From He who established the Tarot

[Shin'Ar]

I would perhaps add to this my own observances of the Lesser Work of the Alchemist is done. The whole first phase of the Alchemical process includings the first breaking down of the Primal Matter, done in an athanor (the body), and kept at an even temperature. In this first phase, the material is broken down again and again until it is in its base materials, going through the same process time and time again. (When alchemists distill, and redistill water over and over it supposedly creates "heavy water" which is one speculation for aging). This phase not only breaks down the matter in to its refined, usable components but more important within the alchemist themselves they develop a patience, and an understanding of substance as process that few have.

However, I have one major qualm I have with what you are expressing here is the neglect of the fact that change is constant, and so it is both impossible to do the "same thing" again and again, and also impossible to get the "same results". Experiences and results may be similar, or recognizable, but they are never the same. If ever you have an experience repeated, I guarantee that in each experience is a new gem of wisdom that may be added to the pile, however in this case, the OBSERVATION of the Alchemist is what is especially important to develop with the Lesser Work.

That being said, the undynamic view of one being either in growth or in stagnation seems to me to be a little bland, although I obviously understand the simplification.

Naturally, I can see that what you see is to inform people that they are much more than human, and that the root of what we are is not in our bodily forms, but in our spirits. That being said, in my personal belief, I don't think that when we "ascend" that we cease to use or experience bodily forms, or that we permanently become something "not of flesh".

"fetters forged in the flesh."

This is a very interesting line here. "Fetters" are a word for chains, or restriction. When something is forged it is heated nearly to the point of melting, so the new state of the molecules becomes strong and solid as it cools, like when a muscle is worked and strengthens. In this case, I think we can think of it in terms of the conditions that result from the forging. A sword that has been forged will have a very strong, cohesive molecular structure, and this strength thus then becomes inherent in the blade due to the forging process. I would also like to add an interesting bit that the intense flame of the forge can be likened to the Sacred Fire.

This being said, it was the Spirit which forged the flesh, and inherent in the flesh (as a result of the forging, once again which is a heating up then CONDENSATION of molecules), are the fetters that are a natural result of the patterns of the body. That being said, it is of the utmost to really stop and consider, WHAT are the restrictions and limitations of the body? It is not here the flesh itself that is the fetters, it is the natural limitations of the flesh that are the fetters.

---

Also interesting to consider here it says "in the flesh", suggesting that the limitations of the flesh only actually appear once you are incarnate. Outside of incarnation, it is very possible that each body is seen as perfect and without limitation, it is then only the personal identification with the body within incarnation that creates the fetters.

Azrael you are accurate in certain points, although you see them as opposition to what I have said when they really are not. For example clarification of what you mean when you speak of flesh, which then leads to the discussion about reincarnation.

However your pint about performing experimentation that always leads to change adheres to my suggestion that change is the goal. With every experiment there is the goal of seeking the result and consequence of said experiment. This is the very definition of experimenting.

But you suggest that it is the experimenting that is the thing one should be seeking regardless of the ever changing aspect of it and the time involved experimenting in one dimension, whereas Thoth is suggesting that the goal of alchemy is not the simple experimentation, but to discover the truth behind the results which are revealed in the experiment. That truth in my opinion being that the human is a temporary part of a much more complex Process, and one in which the human will be left far behind to become much higher forms of creation.

Our differences of thought are there. you seem to think that even in mush higher states of evolved consciousness that the human remains as a higher state of being. Why do you think this? Or is this your way of pointing out that there are ancient consciousnesses which do choose to return to human form for whatever reasons?

The forging of the human is not the forging of its flesh and blood, it is the forging of the consciousness which uses the human vessel in this dimension. It is the evolving consciousness that is the grade of the steel and the mettle of the blade. Not the holder that the sword is placed in.

I compare the blacksmith to the ancient teacher, whereas you are comparing the blacksmith to the beautician that makes the body look appealing.

The breaking down of matter does not mean that it cannot be broken down forever without at some point coming to its core origin. At some point the body is nothing more than molecular DNA. if that is actually a scientific term.

Within that blob of gel exists the true nature of the human body and it has nothing to do with flesh and blood. Just as the tempered blade has nothing to do with the flesh and blood that forged it besides the process of forging, the human has nothing to do with the flesh and blood it wears besides the Divine Process in which it is caught up.

Be aware that this is only my speculation of course and not in any way an attempt to get you to believe anything I have to speculate on.

---

To understand the temporary aspect of the flesh, one must come to understand the difference between the material and the immaterial. And as humans this has always been done through the acknowledgment of earth and sun, matter and Spirit.

I don't know how authentic the Rider-Waite tarot deck is to the original images, however "The Devil" card seems to me most representative of addiction to the flesh. I observe that the chains about their necks are large enough to be able to be cast off at any time, therefore I conclude that the man and woman remain there voluntarily.

tenet I would suggest that you are reading more into it than necessary.

In my opinion, where there are chains, the suggestion of bondage is represented regardless of how big their necks might be or how large the chains are.

Certain symbols designate certain meanings. But I would not want to use the card to speculate on the man's ability to procreate based upon the penis size shown there.

Just my thoughts TN, but I do think that such has been the demise of the true tarot, diluted with far too much personal speculation on way too many recreated images.