Philosophy, Spirituality, and Mysticism
The Emperor Ruled by Aries, which is ruled by the planet Mars, exalted in the Sun. Keywords: authority, reason, logic, masculinity, foundation, stability, leadership The emperor represents the authority of the Father figure, the masculine ruler, the rational principle. Where the Empress is connected to the Earth, the Emperor is connected to the civilized world … Read more
I had this thought a while ago that the “Pillar of Mercy” could be better seen as the feminine column and the “Pillar of Severity” could be better seen as the masculine column. First of all, the concept of “mercy” is more feminine than “severity.” The traditional interpretation, Chokmah is in Sephira 2 because in … Read more
The High Priestess Keywords: initiation, divination, lunar, manifestation, actualization, feminine, divine, witchcraft, mystic, Represents the Moon Associated with: Persephone, Demeter, Isis, Artemis, The Virgin Mary Rider-Waite-Smith The RWS High Priestess wears the crown the Isis, a symbol of the moon, which suggests the triplicity of the moon phases; this symbolism has long been associated with … Read more
Justice Libra, exalted in Saturn Ruled by Venus Cardinal Air Keywords: fairness, balance, justice, righteousness, equity, legality, equilibrium, karma, grace, seeing both sides, harmony Rider-Waite-Smith In the RWS, we see Lady Justice sitting upon a throne wearing green and red robes. In her Right hand is a sword and in her left is a set … Read more
The Wheel of Fortune Ruled by Jupiter Element: Fire Keywords: fate, destiny, change, cycles of life & death, turning point, serendipity, possibility Related concept: Dharmic Wheel of Buddhism Rider-Waite-Smith In the Waite-Smith Wheel of Fortune we see a karmic wheel rotating, upon which we see the creatures of the Sphinx, Typhon (as a snake), and … Read more
The Magician Other associations: Hermes, The Messenger of the Gods, the Word, Logos Represented by Mercury Keywords: manifestation, will, determination, transmission through action, creation, ideation, conduit Kether, The Crown, ruled by Pluto, the card which is spirit territorializing matter. Rider-Waite-Smith The Magician is the one who makes things happen through sheer force of Will in … Read more