Hekalot
According to the Zohar, the seven halls of the world of Yetsirah, the divine halls into which the seekers for the Chariot (Merkabah) strive to enter. Here dwell the angels, presided over by Metatron; likewise the souls of men not specially noted for their piety. (The souls of the pious dwell in the world of Beriah). 66 Hela, or Death": One of the offspring of Loki and the giantess Angurbodi. The gods becoming alarmed of her and the other monsters which were coming to life in Jotunheim, it was deemed advisable by All-father that they should be brought before him. Hela was cast into Niflheim, to which are sent all those who die of sickness or old age. She governs this world, which is composed of nine regions, into which she distributes those who come to her; and in which she inhabits a strongly-protected abode. Niflheim is said to be " a dark abode far from the sun"; its gates open to the cutting north": "its walls are formed of wreathed snakes and their venom is ever falling like rain"; and it is surrounded by dark and poisonous Hell streams. "Nidhog, the great dragon, who dwells beneath the central root of Ygdrassil, torments and gnaws the dead." It is said that one-half of Hela's body is livid, and the other half flesh-coloured. Hunger is her table; Starvation, her knife; Delay, her man; Slowness, her maid; Precipice, her threshold; Care, her bed; and Burning Anguish forms the hangings of her apartments.