Lilith, Eve, and the Garden of Eden

The Garden of Eden, or 'Odana Baruka' in Aramaic, is a symbol and an experience of divine creation. It houses two significant trees—the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and the Tree of Life. Our spiritual journey as human beings is to access the template of Jerusalem, a symbolic representation of peace, wholeness, and divinity, through the Tree of Life. However, to reach this spiritual awakening, we must navigate the dualistic realm of the Tree of Knowledge.

Two prominent energies represent the polarities encountered in this exploration of the Tree of Knowledge - Lilith and Eve. They symbolize the contrasting aspects of creation that we, as human beings, contain within ourselves.

Lilith represents destruction and negativity. According to certain interpretations of ancient texts, Lilith sought to control humanity, ADAMA, through her potent sexual energy. She yearned for dominance, attempting to smother the essence of humanity. While her influence was ultimately repelled, it is essential to understand that this energy can still influence us if we allow it.

Interestingly, there is a growing trend in some spiritual communities to invoke Lilith as a symbol of the empowered feminine. This representation, however, can be misleading and detrimental. Lilith's energy is enslaving, offering the illusion of power without genuine freedom or authenticity.

The allure of Lilith as an archetype of the liberated and powerful feminine has been seductively persuasive in certain spiritual circles. This new-age perception presents Lilith as a rebel and a champion of feminine autonomy, strength, and sexual freedom. However, it is essential to dissect this narrative with discernment and mindful understanding of Lilith's mythological and scriptural context. Also, to understand that our ancestors viewed her as a dark entity and just by invoking her name one could open the door to her presence.

Lilith's energy, as presented in various historical texts, leans towards the destructive side of the spectrum. She is not a symbol of the free-spirited, independent woman, but represents an aspect of creation that seeks control and dominance, often through manipulative means. Misguidedly celebrating Lilith as an embodiment of female empowerment without understanding her complexities can lead to a distorted perception of what true feminine power and liberation mean.

True empowerment, in its most genuine essence, is not about control, domination, or manipulation. It is about acknowledging and embracing our inherent worth, fostering meaningful connections, standing gracefully in our truths, claiming our spiritual sovereignty and uplifting others. It's about harmonious balance, not unbalanced power dynamics.

Lilith´s energy is enslaving. While it may initially appear as a pathway to emancipation and personal power, it often spirals into a cycle of dominance and manipulation, leading one away from true inner freedom. It is an illusion that masks the authentic essence of the divine feminine, replacing empowerment with control, love with lust, spiritual liberation with physical dominance, forgiveness with anger.

There is no doubt that every archetype, including Lilith as a modern created archetype, holds valuable lessons for us. However, understanding the profound implications and complex nuances of these energies is crucial. Embracing the Lilith energy, thinking it symbolizes empowerment, might lead one down a path that veers away from authentic divine femininity and spiritual wholeness.

We must remember that in the Ancient Languages names hold a vibration and these vibrations are alive and gain more power the more we use them.

As we navigate the journey of spiritual growth and feminine empowerment, it's important to discern which energies truly align with our highest selves. The divine feminine is indeed about power, but it's a power steeped in love, compassion, wisdom, and unity - qualities that build bridges, not barriers. It's a power that liberates, not enslaves; a power that illuminates, not obscures. And most importantly, it is a power that resides in authenticity, not illusion.

From the Alphabet of Ben Sira (an anonymous medieval text) regarding Lilith's departure from Eden: "Lilith said, 'I will not lie below,' and Adam said, 'I will not lie beneath you, but only on top. For you are fit only to be in the bottom position, while I am to be the superior one.' Lilith responded, 'We are equal to each other inasmuch as we were both created from the earth.' But they would not listen to one another. When Lilith saw this, she pronounced the Ineffable Name and flew away into the air."

This text is talking about ADAMA, the Human, that holds the wisdom that sexual energy (Lilith) is to be channeled by us and used for goodness, creation, healing, etc. By allowing the sexual energy to control us (my being on top of us and smothering us, we no longer have free will, thus the sexual energy creates with karmic patterns, darkness, separation...ultimately, enslaving us.

In the Zohar, one of the foundational works of the Kabbalah, Lilith is a demonic figure: "For she is the mother of the demons, and her abode is in the depths of hell. And she is powerful, and strifes ever with the moon, and enchants with many enchantments and philtres, and seeks to do harm in all things, and her name is Lilith."

A passage from the Babylonian Talmud (Shabbath 151b) suggests Lilith as a harmful spirit: "One may not sleep alone in a house, lest Lilith get hold of him."

On the other hand, Eve embodies the aspect of creation associated with goodness and life. Eve is an embodiment of El Shaddai and is closely connected with figures like Mary Magdalene and Mother Mary, representing the Light of Creation. As the Mother of Creation, Eve carries the energy of nurturing, love, and positivity.

To understand Eve as the Mother of Creation, it is essential to dive deeper into the concept of creation itself, especially in the context of divine feminine principles.

The creation process is not only about the physical manifestation of life but also encompasses the cultivation of virtues, love, wisdom, and the propagation of spiritual light. The figure of Eve, contrary to some interpretations focusing solely on her transgression in the Garden of Eden, embodies these nurturing and life-giving aspects of creation.

As El Shaddai, a title often associated with the divine feminine in Jewish mysticism, Eve carries the energy of the nurturing God. El Shaddai represents the providential aspect of divinity, ensuring life's sustenance and continuity.

In Christian Gnostic traditions, figures like Mary Magdalene and Mother Mary are viewed as spiritual successors to the energies represented by Eve. They embody the Light of Creation, acting as vessels for divine wisdom and compassion. Mary Magdalene, in particular, is linked to Shekhinah, the embodiment of wisdom in Gnostic texts, the Divine Feminine Presence, the Holy Spirit, symbolizing spiritual enlightenment and the striving for inner perfection.

Furthermore, these figures also embody the transformative aspect of creation. They demonstrate the capacity to transcend their human limitations and partake in divine reality. For instance, Mary Magdalene's journey from being a follower of Christ to a spiritual leader in her own right symbolizes this transformative aspect of the divine feminine.

Therefore, understanding Eve as the Mother of Creation involves recognizing and embracing these nurturing, life-giving, and transformative aspects of the divine feminine. This approach offers a more holistic understanding of creation, one that encompasses both physical life and spiritual growth.

Navigating the dualities of good and evil, destruction and creation, Lilith and Eve, is a fundamental part of our journey through the Tree of Knowledge. It is only by acknowledging, understanding, and transcending these dualities that we can reach the Tree of Life and ultimately access the Jerusalem template - a state of spiritual enlightenment, peace, and divine connection.

We must discern the energies we choose to embody and invite into our lives, as they shape our spiritual evolution and our relationship with our creative sexual energy and the divine feminine.

From my new Book: "The Black Madonna: Mother, Mystery, and the Sacred Dark"

Ahava,

Ana Otero