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To: alt.magick.tyagi,alt.magick,alt.tarot,alt.divination,alt.consciousness.mysticism,alt.pagan.magick From: nagasivaSubject: Plebeian Tarot and Metaphysics Date: Sat, 19 Jul 2003 20:19:54 GMT an explanation of Theosophical ideas inspired the following: > the symbols we have available to us (spoken words, writings, etc.). > [getting in touch with the Secret Doctrine or basic laws behind > the universe (possibly tying into the Universe Trump] requires > not only reading from books, but introspection (to get in touch > with the basic Unity behind what we can perceive), and putting what is > learned into action. In Tarot, they can be symbolized by the Hierophant, > the High Priestess, and Temperance (for those into Kabballah, check out > the correspondences). it appears important to occultists to regard their selections as the realistic or solitary theoretical Solution to longstanding philosophical issues. in this case the issue is metaphysics (the laws behind the universe). in my essay here and in many others in the future, I'll respond in a manner alike to tradition but from my own constructions which I've made plain here and would elaborate upon if called to do so. it is my intent to replicate the state of consciousness and import whereby such expressions as have become traditional arise, thereafter relegating their dogmas to explanatory models of varying quality in terms of elegance and insightful inspiration. it is my contention that this is the more mature manner of attitude with respect to Tarot and to sefirotic symbolism -- turning the method scientific. [and elaborating on this last paragraph:] # Relegating anything anywhere in terms of elegance and # insightful inspiration cannot possibly be scientific; # it is perforce subjective and personal. in general, I agree. it is important, however, that dogmas such as derive from this manner of exposition (decisive, certain) somehow be provided equal stature to their competitors so that scientific comparisons between different structures in application MAY arise. my aim is less to equate the parlour with the laboratory than to make possible the unbiased comparison of mystical disciplines and their foundations using ceremonial magic and sefirotic symbolism in an approach to what have for some time been called Mysteries. when symbolism sets and tools of mystical endeavour are enshrined and provided with romantic and plainly fabulized origins, this is obstructive to observable results and peer reviews in the mystical community. instead, what is deemed provided by cosmic authority and considered sacrosanct is retained less for its practical value and more for the legendary character it has acquired. while it is true that elegance and insightful inspiration are what might be characterized as subjective and personal qualities, the identification of standards by which quality may become known in aesthetic evaluation (with criteria of logic, coherence, beauty, and symmetry) are not MERELY subjectively-derivable. this kind of argument (regarding quality) may be fruitfully pursued in a more philosophic venue within the wonderful context of the quasi-fiction work of Robert Pirsig (particularly in his "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance", which deals with the subject of quality in education and art, his later "Lila" extending to the comparable philosophical field of ethics). my contention, which is borne out minimally in scientific studies on the nature of consciousness attuning itself to foci of attention in meditation, is that those occult symbolism-structures that are more elegant, internally-consistent, and (most importantly) reflective of the NATURAL, REAL WORLD, will be that from which the most reliable results will be derived. if nothing else, they will constitute a minor education less confusing to those examining it. it is for this reason that I have improved upon the Occult Tarot so as to orient it to the language of exposition (English in my case), zodiacal and astronomical symbolism reflective of modern scientific convention, and an obvious and extremely well-known overall geometric structure (in the tetraktys: Pythagorean). thank you for your correction. I welcome further input/feedback. nagasiva ======================================================================= shalom alechem, my kin! Plebeian Tarot Metaphysics A Consideration of the Witch (/High Priestess), Guide (/Hierophant), and Art (/Temperance) Keys in Understanding Metaphysical Principles ------------------------------------------------------------------- Introduction having had selected for me as indicative of metaphysics the cards High Priestess, Hierophant and Temperance Keys as somehow essential to an explication of metaphysical Laws, I will explain how this resolves with Plebeian structures of the tetraktys and the Romanized Sefirotic Tree described elsewhere.* C -- Witch as the completion of the Primary Triad, the Witch underlies the Universe (Y) in a manner which makes of it a valuable selection for the basic laws of the cosmos. her personal aspects give us challenge excepting certain traditional associations between her and what is called 'the Law', presumably translated within a holistic framework as the principles by which the cosmos operates. her association in the Tetraktypiscesefiroticus as the focal Present not only points to the present zodialogical Age through which we are passing (Sunsign at rising Spring Equinox, etc.), but also the main character of principles through which the whole of the universe comes into being. the Witch's Path (C, crossbeam between Numbers 2 and 3) is as much the pattern by which the whole 10 are arrayed (a kind of proto- or mini-tetraktys) as the character by which the whole grows and manifests (within a relation encompassed by Pisces as a Mutable Water sign, whose foci tend to be spirit, that experience which is integral to spiritual activities, and the interactive dynamics of all things). observe, for example, the base-6 pattern of triangles within the Plebeian Tree (*for a concise illustration of this taro-sefirotic construct, please consult the following URL: http://www.luckymojo.com/avidyana/graphics/tarotreektys.gif and detailed within: http://www.luckymojo.com/avidyana/plebe/tarosymbolismatrix.txt where you will find the English alphabet meshed into a tetraktys form in a manner elegant and reflective of natural sciences). the paths A-B-C form an equalateral triangle whose ratio of proportion matches exactly that of not only the entire Tree, but the other 5 that might be said to form the skeleton of the entirety (composed of Paths A-B-C, D-E-J, H-I-K, L-M-X, Q-R-Y, and V-W-Z). the transception by Path C of the false sphere 11, Knowledge, makes familiarity with such an intelligence necessary for any science or metaphysics to exist. the *transcendance* of Path-C over that false sphere is an indication of the limitations of models generally, and the super-rational category of the Witch in connecting the two Numbers 2 and 3 (traditionally named things like Wisdom and Understanding, respectively). F - GUIDE comparable to the completion of the Witch, the Guide (tradition applying the title 'Hierophant') extends an identity of triangular form to the Third Order (initiating the Number 6) via a novel Path trajectory across the midpoint of the Tree. this is also reflected in the culminating metaphysical Path (Art), but from a differing (elemental) sphere (4) rather than that originating both previous Paths (2->3, 2->6) and at a differing angle. the zodiacal attribution of all 3 signifying metaphysical Keys (Pisces, Taurus, Sagittarius) implies the universal and grandiose extent of their influence through 2 Mutable and 1 Fixed signs. the Guide in particular implies an external personage akin to the preceding terrestrial monarchs (D-Queen/E-King), and yet with a very specific role with respect to the perceiver (director, and shaper). whereas Witch (C) represents a largely internal quality and intelligence, the Guide is as much the dynamics of potential manifestation as a pointer to greater and lesser possibilities. though the Witch resonates a culmination by which the whole is developed, the Guide has a complementary Key, Love (G), that immediately follows and resolves with internal attraction what may be seen as external requirement. its Earthy character (Taurean, Fixed) is comparable to a skeleton by which further growth is allowed, a shell against and from which a hatchling may emerge (in the form of a Tertiary Triad enabling movement in the combination of Cart (H) and Will (I) which make rotative and dynamic properties (in Will (I) and Wheel (K)) possible. inasmuch as the principles by which the cosmos arise are guided, so the Guide regulates by direction the paired complementary and contending forces manifest in the Queen (D) and King (E) that might be said to perfectly symbolize the Number 2 (traditionally called Wisdom). the Guide is a dualistic precursor to the trinitarian composite that derives from Number 3 as Love (G), Cart (H), and Will (I), which 3 form the Thelemic image contained within the Cart Trump in a number of Tarot decks (usually called "Chariot" that is pulled by a pair of black-and-white-complementing sphinxes or steeds). it therefore bears a service of extending through some esoteric connection with Number 3 (by multiplication with the source of its power: 2 x 3 = 6) from the simple implication of its dual-character (implying Number 5 in 2 + 3 = 5). that the Guide has a Fixed character attributed to it is probably why a kind of hierarchical exoteric rulership has traditionally been ascribed to its nature, though in the Plebeian Tree we can witness its transition from its usual mediation of Numbers 2 and 4 (a decidedly Earthy progression) to administering the Path between Numbers 2 and *6*, a role that is usually provided to the King (E). this solar contribution (inasmuch as the Number 6 is solar) makes the Guide a rough analogy to the Light usually exalted by mystics and by which those with eyes are led to see the Beauty that lies in Number's 6's sphere of influence. O - ART the dense foliage of the Plebeian Tree mimics the style of plant with which I am familiar -- its internal branches being of comparably lesser volume and less integral to catching the light of that Sol which is presumed to lie above and beyond its uppermost reaches, its leaves and newest growth establishing itself in abundance nearest to the manifestation and novelty which comes during the Spring of the Quaternal Cycle. Art is PROCESS, where the Guide was ACTOR and Witch the INSPIRATION that allows the others in the burgeoning of the Universe's apparent culmination (superceded by some unknown final Reality implied by the Blank (Z)). while the Witch patterns the whole, the Guide provides banks of transmission by which Art may come to pass, creating the final tetraktyl form in the arising of Number 10 that Art makes real. in the Plebeian Tree, it is Art (O) which is directly responsible for the arising of that called Number 10, the 'Kingdom' or manifest world. this is directly parallel to the function of Witch (C, which inspires and seals the Number 3), and Guide (F, which inspires and is responsible for the arising of that called Number 6 within the Tree as a whole). where tradition does not always account for it, Art as the Path between the Numbers 4 and 10 as once more a unique trajectory (angle) of development in the character of Mutable Fire (Sagittarius). it argues that the Big Bang presented a coalescing fabrication along the lines established in the Witch (patterning to the whole) and the Guide (set into rules by which the whole might come to be). whereas the Witch transcends the Knowledge that approximates its holistic conception, the Guide rises above this holism in order to bring a fixation to the Leonine Will (I) and the Terran Wheel (K; Earth), which later transcends them all in kteisic resolve, completing the Second World. the Guide (F) submits to oversight of trinitarian extensions in Love (G), Cart (H), and Will (I), as well as the Wheel (K) -- the Element and Planet Terra. comparable to the completion of the Witch, the Guide extends an identity of triangular form to the Third Order (initiating the Number 6) via a novel trajectory. it is across the midpoint of the Tree at an oblique angle (45'), rather than 90' from the Vertical Axis. as had been the Witch. the culminating metaphysical Path (Art) exhibits the final transcendental attitude (60'), but from a differing (elemental) sphere (4) rather than both previous Paths (2->3, 2->6) that originate at a differing angle. just as a horizontal (C) might not come from the original Number 1, so the skipping of 2 sefira (from 2 to an extended 7) beyond the attitude of the Guide (F) is meaningless, as are extensions into the Next World beyond the bounds of Virgin Earth. this extension takes place on the next metaphysical Path from the Number 4 through Art to 10. Conclusion identifying the Plebeian Tree's metaphysics by virtue of initial unique paths that cross the mid-line is a sensible and insightful method that yields explanatory power and sufficiently accounts for the dimensions of the tetraktyl whole. from changing inspiration (C) to a dynamic manifestation in the artistic process (O), and provided guidance by the fixed terran modality (F), it is evident how and why these Keys are exemplary selections. peace be with you! hara, Plebeian School of QBL http://www.luckymojo.com/avidyana/plebe.html ----------------------------------------------------------------- copyright (c) nagasiva yronwode 2003; all rights reserved; quotation in posted forums with proper attribution allowed; other usages require the author's permission. ----------------------------------------------------------------- END
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