Posts Tagged ‘atu’

Or: The Twenty-two Trumps of the Tarot

(from “[intlink id="1" type="post"]The Book of Thoth[/intlink]” by Aleister Crowley)

[Atu: House or Key, in Ancient Egyptian. Tahuti: Egyptian God of Wisdom, magick, Science, also Illusion. In Coptic, Thoth: in Greek, Hermes: in Latin, Mercury. The Hindu and Scandinavian Gods corresponding are debased forms.] Twenty-two is the number of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. It is the number of the Paths of the Sepher Yetzirah. These paths are the paths which join the ten numbers on the figure called the Tree of Life.

Why are there twenty-two of them? Because that is the number of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, and one letter goes to each path.

Why should this be so? Why should these paths be arranged on the Tree in the way that the diagram shows? Why should there not be paths connecting the numbers 2 and 5 and the numbers 3 and 4?

One cannot answer any of these questions.

Who knows “How A got leave an ox to be, No camel, quoth the Jews, like G”. (Browning)? One knows only that this was the conventional arrangement adopted by whoever it was that devised the Tarot.

What is worse, it seems very confusing, very annoying; it shakes one’s faith in these great sages. But at least there is no doubt that this is so.

The letters of the Hebrew alphabet are twenty-two. There are three ” Mother” Letters for the Elements, seven “Double Letters” for the Planets, and twelve “Single” Letters for the Signs of the Zodiac.

But there are four Elements, not three. Or, including the element of Spirit (an important matter to initiates), there are five.

There are therefore two letters of the alphabet which have to do double duty. The element of Fire is very close kin to the idea of Spirit; so the letter Shin, belonging to Fire, may be taken to mean Spirit as well. There is a special reason why this should be so, although it only applies in later ages, since the introduction of the dogma that Spirit rules the four elements, and the formation of the “Pentagram of Salvation” connected with the Hebrew word IHShVH, Yeheshuah.

With regard to Earth, it was considered adequate to make the letter Tau, belonging to Saturn, correspond also to Earth.

These additions are clear evidence that the Tarot took definite and arbitrary steps to assert the new discovery in Magick some two thousand years ago; for no system is more rigid than a Hebrew system. And the system of the Sepher Yetzirah is the deepest rooted of all the elements of the Hebrew system, the most dogmatic of them all.

The Tarot is justified not by faith, but by works. The departures from the original bone-dry Qabalah have been justified by experience. The point (raised above) about the way in which the paths are selected to join certain numbers and not others, is found to express important doctrines connected with the facts of initiation. It must always be borne in mind that the Tarot is not only an atlas for recording facts, but a guide-book showing one how to travel through these countries previously unknown.

Travellers in China are somewhat bewildered at first when they are told that it is 100 li from Yung Chang to Pu Peng, but only 40 li from Pu Peng to Yung Chang. The answer is that the li is a measure of the time of marching, not of miles. The difference of calculation informs one that Pu Peng is a long way up the hill.

It is very much the same with the Tarot. The 6 of Wands is referred to Jupiter in Leo, and called the Lord of Victory. This dictates not only what victory is like, but also the conditions to be fulfilled in order to obtain victory. There is need of the fiery energy of the suit of Wands, the balance of the number 6, the stubborn courage of Leo, and also the influence of Jupiter, the little bit of luck that tips the scale.

These considerations are particularly important in dealing with the Atu, or Trumps. The Planets are already represented in the numbers or Sephiroth of the Tree of Life. But they have also attributions to certain of the Paths.

Some etymologists of a singularly idle disposition have tried to derive the French word “atout” from the ATU meaning House. It may seem simpler to suggest that “atout” is short for “bon atout”, meaning “good for anything”, because a Trump will take any card of any suit.

The Atu of Tahuti, who is the Lord of Wisdom, are also called Keys. They are guides to conduct. They give you the map of the Kingdom of Heaven, and also the best way to take it by force. A complete understanding of any magical problem is necessary before it can be solved. Study from outside, and action from outside, are ways abortive.

It is of the utmost importance to understand this extremely specialised character of the Trumps.

To say that the Trump numbered III, called The Empress, represents Venus, means something much less and also much more ‘than appears if Venus be studied from a strictly astrological standpoint. One abandons the contemplation of the whole in order to take practical advantage of a part. Just so Tactics differs from Strategy. A great general does not think of war in the abstract, but confines his attention to a minute part of his perhaps vast knowledge of the subject by considering the disposition of his forces at a given place and time, and how best to employ them against his adversary. This is of course true not only of the Trumps, but of all the other cards; and it must be true of any specialised studies. If one goes into a shop and asks for a map of a certain country, one cannot get a complete map, because any such map would necessarily merge into the Universe as it approached completeness, for a country’s character is modified by the adjacent countries, and so on for ever. Nor would even any useful map be complete in the most vulgar practical way without leading to confusion. The shopman would want to know whether his customer wanted a geological map, an orographical map, a commercial map, a map showing the distribution of population, or a strategic map; and so on for ever.

The student of the Tarot must not therefore expect to find anything beyond a careful selection of the facts about any given card, a selection made for a quite definite magical purpose.

However, the Tarot does try to resume, in a single pictorial symbol, as many as possible of the useful aspects of the idea. In studying any card, one ought not to neglect any of the attributions, because each class of attribution does modify the form and colour of the card, and its use. This essay will endeavour, in the section describing each card in turn, to include as many of the correspondences as possible.

Aleister Crowley’s Thoth tarot—one of the most respected yet enigmatic tarot decks of all time—offers rich rewards for those who can penetrate its complex symbolism.
Written by ceremonial magician and tarot expert Michael Osiris Snuffin, The Thoth Companion is the key to understanding the true symbolic meaning of the Thoth deck. This comprehensive reference work examines all seventy-eight cards within the context of Thelema, Qabala, and ceremonial magic—the spiritual foundations upon which the deck was built. These detailed interpretations reveal valuable insights, significant correspondences, and Crowley’s encoded secrets.

Once you’ve mastered the meaning behind this legendary deck, The Thoth Companion shows you how to use the Thoth tarot for divination, meditation, developing intuition, and pathworking. Straightforward and user-friendly, this guide also includes a glossary, bibliography, index, and an extensive appendix featuring correspondence tables.

Number: 1
Esoteric Title: Root of the Power of Fire
Numerical Keywords: 1: Unity, Origin, Potential
Numerical Attributions: Primium Mobile, White, Soul, Good
Intelligence: Hidden Intelligence
Element: Fire (hot, dry)
Elemental Keywords: Energy, Action, Inception
Elemental Attributions: South, Summer, Noon
Astrological Attribution: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Tree of Life: Kether
Suit Color: Wands-Red

Passion
Direction
Ignition
Expansion
Initiation
Creativity
Energization
Resourcefulness

Keywords: Instigate, Ignite, Action, Spark, Handle, Tool, Organic, Inspiration, Self-Expression, Grasp, Masculine Energy Virility, Desire, Confidence, Dominate, Vibrant Energy.
The Ace of Wands represents creative force, enthusiasm, confidence, and courage. For the querent, the appearance of this card may mean that the seeds of enthusiasm have been planted, though he may not yet have recognized the same. This enthusiasm could be in any form – a creative idea, a surge of optimism, or even a need to act boldly. This is the time for the querent to check out how the potent and confident energy of the Ace of Wands could work for him.

This could be the time to be daring and brave – the time to risk, trying to get what you want. Choose the way that excites you, and let go! This is the time to seize the initiative by its throat, push beyond your limits, and reach for the new heights. The Ace of Wands stands for individual power and fulfillment. This is the time for passion, the time to assert yourself for the best.

The Ace of Wands, being also the card of creativity, could influence and inspire you to invention. This is a chance to be original. This is the chance to trust your potential, and reach for the sky. There is no limit!

Upright: The Ace of Wands signifies the beginning of a new venture or a new life. It is representative of new experiences, fresh ideas, new beginnings, optimism, inventiveness, enthusiasm and drive. You may be experiencing a period of increased creativity or a feeling of being driven. You may be starting a new business or career. This could be the start of something big!
Do something different, and be alert or receptive to new ideas. Act on the alternatives that will be presented.
A new start or way of life will be realized soon.

Reversed: In its reversed position, the Ace of Wands would signify delays and difficulties, or trouble getting a new enterprise off the ground. You may be feeling powerless or impotent. Possibly you are pessimistic and are not even trying. Your own behavior may be the source of the problem. You need to follow through with your promises and spend some time brainstorming for new ideas. You need to be open to solutions to your problems.

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The Tarot has been around for hundreds of years. During that time it’s been used for teaching, playing games and meditation.
Its most famous use, of course, has been for divination. Today there are hundreds of Tarot decks available. Most people use them for giving readings, but some people simply collect them for their artistic value.The archetypal images on the cards are highly evocative. They bring out feelings, emotions, and energies that might be long hidden. The Tarot contains 78 images of power. The question is, “How can you tap into that power?”
The answer can be found in Tarot Spells by Janina Renee. In this book you’ll learn the basics of casting spells with the help of the Tarot cards. The techniques are powerful yet easy. Here is an example: Lay out an incense burner, a candle to either side of the incense burner, your Tarot deck, and Tarot Spells on a table. Light the candles and incense, then read the opening which calls forth the can you tap into that power?”

The answer can be found in Tarot Spells by Janina Renee. In this book you’ll learn the basics of casting spells with the help of the Tarot cards. The techniques are powerful yet easy. Here is an example:

Lay out an incense burner, a candle to either side of the incense burner, your Tarot deck, and Tarot Spells on a table. Light the candles and incense, then read the opening which calls forth the powers of the magical elements: Air, Earth, Fire and Water. You’ve begun this simple ritual!

Read the rest of this entry »

In this groundbreaking book, Ly de Angeles shares her own original ideas on the nature of prophecy and using tarot to predict the future.

Exploring quantum physics, free will, and fate, de Angeles poses a bold new theory, suggesting tarot can impact your reality . . . and your future. She also introduces Time, the god of tarot, and reveals insightful correlations between tarot and the Kabbalah Tree of Life, astrology, and the four elements. Sprinkled throughout are exercises and personal case histories that illuminate these complex ideas.

Ly de Angeles also offers guidance for putting theory into practice, along with card interpretations and sample spreads. Theres advice for handling the deck, timing events, and giving accurate readings. Also included are tips for going professional: setting up a space, maintaining confidentiality, reading objectively and responsibly, communicating bad news, staying safe, avoiding burnout, and much more.

Thoth (also Tahuti or Thout) was considered one of the most important deities of the Egyptian pantheon. According to the foundation legend of Egypt, Thoth was the god of the moon, drawing, writing, geometry, wisdom, medicine, music, astronomy, magic and the divine mediator.
In Egyptian art, Thoth was depicted as an ibis headed god. Thoth also symbolize the Moon (in all its phases, although he most strongly represents the new moon), and whatever form he took he wore a lunar crescent on his head. Some Egyptologists think that the Egyptians identified the crescent moon with the curved beak of the ibis. It is also suggested that the Egyptians observed that baboon was a nocturnal (i.e. lunar) animal who would greet the sun with chattering noises each morning. Thoth was also present at the judgement of the dead. He would question the deceased before recording the result of the weighing of the deceased’s heart. If the result was favorable Thoth would declare the deceased as a righteous individual who was worthy of a blessed afterlife.

In recent times, one of the most popular and cited works on the Tarot was connected to this deity. Written by the occultist Aleister Crowley, The Book of Thoth is a philosophical text on the usage of Tarot and, most notably, Crowley’s own created Tarot Deck, the Thoth Tarot which he also referred to as The Book of Thoth, where the name is taken from a “non-existent” (translations from papyrus of an actual Book of Thoth DO exist, titled ‘The Ancient Egyptian Book of Thoth’ by Jasnow and Zauzich) book in Egyptian mythology, believed to contain ancient knowledge originally brought to man by this deity. Crowley commissioned Lady Frieda Harris to assist him in painting the [intlink id="39" type="page"]Thoth Deck[/intlink]

Quick Facts:
Pantheon: Egyptian
Element: Air
Sphere of Influence: Knowledge, Wisdom & Magic
Preferred color: White
Associated symbol: Ibis, Lunar Disc, Stylus.
Animals associated with: Ibis, Baboon
Day: Monday
Associated Planet: Moon (esp. New Moon)
Feminine counterpart: Ma’at.
Alternate Names: Tahuti, Tehuti, Zehuti, Techu, or Tetu. Thoth (also Thot or Thout), Sheps, Lord of Khemennu, Asten, Khenti, Mehi, Hab, and A’an.

ref.
Hart, George. A Dictionary of Egyptian Gods & Goddesses.
Lichtheim, Miriam. Ancient Egyptian Literature, vol. I.
Doreal. The Emerald Tablets of Thoth
Budge, E. A. Wallis. The Gods of the Egyptians Volume 1 of 2.