Overview
The Middle Pillar Exercise is a foundational practice in Western ceremonial magic and Hermetic Kabbalah that circulates divine energy through the five primary energy centers aligned along the central axis of the body. Developed by Israel Regardie and based on teachings from the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, this practice establishes a column of light connecting the practitioner to divine consciousness above and earthly manifestation below, creating balance and spiritual empowerment.
The Middle Pillar refers to the central pillar on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, which contains five sephiroth (divine emanations): Kether (Crown), Daath (Knowledge - sometimes included), Tiphareth (Beauty/Heart), Yesod (Foundation), and Malkuth (Kingdom/Earth). By vibrating divine Hebrew names and visualizing brilliant spheres of light at these centers, the practitioner becomes a living Tree of Life, channeling the divine energies of creation through their being.
Historical Development
Origins in the Golden Dawn
The Middle Pillar Exercise emerged from the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a magical society founded in 1888 that synthesized Kabbalah, alchemy, tarot, and ceremonial magic:
- 1888-1900: Golden Dawn develops comprehensive magical system including Kabbalistic practices
- Early 1900s: Middle Pillar taught as advanced practice to initiated members
- 1937: Israel Regardie publishes "The Middle Pillar" making the practice publicly available
- 1969: Expanded edition includes circulation of light techniques
- Modern Era: Becomes foundational practice in Western ceremonial magic and Hermetic traditions
Israel Regardie (1907-1985)
Born Francis Israel Regudy, Regardie was the primary architect of the modern Middle Pillar practice:
- Personal secretary to Aleister Crowley (1928-1932)
- Initiated into Golden Dawn successor order Stella Matutina
- Published Golden Dawn teachings against orders to preserve the tradition
- Combined Kabbalah with Reichian bodywork and psychology
- Emphasized practical results and psychological integration
Philosophy & Symbolism
The Middle Pillar practice is deeply rooted in Kabbalistic cosmology and the symbolism of the Tree of Life:
The Tree of Life Structure
The Tree of Life (Etz Chaim) consists of ten sephiroth arranged in three vertical pillars:
- Right Pillar (Pillar of Mercy): Masculine, active, expansive - Chokmah, Chesed, Netzach
- Left Pillar (Pillar of Severity): Feminine, receptive, restrictive - Binah, Geburah, Hod
- Middle Pillar (Pillar of Equilibrium): Balance, consciousness, the self - Kether, Daath, Tiphareth, Yesod, Malkuth
Core Principles
- As Above, So Below: The human being as microcosm reflecting the macrocosm
- Divine Names: Sacred Hebrew names embody specific divine energies and powers
- Vibration: Intoning divine names creates resonance that activates energy centers
- Visualization: Mental imagery focuses and directs spiritual energy
- Circulation: Energy must flow freely to maintain balance and health
Benefits of Practice
- Establishes connection to divine consciousness
- Balances and aligns the subtle energy body
- Grounds spiritual energy into physical manifestation
- Develops visualization and concentration skills
- Purifies and strengthens the aura
- Provides protection and psychic shielding
- Supports magical workings and rituals
- Integrates psychological shadow material
- Enhances meditation and contemplative practice
- Brings mental clarity and emotional balance
The Five Centers of the Middle Pillar
The Middle Pillar practice works with five primary energy centers corresponding to sephiroth on the central column of the Tree of Life:
| Sephirah |
Hebrew |
Translation |
Location |
Divine Name |
Color |
| Kether |
כתר |
Crown |
Above head |
Eheieh (I Am) |
Brilliant white |
| Daath |
דעת |
Knowledge |
Throat |
YHVH Elohim |
Lavender/gray |
| Tiphareth |
תפארת |
Beauty |
Heart center |
YHVH Eloah ve-Daath |
Golden yellow |
| Yesod |
יסוד |
Foundation |
Genitals |
Shaddai El Chai |
Violet/purple |
| Malkuth |
מלכות |
Kingdom |
Feet/below |
Adonai ha-Aretz |
Citrine/olive/russet/black |
Detailed Sephiroth Descriptions
1. Kether - The Crown
כתר
Divine Name: Eheieh (אהיה) - "I Am" or "I Will Be"
Position: 6-12 inches above the crown of the head
Visualization: Brilliant white sphere of pure light
Correspondence: Pure consciousness, the divine source, primordial unity
Function: Connects practitioner to cosmic consciousness and divine will
Vibration: "Eh-heh-yay" (emphasis on middle syllable)
2. Daath - Knowledge (Optional Center)
דעת
Divine Name: YHVH Elohim (יהוה אלהים)
Position: Throat, base of skull
Visualization: Lavender or gray sphere
Correspondence: The Abyss, gnosis, hidden knowledge, union of opposites
Function: Gateway between higher and lower consciousness; voice and manifestation
Note: Sometimes excluded from basic practice; represents the "invisible" sephirah
3. Tiphareth - Beauty
תפארת
Divine Name: YHVH Eloah ve-Daath (יהוה אלוה ודעת)
Position: Heart center, solar plexus
Visualization: Golden yellow sphere radiating like the sun
Correspondence: The Higher Self, beauty, harmony, the Christ center, solar consciousness
Function: Central balancing point; mediates between spirit and matter
Vibration: "Yod-heh-vahv-heh Eh-lo-ah veh-da-aht"
4. Yesod - Foundation
יסוד
Divine Name: Shaddai El Chai (שדי אל חי) - "Almighty Living God"
Position: Genital region, just above the pubic bone
Visualization: Violet or purple sphere
Correspondence: The astral plane, dreams, sexuality, the etheric body, the Moon
Function: Foundation of personality; gateway to the unconscious and astral realm
Vibration: "Shah-dai El Chai"
5. Malkuth - The Kingdom
מלכות
Divine Name: Adonai ha-Aretz (אדני הארץ) - "Lord of Earth"
Position: Feet and below, connecting to the Earth
Visualization: Sphere with four colors: citrine, olive, russet, black (or simply earthy brown/green)
Correspondence: Physical body, material world, Earth element, manifestation
Function: Grounds spiritual energy into physical reality; completes the circuit
Vibration: "Ah-doh-nai hah-Ah-retz"
The Qabalistic Cross
The Middle Pillar is often preceded and followed by the Qabalistic Cross, a ritual gesture establishing the four directions and six points of space:
- Touch forehead: "Ateh" (Thou art)
- Touch chest: "Malkuth" (the Kingdom)
- Touch right shoulder: "ve-Geburah" (and the Power)
- Touch left shoulder: "ve-Gedulah" (and the Glory)
- Clasp hands at heart: "le-Olam" (forever)
- Open arms: "Amen"
This creates a cross of light through the body and dedicates the practice to the Divine.
The Middle Pillar Ritual
Basic Middle Pillar Exercise
Preparation:
- Stand or sit with spine erect, feet hip-width apart
- Face east (traditional) or any direction that feels appropriate
- Take several deep breaths to center yourself
- Perform the Qabalistic Cross (optional but recommended)
The Practice (20-30 minutes):
Step 1: Kether - Crown
- Visualize a brilliant white sphere of light above your head
- See it glowing, pulsing with divine energy
- Intone the divine name "EHEIEH" (Eh-heh-yay) 4-6 times
- Feel the vibration resonating in and around the sphere
- Sense the divine presence and pure consciousness
- Hold the visualization for 1-2 minutes
Step 2: Daath - Throat (Optional)
- See a shaft of light descend from Kether to your throat
- A lavender sphere forms at the throat/neck area
- Intone "YHVH ELOHIM" 4-6 times
- Feel the vibration in your throat and neck
- Sense knowledge and creative expression
Step 3: Tiphareth - Heart
- See light descending from above to your heart center
- A golden yellow sphere forms, radiant like the sun
- Intone "YHVH ELOAH VE-DAATH" 4-6 times
- Feel warmth and light expanding from your heart
- Connect with your Higher Self and inner beauty
- This is the central balancing point - spend extra time here
Step 4: Yesod - Foundation
- Light descends to the genital area
- A violet or purple sphere forms
- Intone "SHADDAI EL CHAI" 4-6 times
- Feel the vibration in the lower abdomen
- Connect with creative life force and foundation
Step 5: Malkuth - Earth
- Light descends through legs to feet and into the earth
- A sphere of earthy colors (or russet/black) forms at/below the feet
- Intone "ADONAI HA-ARETZ" 4-6 times
- Feel connection to the physical earth and body
- Sense grounding and manifestation of divine energy
Step 6: Completion
- See all five spheres glowing simultaneously
- See the shaft of light connecting them like beads on a string
- Feel yourself as a pillar of light connecting heaven and earth
- Hold this complete visualization for 2-5 minutes
- Perform the Qabalistic Cross to close
The Circulation of Light
After establishing the Middle Pillar, Regardie taught techniques for circulating the energy throughout the body:
Circulation Method 1: Fountain of Light
- After establishing all five spheres, visualize brilliant white light descending from Kether
- The light flows down through each sphere in succession
- At Malkuth, it fountains outward to both sides of your body
- Light cascades down the outside of your body like a waterfall
- It circles under your feet and rises up through the center again to Kether
- Continue this circulation 5-10 times or more
- Feel the energy cleansing, strengthening, and balancing your entire being
Circulation Method 2: Four-Fold Breath
This method uses the breath to move energy in four directions:
- Front-to-Back: Inhale, draw energy from Tiphareth forward to front of body; exhale, send it around back to spine
- Side-to-Side: Inhale from Tiphareth to right side; exhale to left side
- Up-and-Down: Inhale from Tiphareth up to Kether; exhale down to Malkuth
- Spiraling: Combine movements in spiraling motion around the Middle Pillar
Practice each direction 4-12 breaths, then combine them
Advanced Variations
Full Tree of Life Activation
After mastering the Middle Pillar, some practitioners add the side pillars:
- Visualize spheres at all ten sephiroth
- Include Chokmah and Binah above Tiphareth
- Add Chesed (right) and Geburah (left) at shoulder level
- Include Netzach (right hip) and Hod (left hip)
- Use appropriate divine names for each
Projection and Magical Application
Once energy is circulating strongly, it can be directed for specific purposes:
- Healing: Project light from hands to area needing healing
- Charging Objects: Channel Middle Pillar energy into talismans or tools
- Protective Shield: Expand the circulating light into an egg-shaped aura of protection
- Empowering Rituals: Use as foundation for other magical workings
Integration with Other Practices
- Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram: Often performed before Middle Pillar to clear space
- Rose Cross Ritual: Can follow Middle Pillar for sealing and protection
- Pathworking: Use Middle Pillar to prepare consciousness for Kabbalistic meditation journeys
- Tarot Meditation: Contemplate corresponding tarot cards for each sephirah
Practice Guidelines
Recommendations:
- Frequency: Daily practice ideal; minimum 3-4 times per week for results
- Duration: Start with 15-20 minutes; work up to 30-45 minutes
- Consistency: Same time and place each day enhances effectiveness
- Progressive Mastery: Master basic form before adding circulation techniques
- Physical Needs: Practice on empty stomach or light meal; comfortable clothing
- Mental State: Approach with reverence and focused concentration
Cautions:
- Practice can stir up repressed psychological material - be prepared for shadow work
- Too much focus on upper centers without grounding can cause spaciness - always end at Malkuth
- If feeling overwhelmed, reduce practice time or intensity
- Those with serious mental health conditions should work with a therapist familiar with energy work
- Respect the Hebrew divine names; they are sacred to Jewish tradition
Lineages & Schools
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
Founded in 1888 by William Wynn Westcott, Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, and William Robert Woodman:
- Synthesized Kabbalah, Hermeticism, alchemy, tarot, astrology, and ceremonial magic
- Established comprehensive grade system based on Tree of Life
- Developed Middle Pillar and other Kabbalistic energy practices
- Famous members included Aleister Crowley, A.E. Waite, Dion Fortune, William Butler Yeats
- Original order dissolved by 1903; many successor orders continue the work
Golden Dawn Successor Orders
Stella Matutina
- Formed 1903 by former Golden Dawn members including Dr. Robert Felkin
- Israel Regardie initiated here in 1934
- Continued Golden Dawn teachings with some modifications
Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A.)
- Founded by Paul Foster Case in 1922
- Emphasizes tarot, Kabbalah, and meditation
- Correspondence course approach to Western mysteries
- Teaches variations of Middle Pillar practice
Servants of the Light (SOL)
- Founded by W.E. Butler and Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki
- Gentler approach to ceremonial magic
- Incorporates Middle Pillar in training curriculum
Modern Golden Dawn Orders
- Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (Cicero)
- Open Source Order of the Golden Dawn
- Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Inc.
- Numerous independent temples and study groups worldwide
Related Traditions
Jewish Kabbalah
The source tradition for the Tree of Life and sephiroth, though traditional Jewish Kabbalah focuses on Torah study and contemplation rather than energy work rituals:
- Hasidic meditation on divine names
- Lurianic Kabbalah and visualization practices
- Emphasis on ethical and spiritual development
Thelema
Aleister Crowley's magical system incorporating Kabbalistic practices:
- Middle Pillar taught in A∴A∴ curriculum
- Liber Resh and other solar adorations complement the practice
- Integration with Eastern yoga techniques
Contemporary Teachers
- Chic Cicero & Sandra Tabatha Cicero: Authors of definitive works on Golden Dawn practices; modern teachers making tradition accessible
- Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki: Director of SOL; author of numerous practical magic books
- Donald Michael Kraig: Author of "Modern Magick" popularizing Middle Pillar for new generation
- Josephine McCarthy: Quareia system teacher incorporating Kabbalistic energy work
- Lon Milo DuQuette: Prolific author explaining Kabbalah and ceremonial magic accessibly