Egipcios Kier - 36 Initiation

The benevolent figure in card 36, Initiation, has the body of a hippopotamus, the paws of a lion, and the tail of a crocodile; she is Taweret, the Great One. All three of these animals are strong and fierce. However, ancient Egyptians were most impressed with the female hippo’s protectiveness toward her young. Taweret was a popular goddess among ordinary people of ancient Egypt, who saw her as overseeing childbirth, the inundation of the Nile, and rebirth after death.

In this image, Taweret accompanies a confident initiate, probably a woman preparing to give birth. The initiate holds the ankh, symbolizing life, while Taweret grasps the tayet, the girdle of Isis, possibly a fabric version of the ankh. Initiation may signify accepting the responsibility for nurturing new life.

Symbols within the cartouche include the eighteen letter of the Hebrew alphabet, tzaddi, meaning hunter, alongside a letter of a celestial alphabet, and a snake hieroglyph symbolizing feminine energy and birth because of its resemblance to an umbilical cord.

The lower part of the cartouche features a circle enclosing the hieroglyph for rope and a seated figure that appears to be a teacher, suggesting instruction before initiation.

The card's title field incorporates the symbol for Mars, the letter H, and the numeral 9. Mars, suggesting war, contrasts with the card's feminine theme, but perhaps highlights Taweret's fierce qualities. Nine may signify courage or strength. (This numeral appears six times in this deck, always accompanied by the letters H, O, or Y.)

The teacher hieroglyph, the initiate's garment, and Taweret herself are depicted in a startling pink, contrasted against a vibrant yellow background. This color scheme represent feminine powers standing out in bright sunshine.

Stuart Kaplan describes the object Taweret holds as protective amulet made of plaited papyrus. He interprets the upright card as representing childbirth, feminine power, progress, and artistic inspiration, with reversed meanings indicating sterility and financial challenges.

Nelise Carbonare, the Brazilian healer who wrote extensively about this deck, associates this card with the Ten of Wands suggesting themes of responsibility, overwork, blindness. This parallels the idea of a pregnant woman embracing the responsibilities of child-rearing.

Envision yourself as the small human figure, supported by Taweret’s physical presence and wise teachings. Confidently step toward your destiny, embracing both responsibility and empowerment as you continue on this new journey.