As The Tower Crumbles ~ Tarot for 18 Feb 2017

Swords, Cups, a crumbling Tower and an expansive and brilliant Sun comprise today’s tarot reading from my Thoth deck. Our intellect as well as our emotions are in play today. The overall numerology of the reading is 16, 9, and 19 reducing to either the Master Number 44 or 8. If left as a Master Number, 44 is viewed in a variety of ways by numerologists including as a master healer, divine inspiration, and it suggests that we carefully consider our approach to challenges in our life. Structure, organization, and self-discipline are felt with 44. Strength of character is included as well. Twice the Master Builder number of 22, 44 reinforces how we manifest our material foundation.

Taking an overall look at the cards The Tower jumps right out with its chaotic and vibrant colors. The All Seeing Eye looks on as fire explodes from a mouth wide open, tearing asunder the castle’s tower. Geometric figures fall from the tower as it crumbles to the ground. A card of Mars, The Tower’s destruction is catalytic and final. A dove carrying a branch flies in the sky promising a new day is in store when the rubble clears away, a coiled snake signifying rebirth and renewal.

The Prince of Cups in the Thoth deck is beautiful. The shades of blue utilized by Lady Frieda Harris appear cold and somewhat frigid. The Prince sits on his chariot at water’s edge, his eagle pausing to drink. He carries a chalice with a snake coiling upwards in one hand and a flower in the other. Although the Prince can be passionate, he can also be vampiric in nature, preferring a secretive approach to actual honesty. Crowley views the Prince of Cups as:

“completely without conscience in the ordinary sense of the word, and is therefore usually distrusted by his neighbors.”¹

The 9 of Swords reflects cruelty in the Thoth tarot. Typical interpretations of Swords, particularly the odd numbered cards, reflect negativity of some kind. In this card, we’re bound by our perceptions and are now experiencing despair and sorrow. It’s another long night of the soul card that suggests we’re experiencing a difficult period in our lives. Sometimes it reflects the actions of others but primarily the 9 of Swords signifies our own descent into illusion. It reflects self-imposed fear and negative self-talk.

The last card of the reading is The Sun, another card from the Major Arcana suggesting humanity’s rebirth or awakening. A beautiful and enigmatic card, The Sun’s rays extend throughout, two cherubs suspended below, arms raised in celebration and supplication. The light of The Sun has returned providing success, clarity, and revelation.

It seems counterproductive to tear everything asunder in order that we bring change. But sometimes that’s what happens, particularly when we can do nothing to repair the current situation. However, it’s not required that we always take a destroy everything approach to try something new when in truth sometimes all that’s needed is a change of perspective.

The Tower illustrates that everything is crashing down around us, signifying the disruption of the material side of our lives or it can signify a release of old thinking so that a better approach can be used. Although it can seem like everything is out of control, in reality, it illustrates a willingness to take back our control from those who, like the Prince of Cups, may not have our best interests at heart, preferring to use and manipulate us for their own end.

However, the most important aspect of this reading is the 9 of Swords which is telling us to control our thoughts instead of allowing our thoughts to control us. Where we place our focus matters. In light of recent events, many of us are watching the horror show that is unfolding with the so-called new guy. His ratings have gone down and he’s at risk of cancellation so he’s in Florida this weekend getting his ego stroked by his supporters, the first of no doubt many campaign rallies he apparently needs to feel better about himself. He hasn’t even been in office a month and he’s already costing us more than President Obama did in his first year in office. And it doesn’t even address the lives lost in the botched raid he was goaded into approving, or the lives of immigrants now threatened by this overgrown man-child.

This particular expression of The Tower actually reminds me of his bloviating and arrogant bullshit, all orange and screaming at all his perceived enemies. But as he spins out of control, we need to control our thoughts and focus our intention on doing everything in our power to disturb his process at every turn.

The guy who he tapped to replace Flynn apparently referred to his regime as a shit sandwich and declined the offer to serve. I’d say that someone with integrity finally said no to his orangeness, but then that would be ignoring Sally Yates who was fired for telling this nutjob the truth and she deserves that position. And it’s lovely that people are posting on social media pictures of journalists who were killed doing their jobs after our bloviator in chief went after journalists with integrity for telling the truth about him.

However, The Sun tells us that this nightmare will end and the chaos will give way to our awakening and success, free from oppression and hate, united in our true purpose. It’s easy for the general public to be manipulated by those in positions of authority in our government. So much is kept from us that in turn keeps us at odds with each other. Those in power tend to want it that way so that we never see the truth of what they’re doing. Instead of focusing on the proverbial man behind the curtain, we turn on each other, assuring that the powers that be will remain in control.

As The Tower crumbles, separation and hate fall away allowing us to build our lives on a foundation of love and unity. If today’s reading tells us anything it’s that we have to be alert to the hidden machinations of others and to control our negative thinking. Separation and hate are our true enemies. The so-called new guy is just a shiny set of keys designed to distract us from the real threat we face.  But we’ll get through this as we always do. And with any luck, we’ll find our way back to each other in the process.

Blessed be

 

References:

1. DuQuette, Lon Milo. Understanding Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot (p. 186). Red Wheel Weiser. Kindle Edition.