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Thoth-atu 21-the universe
The universe resounds with the joyful cry I AM.
-Scriabin
The proper study of the Paths (Major Arcana cards) is the ascending of Understanding up the Tree of Life, as we are "below" and need to remember the realms of Pure Spirit/Willed Energy "above". We travel these inner paths of the Psyche not only with meditations, scrying, and rituals, but also the experiences on Earth assist us in our goals of a more refined understanding of Universal patterns and how we connect the "Above and Below" of intelligence. Such as a microscope helps the biologist in a more refined understanding of cell- structure and bacteria, the microcosm of Earth manifestation, with its crystalline lenses and mirror reflected light, (the "I sight" of our senses), helps us see deeply into the microcosm and/or the Lesser self, so that we better understand the macrocosm and/or the Greater Self.
As long as our Divine Consciousness is functioning though a physical vehicle, this is where our serious esoteric work begins and ends for intimacy with creation, teaches us the workings of the Divine Creative.
The Path of Tau-Key 21-The Universe (The World in traditional decks), joins the crystallized world of earth, 10th Sephiroth-Malkuth-Meaning Kingdom, with the 9th Sephiroth Yesod -meaning Foundation. It is the first journey out of the material condition that leads us to a greater understanding between the difference of Lesser ego and the Greater ego/personality that was designed by the Higher Self (Tiphareth) for each incarnation, before our man-made personality enslaved our "I's", thereby blinding us to our divinity.
Dr.Paul Foster Case, who wrote the scholarly text, The Thirty Two Paths to Wisdom (the number Thirty Two is the sum of the Paths and the Sephiroth) calls the Path of Tau (The Universe card) the “Administrative Intelligence" because it "directs and associates in all seven planets." The "seven planets" he is referring to are the Microprosopus-Hexagram pattern of the seven planets on the Tree of Life.
The understanding of the Path of Tau (meaning cross), from Malkuth to Yesod, is rooted on the fact that all is Mind. I know that as we are all body oriented, we think that the Mind's realm of ideas, dreams, or thoughts, are somehow divorced from the physical as we have a dual concept of ourselves as a body and mind. The Qabalah teaches that all is Mind (as does the Tao) and yes, the body is "crystallized mental thoughts of self" and/or Self-information: but Mind just the same! Taking this a step further, all is Spirit (Will) and the body is "Crystallized Spirit". In the Mysteries, the distinction of Spirit, Mind and Body is one of perception (brought on by senses), not an actuality.
The pictures we see when we close our eyes, are a more refined form of matter, the images and energy forms which are closest to the physical condition. The concept of the 9th Sephiroth- Yesod (Foundation) is based on the understanding that most of the Universe is unseen, in fact, our bodies are composed of the electromagnetic spectrum and seem solid, yet they are 96 % invisible. This estimation comes from the fact that invisible Dark Energy comprises 26% of the matter Universe, and invisible Dark Matter comprises 70% of our known Universe. That means, that most of us are judging the Kingdom of the Divine Creative, the Earth and our flesh, with less than 4% of our minds, via sensuality and a Patriarchy made ego! Since Malkuth is the only physically sensual kingdom, we must travel the Path of Tau to experience the "Seven Palaces of Assiah"(Seven planets), as represented by the seven pointed star on the Star Card Key 20.
The Universe card is the key to individuality, totality, and wholeness. To those of Eastern culture, this is the image of Shiva; to the Christian, this is the image of the Virgin Mary with her foot on the head of the world serpent (the spiral frequencies of life and death).
Regardless of culturalinterpretation this card symbolizes the Divine Androgen that is both dynamic and magnetic in a perfectly balanced dance (life motion) of I Am.
Before I go on with further explanation of the Universe- Key-21, it would be appropriate here to tell you how to mentally "Walk" the Path of Tau. This mental walk, is often called Skrying/Scrying. Skrying, is simple really, all one has to do is focus on a card, that is reflected in a *dark mirror, relaxed and allowing impressions to enter their brain, and/ or even imagine themselves entering the reflection. This is somewhat like lucid dreaming, where you enter the dream and control the events. Here, one is projecting themselves into an inner vision by the use of a "day dream", projecting oneself into the Reflected Vision of the Card. Some may breathe deep and easy, relaxed in body, and focus their eyes on a particular image on the card and/or mentally project themselves into the Key Vision. Others, as do I, like traveling into a tunnel, imagine themselves entering the Visions, as the card grows ever bigger until entry. At first, maybe boredom takes over, but soon the diligent student discovers that what they experience in this lucid skrying-dream, is not of their own making. They often are astonished at the vitality, energy and spontaneous images that these Tarot "mandalas" invoke.
*Making a dark mirror is as simple as going down to a Good Will store and purchasing a inexpensive used table mirror, then removing it from its frame and painting the back of the mirror black. Reinstall the mirror and stand it up on a table/altar with a lit candle on each side to properly light the reflected card that is placed in front of it. You'll have to engineer a stand for your cards.
In the Forces of Tau, is the Knowledge, the data, of all the accumulated ideas that went into the making of our world. There is much to experience and remember here discernment is recommended as we journey back into our Divine inheritance. We must educate our "I's" in order to perceive yourself-trinity of "I AM Me". The Path of Tau begins the process of knowing ourselves as we have been known into existence; an existence so dutifully produced by our Divine Parent’s Lucid Dream of I AM. In fact, if the student of Tarot/Qabalah, doesn't skry these cards, they may as well be a deck of playing cards or be a charlatan that preys on superstitious minds for monetary gain rather than a oracle that aids others in understanding their Divinty.
From the standpoint of Gnosis (knowledge), the Universe-ATU/ Key 21, may be the most important card in the deck, as it is the beginning of our journey back to Spiritual Awareness: the inner journey so important to "enlightenment" and/or I AM. On this Path of Tau, we experience our own personal ego/self- consciousness, which is of our own making, a reality that can be both frightening and gratifying. Yes, we make our own reality and the Universe card helps us to travel beyond the self-absorbed reality of our personalities, into the Higher Self reality that created our consciousness in "The Beginning". Freedom of Choice defines our "End" by the composite pattern of perspectives that often form our personalities. It is through self-identity, that we form perspective.
Between the Hebrew letters of Aleph and Tau, is the entire Universe, the Alpha and the Omega and we must journey upwards from our Spirit's (energy) "ending" manifestation, into the Beginning....for they who know their end, know their beginning! Thus, the Path of Tau-The Universe, is a Path that can only be successfully traveled by those who begin the process of bringing their Personalities into a self-understanding balance which begins by knowing it is not yourself, but an artificial self-program that is needed to operate the avatar that is the homo sapiens sapiens . Of personalities, we have many, each represented by the Sephiroth on the Tree of Life and for the sake of Knowing Thyself, they must be viewed at first, independently, and later as a wholeness. Remember, Persona is a Greek word for "mask". And that every Sephiroth is a "mask" worn by the Original I AM.
This may also astound the student, but it is on the Path of Tau (The Universe Card), that one discovers the extent to which the process of inner exploration is assisted by the guidance of the "Angels", particularity one's own "Holy Guardian Angel". The Family of Spirit/I AM, is vast and many, and of that family, we stand as the inheritors, the Children of the Divine Couple. It may surprise you, especially since the Pavlovian indoctrination of your brain/personality has defined you deficient, that to the whole of the Universe you are most precious! The purpose of Tarot is to help you see, as you are seen by your Creator and wonder of wonders, you are not condemned but Loved without condition! For in the Universe of Spirit-Mind and Matter, information, becomes in-form-action and since the I AM is the Whole of the Universe, all image is "self-image". Hence, you are the in-form-action of Spirit-Mind-Body.
One of the most important lessons of the Universe card, is that of Discernment, a process that can only be learned in the earthly realm of Malkuth. This gateway to the Astral light of foundation, is the Path of Tau, and the Astral/unconscious is the place of “Fluid thoughts", ideas, dreams, before they crystallize into manifestation. It is as if light were liquid, as if the mirror of your mind is not yet solidified, to reflect you in crystalline light. Rather it is mercurial, silvery and reflective by not yet solid. There is deception in the Astral, fantasies, and phantoms that may never make it into manifestation, and some you never want to, so be discerning. However, only through divination can we enter the "Administrative Intelligence" balance; a discerning thought, that is shown on the Universe Card by depicting the Dancing Woman. with Python, draped with the Caph-shaped scarf while being surrounded by the animal symbols of the Four Elements of Alchemy. The Python symbolizes the "first husband" (Greek) which is the first "information of Self" and/or Spiral Frequency.
If you have been keeping up with my blog , you may know that the Universe Card is a multidimensional understanding of the Cosmic Mind. After much study, one may grasp the principle that the entire Tree of Life, which is taught through the Path of Tau-The Universe, is the most profound concept of "As above, so below". To a sensual body, this means "up and down", to the Infinite, this just means "higher vibration" and "lower vibration", a normal occurrence as energy condenses to greater and greater crystallization unto matter. Of course, energy frequency, ideas and Mind are insuperable, just as electricity and data in your computer are inseparable. Thus another axiom is attributed to the Tree, "The Know is in the Flow". That is why, when we mentally journey a Path, we often practice a "breathing exercise" and/or pranayama, that aids us in gathering energy, for we gather knowledge at the same time we encounter higher mental frequency. Diligently skrying is more than just a moment of silent contemplation, it is also a gathering of information.
I have often discussed the "Will-To-Form” of the Great Mother Binah (3rd Sephiroth on the Tree of Life) who is the Life Conscious and which is Saturn in the exalted Supernal Realm of Atziluth. She is completely expressed on the Path of Tau, ATU/Key 21-The Universe. The female figure of the " Cosmic Dancer" of the Universe, is the fullest expression of this Life Conscious and has been called Isis, the Anima Elohim, as well as, Saturn (Who long before, was once Juno) who gives life and destroys it and Great Mother Binah.
Thoth- atu 21-the Universe
The oval ring of Stars that surrounds the central female figure represents the Womb of the human female, as well as, the Cosmic Womb/Vesica Pisces, into which the soul passes after body death. We arise from our death surrounded in a ring of stars, on our way to the Great Mother. This "ring of stars" is the Auric Field, made of 7 Auric/Solar bodies and/or the union of the "7 Palaces of the Universe"and/or Photon light bodies of a etherial state condensing down to crystalized light state of I AM.
Life, with its beginning, middle, and end, processes in waves or spirals (Spirit is a Spiral flow of Will-to-be Energy and/or microwaves) which come back upon themselves. This circling back upon itself is often shown as a Great Serpent with its tail in its mouth. This is also the natural course of the Akashic Fluid (Astral Fluid) of Yesod where the Serpent Kundalini is coiled in its passive state, and uncoiled in its active state (around the lady from toe to head).
The Universe Card is also surrounded in the Great Dark Sea, a reference to the Great Mother Binah, who is the Sea of all consciousness (The Divine Universal Collective Unconscious) which on the Path of Tau, is consciousness in the most dense and difficult expression. Again, discrimination must be used when traveling the Akashi of Yesod, many who entered this Path, entertain themselves with extended fantasy and find themselves tormented by phantoms of their own making. The discerning traveler will supply every test of reason, and feeling. After a time of discernment, one will begin experiencing a process of learning, which is not of their own making. Verifying the images, by elaborate research definitely aids in this process.
- Sickle in hand this figure.state of intelligence cuts away limitations and restrictions while weaving them into a web to dance on.
- The regenerative diamondback serpent is representative of the need to transform before we can expand and liberate ourselves from the past self- imposed limits.
- The spiral hair symbolizes growth and evolution.
- The diamond halo is the symbol for expanded awareness, such as psychic abilities etc.
- The Greek pantheon, at the bottom represents the home of all the goddesses and gods. When our body becomes the temple of our divinity, such a pantheon are we.
- The four animals symbolize, earth (Taurus the bull), fire (Leo, the lion), and water (Scorpio, the bird): and air (Aquarius, the human face). This shows us that it is important to express ourselves, physically, (Taurus), spiritually (Leo), emotionally (Scorpio), and mentally (Aquarius).
- The grid that surrounds her, is the space-time matrix.
To some people, the Tarot is about prophecy and seeing into the future but to Qabalists, the Tarot is about developing psychic abilities (Divya Sidhis, in Sanskrit which means: Magic abilities). The more a reader uses the cards to find answers to given questions, the more that reader taps into the unseen currents of subtle energy/conscious.
Over time, as I will attest, the cards are almost a redundancy since they are only a degree apart, yet the answers are always deeply felt. But again, we think by association and the Tarot Cards help us correspond to the Divine 0 that equals 2.
The Path of Tau, is both power and servitude as ascribed to the Palace of Holiness that sustains all things. That Palace, being the associated seven planets and the Path of Tau that connects them to earth.
From the Qabalistic standpoint the 21-Universe Card may be the most important card in the deck for it is the point where we begin the process of inner exploration. It is on this Path that we encounter our own personal self-conscious, an ego/ personality that is all inside our heads divorced from physical reality.
The Path of Tau, is an initiation of the Personality into its own structure, which is the Microcosmic Universe of personal perspective (The All of the Universe is the Macrocosm). During this initiation we will also encounter symbols and ideas of a greater consciousness than our own and begin to see ways in which our being relates to a total universal picture.
This is a subjective Path which can only be successfully traveled by those who have begun to bring their Personalities into self-understanding balance; otherwise an out of balance personality will find itself tormented by phantoms of its own making and the Gates of understanding are closed to them. Those who have truly come to grips with personal Life Experience will find inner help and encouragement along the way. Sometimes, in every step of the way.
We must also understand that The Universe is a Path of Entry into the Astral aspect of Mind, which seeks to deceive, not because it is a liar, but because it is full of the images of the Cultural Souls/Group Souls of all races of mankind, including superstitious creations. As it is stated in the Sephur Yetzirah, "The gods are the creations of the created". Many people believe they are on one Path or another, when they are just entertaining themselves with a personal extended fantasy. We must apply every test of reason and feeling to the symbols we perceive on the Astral; we know it is not of our own making if we are actually learning from these symbols, by applying verification or corroboration through research. Again: Discernment is the most important lesson/virtue of Malkuth.
The Path of Tau, is the only one of the 32 paths of Wisdom that connects sensation to the rest of the tree. "As above, so below" is now established because we are the "images of God", we are intimacy that is feeling for all states of Greater Self-conscious! Sensation is the Energy Microscope that is needed for impeccable creation in the Microcosm. Discerning and Impeccability is necessary to expand and liberate the living from their own Phantoms of self-identity, i.e. fears of not being. However, even though the body is part of the 1% world of physical matter, it is 100% of all sensation. Thus, we are fooled into thinking the sensation is us... it is an artificial investigation into the I AM/SELF.
So to begin with psychic development, we must give our senses to the Universe----so meditate on 21-The Universe card and expand your self-awareness.
the tarot of druids- key 21
The Tarot of Druids, depicts a map of Ireland surrounded by totem animals.
The wild boar is a strong protector totem. Boar is deeply connected to Mother Earth and the mysteries of Nature. The Wild Boar has been the symbol of warriors for centuries. The Celts believed that the Boar, which they called Torc or Bacrie, was their ally in war and there are many Celtic myths surrounding this noble animal.
Rachel Patterson - Witch and Author: The Wild Boar Totem
The Ram has played an important role in the religion and mythology of many different eastern and western cultures. The first images of the Ram as symbol appears in Ancient Egypt, as god Amon was depicted with a ram's head. In the European symbolism (Anglo Saxon etc), especially the Celtic ones, it represents fertility and rebirth as does the Universe/World card of Tarot.
When this card is thrown, the querent is casting the circle which means they are mastering in some way the three planes of mind, body and emotions.
- End of a phase, a completion of some work and expanding toward another.
- It means synthesis, the matter itself, world and Kingdom.
- More than any other card, The Universe depends on the accompanying cards, as it usually denotes the subject of the question.
- Victorious undertaking.
- Success in love.
- Symbiosis of eros and spirituality.
- Conclusion of Karma.
- Resolution of constraints.
When ill defined by surrounding cards:
- The street to nowhere.
- Deceptive world of appearances.
- Endogenous depressions.
- Insurmountable obstacles.
- Defeat.
Thank you for your interest, comments and supportive donations. Your generosity blesses you. May you live long and prosper.
helping people become more magic and less tragic since 2010.
