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VIII. Strength



The idea that my mind settled on for this card is Taming, in its widest sense, but that's not all.
Red Lion represents the Alchemical Sulfur, Fire, in its firiest sense.  Alchemical Sulfur is the soul, or the consciousness of a plant, mineral, or animal.

The Red Lion also represents the Philosopher's stone, the ingredient necessary for transforming base metal (lead) into gold.

The letter ט (tet) associated with the path represents a Serpent by it's shape.  Other than that it has no meaning.  It would appear that later interpretations of the Kabbalah assigned the meaning of "Serpent" to  the word of the letter, טֵית, although there's no evidence that it actually ever meant "serpent".  Serpent is נחש.  

Sulfur is also associated with The Emperor. Path #19 is also called "The Intelligence of the Secret of all Spiritual Activities"... we may have to leave that one alone for the time being, at least until we come to understand that the so called secret of all spiritual activities is different for all people but we think that the essence of all is the control of thought and consciousness.  The intelligence of that secret is... what?

Crowley calls this path the essence of all Magick - and renamed it Lust in his deck.  Notice I have not referred to Crowley or Thelema at all in these documents.  My intention is to explore  using the medieval techniques as much as possible.  No disrespect to A.C. its just his methods will not take me where I want to go.

the infinity symbol above the woman's head is the same one as above the head of the Magician, which represents the planet Mercury.  Alchemical Mercury represents the life of a mineral, plant, or animal.  The card implies that it is the life force which sublimates, tames the consciousness.   - however since it is the life force of the operator which ultimately sets in motion any magical effects, life force directed by the subconscious.  The idea of the OUROBOROS is thus implied, the snake eating its tail, the delicate balance of power between the Will to Change one's consciousness and the Consciousness changing (affecting) the Will.






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