All Text, Music, and Illustrations, including Paintings, Photographs, and 3D models, Copyright © 2022 by Jim Robbins.

Two of Pentacles: Jupiter in Capricorn (3D Version)

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LORD OF HARMONIOUS CHANGE

Two of Pentacles (AI Version)

   As Nathan was traveling through the Tarot Realm, he encountered an entertainer dancing a jig while juggling two golden pentacles within a ribbon that resembled an infinity symbol. The juggler maintained perfect rhythm while dancing and juggling, and Nathan was so mesmerized by the performance that he thought for a moment that perhaps he was having another spirit vision, for there seemed to be great symbolic significance associated with the juggler's act. To test whether or not he was experiencing a vision, Nathan closed his eyes, but when he opened them again, the juggler was still there, so Nathan tried to sense what subtle influences were prevailing. Nathan remembered the Wheel of Fortune, a Tarot card which symbolizes change and transformation within the great cycles of time, so Nathan wondered if Jupiter was one of the subtle influences, but he was a little confused because the juggler was a common street entertainer, not a magnificent god. Just as Nathan was thinking that he was starting to identify the subtle forces, he began to feel at a loss about the other subtle influence that he sensed. He felt powerful life forces, but he just couldn't identify how the subtle forces corresponded to the Tree of Life, so he went in search of the King or Queen of Pentacles.

King of Pentacles (AI Version)

   Nathan came upon the King of Pentacles on his throne in the sea. Nathan dismounted and bowed. "I serve thee always, great King, but I have a question."
   The King responded, "Yes, my devoted knight, what is your query?"
   Nathan described the juggler on the stage. "The juggler seemed to be performing an act with profound symbolic significance, your Highness. Can you help me to understand the symbolism and the subtle influences?"
   The King responded, "Ummm, I think I know of whom you speak. Was he by any chance performing on a stage near the ocean?"
   "Yes, you're Highness."
   "Were you able to identify any subtle influences?"
   "I think so. Given the symbolic similarities of his performance and the Tarot card known as The Wheel of Fortune, I concluded that Jupiter was one of the subtle influences--even though that seemed a bit off because the juggler is a common street performer, more like an artist or a clown or a fool than a magnificent god. I was confused about the other subtle influence as well, your Highness."
   "Did you experience powerful subtle life forces?"
   Nathan pondered for a moment. "Yes, your Highness, but I couldn't identify how they corresponded to the Tree of Life."
   "That is sometimes the case when people meet with the powers of life because of the symbolism associated with the mythological principle. You see, my inquisitive knight, the 'Meeting with the Powers of Life' is a mythological principle associated with the devil, who represents Capricorn."
   "I'm sorry, your Majesty, but how can the devil be associated with 'Meeting the Powers of Life?"
   "You must meet the powers of life with your third eye open, my friend. The Hebrew letter associated with Capricorn is 'Ayin,' which means 'eye.' In other words, you must see beneath surface appearances because the devil appears quite odious and terrifying.
   "But Capricorn is a sphinx, my friend, and he often holds up four fingers in blessing, not just two fingers, like the Hierophant, for with Capricorn we can experience all the life-forces within the natural world and within ourselves. In other words, we are often blessed by the life-forces as they manifest in plants and animals and other people. Even though many people feel chained to their vices and blame them on the devil, most of us can escape those chains if we choose."
   "So you are saying the devil is not evil?"
   "Oh, darkness exists, my friend, and people do sometimes channel dark forces to cause great harm to others, but remember that at all times darkness dominates some parts of the world while other parts of the world experience light. Evil, as horribly harmful as it can be, helps us to identify the highest good. What you experienced while watching the juggler is a high spiritual energy associated with the second holy Emanation on the Tree of Life, which corresponds to "Zodiac in Wisdom." Darkness and light weave the zodiac together. Without shadows and darkness, we cannot know the Many in the One or the One in the Many for we need to experience life's contrasts to develop wisdom. Without the deepest darkness we cannot truly know the meaning of light and goodness and harmony and abundance.
   "Our friend the street performer has chosen to juggle two pentacles within an infinity symbol for a very specific reason: every human being must learn to deal with the ups and downs of life and juggle good and bad experiences to create an inner balance that manifests in the world. This, as you mentioned, is suggested in the Tarot card known as The Wheel of Fortune, which is associated with Jupiter: the ability to create balance and maintain harmony while dancing through all the changes and challenges reveals the magnificence, harmony and abundance of the human spirit. A person can be a common street performer, an artist, a clown, or a fool, as you mentioned, while at the same time manifesting the noble qualities of Jupiter. A person can experience the untarnished gold of the spirit and balance darkness and light for the highest possible good and can know, as the wheel of fortune turns, the essential harmony of the life forces within Universal Consciousness.
   The King finished by saying, "I am glad, my friend, that the Tarot helps you to understand your experiences. Many people, unfortunately, believe that the Tarot is evil because they cannot see beneath surface appearances."
   "I am glad too, your Highness, but I must say that without your help I would never have guessed that The devil, as Capricorn, is influencing the juggler in such a positive way. I serve thee always, my King." Nathan bowed and mounted his horse and rode off into the forest to perform a ritual.

The Wheel of Fortune: Jupiter (3D Version)

   Nathan was greatly impressed by the juggler. He searched through his Tarot deck and found the Two of Pentacles, which resembled what he had actually witnessed. The Two of Pentacles represents Jupiter in Capricorn and the Zodiac in Wisdom. Nathan decided to make the Two of Pentacles the central card in his Tarot pentagram ritual, and since he also wanted to experience the energies of Jupiter and Capricorn, he decided to use The Devil and The Wheel of Fortune as modifiers.

The Devil: Capricorn (AI Version)

   Capricorn, the holy man once said, represents life forces that we can experience in all the plants and animals of the natural world as well as in other people. Like a shaman, he said, you can experience the life forces in every species and develop a greater understanding of how Universal Consciousness manifests in the world. Like the devil, Capricorn can at times terrify human beings. Sometimes, people become afraid because they experience sublime life forces that are beyond their control. Humans are like amoebas compared to some spiritual beings, and some dimensions of Universal Consciousness are almost impossible for humans to comprehend. Consequently, out of fear and ignorance, people sometimes personify the powers of life as evil. If we look with the eye of the soul, the third eye, we can develop a greater understanding of Universal Consciousness and begin to move beyond fear, he said.
   The mythological principle associated with Jupiter, the holy man said, is 'Aspiration,' in other words a strong desire, longing, or aim to reach a goal or objective. Notice, the holy man said, that in The Wheel of Fortune, the four elements, Air, Water, Fire, and Earth, are golden, suggesting the incorruptibility of spirit. The elements manifest in the natural world, he said, but as the wheel turns, a human being can aspire to transmute lead into gold, in other words to see beyond the physical realm and know the gold of  spiritual principle. As the wheel of fortune turns, many of those lowest on the wheel aspire to know the qualities of Jupiter: magnificence, abundance, and harmony.

Foundation Cards with the Two of Pentacles

   Since the suit of Pentacles represents Earth, a passive element, Nathan used the Passive Invoking Spirit Pentagram while laying down the foundation cards, the Aces and Judgement, starting in the lower left corner of the pentagram, moving to the upper right corner and continuing from there.

The Passive and Active Invoking Pentagrams

   After he placed all of the cards, he tapped each card in the direction of the Passive Invoking Spirit Pentagram, making sure to tap the one in the lower left corner to complete the pentagram. Then he placed the Two of Pentacles in the middle of the pentagram and tapped the card, saying, "Two of Pentacles, Lord of Harmonious Change, Jupiter in Capricorn and the Zodiac in Wisdom." Then he placed the modifiers, The Devil and The Wheel of Fortune, on the Ace of Pentacles in the lower left hand corner of the pentagram.

Modifiers for the Two of Pentacles: The Devil and The Wheel of Fortune

   First, he placed The Devil on the Ace of Pentacles and stated while tapping the card, "The Devil, Capricorn, the 'Meeting with the Powers of Life.'"
   As he placed The Wheel of Fortune on The Devil, he said while tapping the card, "The Wheel of Fortune, Jupiter, 'Aspiration.'"

Spirit Pentagram

   Then he drew the Passive Invoking Spirit Pentagram and the spirit wheel in the air in brilliant white above the Two of Pentacles on the altar, charging the pentagram and the spirit wheel in the usual way with the Sign of the Enterer.

Pentagram for the Element of Earth

   After that, he drew an Invoking Pentagram for Earth directly over the Invoking Spirit Pentagram, charging the pentagram and the symbol of Taurus in the usual way. At that point, he imagined the symbol of the bull's head becoming the living image of the Two of Pentacles. Then he imagined gnomes flowing from the Archangel Auriel and filling the living image while at the same time the bright points of the Earth element flowed from his aura and filled the living image as well.
   Then he said, "Lord of Harmonious Change, help me to see beneath surface appearances with my third eye so that I know how Universal Consciousness manifests in our realm as the One in the Many and the Many in the One and experience the gold of the spirit: magnificence, abundance, and harmony."
   Then he stated, "Perform this task until I have succeeded in mastering this ability, doing no harm. So mote it be!"
   He imagined for a few minutes aspiring to manifest the energies of the Tree of Life in order to feel the harmony, abundance, and magnificence within himself for the highest possible good. He, of course, performed the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram before he completed the ritual.
   Afterwards, Nathan often felt the gold of spirit within himself and humanity and the community of all life.

(NOTE: I use my photographs, paintings, and 3D Blender renderings as the basis for the AI versions.)

   All Text, Music, and Illustrations, including Paintings, Photographs, and 3D models, Copyright © 2022 by Jim Robbins.

Nine of Pentacles: Venus in Virgo, The Moon in the Foundation

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LADY OF MATERIAL GAIN

Nine of Pentacles: AI Version

  As Nathan was riding through the realm, he noticed a woman holding up a hooded falcon with her left hand while she was also tenderly touching a pentacle, which seemed to be ripening on the vine like her grapes. As Nathan gazed at the woman, suddenly he had a vision of a wheatfield and flowers everywhere. Next, he had a vision of a hexagram glowing inside of a magical lantern. Finally, he envisioned the full moon rising above the horizon. Each vision seemed to reveal something about the woman with the falcon, but he wasn't sure what the visions meant, so he rode back through the countryside toward the castle, hoping to find the King or Queen of Pentacles.

Queen of Pentacles (AI Version)

   Nathan came upon the Queen of Pentacles near the castle. Nathan dismounted and bowed before the Queen. "I serve thee always, great Queen, but I have a question."
   The Queen responded, "Yes, dear knight, what is your query?"
   Nathan described the woman with the hooded falcon and his three subsequent visions. "The visions, your Highness, seemed to reveal something about the woman with the falcon. In the Tarot Realm, I sometimes have visions that reveal something about people I encounter, and sometimes I just know something about them even though I've never met them before. Can you help me understand the difference, your Majesty?"
   The Queen responded, "There is indeed an important difference. Sometimes the psyche perceives subtle forces that the physical senses cannot apprehend and presents symbols and images that sometimes seem otherworldly to the conscious mind. Some people in the Tarot Realm see these symbols and images quite clearly with the mind's eye, or what is also known as the 'third eye.' These images are often from a spirit realm close to ours, a realm of archetypal forms, and the forms often seem quite similar to the dream images and symbols that reveal something about our worldly experiences as we sleep. An intuition, on the other hand, is from a higher spiritual realm, which is formless. In other words, if you experience an intuition, you simply know that something is true without your mind's eye revealing any archetypal symbols or images. Both types of psychic experiences help us to understand the subtle forces affecting us. Let us examine your three visions now. What do you think the wheatfield and the flowers represent?"
   Nathan pondered for a moment. "Well, your Highness, I associate the wheatfield and the flowers with abundance and harmony and ravishing beauty, all of which inspire our deep love for creation. I believe they reveal the subtle influence of Venus."
   "Very good. What do you think the glowing hexagram in the lantern represents?"
   "Well, your Majesty, I know that the hexagram represents the unified elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth as well as the corresponding zodiac signs and their ruling planets--in other words, all the subtle forces represented by the Tree of Life. Now that you ask, I am remembering a Tarot card called The Hermit, which is associated with Virgo. In the card, a  hexagram in a lantern lights the hermit's way. Virgos are known for known for their strong mental energy, and they are often intellectual, methodical, industrious, and prudent."
   "Indeed. What do you think the moon represents?"
   Nathan thought for a moment. "The moon is often associated with the element of Water. To me, your Highness, the moon also represents spiritual mysteries and the deepest depths of the mind, but right now I am also thinking of another Tarot card known as The High Priestess, a mysterious figure who represents The Moon. The High Priestess has experienced the subtle forces of all the paths of the Tree of Life and can interpret how the subtle forces are affecting us."
   "What do you think all three visions reveal about the woman with the falcon?"
   "The Hermit represents the mythological principle known as 'The Wilderness Journey.' The hermit is on a quest to experience all of the subtle energies of the Tree of Life. The woman with the falcon embodies remarkably strong mental energy that enables her to create a world of abundance, harmony, and beauty. Also, I think that she is able to maintain a marriage of heaven and earth--the mythological principle associated with Venus-- because she also experiences the 'Descent of the Divine,' which is the mythological principle associated with The Moon. In other words, like The Hermit and the High Priestess, she is open to the subtle influences of the Tree if Life and manifests them in an ideal way in her world."
   "The Tarot contains many symbols and images from the archetypal spirit realm. I can see that the Tarot helps you understand your visions, my devoted knight."
   "Yes, your Highness, and you have helped me a great deal as well. Thank you for helping me to distinguish between psychic visions and intuitions. I serve thee always, my Queen." Nathan bowed and mounted his horse and rode off into the forest to perform a ritual.

The Empress: Venus (AI Version)

   Nathan was greatly impressed by the woman with the falcon. He searched through his Tarot deck and found the Nine of Pentacles, which resembled what he had actually witnessed. The Nine of Pentacles represents Venus in Virgo and The Moon in The Foundation. Nathan decided to make the Nine of Pentacles the central card in his Tarot Pentagram Ritual, and because he wanted to experience the energies of The Empress, The Hermit, and the High Priestess, he decided to use all three cards as modifiers in his ritual.

The Hermit: Virgo (AI Version)

   The Hermit, the holy man once had said, represents the mythological principle known as "The Wilderness Journey," which is a journey that holy men take in order to separate themselves from society and experience the energies of the divine Elements, which are represented in the symbol system of the Tree of Life. The Hermit, as he attains the spiritual heights, experiences the various subtle energies associated with the Elements, and The Empress manifests the subtle energies of the Elements in The Kingdom.

The High Priestess: The Moon (AI Version)

   The High Priestess, representing The Moon, is associated with the mythological principle of the "Descent of the Divine," which suggests the divine energies descending from the holy Emanations of the Tree of Life and manifesting in The Kingdom. Within the Tarot Pentagram Spread that he had chosen, Nathan realized, The Moon, illuminated by The Sun, also suggests how on the human level the personal consciousness of the individual soul is illuminated and enlightened by Universal Consciousness.

Foundation Cards with the Nine of Pentacles

   Since the suit of Pentacles represents Earth, a passive element, Nathan used the Passive Invoking Spirit Pentagram while laying down the foundation cards, the Aces and Judgement, starting in the lower left corner of the pentagram, moving to the upper right corner and continuing from there.

The Passive and Active Invoking Pentagrams

   After he placed all of the cards, he tapped each card in the direction of the Passive Invoking Spirit Pentagram, making sure to tap the one in the lower left corner to complete the pentagram. Then he placed the Nine of Pentacles in the middle of the pentagram and tapped the card, saying, "Nine of Pentacles, Venus in Virgo, The Moon in the Foundation." Then he placed the modifiers, The Hermit, The Empress and The Moon, on the Ace of Pentacles in the lower left hand corner of the pentagram.

Modifiers for the Nine of Pentacles: The Hermit, The Empress, and The Moon

   First, he placed The Hermit on the Ace of Pentacles and stated while tapping the card, "The Hermit, Virgo, the Wilderness Journey."
   As he placed The Empress on The Hermit, he said while tapping the card, "The Empress, Venus, the Marriage of Heaven and Earth."
   Finally, as he placed The High Priestess on The Empress, he said while tapping the card, "The High Priestess, The Moon, the Descent of the Divine."

Spirit Pentagram

   Then he drew the Passive Invoking Spirit Pentagram and the spirit wheel in the air in brilliant white above the Nine of Pentacles on the altar, charging the pentagram and the spirit wheel in the usual way with the Sign of the Enterer.

Pentagram for the Element of Earth

   After that, he drew an Invoking Pentagram for Earth directly over the Invoking Spirit Pentagram, charging the pentagram and the symbol of Taurus in the usual way. At that point, he imagined the symbol of the bull's head becoming the living image of the woman in The Nine of Pentacles. Then he imagined gnomes flowing from the Archangel Auriel and filling the living image while at the same time the bright points of the Earth element flowed from his aura and filled the living image as well.
   Then he said, "I name you Lady of Material Gain, Venus in Virgo, The Moon in The Foundation."
   Then he said, "Lady of Material gain, help me to work diligently and intelligently to manifest the energies of the Tree of Life in order to create harmony, abundance, and magnificence in this realm for the highest possible good."
   Then he stated, "Perform this task until I have succeeded in mastering this ability, doing no harm. So mote it be!"
   He imagined for a few minutes succeeding in working diligently and methodically and intelligently to manifest the energies of the Tree of Life in order to create harmony, abundance, and magnificence for the highest possible good. He, of course, performed the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram before he completed the ritual.
   Afterwards, Nathan felt more intelligent and prudent and methodical in his efforts to manifest the subtle energies of the paths of the Tree of Life as well as a greater sense of the magnificence of humanity and the community of all life.

(Note: All AI versions in this blog are based on my 3D Blender renderings, paintings, or photographs.)

   All Text, Music, and Illustrations, including Paintings, Photographs, and 3D models, Copyright © 2022 by Jim Robbins.

Two of Cups: Venus in Cancer

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LORD OF LOVE

Two of Cups (AI Version)

   As Nathan was riding through the Tarot Realm, he observed a man and woman tenderly greeting each other. Suddenly Nathan had a vision of a lion's head with wings rising above them from the point where their fingers were touching. When he looked closer, he noticed that the lion's head enveloped the top of a golden caduceus, which, like the wooden wand, symbolizes the element of Fire. In his vision, Nathan could sense the expansiveness of their love while at the same time their house in the distance suggested the stability of their relationship. He knew then without a doubt that Venus was a major influence. Since they were both holding a golden cup, Nathan suspected that another influence in their relationship was one of the three zodiac signs associated with the element of Water, Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces, but he wasn't entirely certain, so he went to the ocean in search of the King or Queen of Cups.

The Queen of Cups (AI Version)

   Nathan rode his horse along the beach and eventually found the Queen of Cups. He dismounted from his horse and bowed. "I serve thee always, your Majesty, but if you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a question."
   The Queen responded, "Yes, my friend, what is your query?"
   Nathan carefully described his vision. Then he said, "Your Majesty, I am sure that Venus is influencing them, but I just couldn't figure out which zodiac sign associated with the element of Water was also influencing them. Do you have any knowledge or advice that you can share, your Highness?"
   "I think so, my devoted knight, but you will have to decide if I am right."
   "Yes, your Highness, I will make a decision based on your wise counsel."
   "First of all, do you know what the kundalini is?"
   "I have heard the word, but I'm not entirely sure, your Highness. Does it have something to do with the life force?"
   "Yes. The caduceus wand symbolizes the powerful kundalini force after it has risen from the root chakra and circulates throughout the personal energy field, greatly expanding a person's psyche. In other words, after raising the kundalini, a person can experience greater physical power and potency, as well as deep feelings and clear insights and visions that reveal spiritual principle. Think, for instance, of the knight in the Tarot card known as The Chariot. That knight is on a quest to experience all the energies of the holy Emanations of the Tree of Life, the experience of which, like the kundalini force, can greatly expand consciousness on all levels of being."
   "So the energy of the zodiac sign of Cancer is influencing the lovers. Is that right, your Highness?"
   "Yes, it is. Together the lovers are experiencing a great expansiveness of the heart and mind and spirit through love. Like the kundalini, love can inspire deep feelings and insights and cause exultations that reveals the divinity of all creation--especially if the lovers are open to the energies of the holy Emanations of the Tree of Life."
   "Yes, your Highness, but they also seemed to be experiencing great stability."
   "Through expansiveness they can experience greater intensity at all levels of their being, but truly committed lovers also tend to ground each other so that together they can maintain stability through all the exigencies of their life together."
   Nathan pondered for a moment. "So they continue to grow and expand consciousness while maintaining stability so that their relationship can continue to endure. I know, your Highness, that Venus is the Goddess of Love who represents the mythological principle of 'The Marriage of Heaven and Earth.' Is the experience of expansion and stability an aspect of that mythological principle, your Majesty?"
   "Yes, my dear knight. Expansion and stability are both essential aspects of love in this realm, and both aspects of love eventually reveal the significance of 'The Marriage of Heaven and Earth.'"
   "I am deeply grateful to you for sharing your deep understanding, your Majesty."
   "You are very welcome, my devoted knight."
   Nathan bowed, "I serve thee always, my Queen."

The Empress: Venus (3D Version)

   Nathan found a Tarot card very similar to what he had witnessed in his vision: the Two of Cups. The decan correspondence in the card is Venus in Cancer, and the Tree of Life association is the Zodiac in Wisdom, the Second Emanation on the Tree of Life, which made sense to Nathan because all of the energies of the Tree of Life exist in the zodiac, and all of the zodiac is part of One creation, at the heart of which is love. So Nathan, like the knight in The Chariot, through the expansiveness of love for Universal Consciousness was striving to experience all the energies of the Tree of Life.

The Chariot: Cancer (AI Version)

   Nathan rode to a secluded part of the forest where he could perform a ritual with the Two of Cups.

The Passive and Active Invoking Pentagrams

   Because Nathan was creating a living image based on the Two of Cups with the Tarot Pentagram Spread, he placed all the foundation cards down on his makeshift altar with the tops facing west on his altar. Since Water is a passive element, Nathan used the Passive Invoking Spirit Pentagram while laying down the cards, starting in the lower left corner of the pentagram, moving to the upper right corner and continuing from there. After he placed all of the cards, he tapped each card in the direction of the Passive Invoking Spirit Pentagram, making sure to tap the one in the lower left corner to complete the pentagram.

Foundation Cards with the Two of Cups

   Then he placed The Two of Cups in the middle of the pentagram, saying, "The Two of Cups, Venus in Cancer, the Zodiac in Wisdom." Then he tapped the card.

Modifiers for the Two of Cups: The Chariot and The Empress

   Next, he placed The Chariot on the Ace of Cups in the upper right hand corner of the pentagram as a modifier. The card representing the zodiac sign goes first, he remembered. As he placed The Chariot on the Ace of Cups, he stated while tapping the card, "The Chariot, Cancer, the Once and Future Monarch." As he tapped the card, he recognized that the Once and Future Monarch keeps returning to the Tarot realm over and over on the spiritual level with the knowledge of the Tree of Life.
   Then he placed The Empress in the upper right hand corner on the other modifier, The Chariot. As he placed The Empress, he stated while tapping the card, "The Empress, Venus, the Marriage of Heaven and Earth." As he tapped the card, he remembered that a true understanding of the Marriage of Heaven and Earth exists after the expansiveness of consciousness that occurs through love and the experiences of the subtle energies of the Tree of Life.

Spirit Pentagram

   Then Nathan drew the Passive Invoking Pentagram and the spirit wheel in the air in brilliant white above the Two of Cups on the altar, charging the pentagram and the symbol in the usual way with the Sign of the Enterer.

Invoking Pentagram for the Element of Water

   Then, he drew an Invoking Pentagram for Water directly over the Passive Invoking Spirit Pentagram, charging the pentagram and the symbol of the eagle, associated with Scorpio, in the usual way. At that point, he imagined the symbol of the eagle's head turning into the lovers with the winged lion's head rising above them. Next, he imagined the figure coming alive a few feet west of his altar. As he visualized the living image, he imagined undines flowing from the Archangel Gabriel and filling the living image while at the same time the bright points of Water flowed from his aura and filled the living image as well.
   Then he stated, "I name you Lord of Love."
   Then he said, "Help me to expand my consciousness through love so that I know all the subtle energies of the Tree of Life and experience the Marriage of Heaven and Earth!" Then he humbly stated, "Perform this task and return to the element of Water, doing no harm. So mote it be!"
   Before he finished the ritual, Nathan imagined for a few minutes the living image expanding his consciousness through the experience of love and the subtle forces of the Tree of Life.
   Nathan felt an expansion of consciousness through love for Universal Consciousness sometimes during his great challenges afterwards, and he knew that his allies were guiding him.

(All AI versions are based on my 3D Blender renderings, my paintings, or my photographs.)

  All Text, Music, and Illustrations, including Paintings, Photographs, and 3D models, Copyright © 2022 by Jim Robbins.

Six of Swords: Mercury in Aquarius, The Sun in Beauty

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LORD OF EARNED SUCCESS

                               Six of Swords (AI Version)

   As Nathan was riding through the Tarot Realm, he noticed a boatman quietly and skillfully conveying a woman and child toward a distant shore. Suddenly Nathan had a vision of six swords standing in front of the woman and child in the bow of the boat. Were the swords in his vision suggesting that the woman and child were escaping some dangerous situation? Nathan couldn't be sure. The vision of the swords was startling, but the boatman remained focused on his task and his passengers remained calm. 

   Then Nathan remembered that a sword can symbolize the mind's ability to cut through what isn't important in order to focus on what truly matters. The fact that Nathan was envisioning six swords suggested that his vision had something to do with the sixth Emanation of sacrifice and harmonizing love known as Beauty. Nathan closed his eyes for a moment and tried to sense what forces might be influencing the situation. At first, he sensed the subtle force of The Sun, a force associated with Beauty, the sixth Emanation, but he also sensed other subtle forces. The boatman's pole, deep in the water pushing the boat forward, suggested a strong force of some kind, but Nathan wasn't sure what it was. Suddenly, he thought of Mercury, the messenger of the Gods, who helped communicate profound messages from deep in the soul into the individual conscious mind. Since the boatman was transporting the woman and child to a distant shore, Nathan also thought of Aquarius, a force that provides the ability to envision the future in imaginative and positive ways. These were just flashes of intuition, and Nathan realized that he needed to learn how to trust his intuition more, so he continued riding through the realm, hoping to find the King or Queen of Swords.

Queen of Swords (AI Version)

   Impressed by the boatman, Nathan continued on his journey and came upon the Queen of Swords. Nathan dismounted and bowed as he approached the Queen. "I serve thee always, my Queen. I am here because I have a query."
   The Queen gazed at him. "Yes, my devoted knight. What is your question?"
   Nathan carefully described what he experienced by the lake. Then he stated, "I sensed the subtle forces of The Sun and Mercury and Aquarius. Can you tell me if I am right, your Highness? I need to know if I can trust my intuition."
   Holding her sword straight up and down, the Queen responded, "One way to check the veracity of an intuition is to compare it with the mythological principle associated with the subtle force. For instance, do you remember the mythological principle associated with The Sun?"
   Nathan thought for a moment. "Yes, it is 'The Awakening of the Mind.'"
   "Do you see how that might apply to the situation?"
   "Yes, your Majesty. Since The Sun is associated both with the sixth Emanation known as Beauty and with Path 30, which connects The Foundation, the ninth Emanation, with Splendor, the eighth Emanation, the principle of "Awakening of the Mind" suggests greater intellectual understanding as well as a greater openness to spiritual realities. Moreover, your Highness, sacrifice and harmonizing love, both associated with The Sun, are often important in accomplishing a significant task."
   "Very insightful, my brave knight. Do you remember the mythological principle associated with Aquarius?"
   "'The Awakening of the Heart, which indeed does apply because compassion is also often important in accomplishing a significant task." Nathan paused. "But there is something else: the opening of the heart can help a person imagine different ways of solving a problem and envisioning the future for the highest good. The subtle force of Aquarius can take you to distant shores that others have not yet even imagined."
   "Yes, indeed, my devoted knight. Do you remember the mythological principle associated with Mercury?"
   "Yes, your Highness. The mythological principle is 'The Creation of the World.' Each one of us creates the world through our ideas and beliefs and feelings every moment. Sometimes Mercury, the messenger of the Gods, sends profound messages that help us to create the world in a meaningful, productive, and harmonious way for the highest good. Mercury is associated with the Logos, the meaning at the heart of all creation, a meaning that manifests every moment in our realm."
   "Well spoken. I think you can trust your intuition, my friend, but if you have any doubt, you can always go to the heart of the matter: the mythological principle."
   "Yes, your Highness. Thank you for helping me understand and trust my intuitions. I serve thee always." Nathan bowed, then mounted his horse and rode into the forest to perform a ritual.

The Magician: Mercury (3D Version)

   The holy man in the castle had told Nathan that he could use three modifiers associated with a Number Card in a Tarot Pentagram Ritual: two cards associated with the decan and one card corresponding to the Tree of Life. The holy man had confided that sometimes you want to focus on only one or two cards, but he emphasized that often three modifiers together can add great power to a Tarot Pentagram Spread, especially if you concentrate on the mythological principle in each card.

The Sun (AI Version)

   Nathan first identified the decan associated with the the Six of Swords, in this case The Star (Aquarius) and The Magician (Mercury), The Star representing the spiritual principle of "The Awakening of the Heart," and The Magician representing the "The Creation of the World." Then he decided to add The Sun because it represents "The Awakening of the Mind." Together they represent an awakened heart and mind that strives for balance and knows the harmony, abundance, and magnificence of the human spirit even during what might be considered mundane or insignificant tasks--or even during moments of crisis.

The Star: Aquarius (AI Version)

   Nathan got ready to create an artificial elemental of the The Six of Swords with the Tarot Pentagram Spread. First, since Air is an active element, he used the Active Invoking Spirit Pentagram while laying down the foundation cards, starting in the lower right corner of the pentagram, moving to the upper left corner and continuing from there.

The Passive and Active Invoking Pentagrams

   After he placed all of the cards, he tapped each card in the direction of the Active Invoking Spirit Pentagram, making sure to tap the one in the position of Fire in the lower right corner to complete the pentagram.

Foundation Cards with The Star

   Then he placed The Six of Swords in the middle of the pentagram, saying, "The Six of Swords, Lord of Earned Success, Mercury in Aquarius, The Sun in Beauty," and tapped the card. Next, he included the three modifiers on the Ace of Swords: The Star, representing Aquarius; The Magician, representing Mercury; and The Sun.

Modifiers with The Six of Swords: The Star and the Magician and The Sun

   As he placed the first modifier on the Ace of Swords, he said, "The Star, Aquarius, the awakening of the heart." Then he tapped the card. As he placed the second modifier on The Star, he said, "The Magician, Mercury, the creation of the world." Then he tapped the card. As he placed the third modifier on The Magician, he said, "The Sun, the awakening of the mind," and tapped the card.

Spirit Pentagram

   Then Nathan drew the Active Invoking Spirit Pentagram and the spirit wheel in brilliant white above the Six of Swords on the altar, charging the pentagram and the symbol in the usual way with the Sign of the Enterer.

Invoking Pentagram for Air

   After that, he drew an Invoking Pentagram for Air directly over the Active Invoking Spirit Pentagram, charging the pentagram and the symbol of Aquarius in the usual way. At that point, he imagined the symbol of Aquarius becoming the living image of the figures in the Six of Swords, and they came alive as full-length figures. As Nathan visualized the living image, he imagined that sylphs flowed from the Archangel Raphael and filled the living image while at the same time tiny points of winged light flowed from his own aura and filled the living image as well.
   After gazing at the cards for a moment, he stated, "Awaken my heart and mind so that I create a world of magnificence, harmony, and abundance for the highest possible good." Next he said, "Then return to the element of Air, doing no harm. So mote it be!" Before he finished the ritual, he imagined for a few minutes his heart and mind totally awakening so that he could create a world of magnificence, harmony, and abundance. Finally, he finished with the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram.
   From that point on, Nathan often unexpectedly experienced greater compassion and an expansion of consciousness, and he knew that he was experiencing magnificence, harmony, and abundance in his daily life.

(Note: All AI versions are based on my Blender renderings, paintings, or photographs)