Tableau 7

The tableau for this week is

Arranged as a magic square, adding to 30 in every direction, it becomes:

Thus, the constant summation of the lines of the magic square, being 30, indicates that the Tarot Keys particularly relating to this group are 0 and 3, with 0 as the source of activity, and 3 as the agency of its expression. That is to say, one of the general meanings of this group, which is shown by every row of three Keys when they are arranged in magical formation, is that the unmanifested Spirit (0) is the real power which finds expression through the germination of mental imagery in the field of subconsciousness (3).

Ageless Wisdom avoids the mistake of some modern systems of psychology, which suppose sub-consciousness to have power of its own which is merely an echo of earlier stages of evolution. The libido, as psychoanalysts term it, is really the élan vital of undifferentiated Spirit. It is the pure Life-Breath, the sky-power pictured by the Fool. As we receive it, it comes into our field of awareness through subconscious channels. Yet it is not a power of subconsciousness. We make contact with it through subconsciousness. Here applies the Hermetic axiom: 'That which is above is as that which is below, and that which is below is as that which is above, for the performance of the miracles of the One Thing.'

As 30 reduces to 3, and 3 is the number of the EMPRESS, Key 3 is the symbol of the main idea in the doctrine of this lesson. That idea is closely connected with the meanings of the letter Daleth, corresponding to the EMPRESS. Daleth means 'door,' and it significance as applied to your work is this: The activities of subconsciousness in the generation of mental images constitute, so to say, the portal through which you pass from your present states of personal experience into those which you are to realize in the future. You have entered today's set of experiences through this door, and through it you will pass into the conditions of tomorrow. In other words, what you mentally image today is the pattern for the manifestations of days to come. That this is true is not by any means patent to the greater number of human beings. Many, when first the idea is presented to them, reject it at once. They say: 'I certainly did not imagine anything like the experiences I am having now. How, then, can you ask me to believe that what I imagine now will make any difference in my actual life tomorrow?'

This would be perfectly sound criticism if all our mental imagery were produced consciously. The fact is, however, that the greater part of it is not consciously shaped, unless we have become very skilful in learning how to control the process. Thousands of images are generated by our sub-consciousness every day, and have their measure of effect on our circumstances, our relations with others, and so on, without our ever becoming consciously aware of them. Sub-consciousness, you know, is the dream-maker, and there is abundant evidence that it is dreaming all the time.

While we are awake, we do not notice this dream-process, because our attention is held by the more vivid impressions of our direct sense-experience. The sub-consciousness, nevertheless, keeps on generating mental images, and those images affect other persons telepathically, determining their attitudes toward us and toward our undertakings. Thus, it becomes important for us to learn how to direct this subconscious activity so that it will work to our advantage.

The process is controlled from conscious levels. Observe that I say, 'is controlled.' As a matter of fact, we do control it all the time, but most human beings work the control backwards. The subconscious dream-process is always an automatic response to, and elaboration of, those attitudes of mind which we consciously accept.

For example, if we accept the notion that this is a pretty terrible world, in which only a few have any chance, and in which our own hopes of realizing our heart's desire are somewhat less than nothing, that notion is a seed-thought which sub-consciousness elaborates into specific imagery. The images may never rise into our field of conscious awareness, but they are being developed, just the same, and it is amazing how specific some of them are. That this is true is shown by the investigations of psychoanalysts and others who have brought to light what goes on in the subconscious image-factory. Our bad dreams sometimes give us terrifying glimpses of the kind of product which is being turned out by this part of our mentality. Persons who know how to use their mental powers seldom have bad dreams, because their seed-thoughts are not the variety that take form in these shapes of terror.

Ageless Wisdom teaches that the image-making activities of our personal sub-consciousness are the same in kind, though less powerful in degree, as those whereby all the physical forms of the world in which we live were brought forth by the Universal Mind. Imagination is, thus, actually the door to external experience. To trace the various elements of our present situation to their sub-conscious roots may be different or even impossible, but we shall do well to remember the principle just explained.

Hebrew Wisdom gives us another hint to the same effect. It says that Daleth, the door, is also a symbol of the womb. In other words, Daleth represents the matrix in which conditions are shaped. This idea is brought out by many details of the Tarot picture of the EMPRESS.

There should be nothing to disturb you considering the close connection between your subconscious imagery and your conscious experience. You are not determined, as some have taught, by subconscious states over which you have no control. You do control them. You always control them; even as you set into operation the production of sequences of images whose externalization is decidedly unfavorable to you and your projects. The trouble is, when trouble comes, that you have been misusing your control. Learn to use it aright and trouble comes to an end.

The principle of control is very simple. Sub-consciousness accepts whatever we accept at the conscious level of our thought. Sub-consciousness cannot criticize, cannot repudiate our conscious notions. It takes as gospel truth everything that we believe, and it elaborates whatever we give it to the last possible deduction, from the premises which we establish by our conscious mental attitudes.

Because it is elaborating our conscious thoughts, we often experience conditions which we seem not to have imagined at all. This is where we have to guard against making misinterpretations of experience at the conscious level. We must be on the watch, also, against falling into easy agreement with some other person’s ill-considered opinion. We must learn to determine for ourselves what are the underlying principles of cosmic activity.

Key 10, central in our tableau, and central also in the corresponding magic square, is important in this connection. It sums up symbolically the various aspects of a seed-thought which is sure to bear fruit in beneficent mental imagery. The person who has thought out, and consciously accepted, the idea represented by Key 10 will, by repeated meditation on that idea, set going a subconscious creative process which will eventually be the means of his liberation.

You have had some introduction to this idea in the lessons of the first Section, and its various aspects have been touched upon in preceding lessons of this series. The emphasis this week will fall upon this great seed-thought, which I may put into words as follows:

IN THE SMALLEST DETAILS OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND ACTION, THE FORCES AT WORK ARE NOT MERELY PERSONAL: THEY ARE ALSO PHASES OF A COSMIC PROCESS OF CYCLIC

ACTIVITY WHICH MOVES INEVITABLY TOWARD THE MANIFESTATION OF A BEAUTIFUL AND HARMONIOUS RESULT.

Read this capitalized paragraph several times, so as to be sure your grasp its import. You may not, at this time, feel that you can give the statement your unqualified assent. You are not asked to do so. Just now, the important thing is for you to be sure you grasp the exact meaning of the words. Full demonstration of their truth comes later.

As practice perfects you in discrimination, and in keeping distinct the activities of your conscious and subconscious minds, as shown in Key 6, you will begin to notice that everything you think and say and do is connected with the movement of cycles of energy extending far beyond your personal field of expression. If you have some knowledge of astrology, for example, you will soon observe that there is a regular ebb and flow of mental activity, corresponding exactly with the transits of the Moon and planets through your horoscope. And if you develop the proper degree of inner sensitiveness, you will become increasingly aware of a definite guidance, and of communication with the overshadowing presence represented by the angel of Key 14. (Keys 6, 10, 14)

As you come, more and more, to interpret your personal activities as the expression of the One Will which directs the universe, you will see, too, that in a sense you are always at the spiritual center of the whole system of cosmic cycles. You will begin to understand that your external existence is a continual dissolution of outworn forms, to give room for the unfoldment of new and better ones. (Keys 7, 10, 13)

At first it may not be easy to maintain this mental attitude, but persistence in it, by repeatedly reminding yourself of the facts, no matter what appearances may be, will in time transfer the idea to sub-consciousness, which will begin to act upon it. Then there will begin to grow in you a feeling that the most vital part of you remains unmoved through all the transformations of external circumstance, as unmoved as the sphinx at the top of the WHEEL OF FORTUNE. More and more, too, will you feel that all the details of your personal life are adequately supported by the cosmic process. (Keys 8, 10, 12)

The word 'Self' will change in meaning as you grow in understanding, and will come more and more to represent to you the One Identity which finds expression through countless personalities. You will realize more and more vividly that this Self is the true spiritual center of the universe, and, at the same time, the central reality of your own life. Your perception that it is constantly adjusting and balancing all the forces at work within and around you will be reinforced by a host of proofs (Keys 9, 10, 11).

These changes begin, remember, at the conscious level, with acts of discrimination. They consist first of all in repeated self-reminders that the personality is the vehicle of a cosmic spiritual energy. Eventually these repetitions of the true state of things establish a new type of responses at the subconscious level, which bring all the sub-human forces of the sub-consciousness into harmony with the conscious thought. (Keys 6, 7, 8)

It is, almost wholly, a question of willing surrender of one's whole personal existence to the direction of the Life-Power. That surrender is expressed in utter willingness to let go everything which is no longer of advantage to the progress of the Great Work in one’s own life. It is the willed acceptance of guidance from above, based upon reasoned conviction that such guidance is always available. (Keys 12, 13, 14)

Meditations

FIRST DAY: 6, 10, 14. The two modes of my consciousness work together in perfect harmony. My life is a universal phenomenon, expressed in personal terms. It is directed by the same overshadowing Intelligence which guides the worlds through space. POISE AND SUPPLY AND GUIDANCE ARE MINE THIS DAY.

SECOND DAY: 7, 10, 13. I am an embodiment of the Creative Word. Through me circulate the currents of the Limitless Light. They dissolve everything in me that has outworn its usefulness. THE WORD IS IN MY HEART, ITS VIBRATION IS THE SUPPORT OF ALL THAT SURROUNDS ME, AND IT TRANSFORMS EVERYTHING INTO ITS OWN BEAUTIFUL IMAGE.

THIRD DAY: 8, 10, 12. Even now my subconsciousness is ordering all forces for my good. I am living at the center of the spiritual universe. I depend wholly upon it for power and supply. THE CYCLES OF NECESSITY WORK ALWAYS FOR MY GOOD.

FOURTH DAY: 9, 10, 11. That which I really am has already attained all that I hope to be. The whole sweep of the cosmic cycles moves on inevitably to the external manifestation of that attainment. Everything in the universe adjusts itself toward that realization. THE ONE IDENTITY WORKS THROUGH ME TO BALANCE ALL THE FORCES OF ITS MANIFESTATION.

FIFTH DAY: 6, 7, 8. Consciousness and subconsciousness work in me to manifest the Will of the One Self. My personality is the consecrated vehicle of the Life-Power’s victorious progress. All the forces below the level of my conscious awareness are directed toward the perfect realization of the Great Work. EVER RESPONSIVE TO THE ONE LIFE, I SHARE ITS VICTORIOUS MASTERY.

SIXTH DAY: 12, 13, 14. I depend utterly upon the Perfect Law. I let go all that binds me to the past. I set my feet firmly on the path which leads to the heights of Self-Realization. I AM UTTERLY FREE, FOR I DO NOTHING OF MYSELF.