politics; an unwise rejection of all spiritual concerns.
81
The Mirror of the Moment
THE DEVIL
The Lord of the Gates of Matter
Capricorn
DESCRIPTION AND SYMBOLISM
The Devil which is the image of all the ignorance, death, suffering
and misery created by man rules over two naked near human
figures who are chained in bondage to the black alter of sensual
materialism. In their blindness these two prisoners do not perceive
that they alone are the creators of their own servitude and the
chains of false knowledge around their necks could be easily
removed through a true understanding of Nature. Confronting us in
this image is “The Devil”who appears as a bat winged creature
sprouting the horns of a goat sitting against a black background
and rather than invoking terror and fear like any authentic
embodiment of the pure essence of evil should appears rather
forlorn and somewhat pathetic as it squats on the black half cube
that serves as a throne.
82
The Mirror of the Moment
An inverted pentagram, a symbol of evil and black magic, floats
between its horns. In its left hand it holds an inverted torch
pointing downwards towards the material earth instead of upwards
towards the spiritual heights. The right hand is raised in an unholy
benediction and is inscribed with the symbol of black magic
projecting the falsehood that sensation comprises the whole truth
of reality and life has no spiritual dimension. Two near human
figures are seen chained to the black half cube throne. They sprout
“devil-like”horns and “animal like”tails and around their necks
hang chains affixed to a ring mounted on the alter suggesting a
state of captivity or enslavement; but if you look closely at their
circumstances the chains fit quite loosely around their necks and
could be quite easily removed. This suggests their servitude is
entirely voluntary in nature and they could easily cast off these
chains and become free of their bondage through an act of their
own free will.
MEDITATION
The energy of Capricorn informs the image of “The Devil”and
represents the materializing impulse of the will and the fruits of
material involvement: money, social status, power and pleasure. It
is the most material of all the earth signs of the Zodiac and thus its
association with “The Devil” in the Tarot.
The capricious
mountain goat is also associated with Capricorn and aptly
symbolizes the bondage of materiality and the slavery to sensation
that leads to a life devoid of inner awareness and a fate determined
by the blind and impersonal physical forces of the material
universe. The Devil invokes an atmosphere of enslavement to
sensuality, materialism or ignorance from which freedom can only
be attained through a sovereign act of free will.
INTUITIVE CLOUDS
When The Devil is revealed Upright in your reading, its
meaning(s) may correspond to: living in bondage to materialism; a
need to escape an unhealthy or abusive relationship; an unchecked
83
The Mirror of the Moment
desire for money or power; the misuse of power or position to
manipulate others; falling prey to unnatural sexual obsessions or
sexual temptations; coming under the sway of evil ideas; living
with a distorted perception of reality;
a
lack
of moral
consciousness in your business and personal affairs; living a life
based on self deception and selfishness; becoming dominated by
the blind pursuit of success; a life dominated by uncontrolled
ambition; being increasing influenced by the shadow side of your
personality; falling prey to the belief that money is everything;
pursuing an overly hedonistic lifestyle; selling your soul for
money.
When The Devil is revealed Reversed in your reading, its
meaning(s) may correspond to: a rejection of materialism;
overcoming pride and self interest; casting off the chains of your
own materialistic desires; confronting the harsh truth of the reality
of evil; shifting your focus away from your own self centered
needs; abandoning cynicism and reaffirming a will to live with
good intentions towards all; an advice that a dubious business deal
being offered you will bring evil in the long run; recognizing the
opportunity being presented to change your shadowy ways; no
longer keeping the good life for yourself and living at the expense
of others.
84
The Mirror of the Moment
THE TOWER
Lord of the Hosts of the Mighty
Mars
DESCRIPTION AND SYMBOLISM
A sudden and unexpected bolt of fiery creative energy shatters the
summit of a tall stone tower and violently hurls its occupants out
into the dark atmosphere surrounding it and sending them plunging
onto the jagged rocks below. The lightening bolt striking “The
Tower” is the creative growth energy of Mars overthrowing
erroneous ideas and values as well as the false belief there is any
true gain, purpose or security in the endless acquisition of power,
prestige or material things. Life for the two occupants of “The
Tower”could not have been better. They were literally “on the top
of the world”when suddenly, out of nowhere came a “bolt from
above” the tremendous Mars power of sudden change and
transformation which in an instant has caused their status quo to
85
The Mirror of the Moment
come crashing down, hurling them from their lofty position into
the darkness and the depths of psychic transformation. In
delivering its sudden influx of creative energy, the bolt from on
high breaks down existing ideas in order to make room for new
ones to emerge. There is a sudden glimpse of truth – the only thing
that can save them from total spiritual death - as they must now
choose either to accept the embrace of a higher level of
consciousness or perish on the jagged rocks of obsolete ideas
awaiting them below.
MEDITATION
The Tower invokes an atmosphere of sudden unexpected change
and the overthrow of stale ideas or of an existing status quo and the
forging of a new creative vision built upon the attainment of a
higher level of consciousness. Mars, in the context of The Tower,
represents the sentient life energy - the vital force - the Primal Will
that indwells within and animates Nature impelling and supporting
the eternal evolution of life. This sudden and unexpected blast of
energy shatters the tower of false ideas bringing about a great
upheaval that is the first step to spiritual awakening and
development. Informed by the power of Mars, “The Tower”
invokes an atmosphere of being struck by the lightning flash of
truth - the shattering of old ideas and the birth of new ones through
the fiery revelation of the Creative Spirit!
INTUITIVE CLOUDS
&nb
sp; When The Tower is revealed Upright in your reading, its
meaning(s) may correspond to: an unforeseen catastrophe ahead; a
potential reversal of fortune; the fruits of selfish ambitions being
overthrown; a destructive rebirth; a need to discover the real truth
of a matter; a unexpected upheaval in your present status quo; your
carefully crafted plans being swept away; an existing way of life
coming to an unexpected end; an unseen interpersonal disaster
overtaking a professional relationship; a sudden upheaval in your
romantic or financial life.
86
The Mirror of the Moment
When The Tower is revealed Reversed in your reading, its
meaning(s) may correspond to: an impending catastrophe; freedom
that can only be regained at a great cost; perishing along with your
existing way of life; a fear of discovering the real truth of a matter;
ruin being upon you; an unforeseen change of circumstances
overtaking your life; the oppression of unforeseen events
overtaking you; a potential relationship disaster laying ahead; a
dangerous course of action that needs to be abandoned; selfish
career ambitions coming undone; your plans and schemes
amounting to nothing; the urgent need to pursue a path of spiritual
renewal.
87
The Mirror of the Moment
THE STAR
The Dweller between the Waters
Aquarius
DESCRIPTION AND SYMBOLISM
The Star Goddess stands naked before us in the pristine and primal
purity of her own nature. She is Cosmic Nature Consciousness -
the Mother of All Awareness - and there is no pretense in her. In
her hands she holds two vases from which flow the psychic
Aquarian waters. Three streams flow from one of the vases into a
vibrating pool upon which she rests her foot. Five other streams
flow from another vase which she holds and form five rivulets
upon the earth. Above her a large golden star dominates the late
afternoon sky around which seven smaller white stars appear to
hover. Little blossoms adorn the greenery of the landscape and a
small Ibis bird perches upon a tree. Ten lilies grow in the fertile
ground and in the background a mountain peak rises in the
distance.
88
The Mirror of the Moment
She is the Sacred Feminine in Nature and the cosmic sources of
spiritual light shine down upon her from the heavens above
flowing freely from these spiritual centers into her and then out
from her vases to nourish both the physical and spiritual
dimensions of life.
MEDITATION
The Star invokes an atmosphere of mediation and stimulation of
the self consciousness leading it to experience the inner light of
Spirit that brings with it the faith and hope necessary to confront
and transcend our difficulties. The water bearer, Aquarius, conveys
the astrological meaning of this card for the waters that flow from
the jugs are none other than the sacred waters of psychic
consciousness itself which will also nourish our own self
consciousness if seek to experience
them through prayer and
meditation.
Through the grace and inspiration of the Sacred
Goddess we discover the inner faith and wisdom that allows us to
revere the universe and trust in its eternal laws. Informed by the
power of Aquarius, “The Star” invokes an atmosphere of faith,
hope and light – of moving from the darkness of ignorance into a
life grounded in faith and illuminated by truth.
INTUITIVE CLOUDS
When The Star is revealed Upright in your reading, its
meaning(s)
may
correspond
to:
a
favorable
and
positive
atmosphere surrounding your inquiry; embracing faith and hope;
dreams and wishes coming true; being open to inspiration and
grace; the need to find purpose in your life; gaining contact with
your inner self through meditation; having faith in yourself; having
faith that your present relationship is founded on truth; having the
courage to face adversity; maintaining your faith in the face of
life’s uncertainties; finding a new source of inspiration in your life;
a renewed sense of self confidence lighting your way; attaining the
inner tranquility you seek through meditation; restarting your life
89
The Mirror of the Moment
with renewed hope and vigor; applying the gifts of the Spirit
towards meaningful ends; pursuing your own happiness; good
fortune finally coming your way; making a decision to embrace
and follow your own inner stars; pursuing a commitment to make
your own dreams come true.
When The Star
is revealed Reversed in your reading, its
meaning(s) may correspond to:
an unfavorable and negative
atmosphere surrounding your inquiry; your dreams and wishes
remaining unfulfilled; succumbing to disillusionment and doubt;
ignoring the voice of your inner stars; feeling cutoff from the
nurturing energies of your inner self; an inability to discover any
your relationship; your viewpoint on life becoming clouded by too
much pessimism; pursuing unrealistic expectations; experiencing a
loss of hope in a better future; suffering from a lack of faith in
yourself; having unrealistic expectations of yourself and others;
feeling disappointment due to a loss of trust in others; finally
realizing that you are pursuing a false love; being held back by
mental rigidity; accepting a life of spiritual poverty instead of
spiritual growth.
90
The Mirror of the Moment
THE MOON
Child of the Sons of the Mighty
Pisces
DESCRIPTION AND SYMBOLISM
Beneath the radiating light of a stern faced orb a primitive
organism emerges from the blue waters of the great cosmic deep
and begins its ascent up a golden path towards twin protective
towers and to the summit of a mountain range towering far ahead
in the distance. The stern face overlooking its ascent symbolizes
the fact that the way of evolution is a stern way and indeed, as the
ancient saying goes, the Moon is often a “harsh mistress”forcing
us onto difficult paths so that we may grow and advance as
spiritual beings by freeing ourselves from self deceptions that blind
us and from the false knowledge and delusional perceptions which
surround us and impede our upward ascent on the path of spiritual
evolution. Astride the golden path stand both a domesticated dog
91
The Mirror of the Moment
and a wild wolf both of which are howling at the Moon. Between
both of them the evolving consciousness must pass in it’
s upwards
journey on the golden road. Golden droplets of Spirit fire descend
like rain upon the golden path nourishing the creative dreams of
the Maker as they struggle to be born out of the Cosmic Womb.
MEDITATION
Sacred to the ancients as the symbol of the mystery of Nature and
of the Divine Feminine psychic and mysterious Pisces can
represent our deepest fears as well as our loftiest evolutionary
aspirations. As a reflection of the unknown mystery within
ourselves the deep spiritual waters of Pisces bid us not to fear the
darkness but to look at it carefully so we may discover the light of
Spirit within. This light will lead us on our destined path and to the
fullest knowledge and realization of our own inner nature.
Informed by the power of Pisces this card invokes an atmosphere
of deception and illusion either of out own making or caused by
forces outside of ourselves which we must come to recognize and
confront if we are to free ourselves from the grip of the shadowy
and deceptive energies that could lead us astray and cause our
undoing.
INTUITIVE CLOUDS
When The Moon is revealed Upright in your reading, its
meaning(s) may correspond to: self deception; an inability to
distinguish illusion from reality; an advice to make no important
decisions at this time;
being unable to see a clear path ahead;
failing to see the underlying falsehood in a relationship; stagnation
in love; hidden perils lurking in the environment; unrecognized
enemies in your workplace; viewing your present situation in a
false light;
potential treachery from someone near to you; a
clouded perception as to the true motives of a false friend; hidden
deceit; financial trickery that could lead to your undoing; things
not being as they appear to be; trusting someone you shouldn’
t
trust; a need for greater insight into an unclear situation.
92
The Mirror of the Moment
not seeing things as they really are; being led astray by harmful
preconceptions; a need to move forward out of the shadows and
swirling mists of illusion now surrounding you.
When The Moon is revealed Reversed in your reading, its
meaning(s) may correspond to: an advice to be on guard against
deceptions from outside yourself; an unrecognized danger lurking