(i) Ace of Disks YouTube Video
My new YouTube channel is : Thoth Tarot Videos. The YouTube Presentation for the Ace of Disks can be accessed by clicking on the image below:
(ii) Thoth Ace of Disks
The Ace of Disks is one of the most difficult cards of the minor arcana to understand but it is basically a symbol of the EARTH and also of the number 6 or THE SUN. It is important to get a large version of the card to see all of the details. This image has been scanned from the large version of the deck. The ace of Disks is called the ‘Root of the Powers of Earth’
Background to Crowleys Ace of Disks
There is a tree of life of sorts here with Kether and Malkuth represented at the top and bottom of the card respectively, and tree like growth rings visible.
In the Book of Thoth Crowley states that many tarot packs do not give full justice to this card thinking that earth is just passive and inert. Crowley sees earth as very much alive. To reflect this coins or pentacles are replaced by DISKS which indicate motion and energy, like all matter down to the atom.
The Sun and its union with the Earth,creates this dynamic energy in the disks that is missing in the ‘pentacles’
The card represents the new Aeon of HORUS hence he has fully updated this card to represent the NEW AEON.
The 3 ages are
1. Isis
2. Osiris
3. Horus (Present)
Crowley put his personal seal on the Ace of Disks as the beast 666
(iii) Rider Waite Ace of Pentacles
A hand appears out of a cloud holding a pentacle.
(iv) Ace of Disks and the Tetragrammaton
The card represents the Heh Final of the Tetragrammaton, the daughter principle of God, and in Crowleys New Doctrine of the Tetragrammaton, is set upon the throne of the Mother, to awaken the father (p 210 Book of Thoth).
The Ace of Wands is associated with Yod, The Ace of Cups with Heh, The Ace of Swords with Vav and The Ace of Disks with Heh Final.
Thus the minor arcana is related to the 4 fold nature of God, the 4 worlds and the 4 fold aspect of the soul as summarised in the table below:
The Tetragrammaton is the four-fold nature of God and is used many times in original scripture found in the dead sea scrolls (see image below), but has been removed from modern translations. It translates to Jehovah.
(iv) Numerology of the Ace of Disks
Number 1 (Monad) Ace of Disks = perfect unity with NO dimensions of its own (see Leibniz Monadology). However, when combined with other points it has the power to express its potential by creating new dimensions. Thus the Aces of the Minor Arcana are representing PURE POTENTIAL of KETHER which may or may not be realised.
(v) Ace of Disks, The Tree of Life & Four Worlds
The Tree of Life
Kether (Hidden Intelligence)= the unity, spirit, potential, seed and source of creation, that is complete unto itself. It is called the hidden Intelligence because it is incomprehensible to us and is beyond consciousness.
Its primary Symbol is the Crown which is above and yet part of a unified whole. A monach wearing a crown is a head of state, passing rules and directing the people.
Kether is also associated with the point, something complete in itself and is a unified whole, as described in the Numerology section above.
The Ace of Disks therefore represents the potential of the rest of the suit of Disks which has yet to come into existence. The Ace contains the promise and possibility of the remaining disks.
The 4 Worlds
The Ace of Disks is associated with Kether In Assiah.
Assiah is the world of Manifestation and Action. It is the final series of steps that brings our spark of inspiration in the Ace all the way into completion in physical form. So in readings the Ace of Disks looks at material circumstances but in the Thoth Deck, ‘Disks’ can also imply ‘inner’ learning as well, as Crowley saw the disks as representing active, living beings. He states:
“This card is thus an affirmation of the identity of Sol and Terra-and that will be best understood by those who have punctually practised Liber Resh for the necessary number of years, preferably in such Hermitages as those of the Sahara Desert, where the Sun and the Earth can soon be instinctively recognized as living Beings, one’s constant companions in a Universe of Pure Joy.” (Book of Thoth, pp 211-212)
(vi) Astrology of the Ace of Disks
The Ace of Disks rules the Aries- Taurus-Gemini Quadrant above the North Pole, on the Throne of the Princess of Disks (shown as Pentacles in the diagram below):
(vi) Symbolism of the Ace of Disks
Symbolism External to Disk
The Ace of Disks has 2 planes of symmetry external to the disk:
Background = Emerald Green Flecked Yellow Green = represents the Green Spring of the new Aeon of Horus & also the sun and earth as living beings combined. It is also 2 sets of wings sheltering th other 4 sets clearly visible.
6 wings = 4 horizontal (inner and outer) and 2 vertical = 6 number of the SUN. They represent the spiritualisation of the earth by Kether( foliage resembles angels wings).
X-Section of Tree with Rings = growth, maturity
Acorns = Fertility
Symbolism Internal to Disk
Whirling Central Disk = not static like a coin (Pentacle) but a WHIRLING DISK, mimiking the nature of the atom and the universe
To Meta Ophion (To Mega Therion) = This was his seal on the Thoth Deck. ( 2 x 6; ToMeta has 6 letters and so does Ophion)
Robert Graves in his book The Greek Myths imaginatively reconstructs a Pelasgian (Pre Greek) creation myth involving Ophion as a serpent created by a supreme goddess called Eurynome dancing on the waves. She is fertilized by the serpent and in the form of a dove lays an egg on the waters about which Ophion entwines until it hatches and the world issues forth.
We must also be aware that Biblically and in other texts the serpent represents duality, knowledge, good and evil and therefore materealism, which was the downfall of Adam and expulsion from the Garden of Eden (his spiritual state). We see the snake visibly in the 2 of disks in the form of:
Ouroboros:a circular symbol depicting a snake, or less commonly a dragon, swallowing its tail, as an emblem of wholeness or infinity.
Decagram = represents Malkuth (MANIFESTATION)
A 10 pointed figure formed from 2 HEPTAGRAMS on RED and one BLACK. They form the hub of the wheel and from them emanate the 10 spokes of the decagram.
7 pointed star = of Babylon, or the whore of Babylon
3 Yellow circles = phallus & testes One circle inscribed with the MOON. Yellow the colour of Tiphareth
Uppermost Circle = connection with the SUN if we consider a dot in the middle. The astrological glyph of the sun is:
Moon = female
Again we have male/female symbolism with sun and moon together = FERTILITY
666 = inscribed within the 2 lower circles. and the Mark of the Beast = THE CREATIVE IMPULSE, 666 = 6+6+6 = 18 = 1+ 8 = 9 = number of divine consciousness.
7 is a cube with hidden inner spiritual surface (completion/integration).
6 is the outfolded cube or crucifix (spirit sacrifised for outer senses)
144,000 saved = (1+4+4 = 9) see may article in esoteric meanings on symbology of number
6 = number of the Sun
The Scarlet Woman = 667 = formed from 6+6+6+1 (1 is in the top circle). represents Crowley’s partner and also Universal female energy
666 + 667 = The Beast and Babylon of the Lust Card.
666 = sum of all the numbers in the magic square of the sun :
(vii) Summary of the Ace of Disks
The card denotes the principles of male and female polarities in many ways:
- Kether and Earth
- yellow circles (sun, male) & moon (female)
- 666 + 667 (Crowley & The Scarlet Woman)
- It also represents the New Aeon of Horus, with earth being an active rather than passive element.
(viii) Divinatory Meanings of the Ace of Disks
The Ace of Disks, like all the Aces are associated with the Seed of that particular element. They are POTENTIALLY a great card to get in a reading as they indicate the possibility of Internal and external growth in that particular suit. For the disks they represent the posibility of material growth but also an internal harmony with nature as was mentioned above.
Upright
A new job, buisness adventure or looking at new sources of finance. Not necessarily anything concrete at this time, but there may be a potential opportunity for a positive new beginning in this area of your life. Now is a good time.
A sudden input of funds or another way of looking at it is to send out positive messages of abundance that will sustain you.
A new beginning in terms of starting a new interest, but something with a practical element to it (we are in the suit of Disks). A time to work on the tangable rather than the abstract. Learning a new skill for example.
______________________________
Crowley is keen to point out that this card is also about our relationship with nature.From this point mentioned in the Book of Thoth, this card alludes to a greater understanding of ourselves through observation of nature and the seasons and becoming more in harmony with it.
Not being attached to wealth or materialism but rather using it for our internal and external growth in a constructive way. For example, using work as a support for our spiritual studies rather than an end in itself, or seeing how it can be of service to others.
Reversed
A possible expected financial opportunity (pay rise, new job) may not materialise.
Being careful about ones income and expenditure.
Blinded by greed and exploiting others for your own gains.
Seeing work as an end in itself.
Out of touch with nature, a lack of harmony with ones surroundings.
Lacking desire/confidence to look for better finaicial opportunities.
(xi) Ace of Disks and The Celtic Cross Spread
Card 1 (Central Theme of the Spread):
Card 2 (Crossing Influences):
Card 3 (Subconscious Influences):
Card 4 (Recent Past Affecting the Situation):
Card 5 (Hopes and Goals):
Card 6 (Recent Future):
Card 7 (How you are affecting your situation):
Card 8 (How others are affecting your situation):
Card 9 (Guidance or Warning):
Card 10 (Overall outcome):
(ix) Affirmation for the Ace of Disks
I am in harmony with the flow of nature
(x) Recommended Video Links
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The inscription in the circle does not read “to meta ophion”, it reads “to mega therion” (=the great beast). “Meta” is a proposition meaning after, later. “Mega” is an adjective which means big, great. Ophion accompanied by the neuter grammatical definite article ΤΟ (there are also masculine, O, and feminine, Η, grammatical articles, all of which are inflected according to grammatical case and all of them in English translate as “the” and that is also what they all mean in Greek) can only mean “little snake”.
In Greek (deliberately uppercase for comparison purposes):
To Mega Therion =ΤΟ ΜΕΓΑ ΘΗΡΙΟΝ
To Meta Ophion = ΤΟ ΜΕΤΑ ΟΦΙΟΝ
Ophion can be also the transliteration of a male name, ΟΦΙΩΝ, but it would require the definitive article O, rather than the neuter, TO. The adjective would also be in its grammatically masculine form: Ο ΜΕΓΑΣ ΟΦΙΩΝ. To further illustrate the difference, ΟΦΙΟΝ in Latin would be OPHIUM, whereas ΟΦΙΩΝ would be OPHIO. There are also differences in accent and pronunciation but these are unnecessary details. The name ΟΦΙΩΝ can have a feminine form, which is ΟΦΙΑ (Ophia).
Thank you! This confused me to no end. Must be an easy mistake, as a lot of people seem to have this wrong.
Hello and thank you for amazing tutorial videos and info.
Is it possible to contact you if I want a little help with my first celtic cross..? Is that something you do (for payment perhaps) or should I try someone else 🙂
4 of the cards are from the minor arcana and the rest, 7 cards, from major. I wanted to read about for example ace of pentacles in the position 4 but it doesn’t seem to be written out here on you celtic cross for that specific card 🙂
There’s Aeon on position 1 with swords of 9 crossing it.. and The fool on position 6. It’s very confusing 😀
Have a nice day 🙂
Hello! I’m a huge fan of your work, specially in the Thoth deck – which is dear to my heart, and main relationship with the wisdom of tarot. I specially find great help with the meanings of each card in a spread and have noticed some are not complete. I’d love to offer help in any way you can tell me to complete them.
Thanks again for your invaluable work and generous gift.