Fortune:

 

Fortune:

“Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.”

Fortune represented by the Hebrew letter Kaph joins Chesed to Netzach and it is the twenty-first path on the Tree of Life. The card is associated with Jupiter, this card used to be called the Wheel of Fortune in the old Tarot decks and is the literal interpretation of the card, as it means luck or chance. Kaph means the palm of a hand or a grasping hand, which entails control. Or, seeming control over external circumstances which as most people probably know is nonsense, that one cannot truly control external events and circumstances, hence this fact is reflected in the card. As the card in a sense symbolizes the appearance of control and is an auspicious card to draw, however this appearance is the result of the adaptability of the querant’s perspective and the flexibility of his actions. The card according to Crowley suggests The Eye of Shiva as the destroyer of the universe and so the destruction and renewal of things which is an unavoidable part of existence, again stability is found in this changing of circumstances and one’s ability to adapt to these changes. Another name for this card is The Lord of the Forces of Life, indicating the nature of the card with more exactitude.

This card reflects mastery of the Powers of the Sphinx, to Know, to Will, to Dare and to Keep Silent. Once these powers have been brought under the control of the magician, they serve to fortify the work and balance life, so that the magician can focus on the Great Work without interference from the outside world. They teach us the proper way to conduct ourselves for success to be attained along the path, without these powers the magician doesn’t have a sure foundation or any foundation. The fifth power is to Go and associated with Spirit, thus completing the pentagram and a symbol of mastery and the ability to affirm our wills upon the world, this is indicated in the card, with the Sphinx’s position at the top of the wheel. The three beasts depicted on the wheel are the Sphinx, Typhon and Hermanubis, they also symbolize the Gunas and are indicative of the nature of the universe, which as mentioned is in a state of constant change. These are accordingly associated to the three alchemical elements, salt, sulfur and mercury. So, perhaps the Gunas on a micro and macrocosmic level is indicated and our need to harmonize with the environment, which leads to control.

The lightning at the top of the card is to symbolize the card’s relationship with Zeus, wherefrom the card is associated with inspired action. Divine inspiration is symbolized by the fact that according to myth, Zeus fathered many children with mortal women, most of whom became heroes. This influence can only truly be made use of, if the above-mentioned equilibrium has been attained, otherwise a person is subject to external circumstances and not a master of life.

“Love is the law, love under will.”