The Tarot of Thoth

[Shin'Ar]

What you will find below is my interpretation of the Brotherhood of Light Tarot deck.

It is said that the tarot was established long ago by the survivors of Atlantis in an effort to preserve the truths and knowledge they had acquired, and feared would be lost forever with the destruction of their civilization, if not somehow saved in a symbolic code that all would be able to interpret, so long as they had evolved to the degree that such understanding could be had.

Many interpretations have arisen out of the opinions of mankind, mimicking his religious tendencies. But to one who recognizes and understands the ancient symbols, found throughout the world in ancient texts and records, the authoritative images and codes reveal themselves easily without confusion or opinion.

Because of is adherence to this symbolism and its devotion to the true meanings and revelations of those symbols I highly recommend the Brotherhood of Light deck. And as you will see in my rendition, each and every symbol has meaning that will follow through from beginning to end in perfect harmony.

Many will argue my interpretation. And that is their prerogative. But I do not think they will be able to deny the dedication to the symbolism. And I do not think the fact that the left and right hand instances fall into line with the interpretation can be cast aside as coincidence.

One final point I must make here is that, although I have no intention of disputing anyone else's interpretations, as I only offer this for consideration, I must indicate that there is NOT a corroboration with C.C. Zain's interpretations of this deck, as I have not been able to find his teachings compatible with my own.



[img][/img]
0 The Survivor

Often referred to as The Fool, I choose not to acknowledge it in this manner because fool is meant to be innocently ignorant and not idiotic. However it is my understanding that this is not an innocently ignorant archetype at all.

The Survivor is one who comes from the ruins of the highest levels of civilization, and having experienced the most that the material world has to offer the physical experience of flesh.

Leaving the ruins behind him he now stands at the threshold to a new experience, and knowing nothing about how to survive in the natural world void of material satisfaction.

he leaves behind the limitations of civilization and departs into the dangers and vulnerabilities of the mysterious natural world.
With him he carries the burden of balancing duality symbolized by the two sacks on the pole in his left hand, also symbolizing the arrival onto the left hand path.. Wearing rags he is no longer civilized.

The scepter in his right hand, the path of rule and civilization that lay in ruin behind him, is now nothing more than a walking stick. The symbol of impedance on the stick indicates how such authority and rule was a barrier to the full access through the length of the spine to the Crown.
the eclipse symbolizes the Goddess hiding/veiling the way to the Infinite Spirit, depicted by the sun as always, allowing only what she chooses to reveal by her own design.

This scene is the depiction of Thoth escaping from Atlantis to lead his followers from the right hand path onto the left hand path. Remember that many believe it was Thoth who originally devised the Tarot image system.




[img][/img]
l The Magus

Here we see Thoth, the Alchemist and the Master of the elements. The Ibis on the altar further signifies that this is Thoth.

Wearing the translucent robe signifying that there is no need to any longer hide the flesh, he is now in full understanding of his true nature, and is able to balance that with the true nature of the cosmos. The material aspects of the flesh were left behind in the ruins of the civilized world. His identity now has no respect for the flesh as anything other than natural balance.

The circle on the wand represents both the crown of the Infinite Spirit, as well as his own field of consciousness, as circles always do. The star signifies the cosmos and creation. With the wand held high toward the heavens, and his left hand pointing toward the ground like a connective conduit, we see the indication that his field of consciousness is making that divine connection between the Most high and the Most Low, between heaven and earth, between Spirit and matter. As above, so below! The body becomes the conduit between the dualities. The Tree of Life.

And yet, this is not accomplished without sincere focus and effort of the practice of alchemy, the balancing of the natural elements of creation, and full understanding of the true elements/nature of the universe and his place within that design and process.

Here in this image we do not see the symbol of achieved enlightenment, which is the serpent on the forehead. In this image we are introduced to the determined effort to reach such enlightenment through the practice of seeking knowledge and understanding.

The Magus has embarked on the left hand path and has become proficient in the ways of Mystery, and now works hard to follow it through study and devotion.




[img][/img]
ll The Veiled Isis

Having managed the divine connection between matter and spirit, the Goddess is now revealed. She guards the way through the gate holding the key that grants passage, the scroll bearing the secret mysteries and knowledge that she reveals only partially from beneath her veil. The pillars of dark and light represent the two paths and the polarities which she guards as the ruler over both, indicated by the crown she wears. It is veiled indicating mystery controlled by her will, and the three circles of existence on her crown also bear her mark, the lunar crescent.

This is the High Priestess in full control of the key to enter through the gate between the worlds. She reveals as she so chooses according to her own process of revelation and evolution.

The gate resides between light and dark indicating the need to make that balance of the polarities so one can pass between them to find the key that is hidden there. Once the polarities are balance, the Goddess revealing that path through a veil of mystery a little at a time, then one can gain access through the gate, to the divine and the Higher Being, to which we all evolve.

Circle are prevalent here om her crown and scepter indicating the importance of the field of consciousness that connects us All.




[img][/img]
lll isis Unveiled

The veil is now cast aside and the Goddess becomes the gates herself. having discovered the key through the revelation and guidance of the Goddess to her followers, we now enter the actual portal.

Her throne, our altar, is the universal consciousness seeing all things. With her head in the sun, which represents the Infinite Spirit, and her feet on the crescent moon of polarities, she reveals herself as the divine connection and conduit.

The scepter of rule and authority in her right hand, joins through her to the eagle representing the Infinite Spirit in her left hand. This reveals that both paths are under her governance.

There are 30 flowers shown in the circle of existence, and if the mystery of the sequence is followed there should be two more hidden behind her. These represent the 32 Children of Light spoken of in the Emerald tablets of Thoth. the veil now parted, the serpent is revealed on her brow, the kundalini having arisen and protruding from the third eye signifying full enlightenment.

The Mystery revealed by the Goddess has led to the awakening of the serpent within her. She becomes the serpent between the two worlds.

Twelve stars on her crown indicate she is the Queen of the Zodiac. her throne is that of the material cosmos and the cosmic consciousness as indicated by the square, symbol of matter, and the Eye of Horus, symbol of universal consciousness.





[img][/img]
lV The Right Hand Path

Often referred to as the Emperor. this is the ruler of the material aspects of life. Society, civilization, technology and religion all fall under his authority. But he is not the true ruler of the world. His is a symbolic puppet rule. Everything about him imitates the Goddess but his power is in his right hand. he holds the serpent and the field of consciousness high, and wears the sign of the Infinite Spirit on his chest, but the power and energy of the true Goddess,(the cat symbol), sits idle beneath him, as though still waiting for something.

H e wears the serpent on his brow showing that he in enlightened, even revealing the Tree of Life, by his cross legged stance, but his role is not that of the Goddess. His is to point toward her. He even looks to the left as though his intentions are in that direction.

Everything appears to be spiritual and authoritative but the true power is not there. he only points in that direction by emulating it.





[img][/img]
V The Left hand Path

Usually referred to as the Hierophant and in extreme perversion and ignorance by Christian influences as the Pope. In reality, if at all, the Catholic Pope would be the Right Hand card.
The character of this card is the True power and authority. The scepter is now in the left hand, the right hand making the secret symbol of the elements, the pentagram.

Everything here suggests rule over polarity. he even has the army at his feet. His is the command of All, leading to the Goddess which hovers above, and balancing the elements all around him. Like the Goddess he stands at the threshold between the worlds in full control.

He wears the crown of Shin revealing his true power over balance which is the manifestation of the Goddess. he is in harmony with duality.
His supreme authority reveals the mockery and inferiority of the right hand path, also revealing the need to evolve from the right hand path to the left hand path as one becomes able to acknowledge the true power of the Goddess.

This is where the right hand path leads. one cannot get to the Goddess and ascendance without leaving the right hand path and going to the left hand. And one cannot get to the left hand path without first following the right. It is a process of evolving the consciousness.

Luke 10:22 - " ...no one knows who the Son is except the Father." Right Hand Path

John 14:6-7 - "Jesus answered, "No one comes to the Father except through me." Left Hand Path





[img][/img]
Vl The Two Paths

Notice that the left hand path indicates an experience with the lusts of the flesh and the right hand path is the one of conservatism and restraint. It is on the left hand path that we learn how overcome the flesh and keep it under control ourselves, whereas on the right hand path that is done by law.

In the circle of existence above, we see the Infinite Spirit targeting the left hand path for the shaft of the divine connection to the Goddess.
The right hand path wears the serpent of enlightenment because it is on that path that we are conservatively, in a controlled manner, led to our enlightenment. But once enlightened, we then must choose to leave that path and enter onto the left hand path to find the divine connection and the gate to Higher Being.

The man in the middle must choose which path he will follow based upon his level of understanding these two aspects. It is by choice alone, and to follow one is to leave the other. You cannot partake of both.
The two paths indicate the struggle between self-gratification and the consciousness, between matter and spirit.
And as always those who have gone on before us, the higher beings, are guiding us as to which way we should go.





[img][/img]
Vll The Conqueror

Wearing the same crown as the Left hand Path archetype and carrying the same scepter we see the ascendance of the Left hand Path.
having followed the Left hand Path and found the Goddess, he has become victorious and now controls the elements and the material world. He no longer follows any path but rides on the wings of the Goddess and can steer toward light or dark in full control of both. he steers the craft where he wills. the veil is risen. With the sword of rule over matter, and the scepter of balance and rule over spirit, he moves forward with the authority of the Goddess.

The four pillars represent the four elements of the material world.
the light and dark beings pulling the craft represent the choices which are now both beneath him and under his full control, separated by the reality of the Goddess indicated by the wings of Isis.






Vlll The Balance

Here we see the Conqueror has now taken Goddess form, having realized his true divinity, and still battling with the right hand she now carries the scales of balance in her left. Even after ascendance the ongoing struggle with balance is necessary indicating the true nature of the universe as one of continuous polarity. We see the lamb, symbol of innocence and fragile spirit, balancing precariously on the back of the predator, symbol of the flesh. The flesh may be conquered but there is still the need for continuing balance.

The foot cushion is the buffer between matter and spirit and this connection is not made without choice. One must choose to rest their feet there and even though the connection is made we see that she now ears a blindfold. Even though connected to the divine, and in control of balance, she deliberately chooses to be blind to something.

With all of the angels of creation gathered around her, and despite her full control of balance and polarity, she is refusing to look forward. The Mystery remains along with the struggle. We do not escape it in ascendance to Higher Being, we simply become Higher, more controlling aspects of balance.

There is far more to existence than our mere ascendance. we are the All and it is important to continue as the all. And so this Ascended One chooses to return to the darkness, hense the blindfold.




[/img]
lX The Ascended

Wearing the crown of DNA victory, the puzzle of genetic code has been conquered and ascended. With great age this character signifies the end of a long cycle of experience.

He is now shrouded in the same mystery he has conquered, and hides the fire of revelation beneath his cloak. Like the veil he has passed through, he now holds the opportunity to reveal what he has conquered, but only in glimpses through the mystery of the veil.

After coming through the long Mystery, passing through the Veil, following the path to ascendance, and transcending in victory, he now ears this victory as a veil and is willing to share the secrets, a little at a time.

Having ascended, becoming the Goddess, he now chooses to continue as the Goddess in guiding and revealing the mystery. The two serpents of the polarities reside at his feet showing their constant presence, even after ascendance and victory they forever remain part of the over all picture.

As the Mystery is slowly revealed the serpents of polarity always remain.

------------------------------------------------------


What we have seen thus far is not so much an interpretation of the meaning of the cards between reader and client, but simple interpretation of ancient symbols and their relation to their ancient teachings.

The revelation is that, as man leaves behind the material world and the experience of the flesh, he embarks upon the continuing Divine Process of ascendance from Lower to Higher, in which his true identity as being divine is revealed .

He literally discover the Goddess within him and becomes that Goddess.

And now that ascendance has been achieved the rest of the tarot will reveal to us a very important dynamic of our experience that few are able to realize. What is to follow is both man's greatest gift and man's greatest sacrifice. What is to follow is the perfect example of true love and harmony.

Bump for easy access for reference in another thread discussion. Thank You.