Eliphas
Levi, the French Magus, stated:
As an
erudite Kabbalistic book, all combinations of which reveal
the harmonies preexisting between signs. letters, and
numbers, the practical value of the Tarot is truly and above
all marvelous. A prisoner devoid of books, had he only a
Tarot of which he knew how to make use, could, in a few
years, acquire a universal science, and converse with an
unequalled doctrine and inexhaustible
eloquence." The Tarot first appeared,
according to tradition approximately the year 1200 A.D. The
great library of Alexandria had some years earlier been
pillaged and burned, and the Collegium of the Adepts had been
relocated in the city of Fez, Morrocco. Here they held their
conclaves during which they discussed advances in science and
philosophy, These Adepts designed the Tarot for a two-fold
purpose:
- To embody the Key ideas of their advanced science and
mysteries in a form that would not be detected by the
secular authorities (who were eager to stamp out the inner
wisdom), and;
- To provide tools for training the individual
consciousness so that it could speed the psychological
changes that would help the Aspirant realize his full
potential.
What exactly is
the Tarot?
It is a book of 78 symbolic
pictures, divided into two main categories. The first, known
as the Minor Arcanum, is composed of 56 cards. These 56 cards
are divided into 4 suits and correlate with the modern playing
cards:
 |
Pentacles |
= |
 |
Diamonds |
 |
Swords |
= |
 |
Spades |
 |
Cups |
= |
 |
Hearts |
 |
Wands |
= |
 |
Clubs | There are
10 "pip" (numbered) cards in each suit and also 4 "court"
cards: a King; Queen; and Knight (Jack); and a fourth court
card either called Princess or Page.
The remaining 22
Keys are referred to as the Major Arcanum and are named as
follows:
| Number |
Title |
Hebrew Letter |
Meaning of Letter |
| 0 |
The Fool |
Aleph - A |
Ox |
| 1 |
The Magician |
Beth - B |
House |
| 2 |
The High Priestess |
Gimel - G |
Camel |
| 3 |
The Empress |
Daleth - D |
Door |
| 4 |
The Emperor |
Heh - H |
Window |
| 5 |
The Hierophant |
Vav - V |
Nail or Hook |
| 6 |
The Lovers |
Zain - Z |
Sword |
| 7 |
The Chariot |
Cheth - Ch |
Fence |
| 8 |
Strength |
Teth - T |
Snake |
| 9 |
The Hermit |
Yod - Y |
Hand |
| 10 |
Wheel of Fortune |
Kaph - K |
Fist |
| 11 |
Justice |
Lamed - L |
Ox-Goad |
| 12 |
The Hanged Man |
Mem - M |
Water |
| 13 |
Death |
Nun - N |
Fish |
| 14 |
Temperance |
Samekh - S |
Tent Pole |
| 15 |
The Devil |
Ayin - O |
Eye |
| 16 |
The Tower |
Peh - P |
Mouth |
| 17 |
The Star |
Tzaddi - Tz |
Fishhook |
| 18 |
The Moon |
Qoph - Q |
Back of the Head |
| 19 |
The Sun |
Resh - R |
Face |
| 20 |
Judgment |
Shin - Sh |
Tooth |
| 21 |
The World |
Tav - Th |
Mark or Cross |
The Tarot may be depended upon to evoke changes in
consciousness necessary to perform the Great Work, the
regeneration of consciousness, and attainment of your full
potential. Not only are they powerful guides for meditation,
but they are keys to the inner planes of consciousness, media
for divination and tools to work with your inner powers.
Usually the divinatory aspects receive undue emphasis.
We have found that only those who have learned the symbolism,
meditated upon, and made these keys part of the very fiber of
their being will have any consistent, noteworthy success in
Tarot Divination.
The Tarot, when properly used, will
evoke from the Inner Consciousness specific emotional,
intellectual and mystical states of awareness.
Why does the Tarot work?
To
answer this question we must first discuss some of the
principles of consciousness:
- Causation is always internal. No matter how it may
appear at times, we create our own world, built according to
our mental imagery. If we change our predominant images we
will change our world.
- A clear mental image tends to materialize itself as an
actual condition or event.
- A perfect record of all of our experiences is contained
in our subconscious mind. Through its link to the Collective
Unconsciousness, we have at our disposal an inexhaustable
source of knowledge. This "collective" level is a source of
the greater part of our intuitions or insights. In many
instances, many modern "discoveries" are simply recoveries
from it.
- Subconsciousness will link us to whatever or whoever we
need to achieve our goals. All the power you require in
order to achieve your potential is yours NOW -- this
very minute.
- The operations of subconsciousness are controllable from
the conscious level provided the right means to this end are
used.
How does Tarot work?
Knowledge of the great powers of the Subconscious mind,
and the methods of directing it are not new. In fact, many of
these methods were used in ancient Egypt. In many respects the
more ancient techniques are far superior and more effective
than the methods developed recently.
The details of the methods for contacting the
subconscious mind and channeling its awesome powers were, for
centuries, the closely maintained secrets of small lodges of
initiates. Only carefully selected and tested aspirants were
admitted to these esoteric circles. Strict vows of secrecy and
purity of motive were required before the methods of utilizing
these powers were explained.
This Tradition of Initiation exists today. In
this modern age a sincere Aspirant may yet find admittance to
these secrets. Furthermore, much information formally held in
reserve is being given out. This is because the consciousness
of all of Humanity has evolved to the point where these truths
or principles are needed.
The technique described in this paper was devised by
Adepts to control the subconscious. It is based on the
following Law of Consciousness:
"Subconsciousness responds more readily to visual
images than to any other form of
suggestion."
By repeated acts of attention to visual images combined
in the symbolic pictures that make up the Tarot, we may direct
our subconsciousness to achieve our goals. These symbols
produce a reaction automatically in the subconscious - a
reaction that is psycho-physiological, that is, producing both
psychological and physical results. Furthermore, each Tarot
Key will produce a specific consistent result.
All categories of human consciousness fall naturally
into 22 specific major classifications. The Initiates of
Ancient times, using what we would now refer to as the
"Scientific Method" (i.e. controlled Observation, checking and
replication of results), correlated which symbols and
combination of symbols would evoke specifically and
consistently each one of these energy patterns of
consciousness. This is the basis of the Major Arcanum.
Here is a proven, safe but potent tool for taking your
evolution in hand. A method for using the ancient techniques
of the Initiates to remake yourself into the image of what
you could and should be. to help you achieve your full
potential and attain health, security and a truly satisfying
existence.
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