The Magician * Tarot Key 1 * Hebrew Letter Beth

[KittyWampus]

Between Heaven and Earth
Self-Consciousness
Mercury


As above, so below

In the Fool, we have Super-Consciousness or the Universe without Limitation. We often live our lives with long lists of limitations on who we are, what we can accomplish and what our potential really is. Occult doctrine considers these limitations temporary. At some point each of us will take ourselves in hand and begin the process of rebuilding our Selves, our Bodies and our Environments.

A Magician is one who directs the forces of Nature thereby transforming his consciousness to reach the stage known as Initiation. How does one begin to transform ones consciousness?

The number 1 (geometrically symbolized as a point) means Concentration i.e. limiting of the field of activity. Until you have learned how to concentrate you cannot perform the Great Work. Studying Key 1 helps us learn to concentrate.

The roses of the arbor under which the Magician stands symbolize desire, and it has been wisely said that "desire is the motivation of evolution." When you wholeheartedly desire something, you are able to keep your Mind focused on it. Never disparage Desire- it's what motivates us and keeps our feet on the path.

Note the Magician's posture. He draws power from above and channels it toward the field below. This leads to a central point of occult doctrine- before using the subtler forces of nature you must realize that you do nothing of yourself, but simply act as a channel through which the Life-Force expresses itself.

The table is the Magician's "Field of Attention". The implements are the Wand, Cup, Sword and Pentacle. They represent Fire, Water, Air and Earth; also Will, Imagination, Action and Physical Embodiment.

The garden is the subconscious mind which is cultivated by the acts of attention of the self-conscious mind.

1. In Key 0, the Fool is looking upward to the top left. In Key 1, the Magician is pointing to the top left. Anyone have an idea where in the Tarot deck we can find out what this means symbolically?

2. Beth in Hebrew means House. How is our Self-Conscious Awareness like a House?

3. Beth refers to the Transparent Intelligence. How does this tie into what the Magician is doing?

[Me.]

1. Really Excellent

Are you going to go through the entire deck, over time?

[KittyWampus]

2. Hopefully, yes. We Did The Fool last week. Anyone is welcome to comment

question or critique! :)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=245&topic_id=12324&mesg_id=12324

[KittyWampus]

3. Transparent Intelligence. Like Water, Consciousness is Transparent

and takes on the color of it's container.

[wildhorses]

4. good analogy...