THE SUN 19 (SUN): The first of three fire based planetary archetypes showing how the motion of fire can be used to awaken consciousness, to destroy outworn patterns and past karma, and to rebuild toward something greater and promising.
In the Sun archetype card, the pineal gland (single eye pine cone) is the center of consciousness directly activated through the light rays of the Sun. Throughout the day, the Sun emits varying levels of UV energy as will as stimulating nutrients and hormones within the human body. The Sun archetype is shown at its highest level of conscious awakening . A will driven to a set purpose in life. There is a mercurial influence of mind expansion as Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun. There is a constant state of communication between these two influences as we see within the lemniscate (seen in the Magus/Lust cards) and the Kundalini inspired fire twin snakes (representing Aries + Sagittarius) forming the caduceus through the guidance of the 3rd eye heart. There is a infinite spiral that is the backdrop to the Sun card centered with the 12 pointed star interlocking the alchemical processes (separating and recombining) of the zodiacal sign elements, then transforming into the sun rays of the lesser arcana decanates. The open winged heart supporting the Sun’s life force is the sign of Leo showing strength, compassion, and support of its own vitality. The Sun has a long lasting influence on our conscious being. We reflect outwardly the changes that we have internally experienced. At times, this can come in the form of a personal awakening or a destructive ego in need of being demolished
The Tree of Life has the Sun in the 6th sephira of Tiphareth and path 30 (Resh) between Hod (Mercury) and Yesod (Moon). In Tiphareth, the Sun is the undulating fulcrum creating harmony for all the sephiras and paths. This is the “Lord of the Fire of the World” forces moving all around and changing form throughout its journey. Path 30 of the Sun guides its relationship between the mind and the heart through conscious mindfulness. In a sense, the Self finding its own divine Will and being motivated toward a set intention.
TOWER/16 (MARS): For me, the Tower itself is the “ego soul body”. A structure that has been continuously built upon (over time) from ones life experiences. But there comes a moment when this edifice is faced with a sudden awakening that an aspect of their ego soul (conscious Self) needs to be dismissed. It’s something that has been a ongoing hinderance in ones personal growth and it is this realization (lightning bolt) that causes a powerful cathartic release of negative and blocked energies that shudders the psyche, the heart, and the ego soul. This card is all about a reset of the Self and knowing this is no permanency to the body of the Tower. At this point of breaking down, the process is painful as the ego soul is being burned and thrown away. A dismantling of (held on) karmic action now leaves a new foundation (albeit charred) to build from. The Mars war-like influence is prominent throughout this card. From the initiation of the bolt of awakening to the Crown chakra all the way down to the base (root chakra) of the Tower where we see inherent primal forces being awakened. Mars is showing its destructive force (potentially self willed) that has no control over a situation and that whatever remains from this experience will open up a new perspective on building a more solid soul body (Tower).
The Tree of Life has Mars in the 5th sephira of Geburah (5) between Binah (3, Saturn) and Hod (8, Mercury). A placement that brings understanding of what has been formed through Binah, then a needed breakdown of the Form through Geburah, to revealing the true essence (spiritual intellect) of the ‘Self through Hod. The Tower card is on path 27 between Hod (8) and Netzach (7). A path that shows how the Tower can breakdown outworn thoughts and release blocked emotions to liberate and to elevate the soul body to a state of conscious healing through the revealing of Truth.
FORTUNE/10 (JUPITER): The Hebrew word associated with Fortune is “KAPH meaning of palm of hand or fist”. This card is asking “if you are willing to (or not) to receive the Fortune that is being delivered?” This can be in the form of either great luck or a lesson that is needed to be experienced. Whatever is being written toward your destiny is meant to occur. This Wheel spins based on the soul’s force (Gunas) of Intelligence, Kinetic energy, and moments of stillness. Meleen states the Vajra as “a thunderbolt and shuttle” for the Fortune card. But I see this more of the Vajra being the soul body vehicle that is weaving the thread of the “forces of life” through the wheel. The two lightning bolts are activating the cosmic and worldly realms into action. The cosmic realm is seen on the left side and offers the experience of the awakened spiritual soul. This is the beginning of the transformation to personal abundance. This blue thread of transformation comes from this cosmic realm, threaded through the Vajra (soul body) then weaved through the Wheel, and placed into motion via the Gunas/Forces of Life.. Sattwa, Rajas, and Tamas. The right side of the card is the transformation being shaped into form through the guidance of the 7 planetary forces seen at the base of the loom.
A few things that caught my attention within this Fortune card is the (3rd Eyed) Owl is placed on the top of the Wheel to indicate higher spiritual knowledge (Kether), the Lemur representing the Emperor (Geburah/Mars) inspired by the Empress (thank you Erica for that insight!) for maintaining order and planning ahead, and the hand eye serpent for writing the soul’s destiny based on the present time. In a sense, personally committing and forming your own Fortune that is of great purpose.
JUPITER is the third fire based planetary archetype focussed on long term success. A Jupiter natal return is every 12 years and remains in your sign for 1 year. It is about luck, abundance, karma, expansion, and generosity. I feel it is important to understand that Jupiter is about opportunities and how we seek and receive these experiences. Are they (in)directly manifested due to necessity or is it driven from a desire to have a particular experience? Jupiter is a slower moving planet and know whatever achievement is created you are accountable to maintain and nurture this until its completion.
The Tree of Life: Jupiter is in the 4th Sephira of Chesed (framework of success). The Fortune card is on Path 21 between Chesed and the 7th Sephira of Netzach (Venus/emotions). Chesed is initiating the call to develop your greatest potential and to succeed at its end result. This is coming from a perspective of discernment on how to approach this goal. Netzach is the heartfelt force of the Fortune card. Ideally, this is where the TRUE essence of the Fortune card is centered. It is every aspect of the Self that needs to be present and dedicated to achieving the prosperity that is of the highest purpose for the soul.
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