Tableau 5

The tableau for this week is:

| 7 | 8 | 9 | | 10 | 11 | 12 |

In this arrangement, Key 8 is the pivot around which the tableau revolves. The same Keys may be so arranged as to form a magic square in which the sum of the horizontal, vertical and diagonal rows will be the same. In this magic square, Key 8 remains at the center, but the order of the other Keys is changed, as follows:

Eliphas Levi says: 'The Tarot alone interprets the magic squares of Agrippa and Paracelsus, as we may satisfy ourselves by forming these same squares with the Keys of the Tarot, and reading off the hieroglyphs thus collected.

'By adding each of the columns of these squares, you will obtain invariably the characteristic number of the planet, and, finding the explanation of this number by the hieroglyphs of the Tarot, you proceed to seek the sense of all the figures whether triangular, square, or cruciform, that you find to be formed by the numbers. The result of this operation will be a complete and profound acquaintance with all the allegories and mysteries concealed by the ancients under the symbol of each planet, or rather of each personification of the influences, celestial or terrestrial, upon all the events of life.' (Ritual of Transcendental Magic, Chapter 21)

As usual, Levi wrote one thing here for the instructed, and another for the uninitiated. What he left out of his explanation is that there are only two planets whose magic squares can be represented by Tarot Keys, the planets Saturn and Jupiter.

This is because a magic square of Saturn contains nine cells, and a magic square of Jupiter contains 16 cells. But the square of Mars contains 25 cells, that of the sun 36, that of Venus 49, that of Mercury 64, and that of the Moon 81.

Now, since the numbers on the Tarot Keys do not extend beyond 21, it is evident that no magic square of Mars, the Sun, Venus, Mercury, or the Moon can be formed with Tarot Keys.

Fourteen Saturn squares, each containing nine Keys, may be formed, of which the first contains the numbers from 0 to 8, and the last the numbers from 13 to 21, arranged in magical order.

Seven Jupiter squares may be formed, of which the first contains the numbers from 0 to 15, and the last the numbers from 6 to 21. In subsequent lessons you will find the remaining Saturn squares, and also the seven Jupiter squares.

At present this may seem to be very far from practical concerns, but, if you lay out your Tarot Keys so that you see their relation to each other, actually before you, you will find plenty of material for your occult diary. Inasmuch as Tarot speaks by evoking thought, it has a special message for every student. Certain arrangements are favorable to this process of evocation, which calls forth ideas from the depths of sub-consciousness. Of all these special arrangements of the Tarot Keys, these magic squares are most important.

When Levi speaks of 'figures, whether triangular, square, or cruciform,' he means certain arrangements which suggest themselves to the eye after the magic square is formed. Thus in the square that goes with this lesson, you will find the following triangles:

The squares in this same magic square are five in number, besides the complete magic square in itself, and the arrangement given for this lesson shows them as follows:

The crosses are as follows:

You will get next to nothing from this information unless you put the Keys before you, in the positions indicated. Then, instead of trying consciously to puzzle out what they mean, simply let your eyes take in what they see. When you get the knack of this, you will find that your mind has a tendency toward a state resembling a 'brown study' or reverie. All at once, while you sit looking at the Keys, there will be a rush of perception. Not always a perception of what the combination means as a group of symbols, or anything of that sort. Often you will find that your mind seems to come alive in some particular way. An idea flashes out – sometimes just the germ of an idea PUT IT DOWN IN YOUR OCCULT DIARY AT ONCE.

In the regular course of this instruction, the groups of Keys we select for this lesson are 4, 8, 12; 5, 8, 12; 6, 8, 10; 7, 8, 9; 4, 5, 6; and 10, 11, 12. These are the groups which will be used in connection with the daily meditations.

The fact that the subhuman forces of nature are at all times under the domination of human sub-consciousness is the great secret of practical occultism represented by Key 8. Remember, this control is a present reality, no matter what the appearances may be. That is to say, even though the subhuman forces appear to act adversely, their reaction is an automatic response to the state of your human sub-consciousness. Change the latter, and you will find that the reactions are changed also. Now, this law of sub-consciousness, that everything below the human level of life-expression AUTOMATICALLY reacts to the human subconscious, is the great secret of our power over conditions.

For the character of our human subconscious states is determined by the quality of our reasoning. When we reason correctly, so that our estimates of external conditions and of our relation to them conform to the Universal Constituting Intelligence symbolized by the Emperor, then all the forces which have seemed to be inimical to us work for, instead of against, us. This leads ultimately to a complete reversal of our former attitudes. Instead of being burdened with responsibilities, weighted down by the load of our cares and duties, we come to see clearly that the literal truth is that we do nothing of ourselves. This perception is by no means a giving up of action. It involves no loss of interest in life. It does not make us withdraw from active participation in all the affairs of the day. On the contrary, it makes our days more interesting than before, and we find ourselves accomplishing far more, with less effort, than we did when we thought we had it all to do ourselves. One point to emphasize here is that, no matter how long you have been trying to do things the wrong way, the whole course of nature begins to work in your favor as soon as you begin letting things be done the right way. And it STAYS in your favor so long as you maintain the right mental attitude. (Keys 4, 8, 12)

To maintain the right attitude becomes much easier when you have accustomed yourself to listen regularly to the Inner Voice. The more often you take your problems to the Hierophant, the sooner will you become vividly aware of his guidance. Take the little problems as well as the big ones. Build up in your mind, by repeated practice, a confident expectation of being guided aright in all things. Instead of running to human beings for advice, seek the counsel of the Great Teacher. You will be delighted to find how quickly the response comes.

'In quietness and confidence shall be your strength,' is absolutely true, and you will discover that if you invariably take time to ask for guidance, and as invariably obey it, even the most frightening and threatening appearances of antagonism will be transformed into actual aids to your progress and to the realization of your desires.

And in this way, you will find yourself gaining continually in poise, as your faith in the Intelligence behind all manifestation deepens through your daily contact with it. Don't wait for great occasions. Don't wait until you are in serious difficulty. Always seek guidance, even when you think you know what to do. When you think you know, it is always better to ask the Inner Teacher whether or not your own view is correct. You'll be surprised, at first, to find that this procedure often gives you a far better second thought than your first opinion. It is impossible to be too emphatic about this, for one of the commonest reasons for apparent failure to demonstrate is that we try to 'go it alone' too often. By so doing we slip back into the old error that we are literally of and by ourselves. Thus the habit of seeking confirmation or correction from the Inner Teacher, the habit of asking simply, 'Am I right about that?' and then acting in accordance with the decision of the Inner Voice, even when it says 'No,' is a habit that makes for success in all sorts of demonstration. (Keys 5, 8, 11)

When the two modes of personal consciousness are balanced in relation to each other, and in relation to superconsciousness, by the establishment of such habits as have been outlined, the automatic response of the subhuman levels of the Life-power produces the result pictured by the sphinx in Key 10. The ever-changing flow of circumstances then seems to go through one's field of personal experience. No longer are we swept away by this or that condition. Somehow, although this is difficult to describe, though the wheel turns, we do not turn with it. And at the same time, its turning works out for our good. (Keys 6, 8, 10)

Similarly, our vivid awareness that human personality is but a vehicle for the Cosmic Life has a tremendous transforming power at subconscious levels. For what is shown in Key 7 is, in one respect, the idea that the true

Self is even now all that our heart desires. It therefore has now, and does now; all that we desire to have and do.

As soon as this idea takes full possession of us, it becomes evident that nothing whatever in nature can be inimical to us. NOTE THAT WHEN THIS IDEA BECOMES EVIDENT TO US AT THE CONSCIOUS LEVEL OF OUR THOUGHT AND SPEECH, IT IS AUTOMATICALLY TRANSMITTED TO SUBCONSCIOUSNESS BY WAY OF THE MEMORY RECORD. (Keys 7, 8, 9)

Thus it is that right reasoning concerning the place of personality, and its relation to the super-conscious life, results in the awakening of the inner hearing, which puts us in touch with the Hierophant. When we measure correctly our place in the cosmic order, right reasoning is transmitted to sub-consciousness, and the latter responds to it with slight changes in the organism which enable us to become aware of higher levels of our inner being. Thus it is that we hear, and when we obey what we hear, the balance and harmony of the conscious and subconscious minds, in relation to our super-consciousness, is established, as shown in the Lovers. (Keys 4, 5, 6)

Our awareness of the true relation of personality to the cosmic order enables us to realize that our personal activities are all really phases or aspects of a universal process. As we deepen our awareness of this truth, our faith grows, and we become ever more confident that the Divine Justice is at work in our lives. This confidence is expressed in the utter self-surrender pictured by the Hanged Man. (Keys 10, 11, 12)

Meditations

FIRST DAY: Keys 4, 8, 12. The Divine Order is established in my life today. All forces of sub-consciousness work together for my good. I yield myself completely to the Universal Life, of which I am a reflection. THE POWER THAT FRAMES THE UNIVERSE IS MY STRENGTH, AND ON THAT POWER I PLACE MY SOLE DEPENDENCE.

SECOND DAY: Keys 5, 8, 11. Every moment of my life is under guidance from above. Under this guidance, even those forces which appear to be my adversaries are really working for me. I am calm and confident this day in the steadfast assurance that perfect justice is established in all the circumstances of my life. AS I HEAR, I JUDGE, AND MY JUDGMENT IS A RECOGNITION OF ETERNAL JUSTICE.

THIRD DAY: Keys 6, 8, 10. Through the reflective power of my subconscious mind, my whole life is filled with light from above. The mighty forces of sub-consciousness are at work to fulfill my heart's desire, for I desire nothing but to reflect the perfect manifestation of the universal order through my life. I AM FREE FROM DELUSIONS OF FALSE KNOWLEDGE, STRONG THOUGH THE PERFECT COORDINATION OF ALL THE FORCES OF MY SUB-CONSCIOUSNESS, SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE MY LIFE IS A CONSCIOUS EXPRESSION OF THE UNIVERSAL LIFE WHICH CANNOT FAIL.

FOURTH DAY: Keys 7, 8, 9. The Master of the Universe directs my thoughts and words to deeds of victory. I have dominion over every force in nature; for I am essentially one with the Single Identity which governs all. THE PRESENCE OF THE MOST HIGH DWELLS WITHIN ME. THE POWER OF THE ALMIGHTY WORKS THROUGH ME. I REJOICE THAT EVEN NOW I HAVE MY HEART'S DESIRE.

FIFTH DAY: Keys 4, 5, 6. I open myself to the influx of the Divine Reason which sets all things in right relationship. I listen always for the Inner Voice that teaches me the secrets of liberation. My sub-consciousness is filled with the light of spiritual understanding. THE HEAVENLY VISION IS MINE, THE INSTRUCTION OF DIVINE WISDOM GUIDES MY THOUGHTS AND WORDS. THE ILLUMINATION OF PURE SPIRIT SHOWS ME THE GLORY OF THE PERFECT LAW, THIS DAY.

SIXTH DAY: Keys 10, 11, 12. Not the least act, or word, or thought of mine but has its cosmic significance. Every detail of my experience is an adjustment of my personality for the more perfect expression of the power of the One Life. On that Life I depend utterly. THE ONE SPIRIT WORKS THROUGH ME TO ESTABLISH PERFECT JUSTICE AND TO RELEASE ME FROM EVERY FORM OF BONDAGE.