
As the derivative of YESH forms the essence of the very Creator [basically God], only one such being can exist at once.
The MONAD:
AKA: The Supreme Emanation, The Absolute Being, Aion Telos [The Perfect Aeon], Bythos [Depth or Profundity], Pro-Arche [Before the Beginning], He-Arche [The Beginning], the Ineffable Parent, the Primal Father.
Summary:
A small part of YESH, the Monad is best described as a region of concentrated Pleroma representing the very concept of "Divinity." It is the very essence of God— the Creator.
The Monad has two parts, namely Ohr [Light] and Ma'Ohr [The Luminary]. These two represent the two aspects of God— his good/ benevolence and his inviolability/ eternity.
The manifestation (shadow) of the Monad in Creation is called God [YHVH].
Ma'Ohr:
AKA: The Luminary, the Source of Light, the Ouroboros, Eternity, the Masculine Presence.
Summary:
When the Monad gained self-awareness, Ma'Ohr was the first to form. It was from Ma'Ohr (the Source) that Ohr [Light] was born. It represents the eternal and inviolable aspect of God.
It represents the "paternal" side of God.
Appearance: It takes the form of a giant white snake coiling around its Creation— The Ouroboros of Eternity.
Ohr:
AKA: The Light, SHEKINAH— the Feminine Presence, the Good.
Summary: When the self-aware Ma'Ohr developed a will to "create," Ohr [Light] was born. True to its name, it represented Light and all that is positive in existence. Hence, it is closely related to Chesed of the Sephiroth as well. As SHEKINAH, She is also partly responsible for the creation of Akasha.
She represents the "maternal" aspect of God.
Appearance: A little girl without a face made of light (looks like a faceless Tsukiko from Hentai Ouji.)
God:
AKA: The Creator, the Shadow of Monad, YHWH, Jehovah, Yahweh, The Tetragrammaton, El, Elohim, among many others.
Summary: As the being responsible for bringing about the act of Genesis, God is the one true master and creator of the SYSTEM. At the very heart of Adam Kadmon, He resides in the uppermost echelons of the Chambers of Akasha.
Appearance: Takes the form of a gentle white light or warmth that doesn't need to touch the skin to be felt (when inhabited by Ohr). Takes the form of a mechanical monstrosity of incomprehensible angles and forms when inhabited by Ma'Ohr.
Akasha:
AKA: Sophia, The Knowledge, The Omniscient, The Keeper of all Records, The Guardian of Truth.
Summary: It is Knowledge given form. As a cosmic ledger, it chronicles all truth in existence. The Akashic Truth is "absolute" and is free from all subjectivity, hence it's title as "the Guardian of Truth."
Akasha is the "omniscient" part that SHEKINAH separated from the MONAD when She developed consciousness.
The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil rooted in Adam-Kadmon also derives its existence from Akasha, and, as such, is connected directly to it. In the Tree of Life [Sephiroth], Akasha rules over the sephira "Chokhmah" through its lesser manifestation, Sophia. It is also connected to the Limbo— the purgatory where souls are recycled.
In the "Chosen World," Akasha has an Oracle. The Oracle serves as both the sensory and a conduit for Akasha. The Oracle is an extension of itself, and is entrusted with the "Akashic Records [Or the Records of Akasha]." The current Oracle is Nika Kurylenko.
Adam-Kadmon:
AKA: Sitra-Khadesh, The Source World, the First Realm, the Empyrean, the Root, the Archetypal World, the Origin World, the abode of God.
Summary:
When Ein Sof first contracted from Ein, Adam-Kadmon was simply the first realm to come into existence. It was from here that Ein Sof further contracted into Ein Sof Ohr, thus giving birth to the Trees [Fundamental Laws]. This act, in turn, would later give rise to the infinite Qlippothic Abyss.
Adam-Kadmon is the archetypal template of all lower worlds in existence. It is populated by Archetypes: formless, transcendent entities that represent the various "creative" and "benevolent" concepts/ ideas in use throughout the Abyss.
Thus, since they are the fundamental building blocks of everything in the Abyss, they manifest the "Creative" or "Good" side of the SYSTEM.
The realm is at eternal loggerheads with the Realm of Devastation, Sitra-Achra, and its infernal "Monsters" of Destruction.
The very purpose for Adam-Kadmon's existence is to consume all "Evil" in the SYSTEM. Hence its ultimate objective is to eventually devour "Sitra-Achra" itself.
Recently, due to a particular reason, the realm has warped itself to resemble a normal lower world. It has even come to have "time," "space" and even a day and night cycle complete with a makeshift sun and all.
For the very same reason, its denizens, despite being transcendent beings, have willingly forsaken their formless selves and have started mimicking lesser lifeforms like humans.
Master(s): The Creator [God], Akasha.
Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil:
AKA: The Tree of Knowledge, The Beginning Tree, the Tree of Genesis, The Tree of Truth, the Tree of Akasha.
Summary:
This is the tree the fruit of which the "Human-Female" Archetype— Eve ate, and later fed to her husband, Adam, the "Human-Male" Archetype. This resulted in their exile to the Qlippothic Abyss.
As such it is this Tree that branded the stigma of "Original Sin" upon humanity.
Being connected to Akasha directly, it is more than capable of imparting "Wisdom" [Knowledge+ Ability to comprehend the same] to the ones that eat its fruit.
It was the fruit of this Tree that began the Age of Mankind.
Location: It is located in the [The Garden of Eden] surrounding the Chamber of Akasha.
Source Gate:
Summary: It is simply the gate separating Adam-Kadmon from the rest of everything. It is from this gap that Ohr [Light] causes Ein Sof to contract into Ein Sof Ohr [The Divine Light] as it enters the lower SYSTEM.
Ladder of Genesis:
AKA: Jacob's Ladder, the Ascension Gate, the Birthcanal, the World of the Source Gate.
Summary: The only pathway to access Adam-Kadmon. It is connected to both "Golden" and "Silver" paths of Ascension. In the Golden path, the Ladder is connected meta-physically above the state of Keter. However, in the Silver Path of Ascension, the Ladder is a tangible place, and is connected to the top of the Seventh Temple. The Ladder in itself is an independent world, and by traversing across it, mortals can overcome their stigma of "Original Sin" and reclaim their respective places as Archetypes. However, they must possess the capacity to overcome and endure stairway-world's overwhelming mental contamination.
At its end, is the gate to Adam-Kadmon, and it is from this realm that Ein Sof Ohr emerges and emanates into the lower worlds.
Ein Sof Ohr:
AKA: The Divine Light.
Summary: The semi-sentient force of Creation formed when Ohr [Light] contracted with Ein Sof through a process called TZIMTZUM [The Contraction].
It is TZIMTZUM that allows Ein Sof to contract itself into lower emanations like Atziluth or Be'riah.
It emanates from Adam-Kadmon through the Source-Gate and the Ladder of Genesis.
Much like the sephiras/qlippahs it is governed by a Master.
Title of Ruler: Sheffa.
Current Master/ Title-holder: NUIT [The Archetype of Ancient Gods]
Tzimtzum:
AKA: The Contraction.
Summary:
Tzimtzum is merely the contraction of Ein Sof Ohr into lower emanations. It begins its journey from Adam-Kadmon and ends in Ahra.
It is only by Tzimtzum (contraction) that the infinite Ein Sof Ohr can counter the Shevirah (Weakening) of vessel sephiras/ qlippahs.
It is one of the two forces that result in Ein Sof's degradation into mana.
Title of Ruler: Sheffa.
Current Master/ Title-holder: NUIT [The Archetype of Ancient Gods]
Tree of Life:
AKA: The Holy Sephiroth.
Summary:
One of the two sets of fundamental rules that govern the Qlippothic Abyss, the Sephiroth is literally the lesser emanation of Adam-Kadmon.
It is categorized in four categories (or worlds) namely Assiah (Physical), Yetzirah (Foundation), Be'riah (Creation), and Atziluth (Emanation).
It contains ten different planes of existences, or sephiras, that represent the various aspects of the Abyss.
It is contrasted by the Tree of Death, Qlippoth: yet both of which are absolutely essential for the continued existence of the Abyss.
From top down, there are ten visible sephiras namely: Keter, Chokhmah, Binah, Chesed, Din, Tiferet, Netzach, Hod, Yesod, and Malkuth. The sephira of Da'ath is the invisible one.
Mandalas:
AKA: Sephiras/ Qlippahs.
Summary: The sephiras/ qlippahs don't have any physical existence (apart from Malkuth/Nahemoth which is the physical world itself) and is thus impossible to access by a mortal. However, ancient gods (Secret Chiefs) with their ability to access the obscure realms of Oblivion, are able to interact with them as if they were physical and tangible worlds. These "impossible-to-exist" worlds are called "mandalas" and represent the dominion or law of its corresponding sephira/ qlippah.
Every sephira/ qlippah has a sphere of influence (mandala) around it which is accessible by any and all of the ancient gods. This sphere of influence is governed by the Secret Chief that serves as the master of that sephira/qlippah.
For e.g: the mandala of Tiferet is an arbitration plane, or the mandala of Malkuth is the physical world Assiah itself.
[These eleven sephiras/ qlippahs are elaborated in-depth in the next page.]
The Qlippothic Abyss:
AKA: The Abyss, the Immaterium.
The Qlippothic Abyss is the result of the eternal cosmic tug-of-war between Adam Kadmon's forces of "Creation" and Ahra's forces of "Destruction."
It is an infinite-dimensional labyrinth that is ever-expanding (waxing) and contracting (waning) under the sheer immensity of its existence.
As a meta-physical immaterium where everything fantasized or realized exist together in a soup of primordial chaos, the Abyss is where possible met the impossible, where the real met the unreal, where logic met the absurd, and where factual met the fictional.
Home to a vast (if not infinite) number of cosmologies, many of which are in no ways inferior to the Chosen World's own, the Abyss makes for one truly gargantuan presence.
However, the Abyss' very immensity is its Achilles heel as a myriad of conflicting laws and contradictions threaten to throw its very existence into jeopardy. This makes the Abyss a very fragile and volatile existence: one that might collapse in upon itself at any given moment.
Hence, it is dependent upon the "rule" of the [Trees] for its continued perpetuation and existence.
The Sephirothic Abyss of Da'ath, despite its name, is a part of the Qlippothic Abyss.
Its anathema exists in the Void of Qlippoth. If the Abyss is a canvas of paper containing all in SYSTEM, the Void is a hole in that sheet— a singularity of sorts that connects directly to the AYIN.
The Tree of Death:
AKA: The Infernal Qlippoth.
Summary:
One of the two sets of fundamental rules that govern the Qlippothic Abyss, the Qlippoth is literally the lesser emanations of Sitra-Achra.
It is categorized in four categories (or Kelipots, meaning "husks/peels") namely Noga (Vessel), Esh (Realization), Anan (Submission), and Supah (Accentuation).
It contains ten planes of existences, or qlippahs, that represent the various aspects of the Abyss.
It is contrasted by the Tree of Life, Sephiroth: both of which are absolutely essential for the continued existence of the Abyss.
From top to bottom, there are ten qlippahs namely: Nahemoth, Gamaliel, Samael, A'Arab Zaraq, Thagirion, Golachab, Gha'ag Sheblah, Satarial, Ghagiel, and Thaumiel. There is a hole in the Tree called "Belial" that leads to AYIN.
Shevirah:
AKA: The Cataclysm.
Summary:
Shevirah is merely the weakening of sephiras/ qlippahs simply by being in proximity of Ahra. As such, the infinite light Ein Sof Ohr has to undergo Tzimtzum (Contraction) so as not to shatter the fragile vessels (sephiras/ qlippahs)
It is at its maximum at Thaumiel and lowest in Keter. As such Ein Sof Ohr is barely a trickle in the former and nearly boundless in the latter.
It is one of the two forces that result in Ein Sof's degradation into mana.
Title of Ruler: Tehom.
Current Master/ Title-holder: NUIT [The Archetype of Ancient Gods]
Chosek:
AKA: The Darkness, The Unfathomable Blackness, the Great Deep.
Summary:
Chosek is merely the state that is derived due to Ein Sof Ohr [The Divine Light] being devoured completely, thus giving rise to the Darkness.
Similar to the Divine Light, no other forces of Creation can breach these levels, hence its title as the Great Deep or the Unfathomable Blackness.
Like with Ein Sof Ohr, Chosek has a master as well.
Master: Tehom.
Current Master/ Title-holder: NUIT [The Archetype of Ancient Gods]
The Falls of Nyx:
AKA: The Black Halls, the Perdition, World of the Final Gate.
Summary:
The only pathway to access Sitra-Achra. It is connected to both "Golden" and "Silver" paths of Ascension. In the Golden path, the Falls is connected meta-physically below the state of Thaumiel. However, in the Silver Path of Ascension, the Falls is a tangible place, and is connected to the top of the Seventh Fallen Temple. The Halls in itself is an independent world, and by traversing across it, mortals can embrace their "Original Sin" and be corrupted into "Monsters." However, they must possess the capacity to overcome and endure its overwhelming mental contamination.
At its end is the gate to Ahra, and it is from this realm that Chosek emerges into the lower world.
The Final Gate:
Summary: The Final Gate is merely the gate separating Sitra-Achra [Ahra] from the rest of everything. It is through this gap that Chosek itself emerges as the lower-SYSTEM methodically descends into oblivion.
Sitra-Achra:
AKA: Ahra, the End, the Last World, the Cocytus, the Devastation, the Monstrous Realm, the Nether World.
Summary:
Ahra, or Sitra-Achra [which literally means "The Other Side"] is merely the state of Creation as it finally crumbles and dissolves into the Great AYIN. It gives birth to Unfathomable Darkness [Chosek] and the Great Deep [Tehom].
Simply known as the "Devastation" or "Cocytus," Ahra is a realm embodying boundless destruction. As Oblivion-incarnate, it is from here that the Tree of Death— Qlippoth, emerges.
It is populated by nameless beings simply known as "Monsters" that represent the various "Destructive" Ideas and "Corrupt" concepts in use throughout the Qlippothic Abyss.
It is at an eternal war with Adam-Kadmon and its Archetypes.
The very reason for Sitra-Achra's existence is to destroy the SYSTEM, including itself and its arch-nemesis— Adam-Kadmon.
LIMBO:
AKA: The Purgatory.
Summary:
Located at the boundary between Sitra-Achra and Adam-Kadmon that is not part of the Qlippothic Abyss [i.e the Trees of Life/ Death] is the LIMBO, or Purgatory. As such it exists on the same plane of existence as either Adam-Kadmon or Ahra.
It is connected to the realm of Malkuth/ Nahemoth and exist solely for the purpose of recycling souls eternally. It's the realm in-charge of reincarnation, and has its own structure complete with its own versions of Heaven and Hell.
It is from this place that extra-dimensional entities called angels/demons intrude upon the Abyss [or most specifically Malkuth/ Nahemoth.] They have no place in Sephiroth/ Qlippoth, although they are often mistaken to have.
The LIMBO can be considered an extension of Akasha, as well, and is controlled from the Chamber of Akasha.
It from here that "telesma" originates.
Like the rest of SYSTEM, its master is YHWH (aka Biblical God in this realm)
The Chosen World:
Summary:
The Chosen World is simply the cosmology in which the story takes place. It is a cosmology based on Schrodinger's Catbox in which only one phase out of an infinite number of them can exist as "real." This is simply the world in which the entrance to the First Temple made its appearance. The reason for the entrance's appearance in this specific cosmology is unknown.
However, by exploiting the connection between temples to the Trees, one can traverse to other phases that are "non-existent" since the Abyss technically contains even these "non-existent" worlds.
Since the Chosen World is part of Malkuth, its Master is technically Telecvovim, and is connected to the LIMBO as well.
The Chosen World has also been proven to attract several Secret-Chiefs (Ancient Gods) to itself, and is a formidable world in its own right.
The Chosen World contains the "Real" phase (aka the Homeworld) in which the story takes place.
CREATION:
AKA: THE SYSTEM.
Summary: Creation is name of the system containing Adam-Kadmon, Sitra-Achra, LIMBO, and everything in between. SYSTEM is simply a way for YESH to slowly dissolve parts of itself into AYIN in a vain effort to re-integrate itself with it.
Master: The MONAD, Akasha (EoS Book 1)
AYIN:
AKA: Absolute Nothingness, the Sunyata, the Empty, 0.
Summary:
A semi-conscious divine force, AYIN (meaning "nothing") is the very essence of "Nothingness." Virtually boundless and nigh-omnipotent, AYIN— alongside its counterpart YESH (Everything), is one of the only two supremely powerful entities in existence.
AYIN is the only presence capable of "consuming" the "Everything" of YESH. Doing so, however, would nullify their inherent duality— allowing them to merge into one truly "omnipotent" unity called "ATZIMUS." However, since it was the will of ATZIMUS itself to split into AYIN and YESH, it is highly unlikely that such a thing would ever come to pass.
Despite this, rather than plainly co-existing, AYIN wishes to become one with YESH.
Appearance:
As absolute nothingness, AYIN doesn't possess any appearance. If anything, it is the lack of perception that forms the appearance of AYIN. As such some may perceive AYIN as a black, timeless, void of encompassing darkness, while others may see it as a realm of twisted and heinous perversions— a happy world of murderous insanity. At least one has chosen to perceive AYIN as a boundless sea of faeces with its every drop being ambrosia incarnate.
However, like the case with YESH, these are all their own personal interpretation of AYIN.
Simply put AYIN is plainly nothing.
Known Contractee(s): Unknown.
ATZIMUS:
AKA: The Higher Unity.
Summary:
ATZIMUS is the unity of YESH and AYIN. In this state the duality of "Everything" and "Nothing" is completely and fundamentally removed. The state of ATZIMUS is the one truly omnipotent unity and as such it towers over both AYIN and YESH by an incomprehensible margin. But that being said, since it was ATZIMUS's own will to separate into AYIN and YESH, their re-combination is impossible no matter how much the two entities try.
As such the state of ATZIMUS is an impossibility to achieve thanks to its very own omnipotent will.
Known derivative(s): AYIN and YESH.