Hebrew for “Chariot,” it refers to the chariot of God. A form of mysticism associated with the Merkabah was popular among Jews and a precursor to the Kabalah.

The basic concept of this form of spirituality is simple, but its execution is complex. By entering an altered state of consciousness (through fasting, breathwork, various body positions, and possibly other techniques), the mystic goes through various planes of reality (“palaces”) until having the transcendent experience of gazing upon God in His chariot. There are many traps and needs for information to guardians along the way that make this process difficult.

The concept of going into another level for spiritual and magical practices compares with the shamanic tradition of entering other worlds to get information from spirit and animal guides. The concept of going through levels to reach the divine compares with the original kabalistic concept of pathworking.