Thoth Art Tarot Card Tutorial

My new YouTube channel is : Thoth Tarot Videos. The major arcana videos are yet to be remade.

 

(ii) Thoth Art Tarot Card

Temperance was renamed ‘Art’ by Crowley to represent the ART OF ALCHEMY, although both cards represent the same theme. The figure in Art is called an ANDROGYNE:  it has both masculine and feminine characteristics and Crowley relates it to the Roman Goddess Diana.

 

 

 

(iii) Rider Waite Temperance Tarot Card

Some definitions:

Temperance = moderation, self-restraint, balance

Losing ones temper = losing control/balance

Tempering something = to make (something) less severe or extreme

 

This angel shows the integration of fire and water. Water is represented as flowing between the cups and the fire symbol on her breastplate

 

The theme of this card is therefore about BALANCE & HARMONY.

 

(iv) Thoth Art Tarot Card and The Tree of Life

 

The Thoth Art Tarot Card connects Path number 25 between Tiphareth (Sun)  and Yesod (Moon). Tiphareth is about manifesting beauty in the world and connecting with our CHRIST centre. Art connects this Sephiroth with Yesod which is a reflection of the subconscious which like dreams can throw up difficult aspects and things we have not yet resolved. 

This card is all about integrating these two aspects and bringing the things we have not resolved to the surface and purifying them in our higher self. This can sometimes be a challenging process but it enables us to temper out nature and find balance or the ‘middle way’.

 

 

(v) Thoth Art Tarot Card Hebrew and Astrological Attribution

The Hebrew attribution for the Temperance card is the letter SAMEKH meaning prop or crutch. When we give up our material  props and put our faith in our spiritual path our life will be  enriched.  When we face our fears dwelling in our subconscious we unravel the difficult aspects of our nature that are unresolved and we throw away the prop of being comfortable in where we are, and move to a place of inner beauty,  working through these energies that have stagnated beneath the surface of our consciousness.

 

The Art Card is ruled by SAGITTARIUS and the significance of this will be discussed further below. 

 

(vi)  Thoth Art Tarot Card & The Integration of Opposites

The Thoth Art Tarot card is an illustration of the INTEGRATION OF OPPOSITES which we will list below:

1. Integration of Zodiac Opposites

Art is opposite the Lovers Card in the zodiac. They represent forms of the ALCHEMICAL MARRIAGE. In the Lovers we had SOLVE  or the act of dissolving and in Art we have COAGULA (same as to coagulate or put together/reassemble). The Lovers reflects the pain of separation whilst Art is about reintegration and harmony.

When you separate a substance and refine it and then put it back together it is something NEW and improved. This is an analogy for illustrating the process of the spiritual seeker purifying and integrating himself so that he is more spiritually evolved and is a better conduit for the flow of spirit into matter.

 

2. Integration of the King and Queen in the Lovers Card

The figure in the ART card is a fusion of the Empress and Emperor. It is also a fusion of the subconscious (Moon) energies with the conscious (Sun). This masculine and feminine interplay is also described below.

Robe decoration = bees and serpents. These are on the Emperor and Empress and in the Lovers Card and they appear together on the androgyne in the Thoth Art Tarot Card to show the integration of male and female energies. So the separation we see in the Empress, Emperor and Lovers Cards is now reintegrated in the Thoth Art Tarot Card but in a higher octave spiritually.

 

Bees = fertility and this fertility gives rise to the renewal of life’s cycles represented by the Serpent with curly tail.

In the Thoth figure the arms have been swapped so the black arm is associated with the white face, and the white arm is associated with the black face.

The 2 figures in the Lovers merge to become one in Art. The figure in Art is called an ANDROGYNE:  it has both masculine and feminine characteristics.

The blond hair is now on the dark-skinned side of the Androgene, and dark curly hair on the white side of the Androgyne.

The Silver Crown of the White King is on the Black Queen, and the Golden Crown of the Black Queen on the White King side.

 

3. Integration of Lion and Eagle

Their colours have been interchanged from the Lovers Card so the red lion is now white and the white eagle red. They stand upon BURNING WATER  representing the union of the elements of fire and water

 The Eagle has traded its feminine gluten for the blood of the male Lion in the bottom of the Thoth Tarot Art Card:

 

They trade their gluten and blood in the cauldron between them.

Cauldron = If we look at the cauldron itself it has the sign of the raven on top of a skull which relates to the Death Card which we reviewed in the last tutorial. In the cauldron both the PURE  aspects of the feminine and the masculine are contributing to the mix. They are being refined  so something new can be created out of the death of the old and for more on the alchemical aspects of it  please see the reference Book of Alchemy. 

More specifically the raven and skull stand for the ‘dross’ that is filtered out in the purification process.

The cauldron is yellow representing the sixth sephiroth, Tiphareth ruled by the sun and this represents the balance and harmony of its contents, just as Tiphareth reflects balance and harmony on the middle pillar at the centre the Tree of Life.

Tau Cross on Cauldron Rim = integration of the elements and is also a sign for new life

Rainbow on breastplate = the product of the purification process in the cauldron. A stream of light passes up the figure and forms rainbows on her breastplate. For an in-depth analysis of the mysticism of Sagittarius see the link here.

Rainbow in background = arising from the breastplate and contains the words:

VISITA RECTIFICANDO INVENIES OCCULTUM LAPIDEM = visit the interior parts of the earth ; by rectification(purification) thou shalt find the hidden stone. A simplified description is given below; Crowley goes into great detail in his Book of Thoth (p104)

This statement describes the process and result of what has happened in the cauldron. When we go within ourselves (the centre) and purify that which we find, we find the hidden stone(philosophers stone), Enlightenment. We then have colour and harmony surrounding us (rainbow)

VITRIOL = derived from the letters from the above statement. representing the balance of the 3 alchemical principles, sulphur, mercury and salt, or the 3 gunas. Again we have this idea of balance, harmony and integration expressed.

The arrow of Sagittarius implies the importance of directed WILL in this process.

4. Integration of Elemental Opposites

The Androgyne pours water and fire into the cauldron:

 

 

 

The Lovers and Art Cards are seen together below : 

 

(vi)  Additional  Symbolism

Artemis(Greek)/Diana(Roman) = Central figure of the card & she is the Moon Goddess. Her Bow has been transformed into the Moons at the top of the Art card. She is also in green representing the feminine (fertility). With the Sun represented in the heart region and the abundance of green in the card there is a strong message of FERTILITY to this card. This may relate the being in harmony within

Lamen on Breastplate = Lamen is a general term for a magical pendant worn around the neck so that it hangs upon the breast over the heart such as the one below from the O.T.O

 

 

Lamen of 6 spheres = in her heart region. Six is the number of the sun which rules the 6th sephiroth, Tiphareth. So her body is feminine but she has masculinity which rules the heart.

 

 

Artemis was also known as the many breasted Goddess:

Also on the breast-plate there is the arrow (seen in the lower middle of the image) and the sphere it is placed on is that of Yesod (ruled by the Moon). The arrow represents Sagittarius and points to Tiphareth, the path the Thoth Tarot Art Card represents on the Tree of Life.

This implies that the lower subconscious elements of Yesod are integrated with the Higher Energies of the Christ Centre in Tiphareth.

Green Robe = fertility (Spring) arising from the Union of Emperor and Empress.

 

(viii) Death to Art Transition

Death involves the purging of that which is no longer functioning and serving our new life. The Thoth Tarot Art Card represents the step whereby we work on ourselves and spirit works with us to reintegrate into a higher evolved being. This is all a part of the learning that we do when we follow our spiritual path. This step of reintegration is not always easy when going through this process but has the potential of evolving us spiritually. So potentially a difficult step but one which will bring greater harmony into our lives.

 

 

(ix) Thoth Art Tarot Card Divinatory Meanings

The Thoth Art Tarot Card is closely associated with the Rider Waite Temperance Card.

 

Thoth Art Upright

The Thoth Tarot Art Card indicates that you are learning to bring about balance and moderation in your life. You have been able to take the middle road, avoiding extremes and maintaining a sense of calm.

 Keeping calm in situations of great stress or anxiety do not let things get to you and finding a place of peace where you can put things into perspective when things get hectic.

The need to strive for balance and tranquillity is what will help you to achieve and experience fulfilment in your life. 

This card also reflects a higher learning in what you are doing and demonstrates that you are learning a great deal on your journey in terms of integrating those things which you need to bring into balance which may have been holding you back. 

In relation to others, Temperance represents adaptation, coordination, and tempering those things which are happening in your daily life at home and work. Try to work in harmony with others coming from a place of stability and strength inside of you.

Finding the right balance of your skills and interests to make the most out of your life

The Thoth Tarot Art card asks you to be patient so that you can act with conscious intent.Patience and moderation will result in good management of all things. Do not feel that you need to rush, just let the situation evolve at its natural pace.

In summary in its emphasis on reintegration that we have seen as a central theme to this card, the Art Card can also reflect a period of self-evaluation in order to re-examine your life priorities. You are now seeking a much greater balance between your inner and outer selves, searching for a higher meaning and purpose in life. Throughout this transition, you may also experience a clash between your established habits and way of thinking and your new evolved vision.  Just keep looking inwards without fear but with a calm determination to overcome any obstacles in the knowledge you are moving on to a much better, harmonious life.

 

 

Thoth Art Reversed

The Thoth Art Card reversed reflects a time when something is out of balance, in conflict or excessive, and is therefore creating stress and tension in your life.

 You may be acting impatiently or refusing to take the moderate, gentle approach. Be wary of hasty action as this will only lead to further imbalance.

      A time when you need to reflect on what changes are necessary in your life to create greater purpose and fulfilment. Return to the energy of the Death card to understand what you need to leave behind you in the past and what changes you need to embrace in the future.

    In relation to your external circumstances the people  you are dealing with are proving to be uncooperative or you may feel as though your interests are in conflict or competition with each other. 

  Unresolved conflicts in both of you have yet to be expressed clearly or addressed, indeed you may not be conscious of them, although you are aware that something is wrong. 

 

 

(x) Thoth Art Tarot Card in the Celtic Cross Spread

 

1: Heart of the Situation = the need to bring balance and harmony in your life by avoiding extremes and working through subconscious blocks

2: Possible obstacle = unresolved conflicts, excesses in your life throwing out balance and harmony

3: Unconscious Influences = things in your subconscious you may not even be aware of that are not resolved and holding you back.

4: Recent Past = a time of harmony and using your skills to their full potential

5: Hopes and goals = higher learning and finding the right balance in your life to express your interests.

6: Short Term Future = the need to work through things which are holding you back. Focus on your highest ideal at this time and remove that which does not serve

7: Our Self Image in this situation = the need to be calm and patient and work out a plan for greater life harmony

8: Environment = people are in conflict with how you want to express yourself or what you want to achieve.

9: Guidance & Warning = you cannot put off reaching inside yourself to resolve that which may cause your life to go out of balance. Having the situation be as it is like having a karmic loaded gun and the effects on your life will be unpredictable

10: Overall Outcome = harmony and balance moving your life onto a higher octave through having the patience and courage to work through subconscious blocks. The result is a more productive spiritual life bringing many realisations out into the world.

 

(xi) Links to Thoth Art Tarot Card

Paul Hughes Barlow

Marveena Meek

 

(xii) Additional References

Spiritual Hierarchy

Meditation Group

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