Inner Shift

We begin our posts on the Minor Arcana with the Aces which represent the root force, purity of the forms of energy. When an ace appears in a tarot reading it represents great power.

“There is a natural tendency to view the Tree as a series of discrete objects rather than as the unified, undifferentiated whole it actually is, and the paths allow us to begin the process of reintegrating the Tree by exploring the relationships between pairs of sefirot. A thorough understanding of two sefirot and the path between them creates a new unit of understanding that can then be put together with other such units. A solid grasp of the sefirot is required before any path may be usefully meditated upon and followed, and a path is realized through study, visualization, empathy and guided meditation. Thorough knowledge of the sefirot linked by the path and the correspondences of the path itself are an important part of this process.” ~ Byzant Kabbalah

{Note: Paths 1-10 correspond to the ten sephiroth.}

In astrology there are actually two types of cusps: sign cusps and house cusps. Sign cusps mark where each individual sun sign begins and are what people usually mean when they talk about cusps, whereas house cusps relate to the twelve birth chart divisions that cover the houses (see Houses). The word cusp comes from the Latin for “spear” or “point”.

Though astrologers don’t totally agree on what a true cusp is, you can use the five-day rule to determine if you were born on a cusp. So, if you were born either during the last five days of a sun sign or during the first five days your birthdate falls on a cusp. {You’ll have to reference an astrological ephemeris to accurately determine if you are on a cusp.}

Those born on a cusp find that they have qualities from each sun sign that they straddle. Still, the sign that you were actually born under has the greater influence. You can picture it as standing in a doorway–you have the choice to step into the room ahead or the room behind. This allows for flexibility, but could also cause confusion.

Here are the general date guidelines for the sign cusps:

Aries: March 21 – April 20

Taurus: April 21 – May 21

Gemini: May 22 – June 21

Cancer: June 22 – July 23

Leo: July 24 – August 23

Virgo: August 24 – Sept. 23

Libra: September 24 – October 23

Scorpio: October 24 – November 22

Sagittarius: November 23 – Dec. 21

Capricorn: December 22 – January 20

Aquarius: January 21 – February 19

Pisces: February 20 – March 20

There are many ways you can place the Tarot Trumps on the Tree of Life. Gray came out with a non-conventional way that makes much more sense than some of the traditional ways (e.g., the Golden Dawn). Mainly what he does is sort the Major Arcana by homogeneous ideas. Look it over and see if this arrangement resonates with you!

Cosmic Phenomena:

• on the central Pillar
• using the distance from the Earth outwards
• Moon – Malkuth to Yesod
• Sun – Yesod to Tiphareth
• Star – Tiphareth to Kether

External Rulers:

• temporality and religion
• Emperor – Chesed to Chokmah
• Emperess – Netzach to Chesed

Exoteric and Esoteric:

• the outer and inner Life
• Hierophant – Chokmah to Kether
• Hermit – Binah to Kether

Fatality:

• karmic laws dealing with compensation and balance
• how life deals with us
• in conjunction with the Cosmic Phenomena = the Space-Time Continuum
• Wheel of Fortune – Hod to Netzach
• Justice – Geburah to Chesed
• Judgment – Binah to Chokmah

Alteration:

• dealing with change
• Death – Binah to Geburah
• Devil – Hod to Geburah

Compensation:

• dealing with balance
• The Hanged Man – Tiphareth to Binah
• Temperance – Tiphareth to Chokmah

Energy:

• the uses of force
• Strength – Tiphareth to Chesed
• The Blasted Tower – Tiphareth to Geburah

Movement:

• nothing is static
• moving through Life
• moving in Life through the generations
• The Chariot – Hod to Tiphareth
• The Lovers – Netzach to Tiphareth

Inspiration:

• inspiring inner and outer action
• The Magician – Yesod to Hod
• The High Priestess – Yesod to Netzach

Who? What?:

• ideas of people and places
• The Fool – people
• The World – places

The twelve sun signs are also divided into 6 masculine and 6 feminine groups. This is known as a sign’s duality. In modern astrology, masculine is outer-directed and strong through action. Feminine is strong through inner reserves and self-contained.

The masculine signs are {note that these are Fire and Air signs}:

Aries
Gemini
Leo
Libra
Sagittarius
Aquarius

The feminine signs are {note that these are Earth and Water signs}:

Taurus
Cancer
Virgo
Scorpio
Capricorn
Pisces

The energy of each of the planets influences our everyday lives. They exert their most powerful energy over the Sun Sign they rule (e.g., Uranus works with Aquarius). This is referred to as the Sign of its Dignity.

Sun ~  to integrate, to express, to project
Moon ~  to respond, to react, to regulate
Mercury ~   to communicate, to concentrate, to transmit
Venus ~  to relate, to unite, to connect
Mars ~   to initiate, to activate, to move
Jupiter ~  to expand, to mature, to experience
Saturn ~   to limit, to control, to discipline
Uranus ~   to deviate, to invent, to reform
Neptune ~   to refine, to detect, to transcend
Pluto ~   to eliminate, to transform, to regenerate

Quotes: Gray, William G.

The Talking Tree

Gray’s “Qabalistic Creed” affords a way for the Qabalist to see the pattern of Life on the Tree. The two directions, moving up or down the Tree, are used depending on the what work or training you are focusing on. This is an excellent and succinct creed to meditate on; in addition, you can also incorporate it as a daily prayer or into your spiritual rituals.
Ascending {Matter To Spirit} In Material Expression I Believe With Reason And Devotion In the Beauty Of Controlled Abounding Love Whose Understanding Wisdom Is The Only Light Illuminating Boundless Being In the Ultimate Unmanifest.	Descending {Spirit to Matter} In the Ultimate Unmanifest My Boundless Being Becomes Illumination, As The One True Light Of Wisdom, Understanding All With Love Outpoured In Full Control As Perfect Beauty Whose Achievement Is A Brilliance Finding Its Foundation In Material Expression.

Source: Gray, William G.

The Ladder of Lights

In the name of the Wisdom, the Love, the Justice and the Infinite Mercy of the One Eternal Spirit. Amen.	Raise right hand and touch forehead Touch over heart Touch right shoulder Touch left shoulder Trace a circle around these points Bring right hand to breast

Source: Gray, William G. Q

abalistic Concepts