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Above all things, know thyself!
Crowley chose to call his King of Swords a Knight of Swords, which is comparable to the traditional Kings. His reasoning was simply because Master Theron, understood the paradigm of Tetragrammaton-YHVY- where King-Queen-Princess and Prince are involved. He also believed in the Actions of Chokmah, the 2nd Sephirotic Being, who is "Will-to- Force", an Active Fire and the first Masculine expression that rules the Kings and simply is not passively planted on a throne.
The Knight of Swords is presented as the fiery part of air, as all the Thoth Kings are the fiery part of their element and are not prone to sitting on their authoritative butts, directing others. Rather they are the "light switch" of Kether's energetic Will.
His King/Knights are out in the forefront of battle, chargers leaping, weapons swinging, kicking the opposition's "behind". To Crowley's reckoning, Kings are expressions of "Will-to- Force"/Chokmah. Other traditional decks also have knights, but these are the "Princes" in Crowley's Tarot.
Thoth-Knight of swords
The Thoth Tarot-Knight of Swords is the fiery part of Air and rules from 21 degrees Taurus to 20 degrees Gemini. The Knight of Swords represents the personification of the activating Force behind the World of Astral images and Architectures. The Knight is attributed to subtle actions and craftiness as the element-Air refers to the personality of the conscious mind/Self-Consciousness.
The degrees spanning from 21 degrees Taurus to 20 degrees Gemini encompass a significant portion of the zodiacal spectrum, encompassing the latter part of Taurus and the early part of Gemini. Here are some characteristics associated with this span:
Taurus Traits (April 20 - May 20):
- Stability: Taurus is an earth sign, associated with grounding energy, stability, and reliability. Those born under this sign or influenced by it may possess a strong sense of security and a practical approach to life.
- Determination: Taurus individuals are known for their determination and persistence in pursuing their goals. They are often steady and unwavering in their efforts, refusing to give up easily.
- Sensuality: Taurus is ruled by Venus, the planet of love and beauty, making individuals influenced by this sign often sensual and appreciative of life's pleasures. They have a keen appreciation for art, music, food, and other indulgences.
- Materialism: Taurus is associated with material possessions and wealth. People with strong Taurus influences may prioritize financial security and enjoy the comforts that money can provide.
Gemini Traits (May 21 - June 20):
- Versatility: Gemini is an air sign, characterized by adaptability, curiosity, and versatility. Individuals influenced by Gemini energy tend to be quick-witted, intellectually curious, and open to new experiences.
- Communication: Gemini is ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication, which imbues those under its influence with strong communication skills. They are often excellent conversationalists, adept at expressing themselves verbally and in writing.
- Sociability: Gemini individuals are typically outgoing and sociable, enjoying interactions with others and forming connections easily. They thrive in social settings and may have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
- Restlessness: Gemini's dual nature can sometimes manifest as restlessness or a tendency to become easily bored. Those with prominent Gemini placements may crave variety and stimulation, often seeking out new experiences and adventures.
Individuals born with significant placements or influences in this span of the zodiac may exhibit a blend of traits from both Taurus and Gemini, incorporating qualities such as stability, determination, communication skills, and adaptability into their personalities and life experiences.
The Thoth Deck Card shows the Knight mounted on a charger (symbolizes the dynamic energy of Taurus) with swords extended which represents the violent cutting power of this Mental Force's sharp wit.
As an Archetype personality, The Knight/King of Swords represents a mature male with an innovative consciousness at its ultimate phase of creative control and will. Often involved in matters of justice, discipline, civic and personal order.
yama
In Hindu Mythology, The Knight/King of Swords is the personification of ***Yama the Bull God who gave up his Earth life to become King of the Underworld. A powerful judge, a godlike authority, and an embodiment of discipline and order. Because of the dual nature of Gemini this personality can either absorb his/her entire life in concentrated aspiration or can go the entirely opposite way and become incapable of decision or purpose, thereby, becoming weak in action. Again, the surrounding cards will show which aspect of Gemini, and its restless paradox (the twins) is directing the Dynamic power of Taurus.
***Yama (Hinduism)From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. This article is about the deity Yama in the Hindu tradition. For the deity Yama in other religious traditions, see Yama. For other uses, see Yama (disambiguation)."Dharma (Hinduism)" redirects here. For the Hindu concept, see Dharma. DeathयमDeva Naraka Pluto Om Surya puthraya Vidhmahe MahaKalaya Dheemahi Thanno Yama Prachodayath Dandawater buffalo Hades .
In Hindu Religion, Yama (Sanskrit: यम), is the lord of death. In the Rigveda, he is mentioned as one who helped humankind find a place to dwell and gave every individual the power to tread any path to which s/he wants. In Vedic tradition, Yama was the first mortal who died and espied the way to the celestial abodes; thus, as a result, he became the ruler of the departed. Yama's name can be interpreted to mean "twin", and in some myths he is paired with a twin sister Yami. Yama is associated with various roles in Hinduism that are not always consistent throughout the stories. Sometimes, he is the lord of justice and is associated with Dharma, such as in the Brahma Purana; in other Puranas, Yama has no association with Dharma at all. Yama is also found in Buddhist texts. The Buddhist Yama, however, has developed different myths.
After reading this Wikipedia essay on Yama and Yami, the "twins", and the fact he is also known as the "bull god", we can see why Yama is the personification of this personality archetype who is Gemini in Taurus.
In Tarot- the Knight/King of Swords is considered the archetype of the Mastery of Passionate Thinking and Intentionality.
By now many of us know that the Tarot Court Cards represent personality Archetypes. In the book: TAROT-Dictionary and Compendium, Jana Riley describes Archetypes.
The original Archetype was a thought in the Mind of God-male and female. The Supreme Mind became enamored with this thought and created life in Its image by the friction of Its Word-or by the motion of Its sound. This caused the Universe to divide into ordered strata, and because creation is within the Mind of God, everything is a model or a copy of the original pattern, which is God.
This makes God ,0=2; Anima and Animus are the 2, who then go about in lifetimes, seeking to become 1.
Tarot personality birth -wheel.
The court cards are pictures of 16 different core- personality types, as shown on the Tarot birth chart. 8 proven by Carl Jung, and later 8 more by Katherine Briggs and Isabel Myers who devised the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) which, for now, is the tool used by counseling centers around the world. Proving once again the Ancient Wisdom of the Qabalistic-Tarot and how we are slowly coming out of the amnesia imposed on us by the concussive Slave Age of the Patriarch/Archon (Military Industrial Complex).
Military Industrial Complex
The Thoth Knight of Swords is seen to be flying over water. In alchemy, elemental air is associated with the Mind and elemental Water is intuition and emotions. Therefore, this combination of air and water represents passionate thinking. Three swallows represent the union of mind and heart with all action proceeding in united direction. Swallows are also known as the sacred birds of Isis, the Egyptian Great All Mother, who is the heart of her Son the Prince. This serves to remind us that focus, will, intention, and love must be aligned to achieve any goal. The three swallows could also represent the Triple Goddess of-Maid, Mother and Crone.
Trinity Goddess.
Trinity Goddess.
The dagger in the left hand and the sword in the right hand, represent yin/yang (Yama/Yami), (feminine/masculine, Anima-Animus) forces of One energy. Female is magnetic force and male is electric force, both must be combined to create a balanced unity called life and/or living forms. We know this Divine Marriage as "electromagnetic energy".
yin yang; 0=2
Four wings, on the Thoth Knight's helm, are four directions, north, south, east, and west; each represent four levels of consciousness: mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical.
The six-pointed star at the center of the wings symbolizes illumined clarity and spiritual guidance. Golden armor represents powerful fluid thinking.
To reiterate:
The Knight of Swords is called "the fiery part of Air" which may confuse you. He represents the violent power of motion applied to air. He rules from the 21st degree of Taurus to the 20th degree of Gemini. He is an armored warrior whose helmet bares a rotating wing and is mounted on a rampaging steed. With both sword and poniard in hand, he is the very idea of Attack.
He is the Spirit of the Tempest.
The Knight of Swords can be compared to the Lightning bolt of an idea absorbing the entire life of one, in concentrated aspiration. There will be Live or Evil (live spelled backwards) here.
Taurus and Gemini twins
The stubborn Will of Taurus and the Inspiration of Gemini are also applied here. The Knight of Swords represents the True Will (of the Soul) exploding the mind spontaneously. What many of us forget or have been indoctrinated to forget, is that True Will is not empathetic---Spirit has no need for empathy, as it never dies, and the idea of Being is its e-motion.
Those of us Spirit-personalities, who are fortunate enough to inherit a human body, now know how to empathize with the "living" and will adjust our ideas to accommodate the expansion and liberation of the living from their poverty of self-imposed fear or ruler-imposed definitions rather than just erase "others" with visions of tempestuous velocity and/or of immense violence.
Love of ideas without empathy is a Terrible Tempest of Self-Absorbed Desire, where the Vision is more important than the living. Hence, this Card reminds us to take time to love being, for the body human is a Vision of Divine's Will-To-Be that must be our Vision Center, so that we can "feel" the force of our own Ideas and restructure them to care for the living rather than sacrifice people to our ideals.
Chokmah, the first Male force and the 2nd Sephiroth known as Wisdom, represents the primeval "Will" and is a mental tempest of force governing the Knight of Swords. It signifies the beginning state of conscious masculine energy. Thus, Chokmah embodies the "idea of male," while its counterpart, Binah, embodies the "idea of Female." Just as time/space or electric/magnetic fields, when one exists, so does the other. Consequently, we conceive the concepts of Father-Mother God and/or the Divine Creative as 0=2.
As the 2nd Sephira, Chokmah also serves as the Force behind the four 2's and the four Knights, projecting ideas towards Binah, "the womb of Mind," where they are received and understood.
Fire and water combine to create all forms.
Understanding forms the foundation of love and initiates the process of gestation. Wisdom is akin to learning; for instance, one learns not to slam their finger in a door by understanding the door's structure and the location of their fingers. This understanding encompasses recognizing the difference between fingers and wood, observing finger placement, and comprehending the forces and forms involved in a closing door. Wisdom dictates "do or don't do," while understanding elucidates the reasons behind such actions, thus providing preferred knowledge on what to do. The Twins here are Wisdom and Understanding whose union creates the mental strata we call Love.
The Twos/Twins symbolize the Forces of the King, who are shown in the Thoth Tarot as Knights/Battle Kings. The four Queens unite and initialize the "Will-to-Force" of the Knights with the Understanding of "Will-to-Form". Hence, the Knight-Kings are the Fathers of and/or initiators of Material Forces.
Therefore, the Tarot King/Knight of swords personality is also known in the Western Hermetic Qaballah as Lord of Winds and Breezes (no this is not your "pull my finger" grandfather), King of the Elemental Spirits of the Air; the Sylphs and Sylphides. This is an extraordinarily Strong masculine mental force whose zodiacal attributes are the last Decan of Taurus and the first two Decans of Gemini, and just as able to switch directions of thought as the wind.
The Lost Soul Tarot-King of Swords.
The Lost Soul Tarot- King of Swords emphasizes the King personification of the activating Force behind the World of Astral images and Architectures and/or transcendental astral awareness. He is one of mental clarity, intellectual power, and self-discipline. Mental discipline is a spiritual discipline.
Represented on this King of Swords card is a cloud scape supporting the throne. The clouding of the throne base represents water and clouds that also represents the Astral kingdom of "liquid light", the mindscape before the crystallization of light on the Plane of Malkuth that we call the Material Plane. Here also is the image of a clear sharp mind as shown by his pointed crown and double-edged sword.
Often when we find we are lucid in a dream and walking that spectacular landscape of the Mind, we are not of a body, but the power that operates it in our name of "I AM". Here we can think of Kether as the sleeping dreamer, while we are of Chokmah, the lucid dreamer. Remember, we came down the Tree of life on the lightning path and we remember ourselves traveling back up the Tree of Life on the serpentine path.
Astral projection is an out-of-body experience (OBE) that involves the separation of the astral body from the physical body. It is often associated with various esoteric, metaphysical, and spiritual practices. Here's a basic explanation:
Astral Body: According to metaphysical beliefs, humans have an astral body, also known as the soul or spirit, which exists independently of the physical body. During astral projection, this astral body is said to leave the physical body.
Consciousness Separation: Astral projection typically involves a conscious separation of the consciousness or awareness from the physical body. Practitioners often describe a sensation of floating, flying, or moving outside their bodies.
Different Realms: Those who practice astral projection often believe that the astral body can travel to different realms or dimensions. Some describe visiting other planes of existence, meeting spiritual entities, or gaining insights into the nature of reality.
Methods and Techniques: Various methods and techniques are suggested for inducing astral projection. These may include deep meditation, visualization, lucid dreaming, or specific rituals. The goal is to achieve a state of altered consciousness that allows the astral body to separate.
Purpose: The purposes of astral projection vary among practitioners. Some seek spiritual growth, self-discovery, or communication with higher beings. Others may use it for exploration, learning, or healing.
Safety Considerations: While many people practice astral projection without negative consequences, some caution that it should be approached with care. It's important to have a clear intention, maintain a positive mindset, and be aware of potential challenges.
It's crucial to note that beliefs and experiences related to astral projection can vary widely, and scientific evidence supporting the existence of an astral body or the ability to project it is limited. People approach this practice from different perspectives, including spiritual, mystical, and psychological viewpoints.
tarot personality birth-wheel.
Such a character, if personal, would be that of a person who is clever, skillful, active, and subtle. Being that s/he is fierce, delicate, and courageous, much like a ferocious but fragile Dragon Fly, does not keep them from being prey to their ideas which come as inspiration without consideration. Often such a personality finds that inadequate violent action is merely futile effort at best, and therefore can "overreact", which tends to make them emotionally unstable. Famous Knight of Swords personalities include, Baron Münchhausen, Arthur Conan Doyle, Pope John Paul II, Malcom X, Queen Victoria, John Wayne, John F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, and Cher.
How ever we choose to dignify this Knight/King s/he is the "Extended Flame of mind" as Zoroaster calls it. Here the True "Will too Force", as Chokmah is exploding the Mind into 0=2. The Taurian influence makes it steadfast, and the first Decanate of Gemini makes it inspirational; thus, an idea tends to absorb the entire life of the individual in the blinding light of concentrated aspiration. Therefore, the description shows the danger to this state of mind, for the first Decan is also known as "shortened force" and that shortened force is symbolized by the poniard on the Thoth Knight. Shortened force often comes off as defensive, cruel, and stubborn behavior.
WHEN THE KNIGHT of SWORDS/KING IS THROWN DURING A READING:
The querent is or may be experiencing:
This Archetypal personality is a person:
- Who possesses qualities of skill, activity, subtlety, and cleverness combined with fierceness.
- S/He is both delicate and courageous while also being prey of his inspirational idea--- that he doesn't question.
- Power.
- Authority.
- Militant intelligence.
- Law.
If ill dignified by the surrounding cards:
- The Card represents inadequate violence, which is useless and futile.
- The vigor in all the qualities mentioned, is gone...merely a convulsion of breezes rather than a Tempest- a-charging!
- Cruelty.
- Evil intentions.
- Perfidy.
- Perversity.
- Barbarity.
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