Tarot Meditation 19: The Moon, Key 18

Apologies for delay in blogging - too many plates spinning in my universe this month!

I write this entry on the eve of the Full Moon in Pisces, or the Corn Moon as it is called by pagans. Grandmother Moon shines brightly tomorrow night as we celebrate the transition into the harvest season.

In traditional Tarot, The Moon Key is fraught with wonderful Goddess symbols. The Key depicts Moon in three phases (Maiden, Mother, Crone). The Moon is surrounded by falling Yods (as we saw in The Tower Key), reminding us that the Life-force from above always falls on those who seek guidance.

In the foreground of the Key is the pool of the Cosmic Mind, from which a crayfish (symbolic of the early stages of unconsciousness unfolding) emerges. From the snow-covered mountains in the background, the waters of intellect and reason merge into a stream flowing in the pool.

On one side of the stream stands Wolf, Mother Nature's untamed creation. On the other stands Dog, representing humankind's adaptation to the world around us. Halfway up the stream (path) are the twin towers humans have created to protect themselves from a hostile environment. These are not the same towers of spiritual strength seen in The High Priestess Key.

The Moon Key reminds us that Grandmother Moon watches over our spiritual journey toward enlightenment. Numerologically, Key 18 (1+8=9) is the Key of completion of the second phase of The Fool's journey (the first phase ended with The Hermit - Key 9). The Fool continues along the path, learning, growing, falling back, and learning again.

The Moon is the Key of intuitive ability, of dreams and premonitions. If we would only listen to the lessons of the subconscious, learn to trust our intuition, the path that carries us between the towers and to the mountaintop would not seem so steep.

Be blessed,

Deb

Tarot Meditation 15: Temperance, Key 14

"Everything in moderation!" is the key to this Key! Archangel Michael, an angel of protection and fire-energy, pours the essence of life back and forth between the silver cup of the unconscious and the gold cup of conscious. This motion speaks to the ancient concept of "as above, so below."

The symbol on Michael's breast represents our four-square connection to reality, centered by the triangle of divinity. This also is the symbol of Tarot. The two symbols together resonate to the number seven, a number of divinity, mysticism and completion. This symbol also resonates to the seven major chakra centers in the body.

Michael stands, as do several other figures in other Keys, with one foot on land, representing connection to the conscious world, and one foot in the waters of the unconscious. The irises at the water's edge remind us of the Egyptian goddess Isis and the promise of the rainbow. The path behind Michael leads to the crown of mystery and attainment of spiritual knowledge.

In The Fool's journey toward enlightenment, his/her path carries him/her through the balance of yin/yang, subconscious/conscious, and so many other mysteries of finding balance in his/her life.

The Temperance Key is about trusting the process, being attuned to the gifts of the Universe, and treading lightly through the balance of every day.
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

Tarot Meditation 2: The Magician - Key 1

As our new year's resolutions become reality with the first full week of the year, The Magician guides us along our path. The Magician represents strength of will, creative talents and organizational skills. How many of us pledged to undertake creative endeavors, get organized, and be determined and steadfast in our resolutions this year? I know those are some of my resolutions!

The Magician's gift is the ability to connect power, strength and energy from above with the earth-bound mundane - the uniting of Spirit with Mind and Body. As we saw in Key 0, The Fool, The Magician also wears red and white, and is surrounded by red and white flowers, representing the merging of desire, action and passion with abstract thought and purity.

On the altar are representations of the four suits of the Minor Arcana (Wands, Swords, Cups, Pentacles) which represent Fire, Air, Water and Earth, respectively. It is in balancing the energies of these elements that we find balance in our lives. (Check my website www.debbowen.com for an upcoming workshop on the four elements!)

Two symbols in The Magician key represent eternal life - the lemniscate above The Magician's head, and the Ouroboros (the Snake devouring its tail) around the waist. These symbols remind us that there is never an end to the Eternal connection with the Divine.

The Magician's right hand holds a wand, reaching toward heaven, while the left hand points to Earth, reminding us that we need to stay connected to both Spirit and Earth as we move through our life's journey. The Magician Key is the first lesson in The Fool's path to enlightenment: self-awareness comes only when we are connected to Spirit and live in balance.
Be blessed,
Deb