The Tarot of Eli, LLC:The Starman Tarot- Temperance & The Thoth Tarot- ATU 14-Art

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I am astonished by the beauty of life in all its facets.

In many other traditional Tarot Decks, key 14 is called Temperance, which implies the heating and cooling of forged steel to make a keen, flexible blade or the slow cooling down process of tempering glass. And in a way, this process is the Thoth Tarot-ATU 14- Art Card’s 24th Path of Samekh (meaning -Prop), as it is attributed to the restriction and control over the forces of existence. The Temperance card is about balancing the many "colors" (frequencies of light) of our personality, it is about healing, self-care and self-knowledge. It is about moderation and rest and repair after the storm.

When one acknowledges all colors of themselves, they become whole. We all are of the electromagnetic spectrum. Light is what we are made of. In mater of fact, we are the evolution of Light and data understood, which becomes form. We are "Understood" by the Creatrix/Unconscious Mind and form into a lucid state called "self-consciousness". A soul, who is a collective of experience, forms many frequencies/colors into a personality, which is to be a harmony and never the discord that we usually become due to outside influences of environment and indoctrination. When we cease the struggle of conflicting identities and arguing with reality we achieve a peaceful harmony. Wholeness is that harmony; A harmony of Spirit, Mind and Body.

David De Angelis and Esther De Angelis present a light being, of androgynous nature, delicate and fleeting, frozen and suspended in a moment of time. Here, energy and form are rising and falling captured in mid-flight by two female figures holding a delicate balance. Upon its head is a caduceus around a tree of life like imagery. As the two female figures hold this light being in a precarious balance , so do the twin serpents of the Ida and Pingala, hold our Will to Force and Will to Form in a delicate balance. If we sway one way or the other, we begin to disappear. For but a moment, everything is within balance, the exquisite is revealed, then it disappears, as we fail to hold that balance in this world of material illusion and worded identity. Meditations, reveal this to us, and many flee the man-made world to stay in that exquisite, delicate balance of harmony, seeking only the meditative state; a state of temperance. However, true mastery of Self-Knowledge, comes to those who walk in the world of man, contributing to the dream, while also, holding within, that delicate balance of colors that is the I AM. Hence, the Starman card is displaying powerful Kirlian photography like artwork, showing the colored electric- coronal discharges hinting at the proposition of Energy Auras that surround all living beings. Along with these electrical discharges are displayed sacred geometry, and alien calligraphy and/or "light language".

The fact that our personalities can collapse upon themselves, by the slightest imbalance of frequencies reminds us that we are made of colored light -frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum and are here today and quickly gone tomorrow. In harmony we hold time-space in equilibrium. In discord time-space become confused and from falls away. To those who hold balance with their demons and angel frequencies of I Am, health, temperance, and self-knowledge all form a symphony of exquisite vibration that is called Samahdi, in Sanskrit. For I am the lowest and the highest frequencies, all intertwine in a dance of motion, held to a point in time. I live in the eternal now, not yesterday, nor tomorrow, but now. We unbalance that dance, when we live only yesterday's emotions today. We also unbalance that delicate dance of I AM, when we live only in the hoped for phantoms of a future, for then we haven't even become yet. Temperance, comes from balancing yesterdays sorrows, with the joy of the moment. Temperance than is an achievement of integrating hard won lessons, fearlessly, producing a lovely degree of maturity and wisdom. We are the tempering of Demon and Angel, in a harmonic dance that Crowley called the marriage of the Prince beast of earth and the Princesses of the Divine Creative. Hence, demon and angel, married in a delicate balance of synchronization. I like to call it the marriage of the Sun and the Planet, for our Souls are Suns/Sons of the Divine Creative and the Princess are the angels who rule their element. In temperance, one is releasing the past and stepping deliberately forward into the now, aware of the dance of the opposites, pleasure and pain, joy and sorrow, the dark and the light, time-space, that dance with the Divine.

Now is the time to talk love to your body. For you are electric flashes of energy that spark the synopsis of the brain, held together in a delicate magnetic field of the etheric aura body. You are energy, and a flow of understood data, called "Mind". You are the Mind, the personality of the Soul, and the body is your most beloved . Therefore, you give it life. You may have forgotten this, as you search frantically for validation in a profaned world. You exist, hence, you are valid. Compassion starts within, as you must love your form, and stop, give it peace and reward it for the intimacy it has given you with time-space. For it will soon disappear. Love begins within the heart, not outside of it. I Am Love, is a good start into knowing thyself.

Master Theron, however, in his book 777, made this comment on the letter Samekh-The Art Card: It is "The Womb preserving Life. Self-control and Self-sacrifice govern the Wheel."

Leading from Yesod (foundation) to Tiphareth (beauty), the Path of Samekh is as from Moon (Self-reflection) to Sun (Solar Psyche-Source), from Personality to the Higher Self.

On this very difficult Qabalistic Path of Samekh, the very enormity of the Great Work (As above, so below) will be experienced. On this inner path, the initiate may experience going through a long dark tunnel, believing (not knowing) there is Light at the end of it. This Path of Samekh, The Art card, is one of the 3 cards that have been called the Path of "the dark night of the Soul", verifying that this is a Path of trial, tempering and temptation. Alchemy, is called "the Art", and here is a card representing the Alchemical Art of combining opposites. Combining water and fire, is considered the most difficult practice of the Art.

The Path of Samekh, The Art Tarot Card, is the Intelligence of Probation, as Dr. Paul Foster Case-founder of B.O.T.A.- labels it in his text, THIRTY-TWO PATHS OF WISDOM. In various Gnostic texts, it is also called, "Daughter of the Reconcilers, the Bringer Forth of Life." All of these phrases lead us right to the very idea behind this card; The Great Mother Binah-Understanding. Thus, the central figure on the Thoth Card is an Androgynous figure of Chokmah and Binah and/or wisdom and understanding, in that order.

Also, for you astrology buffs, the ruling sign of the Path of Samekh, is Sagittarius, the Archer, who is also Diana the Huntress, goddess of the Moon. All of which repeats the principle that with the exception of the FOOL (0), all the figures of the Tarot are the Fool as Mother Binah (Understanding) and Father Chokma (Wisdom) in different states of Force and Form which is why Crowley's figure is the androgynous combination of the Chokmah-Binah, the force and form paradigm.

Another helpful reference book, VOICE OF ISIS- by Hariette and Homer Curtis describes the Universal Mother ("The Womb with a View") as the "power of bringing forth in humanity the Divine Child or the Christ." This bearing of the Child is the Soul, reborn and achieved by conquering the Path of Samekh or The Art. We are not only to be Moons, reflections of a soul personality, but also the Solar Personality, that is the Divine Child/Psyche.

Now don't misunderstand, the Art card demonstrates how the experience of rebirth is brought about, which is to say, through the exchange and equilibrium of opposites which can only be symbolically described, but does not demonstrate the birth itself. Thus, the symbolism here is not to demonstrate a "deep Mystery", rather this symbolism demonstrates how limited and inadequate is our language to describe the process and ourselves. That is why the Qabalistic Tarot Reader, is not one who thinks that by memorizing descriptions and numbers of the cards they are a Tarot Reader. Rather, it is by skrying, and subjectively "walking the Paths", turning subjective into objective sensation. the process of actual experience, both inner and outter ....one begins to Understand the Tarot.

The Art Card, seems a complicate set of images; However, it is not nearly so symbolic as some believe. The Art Card symbolizes the Alchemical Art where Fire becomes Water and Water becomes Fire (...."When the male is no longer male and the female, female.”: Gnostic Gospel of Thomas). This process is describing an actual event/process that happens in the initiates material body, i.e. an actual physical transformation. Thus, we have illustrated in the Thoth Tarot-Art card is an Androgynous figure, combining the Water (consciousness) with Lightning (Fiery Spirit) creating in the Golden Cistern (the Human body) what is known as the Living Water and/or consciousness vivified by merging with Fiery Spirit. By bringing Spirit into the body, Spirit’s fiery nature not only tempers the consciousness, one also tempers the Spirit with consciousness, thus forming "something more than the sum of its parts"; a union of Master and Masterpiece! Spirit's identity if found in Love. Bring love into the body, by loving that beautiful creature, who gives you who are electric energy, sensation,i.e., intimacy with creation/Self.

We know the golden cistern to be the human body, because of the kaput sigil of the Raven and Skull engraved on it. This symbolizes death, while the fire water combination implies life.

This alchemical process is often described, by Qabalists, as a personal application of the Yod (fire) and Heh (water) uniting in the body to produce Vau (Air) within the individual crucible of form which is Heh-final and Earth. This is described as a "Spiritual Orgasm" or "The Ecstasy" which is a process demanding inner manipulation of sexual forces (He-She-Kundalini) and is shown as a golden energy (in the shape of a stylized arrow) firing upward and across the shoulders of the Divine figure in the Art Card or as the Caduceus and serpents on the Starman Tarot's Androgyny.

Even the often flesh-o-phobic Christian iconography, has accepted this Spiritual Orgasm. For instance, the ecstasy of the 16th century mystic, Saint Theresa which was described as having an angel thrust a flaming arrow into her heart. Here then, the unconscious and consciousness became lovers.

The symbolical of the piecing arrow that brings ecstatic enlightenment is actually an archetypal, and mufti-cultural accepted description of a real process of physiological transformation! What happens is a rhythmic, pleasuring motion of inner energy, and ebb and flow that is confined (shown as the figure eight associate with the Magus) in very specific perimeters (oval or womb shaped) but which is taken in either direction at will. The Magus, knows that by changing the vibration of inner energy, one raises or lowers the level of consciousness, moving from Chakra to Chakra or Path to Path. Simply stated: The Kundalini (sexual energy) acting upon consciousness produces astral images, the pictures that form our self-identities in our minds.

At first, many students find the symbolism of the Major Arcana complicated; However, the principle of the Path of Samekh or Art or Temperance, is to produce a consciously controlled vision that is limited by will. The purpose of Hermetic Qabalistic, and Gnostic symbols is to furnish descriptions that most anyone can relate to. They are not remote or really complicated, if you focus on one at a time. In fact, most of the symbolic language of the Mysteries, has been superseded by the language of Carl Jung and other psychologists. To Carl Jung, this ability to consciously control Visions, would be called "lucid dreaming", which is known to help the individual correct personality disorders.

Robert Wang goes on to explain, in his text book: THE QABALISTIC TAROT," It should be added that the Metals described in Alchemical literature are the same as the Seven Chakras of the Hindus, the Seven Planets and the Sephiroth of the Microprosopus [lower seven on the Tree of Life.]. These words have been used as codes over the centuries, meaning seven distinct levels of objective consciousness. Thus when one speaks of a Planet ruling a sign of the Zodiac, what is meant in the relationship of a Sign to a given center of energy both in the Greater Universe and in the Human body." (the brackets are my own explanation).

The Art of awakening these Paths in the Human Body, is the Qabalistic initiates goal. "To Know Thyself" is to know the "As above and so below" nature of our Whole Self; "Knowing" is the act of union, as in the biblical "he knew her".

As stated: The Art-Temperance Card, is the sign of Sagittarius, which is ruled by the planet Jupiter, meaning the Sephiroth- Chokmah (Wisdom). Here, we should remember that "Lower Chokmah" is Chessed, the architect of all manifestation, working with the "will to form “and/or "potential to form" of Binah (Understanding).

As explained before, Art- Temperance Key 14- The Path of Samekh, is an actual physical process, and an arcane knowledge for centuries of Gnostic, Mystics, Tantrics, Alchemists, and Qabalists. And is a willed process of directing the communion or interchange of opposite energies, as shown, on the Starman Tarot Card as a man and woman image in the hands of the Androgynous Light Being and more alchemical in the Thoth Art card as the Male and Female hermaphrodite, along with the lightning and water combination above the Golden Cistern. Also stated: On the Thoth Art Card, the Cistern is also adorned with the Raven and Skull symbol of annihilation or death, as hermetic marriage is a type of annihilation, as 2 are melded together as One. This is easily seen in the union of colors, as Red combined with Blue, annihilates both, to become Purple.

The beginning of the process of communion is begun by the Higher Self-; a process which is instituted in the Sephiroth Chesed, the most refined, point of Microprosopus (microcosm), to which the Higher Self is central. Chesed is the enacting force (phallus) of the Great Mother Binah's process of” will to form"(womb). Until the initiate accomplices this process of the Path of Samekh, the Higher Self (Shown as an androgynous figure on the Thoth card) cannot be known to the personality. Thus, the Art of "Spiritual Alchemy" describes this Card and the whole process as a preparation of the Personality, and its physical vehicle, to deal with the Solar/Spiritual Forces (influx of Light) which would devastate a "normal" system. This is an ongoing process of measuring and testing, instigated by the Higher Self, to see how much the physical body can bear. When properly tempered, the body can handle the stress of such energy, the arrow is released. (Kundalini rises). Once contacted on the Path of Samekh, the Higher Self will regulate the flow, so the individual isn't harmed. A great jolt of energy, will tell the individual to "back off', and relax, as will a feeling of being unbalanced and/or ill. Because this is a Passion so overwhelming, it is often described as Divine Anger, which is apt if we realize that anger is for self-motivation; to get off of one's butt and do something. It could be said that Divine Anger is the motivation for Sagittarius to launch his arrow.

Around the Thoth- Androgynous figure are the Latin words, "Visita Interiora Terrae Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem", when translated into English, means:" Visit the interior parts of the earth; by rectification thou shalt find the hidden stone". The "Philosophers Stone", being the ultimate achievement of alchemy/temperance.

All in all, the Art Card -ATU 14, is the consummation of the Divine Marriage, depicted on the Lovers Card Key 6, here the Orgasm of Spirit has been reached. There is a perfect interchange of forces, as the Red Lion has become white, and the White lion has become Red. The Art card shows Water being poured on Fire, and Fire is merged with Water, all within the purified physical vehicle, shown as the Golden Cauldron, i.e. the Master's body. Get and read the Text Book, The Qabalistic Tarot by Robert Wang and the Book of Thoth by Aliester Crowley for further explanation of this coded process.

When the Art or Temperance card is thrown during a reading, the querent is experiencing or will soon experience:

• A combination of forces effecting realization and action.
• A blending of all circumstances in order to achieve balance.
• Trials and tribulations that lead to the "middle path", arriving at a profound realization.
• The reunification of that which has been dissolved on a new level. 
• The proper measure (proportionality and harmony).
• Love longs for fusion. 
• The union of the anima and animus, as the unconscious of the female becomes male and the unconscious of the male becomes female. 

• Excess-tenancy towards extremes.
• Dissipation.
• Conflicts.

Thank you for your interest, comments and supportive donation. May you live long and prosper.