Review of Jason Miller's Sorcery of Hekate Course

The Sorcery of Hekate course has been an experience of positive change for me, although I admit that I had no idea what I was getting into. While considering whether to enroll, I found that information about the course was scarce. People uphold the ‘vow of secrecy’ regarding these lessons. During the course, I found that the unfolding of the teaching is a marvelous journey that follows a particular path that shouldn’t be revealed in advance. In retrospect, I realize that Nathan provides the best summary available in his In Depth Review.

Despite my initial hesitation due to the cost, my intuition prompted me so strongly that I signed up a week late and I’m grateful for that belated decision. The course has brought positive changes to my life, fostering resilience, fearlessness, and self-understanding.

I confess that I had failed to realize that this course delves deeply into the practice of magic. As Jason explained in a Q&A recording, “This class exists to make you better at magic.”

The course’s progression is well structured, introducing additional rituals and beings each week. The unfolding of the course allows us to explore magical practice while building a connection with Hekate.

From the beginning of the course, I found myself taking charge of my life in ways I had not before, leading to a more positive outlook on life. The daily minimum of mantra recitation and the ritual have enriched my connection with other deities I worship and has even improved my focus when reciting prayers from the siddur.

Jason's teachings are artfully imparted. He is a master of effective analogies that are helpful to everyone, even those who, like me, are unfamiliar with either Western Magick or Tibetan Buddhism. He and Hekate have created a valuable system for honing both magical and practical skills, with the Mandala serving as a vital mechanism in that system.

There are thirteen lessons consisting of 15-year-old recordings, 5 year-old PDF study guides, and ritual scripts sent every two weeks. A week after each lesson, Jason records answers to the questions posted to the Facebook group by current students. Occasional discrepancies arise between the MP3 lessons, the PDF study guides, and Jason’s current answers, but these are usually minor and we can flexibly adapt our practices based on the Q&A recordings. (It is a little surprising that he is unaware of the small changes to the system that have developed over time and I found it frustrating hearing him tell my fellow students, “I never said that,” when I, too, recalled him saying just that.)

The course involved a few additional expenses, but Jason advised us (strongly!) not to inquire about the items until they are needed. You will never need an altar or shrine space, although a string of beads or counting app is useful for keeping track of mantras. (As an aside, I recommend that, if you want to copy rituals by hand, you use loose paper as additional scripts are added each week and changes are made to earlier scripts.)

Beyond learning from books, I value the fellowship of other students, which in this 15th cycle of the course has been inspiring and supportive. Although Jason is “investigating platforms to use for this class that would eliminate any kind of student group entirely,” I hope he chooses to maintain the current arrangement, especially since contact with him is limited to the bimonthly Q&As.

Sorcery of Hekate 1 is a complete system of magic that does not exclude prayer or worship, but focuses on what Jason refers to as “enhanced developmental practices.” The Mandala you will create with your mind serves as both an astral temple and a machine, aligning the practitioner with Hekate and other beings.

Jason encourages a dedicated practice, starting with the daily recitation of 100 mantras, which he considers the bare minimum commitment. Additionally, you can perform about 20 minutes of ritual daily or weekly, depending on your preference and schedule. Each Dark Moon is an opportunity for a more extended ritual.

Jason does not provide “a recipe book of spells;” he is giving us the tools to create spells ourselves. For instance, the Hekate Oil recipe includes the ingredients but not their proportions, enabling herbalists to tailor the mixture to suit their needs.

Since I had no prior experience in magic, initially I sometimes had to “fake it to make it,” but I soon found my connection to Hekate’s magic flourishing.

The course is immediately effective, but no one could master it in seven months. I am grateful for that, as I wish to continue this practice for a long time. (For $700, it had better last a lifetime!)

Jason's spelling, punctuation, and occasionally his word choices are less than perfect, which sometimes caused me frustration. However, I recognized that his focus lies in other details of this system. For scholars of ancient Greek or speakers of modern Greek, Jason’s pronunciations may be disappointing, but he does provide recordings of some of the ritual texts read by a person more fluent than he is.

On a few occasions early in the course, I found Jason's expressions of frustration with student questions to be inappropriate. Using prior students' comprehension as a benchmark for comparison is not, to put it mildly, a sound pedagogical approach. Setting aside these details, he's a good teacher.

While the course has been highly beneficial, I nonetheless think it somewhat overpriced, especially considering the outdated recordings and study guides that have not been updated based on student feedback. Furthermore, only seven of the nine triads are introduced in
Hekate 1. However, Jason dutifully answered all but two questions in the Q&As for Hut 15.

So, if your intuition demands you take the course, as mine did, I would recommend you do so. I can't imagine any other way I could have acquired this knowledge.

One student eloquently summed up the experience: “A number of the places where I experienced the most growth weren’t directly related to the sorcery of Hekate, but I had success leveraging my deepening relationship with Her for those ends.”

In conclusion, I must emphasize the usefulness of the system Jason has transmitted. While maintaining confidentiality, I will share a comprehensive list of everything he has provided us during cycle 15 of the Sorcery of Hekate, so you will have some idea of what you'll be getting if you register for the course.

NOTE: During the final Q&A of the course, I began reconsidering my assessment of the course and eventually shared my thoughts on Jason's teaching style in this post. 

 
THE COURSE MATERIALS:

First Month (Lessons 1 and 2)

Lesson 1
MP3 Teaching (1 hr 15 min)
PDF Study Guide
PDF Ritual Script
PDF Ritual Script PDF Visualization Points
MP3 FAQ (1 hr)
PDF FAQ Time Stamps

Q&A 1 (Your class will have its own questions and answers)
MP3 Part 1 (50 min)
MP3 Part 2 (41 min)
MP3 Part 3 (45 min)
MP3 Part 4 (47 min)
MP3 Part 5 (41 min)

Lesson 0
MP3 Origin of the Arcana (13 min)

Lesson 2
MP3 Teaching (49 min)
MP3 Recording of Ritual (3 min)
MP3 Recording of Ritual (1 min)
MP3 Recording of Ritual (3 min)
PDF Study Guide
PDF Ritual Script
Video of Mudra (4 min)
PDF Ritual Script
PDF Condensed Ritual
Video Explaining the Ritual (10 min)
MP3 FAQ
PDF FAQ Time Stamps

Q&A 2 (Your class will have its own questions and answers)
MP3 Part 1 (43 min)
MP3 Part 2 (46 min)
MP3 Part 3 (46 min)
MP3 Part 4 (51 min)
MP3 Part 5 (47 min)
MP3 Part 6 (42 min)
Time Stamps for Q&A in the email

Second Month (Lessons 3 and 4)

Lesson 3
MP3 Teaching (32 min)
PDF Study Guide

Q&A 3 (Your class will have its own questions and answers)
MP3 Part 1 (48 min)
MP3 Part 2 (47 min)
MP3 Part 3 (46 min)
MP3 Part 4 (33 min)
Time Stamps for Q&A in the email

Lesson 4
MP3 Teaching (43 min)
PDF Study Guide
PDF Ritual Script
PDF Condensed Ritual

Q&A 4 (Your class will have its own questions and answers)
MP3 Part 1 (49 min)
MP3 Part 2 (49 min)
MP3 Part 3 (27 min)
Time Stamps for Q&A in the email

Third Month (Lessons 5 and 6)

Lesson 5
MP3 Teaching (56 min)
PDF Study Guide
PDF Ritual Script

Q&A 5 (Your class will have its own questions and answers)
MP3 Part 1 (45 min)
MP3 Part 2 (53 min)
MP3 Part 3 (48 min)
MP3 Part 4 (37 min)
Time Stamps for Q&A in the email

Lesson 6
MP3 Teaching (46 min)
PDF Ritual Script
PDF Ritual Script
PDF Study Guide
Time Stamps for Q&A in the email

Q&A 6 (Your class will have its own questions and answers)
MP3 Part 1 (45 min)
MP3 Part 2 (47 min)
MP3 Part 3 (57 min)
Time Stamps for Q&A in the email

Fourth Month (Lessons 7 and 8)

Lesson 7
MP3 Teaching (52 min)
PDF Study Guide

Q&A 7 (Your class will have its own questions and answers)
Part 1 (45 min)
Part 2 (41 min)
Time Stamps for Q&A in the email

Lesson 8
MP3 Teaching (50 min)
PDF Study Guide
Ritual Script

Q&A 8 (Your class will have its own questions and answers)
MP3 Part 1 (47 min)
MP3 Part 2 (40 min)
Time Stamps for Q&A in the email

Fifth Month (Lesson 9 and 10)

Lesson 9
MP3 Teaching (45 min)
PDF Study Guide
PDF Ritual Script
PDF Visualization Points
PDF Ritual Script

Q&A 9 (Your class will have its own questions and answers)
MP3 Part 1 (47 min)
MP3 Part 2 (37 min)
Time Stamps for Q&A in the email

Lesson 10
MP3 Teaching (35 minutes)
PDF Study Guide
PDF Ritual Script
MP3 Teaching (16 minutes)
PDF Ritual Script

Q&A 10 (Your class will have its own questions and answers)
MP3 Part 1 (46 min)
MP3 Part 2 (37 min)
Time Stamps for Q&A in the email

Sixth Month (Lesson 11 and 12)

Lesson 11
MP3 Teaching (51 min)
MP3 Teaching (45 min)
PDF Study Guide
PDF Ritual Script
Images of Seals
Image of Table of Practice
Examples for Using Seals and Table

Q&A 11 (Your class will have its own questions and answers)
MP3 Part 1 (45 min)
MP3 Part 2 (45 min)
Time Stamps for Q&A in the email

Lesson 12 (Your class will have its own questions and answers)
MP3 Teaching (1 hour)
PDF Study Guide
PDF Visualization Points

Q&A 12
MP3 Part 1 (43 min)
MP3 Part 2 (34 min)
Time Stamps for Q&A in the email

Seventh Month (Lesson 13 and Preview of Hekate 2)

Lesson 13 (Your class will have its own questions and answers)
MP3 Teaching (51 min)
PDF Study Guide
PDF Ritual Script
Diagram of the Mandala

Q&A 13 (Your class will have its own questions and answers)
MP3 recording (55 minutes)

Bonus
Sample of the first lesson of Hekate 2

Q&A 14
MP3 recording

Egipcios Kier * 63 Communion

Card 63, Communion, from the Egipcios Kier Tarot deck, depicts a couple seated on ornate chairs. Their feet are firmly planted on the floor, symbolizing stability. The wife lovingly embraces her husband, her right arm around him like the sheltering wings of Isis, with her hand resting on his shoulder. She is bare-breasted, adorned with a sheer sarong and a beautiful necklace. Her ornate wig features a dangling lotus flower emitting a pleasant fragrance. Her husband, in a shorter wig and elaborate necklace, wears a knee-length green tunic and holds a lotus fan to gently shoo away flies.

The profile style of Egyptian art might make it seem like the woman is seated behind her husband, but her arm is around him signifies their loving and equal partnership. Each holds or wears a lotus, symbolizing luxury and abundance. Their union makes them strong and wealthy, suggesting they might be partners not only in their family life but also in their business endeavors. The contrast between his green clothing and her orange clothing highlights their individuality while indicating the harmony of their mutual reliance.

Above the central image are four intriguing symbols: a sigil resembling the letter Alef or a stalk of grain, an owl hieroglyph, a pentagram with two inward-pointing arrows, and the Hebrew letter Alef (א), the breath that carries sound. The large symbol at the bottom of the cartouche is, according to Stuart Kaplan, an incense burner. This incense burner, releasing fragrant smoke, represents spirituality and physical luxury.

In the title field, we see the astrological symbol for Mars, the Latin letter 'H,' and the number Nine. In Pythagorean mysticism, the number nine signifies the end of one cycle in the beginning of another. Other numerology systems link nine to pain or sadness, but also to happiness, as in “Cloud Nine.” The couple portrayed on the card support each other through individual or collective pains and difficulties; they are never alone.

Kaplan interprets the card as representing joy, pleasure, peace, love, contentment, a harmonious family life, honor, esteem, and virtue. When reversed, it can indicate the loss of friendship, family quarrels, pettiness, rage, and even conflict.

The Communion card invites us to embrace joy, peace, and love, reminding us of the contentment found in harmonious relationships and the virtues we uphold within our families. Whether upright or reversed, this card encourages us to explore the dynamics of connection and seek harmony in those connections.

Brazilian tarot writer, Nelise Carbonare Vieira, associates this card with the traditional Nine of Swords. That card seems to contrast sharply with the image and feeling of the Communion card.

The Nine of Swords signifies torment, being overwhelmed, nightmares, and an inability to make sense of life. It could represent the struggles of facing life's challenges alone. When reversed, the it means methodically addressing one problem at a time and accepting healing.

Card 63, Communion, reflects the later meaning of the traditional Nine of Swords. It emphasizes the strength and support found in harmonious relationships, encouraging us to nurture these connections. This card serves as a reminder of the power and comfort that come from supportive relationships. It encourages us to cherish and cultivate these bonds, finding strength in unity and shared experiences. Through mutual support, we can face life's challenges with greater resilience and joy.

Egipcios Kier - 68 Speculation and 51 Advice

As I shuffled the Egipcios Kier after my morning ritual, two cards fell out of the deck: 68 Speculation and a card we've seen before, 51 Advice.

The first card, titled 68 Speculation, reminds me of Betzalel Arieli’s Three of Pentacles, which emphasizes the biblical precept of keeping accurate weights and measures, as well as the virtue of being honest in all your dealings. The Speculation card depicts a man weighing a stack of six coins on one side of a scale, with a statue of an ox is on the other side. The ox head shape is the origin of the Hebrew letter Alef, which I explored in an earlier post.

The word speculation can refer to investment, but it also means reflection and attempting to sort through information to make a good decision. At the top of the cartouche framing the image, three symbols appear: a curved hook with a small circle at its top, a hieroglyph of a snake, and the Hebrew letter Vav, which means ‘hook.’ At the bottom of the cartouche is a fly, which in Mesopotamian culture represented a malevolent demon lurking in foul places.

The card's title field includes the astrological symbol for Venus, a double LL (reflecting the deck's Spanish origins), and the number 5, alluding to chaos or adventure.

Kaplan’s commentary corrected my first impressions of some images. The hieroglyph at the top represents a snail while the one at the bottom depicts a bee. I was too literal in my understanding of the image: the ox represents the man's entire herd.

Kaplan points out that cattle were significant in ancient Egyptian culture with the government maintaining a national herd tended by foreign captives and enslaved Egyptians. This reminded me of Josef’s role as Pharaoh’s counselor, eventually leading to government control of the “means of production” with the people obliged to sell themselves into slavery in order to obtain grain for food during a long drought.

Kaplan reminds us that deities Amen and Hathor were represented with bull and cow heads, underscoring the spiritual significance of cattle. (Cattle seem to have been of significance in many ancient and prehistoric human cultures.) In ancient Israel and presumably other ancient cultures, ritually sacrificed male animals for the benefit of gods and people, while female animals were kept alive to provide milk and offspring and because female herd animals exhibit less aggression toward their owners and other members of the herd.

Kaplan notes that bee’s were considered sacred, believed to have been formed from the tears of the sun god, Ra. Ancient Egyptians were avid bee keepers, using honey for culinary and medical purposes. I wonder whether their culture, like that of ancient Israel, had a prohibition on offering honey in their sacred spaces.

Kaplan presents these upright meanings for card 68 Speculation: ingenuity, hard work, progress, successful dealings, speculation, and wealth. His reversed card meanings include anxiety, impatience, uneasiness, and imprudence.

The second card, 51 Advice, raises the question of whom to trust for wise counsel. How do we assess their advice? Together, these two cards highlight the importance of balanced judgment, hard work, and seeking reliable guidance. They encourage us to navigate decision-making with wisdom, sincerity, and a discerning mind. By embracing the upright meanings of 68 Speculation and remain cautious of the potential pitfalls highlighted by 51 Advice in its reversed state, we can pursue our goals with integrity.

Nelise Carbonare Vieira associates Egipcios Kier card 68, Speculation, with the Page of Pentacle, which upright signifies awe, opportunity, learning, scholarship, focus, or a message. Reversed, in may indicate a lack of planning or progress, and lack of understanding of what is valuable.

Egipcios Kier * 10 Wheel of Fortune

My best friend's cat, Pascal, has provided a concise explanation of today's card, so there is really no need for further commentary from me. Nonetheless...

The Wheel of Fortune is a familiar image to many people. This version resembles the classic Marseilles image, lacking the Christian symbolism of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck.

As in other Egipcios Kier cards, we find a cartouche divided into three sections. In this card, they are all of equal size. The upper panel contains four magical symbols: parallel diagonal lines, a polyhedron, a letter from a the alphabet of the Magi, and a winged sphinx with a pharaonic beard, a serpent-crown, and a staff. These symbols indicate that the struggles of life occur under a divine ruler and witness. In the bottom panel of the cartouche, two serpents gracefully periscope atop golden eggs, their skin marked with egg-shaped patterns. Serpents represent life force, transformation, and rebirths. A pillar separates them, suggesting a foundation beyond our vision.

Rising from that pillar is the central image of the card: a six-spoked wheel. On one side, an Egyptian god kneels, tightly gripping the wheel as if to prevent it from spinning, while on the other side, a frightful creature is positioned head downward, about to fall off the wheel in the downward half of its rotation.

The title of the card includes the astrological symbol for Scorpio, the Hebrew letter Yud (י), and the symbol of the planet Pluto. Yud is the first letter of God's name and carries the numerical significance of 10, symbolizing wholeness and completion. Pluto, representing intensity, struggle, and transformation, underscores the themes of life’s challenges and the potential for profound change.

Kaplan identifies the hawk-headed figure holding (or spinning) the wheel as Horus, the sun god, and the figure on the wheel as Ammut, "the creature that devours unworthy souls after their judgment." Kaplan explains the ancient Egyptians' beliefs regarding the judgment of souls after death. He adds that the sphinx at the top of the cartouche represents the pharaoh, who received full funerary rites following his death but was exempt from afterlife judgment.

Interpreting these symbols, Kaplan suggests that the upright card has a range of positive meanings: destiny, fortune, felicity, godsend, special gains or unusual losses, culmination, influences shaping the outcome of a problem, inevitability, unexpected events, or the full course of events from beginning to end. In contrast, the reversed card suggests failure, ill luck, broken sequences, interruptions, inconsistencies, and influences that were not previously contemplated.

The Wheel may represent life in all its pain and glory, but it also represents our personal journeys. It encompasses our highest peaks and our most shadowed valleys, and every torturous turn in between. Like the faithfully changing seasons in which the darkest winter solstice is eventually followed by hot summer days, so our wheel of life keeps turning for good and bad. If Horus is indeed trying to keep the wheel still, his effort is in vain.

As Eric Weinstein astutely asked a new father, “When your wife’s water broke, did you say, ‘We have to stabilize this situation! We must make sure our child can stay in here forever’? No!”

A crisis, as the Chinese saying goes, is an opportunity; we must be active in our responses. It is impossible to maintain the status quo when you’re up against The Wheel of Fortune. Time continues to sift through the hourglass unimpeded by our refusal to face mortality. Time and fortune flow inexorably whether or not we acknowledge our impending deaths. We must take action because life is too short. Although the Wheel can crush you (as Rachel Pollack points out), it also reveals opportunities. What would you do right now if you truly valued the ever-shorter time you have left?

Some tarot scholars draw a connection between this card, the tenth of the Major Arcana, and The World, the twentieth card, suggesting that after Judgment, we are returned to life renewed. That seems a naive position. This card calls us to attention, “Get off your ass and do something with your life, no matter how afraid or confused you are!” We must enthusiastically embrace possibilities for change and growth while we still live. What opportunities can you seize and what action can you take today to make the most of your remaining time?

Norma Cowie, the author of my first and favorite tarot book, says that this card tells us “it is time once more to test your knowledge in your daily life.” So accept the invitation and step up to the plate!

In conclusion, the cat’s claws are out— he may play with you or destroy you. It’s nothing personal, so savor every experience and embrace life's changes.

Contemplative Tarot - Bootstraps!

A proud stance veils delusion; in truth, cold, injured, and alone.
Immersed in illusions, trusting dreams to unfold.
Endure an arduous pilgrimage... become a watchtower in the night.

This morning, sought insight into my mental state. Before shuffling my tarot deck, I asked for clarity to ensure that I am perceiving reality accurately. As I pulled three cards, a common theme emerged: delusion and the importance of attending to reality.

The first card, the Five of Pentacles, portrays an alley behind a church, where two homeless people struggle to keep warm on a gray and snowy afternoon. One figure is huddled under a patched blanked, her hand out in forlorn hope for charity from a passerby. Nearby, a veteran who has lost a leg and an eye stands proudly, his once-grand uniform now in tatters. With a fashionable mustache and relying on a makeshift crutch, he appears ready to depart. There are no passersby to offer help, leaving them alone to face the cold and death. Can the standing man find meaning or purpose in his hardships? And if he knows where help may be available, will he have the courage to ask for it?

The second card is altogether different. The Queen of Cups dwells in a fantasy, crowned with an ornate tiara and enthroned upon a majestic shell, resembling the one in Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. The pink glow inside the shell mirrors the ethereal hue of the setting sun. The scene is alive with bright clouds, crashing waves, a sandy beach strewn with starfish and other treasures, ghostly seals singing like children waiting to be born, and the cry of seagulls. Wrapped in luxurious robes, one hand touching her own heart, the queen is absorbed in gazing at a veiled cup that glows with untold visions and promises. Yet she does not remove the veil, choosing hopeful anticipation over the potential disappointment of reality. The queen of this card is the mirror image of the hopeless woman in the first card, neither one able to take action.

Lastly, The Hermit beckons me to action and self awareness. A gray figure with a long white beard and wearing a tattered robe stands at the summit of the Mountain of Knowledge under the starless sky of a moonlit night. His staff now bears a red feather that emphasizes his crimson footwear. Holding a lantern high, he gazes down at the city he came from. What do the red feather and red shoes signify? Has the arduous trek up the mountain reshaped his character? Does he now have practical wisdom to impart to others? Can he forge a meaningful life for himself?

These cards deliver a clear message, urging me to confront reality, take action in response to adversity, and embark on arduous but rewarding journey. May the Holy One of Blessing guide me as I navigate the labyrinthine passages of life, trusting that she will bestow blessings and wisdom along the way.

Egipcios Kier * 43 Delusion

The title of this card immediately caught my attention and shaped my expectations, making it difficult to consider alternative interpretations of its symbolism. I've spent two days contemplating this card and have not made any progress.

The central image features a nearly naked woman, running or dancing with her arms raised, hands together, as if ready to dive into water. There’s a clumsiness in the angle of her limbs that suggests she may be intoxicated. She is clothed only in a loin cloth, arm cuffs, bracelets, and a head band, while her feet remain bare. On the wall behind her is a poorly executed image of a musical instrument.

In the upper part of the cartouche, three symbols are present: a geometric figure that resembles two stems each with a bud, a hieroglyph for a ceramic pot or a woven basket, and the Hebrew letter Gimel (ג), symbolizing generosity. The lower portion of the cartouche depicts a mythical creature seemingly more suited to a medieval manuscript than to an ancient Egyptian text.

The title includes an astrological symbol for Neptune, the Latin letter N, and the number seven, a prime number often considered lucky.

Initially, nothing in the card spoke to me except for its unsettling title. I fear being deluded, failing to attend to reality diligently, and not taking appropriate action in my life. Gazing at the card, I find myself unable to see beyond the obvious interpretations of its imagery. I wonder, in what part of my life am I deluding myself? Perhaps the appearance of this card was a suggestion that I should get a new perspective.

Stuart Kaplan describes the woman in the card as frenzied and confused, which aligns with the title of the card and my impression of the image. While he does not directly reference the hieroglyph at the top of the card, both pottery and basketry were undoubtedly prevalent in ancient Egyptian society. Does the container suggest the consumption of beer?

According to Kaplan, the object on the wall is a sistrum—a Greek musical instrument with rattling rings on its crossbars. The sistrum, although widely used throughout the Mediterranean, became closely associated with Egyptian religion, ritual, and magic. In ancient art, the sistrum was most frequently depicted with Hathor, a beneficent mother goddess of love and joy. Perhaps the woman is dancing in a temple ritual, with the percussion instrument helping to ward off harmful energies or spirits. The sistrum's presence may hint at a deeper spiritual or mystical aspect to this image, suggesting the woman is not merely in a state of confusion but is engaged in a ritualistic or ecstatic experience, seeking a connection with the divine.

Kaplan speculates that the creature portrayed at the bottom of the cartouche may represent Seth, the god who caused irrationality and lawlessness. Egyptians originally considered Seth a benevolent deity, but later regarded him as the force of death and decay. His domain was the western side of the Nile, and he sought to disrupt the ordered life prescribed by the other gods. Black magicians turned to Seth, harnessing the god's malignant powers against their enemies. Has Seth caused the woman's discordant state?

Kaplan assigns the following meanings to the upright card: delusions, hallucinations, insanity, drunkenness, addiction, irrational moods and actions, outlawry, physical and moral decay, neurotic compulsion, and black magic. In contrast, he assigns the following meanings to the reversed card: recovery from a mental breakdown, abstinence, rigid adherence to rationality, suppression of emotions, and moral struggle. 

Nelise Carbonare Vieira links this card with the Three of Cups, usually portraying three "saucy carefree lasses" drinking and dancing together in celebration.

Pamela Colman Smith intended the image to evoke the idea of the Three Graces, Greek goddesses of beauty, art, and joy. The Three of Cups generally means friendship, a sense of belonging, community, creative collaboration, and success. Reversed, it indicates stifled creativity, alcoholism, loneliness, or an affair. The Egipcios Kier version of the card seems to emphasize addiction and loneliness.

While the other Egypcios Kier cards we’ve explored have evoked a pleasant state of reverie and offered a clear framework for interpretation, this particular card leaves me uncertain how to respond. Therefore, I extend an invitation to you to tell a story about this enigmatic woman—why she finds herself in this situation, who surrounds her, and what she hopes may happen. By delving into the narrative of this ambiguous figure, we may unlock insights and discover new perspectives on the card's symbolism and meaning.

Egipcios Kier * 40 Premonition

The title of card 40 is Premonition, which refers to an intuitive feeling that something is about to happen. The central image features a man attempting to prevent a woman from proceeding in the direction she has chosen. He reaches out to stop her, just as her hands go up in alarm, indicating he may have had a premonition of danger seconds before she recognized it herself. The man is dressed in a short kilt, a shirt, and an elaborate wig, and he holds a mysterious item resembling the Egyptian ankh, a symbol of life. The woman is bare-breasted, wearing an elaborate wig, a long skirt, and ankle bracelets.

At the bottom of the cartouche, there is an oval shape containing hieroglyphs that portray a sieve and mouth, suggesting the man may have initially hesitated to warn her, censoring himself before speaking. The top half of the cartouche features a green circle containing two cobra heads, a celestial letter formed by three lines and two circles, a hieroglyph that may represent either a spark of flame or a golden raindrop, and the Hebrew letter Tav (ת), the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

The title line of the card includes the symbol for Uranus, the Latin letter L, and the number 4. Uranus, which was not seen by humans until the invention of the telescope, represents sudden insights and breakthroughs. The letter L may originate from the symbol for a shepherd's staff, and the number 4 symbolizes stability—an intriguing concept in a card about intuition and seeking intuitive guidance.

Stuart Kaplan offers a different interpretation, stating that the couple depicted in the card is approaching a temple to seek insight into their future and have their fortunes told. The woman’s raised arms indicate she is pleading for divine guidance. Kaplan explains that Egyptians relied on temple oracles and dreams to divine the future, just as the biblical Pharaoh relied on Josef for the interpretation of his dreams. Throughout history, divination practices have introduced an element of useful randomness to decisions, such as encouraging hunters to vary their hunting grounds to avoid making animals wary of certain areas.

Kaplan assigns the following upright meanings to the card: premonition, foresight, prophetic dreams, extrasensory perception, oracular speech, divination, using tarot or other methods of fortunetelling, and revelation in the form of visions. The reversed meanings involve delusions, a tendency to let chance govern one’s life, an inability to make independent decisions, misinterpretation of dreams or omens, and being a false prophet.

Kaplan also states that the object carried by the man represents the sun's orbit and eternity. The hieroglyph at the bottom of the cartouche signifies "to be wise." The stability and dependabilty of the universe pointed out by the number 4 is echoed here.

In Judaism, prophecy pertains to significant matters and messages from God intended to guide society; it does not provide guidance for a single individual unless that individual's influence extends to the larger society. Josef possessed a gift for interpreting dreams and also the ability to implement them, using them as early warnings to solve impending problems. For example, after foretelling a seven-year famine, he swiftly provided a solution. (One cannot help considering later ramifications of that advice to Pharaoh, such as the people of Egypt selling themselves to Pharaoh to obtain food for survival, or the eventual enslavement of Josef’s own family by a new dynasty.)

An intuition is only as useful as the ability to navigate the issue at hand. We all experience intuitions or premonitions that we wish we had heeded. However, it is equally important to consciously take practical action based on that knowledge. This man in this image seems to hesitate to speak up about his intuition.

At times, intuition may seem like unconscious awareness. For example, a woman might jump out of a vehicle just before it’s hijacked because she unconsciously noticed someone approaching in the mirror. Another example might be refusing to recognize the evident signs of a friend’s antisemitism. In one case, your body’s wisdom urges you to act on your intuition, while in the other case, your heart and mind hold you back from accepting your knowledge.

Brazilian tarot scholar Nelise Carbonare Vieira identifies this card as the Page of Cups, which signifies open-mindedness, lack of expectations or preconceptions, divination, creativity, synchronicity, and possible pregnancy. Reversed, it can mean a creative block or emotional immaturity. The traditional Page of Cups also resembles the biblical Josef, gazing into the silver cup in which he divined the future.

To fully benefit from our intuitions and premonitions, we must be more attentive to the world around us and more aware of our feelings. Card 40, Premonition, emphasizes the importance of acting on intuitive insights and transforming them into wise actions. While intuition can guide us, it is our conscious decisions and practical steps that determine the outcome.

Egipcios Kier * 67 Veneration

Today's card from the Egipcios Kier Tarot deck, 67 Veneration, appeared in the reversed position. This card invites us to explore themes of reverence, awe, respect, spiritual devotion, self-awareness, and the delicate balance between idealism and reality.

The Center of the Cartouche

The central image of the card is dominated by a woman standing firmly on both feet, bending at the waist, and looking upwards in an expression of supplication or praise. She wears a long, black wig, a skirt wrapped around her ribs, and is bare-breasted. Her posture exudes a sense of reverence for and trust in the divine. Her arms are extended, one palm held above her upturned face and the other facing an altar that lies beyond our view.

Symbolism

At the top of the cartouche, we find four symbols: a shape resembling the Latin letter E formed as if with brushstrokes, a stylized wave, the Hebrew letter Heh (ה), and an incense burner that crosses into the central portion of the cartouche. The Latin letter E originated in an Egyptian hieroglyph of a praying person that became the Greek Epsilon and the Hebrew Heh. The Hebrew letter Heh is often found today on protective amulets made in the shape of the five fingers of the hand. The incense burner symbolizes purification and sanctification, echoing the ancient practice of using incense in religious rituals. The stylized wave suggests the primordial sea of creation but also the sea over which trade goods such as incense were transported.

The bottom portion of the cartouche features a silhouette of a jackal couchant that Kaplan identifies as the dog of Anubis. Anubis was a god depicted frequently in Ancient Egyptian art, but there is a dearth of mythology about him. His role in Egyptian belief changed over time, but he is generally depicted as black, a color that symbolized regeneration. So we are left to wonder why the woman in this image has chosen to venerate Anubis. In what ways does she wish to be reborn?

In the title section of the card, we find the symbol for Uranus, the Latin letter L, and the number Four representing structure and boundaries. Uranus, in Greek mythology, was the personification of the heavens; the planet itself was not seen by humans on earth until the invention of the telescope. The letter L had its origin in the pictogram of the ox-goad or shepherd's staff. The symbols in the title field do not seem to have any bearing on the central image of the card.

Historical Context

Burning incense is an essential part of the central image of this card. Egyptian fleets set sail from the Gulf of Aqaba to obtain incense and other exotic goods from distant places such as the Kingdom of Punt, present-day Eritrea, called, in the Bible, Put or Havilah. Incense played an essential role in ancient religions because it could mask the various unpleasant smells that were the inevitable result of animal sacrifice. Its fragrance purified and sanctified the air. Even today, incense is used to express devotion and to gain inspiration; its pleasant fragrance adds an air of sanctity to a space.

Kaplan's Interpretations

In the upright position, Kaplan explains that this card symbolizes purification, ritual, the harmonious blending of sensory pleasure with religious devotion, idyllic surroundings, romance, and dreaminess. However, in the reversed position, we should consider Kaplan's list of meanings: a clash between spiritual and worldly values, cherishing unattainable ideals, and neglecting physical well-being.

Integration and Worship

67 Veneration shows a woman nurturing her relationship with the divine. What god or ideal do we love and how do we nurture a relationship with it? Before we can genuinely engage in worship, we must become self-aware. This involves recognizing and embracing the conflicting aspects of our personalities, so we know what ideal to venerate and what we should aspire to. When we love and unify the diverse parts of ourselves, we will become a cohesive and balanced whole and can "attend to reality diligently." This card brings to mind the Serenity Prayer: seeking the grace to accept what we cannot change, the courage to change what we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Card Associations

Nelise Carbonare Vieira associates 67 Veneration with the Knight of Pentacles. She summarizes the meaning of the card as identifying one's ideals, finding meaning in life, understanding oneself, and practical idealism.

The Knight of Pentacles, depicted by Pamela Colman Smith, shows an armored knight on horseback. Rather than riding into battle, he is calmly gazing at plowed fields. The image suggests a reverence for nature and careful planning. His idealism is expressed at home, caring for the people who rely on him. Reversed, the Knight of Pentacles might indicate boredom, lack of inspiration, and neglect of one's spiritual and physical well-being.

Conclusion

In summary, this card urges us to blend religious devotion with practicality. We must strive for self-purification and diligently attend to our physical and spiritual well-being. By embracing the upright card meanings, we can work towards resolving the negative situations indicated by the reversed card. Self-awareness and unifying our inner selves are crucial steps toward meaningful worship and regeneration.

Egipcios Kier * 69 The Unforeseen

In card 69, The Unforeseen, we encounter complex and layered imagery. The upper section features a branch-like letter composed of two lines and two circles, a circular hieroglyph, and the Hebrew letter Zayin (ז). The lower section shows a scorpion encased in amber. The title line includes the symbol for Venus, the Roman letter M, and the number six, which alludes to the concept of harmony.

At the heart of the card is the Ancient Egyptian goddess Nut, arched over a solitary man. Nut's pale complexion contrasts with the dark nighttime hue she is usually portrayed with, and her sky blue hair cascades along her arms. Five identical symbols are inked on her body, each resembling the sun and two serpents-- or the female reproductive system. Nut, whose name means "sky," was a goddess of the skies and motherhood. She also wielded influence in the afterlife and was able to transport the deceased to her starry realms.

Nut's image is bright, suggesting that the man beneath her is alive, not lost in the underworld. He wears only a necklace and a short wraparound skirt. His right hand covers his eyes, while his left stretches forth, as if seeking something as he steps forward uncertainly. The imagery evokes some medieval art in which Christian artists depicted the figures of Ecclesia as clear-sighted and Synagoga as blindfolded. To me, the blindfolded figure is reminiscent of a quest for divine truth or spiritual vision, as in the figure of blindfolded Justice. In Jewish tradition, covering the eyes during the recitation of the Sh'ma signifies complete focus and invites the divine presence. The worshipper strives to comprehend that God’s strength and God's mercy are one. If the worshiper recites the Sh'ma with appropriate attentiveness, the Shekhinah, or divine presence, will rest upon the worshiper’s countenance, so before the worshiper recites, she respectfully covers her eyes.

Perhaps the man in our card covers his eyes in his quest for divine truth. Alternatively, he could be engaged in skrying, seeking visions of the future. Some practitioners of skrying choose to cover their eyes or work in darkness to heighten their spiritual sight.

The Talmud describes blind individuals as "full of light," emphasizing the importance of spiritual vision over physical sight. This card encourages us to cultivate such vision and seek deeper insights through practices like skrying.

In Stuart Kaplan’s study of the card image he emphasizes that body of Nut is portrayed with a pink hue to indicate dawn. This may suggest a time of enlightenment and rebirth. Kaplan notes that the solitary man seems oblivious to the scorpion lurking nearby; by blindly navigating through a self-imposed physical darkness, he risks disturbing the unseen scorpion. Perhaps he trusts Nut’s sheltering presence or believes that he is under the auspices of Selkhet, the scorpion goddess. His faith is reminiscent of The Fool card in traditional tarot imagery.

Kaplan explains explains that the circular hieroglyph at the top symbolizes a sieve. Perhaps it is a metaphor for discernment and gaining clarity. In our lives, it is crucial to cultivate the ability to distinguish what has true significance from what is trivial or superficial. The man pictured covers his eyes to filter out distractions that may obscure clear understanding. In my own practice, I invoke Hyékati Vrímo to identify illusions that hinder me and to perceive the deeper reality that lies beneath appearances.

This aligns with the card's title, The Unforeseen, reminding us to uncover hidden truths, move beyond superficial observations, and engage in patient reflection and introspection.

Kaplan assigns the following meanings to The Unforeseen: distraction, lack of perception, unexpected events, sudden illness, attacks from unforeseen sources, hidden dangers, and a refusal to confront unpleasant realities. Reversed meanings include wariness, insight, vigilance, spying, alertness, and prevention.

The card also suggests that our perceptions can be misguided, and what appears as misfortune may turn into a blessing. The Hebrew letter, Zayin, originally associated with the Egyptian hieroglyph for "manacles," later came to mean "sword." Who could have foreseen an instrument of bondage becoming a weapon?

The presence of the sieve urges us to sift through our observations and reflections to unveil hidden wisdom and navigate the unknown with increased awareness. We are never truly safe, but we always have the opportunity to grow.

Brazilian tarot writer, Nelise Carbonare Vieira, associates this card with the Rider-Waite-Smith's Ace of Pentacles, which is reminiscent of a seed and seems to echo the symbols on Nut's body in The Unforeseen. The RWS Ace of Pentacles represents the potential and gifts of the material world and indicates opportunities, the possibility of wealth, and potential abundance. Reversed it may indicate ingratitude, lack of planning, and poor harvest.

While the RWS Ace is protected in a garden, the figure in The Unforeseen is sheltered only by the sky, emphasizing the uncertainty of life and the importance of proceeding with faith and gratitude for the material world's gifts.

Card 69, The Unforeseen, presents a tapestry of symbols and meanings that can guide us through life's complexities and uncertainties. Nut, the goddess of the sky and motherhood, suggests protection and the potential for enlightenment, while the solitary man’s covered eyes evoke a quest for deeper spiritual truth and vision. The presence of the scorpion highlights hidden dangers that always lurk in our path, yet also reminds us of the importance of faith and trust in the divine. The hieroglyph of the sieve encourages us to filter out distractions, seeking clarity and understanding. Kaplan's interpretations emphasize both the perils of distraction and the rewards of vigilance. The card’s connection to the Ace of Pentacles adds themes of potential, abundance, and the gifts of the material world. The Unforeseen challenges us to navigate the mystery of existence with awareness, resilience, and gratitude, recognizing that true insight often lies beyond what is immediately apparent.

Egipcios Kier - 8 Justice

Today we will consider card 8, Justice, from the Egipcios Kier Tarot deck, a card that hints at the secrets of balance, self-awareness, and the pursuit of righteous living.

The centerpiece of the card is a depiction of a woman crouching on one knee, which is unusual in Egyptian art. Rather than holding the feather of truth, she holds a dagger symbolizing the power to cut dishonorable behaviors from her life. She gazes at a set of scales suspended before her, evaluating whether or not her life is in balance.

On her head is an elaborate Egyptian crown that appears to include two enormous feathers and a Uraeus serpent. A jeweled wig frames her face. Rather than being bare breasted, the upper half of her body is covered and a long skirt reaches her ankles. She is raised above the viewer on a pedestal of three steps. Adorning the pedestal, a serpent encircles a solar disk, mirroring the radiant symbol at the top of the card. This bestows an aura of holiness upon the sacred space where the woman contemplates the meaning of justice. Reflecting upon one's own actions is a sacred act.

Above the central image, four symbols capture our attention. They deviate from the pattern we’ve come to expect from the Minor Arcana cards. The double crown of Egypt encircling the sun signifies Ancient Egypt’s power and mastery. To the right of the crown, an intriguing letter, perhaps from an “angelic” language, whispers secrets. Above the crown, two short diagonal lines proceeding from one end of a long horizontal line resemble a weapon or fishing hook. On the left is a circle, symbolizing the cyclical nature of justice: wrongdoing followed by correction, and hopefully, a lesson learned.

The title, Justice, is augmented with two astrological symbols, the Hebrew letter Chet, and the number Eight, which is the numerical value of that Hebrew letter. One astrological symbol represents Capricorn, the sign of discipline and responsibility. The Hebrew letter Chet is the first letter of the word, Chayim, life, and is also the eighth letter of the Hebrew alef-bet; it may have originated in the Egyptian hieroglyph for ‘courtyard,’ perhaps representing the place where the woman on the pedestal meditates. The Deuteronomical concept of “Justice, justice shalt thou pursue,” is mirrored in the number Eight, “Choose life.” Only through just living can we live well.

Kaplan clarifies that the other astrological symbol represents Saturn, the planet of discipline, responsibility, and justice. Kaplan is also unfamiliar with glyph that I could not identify. He mentions that at the top center of the card, is Hathor’s horned solar disk with two ostrich plumes above it; in her earliest forms, Hathor punished any who mocked her father Ra. The snake biting its tail is a more peaceful depiction of the Uraeus serpent, usually portrayed spitting fire at the those who disobeyed the laws of gods or pharaohs. Rather than fearing punishment, we should be seeking to live as part of a harmonious whole.

According to Kaplan, the figure on the card is a follower of Ma’at, the Ancient Egyptian goddess of truth. Two ostrich feathers grace her head, representing the balance of duality and the essence of justice. The dagger in her hand, a symbol of the god Anubis, reminds us that death and final judgment are nearer than we know, and that we must ensure that we are walking a righteous path.

Kaplan teaches that Ma’at, daughter of Ra and wife of Thoth, played a pivotal role in creation. As chaos was withdrawn, Ma’at emerged to bring order and balance to the world. She is the eternal guardian of truth and embraces dualities recognized by Ancient Egyptian culture, such as good and evil, the crowns of upper and lower Egypt, the desert and the fertile land on either side of the Nile.

This card unveils the mysteries of harmony, righteousness, and virtue. It beckons us to embrace our good inclinations, speak with sincerity, act with good intentions, and cultivate a commitment to fairness. Through the upright meanings noted by Kaplan, we are reminded of our ability to perceive temptation and avoid evil, to respond favorably to the goodness in others, to judge impartially, to live with harmony and poise.

Kaplan’s interpretation of the reversed card warns us of the perils of bias and false accusations, as well as the corrosive effects of bigotry and intolerance. It serves as a reminder to temper our judgment and approach justice with an open heart and mind.

In the shrine of Justice, equilibrium and righteousness can be absorbed. Allow its wisdom to guide you as you navigate the complexities of life. In this sacred space, the woman prays; in Hebrew the verb for prayer (התפלל) implies judging oneself, changing oneself. Justice waits for you to pursue truth. This card invites us to be self-aware, choose to do better, live virtuously, and support order and fairness in our societies.

Egipcios Kier Tarot - 44 Expressiveness and 51 Advice

Today, we'll explore two cards from the Egipcios Kier Tarot. The first card, 44 Expressiveness, reveals the realm of artistic mastery. It depicts a skilled artisan sculpting a majestic pharaoh from stone, emphasizing the power of human action and the exploration of gateways. In the second card, 51 Advice, we encounter another gateway as a figure kneels before a priest, seeking wise counsel.

Card 44 Expressiveness portrays expression and artistic mastery. It includes the astrological symbol for Saturn, the Spanish letter Ñ, as well as the number 8 which represents stability and boundaries. In this image, we witness the skillful hands of an artisan wielding a chisel and mallet to create a stone sculpture. Slowly, but surely, a majestic pharaoh begins to step forth from the stone. Perhaps, like Michaelangelo, this artist is removing what is unnecessary in order to reveal the figure he has discerned inhabiting the stone.

Three symbols float above that scene: a hand, a doorway, and the Hebrew letter Dalet. The hand, symbolizing human action and human connection, reflects the artisan’s dedication to his craft as well as the power of his art. To the right are three lines that connect to form a π shape or a dolmen (a portal tomb), each line ending in small circles. Lastly, the Hebrew Dalet, meaning door, hints at gateways awaiting exploration; through work, we can discover who we are. Beneath the image, a hieroglyphic-style representation of a man’s head with a goatee, evokes of the stereotype of an artist.

Stuart Kaplan notes that in Ancient Egypt, sculptors were revered as “masters of life,” their creations believed to endure forever. Carving a name into the base of a statue ensured the immortality of the soul that it represented. Statues placed within tombs were believed to provide refuge if the mummified body became an unfit dwelling for the soul of the deceased person. Furthermore, likenesses of the deceased, dedicated to a temple, enabled him or her to partake in sacred offerings. In this image, the statue represents a Pharaoh, the embodiment of royal power and divine authority.

Stuart Kaplan writes that the card symbolizes an articulate individual, the fulfillment of a creative endeavor, mastery in shaping events, or the fruits of focused application and concentration. In contrast, the reversed card implies difficulty expressing one’s true feelings or thoughts, mimicry of other people, waning enthusiasm, apathy, and impatience with long-term projects.

The card invites you to get to know yourself at deep level, to understand your unique place in the world, and to recognize the role you are capable of fulfilling in life. It challenges you to develop the skills that will infuse your work with regal and divine qualities. By cultivating relationships and boundaries that support your goals, you can achieve the kind of mastery represented by this card.

Turning our attention to the second card drawn today, 51 Advice, we encounter a gateway to wise counsel. Its title features the astrological symbol for Venus, the letter U, and the harmonious number 6.

Within this image, we witness one figure kneeling before another. Standing before the inquirer is a bald man in ornate clothing, suggesting that he is a priest. The priest is either reading from a scroll using a pointer, or inscribing the scroll with a brush.

Four symbols float above the image. Three of these suggest votive offerings: a curved line ending in delicate circles, representing the flow of spiritual energy; a hieroglyph that evokes the idea of an offering plate, symbolizing the act of giving or receiving; and the Hebrew letter Kaf, which means the palm of the hand, emphasizing the connection between physical action and spiritual intention. The fourth symbol is a cartouche containing three hieroglyphs: Maat’s feather of truth and balance, a half circle suggesting the rising sun or new beginnings, and a man’s head crowned with a serpent and feather, suggesting wisdom and divine protection.

Beneath this captivating scene, the mysterious silhouette of a jackal is encased within a cartouche. These desert dwelling creatures frequented the burials along the Nile, lending them an air of other-worldliness. The silhouette is also reminiscent of our canine companions, sometimes called “man’s best friend” whose senses and instincts we often rely on.

Stuart Kaplan identifies the standing figure as Imhotep, a healer, sage, and trusted counselor to the pharaoh Zoser. He was the architect of the Step Pyramid and the High Priest of the sun god Ra at the Temple in Heliopolis. Although Imhotep's original papyri have been lost to time, his wisdom lives on in aphorisms attributed to him. Centuries later, the Greeks would connect his worship with that of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine, ensuring Imhotep a kind of immortality.

Kaplan assigns the following meanings to the upright card: an individual immersed in the healing arts, wisdom applied to practical ends,the manifestation of ideas into tangible works, healing through relaxation and restoration, the end of suffering, and a recovery from illness. Conversely, the reversed card suggests lingering illness, impracticality, unwelcome advice, imprudent counsel, and the burden of insomnia.

Together, today’s two cards encourage us to express our deepest selves through creativity contributing to the world. They also urge us to seek wise counsel and apply practical wisdom to bring wholeness and sanctity into our lives.

The ideas raised by the images on these cards lead me to consider my personal connection to Judaism, community, and the study of Jewish texts. I still long to fully regain the ability to express myself, which was quashed in childhood. I remember the feeling of pleasure and wholeness I experienced the first time I was able to clearly put on paper my thoughts and feelings. I attributed that ability to my introduction to Judaism, community, and the study of Jewish texts, history, and culture, as well as admiration for the community’s rabbi whose heart and mind worked together in dealing compassionately and wisely with people. These two cards remind me of the power of self-expression and the desire to learn from outstanding individuals.

These cards beckon us to make our lives sacred journeys in which our decisions and actions are steeped in reverence for the divine, self-respect, and a desire to bring wholeness and sanctity to the world

Brazilian tarotist, Nelise Carbonare Vieira, asserts that 44 Expressiveness corresponds to traditional tarot's Four of Cups and that 51 Advice corresponds to the King of Swords.

The Four of Cups can signify apathy or failure to see an opportunity as well as reflection on one's commitments and the discovery of one's purpose in life. When reversed, it may symbolize meditation, re-evaluation, or listening to your feelings and values.

The King of Swords means authority, clarity of thought, self awareness, creation of appropriate boundaries, self-discipline, and focus. Reversed, it may also represent a tyrant or a bully. In the Gaian Tarot, one interpretation of the card is vocation, emphasizing that discovering your vocation requires knowing yourself and developing the necessary skills.

Together, 44 Expressiveness and 51 Advice highlight the interplay between creative self-expression and seeking wise guidance. Card 44 urges us to harness our skills and infuse our endeavors with focus and devotion, while Card 51 underscores the value of seeking practical wisdom, healing, and restoration. Individually, these cards speak to fulfillment through creative endeavors and the application of sage advice. In combination, they remind us that true mastery and wholeness arise from the synergy of expressing our deepest selves and learning from the wisdom of others, leading us toward a life imbued with sanctity and purpose.

Egipcios Kier * 28 Uncertainty

In the Egipcios Kier Tarot, created by an Argentinian occultist, we encounter Card 28, titled Uncertainty. This card evokes the possibility of embracing the mysteries of the future. We are feeling insecure, doubtful, and indecisive.

Two men (perhaps representing aspects one's inner self) stand back to back, but their heads turn to meet each other’s gaze, whether to find solace or encouragement, we do not know. Before one man an eye is suspended, a symbol of the divine presence or his own religious devotion. The other man relies on a staff for support, hinting at the material tools we lean on during times of uncertainty.

Above them, three enigmatic symbols adorn the card: a five-pointed star within a circle, a triangle with circles at each angle, and parallel diagonal lines. Though their significance is unknown to me, they add an air of mystery to the tableau. The fourth symbol, the Hebrew letter Yud, resembling a raindrop, evokes renewal and the clearing of vision. At the bottom of the card, beneath the image, a rope is depicted. It is reminiscent of Ghayin, a lost letter of the Hebrew alef bet and a reminder of the interconnectedness of life.

Tarot aficionado, Stuart Kaplan penned an insightful commentary to accompany the deck. In the “Little White Book,” he writes that the men stand beneath the Star of the Underworld, a place where the deceased are not yet redeemed, but remain suspended in a realm of possibilities.

One man has a scepter and the other has his hands outstretched in worship. Kaplan asserts that these two figures represent the pharaoh’s dual role, one of a godlike ruler and another of a humble supplicant to higher deities.

The Eye of Horus near one of the figures was a symbol of the Egyptian Lord of the Sky, ruler of both Sun and Moon. Kaplan writes that the Eye here represents hope for a new dawn, a metaphorical sunrise that illuminates the path ahead.

Continuing to delve into symbolism, Kaplan informs us that the Knot of Isis, at the card's base, served as a protective charm for the deceased, granting them access to all parts of the Underworld. (This charm also resembles the lost Hebrew letter, ghayin.)

Drawing on Kaplan’s text, we can explore the meanings of this card. Upright, it signifies indecision, the absence of a clear path, the struggle between various aspects of oneself, and the dance of polarities within. Reversed, it hints at the unity of opposites, the culmination of mental anguish leading to decisive action, a solidification of one's role in life, and the acquisition of power through skillful manipulation of opposing forces.

As we contemplate the mysteries of uncertainty, an old adage comes to mind: “Pray as if everything depends on God, work as if everything depends on you.” Within the ever-shifting realm of uncertainty, we should both embrace personal agency and seek divine guidance to live a good life.

Brazilian tarot scholar, Nelise Carbonare Vieira, writes in her 'blog, that this card is the counterpart of traditional tarot's Two of Wands. The two cards do seem to have related meanings. Upright, the traditional meaning of the Two of Wands is planning and making a choice. Reversed, it may indicate a fear of the unknown. Vieira's interpretations include opportunities, uncertainty, and the strengthening of foundations.

Card 28, Uncertainty, reminds us of the competing selves within us, striving to navigate the mysterious future. It highlights the importance of balancing personal agency with trust in divine guidance. While the path ahead is always uncertain, we should walk it with faith in the divine and also a steadfast commitment to our own sovereignty.

Vieira always includes a quote attributed to Iglesias January with her card
summaries. I'm a very touched by the one she chose for this card:
"Let the eyes of youth be your eyes; and your speech, the prudence of old age."

Encomium Veneficis, In Praise of the Sorcerer

This lighthearted limerick is intended to honor a teacher while playfully poking fun at my inner editor.

There once was a sorcerer named Jason,
Whose teachings were truly amazin'.
His analogies grand,
Guided students by hand,
Yet his spelling left some quite shaken.

Students adored his magical art,
Absorbing his every impart.
But oh, what a blight,
His misspellings in plain sight,
Made some students howl and depart.

Yet Jason, undeterred, pressed on,
Correcting the errors that shone.
With each squiggly red line,
He aimed to refine,
And soon his writing had gone 'far beyond.'

So though his spelling brought some dismay,
Jason's wisdom still won the day.
His students, in thrall,
Saw beyond this small flaw,
For his magic enchanted their way.

A Prayer to Hyékati

                         Ζηρυνθία
Hyékati Zirinthía, guide me through veils untold,
Show me my path, time’s tapestries unfold.

                         Βριμοῖ
Hyékati Vrímo, shake perception’s core,
Reveal my desires and the purpose to explore.

                         Φωσφόρος
Hyékati Fósfore, kindle fires of art’s creation,
Ignite in me purpose and inspired dedication.

                         σωτηρία
Hyékati Sotería, wisdom you bestow,
Take me beyond, bound'ries I’ll let go.

                         Ορίζοντα
Hyékati Urízoda, knower of the unknown,
Teacher and friend, grant me wisdom to be sown.

                         πολύτιμος μου
Precious One, stand by me, embrace me tight,
Unveil the world’s secrets in your sacred light.