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

Five of Cups: Mars in Scorpio, Mars in Power (AI Version)

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LORD OF LOSS IN PLEASURE

Five of Cups (3D Version)

   As Nathan was riding his horse by a stream near the castle, he noticed a man staring down in sorrow at three cups that had tipped over and spilled their contents on the ground. Two cups were still standing, and a path led across a bridge to a building in the distance, but Nathan couldn't help but identify with the poor man's plight even though other possibilities still seemed to exist for him. Nathan had considered the possibility of returning to his troubled homeland, but he was afraid that he might feel a great sense of loss if he did. Nathan had grown very attached to the Tarot Realm, but he had the nagging feeling that he might be able to do some good, at least for a few people, in the distant realm that he once called his home.

The King of Cups (AI Version)

   Nathan rode his horse along the sea and eventually found the King of Cups. Nathan dismounted from his horse and bowed. "I serve thee always, your Majesty. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask a question. I have never made a secret of my desire to return home at some point, but I have grave doubts now about the reasons for my longing to return."
   The King responded, "I understand. What is your query?"
   Nathan carefully described the man staring at the overturned cups. Then he said, "Your Majesty, when I gazed at that man full of sorrows, a few memories came back to me. I realized that when times were good, I always convinced myself that nothing would ever change, yet change inevitably occurred. As I gazed at that man, the world around me seemed so light, so impermanent, yet somehow my memories just seem to keep growing heavier and heavier. Memories that flash through my mind sometimes feel heavier to me now than the physical world. People I once knew have vanished as if there never was any stability or permanence, only change. I have become afraid that I will end up like that man full of sorrows if I return to my homeland. Perhaps I only want to return home to try to experience again the familiar patterns of what was lost long ago. Please tell me, your Highness, is all action vanity because of the ceaseless impermanence of this temporal world?"
   "I do not need to tell you that change is inescapable. The individual personality, which seeks security and continuity, often mourns change, yet our spirits are like the ocean. We cannot keep the waves from crashing on the shore. Each wave dissolves and forms into another wave. To know the unity within perpetual change, all we can do is become one with the ocean. Within the present moment we can sometimes experience the deep mysteries of Universal Consciousness. With that in mind, let me ask you a question. Did you sense any subtle forces when you gazed at the melancholy man?"
   "Yes, forces associated with dramatic change and transformation, your Highness."
   "Do you think Scorpio might be one of the subtle influences?"
   "Well, your Majesty, the man wasn't in the throes of death, but he seemed at least to be experiencing a dramatic transformation due to his losses. Some other force seemed to be influencing the melancholy man as well."
   "Just as I suspected. Can you think of any disruptive force that strikes like lightning and truly shakes up a person, sometimes for a higher good?"
   "Mars can be a force that can lead to unexpected change for a higher good--or at least a force that shakes up a person so much that he examines his behavior and his priorities."
   "Yes, both Mars and Scorpio are subtle forces that can lead to transformation. The change might not seem positive at first, but the reason for the transformation usually becomes clear after some self-examination."
   "Yes, your Highness, I have a feeling that experiencing those two forces together might seem awful, at least at first."
   "My brave knight, I ask you to consider how you can use all of your skills and knowledge in the face of inevitable change. Are you confident that you can affect beneficial change in a realm that remains so deeply troubled? You will no doubt sacrifice much if you return home, but now that you know the positive values of the Tarot Realm, perhaps you can do some lasting good in another realm that now seems beyond all hope."
   "Yes, your Highness, but I fear, at least at the moment, that I am not up to the task."
   "Yes, my friend, I get the sense that the wave is about to crash and dissolve and form a new wave. For a wave, that crash might not be painful, but change for us can cause many moments of distressing uncertainty."
   Nathan thought for a moment. "Indeed, your Highness, this is not an easy choice."
   "Mars is associated with the great rigors of justice and Scorpio with great transformation. The only question I have for you now is this: do you feel your sacrifice would be worth it?"
   "Well, your Highness, whatever happens in that distant realm where I grew up might eventually affect this realm. I can't bear the thought of anything terrible happening in this realm."
   The King gazed at Nathan for a moment. "I trust that you will make the right decision."
   "Yes, your Majesty. As you know, I have faced my own fears before and survived. I serve thee always."

The Tower: Mars (AI Version)

   Nathan found a Tarot card very similar to what he had witnessed in his vision: the Five of Cups. The decan association in the card is Mars in Scorpio, and the Tree of Life correspondence is the Mars in Power (also known as "Severity"), the fifth Emanation on the Tree of Life.

Death: Scorpio (AI Version)

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

The Passive and Active Invoking Pentagrams

   Because Nathan was creating a living image based on the Five 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 Five of Cups

   Then he placed The Five of Cups in the middle of the pentagram, saying, "The Five of Cups, Mars in Scorpio, Mars in Power." Then he tapped the card.

Modifiers for the Five of Cups: Death and The Tower

   Next, realizing that he was grappling with a potentially eventful choice, he placed Death 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 Death on the Ace of Cups, he stated while tapping the card, "Death, Scorpio, 'The Meeting with the Powers of Death.'" As he tapped the card, he remembered that the card known as Death can also suggest a dramatic change or transformation.
   Then he placed his second modifier, The Tower, in the upper right hand corner on Death, the first modifier. As he placed The Tower on Death, he stated while tapping the card, "The Tower, Mars, 'The War at the End of the World." He accepted at that moment that a drastic change might occur.

Spirit Pentagram

   Then Nathan drew the Passive Invoking Pentagram and the spirit wheel in the air in brilliant white above the Five 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 a living image of the figure in the Five of Cups. As he visualized the living image, he imagined undines flowing from the Archangel Gabriel and filling the living image while at the same time bright points of Water flowed from his aura and filled the living image as well.
   Then he stated, "I name you Lord of Loss in Pleasure."
   Then he said, "Lord of Loss in Pleasure, help me to meet with the powers of death and to deal appropriately with inevitable change and transformation for the highest possible good of the realm." 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 the subtle forces of change and transformation so that he could make the best decision about whether or not to return to his homeland.
   After that, Nathan knew that the powers of change and transformation were guiding him as he journeyed through the Tarot Realm.

Explore the Tarot Realm with Claire in springtime.

(Please Note: All AI generated images are based on paintings, 3D Blender renderings, or photographs by Jim Robbins.)

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

Two of Swords: Moon in Libra, Zodiac in Wisdom (AI Version)

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THE LADY OF PEACE RESTORED

Two of Swords (3D Version)

   As Nathan was riding at night through the Tarot Realm, he noticed a blindfolded woman near the ocean crossing two long swords across her chest as the moon was rising behind her. For some reason, as Nathan gazed upon her, he felt a great longing to return home to the realm from which he came, even though he had heard that turmoil and divisiveness continued roiling across the land. The moon and water expressed widespread flux and inevitable change, but the woman showed such inner balance amidst the unrest and fluidity that Nathan wondered for a moment if he could maintain such inner balance in any realm full of so much hatred and disorder. He knew that it would take great concentration and discipline in a land plagued by poverty and disease and inequality to have any positive spiritual impact at all. He wondered if he, like the woman, would need to wear a blindfold to avoid seeing the negativity in the country around him. He sighed and continued riding through the realm, hoping to find the King or Queen of Swords.

Queen of Swords (AI Version)

   In the morning, Nathan finally came upon the Queen of Swords. Nathan dismounted and bowed as he approached the Queen. "I serve thee always, my Queen, but I have a question."
   The Queen gazed at him. "Yes, my devoted knight. What is your query?"
   Nathan carefully described the woman holding the two swords in perfect balance near the ocean. Then he stated, "I confess that when I looked upon her I had an overwhelming desire to return to the realm from which I came. I was hoping that you might help me understand why. You see, I have learned so much here in this realm that I hesitate to leave it even though as a knight I might provide aid and comfort to a few people drowning in depression, divisiveness, and disillusionment in a troubled land."
   Holding her sword straight up and down, the Queen responded, "Yes, my brave knight, I have had the feeling that you might want to return to your homeland to strive for positive change in such an unsettled realm. I know the woman you speak of. She is one of the people who maintains harmony and balance in the spiritual dimension for us in this realm. What subtle forces are influencing her, do you think?"
   Nathan thought for a moment. "The ocean and the moon were directly behind her. I couldn't help but be aware of the phases of the moon and notice the constant flux of the water."
   "Do you understand the significance of the Moon in her situation?"
   "I am not sure, your Majesty. I know that the High Priestess, who is associated with The Moon, represents a deep understanding of the paths on the Tree of Life and embodies the mythological principle of 'The Descent of the Divine.' Despite all of the changes in the world, both good and bad, perhaps the woman is like the High Priestess, able to maintain inner harmony and balance by connecting with the positive subtle forces in the dimensions of Universal Consciousness. The woman was not sitting on a throne, like the High Priestess, however. She seemed completely alone and unacknowledged. With her blindfold on, she seemed anonymous."
   "A few people in this realm have purified themselves, and they have dedicated themselves to maintaining spiritual harmony, but of course they usually receive very little recognition. They have chosen to withdraw from worldly matters because they have a deep understanding of the need for sacrifice. There is a personal cost to maintaining balance and harmony in any realm."
   "Yes, your Majesty, I understand. How is she able to maintain such inner balance? I am afraid that I would not be able to do so in such a tumultuous realm as the one I came from."
   "Do you think that there might be another subtle influence that is motivating her?"
   "Well, your Highness, I think there must be. Perhaps only a person who has experienced a great deal of disorder and lawlessness would undertake such a task."
   "Yes, I believe that is true. What, my dear knight, is the mythological principle associated with Libra?"
   Nathan thought for a moment. "If I am not mistaken, your Highness, it is 'The Justice of Heaven.' I see now, I think. The experience of 'The Descent of the Divine' can inspire a person to strive for 'The Justice of Heaven.' Thank you for your deep understanding, your Highness. You have helped me to clarify my thoughts and feelings, which I deeply appreciate."
   "You are welcome, my dear knight, and may the wind be always at your back, no matter which path you choose."

Justice: Libra (AI Version)

   The holy man in the castle had once told Nathan that when dealing with a Tarot card associated with the second Emanation on the Tree of Life known as Wisdom, only two modifiers can be used because no single Tarot card represents only the zodiac. Knowing that the Two of Swords has a Tree of Life correspondence of the Zodiac in Wisdom, Nathan chose the Two of Swords, a card that was hauntingly similar to the woman holding the swords by the sea. The two modifiers associated with the decan of the Two of Swords are Justice, representing Libra, and The High Priestess, representing The Moon. The holy man had once confided that two modifiers can have great power in a Tarot Pentagram Spread if you concentrate on the mythological principle in each card.

The High Priestess: The Moon (AI Version)

   Nathan first identified the decan associated with the Two of Swords: Justice (Libra) and The High Priestess (The Moon), Justice representing the spiritual principle of "The Justice of Heaven," and The Moon representing the "The Descent of the Divine."
   Nathan got ready to create an artificial elemental of the Two 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 foundation 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 Two of Swords

   Then he placed the Two of Swords in the middle of the pentagram, saying, "The Two of Swords, Lady of Peace Restored, The Moon in Libra, the Zodiac in Wisdom," and tapped the card. Next, he included the two modifiers on the Ace of Swords: Justice, representing Libra, and The High Priestess, representing The Moon.

Modifiers with The Six of Swords: Justice and the High Priestess

   As he placed the first modifier on the Ace of Swords, he said, "Justice, Libra, 'The Justice of Heaven.'" Then he tapped the card. As he placed the second modifier on Justice, he said, "The High Priestess, The Moon, 'The Descent of the Divine.'" Then he tapped the card.

Spirit Pentagram

   Then Nathan drew the Active Invoking Spirit Pentagram and the spirit wheel in brilliant white above the Two 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 figure in the Two of Swords, and she came alive as a full-length figure. 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, "Lady of Peace Restored, motivate me through the descent of the divine to strive for the justice of heaven for the highest possible good of the realm." Then, he finished with the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram.
   From that point on, Nathan often unexpectedly felt the descent of the divine and experienced the motivation to strive for inner balance, and he knew that he could return to the realm from which he came.

Find out how Claire and Nathan discovered the Tarot Realm. (This version contains both AI versions and original versions.)

Review the LRBP and the SIRP.

(All AI generated images are based on 3D Blender renderings, paintings, and photographs by James T. Robbins)

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

Seven of Pentacles: Saturn in Taurus, Venus in Victory (AI Version)

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LORD OF SUCCESS UNFULFILLED

Seven of Pentacles (3D Version)

   As Nathan was riding through the Tarot Realm, he encountered a young farmer taking a break. The farmer appeared to be daydreaming while waiting for his crop of pentacles to ripen. The farmer was dirty from long hours of working in the earth, but something about this common farmer impressed Nathan a great deal, so Nathan attempted to sense the subtle influences affecting him. Because of the great discipline needed to bring a crop to fruition, Nathan immediately suspected that Saturn was a subtle influence. Since the farmer was growing pentacles, Nathan knew another influence must be associated with an Earth sign, such as Capricorn, Taurus, or Virgo. Since farming requires the strength and perseverance of a bull, Nathan suspected that Taurus was also a subtle influence. And since the farmer was working in the natural world and creating beauty and harmony with his pentacles, he intuited that Venus was also involved. Nathan wanted to be sure that his intuitions were accurate, so went in search of the King or Queen of Pentacles.

King of Pentacles (AI Version)

   Soon, Nathan came upon the King of Pentacles near the castle. Nathan dismounted and bowed before the King. "I serve thee always, great King."
   The King responded, "Yes, my devoted knight, what brings you here today?"
   Nathan described the farmer. "I sensed powerful forces affecting the farmer, and I was hoping that you would tell me if my intuitions are correct. Back in the realm where I came from, people rarely attempt to experience subtle influences, so in this endeavor I am a little unsure of myself, your Highness, but I hope to master the skill in the future so that I can serve the realm as effectively as possible," Nathan replied.
   "An admirable goal, brave knight. What powerful forces did you sense?"
   "First, your Highness, I felt the influence of Saturn. Farming requires great discipline, I know, but I was a little unsure that my intuition was correct because the mythological principle associated with Saturn is the 'Descent into the Underworld.' I am not sure how that applies here, your Majesty."
   "Let's be clear about the meaning of the mythological principle. What do you think it means?"
   "Well, your Majesty, I don't think it means descending deep into the underworld in some cave. My experience has been a kind of descent to the underworld through meditation. In other words, my mind drops into the void as I meditate. The chatter in my mind vanishes. In fact, my personality vanishes as well, and the few thoughts that I do have seem random. When my mind is empty, I sometimes envision archetypes representing spiritual principle, such as the infinity symbol, or a golden equal-armed cross, or a golden crown, or a golden cup and chalice on a brilliant white tablecloth. When I descend into the void and my personality disappears, I experience another order of existence, in other words. I don't understand how that applies to the farmer, your Highness."
   "I think that your description of the descent into the underworld is accurate. In this realm, people experience it in meditation all the time. As you drop into the void, you are cleansing your mind. If you don't purify your psyche often, negativity builds up and rears its ugly head. I am aware that in the realm where you came from, negativity often builds up so much that many people project anger and hatred at each other for ridiculous reasons such as their skin color or their sexual orientation or their customs or their spiritual values. I know this has led to genocides and horrific wars that have killed countless people in your realm. In this realm, on the other hand, we know that psychic negativity can end up destroying societies, so here we constantly emphasize the need to meditate and perform a mental purification process of some kind regularly."
   "Through the influence of Saturn, then, the farmer purifies his heart and mind regularly so that he can eliminate negativity and create harmony with the pentacles that he grows. Is he a kind of magician?"
   "Yes, indeed, even though he is, as you put it, a common farmer, he is a kind of magician who manifests harmony for the highest good of the realm. His pentacles are about to ripen, and he will soon experience success."
   "Saturn is the father of the gods who restricts force in form. Without Saturn, the physical realm would not exist. Is it a coincidence that Saturn also provides a way for the mind to release itself from form, your Majesty?"
   "It is not a coincidence at all. The God who created the primordial basis for our magnificent physical realm by restricting force in form also wanted us to know the freedom and power of the mind so that we are not completely trapped in physicality. Let's talk a little about Taurus now, my friend. The mythological principle associated with Taurus is the 'Keeper of Wisdom.' What do you think that means?"
   Nathan thought for a moment. "I think over time as we meditate we build an inner temple where we place all of our treasures from the spirit realm, such as the archetypes I described. In that inner temple the light shines upon the archetypes, and we understand the wisdom of the spiritual principles associated with them. I believe that as we evolve we are all like The Hierophant to some degree: we are all 'keepers of wisdom.'"

The Empress: Venus (AI Version)

   "Very good, my friend. Now how do you think Venus is a spiritual influence?"
   "Just as the pentacles grow for the farmer, I think a similar kind of harmony can grow in our lives. Through meditation and regular purification of the psyche, as well as through spirit visions and understanding of spiritual principles, we create a marriage of heaven and earth."
   "So you're aware of the mythological principle associated with Venus. Very nice, my friend!

The World: Saturn

   "Someday, perhaps, I will be able to manifest positive subtle influences like the farmer does. Thank you, my King, I serve thee always."

The Hierophant: Taurus

   Nathan bowed and thanked the King and found a room in the castle where he could perform a ritual. Nathan chose the Seven of Pentacles as his central card, which is also remarkably similar to what he had experienced earlier, a card that represents Saturn in Taurus and Venus in Victory, the seventh Emanation on the Tree of Life. Nathan chose The Hierophant, which represents Taurus.

Active and Passive Invoking Pentagrams

   Nathan chose The World as the second modifier because the The World, associated with Saturn, represents the "Descent into the Underworld." Then Nathan chose The Empress, which is associated with Venus and the mythological principle of the "Marriage of Heaven and Earth." 

Foundation Cards with the Four of Pentacles

   Since Earth is a passive element, Nathan used the Passive Invoking 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. After he placed all of the cards, he tapped each card in the direction of the Passive Invoking Pentagram, making sure to tap the one in the lower left corner to complete the pentagram.

Invoking Spirit Pentagram

   Then he placed the Seven of Pentacles in the middle of the pentagram and tapped the card, saying, "The Seven of Pentacles, Saturn in Taurus, Venus in Victory." Then he placed the modifiers on the Ace of Pentacles, first The Hierophant, then The World, then The Empress, in the lower left hand corner of the pentagram, the position that represents the element of Earth.

Modifiers for the Seven of Pentacles: The Hierophant (Taurus), The World (Saturn), and The Empress (Venus)

   As he placed The Hierophant on the Ace of Pentacles, he said while tapping the card, "The Hierophant, Taurus, the 'Keeper of Wisdom.'"
   As he placed The World on The Hierophant, he said while tapping the card, "The World, Saturn, the 'Descent into the Underworld.'"
   As he placed The Empress on The World, he said while tapping the card, "The Empress, Venus, 'The Marriage of Heaven and Earth.'"

Pentagram for the Element of Earth

   Then he drew the Passive Invoking Spirit Pentagram and the spirit wheel in the air in brilliant white above The Seven of Pentacles on the altar, charging the pentagram and the spirit wheel in the usual way with the Sign of the Enterer. After that, he drew an Invoking Pentagram for Earth directly over the Passive Invoking 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 farmer in the Seven 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, "Great Lord, I ask that you help me develop my inner temple of wisdom so that I can manifest positive subtle influences in myself and in the realm for the highest possible good."
   Then he stated, "Perform this task until I have succeeded in mastering this ability, then return to the element of Earth, doing no harm. So mote it be!"
   He imagined for a few minutes the living image of the farmer in the Seven of Pentacles helping him as he continued to build his inner temple and manifest greater harmony in his sphere of influence. He, of course, performed the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram before he completed the ritual.
   Afterwards, Nathan felt like he was effectively manifesting harmony, for himself and the realm.

Review the Supreme Invoking Ritual of the Pentagram.

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

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

Four of Pentacles: Sun in Capricorn, Jupiter in Mercy (AI Version)

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LORD OF EARTHLY POWER

Four of Pentacles (3D Version)

   The King of Pentacles had ordered Nathan to go on a mission to see how a neighboring township was faring. Soon, Nathan came to the edge of the forest. He followed a distinct path, which became fainter and fainter as he pressed on through the woods. Soon he encountered wild beasts, a feral pig and a bobcat and a bear, all of whom skulked away when they noticed him, and he sensed that he was entering the heart of the wilderness. In a spot where the path seemed to vanish, several bandits ambushed him, but he fought them off valiantly, and they skulked away into the dense underbrush. Nathan continued in the direction of the path that he had taken, and in the dark forest, Nathan felt like many eyes were following him, beast or human he wasn't sure. Nathan often felt a kinship with the forest, one with the grasses and flowers and trees and rocks, but after the bandits attacked him, he felt uneasy and his senses remained on high alert. Soon, Nathan found the path again, which led him to the other side of the forest. Beyond a lush meadow a castle loomed above the surrounding town, and he headed in that direction at a gallop.

King of Pentacles (3D Version)

   Inside the castle gates, Nathan came upon a ruler with a pentacle in his crown and two under his feet, and he held a fourth near his heart. At first, the ruler appeared miserly, but Nathan decided to withhold judgment. Nathan dismounted and bowed before the King. "I am a knight of the Tarot Realm. I serve thee always, your Majesty."
   The great ruler responded, "Yes, courageous knight, what brings you to our part of the realm?"
   "The King of Pentacles sent me here to ask how you have fared during the invasion and to offer any aid that I can provide for you if you need it," Nathan replied.
   "Unfortunately, some people wanted to enslave us and take our land and exploit all of our resources. Tell the King of Pentacles that we have fought off the invaders, and the realm is returning back to normal. Some of the invaders escaped into the forest and remain there as bandits. Did you happen to encounter any of them?"
   "Yes, your Highness. I fought several of them, and they soon disappeared into the forest. They were in the part of the wilderness where the trail is hard to follow."
   "In the wildest part, just as I suspected. Thank you, brave knight, I will send some of my soldiers to deal with them so that you can safely find your way back home."
   "Thank you, your Majesty. I could not help but notice your four golden pentacles. If I am not intruding too much, can I ask a few questions about them? I find them emblematic of your reign, but I am not sure quite how."
   "Yes, my devoted knight, I have time for a few questions. Go ahead."
   "Thank you, your Majesty. I am originally from another realm where most people are not aware of subtle influences, but here in the Tarot Realm, I experience them. I know pentacles are associated with the Earth signs, Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo. I am feeling powerful life forces right now. Is Capricorn a subtle force here, by any chance?"
   "Why, yes, indeed, very perceptive. Please, go on."
   "I know the mythological principle associated with Capricorn is 'Meeting with the Powers of Life.' I feel great earthly power here, your Highness, due in part, I think, to your golden pentacles. I feel the subtle elements of Earth, Aether, Air, Water, and Fire manifesting in your realm, but I also especially sense that you are channeling The Sun, the source of all life on earth, through your crown, down through your heart and into your feet, and in that way, you are directing a great power into the realm, a power associated with 'Awakening the Mind.'"
   "Yes, you are very astute. The pentacles help to heighten my awareness, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, so that I can make effective decisions for the highest good of the Kingdom. That way I can manifest the light of The Sun in a harmonious and productive way. My people know that my decisions and actions are based on selfless sacrifice and harmonizing love, and they tend to follow my example."
   "Do the four pentacles symbolize the fourth holy Emanation on the Tree of Life known as Mercy, your Highness? I also sense the magnificence, harmony, and abundance of Jupiter."
   "Yes, my people sense the influence of Jupiter here and tend to value order and harmony to maintain abundance for the highest good of all. My people know that each person is essentially a magnificent spiritual being. You are indeed extremely insightful, my friend. Please, join us at the banquet tonight! Tomorrow, you can carry your message to the King of Pentacles and thank him for his assistance."

The Sun (AI Version)

   Nathan replied, "Someday, I hope to channel positive subtle influences for the good of the realm like you do. Thank you, my King, I serve thee always. I look forward to joining you at the banquet this evening!"

The Devil: Capricorn (AI Version)

   Nathan bowed and thanked the King and found a room in the castle where he could perform a ritual. Nathan chose the Four of Pentacles as his central card, which is also remarkably similar to what he had just experienced, a card that represents The Sun in Capricorn and Jupiter in Mercy, the fourth Emanation on the Tree of Life. Nathan chose The Devil, which represents Capricorn, as one modifying card. Nathan always felt a little uneasy when using this card, but he knew that Capricorn represents "The Meeting with the Powers of Life" and that he needed to look beneath appearances to experience and understand the powerful life forces around him and not be too hasty to judge whether something or someone is good or bad. Nathan chose The Sun as the second modifier because the The Sun is the source of all life on earth and symbolically represents the "Awakening of the Mind," both intellectually and spiritually, and is a magical symbol in the sixth holy Emanation of selfless sacrifice and harmonizing love. Then Nathan chose The Wheel of Fortune, which is associated with Jupiter and the magnificence, harmony, and abundance of the human spirit.

Foundation Cards with the Four of Pentacles

   Since Earth is a passive element, Nathan used the Passive Invoking 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. After he placed all of the cards, he tapped each card in the direction of the Passive Invoking Pentagram, making sure to tap the one in the lower left corner to complete the pentagram.

Invoking Spirit Pentagram

   Then he placed the Four of Pentacles in the middle of the pentagram and tapped the card, saying, "The Four of Pentacles, Lord of Earthly Power, The Sun in Capricorn, Jupiter in Mercy." Then he placed the modifiers on the Ace of Pentacles, first The Devil, then The Sun, then the Wheel of Fortune, in the lower left hand corner of the pentagram, the position that represents the element of Earth. The image of The Devil still disturbed him, but he knew that he had to look with his third eye to the spiritual dimension to know that The Devil represents all the subtle powers of life, some light and some dark, some forces that are out of the control of human beings and sometimes quite horrific and terrifying, but Nathan was suddenly amazed at how the subtle life forces tend to manifest as order, harmony, and abundance. Nathan realized that Capricorn and Jupiter are both inextricably part of the same Universal Life Force. Without profound darkness, we cannot truly know the need for sacrifice through harmonizing love or the essential magnificence, harmony, and abundance of the human spirit. That is why, Nathan realized, the path of The Devil leads from Splendor, the Emanation associated with Mercury, to the sixth Emanation of sacrifice and harmonizing love associated with The Sun.

Modifiers for the Four of Pentacles: The Devil (Capricorn), The Sun, and The Wheel of Fortune (Jupiter)

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

Pentagram for the Element of Earth

   Then he drew the Passive Invoking Spirit Pentagram and the spirit wheel in the air in brilliant white above The Magician on the altar, charging the pentagram and the spirit wheel in the usual way with the Sign of the Enterer. After that, he drew an Invoking Pentagram for Earth directly over the Passive Invoking 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 king in the Four 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, "Great Lord of Earthly Power, I aspire now to awaken my mind and spirit to experience the life forces and manifest the magnificence, harmony, and abundance of the human spirit as well as the energies of the Tree of Life in an ideal way for the highest possible good of the realm."
   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 the living image of the king in the Four of Pentacles awakening him with the powerful ideal energies of the Tree of Life and the ability to manifest them in the realm for the highest possible good. He, of course, performed the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram before he completed the ritual.
   Afterwards, Nathan felt like he was effectively manifesting the life forces, especially those associated with The Sun and Jupiter, for greater harmony and balance in himself and in the realm.

Review the Lesser Banishing Ritual and the Supreme Invoking Ritual of the Pentagram.

(Please note: All AI generated images in this blog are based on my paintings, 3D Blender Renderings, and photographs.)