Intuition

By this time you will have become used to a definite method of studying these lessons which you will follow throughout the entire series. First meditate upon your Tarot Key for five minutes. Then study the lesson, reflect upon it as you read, and write any observations into your diary.

Read the meanings of the number 5 in lesson 2. Note that this number symbolizes the results of the classifying activities in Key 4. A subconscious elaboration of these classifications, and the formulation of deductions therefrom which are projected back into self-consciousness, are the mental states termed intuitions. Note the cyclic action of this process. Every idea thus projected into self-consciousness is another suggestion to sub-consciousness, which is the start of a fresh series of deductions. The working out of this process may be instantaneous. This is what happens when we 'think rapidly,' as most people express it. On the other hand it may be a matter of days. A common example of this, and one which you have probably experienced many times, is when you read a difficult passage in a book which is very obscure at the time, but which is perfectly simple and clear the next time you see it, even though you may not have given it conscious attention in the interval.

Intuition means “interior teaching.” As here treated, intuition is understood as being direct perception of the eternal principles which may be applied to the solution of human problems and human control over Nature. This direct perception is the result of the UNION of personal consciousness with the Super-conscious I AM, or the Central Self of every one of us. Such perception makes a human being immediately aware of these eternal principles, but it does not stop there. Included in this awareness is also a perception of the way in which the principles may be put into practice. There is a distinct difference between intuitions of this sort and those which are rooted in the personal sub-consciousness. This latter type is closely related to what are commonly called “hunches.” Intuitions which originate in Super-consciousness may be correctly termed “Spiritual Intuitions.”

The most important word in the last paragraph is union. Unless there is a real union between the personality and the true Self, there can never be an expression of Super-consciousness and the man can never touch the high plane of spiritual intuition. This idea of union is symbolized in many ways by Key 5.

The Hebrew letter Vau (pronounced “waw”) means “nail” or “hook.” Both meanings symbolize union, since nails are used to join the various parts of a house together, and a hook joins an object hanging upon it to the foundation to which the hook is fastened. Notice that the idea of sustenance is directly connected with the ideas of nail and hook, since it is by means of nails that the house is sustained and a hook is that upon which something depends. When the Inner Self is linked consciously with the personality, man gains first-hand knowledge that all things are sustained and depend upon the ONE SELF.

The idea of union is still further carried out by the primitive form of the letter Vau, which was simply a pictograph of a yoke, such as is used to harness oxen. Remember that the letter Aleph means “OX”, and try to develop the hint contained here. The root of our English word “yoke” is the Sanskrit word “Yoga”, the exact translation of which is “union.” Yoga, as commonly taught, is a system of practices designed to bring about the complete union of the higher and lower natures of man. A similar idea is suggested by the word “religion” which means literally “bind together again.” The religious doctrine of Atonement (at-one-ment) is another expression of the same idea. It is obvious that anything so deeply rooted in all of the world’s religious must have some profound philosophical and practical basis.

The practical application of the idea of union is to be found in the function of HEARING, which is attributed to Key 5. It is not simply physical hearing that is referred to here, but to what is known as “interior hearing.” Knowledge of the higher aspects of reality comes to us through the soundless sound of an Inner Voice, which often speaks as plainly as any voice heard with the physical ear. The reason is that the hearing centers of the brain, when developed to a certain extent, are stimulated by higher rates of vibration which serve as a means of communication between ourselves and more advanced thinkers.

Wise men throughout all the ages have taught and practiced union with the Life Principle, or One Self. Everywhere and always they have agreed that release from every limitation comes to those who awaken to a recognition of a power which is always present in human life, a power which sets men free when they know it and use it. That power is understood clearly only be those who have learned to listen to their voice within.

Geometrically number 5 is the pentagram. This figure is the symbol of Man, because 5 is the number of mediation (being the middle term between 1 and 10) and Man is the Mediator between God and Nature. Write the last part of the preceding sentence, which is underlined, in your notebook, and remember it. It is a key to many of the mysteries of Tarot.

Taurus is ruled by Venus and is the sign of the Moon’s exaltation. Reflect upon this for a few moments and you will see that Intuition comes as the progeny of the Empress (Venus), who is the High Priestess (Moon), in her highest expression of active creation. This is one way of saying that the only way to contact Superconsciousness is through the subconscious mind.

The word “Hierophant” means literally “revealer of mysteries” or “he who shows that which is sacred.” In the ancient Greek mysteries the Hierophant was the teacher who explained the meanings of the sacred symbols. Thus the Inner Voice represented by Key 5 will reveal to you the true mysteries of the Tarot and the inner or sacred meanings of its symbols. When this happens you will have not only a true understanding of the meaning of Life and its expression, but you will have a practical working knowledge of it. Again note that explanation is a linking process, uniting the knower with the known.

Like the High Priestess, the Hierophant is seated in a temple, in contrast to the Emperor, whose throne is out of doors. The Emperor wears armor, but the Hierophant wears the vestments of the peaceful priestly office. The insignia of the Emperor are those of earthly rulership and authority, while those of the Hierophant represent spiritual dominion.

The outer robe is red-orange, the color assigned to Taurus. It is trimmed with blue-green edging which is the complementary color of red-orange and refers to the sign Scorpio. The undergarment is blue like the robe of the High Priestess, and has a similar significance. Over this is the white robe of enlightenment. The outer robe is fastened at the throat (which is the part of the body ruled by Taurus) by a silver crescent, suggesting the exaltation of the Moon in Taurus.

The crown is similar to the triple papal crown. Note that it is egg-shaped, denoting that the One Force bestows spiritual sovereignty upon man, and that his life includes ALL THE POTENCIES OF THE UNIVERSE. The ornament hanging from the crown is a modified Yoke, referring to the primitive form of the letter Vau. It falls from the crown immediately behind the Hierophant's ears, to call attention to those organs of HEARING. The golden staff suggests the dominion of the Life Power through the planes of Nature, represented by the knob and three crossbars.

The golden keys suggest that an understanding of the power of Light (gold) unlocks the mysteries of life. Their wards show a 'ball and clapper' design, denoting the importance of sound vibration and the faculty of hearing in the discovery of these mysteries.

The ministers who kneel before the Hierophant wear robes upon which are embroidered replicas of the flowers growing in the garden of the Magician, making the two figures personifications of the principles of Desire and Knowledge. This is to be understood that here these principles are manifest at the human level.

The throne, which is ornamented, and therefore a product of human adaptation, is of stone. The horned circles are variations of the conventional astrological symbols of the sign Taurus.

The pillars are of gray stone, and represent polarity. The ornamentation at the top of each of them represents the union of masculine and feminine potencies.

The background is gray, a color associated in occultism with Wisdom. It is a balanced mixture of black and white, another suggestion of the union of spirit and matter, the known and the unknown.

This week give attentive consideration to what goes on in your mind. You will find that most of your thinking is in words uttered by the inner counterpart of your own voice. But if you meditate faithfully upon the meanings of your Keys, asking direct, well formed questions in relation to them, you will occasionally receive impressions that have a different quality than your usual thoughts. It is as though somebody else were the speaker, and this is actually the fact. You simply put yourself in tune with other minds occupied with the same work that you are. Pay close attention to these thoughts which seem literally to come to you.

If they are constructive, encouraging, and illuminating, welcome them. If they are negative, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPRESS OR REJECT THEM. That is the wrong method of trying to control the mind. Resistance and repression simply divert the current of negative impression into subconscious levels. Instead of resistance, try readjustment. Remember that it is your own rate of mental vibration that determines what you receive from other centers of Life activity. You have the power to tune in on whatever you sincerely desire to receive. You can raise your mental rate of vibration by looking at Key 5. This will automatically cut off undesirable mental imagery by tuning it out.

The basis of the practice with this Key is to relax, to close your eyes, formulate a specific question, and visualize the picture of the Hierophant. LISTEN for your answer. If it does not come in a few minutes, open your eyes and go about your business.

But while you sit with your eyes closed do not speculate about the answer. LISTEN QUIETLY. Please remember that at all times such “listening” must be the alert, positive, and controlled responsiveness to the “still, small voice.” Nothing negative or even remotely approaching “mediumistic” states is recommended. Never attempt to force the answer.

True intuition unfolds principles, not merely expedients. It is always concise, clear, and the meaning is unmistakable. True intuition never flatters, more likely it will reprove. True intuition never misleads and can stand the most severe spiritual, moral, and intellectual tests.

Therefore, TEST EVERY MESSAGE THAT COMES TO YOU THROUGH THIS CHANNEL OF INTERIOR HEARING. Test it for its ethical quality. Test it for reasonableness. Intuition often goes beyond reason, but it is never contrary to reason. Test it also for definiteness. The guidance which comes through intuition always has to do with special and particular applications of eternal principles.

This is why Lao-tze says: 'Its counsel is always in season.' If a voice speaks in your inner ear, and utters great promises of what you are going to accomplish in the future, or gives long discourses about unverifiable details of your former incarnations, or sonorous generalities, keep your poise. Very likely that is no more than your own subconsciousness, dramatizing your wishes, or elaborating some promise of your conscious thought. The true inner voice gives counsel in season, when you can actually carry it out.

Sometimes the counsel is very simple. It says, 'Do this', and what you are told to do may not seem to be of any particular moment. ALWAYS OBEY SUCH INNER ADMONITIONS, unless, as before explained, to do so involves some obvious breech of good sense or some violation of ethics. You will find that such obedience always leads to something of value. And the more you obey, the more guidance you will have.

Whatever really comes from the true Inner Voice is always something that illuminates, that leads to happiness and liberation, that makes for growth and development. Sometimes we hear voices utter messages full of gloom, full of portents of disaster, full of subtle promptings of spiritual pride and selfishness. But our test is simple. Is it the message of light and gladness? Then we may be sure it comes from the true Voice.

6 THE LOVERS 1

Orange / D

Astrological Chart

Section FIRST