Egipcios Kier * 18 The Moon

The Major Arcana cards of the Egipcios Kier deck closely resemble those of the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) and Marseille decks. The central image of Card 18, The Moon, includes two canines and two man-made structures. A stingless water scorpion dominates the lower section of the cartouche, while the moon itself is in the upper section is accompanied by occult symbols.

The two canines howling at the moon in this card are not the traditional dog and wolf of the RWS and Marseille decks, but rather a black jackal, symbolizing Anubis, the guide of the dead, and a domestic dog. The structures depicted are pyramids, appropriate to the Egyptian setting. The traditional crayfish emerging from the water has been replaced by a water scorpion framed by a downward-pointing triangle, symbolizing the element of water.

Symbolism and Associations

Pyramids:
There are many theories about the role of pyramids in ancient Egypt. One suggests they were a bridge or stairway to the heavens, aligning neatly with the card's meaning of guidance and transition.

Water Scorpion:
The water scorpion is an aquatic insect with a breathing tube rather than a stinger, associated with Selket's epithet "she who allows the throat to breathe." Selket, the patron goddess of healers and protector of the dead, guards the canopic jar containing the intestines of the deceased. She is also associated with the first morning rays of sunlight and the crowning head of an infant during birth, connecting her to themes of new beginnings and protection.

Occult symbols:
The upper third of the cartouche displays four symbols on a blue background: a serpent hieroglyph (representing an umbilical cord, royalty, or evil forces), a sigil resembling a fish hook, a letter from the Alphabet of the Magi, and a crescent moon with its horns pointing downward. The letter from the Alphabet of the Magi, both curved and jagged fascinates me, but Stuart Kaplan's LWB does not elaborate on its meaning.

Astrological and Esoteric Symbols:
The card’s title includes the symbol for Scorpio, the Hebrew letter Tzadi (צ), meaning fishhook, and the symbol for Uranus. In Western astrology, Uranus is associated with freedom and vision, while in Indian astrology, it is linked to eccentricity, originality, and sudden change.

Lack of Traditional Moon Imagery

The card lacks the traditional atmosphere of the moon or its magical light. The gold background of the central portion of the cartouche is the only indication of the moon's ambiance. Unlike other decks, it does not depict the phases of the moon or its cyclical nature, which evokes the cycles of time and the fluctuating energies within us.

Missing Reference to the Egyptian Moon God

It is curious that this deck does not include a reference to Thoth, the Egyptian moon god once credited with the creation of the Tarot. Papus, in 1892, claimed that Tarot preserved the wisdom of the Egyptian god Thoth, and Aleister Crowley named the book that accompanied his and Lady Frieda Harris's tarot deck "The Book of Thoth."

Kaplan's Interpretations

Stuart Kaplan provides various meanings for the upright card which align with older interpretations: twilight, obscurity, trickery, disillusionment, danger, error, caution, warning, bad influence, ulterior motives, craftiness, disgrace, slander, superficiality, unknown enemies, the meeting of many divergent influences, or mystery. He suggests these meanings for the reversed card: a minor deception recognized before damage is done, trifling mistakes, gain without payment, or exploitation.

Traditional and Modern Interpretations

Traditionally, The Moon indicates self-deception, subconscious influences, mood swings, mental health problems, doubt, confusion, or being enchanted or tricked. Historically, the card symbolized hidden danger, illusion, enemies, terror, or occult forces. Papus described it as indicating "the material body and its passions," reflecting the belief that we are spirits fallen into a lesser, grosser realm.

With the rise of neo-Paganism, the moon came to symbolize more positive ideas about our bodies and wildness, as well as the concept of a feminine divine. Before that, the moon was considered a lesser celestial body for merely reflecting the sun's light.

I see the moon, a fractured piece of the earth, as our sister, whose magical illumination lovingly guides us. Over the years, I've noticed the clear path moonlight creates, while darkness softens the harsh edges of daylight reality. The Moon card suggests guidance on a spiritual journey, prompting intuition and instincts to help navigate life. Trust your feelings and approach each situation gently the influence of the moon. Like the tides it controls, the moon's energy can guide you if you pay attention.

Perhaps the image also suggests spiritual evolution, with the crayfish rising from the water toward a path that leads to the mountains of enlightenment.

Kabbalistic and Mythological Connections

Greek thought divided the mind into solar and lunar aspects, and Kabbalah associates Kuf ק (The Moon) and Reish ר (The Sun) with the back and front of the head, respectively. The brainstem, shared with creatures like the crayfish and water scorpion, symbolizes primal fears and instinctive responses. The light of the moon can calm our primal fears allowing us to find higher guidance.

The jackal and the dog look up to the moon, which in the Marseilles deck is shown shedding soothing moondrops (in the RWS, they are Yods, the fist letter of God's name.) In Kabbalah, the lunar realm Yesod connects the earthly and the divine. Dion Fortune called it "the Treasure House of Images, the sphere of Maya, Illusion."

Wicca, neo-Paganism, and feminist "thealogy" view the moon as a goddess, though some cultures, like the Japanese and Canaanite, had moon gods. And significantly, the Egyptian moon god, Thoth, was also the god of writing, science, wisdom, and magic; his connection to the moon emphasizes that intellect and lunar consciousness are intertwined.

Vieira's Interpretations

Nelise Carbonare Vieira calls this card Twilight and offers key phrases summarizing her interpretation:

- Awareness of one's own roles
- Rescue of gifts
- Search for a better way of expressing oneself
- Subtle memory of past lives
- Rescue of aspects of the Self that were repressed

Vieira posits that the theme of this card is the search for one's true identity. This introspective journey may make you feel vulnerable, but it will help you distinguish inherent qualities from external expectations, enabling you to live authentically.

Conclusion

The Moon card in the Egipcios Kier Tarot is one of aspiration, whether it involves escaping the physical body or understanding the world intuitively. Guided by the moon's light, this card invites you to trust your instincts, navigate gently, and explore the depths of your subconscious. Embrace the journey of self-discovery and spiritual evolution, allowing the moon's energy to illuminate your path.