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Above all things, know thyself!

#8. I look forward with confidence to the perfect realization of the eternal splendor of the limitless light.

The 8 of Swords-Interference, is in the 8th Sephira -Hod on the Qabalistic Tree of Life, which is called Splendor. Splendor signifies lack of persistence in intellectual and matters of contest. Splendor, is cosmetic and has little depth of character. However, astrologically this card is Jupiter in Gemini, thus good fortune may have attended even weakened efforts. However, Gemini has its own contest, which is constantly interfering with the Will. "The will is constantly thwarted by accidental interference."[Crowley-Book of Thoth, pg., 207]. THE 8 OF SWORDS- Interference, is also called The Lord of Shortened Force. As stated, this card is attributed to Jupiter in Gemini, and Jupiter's natural expansiveness is in determent in Gemini, as the duality of Gemini affects Jupiter's positive energy scattering half one way and half the other.

Here, Hod is in Yetzirah, the Astral World. The angels of the Decan are, Vemibael and Yehohel.

This lack of focus, requires us to add correctional software to our brain's programing; one such correctional software package, is the study of the Western Hermetic Qabalistic Tarot- where "above all things, know thyself" is the foundational focus of the I AM. Rather than, "thyself is made by the acquiring of more things and titles"... which only produces impoverished thoughts based on " I don't have so I must acquire..." (In the study of Yoga, the Sanskrit word for this impoverished thinking is Neti-Neti, which means “not this-not that”.) The solution to this mental fuzz, is focusing on one thing at a time and to stop seeking happiness as if the accumulation of things or worded accolades will cure this identity dysfunction. This may sound easy, but requires intense sensual intimacy in Spirit-Mind-Body and/or love of being yourself, without the splendor of words, while also being in love with what you are doing. After all, happiness is an inner-self and outer-self harmony and not a dependency on the clutter and/or accumulation of, people, places, things and titles.

Because of Gemini's desire to go one way and than the other, the benevolent forces of Jupiter are shortened and scattered, becoming erratic and unstable. This is indeed an interference when trying to focus one's consciousness on a goal. Yes, it can be an intense and positive beginning, as the forces of Jupiter are most fortunate but it soon loses momentum in misdirection. Crowley/Harris illustrates this in the 8 of Swords, as 2 strong and long main swords, (unconscious and waking consciousness) being crossed (as in Crossed-up) by 6 short swords of different designs (scattered thoughts). The shorter swords also imply, shortened force, narrowness and restriction. There is a definite lack of persistence in intellectual matters and of contest.

As stated, Jupiter's natural good fortune still attends even the weakest of efforts, yet the will is constantly thwarted by accidental interference from the subconscious. One must learn patience and persistence to thwart the influence of this interference, which is mostly caused by one's reaction to the outside environment and words. Expectations are also an interference to clear vision, especially when they are not met. Spirit is action and while the brain/body is reaction. Hence Spirit's fiery association with Will and focused meditation are known functions that ignore interference and clarify the self-consciousness. When will is exercised over ego, and applied with focused meditation (or Skrying Tarot Cards) , spirit brings with it a certain perspicacity unknown to the brain that is clear-seeing and active in changing and more often than not, ignoring environmental influences especially the interference called "peer pressure" .

The Thoth 8 of Swords, does not show us much patience or persistence. If its influence is to be overcome, one must develop the positive traits of will and focus . Otherwise, everything in one's environment will severely interfere with one's motion as we spend so much time overthinking everything, we just "spin our wheels" in the mental- mud of our own making.

The Spiral Tarot- Eight of Swords, displays this interference image as a woman bound by a spiral ribbon, blindfolded and encased in an eight swords fence. The feelings of helplessness, capriciousness, limitations, a stressful path to your goals, or being driven into a dead-end are paramount here. There is also a warning of unforeseen circumstances that are coming that you can't avoid, such as an incoming tide on the mud flats where one is stuck in a rut of overthinking, and hence, not taking action. This card illustrates a blinded and restricted state of consciousness. The art work is that of more traditional Tarot, such as Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot.

The 8 of Swords also implies:

•  A certain amount of fear of change, of moving out of a binding or restricting situation.
• The Positive side of this is that change, no matter how resisted, will soon come anyway. 
• The Good Fortune of Jupiter, will show up. 
• Stop wasting time and proceed with change, your scattered efforts to stop it, only interfere with your wholesome transition.
• Experiencing confusion, and a feeling of being trapped, isolated by oppressive ideas. 
• Feeling trapped or ashamed, are the beginnings of recognizing the need for change, and moving on ward with your life.
• The mental dissolution or loss of faith in situations or ideas, is a sure sign one sees progress beyond the old way of thinking.
•  For 8 weeks 8 months or since they were 8 years old, narrow and restrictive thought.
• Shortened Force and petty thinking.
• Too much force applied to small things, too much attention to detail, at expense of principal and/or more important points of thought.
• There is a tenancy to admire wisdom, yet applies it to small and unworthy objects. 
• The querent may experience great ease in some things, counterbalanced by equal disorder in others and is often impulsive.
• There is a fondness of giving or receiving money, or presents promoting a generosity without a strong feeling of affection.

When ill-dignified by the accompanying cards, the above qualities produce:

• Malice, pettiness, and domineering qualities.
• Confusion. 
• Mental blocks. 
• Rigid thinking. 
• Avoiding responsibility.

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