Ain

A synonym for Energy used in the 'Hermetic Qabalah'.

Ain is the basis, the stuff of all creation. Before the physical universe was created they describe three preliminary states that are considered to precede creation. The first is a state of complete nullity, known as Ain (אין "nothing"); the second state, considered a "concentration" of Ain, is Ain Suph (אין סוף "without limit, infinite") - Chaos; the third state, caused by a "movement" of Ain Suph, is Ain Suph Aur (אין סוף אור "limitless light") - Spirit, and it is from this initial brilliance that the physical universe appeared.

See alos Order of Creation

Note:  Hermetic Qabalah is a Western mystical tradition. It differs from Jewish Qabalah but shares many concepts with it. It was the underlying philosophy for numerous mystical societies - the Golden Dawn, Thelemic orders, Builders of the Adytum and the Fellowship of the Rosy Cross. It draws on a great many influences, most notably: Jewish Kabbalah, Astrology, Alchemy, Greek and Egyptian systems, Neoplatonism, Gnosticism, Hermeticism, Rosicrucianism and Tantra!