The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Sitra Ahra" by the artist "Therion"

The song "Sitra Ahra" by Therion, whose title translates from Aramaic as "The Other Side" and refers to the concept of evil in Lurianic Kabbalah, paints an allegorical journey of falling away from traditional faith and embracing occult wisdom.

The first lines describe the "Tree of Apostasy," symbolizing the choice of knowledge that leads to expulsion from "paradise" – a state of blind faith. To taste the "tempting fruits" means to accept forbidden knowledge, like Adam and Eve, and embark on a path of independent search for truth.

"To cross the Sea of Darkness" means to overcome the fear of the unknown and doubts on the way to the "other shore" – a new understanding of the world and oneself. The lyrical hero calls to join him on the "Other Side," on the "night side of paradise" – in a world where there are no dogmas and restrictions.

"Kiss the Queen of Qliphoth" symbolizes the acceptance of the dark side of being, and "heed the serpent's voice" is a call to listen to intuition and inner knowledge, often associated with the image of the serpent. "Go through the gate, cross the border, take a step towards Infinity (Ayin)" – all these images call for a decisive break with the past and acceptance of new, boundless knowledge.

"Underworld" here is not a place of punishment, but rather a "secret abode of outcasts" – those who dared to think differently. The lines "God is left behind" do not mean the denial of the divine, but rather symbolize the rejection of blind faith in favor of personal experience and gnosis. "The paradise you have lost will soon be regained" – finding a new, deeper understanding of the world and one's place in it.

"To break the seventh seal" means to overcome the last obstacles on the way to knowledge, after which "everything secret will be revealed." "Go through the mirror, to another world" – a call for the transformation of consciousness, to see reality beyond the usual ideas.

The entire song "Sitra Ahra" is a metaphor for spiritual transformation, liberation from dogma, and the search for truth through the knowledge of the dark side of being.