Major Arcana
Virtues & Ethical Challenges XI - XV
The Cosmic Forces - XVI - XXI
The Force behind the XV Devil limits and binds; XVI Tower teaches us that illusion will be destroyed and ultimately it only is the truth that can set us free. Truth in the end is all that remains. There are also universal Forces that impact us behind the XVII Star, XVIII Moon, and XIX Sun.
XVI - Tower
Message:
What is real and true can never be destroyed.
Keywords:
Upheaval, sudden change, challenge, truth, breakdown of ego, disputes.
Reversed
Feeling imprisoned or trapped.
wisdom synthesis
Liberation from falsehood and adherence to truth.
Colors
Red/Blue
Meaning:
Lightning is often seen as Divine energy, which can lead to spiritual awakening. For the new to arise, the old must fall away. Social conformity can prevent change, and it may be time to break free and move on. Even while the Tower burns, we are reminded that what is real and true will always remain. It could be a miraculous intervention. The Tower is man-made, but the lightning strike comes from the Otherworld. It could be an act of Liberation. If you have drawn the Tower in a reading, ask yourself what needs to breakdown or fall away, and what is behind the force that is attempting to help you become free?
16th - Arcanum:
The Tower card is reminiscent of the Tower of Babel from Genesis, and the theme of the competition between God and humans. It is a warning to those who like to pretend, or even claim, that they are gods. The Greco-Roman parallel is the story of Gigantomachy in which the giants fought the Olympians for supremacy of the universe. In Ovid’s version of the tale, giants stacked mountains on top of one another to reach the heavens but were shattered by Jupiter’s thunderbolts.
The 16th Arcanum concerns the universal law and mystery of destruction. It also has to do with subjective reality and an individual’s relationship with the lower self. A person who has not sided with the Higher Self may become possessed or fall prey to madness. This may happen suddenly, as though the personality is completely falling apart. Yet all is not lost, a breakdown can be a breakthrough to the next level of reality. A bolt from the heavens may indeed be a blessing in disguise. Archangel Michael is associated with the Tower for it is his role to defend against the dark forces, which includes ignorance and lies. In the light of an awakened consciousness, the soul has the chance reconsider the nature of truth. One must ask about the nature of subjective reality, versus objective veracity. Is the personality built on falsehoods, or authenticity? While the Tower might feel like violent death to the personality, it can also be seen as spiritual illumination to the soul. Ultimately, it is time to become authentic.
Symbolism/Image as Guide:
Out of the darkness, the healing color of violet emerges. We see a fortress that has been struck by multiple lightning bolts and is in the process of being destroyed. Flames burn in the lower part of the building. The image is that of destruction, even annihilation. In Imaginosophy we do not show the destruction of the human being, because that is not what the card signifies. The Tower symbolizes the battle that rages within the human soul between the ego and the True Self. The tower is the individual self or persona that is being forced to change. Hidden within the artwork is the astrological symbol of Uranus, the planet that rules the New Age of Aquarius. For a new era to come into being, the old must fall away. Spiritual evolution compels movement, and so therefore that which has become crystalized or fixed must transform. The thunderbolts from above suggest that obstacles are being removed that have blocked a higher path, a more mature and developed expression of the Self. Ultimately all systems of thought, all beliefs must perish, so that we can stand in presence and awareness in the full glory of life. Breaking down the old, Uranus alights the way to the New Age of Aquarius. It is a type of revolution in the name of evolution.
Grail Legend:
The fall of Camelot is a tale that has been told and retold throughout the centuries. One little known story is that Nimue was meant to replaced Merlin as the counselor of Camelot after he retired to the Upperworld. In some versions of the myth, it was Guinevere who betrayed her husband and called the fall. Others say it was Morgan le Fay and her deception that ruined the ideal kingdom, or her son Mordred. In Nimue, it was the murderous threat of Balin who caused the protagonist to divide herself and thus descend into chaos. Nimue requires the assistance of Gwyn Ap Nudd, Lord of the Underworld, and Nectan, a water deity, to heal and restore her True Nature.
Person As a Person:
Someone delivering unsettling news; a conspiracy theorist; a truth-teller.
Grail Question:
What keeps you from your liberation?
XVII - Star
Message:
Spiritual guidance is always available; trust your dreams.
Keywords:
Healing, self-care, inspiration, renewal, replenishment, continuity, guidance, hope.
Reversed
Time to rest & renew.
Wisdom Synthesis
Imagining a promising future.
Colors
Violet/Rose
Meaning:
The Star stimulates imagination, dreams, and intuitive awareness. Bringing the light of spiritual understanding and hope, she prompts us to drop the cloak of sadness and renew the body-mind-soul. The Star reminds us to keep faith admit difficulties, to be real and still dream. Let negativity fall into the pool of healing. We need not hide our bodies or fear our divinity because it is all part of the great Totality. The Star is a radiant light but also a realist. If you have pulled the Star in a reading, ask yourself, going forward, how you can use your innate gifts and talents. Are you ready to receive a higher vision, focus and then bring your dream into this world?
17th - Arcanum:
The 17th Arcanum is the guiding Star of hope. It is the promise that the stellar light will shine forth and illumine the shades and shadows. The beautiful maiden here is the aspect of Sophia that imagines beauty all around her and brings the light of the stars through her body as a blessing to the planet. With similarities to Venus, she is also linked to the Sumerian Mother Goddess Inanna, Queen of Heaven, who appears as the morning and evening star. No matter how dark or ignorant the humanity may seem, the Great Mother always offers the hope of a beautiful future. The Star is a poetic inspiration, and the pool that she dips her lovely right toe into represents the collective unconscious from which dreams arise. Grounded in both her physical and emotional nature, the Star brings optimism and a new vision for humanity. The 17th Arcanum is the principle of construction and growth, the evolution of the soul. While the 16th Arcanum, the Tower, brings disruption, the Star brings stability and peace. The French philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, who believed in blending science and religion, believed that humankind is evolving both intellectually and socially toward a spiritual unity which he termed the Omega point. We see this outlook reflected in the primary Star which is accompanied by seven other stars which Carl Jung referred to as the collective Spirit of humanity. The Star indicates that divine wisdom has descended, that feminine consciousness is available to all who seek her. As Wisdom, she holds the golden key to both spiritual and material evolution. Our responsibility to this great mother of the future is to support her vision of ever unfolding life.
Symbolism/Image as Guide:
A beautiful fair-haired woman bathes beside a pool of water. A lush green landscape denotes fertility and creativity of the mind and body. Her nakedness indicates that she has nothing to hide. Unlike most Star cards in the Tarot, the woman does not kneel but stands. There is no veil to cover her because she is the genius of creativity, who brings the gifts of the celestial realms and the elements into the living world. She looks forward, her eyes open in a challenge to understand True Nature.
As aspect of Wisdom, she personifies in Imaginology as Airmed, a magical healer who knows how to connect to the stars and the living water and enact miracles. She has white Feverfew healing flowers in her long mane, a plant known for its anti-inflammatory qualities. Lilies and daisies grow along the banks of the sacred water that pours from Slaine’s Well, where living water heals all wounds, even death. Airmed knows the sounds of the stars and sings with them. The wind blows through her blonde mane, and her left foot stands solidly on the land, while her right toe dips into the water. This indicates that she understands the magic of land, sea and sky, the healing power of the Triquetra, or Trinity. The astrological symbol of Venus in the lower left-hand corner of the card, indicates a link with the goddess of love. The Star pours water from two golden grails, symbolic of her endless insights, guidance, and vision. The third grail is formed from her own personal golden chalice or yoni, the gateway of life. With her left foot still firmly on the land, she reminds us that nature, the feminine form, and all material expressions are blessings. She recognizes that each one of us contains a spark of light and is an aspect of the divine. In the same way that nature is a part of the Absolute, the body is an aspect of the soul.
Grail Legend:
Airmed, a Celtic healing goddess and one of the Tuatha de Danann, was the daughter of Dian Cecht, a god of healing. Her father was known for the silver arm he created for King Nuada. She was also the sister of the healing Miach. All three family members were extraordinary healers. Miach and Airmed knew magical herbalism and created an arm of flesh for Nuada. This seems quite miraculous but sometimes healing can have unintended consequences. Feeling undermined Dian Cecht flew into a rage, killed his son, and tossed the all the healing herbs of the world to the four directions. Gods and goddesses are shapeshifters. On Miach’s grave three hundred and sixty-five herbs grew and Airmid realized that her brother had given her the gift of herbal wisdom to heal each part of the body. She hid them in her cloak, and sometimes she will share the wisdom with seekers. She also built a healing well known as Slaine’s Well that was known to restore life to those killed in battle. A warrior with a wound could enter the waters and be made whole again. The chants of Airmed activate the healing powers of water. Her well is said to be buried beneath Heapstown Cairn in County Sligo, Ireland. Part of Airmed’s mystical and restorative healing gifts have to do with her ability to connect to the stars and cosmic sound currents. Her chants were said to activate the living waters and to connect a person to their body and soul.
Archetypal Power As a Person:
A helpful friend; a mother, healer, counselor, muse, spirit guide.
Grail Questions:
What dreams live in your heart and soul?
XVIII - Moon
Message:
Our intuition can guide us past illusions.
Keywords:
Dreams, psychic visions, mysteries, female power, enchantment, second sight.
Reversed
Fear, lunacy, confusion, danger, moods, emotional overwhelm, depression.
Wisdom Synthesis
Intuitive awareness
Colors
Gold/Indigo
Meaning:
Deep feelings can sometimes be called dream spirits. When Lady Moon appears, the mysterious watery depths are calling. Dreams and visions may be inviting you to engage the unconscious and deepen your relationship with the feminine principle of life. To begin the process, you might check the phase of the moon and work consciously with the monthly cycles. The world seems different under the light of the Moon. Works of art and religious symbolism are born from the oceanic realm of human imagination. The challenge here is that in the watery sensate and moody depths, individual boundaries can melt your sense of who you are and where you are going may become illusive. This can seem frightening, but it is only a test. Dreams and symbols unite in intuition. The way forward is to have confidence in the wisdom of your body and soul. Deeper than the intellect, it is the intuition (inner awareness) of the heart that will help you navigate the realms of emotions, and the illusions of the human subconscious.
If you have pulled the Moon in a reading, dare to feel, and trust the insights that emerge. Pay close attention to your dreams, visions, and the whispers of spirit. Even though the path ahead may look daunting, trust your instincts and emerging psychic powers to lead you to the magic and power of cosmic consciousness. Ultimately, your intuition will take you where you need to go.
18th - Arcanum:
Dark waters of the unconscious contain negative and positive features, including madness and delusion, as well as psychic gifts and intuitive awareness. However bewildering, one must learn to discern the differences. The light of the Sun is reflected by the Moon and thus the 18th Arcanum is the principle of reflection. The intelligence of the Cosmos is always attuned to matter. Earth and her satellite Moon are in relationship; thus, matter and intelligence/intuition have a deep mystical bond. The Moon is to the Sun what the yoni is to the lingam. Here intelligence and unconscious wisdom unite and integrate as intuition.
II High Priestess (deity stands on the moon) and XVIII Moon (deity is immersed in the moon) are related through the symbol of the horizontal crescent moon that appears during the spring and fall in mid-northern latitudes. The moon at this time might look like the smiling Cheshire cat in Alice of Wonderland. Others say the moon looks like it has horns. In the Farmer’s Almanac a horizontal crescent moon on spring evenings from March to May is called a “wet moon” because it looks like a curved chalice or a boat that is holding water. The movement is retrograde into the depths, the inwardness of life.
Esoteric wisdom requires passage to the depths of the unconscious. A guardian of the threshold stands in the world of dreams, shrewdly aware of the next step the initiate must take. The Moon requires a journey from the surface world into the depth realm. A guardian is needed here to keep the seeker from psychic overwhelm for the danger of descent is lunacy. It is the knowledge of the language of life, the golden Sophic codes of wisdom that protect and guide in this place of shades and shadows. Here in the murky deep one can encounter poisonous magic, but this scorpionic energy is also that of transformation. Overcoming the doubts that can paralyze the mind with the snares of slavery, atheism, nihilism, the arms of the Moon maiden rise skyward like the hawk of dawn. It is from this oceanic depth that the true human being emerges, clear about the direction and promise of the future. All of life arises from the primordial waters.
Symbolism/Image as Guide:
A mysterious woman in a green dress stands with her arms open. Her hands do not reach skyward, but instead her palms face down toward earth and water. A large crescent moon rises behind her and is reflected in the pool below her feet. It is unclear whether she is walking on water, but when we look closely it is not the woman’s reflection, but a vision of her older self that calls her into the depths of the unconscious. Her dream self is silvery, and her hands mirror the conscious self but from the depths they are raised upwards. The two forms together create an “I” suggesting that the sense of self (I AM) arises from both conscious and unconscious fields of awareness. The river behind the woman winds like a pathway between two towers (which represent extreme light and darkness, or comfort and suffering), so there is also an allusion to the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.
In Imaginosophy, the woman in green emerges as Morgen (Morgan le Fay), who can appear as a healer or a witch, depending on the way in which she is seen and perhaps also contingent on what the situation demands. Psychic awareness is part of the expression of the Moon. Morgen looks straight at the seeker, knowing intuitively what buried lies and what veiled truths are hidden in the heart, mind, and soul of a person. Frightening to those who wish to hide, Morgen is the Grail Champion of her watery realm. Her name Mor means sea, and her oldest form is that of a sea sprite. In Brittiany, there are tales of beautiful sea sprites that drown young men. It is probable that the more worthy are shown through the wormholes to the land of fairy and beyond. Morgen seems at peace in the world of illusion, and may indeed be the perfect guide to Avalon, where healing and wholeness can be found. However, she can be a trickster also, for she demands courage, honesty, imagination, and authenticity.
Grail Legend:
Morgen presents herself to the protagonist in the opening of Nimue: Freeing Merlin. (Sample from the novel):
“A noise from above startled me. I thought I could hear a door slam and footsteps. Trying not to gasp, I continued down the dark staircase. Something slimy crossed my fingers from the wall and I drew my hand back.
Now hearing voices above, I hurried down the stairs trusting that my feet would find their way. The image of the Fool in the tarot flashed momentarily through my mind. Of course, the angels will carry me, I thought to reassure myself. But I wasn’t stepping on clouds. If anything, I was following the roots of trees into a world that seemed both familiar and frightening. I could see a light shining in a room below and made my way to it. As I reached the landing, a figure stepped out of the shadows.
“I’ve been looking for you,” she said.
I saw that the woman was wearing a long green dress, which seemed to shimmer like summer leaves in the sunlight even though she stood on a dimly lit landing.
“Oh!” I gasped, turning to run back up the stairs.
“Do not run,” the woman told me. “Remember who you are.”
I paused and peered at the tall woman with dark hair that fell in waves down her back. She seemed familiar.
“Who are you?” I asked.
As the woman looked at me intently, I realized that her eyes were very unusual. They were pale violet or even lavender and seemed to penetrate all the way to my soul.
She softened her gaze and laughed. “I am your closest friend and worst nightmare.”
Frightened of the woman, I tried to hurry past her to go down another section of the stairwell. Suddenly my feet no longer found steps, but only space.
“Enjoy the ride,” she called out.
I fell. At first I yelled, but as I continued to fall through space and time I began to relax. If I was just in the void between sleeping and waking, I had no choice but to surrender to the darkness that was taking me. It was as though I was traveling through the universe, like a comet or shooting star.
“I like the idea of a comet,” said the woman.
“Who are you?” I asked another time.
“It’s time we met again, Mage,” the woman would only say. “Time to wake up.”
I opened my eyes, gasped and sat up. “Oh, it was only a dream!” I said aloud, then lay back down in the comfortable queen-sized bed.
Archetypal Power As a Person:
Psychologist, wise woman, witch, herbalist, intuitive, psychic healer.
Grail Questions:
What does Lady Moon have to share with you?
XIX - Sun
Message:
Shine, love & be brilliant.
Keywords:
Health, prosperity, happiness, well-being, friendship, family, contentment, renewal.
Reversed
Delay, procrastination, burned out, trial by fire.
WISDOM SYNTHESIS
Living in harmony and oneness with the forces of life
Colors
Gold/Orange
Meaning:
Life is always rejoicing. The Sun points to our inner sparkle (the Higher Self) that intuitively guides right action toward health and good fortune. When the Sun appears is time throw off any limiting societal masks and to listen to the inner child who is excited about life and sees a bright future. Go outside and play, draw, paint, dance, imagine and create. Get in touch with the wondrous things of this world, excellent friends, sunny relatives, brightly colored sunflowers, and the heart of eternal life. Drawing the Sun indicates new happy gifts, laughter, health, prosperity, and celebration. Every aspect of ourselves (the past, present, and future) lives within us now seeking expression. The baby holds the blueprint of the elder, so whatever phase of the lifecycle you are living in, dare to be seen, heard, and loved. The Suns may indicate that a child could be coming to join the family; or that it’s the moment to give birth to another type of creative project.
The Sun radiates its light to pierce the illusion of darkness and invites in higher consciousness. Observe the ways you relate with the world. Do you intellectually shine your light from afar; or do you allow your warmth and love to engage people close to you? How are you evolving? Discern what is right in each moment. It is time to release self-criticism and judgments, and instead let your light sparkle through. Claim your mind, trust your inner knowing and insights. Allow a new and more authentic (perhaps brilliant) image of yourself to emerge. Using your skills and talents well, you can awaken to your inner genius. Dare to shine and be brilliant, for the Sun Spirit leads to an honorable and rewarding life. If you have pulled the Sun in a reading, give yourself permission to rejoice in the conscious, ordinary, and simple things in life.
19th - Arcanum:
Hermeticists believe that the Sun, Moon, and Stars are Cosmic Beings that are constantly in dialogue with us. Alchemically the 19th Arcanum is related to the Midnight Sun, described by Apoleius, and later Manley P Hall, as the spirit of humanity shining through the darkness of his own organism. The idea is that the Spirit of the Sun never stops shining, even in the darkest hours of the night. Those in touch with the Sun Spirit can bring light into the world and use it for beneficial work, such as healing and ending wars. The Midnight Sun is to be accessed for spiritual awareness and human evolution toward the good. The external symbol used in churches, temples and altars is a lit candle, a bonfire, or ideally, a perpetual flame.
The Sun represents the individualizing expression of the soul. The soul wishes to fully express and awaken as a human being. The focus is on self-sufficiency, self-determination, self-knowing and eventually Self-Realization. The 19th Arcanum is the promise of total victory of the goal. Success may come through self-effort, the help of others, or a combination. All aspects of life are highlighted here: economic and moral, as well as creativity, sexuality, and fertility.
Each acorn contains the energetic expression of an oak tree. In the same way a baby contains the blueprint of its whole life through maturity, old age, and a return to spirit. When we stand on the land the many patterns of previous and future civilizations are all there. The Sun brings all of this into conscious awareness. The Sun is our spiritual guiding Star. In the 19th Arcanum the focus is on individuating, on the thoughts behind the mystery of Incarnation. Numerologically, 19 involves: 1, a straight line, and 9, a completed circle, and 10, the number of change, growth, and new beginnings, which links us to X Wheel of Fortune (Wheel of Life) and a return to unity. This is the Arcanum of the Alliance. The spark of life that lives within can become a flame, and the perpetual loving spark can lead to a full embrace of life, an authentic incarnation. The Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, express the sum of the Divine. The Sun invites the full expression of Self as revealed by the Totality.
Psychologically, the Sun is a symbol of the Self and the process of individuation. The process of awakening tends to happen in layers. Because of this it is important to develop the Sun’s ability to concentrate and focus. Allow awareness to become a way of being, for actualizing your True Self is a rewarding occupation. The medicine of the Sun is to simply see the world through the eyes of your inner child and remember the three treasures of a good childhood: to love, to hope and to believe. The Great Work of personal alchemy is noble. A person who has realized the truth of who they are is a shining light for humanity.
Observe yourself and inquire if there are aspects of the soul that still hide. Ask if it’s time to let your complete Self embody and live in the waking world. The interior Sun (Self), our wise great inner flame, can generally be accessed through a warm and open heart. Psychological, artistic, and alchemical studies, assist the unfolding soul; it is through the self that the Self is revealed. The Sun heals bewildered, feverish, and mystified souls. Through inner alchemy, complications become simplified in the light of day. Life begins to seem simplified and easier. The conscious self is the intelligent and spontaneous wisdom individuating as you. What a blessing!
Symbolism of the Trinity, Hexagram & Grail in Irish & World Mythology:
In Imaginosophy, the Irish Solar Goddess Aine embodies as the daughter of Danu, mother of the Tuatha de Danann, who is a daughter of the Mother Principle. The three immortals form a cup shaped trinity of Mother, Daughter, and Soul. This is the feminine expression of the Faery Grail that many seekers still yearn to discover. The Grail contains the Totality, and the symbolism of the Trinity is ancient. Following threads of Wisdom, the Trinity can be found throughout pre-Judeo-Christian Europe, Egypt, and Asia. The origin may be India and Buddha’s teaching of the triple body blessing which protects a person as they cross at death, and the even more ancient Tibetan wisdom teachings of the Triune God.
In Asia, divinities are often born (or depicted as being born) as humans through a blossoming flower. In the morning all young Sunflowers turn east to face the rising Sun. The Feminine receptive (yin) energy of the cup and the masculine penetrating (yang) energy of the triangle combine to create a Hexagram (two equilateral triangles), which Alchemists use to symbolize the union of opposites. Originating Islamic magic literature, and known in Judaism as Solomon’s Seal, or the Star of David, the Hexagram is one of the world’s most ancient symbols. The six-pointed star is a powerful occult symbol, that is sometimes misunderstood and misused. Remember is “evil” is “live” spelled backwards. The correct way to work with the Trinity and the Hexagram is to ensure the health and vitality of life, both on Earth and in the Afterlife. To the ancient Egyptians the Hexagram was a hieroglyphic for the land of spirits, for they believed that a human who died made the voyage to become a spiritual being. Like the teachings of the Trinity, the Hexagram (or double Trinity) is a symbol of the masculine and feminine principles interlocking in perfect harmony to create new life.
Grail Story:
Aine (AHN-ya) as a solar deity, shines her own light. Aine bears resemblance to Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and good fortune. In Asia she is known as Amarterasu and is prized in numerous Shinto shrines as the great woman of the Sun. In the west, solar goddesses are rare. In Greek and Roman literature, the goddesses are lunar, reflecting the light of the gods.
Aine is unique and unabashedly sensual and powerful. Residing in the realms of both form and the formless, she loves to appear in the landscape where she can be remembered and treasured. In Ireland, Aine is known as the Faery Queen of Munster. She loves humanity, can be a friend to lovers, and is also a protector of animals. Known as the people’s goddess, she reminds individuals to take charge of their own lives, and that the light lives on through children. Cnoc Aine is her sacred hill, Lough Gur is her blessed lake, and Toberanna, is her sanctified well. She is said to wear a golden yellow dress and have red hair, and sometimes she wears a headband of stars. Legends tell of Aine teaching her her mortal children to love one another, and how to heal with the power of the sunlight.
The Sun can also burn. Aine would never submit to any sort of domination and could fiercely retaliate. After several challenging attempts at human love, Aine became the partner/wife of Manannan Mac Lir, a sea god. This more expansive partner allowed her to be fully herself and she found happiness with him. This story reminds us that relationships require a balance of fire and water, or passion and peace. Her holiday is Litha/Lughnasa, the end of summer harvest. Aine can shape shift into a red mare by the name of Lair Derg, and can be seen galloping swiftly over green fields. She reminds us that the Sun in the seasons represents the eternal cycle of life. She is one of the longest living deities, appearing throughout world mythology and religious institutions as St Anne, even Anna the grandmother of Jesus. Anu/Aine/ Anna is the spark of life that can never be extinguished.
Archetypal As a Person:
Joyful family member, good friend, artist, optimistic person.
Grail Questions:
What is your unique genius?
XX - Judgement
Message:
Forgiveness releases us.
Keywords:
Renewal, reincarnation, spiritual calling, vision, rebirth, resurrection.
Reversed
Criticism, denial of the inner call, fear of change, punishment.
WISDOM SYNTHESIS
New awareness.
Colors
Pink/Coral
Meaning:
There will come a day when each one of us will lay aside doubt, guilt and the judgement of the self and others. In that moment the individual will move into a new phase, one that leads to the fifth dimension in which higher awareness is normal and each soul’s purpose is clear. The body and personality are designed to be vessels for divine energy, but often there are psychological and karmic obstacles to the True Self. Ego consciousness is designed to judge, and it will continue this pattern until the heart awakens to the divine. The inner critic is the main psychological structure that keeps a person from living in a state of perfection. When this new awareness dawns, an individual will grasp the futility of judging or criticizing the self or others. It is an act that limits and binds.
If you have drawn Judgement in a reading, now is the moment to examine the ways you have judged yourself or others. Forgiveness is powerful medicine that can release you from the bondage of pain and suffering. It’s time for a rebirth. If you cannot find love and kindness in the world, then be loving kindness. It’s love that sets us free.
20th - Arcanum:
Hermeticists believe in the law of karmic prosecution and strict justice. An action is always followed by consequences; no violations go unpunished, and all good deeds are rewarded. Within the great books of life known as the Akashic records, the guardian of grace keeps track of all the events of each person’s present and past lives. Generally, these records are only revealed to a soul in sleep, so this is known as nocturnal knowledge that is heard as music. The information contained within the books is too much for a single person, so it is guarded by angels. A mystic who has a glimpse of the Akashic books will only receive a partial view for the sake of their sanity and unfolding evolution. The actions, interpretations, and misinterpretations of each soul are recorded and kept for the time of final review.
Resurrection is a theme that appears globally in myths and legends. In Norse mythology, it is told that the entire world will be reborn. The most ancient version is the honoring of spring, such as Beltane in the Celtic tradition. Many cultures tell stories of the god or goddess who dies and then returns. In Greek mythology, Persephone is abducted by Hades, but after pleases from her mother Demeter, is allowed to return for half the year. Gods will sometimes take pity on dying humans and resurrect them in a new form, such as Adonis who was turned into an anemone flower. The Phoenix, described in Greek and Egyptian mythology, dies, and comes back to life, and thus is known as a symbol of renewal. The Egyptian Osiris was one of the gods who goes through a transfiguration in the light of the sun and becomes the light of Horus, the son. The life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Osiris mirrors the transfiguration of Jesus.
Christian Hermeticists believe that all souls will pass through a last judgment. Within a human being is the kernel of the indestructible body. A magical resurrection occurs when the human spirit and soul descend from paradise to connect with the immortal body which ascends to unite with them. This is known as the Light Body or Rainbow Body. In the Bible, Jesus is transfigured into the glorious radiant Light. The Last Judgement marks the end of the fallen state of humanity. Renewal of the world is the final aim, in which a new heaven and a new earth arise as the New Jerusalem. Ultimately the 20th Arcanum is the alliance of human and divine will. Resurrection is the synthesis of life and death in which the whole human being becomes immortal.
Symbolism/Image as Guide:
It is springtime and the woman in white stands before an Apple Tree in full blossom. There are white daisies growing amongst the unfurling ferns. Five white butterflies flit along the banks of the lake. Off in the distance we can see the sacred land of Avalon, the sacred Otherworld. Reaching upwards, her body forms a chalice or a grail. This creates a downward facing triangle, reminiscent of the feminine trinity of Mother-Daughter-Soul. Brigid resembles the ancient Greek lunar goddess Hekate, who presides over magic and spells. Hekate maker of Moonspells is both loved and feared for she has control over the elements and understands the secrets of nature. She is also a goddess of the crossroads and protector of doorways. All of these deities remind us that the roles and destinies of women interpreted again by each generation.
A woman in a white robe raises her arms up honoring the rising sun and sending her prayers of goodness around the world. In her exalted state she is reminiscent of the triple goddess Brigid, originally a solar goddess. Within the sphere of the Sun, we see an ouroboros (a serpent biting its tail) which represents wholeness. Brigid is a Triple Goddess known for her ability to travel through the Celtic Underworld, Middle Earth, and the Pure Lands of the Upper worlds.
However, in her skirts are two more aspects of the feminine. These two ghostly faces seem to challenge each other. Symbolically we can say these dualistic aspects of the goddess must merge with the Brigid who reaches for the Sun Spirit to achieve a unified field of awareness. On the lower left side of the card is the astrological glyph of Lilith, who would be the opposite of the Exalted One. This dual or triple goddess of sovereignty is related to an even older story in which Eve is seen as the goddess of light and life, and Lilith is deemed the goddess of darkness. Lilith and Eve, the first two women of the world, were the known as the wives of Adam.
The astrological glyph in the lower left-hand corner is linked to the asteroid known as dark moon Lilith. The realms of sex, death, shadows and mysterious are connected to Scorpio, and Lilith is also familiar with these realms. Mythologically, Lilith was the first wife of Adam. Like her partner, she was made from dust, and they were considered equal. Lilith was strong willed and did not wish to submit to the whims of Adam. As the story goes, she refused to allow Adam to dominate her.
Story of Lilth:
Lilith is a complex figure who has been demonized and has since been redeemed by the feminist movement. As an archetype, Lilith is hailed by feminists as not only the first woman but the first independent woman. Today Lilith is generally thought of as a symbol of power and independence. She is associated with the Judgement card because this first mother has been severely criticized, even condemned as a screech owl, snatcher, nighttime hag, or night monster. Was she seductive and murderous, half woman and half serpent that tempted Adam and Eve in the garden causing the fall of humanity? Lilith is the opposite of masculine order. She is the dangerous embodiment of feminine powers. One thing is certain, she can put a person in touch with the inner bitch, and is a deity who often arises when doing shadow work.
This goddess with Babylonian origins has captured the imagination of artists and poets for four thousand years. The first of Lilith’s stories appears in 2,000 BCE on Sumerian tablets found in Ur. Linked to an owl, Lilith is often shown as a beautiful sylph with wings, long hair, a horned crown, and owl feet. Known as the goddess of love and war, she has similarities with Inanna (Queen of the Universe) and winged Ishtar.
In Jewish literature, Lilith is a controversial figure and is generally referred to as a fallen woman or demoness who sends erotic dreams to unsuspecting men and steals children. Not interested in being ruled over or dominated by anyone, especially a man, she is said to have uttered YHVH (the divine name of God) and thus empowering herself, she flew into the night. Judged as a she-devil, the conflict is one of patriarchal power versus matriarchal desire. Here we find the archetypal battle of the sexes. Neither will compromise, and ultimately Lilith’s desire for freedom is stronger than her given purpose. It is Eve, taken from the rib of Adam, that then becomes his subservient wife. Apparently, God created woman twice. In some versions of the tale, Lilith’s rebelliousness incurred God’s wrath and therefore she was taken off planet and turned into an asteroid.
Lilith’s desire for freedom is thwarted by a male dominated society. Those who persecute her ancient origin, marry her off to a male personification of evil, Samael or Asmodeus, and they produce a demonic brood. This creation story caught the attention of Johann Goethe, Robert Browning, and Dante, who drew Lilith as a scheming snake (reptilian) who convinces Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. The daughter of Lilith appears in C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia as the White Witch, who creates permanent winter with no Christmas. Lilith was picked up by the feminist movement who focused on her need for freedom and autonomy. She finds Paradise dull and shuns her maternal instincts. This Babylonian she-demon’s story has been told for generations. As an archetype she embodies the changing role of women throughout the generations.
It is time to release the shroud held over Lilith and allow her to shine beneath the Sun as her True Self, a woman in alignment with the Sun who like to live a life of freedom in her own creative way. She is the ultimate free spirit.
Archetypal As a Person:
Editor, critic, teacher, therapist, counselor, shaman, medium, healer, free spirit.
Grail Questions:
How would you like to retell your story?
XXI - Universe
Message:
The personality is forged by the Higher Self.
Keywords:
Great success, discovering wholeness, completion of a tale.
Reversed
Stagnation, disconnection, separation from Source.
WISDOM SYNTHESIS
Being fully present in the moment.
Colors
Violet/Black
Meaning:
The Universe card marks the end, and also the beginning of a journey. The goal has been achieved, and the Grail, the whole and synthesized self has been discovered. There is a sense of excitement, even some restlessness as the soul awaits its next assignment. There is a warning to pay attention to false ideas and idols, not to get caught up in fantasy. However, when we are patient, and wait for the cosmic timing to move us, then what is real can be trusted to reveal itself. It can feel as if we have been waiting on a ship for the sail to fill with wind. No one knows when the moment will be, but when the breeze blows the movement is in exactly the right direction. The journey began with the Fool, and culminates now with the maturation of the soul. The material aims complete, the voyage now takes us into Cosmic dimensions. A card of success and gratitude, the next adventure is beginning to open. If you have pulled the Universe in a reading, trust the Universe to carry you into the next phase of your life.
21st - Arcanum:
Each of the major arcanum are spiritual exercises designed to help us awaken to the mysteries of the universe. There is a deep relationship between art and magic. With the 21st Arcanum, we understand that the world and all of its lifeforms is a work of art. The sacred magic of this arcana is that the invisible can become visible, at least for a period of time. The beauty around us in invested with healing vibrations. If one sees the world from the eyes of the artist, from the eyes of the heart instead of the mind, then one begins to merge with Wisdom. From this place we become a sacred artist.
The black background is reminiscent of the sphere of Binah, the Kabbalistic feminine element of the Godhead. This is the domain of Archangel Tzaphkiel, one of the rulers of the Thrones, the Cosmic Mother who is constantly urging others to serve all. The Universe is about the joy of seeking Creative Wisdom. The soul as a Liberated Dancer is free to fly into the dream arising from the unconscious, and then into the boundless where there are no limits. The wise leave the world even more beautiful than it was before our arrival. The Grail seeker having discovered Oneness, now becomes the Guardian of the Grail and custodian of the mysteries inherent in the World. The Fool asked the question, “Who Am I?” And now the Liberated Dancer answers, “I am that I am. I am That.”
Symbolism/Image as Guide:
A radiantly beautiful woman flies through a garland of Gorse blossoms, yellow flowers that bring joy to the soul. Her pale green dress is reminiscent of butterfly wings and the feeling of complete metamorphosis is present. A golden sphere of light surrounds her, as though she is being held by the warmth of the Sun Spirit. The violet 5th dimensional portal has been opened by the lightning bolt below her. Now free of karma, she soars, unencumbered by the concerns of the past. Symbols of the elements are shown in the four corners of the artwork. The triple goddess symbol indicates that the feminine principle is awake, and that Wisdom will carry this soul into the 5th dimension and beyond. The black background is reminiscent of the sphere of Binah, the Kabbalistic feminine element of the Godhead. This is the sphere of the Cosmic Mother who is constantly creating new forms throughout the universe. She is the ultimate creative artist with an imagination that spans time and space. She is a true expression of one who has embraced Imaginosophy.
Grail Story (Riddles of the Ancestors):
With the help of her father Jupiter, Nimue learns to fly between worlds. Eagles assist her until she learns to work magically with the element of air and then wills herself to ride the wind with success. Eventually she learns to perceive the vortexes that exist between time and space, and traverse the wormholes that can help a person time travel, and repair wrongs, bringing healing to future generations and the soul of the world.
Archetypal As a Person:
A dancer, or wise colleague; a liberated person; an inspired artist, writer, or musician.
Grail Questions:
Who are you?
