Thoth Tarot: Eclipse Influences

 

I love my Thoth deck. I probably relate to this one more than any of the other decks I have, other than DruidCraft. I like that one as well. I should do a post on all the decks that I have. Most follow the same format, but a few change some of the names used. In the case of Thoth, Aleister Crowley not only changed some Major Arcana card names but also the order as well. Thankfully, he left the Minor Arcana alone, other than for his initial card interpretations which I find a tad hopeless.

Today’s spread is a good example of the dark and depressing way Crowley interpreted the Tarot. He views the 7 of Swords as Futility and the 3 of Swords as Sorrow. I view the odd numbered cards as having catalytic energy and are about awareness gained through internal struggle. Crowley’s interpretation of the 4 of Wands is Completion of some kind within a fixed framework, in this case, a circle. He changed the name of the High Priestess to simply the Priestess and I love the pastel colors Lady Frieda Harris used with this card. She’s given an ethereal feel to the card, and the Priestess has been placed in the position of significator.

The Priestess represents the witch as Goddess in my interpretation of this card. So this cards resonates completely with me. She embodies the Feminine Divine in our nature, the Planetary Trump of the Moon, the Triple Goddess, and the counterpart to the Magus (or Magician in other decks). She is the wise woman with a depth and inner wisdom that guides her way. She represents path 13 in the Tree of Life, the long path across the abyss. She embodies inspiration and psychic awareness and ability. A note about the number 13. This is a significant number for me as I was born on the 13th and it comes up in various ways in my life, so anytime it shows up, I pay attention.

The point of today’s spread is the upcoming eclipse. The last of six eclipses in Aries-Libra that began in 2013. Eclipses are big energy. They bring conclusions and events that foster change in some significant manner, and are typically positive in the long run, although it may not feel like it at the outset. I wanted to see just how much of a change was in store, so I chose my Thoth deck because it’s the most intuitive deck I use.

Right away, the numerological significance of the cards jumped right out. There is a 7 of Swords, a 4 of Wands, and a 3 of Swords. So I need to address if and how the 4 and 3 cards influence each other creating the effect of the 7 of Swords. Additionally, all we have in this reading is one card from the Major Arcana, two from Swords representing Elemental Air, and one from Wands representing Elemental Fire. Swords represents our intellectual presence and Wands our catalytic presence. Cups (Water) and Disks (Earth) are not present.

Beginning with the 3 of Swords, I may be in a state of flux or experiencing some drama in my life. But like other cards such as the 7 of Swords in today’s spread that present with a single large sword in the front, I view those as standing in my own power while chaos surrounds me. Center, align, and then know the way forward. There can be some betrayal happening behind the scenes, but that need not derail my alignment. I need to understand the process happening, and allow. That energy of betrayal belongs to others, and it doesn’t need to affect me.

The 4 of Wands is about balance, harmony, and completion. It’s time to rest and reflect, to seek refuge and sanctuary. With this card, although contained within a circle, energy moves in all directions. There is order with this card, brought by focus and will.

Lastly, the 7 of Swords is again one of those Sword cards with a sword in the middle. It indicates deception around me and the futility of trying to deal with any of it. It’s not my doing. Teh deception belongs to someone else. The 7 of Swords asks me to think outside the box and to realize that I give everything around me the meaning it has.

This is so interesting. Drama, deception, chaos, and the need for sanctuary resulting in the understanding that dealing with the drama of others is an exercise in futility. The drama of the 3 of Swords gives way to seeking sanctuary to gain the realization that I have no control over anyone other than myself. The Priestess tells me to use my inner vision, my intuition to stay above the fray. It’s time to let go and let others sit in their own drama. It’s their choice. Mine is to stay aligned and to move forward.

Well, that was cool! I love when the numerology brings an additional dimension to the reading. The Priestess is a two indicating duality. It can represent masculine/feminine energy, or projective/receptive energy. But I believe in this case it represents the dual nature of Self, my physical and nonphysical presence. It may be that a difficult period is coming to an end with the upcoming eclipse. Or it may be that I’m simply willing to let things go.

So blessings to all as we stay above the fray!