The Tarot of Eli, LLC-Major Arcana: Thoth Tarot- 0-The Fool & Santa Muerte Tarot-The Fool

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Fear not. What is not real, never was and never will be.

What is real always was and cannot be destroyed.

-Bhagavad Gita

The Fool is the universal key that is associated with the state of conscious energy that is us before and after death. In other words, the conscious state that is Whole Spirit (Spirit-Mind-Body). Many of us know that we “have a spirit" but few of us know that we are Spirit and seek not spirituality but rather are Spirituality; a Spiral Vital Force that brings whole-conscious liberation and expansion to Earth anima (female animal mind) and animus (Male animal mind).

It is apparent that I am starting to compare the Santa Muerte Tarot to the Western Qabalistic Thoth Tarot and/or Western Egyptian Tarot. The Santa Muerte Tarot is a celebration of life, its beginning birth and seeming end as death. However, before I get too far in the Santa Muerte Tarot and its great and powerful art, based on Mexican and Pre- Columbian images and symbology, I will dwell upon the metaphysical and occult philosophy behind the Fool image and the Thoth Tarot.

Rather than just being assumed as being mystical, transpersonal, transcendent, and ecstatic in its nature, the Fool represents the power of wonder and ecstasy that is so apparent in the very young (and the “enlightened”) before they succumb to indoctrination and form a "cultural identity". The cultural identity is not real so Cabalists/Qabalists call it "reality" which we all know as relative and subjected to the “I” of the beholder. The Real is the infinite part of ourselves and Sees itself as Us!

The Oriental symbol for fear is the tiger. In this card, fear is seen as attempting to gnaw on the leg of the fool who isn't giving any consideration to fear. He looks forward, and the tiger can't even make a dent in his present perspective of I Am. Due the erroneous constructs of our indoctrination and dogma, death is seen as something to fear and the end of life. However, death is not the opposite of Life, but rather an integral part of Life's transformational process. It is how the Universal Collective's Awareness of Self grows infinitely and/or how Life transforms. Truth being, if you create you must measure the beginning and end of a thing which is then information turned into in-form-action. However, the creator of the thing, is not the thing; hence, the end of a thing is not the end of a creator. Your Whole Spirit creates the Self-Identity Collective of Spirit-Mind-Body and/or the I Am Me. "I" is the energy/Will we call Spirit-in Tarot this Spirit-Energy is called Fire and the symbol of the "all seeing eye/I" is often used to illustrate the Universal Collective of Identity. Then there is the "Am", this is the existence of Mind and its many aspects are symbolized as Swords/Air in Tarot. Then there is the "Me". This is awareness of Self. I AM ME, is a statement of celebration, not a manifestation of fear based identity and/or survival thinking. Me begins in the Watery world of Emotion/Intuition and manifests in the material world as a entity and/or a measurement of organic material. Me fulfills the Will and Truth of I AM. For in this Universal of Collective Self, truth is made manifest and/or information becomes in-form-action.

Therefore the Fool is the energetic essence of who we are---an unflappable immortal spiritual flow of energy consciousness that flows from the Infinite Source. This card symbolizes the creative expression that is needed to give birth to new parts of our lives and to boldly take risks that are so necessary to evolutionary development! Therefore, when this card falls in a reading it shows us that this is the moment to do what you fear and trust the spirit within!

As a Inner Psyche Path, THE FOOL connects Kether (Crown) with Chokmah (Wisdom). To the Qabalist, Kether is known as the Source of All, and Chokmah is known as Father God; However, if you create Father (Chokmah) than you also have created Mother (Binah) and visa versa. To have Male is to have Female as concepts of Self for here O- the Fool, is now 2. This is the formula of 0=2. Hence there is no division between Father or Mother, and they are connected by the Path of the Empress known as Daleth (Door) in Western Qabalistic Tarot. I call the 0=2, the Divine Creative.

The Path of Aleph, (The Fool) meaning OX, is about the "flowing of Life Force and creative power", showing that the SPIRIT had a beginning aim to be that of Earth and/or Sensual Being.

Lady Frieda Harris, the artist of the Thoth Tarot symbolizes this "Holy Spirit" (The Spirit on every level of the Tree of Life) as a dove in the Thoth Card. Crowley also called The Letter Aleph, a phallic symbol.... but then so is the Projected Will that is THE MAGUS, and one wonders if Crowley was so besotted with the Phallus, that he was unable to see anything else; However, truth be told, by reference to Sexes and sexuality do we come to the minutest glimmering of understanding about the Universe. We begin seeing that the Below is a mirror reflection of the Above and/ or the Divine Will. Spirit/Energy is all we know, we breathe it, we live within it, it is ourselves. Because we know this Divinity to be "the One Energy that cannot be created nor destroyed, only transformed" (Psychics-Thermodynamics 1^st law), we know that everything is of this One, as symbolized by THE FOOL the Path of Aleph.

In this context, the Hebrew letter Aleph is attributed to Air and means Life-Breath. Just as Spirit is from the Greek root word Spiro, which means Breath. The One Spirit, the (W)Holy Spirit, is then the Life-Breath. This is well known in Eastern cultures, and Pranayama (Breath yoga) are a major if not primary part of all Spiritual development. The Sanskrit Word Prana, is the Life-Breath energy; Prana meaning life and Yama meaning death. Simply, inhale and exhale. The Qabalah and I have described the Magus as relating to "Words" (vibration), the underlying sonic of patterned manifestation. However, it is the power of breath that expels the sound. Thus THE FOOL activates THE MAGUS who is the first expression of Primal Will.

The Science of Crowley’s time, considered Air to be a vacuum, as related to THE FOOL, so did Crowley, but the Ancient Wisdom is that the Element Air is not a vacuum, as in empty of anything, but rather a No-thing who is the fertile No-thingness and egg of Spirit. The universal Egg of Spirit is known by students of the mysteries, to be the EGG OF AKASHA, the zero of THE FOOL, also represents this egg/ovum of Creation, and is the mathematical formula of one Male, minus one female= 0 . Therefore, the understanding is that the Egg of Akasha, is a fertilized ovum of undefined sexuality, but having the potential for both! Hence, 0=2. The Egg is shown as the large oval spiral around the Fool, and with intertwined figures of Lovers-2 at the bottom inside of the oval . The Caduceus, with the wings and the eye (I) of Horus (Son/Sun of God) symbolizing the Collective DNA of Creation, is shown as the source of this oval shape created by its movement.

Also depicted in the art of the Thoth Fool, the Tiger, "fawning about" THE FOOL'S leg, is also an archetype representing the Animal Nature of Survival Thinking (subconscious) as related to the Higher Spiritual process of Love that is a fearless Wisdom and Understanding of Self. Again, as this cannot be said enough, the Horns on the Thoth figure represent those ancient mysteries of *Dionysus Zagreus/DNA. The green clothing is that of the Celtic Green Man of Spring, the grapes at his feet are a tribute to Bacchus, the Greek God of Ecstasy, and the Crocodile (great creative energy) is “a swimming at his feet in the Nile" (Crowley quote). Making this 0, a complexity of subtleties and far from empty as 0 =2.

In ancient Greek religion and mythology, Zagreus was sometimes identified with a god worshipped by the followers of Orphism, the “first Dionysus”, a son of Zeus and Persephone, who was dismembered by the Titans and reborn. However, in the earliest mention of Zagreus, he is paired with Gaia and called the “highest” god and Aeschylus links Zagreus with Hades, possibly as Hades' son, or Hades himself. Noting "Hades' identity as Zeus' katachthonios alter ego", Timothy Gantz thought it "likely" that Zagreus, originally, perhaps the son of Hades and Persephone, later merged with the Orphic Dionysus, the son of Zeus and Persephone.

• Wikipedia

Images referring to the Godhead in the Thoth card, are the dove of Venus and the vulture of Maat the Dark Egyptian Goddess of Judgment, where she is the Mother of Dark Matter. Then there is the triple egg shape created by the caduceus in motion, symbolizing the Ain Soph Aur (The three states of No-Thing) and the Orphic egg.

As you may realize, the imagery is so subjective that I haven't the words to detail it all for you. If you need more detail, and you do, I would recommend reading Crowley's BOOK OF THOTH., Robert Wang's Book: THE QABALISTIC TAROT and also investigating the Mythology of the Ancient Greeks and Egyptians. For to even begin understanding THE FOOL, we must entertain a multifaceted and fluid interpretation of Force and Form.

Dr.Paul Foster Case (Creator of B.O.T.A.) calls this Eleventh Path of Aleph, in his book THE THIRTY-TWO PATHS OF WISDOM, the fiery or Scintillating Intelligence. Which makes sense as The Path of Aleph borders on the Limitless Light (Ain Soph), which is "not" or 0. Light without limit is darkness to us who need a beginning and an end to see a form. So here we try to explain what can't be seen as The Fiery Darkness which is the possibility of vibration or motion and the First Perception of the One having potential for activity. This would make a modern definition of “Dark Energy” as the “first I” or identity forming as a Mind.

In the context of Masculine sexuality, the Fool is the Testes, and the Magus is the Phallus, ( Both represented by the three flowers beneath the spread legs of THE FOOL) as The Divine Creative directs active Will as the first flow from the Fool rather than potentiality doing so. However, I fear that is a rather limiting concept of the ONE as the Ain, Ain Soph, and Ain Soph Aur, which is the trinity of 0 , but then, all concepts are less than the potential for conception and the "trinity of 0" is limitlessness thrice.

We may reason that the potential for Thought, comes from the Dark Energy as Dark Matter (The First Material). The appearance of Thought, which is considered the first material of creation, emanates Mind, which is the vessel for Thought and/or Womb of Thought Forms, i.e. The “I-magi-nation”, transcending all reason. Thus, as often is so with the Supernal Triangle, our reason leaves us with more questions than answers. As it does for the I AM. For infinite is without measurement, and therefore, there is no end to creation as Self-Awareness. For each new I AM Me, becomes more information which causes a new summation in the Collective.

Limitlessness is a very difficult concept! To say that THE FOOL represents the initial potential for thought which transcends reason, i.e. the All Seeing I, is about the best I can do with words.

The special reality we may touch in sleep, often gives us images that do not correlate to our mundane understanding of reality. This being so, our dreams seem to be so much abstraction and are considered as nonsense to our waking condition. However, the Great Work (As above so below) involves the assimilation of The Real, not a reality conceived of mundane indoctrinated ideas. And the Real Concepts are from what is not making what is from Dreams of Potential- Self! To think of the Universe as God Dreaming (Darkness Dreaming it is Light) is very difficult to grasp, and the fact that you are a "Lucid" Dreamer (Image of God), who has been given the Power of Observation that changes a thing, meaning you can change the Principle that is Things, is just about as mind boggling as it gets. But I dare postulate that just such a glimmer of insight requires a more than mundane understanding of self! Your individual express of Divinity is not often acknowledged by the mundane world of indoctrinated survival thinking., for that doesn't fit the Rules of Rulership which are based on "divide and conquer". However, your Spiritual Womb, the conception of "the image of God", is the invisible Sephiroth, Daath (knowledge)/the Priestess seated within the Abyss, and is the Golden Child of the Goddess (Understanding) and the God (Wisdom) who are face to face (Yab Yum) in the Universal Cycle of I AM. This middle path of Union is known as the Path of Gimel (meaning Camel); THE PRIESTESS who is the product of the divine combination of Goddess-God  ; the Divine Androgyny.

All the Paths leading upward to Kether, THE FOOL, THE MAGUS, AND THE PRIESTESS, must be approached with a certain understanding of whimsy, as we realize that by crossing the Abyss and approaching Kether (As above, so below) means the total annihilation of Ego Self as we perceive it. Thus presenting us with the irony of our attempt to grasp such esoteric and refined principles from an earthly-mundane perspective. Often, when teaching the Major Arcana and knowing what I speak, cannot truly convey what I am saying, brings a smile, if not outright laughter to my face. To me, the subjective I AM- potential is ironically displayed as a limited conception—a Me. Being a Me must never be taken too seriously, for that concept will change daily, when one enters the Higher Self, and becomes a master of subjectivity and/or fount of knowledge.

To reiterate, THE FOOL- 0, is the initial potential for thought, transcending all reason. Thus objectifying the Upper Regions, the Supernal Triangle is a futile endeavor. However, once we recognize the impossibility of ego-consciously approaching the Highest Levels of the Tree of Life, i.e. The Universe, in a direct manner, we are forcibly driven into the key Principles of the Mysteries/Metaphysics of as Above, So Below. For it is the Knowing of the Divine Creative that Creates not the belief systems of dogma and indoctrination. The 0 knows itself as in-form-action.

Upon observation of the Tree of Life, we begin seeing that the Below is a mirror reflection of the Above the Divine Spirit is all we know, we breathe it, we live within it, it is ourselves. Because we know this Divinity to be "the One Energy that cannot be created nor destroyed, only transformed" (1^st law of Thermodynamics), we know that everything is of this One, as symbolized by THE FOOL, the Tarot image of the Path of Aleph.

THE FOOL, represents the fertile Nothingness and egg of Spirit. The universal Egg of Spirit is known, by Qabalists, to be the EGG OF AKASHA, THE Fool is also the mathematical formula of minus one Male, minus one female= 0. Therefore, the understanding is that the Egg of Akasha, is a fertilized ovum of undefined sexuality, but having the potential for both; 0=2!

THE FOOL, is the very expression of the god name of Kether, Eheieh, which means I will be. This is the essence of the Divine Child (Soul) as yet unborn, who is all potential and who is our very beginning!

"The dead are reborn and lie in the belly of the conscience."

Austin Osman Spare

The Santa Muerte Tarot, is the concept and artwork of Fabio Listrani a digital artist, author and graphic designer of world fame. His fame comes from a great amount of productions of illustration; of comic books, illustrations for novels, artwork for musical groups, concept art, "T" shirt designs, poster art and Tarot. In 2014 he created the "Night Sun Tarot". His awards and notoriety go on and on, and not necessary to list here. The Santa Muerte Tarot speaks for itself as it celebrates and honors life.  

The Santa Muerte Tarot-0-The Fool, illustrates the immortal foundation of Life as the Skeleton. The Skeleton can be seen as the internal structure of life itself. When a new project begins or ends, the Fool brings forth a great flood of energy (the Sunlight) which excites within the individual a feeling of lightness and novelty. Stepping out of the grave, can be seen as rode going towards or away from something; a liberation or escape from the past. Such a road is never dark, as it is illuminated by perspicacity and intuition.

The Fool is shown carrying a baggage of things that are loved (heart) but also represent chaos, impulsiveness, indecision that can all lead to irrational choices, incoherence or the flightlyness of a butterfly. The Butterfly being shown on the card, can also illustrate a new soul, for it is traditional to show rebirthed souls as butterflies as they transform from worm to a flying beauty. The art is a wonderful interpretation of the Mexican celebration of the "Day of the Dead"/Dia de Muertos. This celebration is created from the understanding of death as an inevitable part of Life, not an end of it. Death is how life evolves itself. Life is the I Am telling itself a story. I AM the Story that is Eli, what are you? Above all things, know yourself.

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This article is about the Mexican holiday. For other uses, see Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de Muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, in particular the Central and South regions, and by people of Mexican heritage elsewhere. The multi-day holiday involves family and friends gathering to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and helping support their spiritual journey. In Mexican culture, death is viewed as a natural part of the human cycle. Mexicans view it not as a day of sadness but as a day of celebration because their loved ones awaken and celebrate with them.^[1]

When THE FOOL card is thrown of both the Thoth Tarot and the Santa Muerte Tarot-during a reading the querent is in or experiencing:

•  A state of ecstasy and/or a state of Peak experience.
• Fearlessness. Courage.  And is completing all motion by Faith, absolutely trusting THE SPIRIT within.
•  A feeling of being protected, and that everything will work out.
• Being open to what the future brings!
• Magic, amazement and desire in a relationship.
• Positive dissolution of structures and constraints. 
• Selfless idealism.
• Boundless fantasy. 
• Cosmic sensibility.
•  

If ill-defined by accompanying cards;

•  The Fool, is then the harbinger of folly, mania, extravagance and even negligence.
• Negative dissolution of structures and compulsions.
• Vagueness of goals.
• Daydreaming.
• Infantilism.
• Irresponsibility.

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