Greetings, fellow explorers.
The Tunnels of Set are a concept within certain occult traditions, particularly in the context of the Qabalah (Tree of Life) and the Qlipoth (Tree of Death). The term "Set" refers to the Egyptian god of chaos and darkness, while the Qlipoth, otherwise known as Universe B, represents the realm of primordial chaos from which all order emerges.
According to these traditions, the Tree of Life, which is a central symbol in Qabalah, represents divine order, and the path to union with the Creator. The Tree of life contains ten spheres (Sefirot), or divine attributes, that illustrate how the Creator emanates itself on a spectrum from absolute divine potential to absolute material reality.
There are twenty-two pathways which connect the ten Sefirot, or spheres, on the Tree of Life. These pathways are said to be a collection of unique, interwoven spiritual experiences that bring one closer to the love and joy of the Creator. To follow these pathways is to experience a gradual union with the Creator, until finally one realizes that one is, and always has been, the Creator incarnate.
The Tunnels of Set, on the other hand, are seen as the reverse, or shadow side, of these twenty-two pathways. They are considered to be unique experiences of spiritual destruction, negativity, and imbalance. To follow the tunnels of Set is to pursue self-deification rather than union with the Creator.Â
Self-deification, in this sense, is similar to how carbon must endure immense pressure in order to become a diamond. Diamonds are formed in the hot, dense mantle of the Earth, not unlike how self-made gods are forged in the fires of the Qlipoth.
Like their positive counterparts, each tunnel is a pathway between two spheres, or major realms, on a tree. The Tunnels of Set, however, do not exist on the Tree of Life, but rather, on the Tree of Death. There are twenty-two tunnels connecting the ten shells of the Qlipoth (Tree of Death), and each represents a specific experience of suffering and turmoil. The tunnels are often explored in certain occult practices for purposes of discovering and confronting the darker aspects of the psyche, and the universe at large.
It is not uncommon for Left Hand Path mystics to explore their traumas (and past life traumas) as a major part of working through the Tunnels of Set, and the Qlipoth as a whole. To initiate into the Qlipoth does not mean to literally walk through the gates of the underworld (although similar experiences may be achieved on the astral plane during out-of-body experiences). Rather, Left Hand Path initiates invoke demonic or Qlipothic energies into their daily lives, thus changing the nature of their reality into something that physically represents the chaos of Universe B. In this way, they intentionally transform their lives into something of a dark quest, wherein they must embrace destruction, or be destroyed. By committing themselves to the forces of chaos, the mystics of the Left Hand Path must ultimately surrender to the awesome, untold powers of the Qlipoth, and feel, with every cell of their being, what it means to embody the dark light.
Please consider this article to be a brief glance into the Tunnels of Set. This is by no means a complete description, but rather, an article designed to intrigue interest and spark further discovery.
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In our universe, we must discover and create our own version of the truth in order to further our personal, spiritual evolution. Do not take these words for gospel. Do not cling to the advice of so-called masters or gurus. In a world of unlimited information, we must consume responsibly, while staying open-minded. If something resonates with your spirit, consider that it may contain something valid, useful, or eye-opening. Try, if you can, to relieve yourself of dogma. In the end, our reality is but a thought in the mind of the Creator, and should not be taken seriously to the point of suffering.
Stay curious,
Serpent Blak
