Tarot Meditation 11: The Wheel of Fortune, Key 10

The Wheel of Fortune Key is one of the reasons I so love Tarot! Fraught with symbols from several world beliefs, this Key tells us that the Universe is always in motion and is always watching over us and guiding us, if we just pay attention!

The wheel in the center of the key has three concentric circles. The inner circle is our creative force, the middle circle represents our formative power, and the outside circle represents the outside world (these symbols also appear in The Hierophant's crown). In the center of the inner circle rests an eight-spoke wheel, representing universal radiant energy. Between the middle and outer circle are the letters T A R O T in both English and Hebrew.

On the left of The Wheel is the Egyptian god Typhon, represented here by the serpent. He represents life-force descending into manifestation. This is the same life-force being drawn down by The Magician in Key 1. On the right of The Wheel is the Egyptian god Hermes-Anubis, the jackal-headed god representing intellligence always aspiring to ascend. At the top of The Wheel sits the Sphinx, representing wisdom and equilibrium. The Sphinx denotes that we are not governed by fate, but always have the power to change our lives. Among the serpent, the jackal and the Sphinx, the wheel is turned from darkness to light, from night to day, from evil to good, from negative to positive.

Symbols of the fixed signs of the zodiac rest in the four corners of the Key. The angel/man represents Aquarius, the eagle represents Scorpio, the lion represents Leo and the bull, Taurus. Together, the numerological symbols of these four add up to 26, the number of Jehovah, IHVH, in Hebraic thought.

The Wheel of Fortune Key symbolizes the notion that we are all a part of a universal, constantly unfolding plan. There is orderliness and fluidity in the workings of the universe and in our lives. We always have choice. Those who study this Key also should learn about mandalas and labyrinths as tools for growth. Finally, The Wheel of Fortune reminds us that whatever we send forth always comes back to us!

Be blessed,

Deb

Tarot Meditation 10: The Hermit, Key 9

The Hermit is one of my favorite Keys in Tarot. He represents guidance, direction, and light. He stands on a snow-covered mountain, bearing in his right hand the Lamp of Truth, with Light shining within it in the form of the six-pointed Seal of Solomon, representing wisdom. The Seal also represents a balance of male and female energy. The Hermit holds in his left hand the staff of initiation for those who would but ask.

Numerologically, nine represents ultimate completion, the Trinity times three. In this Key, nine symbolizes both completion and a willingness to start a new cycle with the next Key.

This Key is about a search for truth, a thirst for knowledge, a willingness to put ourselves in the path of learning. The Hermit's lonely stance represents that, most often, knowledge comes in the silence of meditation, the stillness of listening.

In Mary Stewart's series on the Merlin legend Merlin's teacher says to him, "Never turn from knowing, no matter how the knowing comes." I suggest that, wherever you are along the path(s) to enlightenment, learn, learn, learn, and discern!

Be blessed,

Deb

Tarot Meditation 5: The Emperor, Key 4

The theme of finding balance in one's life continues in Key 4, The Emperor. He sits on a throne flanked by rams' heads, symbolizing Mars energy. In his right hand (the active, male side of the body) is the Egyptian ankh, also called the Cross of Life. The ankh also is a symbol of Venus, here representing the need for balance with love and power. In his left hand (the passive, feminine side of the body) he holds the same globe found in The Empress' right hand. Again, this denotes the need for balance between love and power and between Spirit and matter. The red of his cloak symbolizes action and determination, as we have seen in The Fool, The Magician and The Empress.

The Emperor, as Key 4, numerologically represents all that is secure, with a four-square base of stability. Four is one of the building blocks of divine thought: the four elements (fire, air, earth, water), the four seasons, four points of the compass, the four rivers in the Garden of Eden, and the four letters of the sacred name of Jehovah: IHVH.

The mountains in the background are the same mountains we saw in Key 0, The Fool. Just as they represented cold intellect in that Key, they represent mental activity and authority in this Key.

To review, The Magician is the active principle of life connecting with Spirit and The High Priestess is the passive principle of life connecting with Spirit. As The High Priestess becomes The Empress after initiation, so the Magician becomes The Emperor.

The Emperor reminds us that the Spiritual world and the Material world must come together in balance and harmony if we are to move forward on our life path. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.

Be blessed,

deb

Tarot Meditation 4: The Empress, Key 3

The Empress is Mother Earth. She is fertility, pregnant with new life, new creativity, new pathways to intuition. She is the High Priestess coming into her own. She represents Venus, the Goddess of Love. She is Isis unveiled.

Wearing the white of purity and the red of passion, she is Mother of balance and harmony. Seated on a throne in a blooming garden, she is surrounded by Goddess symbols, including Venus' zodiac symbol on her heart-shaped shield, Venus' sacred cypress trees, Venus' sacred myrtle in the wreath binding her hair, and a necklace of pearls around her neck, also sacred to Venus. The field of wheat at her feet is saced to Isis. Those studying The Empress should also study Greek, Roman and Egyptian mythology to learn more about these, and other, Gods and Goddesses.

The Empress wears a crown of 12 stars, each with six points, denoting dominion and her relationship to sacred geometry and its symbolism with Hebraic thought - the Star of David and the 12 tribes of Israel. Her scepter is topped with a globe, another symbol of her mothering of all that is.

The stream that pours from the bottom of The High Priestess key reappears in the background of The Empress key, signifying that the stream of consciousness continues to flow through our lives and guide us, if we pay attention.

The Empress denotes our ability to bring to fruition our desires. What we believe we can manifest, we can, indeed, bring forth. However, we must use caution, being certain of our desires before we create them, for they will come to pass! The Key also reminds us of our responsibility to nurture, honor and love. Just as The Empress as Mother Earth cares for all her children, we too must care for all our brothers and sisters on the planet.

Be blessed,

Deb

Tarot Meditation 3: The High Priestess, Key 2

The High Priestess is the first of the Major Arcana cards to clearly be male or female. She is the virgin daughter of the moon, representing the potentiality of the Divine Feminine. She is the manifestation of Isis in her maiden, or untried, form. She is spiritual enlightenment, inner illumination. Where The Fool and The Magician have the potential to create, The High Priestess carries within her the latent ability to manifest - she is the link between the unseen and the seen. This card is all about walking our journey in balance.

The symbols on this Key are some of the most important in Tarot. The High Priestess is seated on a throne flanked by two pillars of the Temple of Solomon. The black pillar of Boaz represents the unknown (negative) life force, and the white pillar of Jachin the known (positive) life force. These pillars represent balance that is required if we are to move forward on our journey. They also remind us that wisdom is open to us when we walk in balance. The veil behind her, between the pillars, is decorated in pomegranates (feminine energy) and palms (masculine energy). Her crown, the three phases of the moon, represents the phases of a woman's life - maiden, mother, crone. On the breast of her gown is an equal-armed cross, with the horizonal arms representing the Divine Feminine, the vertical arms the Divine Masculine - again, more symbols of balance. The High Priestess holds a scroll marked "Tora" in her lap, but the last letter, "h," is hidden - a reminder that we will never learn all the esoteric information in the universe.

At the edge of her gown, the crescent moon of potential balances as her gown flows out of the card. Remember the snow and ice-covered mountains in The Fool Key? As the snow and ice begin to melt, they create a stream of consciousness, here represented by the flow of The High Priestess' gown. The stream runs out of the bottom of this Key, then throughout most of the remainder of the Major Arcana Keys.

Additional study of this Key should include a study of Greek and Egyptian mythology, paying particular attention to the stories of Persephone and Isis. A study of Hebraic symbols also would be helpful.

The High Priestess reminds us to walk in balance - in our everyday life, in our spiritual journey, in our emotional life. She tells us that we ALL have potential to be mystics, psychics, and healers. However, we must remember The High Priestess carries forth the lessons The Fool is learning. Just as the Magician reminds The Fool to seek guidance from above, the High Priestess reminds us to use the gifts of discernment and balance as we move along our path.
Be blessed,
Deb