NOTE: TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE EGYPTIAN TAROT READING AND FREE POWERSTONE, SEE THE INFORMATION AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE!
THE HISTORY & MYSTERY
OF TAROT
The Tarot has experienced a resurgence in the present and has become especially popular recently, with newly minted modern Tarot decks coming out frequently. There are now dozens of decks from which to choose, representing themes from Egyptian and Celtic to Native American and Feminist. Over time, the Tarot cards have had their ups and downs, falling from popular interest only to be once more resurrected by those in search of the deeper meanings behind their complex symbolism. As the saying goes, "Truth will always out." The earliest known "book" of Tarot cards still in existence are those from 1840-42, of which seventeen remain. The first entire deck still in existence was painted by the Italian Bonifacio Bembo for the Duke of Milan.
Many theories exist about the origins of the Tarot. During different periods of history, occult (the word means "hidden") studies were either freely available to all or deeply secret, depending upon the prevailing authorities of the culture's attitude toward occult knowledge. One theory is that in the great library of Alexandria in Egypt, whose female librarian Hypatia was world-renowned for her wisdom and learning, there existed scrolls (which was how books were made in those days) containing all of the wisdom of the ancient world. One of these "books" was supposedly based on the legendary Book of Thoth, derived from the Priestly schools of Egypt. The allegorical illustrations on the Tarot cards are said to contain these Holy Teachings, which in the Major Arcana represent a course in personal development. The esoteric teachings were hidden in the seemingly innocent pictures.
Gypsies are said to have carried the cards to Europe and "gypsy" is considered a corrupt form of "Egyptian."
Considered by the Church to be "the devil's picture book", the cards were quickly condemned by the Catholic Church as heretical. Just to possess them was a dangerous act. There seems no doubt that the cards were a means for preservation of ancient knowledge that the Church considered dangerous, or heretical, at a time when it was literally a danger to your life to believe anything other than the established Church dogma. Though we can only speculate on its origins, the Tarot images are inextricably linked to ancient beliefs, mythologies, and religious systems such as the Hebrew Cabala. Others, notably Pythagoras, believed that letters and numbers are in themselves divine beings possessing extraordinary powers; the Greek neo-Pythagorean school taught these ideas.
It is clear that the origin of the Tarot was in the land of Kemet (The Egyptian word for "Egypt"), and it is clear that its motifs refer directly to fundamental human psychological and spiritual experiences. The more one studies them and practices their use, the deeper one's understanding becomes, and the more they resonate to the inner life, as well as to events in the outer life. They are primarily meant to be used for enlightenment, for discovery of the authentic Self. Number cards are believed to have been added at a later date, around the time of the first known deck in the fourteenth century. This theory suggests that they derive from an Italian card game known as tarrochi. Though we will never know their true history, that needn't prevent us from using their wisdom, for the Tarot cards do indeed tell a powerful story: the story of the development of human life. It is an adventure story, like the hero's journey, filled with challenges, obstacles to be overcome, lessons to be learned, reconciliations to be achieved, honor to be protected, goals to be formulated and reached. In this universal story, each of us undertakes his or her own Way, following whatever symbolism speaks to us at the moment of a reading. It is this amazing flexibility that has allowed the Tarot and its marvelous symbols to endure through long and tumultuous centuries in order to come down to us today.
THE SOUL OF TAROT
In the view of the ancient Egyptians, and later the alchemists and mystics, the universal significance of such symbols as the Tarot presents and preserves was thought to spring from the anima mundi, or soul of the world, which was seen as a vast repository of knowledge, like a universal library, that was filled with the memories and wisdom of the entire human race-past, present, and future. Sometimes called the "Akashic records", this source of knowledge could be accessed by anyone willing to make the effort of deep contemplation. Within this collective pool are all the basic figures found in religions, myths, legends, and fairy tales. Taken together, these figures encapsulate a magical storehouse of profound esoteric knowledge. For example, The Empress symbolizes the essence of femininity as represented by the great Mother Goddess of the world's most ancient religion. She can be seen as the representative of what Goethe called "the eternal feminine", in both myth and psychology.
Thus does each figure of the Tarot call forth from the individual's unconscious a deep resonance. Contact with these images in a conscious, intentional way allows their hidden counterparts -- denizens of the deepest layer of human collectivity -- to surface and become integrated into a person's life. Properly conducted, a reading is a story -- the images on the cards meld into a meaningful pattern that can clarify the issues confronting the person for whom the reading is held. In a profound sense, if taken rightly, a reading can act like a vivid, enlightening dream or a moment of the flash of inspiration-the "Ah-ha" experience. "So, that's how it goes!" Tarot cards are wonderful for meditation, as well as for divination, or the answering of questions. They act to stimulate the intuition, which is the key to the gateway of the unconscious. They act to illuminate the hidden factors in a person's life that bear on the situation at hand. Often, the person him or herself may be unaware of these inner issues that are secretly shaping the course of his or her life. The Tarot, by contacting what is inside the person, reveals them.
DIVINATION BY TAROT
Both Tarot and Astrology are forms of divination. They both are used to forecast the future, although many would argue that we still have free will and that indeed any information gained from this process still leaves decisions up to the individual. What is fascinating about both systems is that there are symbols in common or encoded into both systems that overlap. For example, key tarot cards correspond to astrological signs. In addition the different suites of cards correspond to different elements and have similar meanings to the elemental correspondences in astrology. As cards can correspond to different astrological signs so too do they correspond to different planets as well. The interlocking information between the two systems is amazing and can be quite useful for those interested in both of these disciplines. If one looks at the two as integrated systems then the information that can be gained is more far reaching and complex.
The first area of obvious integration of symbolism occurs when one looks at various cards and determines that indeed they are being linked with astrological signs. Examples include the Death card of the Major Arcana cards in the tarot deck, being linked to Scorpio, and by inference to the planet Pluto, Scorpio's ruling planet. The Tower card is seen as being linked to the planetary forces of Mars and conflict, without being directly linked in some systems with any particular astrological sign per se. Once again the Tower card is one of the Major Arcana or major cards in the tarot card deck. The Emperor card is associated with Aries and the planetary influence of Mars. The Hierophant card is associated with Taurus in the Major Arcana, while the Lovers card is associated with Gemini and thereby Mercury. The Empress card is associated with Venus without any specific sign designation. Aquarius is associated with the Star card. Capricorn is associated with the Devil Card portraying, you guessed it, a goat man. Capricorn being the goat. Cancer is associated with the Moon card. Libra with the Justice card with it's symbolic scales of Justice. Other signs may differ by system of tarot cards as there are different types of cards as well, and even the above examples are sometimes changed depending on school of thought.
All of the tarot cards can be associated by suit so that the tarot card suit of wands is associated with the element of fire, while the suit of swords is air, the suit of pentacles or coins is associated with earth, as the suit of cups is associated with water. Once again depending on the deck and the system and the school of thought some symbolisms can be changed. In many cases swords and wands are changed in their symbolism. The different elements can also be used to interpret the cards, as fire means creativity, passion, anger, and water means emotion, and love, or as earth means material things or things of family or wealth and gossip, while swords mean conflict as in air, or intellect. This is just a brief analysis of meaning however actual astrological meanings can easily be attached to each Tarot card. When we look at the different strengths of tarot and astrology and then realize that they can be used in conjunction, it is rewarded to learn how they can be integrated. As an integrated system they are a whole greater than the sum of their parts. In some respects tarot does not require the complex math and casting of a horoscope and therefore may be more flexible. However it may not reveal as detailed knowledge depending on how much you know about both systems. In the final analysis more knowledge is better. To understand both systems is to understand the big picture, to realize as the old Shakespeare quote says "There are more things under Heaven and Earth Horatio".... than any of us really understands or realizes. When we make those connections it is powerful
Ancient systems of intuitive decision-making like Tarot cards are becoming more and more popular, at the same time that their psychological validity is being recognized and understood. For thousands of years this classical system has been used to help people make better decisions around questions and issues that logic can't handle -- which includes most relationship issues. Now a branch of modern psychology is explaining how and why classical divination systems such as Tarot work. The father of depth psychology, Carl Jung, researched classical oracles for over 30 years. He used the term "archetypes" to describe internal energy sources available to every human being from our "collective unconscious." Each of the 78 cards of a Tarot deck represents such an archetype. Tarot cards can be looked at as symbolic flash cards for one's inner life, because every one of the 78 archetypal energies is present within every human being in one form or another.
Ancient oracles have historically been consulted by sages and emperors about strategic matters, as well as by the common people about issues of personal concern. These days, 65% of the queries that people bring to these intuitive tools are about intimate relationship. This makes sense, because there is a greater need for clarity about relating in a chaotic world like ours, lacking the traditional structures that would make relationship a much simpler (if not predestined) matter. With freedom comes greater responsibility, but modern relationship quandaries do not often lend themselves to simple, linear solutions. All too often we over-analyze when we would be better served by an experience of intuitive opening. When one is confronted with a problem logic can't handle, it's good to reflect and gain perspective. But how do we step outside the "rational" realm to activate intuition and gain perspective? Meditation is one powerful way to become free from the tyranny of limited thinking. And, for thousands of years, people have used the Tarot which is actually a powerful meditation tool in it's own right.
A sensitive intuition is an important relationship skill. Good counselors and coaches can provide this. Tarot is another intuitive resource one can use when a gifted personal advisor is not available. Tarot cards help one to think outside the box, to view situations and relationships with greater creativity and wisdom. The very act of using Tarot cards (whether physically or via our Temple TarotMaster) can be liberating. The use of such a tool to focus on a problem in a fresh way gives you a bit of distance from whatever might be on your mind. The exercise also gives rise to curiosity and anticipation -- you are about to receive new insights through the interpretive power of your intuition! For many people, the conscioius use of their own intuitive power is a surprising experience. As Jung said, "Intuition does not denote something contrary to reason, but something outside the province of reason." Each card takes you on an ancient egyptian voyage, whether at the banks of the Nile or the foot of the Great Pyramid. Converse with the Pharoah or with the slaves about the year's grain surplus. Experience the power and wisdom of the ancient Egyptians with our Egyptian Tarot reading.
FOR ISIS MOON TEMPLE SANCTUARY CLUB MEMBERS ONLY:
FREE TEMPLE EGYPTIAN TAROT READING WITH A FREE POWERSTONE!
Isis Moon Temple is offering your EGYPTIAN TAROT READING free
of charge, and in addition we will include a beautiful
polished POWER GEMSTONE with your reading, which has been
blessed at our TEMPLE HOLY HIGH ALTAR OF QUEEN ASET!
This stone will be instilled with vibrations which will help
you in acheiving your goal, giving you strength of spirit,
and correcting your difficulty.
In order to provide this FREE service to you, we must ask the following of you:
1. You must ask a specific single question for each reading. You can send for as many separate readings as you like, as often as you like!
2. The reading must be done by regular mail.
We must have your MAILING ADDRESS to send the
printed out reading to you, and to send you your power gemstone.
(your private information will not be given to anyone ever!)
3. We ask that you send an offering of a minimum
of $5 (usa) to the Temple for each separate tarot reading
question to help cover our expenses, and for printing and
mailing costs. (Please note: if you live outside the U.S.A.,
please add $2 (usa) to cover the additional postage)
You may of course send a larger offering to the temple to
help us in the work of our Priesthood.
The Temple TarotMaster performs printout readings
privately and at psychic fairs, for the minimum offering of $15.
For the special benefit of ISIS MOON TEMPLE SANCTUARY CLUB
members however, the READING and POWERSTONE are FREE.
4. PLEASE SEND YOUR CASH OR MONEY ORDER OFFERING ONLY. (SORRY NO PERSONAL CHECKS)
MAKE MONEY ORDERS OUT TO "STAR"
5. To receive your free EGYPTIAN TAROT READING, and your free BLESSED AND CHARGED POWER GEMSTONE, send us:
a. Your mailing address
b. Your detailed single question
c. A small lock or strand of your hair to help us link with you.
d. Your cash or money order offering for minimum $5 (plus $2 for postage if out of the U.S.A.)
Send all of the above to:
ISIS MOON TEMPLE STAR
ATTENTION: TAROTMASTER
BOX 41402
PHOENIX, AZ.
85080-1402
