Divining with the Lesser Arcanum:

 

Divining with the Lesser Arcanum:

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

The Suits are dedicated to the magickal weapons, which correspond to the elements, and the Dignitaries specifically represent the different parts of the soul. These parts of the soul are linked to the dominant characteristics of people. For example: some people are more passionate than others and their personalities correspond to Wands, while emotional people are associated with Water and Cups. Paternal people would also be associated with Wands, as relating to its correspondence with Chokmah, and again, maternity would relate to Binah. Intellect is related to Air, Tiphareth and materiality relates to Earth, Malkuth. The above is only a basic look at these elements and the correspondences of these different elements should be considered in as much detail as possible. For example: art and creativity are very much associated to Air, but this would be the Fiery part or the Watery part, that may represent such individuals, these in turn may reflect either the passionate artist as Chokmah influencing Tiphareth, or Binah’s influence on Air, may suggest, the fragile temperament of a drowning artist. These facts must be considered as relating to each individual spread, this means that the cards are read in the same way, that one may look at a landscape, not as judging each individual brush stroke, but for the feeling that the image invokes. In order for this reflection to be correctly intuited by the Soul, he must familiarize himself with as many of the corresponding symbols relating to each element as possible. Hereby, he becomes more acquainted with the nature and the workings of the Astral Light, he is in a sense learning the language of the gods, who he will be conversing with via the art of divination. The work of divination is occupied by the Ruach, and it is important for a magician to constitute this part of his Soul in such a way as to intelligently receive and interpret the symbols. This work is done on the Astral Plane, where the magician develops his intuition by meditating on the cards, thus acquainting himself with the nature of them in the spirit vision. He is essentially imprinting his interpretation of the cards upon his Soul, and establishing congruence with his intuition, which is of course, an unconscious faculty. Where there is union of opposites, there is ecstasy that leads to conception, in this way, the art of divination is no different. There is an inquirer and a seer, a feminine and a masculine element, and these two elements need to be joined in ecstasy, for success to be obtained. From this union, the creative impulse is affected, which manifests inspiration for an accurate interpretation of the cards, which via the above necessitates a correct understanding of the nature of the question posed. It is dependent on a type of empathy supported by the Ruach, so that each card is interpreted uniquely, as relating to each individual reading. Unless such a magickal rapport is established between the querant and the seer, the reading will result in little more than grasping at straws.

The positions of the elemental cards should be carefully considered when tracing their correspondences. The Wands are Yod of the Ineffable Name, the Cups correspond to Heh, the Swords to Vau and the Disks to Heh final. The Knights are Wands and Fire, Queens are Cups and Water, the Princes are Swords and Air, and the Princesses are Disks and Earth. These elements are placed on the Tree of Life in the following manner, Yod=Chokmah, Heh=Binah, Vau=Tiphareth and Heh final=Malkuth. However, when looking at the Dignitaries, they represent the characteristics of people, so it is helpful to also attribute them to the sephiroth of the Astral Triad. Therefore, Knights=Netzach/Chokmah, Queens=Hod/Binah, Princes=Yesod/Tiphareth and Princesses are Malkuth/Malkuth. Each element is also endowed with its unique spirit, and this spirit reflects the most obvious part of the nature of the element. The nature of the element is described as either passive or active, Water and Earth are passive, and Air and Fire are active elements, the conclusion we may draw from this is, that, passives are compatible with other passives and actives with actives. Water is compatible with Earth, and when analyzing the symbolism, we may look to the fact that Water is the necessary ingredient for sustaining life on Earth, thus they are in perfect harmony. Regarding two dominant characteristics of individuals reflected in Discs and Cups, I might draw the conclusion, that the person indicated, is maternal and materialistic, in which case, she would make for the perfect caregiver. These characteristics are, of course, not related to the sephiroth of the Astral Triad, but to the whole Tree of Life, as Binah and Malkuth. This kind of analysis, being perfectly valid, does leave one with a lot of missing information and is meant, as a type of foundation, from where a more detailed inquiry follows utilizing the pentagram. The magician is not via the art of divination working in broad strokes, such as with the above example, but is homing in on the individual’s intent, who is posing the question, thus the attributes related to the pentagram, become invaluable accompaniments to the practice.

Some of the characteristics of the dignitaries may be found by employing some common sense and of course, Aleister Crowley’s 777. Below follows some attributes that may be applied to the Dignitaries.

Knight of Wands=Devotion, Unselfishness, Joy, Passionate, Willful, Proud, Inspiring, Charitable, Spiritual.

Queen of Cups=Honorable, Truthfulness, Compassion, Maternal, Emotional, Empathetic, Compassionate.

Prince of Swords=Devotion to the Great Work (Self), Independence, Friendliness, Intelligent, Creative, Inspired.

Princess of Disks=Skepticism, Sensual, Practical, Hard Working, Family Orientated, Focused, Stable, Material.

Now in order to figure out some of the obvious characteristics of the other Dignitaries, all we have to do, is mix them up as follows:

Knight of Cups: Emotional, Compassionate, Passionate, Truthful, Proud, Petti, Has a tendency to Brood, Temperamental etc.

Thus, by figuring out these basic characteristics, we may get an intuitive sense of all these cards, which will be of much greater benefit, than simply memorizing the meaning of the cards. Once the attributes have been listed, one may start scrying on each individual cards, by doing so, he will internalize the meaning of the cards.

The suit cards are attributed to the ten sephiroth on the Tree of Life and the nature of the suit and the sephirah are taken into account when the meaning of a card is determined. Thus, the Three of Disks (Water/Earth) presents us with a very fruitful idea, and can only symbolize growth and creativity, the card is called Work. However, when looking at the Two of Disks (Fire/Earth), it indicates that we are dealing with a rather devasting influence on the element, and the card is called Change. Below is what Crowley writes about these cards in his Book of Thoth:

CHANGE

TWO OF DISKS

“The number Two, Chokmah, here rules in the suit pertaining to Earth. It shows the type of Energy appropriate to Two, in its most fixed form. According to the doctrine that Change is the support of stability, the card is called Change. Its celestial rulers are Jupiter and Capricornus; and these symbols are most inharmonious, so that in practical matters the good fortune of Jupiter is very limited. Their influence on the card is not great. Yet, Jupiter being himself the Wheel (Atu X), he emphasizes that idea.”

WORK

THREE OF DISKS

“The influence of Binah in the sphere of Earth shows the material establishment of the idea of the Universe, the determination of its basic form. It is ruled by Mars in Capricornus; he is exalted in that Sign, and therefore at his best. His energy is constructive like that of the builder or engineer.”

The suit represents the element that is being affected by the sephirah, hence Binah on Earth, is symbolic of the effect, that Water has on the Earth’s soil. However, if we change it around and make it Ten of Cups, we get a whole different picture. This card symbolizes that too much of a good thing is no longer good. Think of muddy water: imagine boredom, or a need for expression, that is now finding a negative outlet via the emotions. This state of uncertainty has led to the inability to choose, a great shock, perhaps enforced by change could move things forward. But it is certainly not a positive card to draw. The Four of Wands, however, is a card that symbolizes creativity, there is nothing to stop this inspiration, as these elements are in perfect harmony and the Will is now free and supported by momentum. This card is called completion and here is what Crowley writes about it in the Book of Thoth:

COMPLETION

FOUR OF WANDS

“The card refers to Chesed in the suit of Fire. Being below the Abyss, it is the Lord of all manifested active Power. The original Will of the Two has been transmitted through the Three and is now built up into a solid system: Order, Law, Government. It is also referred to Venus in Aries, which indicates that one cannot establish one’s work without tact and gentleness.”

“Love is the law, love under will.”