As Above, So Below for Thursday, 20 July 2023

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Significator Runes: Uruz, Via

Cards: 

• Original Order – Temperance (14/5, Major Arcana), Knight of Wands (Court, Minor Arcana, Fire), 5 of Wands (5, Minor Arcana, Fire); 
• Additional Card: The Hermit (9, Major Arcana)
• Final Order: 5 of Wands, Temperance, Knight of Wands, The Hermit

Numerology: 5+5+9 =10= 1

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Beginning with the as above side of the significator runes, Uruz, the second rune from the Elder Futhark, represents the aurochs and the primal forming essence. It describes health, endurance, healing, and strength. And it’s the energy that shapes our physical reality. Coupled with Via, the geomancy rune that represents a new path or direction that’s taken intentionally, the runes ask us to consider the energy behind our intentions and how we manifest those intentions into reality.

Looking at Temperance, the 14th card from the Major Arcana, we have a soul-archetype card with an overall numerology of 5. Both the Fire and Water elements have a strong presence in this card. An angel pours water from one chalice to another with one foot in the pond and one foot on the land. Yellow irises grow near the pond’s bank, while a path winds from the pond to two mountain peaks in the distance. The glyph for Fire is on the angel’s gown while a headband with a Sun disc adorns the angel’s head. The angel’s wings are red, also indicative of the Fire element.

Temperance reflects balance and moderation, so as the angel pours water between the chalices, it’s done to balance will with emotion. Water quenches or calms Fire, so when Temperance appears in a reading, it suggests that the will is too strong and it needs to be tempered or grounded (by angel placing its foot on the ground) through higher awareness, essentially expressing the as above so below nature of our existence. The Sun rising between two mountain peaks illuminates the path down to the water’s edge, reinforcing the need for balance and the inner strength (Uruz) necessary to take a new direction (Via).

Next, the Knight of Wands is riding his horse on a quest in the Holy Land. He holds his staff high, but his visor is up so he’s not in battle. Salamanders, a Fire elemental, appear on his tunic in an ouroboros shape, suggesting unity and coming full circle. Leaves continue to grow from the staff suggesting its true source is from higher awareness as its life force continues. The Knight is a risk-taker, passionate and adventurous, but with the presence of the pyramids, it suggests a quest that is spiritual in nature. And again, it’s higher awareness as the primal forming essence, or the energy that shapes his reality that provides the spiritual aspect of the experience.

At this point, it’s clear that we need to invoke the will in a more even or balanced manner with our emotions, allowing the receptive side of self to keep the ego in check as we pursue new opportunities and experiences.

Next, the 5 of Wands shows five young men standing together, each one holding a staff. Wands reflects the Fire element and new opportunities or creative expression, so the 5 of Wands could indicate creative conflict. And although it appears that no one is striking anyone else, each one is expressing his point of view, however it doesn’t appear that anyone is really listening to anyone else.

It also became clear at this point in the reading that the 5 of Wands should begin the reading suggesting that a group of people are having a spirited interaction without listening to each other, instead promoting their own individual agendas. So, you decide to take a step back to reassess your involvement with the group, understanding that you need to balance your will with your emotions (Temperance). And, like the Knight, you head off onto a new path or direction (Via) that is spiritual in nature.

At the end of the reading, I decided to draw another card, The Hermit, to get more information. If the three pyramids in the Knight of Wands suggest a spiritual component to your quest or new path, The Hermit certainly reinforces this idea by retreating to gain a higher perspective. The Hermit stands atop a snowy mountain top with a staff in one hand and a lanterned lighted by a Merkaba (soul vehicle) in the other. As he retreats from the chaos of his experiences, he gains wisdom from a higher perspective.

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Summation

Remember that today’s runes ask us to consider the energy behind our intentions and how we manifest those intentions into reality. Today’s cards reinforce that idea by suggesting that another path is preferable to remaining in a situation where nothing is accomplished. There’s too much focus on individual agendas and not enough attention paid to an overall solution.

It’s interesting that the 5 of Wands and Temperance each share a five numerology, and together, they share a numerology of one or new beginnings. And, if you’re in a situation today where it’s more of a battle of wills than finding solutions, then it may be that you need a different direction that involves finding a better balance between will and emotions. From there, the direction takes on a decidedly spiritual component, that relies on higher awareness to illuminate the new path you’re on as well as the vision you present to others. At that point, your primal forming essence is your higher awareness that you then use to shape or manifest your new experiences.

Blessed Be