Exploring the Tarot Pillars: Guardian of the Water Gate
Last month we introduced a new series where we opened up an exploration of the pillared cards in tarot (The Waite/Smith deck specifically). In that post, we set the stage for what we envision will be a 5-part journey through each of the following Major Arcana - The High Priestess, The Emperor, The Hierophant, and Justice. The purpose of these posts is to create the supposition that each of these cards is a gateway to greater degrees of consciousness, demonstrated through 4 separate plotlines that also intersect. Along those lines, we are asking the following - what might these 4 entrances veil? What other cards connect to their plotline? And what can be learned by approaching them in this way? While you can read the full introductory post, we will provide a brief recap before we jump through our first gate guarded by The High Priestess. This is a good time to remind readers that these are just ideas and in no way are we making any definitive claims. This is just one way of many to understand tarot and we hope others find it interesting and resonant.
Recap of Keypoints from First Post
1) There are 4 pillared cards, despite the fact that we can see pillars in only 3 cards. They are as follows - The High Priestess, The Emperor, The Hierophant, and Justice.
2) These 4 cards contain clues, contrasts, and similarities that link them together.
Each card represents one of the 4 elements.
If you add up the numbers of each card, you arrive at 22.
Each figure sits on a stone structure, looks straight on, and occupies the centre portion of the card.
Each figure holds something in their hands.
Each figure wears a crown.
Each figure wears a long garment.
The background of each card showcase a different colour.
3) The background colour, speaking of, is an important clue as to the workings/lessons of that card.
4) Behind each veil, we can link another series of cards that tells the story of the point made above.
5) And finally, the pillared cards represent the opening up of “hidden” faculties within each of us that, if accessed, would give us greater insight into and command over ourselves and our lives.
The High Priestess Gateway - The Reluctant Journey
Element: Water
Faculty: Memory & The Subconscious
Colour: Blue
So now that we’re up to speed, let’s talk specifically about The High Priestess. Here we observe a figure sitting between two pillars with a veil in the background, alluding to the fact that something exists beyond that point that to us, remains hidden. It is interesting to speculate what might exist on the other side and oftentimes, that would lead us down a trail of considering that other cards in the deck may be seen through the cracks. With that in mind, if you look at our 4 pillared cards, you will notice that each has a different coloured background. So we wondered, could we isolate the other Major Arcana cards, and group them with their corresponding pillar according to colour?
Based on its particular blue background, we picked out every Major with the same hue and laid them out by the High Priestess. Those cards are as follows: The Lovers, The Wheel of Fortune, The Star, The Moon, The Sun, Judgment, and The World. You may notice if you’re looking through the cards yourself, that we have omitted The Hermit. We recognize the background is a sort of blue, but it’s darker than the rest. We actually felt after exploring all the pillars, that it resides outside of the scheme, but we can come back to that at another time. For now, we’ll be focusing on just those 7 cards mentioned.
After working through the 4 plotlines, we decided it made the most sense to place the High Priestess cards in a vertical line, starting with The Lovers, and ending with The World. This doesn’t make a great picture though…so just imagine it the other way if you can! And other than the blue backgrounds, how else may these cards visually connect? For starters, none of the figures wears clothing, there is an emphasis on large celestial bodies, angels or winged creatures occupy multiple images, there is water in three of the scenes and there are several cards that feature animals.
Now, taking in this landscape as a whole, an evolutionary tale begins to unfold. We liken it to something of a hero’s journey; a voyage that begins not because you want it, but because you need it and because it is coded in you (unconsciously) to fulfill. It starts in the Garden of Eden, leading to the fall where one is thrust into the Wheel of Karma, a distinct entity known as “I”, trapped in dualism and separation. The figures in The Lovers represent the 3 primary states of consciousness (sub, self and super) and are then seen repeated in the Wheel, now adhered to its parameter and spinning along with it. To approach the High Priestess gate, following this line of thought, is to embrace a certain fate that involves both a fall and a rising up. We speculate that while some evolutionary processes can be very conscious and cooperative, at the pillars of The High Priestess we engage mostly with the subconscious and its watery canal - ours and the collective.
After The Lovers, we arrive at The Wheel and this is where we spend a good deal of “time”. But, every once in a while we catch a glimpse; a spark of hope or inspiration that compels us to look up and wake up, even if it’s just for a moment. This glimmer - found in The Star, is part of the way out of that cycle. It stops Karma in its tracks and reminds us of who we are and what our purpose is. If we can follow that through, eventually we arrive at The World, however, between The Star and The Sun we find The Moon and therein lies a challenge.
Perhaps The Moon then is the most important, yet daunting part of this journey. After all, The High Priestess insists on its significance as she is ruled by that celestial force and a crescent moon sitting by her feet. In Tarot and Kabbalah by Samael Aun Weor, this process of transformation may be described as “trampling the moon”, “decapitating Medusa” or converting the Moon into The Sun (this just happens to be the book I’m reading at the moment so the points were synchronistic. I am not sure the entirety of the content sits with me). Some of the descriptions found here and elsewhere can be cryptic - but we sense they’re pointing to one general idea, and that is the confrontation of the shadow.
The Star can wake us up, but only the work done in the realm of The Moon can truly transform and prepare us for the upper portion of the journey. Unfortunately, this is also the place where we are “put to the test” and often, succumb to the challenge and plunge back into The Wheel. There is no moral dilemma about this though. We all go through it many times in our lives as we become more and more refined. We talk a lot about “bypassing” in spirituality and how detrimental this is to growth. But, is bypassing even possible, truly? The universe is highly intelligent and capable of self-correction. To consciously “bypass” is not a bypass at all. You, like everyone else, will be given exactly what you need when you need it - we can’t just opt out of The Wheel. Our release will come when we are ready and at no point sooner.
Of course, part of sinking into our depths (the world of water, emotion, subconsciousness, race memories) isn’t denying or condemning these aspects, but rather making friends with them. We don’t transform demons by slaying them. If we slay the beast, their lesson dies with them. By integrating our shadow, we can properly absorb, and thus make use of, the parts which may actually enhance us. I think the language offered in many systems can be confusing, but simply put - we all have demons, demons are only bad if we say they are, and an earnest sit down with them can help to put them in their place; safely within our hearts.
In Up From Eden, Ken Wilber offers this potent passage regarding shadow…
“We now reach a crucial point. Self-esteem cannot occur if the ego is dissociated into acceptable personae vs shadow personae, for then one cannot accurately or honestly recognize oneself and therefore, one cannot accurately and honestly recognize others. Because one cannot clearly see all of oneself, one cannot enter into mutual self exchange fully and honestly - one hides from oneself, and thus from others; and others, in turn, are hidden. The whole flow of mutual self-recognition, which actually constitutes self-esteem, is disrupted and distorted. It's almost as if you were landed in a foreign country with a conniving and deceitful interpreter (the shadow), and then proceeded to try to establish meaningful relationships with others, relationships upon which your own self-esteem with soon rest. And, you never suspected or confronted the interpreter. And, you were the interpreter.”
So The Moon is a real challenge because it’s difficult to see in the dark. But, the more we look the more our eyes adjust and the more our faculties (both inner and outer) become trained to transform. In fact, in much occult literature, you will find references to operations that, through this work, altar the very basis of our DNA making us not only mentally and spiritually sound, but physically as well. In doing this, we become in a sense, reborn to a new world with a new perspective (even if nothing has technically changed in our surroundings). The Sun, the transformed individual who has made it “through” The Moon, may be regarded as a symbol for the twice-born - revitalized and renewed. This is, of course, not in abandoning all that was previous but remolding it into a more efficient and effective form.
A single person who has, through personal development, given birth to their authentic radiant being, shines brighter for all those around them. The Sun to Judgement may speak to the collective benefit of us each doing this powerful bit of work. As one transforms, we all do, and as one lights their own lantern, so too does it show the way for others. Alone, we are powerful, but if we return home and give of this glory, then all of humanity benefits and rises up. And of course, we know where Judgment thusly leads - right to The World. A celebration due to the end of separation; personal awareness transformed in such a way that it cannot be undone. Some call this state of consciousness God, unity, super, cosmic, Christ etc.
In the plot of these 7 cards, we observe many nods to biblical tales and spiritual concepts. It is the fall from Eden, Revelations, the trek across the desert, the meeting of the dweller on the threshold, the hero’s journey, and the beginning of (and end to) karma. This journey often starts unconsciously, though with awareness, can become very self-directed. We also think it is interesting to note that 7 cards land in this gateway. 7 is a significant number with links to many operations told in different ways i.e. the chakra system (root to crown), steps in alchemy, seals in revelations, steps on Jacob’s ladder etc. What we see then, whether we use one of those systems or the cards laid before us, is a story of movement. This graduation takes us from the simple self, to a more conscious self, to the correction of misinformation onto the arrival of a greater sense of oneness.
How can The High Priestess help us navigate this trail? Or, what might we do to successfully pass through her gate and the steps which proceed it? This is the reluctant journey, so the particulars may be very unique. The most important thing is to understand the underlying current that guides the way, to reflect on experiences, to confront the shadows, and ultimately, to seek to know oneself above all else. The more we know of ourselves, our impulses, and our reactions - the more we can actively correct “corruption” and as such, become safe harbours not just for ourselves but for all others on this journey we call life.
In the next part of this series, we will explore another set of pillars via The Emperor. That gateway only houses 2 cards - but they’re big ones! Can you guess what they are? We’ll share that along with what that storyline entails and how we can best engage with it to fulfill what is ultimately the point of all of this, which is, to step into greater awareness.
Until next time…
Julia & Tim
P.S. The next post in this series is now available. Check it out - Exploring the Tarot Pillars: Guardian of the Fire Gate