The Illustrated Key to the Tarot: The Veil of DivinationDe Laurence, L. W. (Lauron William)
Religion
The Illustrated Key to the Tarot: The Veil of Divination
De Laurence, L. W. (Lauron William)
Fortune-telling by cards; Tarot
It will be seen, however, that the figure is seated between
pillars, like the High Priestess, and on this account it seems desirable
to indicate that the moral principle which deals unto every
man according to his works—while, of course, it is in strict
analogy with higher things—differs in its essence from the spiritual
justice which is involved in the idea of election. The latter
belongs to a mysterious order of Providence, in virtue of which
it is possible for certain men to conceive the idea of dedication
to the highest things. The operation of this is like the breathing
of the Spirit where it wills, and we have no canon of criticism
or ground of explanation concerning it. It is analogous to the
possession of the fairy gifts and the high gifts and the gracious
gifts of the poet: we have them or have not, and their presence
is as much a mystery as their absence. The law of Justice is not,
however, involved by either alternative. In conclusion, the pillars
of Justice open into one world and the pillars of the High
Priestess into another.
TWELVE. THE HANGED MAN
The gallows from which he is suspended forms a Tau cross,
while the figure—from the position of the legs—forms a fylfot
cross. There is a nimbus about the head of the seeming martyr.
It should be noted (1) that the tree of sacrifice is living wood,
with leaves thereon; (2) that the face expresses deep entrancement,
not suffering; (3) that the figure, as a whole, suggests life
in suspension, but life and not death. It is a card of profound
significance, but all the significance is veiled. One of his editors
suggests that Eliphas Lévi did not know the meaning, which is
unquestionable—nor did the editor himself. It has been called
falsely a card of martyrdom, a card of prudence, a card of the
Great Work, a card of duty; but we may exhaust all published
interpretations and find only vanity. I will say very simply on
my own part that it expresses the relation, in one of its aspects,
between the Divine and the Universe.
He who can understand that the story of his higher nature is
imbedded in this symbolism will receive intimations concerning
a great awakening that is possible, and will know that after
the sacred Mystery Of Death there is a glorious Mystery Of
Resurrection.
THIRTEEN. DEATH
The veil or mask of life is perpetuated in change, transformation
and passage from lower to higher, and this is more fitly
represented in the rectified Tarot by one of the apocalyptic
visions than by the crude notion of the reaping skeleton. Behind
it lies the whole world of ascent in the spirit. The mysterious
horseman moves slowly, bearing a black banner emblazoned with
the Mystic Rose, which signifies life. Between two pillars on
the verge of the horizon there shines the sun of immortality.
The horseman carries no visible weapon, but king and child and
maiden fall before him, while a prelate with clasped hands awaits
his end.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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