Tarot Arcana Symbolism and Spiritual Initiation
The road was associated with resurrection, while the crocodile was associated with the monster Ammit, the shadow devourer, because it devoured those who had a heavy heart, heavier than a feather. Above we see the Sphinx, the Sphinx with a sword, and the symbol of rebirth, which is also indicating that consciousness can be reborn, by virtue of initiation. The initiation that is here symbolized by the caduceus which are these two serpents that form a heart. The Sphinx itself, which also represents revelation, the knowledge of mysteries. This Blade therefore represents the two currents of humanity: one part of humanity that evolves, that is in the direction of the Sphinx, and another part that involves, becoming more animalistic. The Initiate here becomes aware of these two currents that regulate the evolution and involution of humanity and the universe. The following Blade is Strength and is represented by a maiden, a maiden who has a serene air and who dominates the mouth of a Lion. This Lion represents pride, arrogance, being the most powerful of all animals it also stands for instinctive Forces, the primordial Forces that are unleashed. The Lion can be controlled with the Force that is in the cup, that is, wisdom, illuminated intelligence, which controls with purity the power of the Lion's roar. Above the figure we again have the symbol of mathematical infinity $\infty$ symbolizing here also a connection to the high. Now let's move here to the Hanged Man. This arcanum, the Hanged Man, symbolizes renunciation, sacrifice, detachment from everything, also from oneself, the renunciation of each thing. We see here represented a man who is upside down and who possesses gold and silver because, if we look, they are coins that are falling from his pockets. This to symbolize that he is free from any attachment, completely disinterested and ready for this renunciation. The legs of the Hanged Man, with the body, also form there a triangle, with the vertex downward and a cross upward that symbolizes the great work, the realization of immortality. The Hanged Man is already in the second part of the Initiate's journey and from here on the Blades indicate the various alchemical operations, of spiritual alchemy, so that he can realize the Great Work. The Hanged Man must be ready for this renunciation, for this total detachment from everything, ready for a sacrifice in order to be able to realize what comes next. And then comes the card of Death. Death here symbolizes a transformation, we saw that the first alchemical operation is this, Death. Many times we see Death from a negative point of view but in reality, in all traditional schools, Death refers to a metaphysical experience. It is seen as a passage and also as an opportunity for rebirth. This arcanum signifies unfolding, change of state, this evolution. Death here is represented while cutting hands and heads, this because it must cut with all mental forms, with the power of action. The Initiate or the Magus must renounce this power because if he does not die, then he cannot be reborn either. We now have Temperance. Temperance in which we see drawn here a royal figure that pours a liquid from a silver cup to a golden cup. This blade represents the passage from a lunar nature to a Solar nature. There is here a progress, an evolution, a rebirth, and a transmutation of the soul from silver into the gold of spirit. This Blade is also a conjunction of two principles, that is, a lunar and a Solar principle, that is, a feminine and a masculine that generate what comes next, which is the magnetism of the Devil. In this arcanum of the Devil, we find the infernal divinity represented by Set, a telluric, demonic divinity of the Egyptian pantheon that does not refer to a being but to a Force, which the hermeticists called the Great Magical Agent or the Infernal Fire, the occultists call Astral Light and in the Grail romances, they indicate the moat of water that protects a castle where the Grail is guarded. Here it indicates the necessity for the Initiate to correctly direct this Force that chains man and woman to a lower chain to this existential cycle. In fact, there are here two figures that are chained. On the arms he has written two words: "Solve" and "coagula", these are two alchemical operations, where "Solve" means to melt and "coagula" means to coagulate to indicate that one must melt what is inferior and coagulate the superior. Spiritualize the body, matter and make the spirit corporeal. A power to be acquired through overcoming, fundamentally, one's own human nature. Now let's go here to the Tower and in it we see the fall. It, therefore, represents the fall and collapse. We have two figures, one is royal and the