Rotation

The number 10 is a combination of 0 and 1. In lesson 2 of this series of lessons is the statement that 10 symbolizes the eternal creativeness of the Life Power; the incessant whirling forth of the Self-expression of the Primal Will; the ever turning Wheel of Manifestation. Let us consider the meaning of this.

0 is the symbol of the One Force. 1 is the symbol of the point wherein the One Force concentrates itself. Upon this symbolism, review lessons 3 and 4. It is at this point that the One Force becomes active, and consequently is the point where motion begins. Regarding this initial motion, Judge Troward, has written the following observations:

“At this initial stage, the first awakening, so to say, of Spirit into activity, its consciousness can only be that of activity absolute; that is, not as related to any other mode of activity, because as yet there is none, but only as related to an all-embracing Being; so that the only possible conception of Activity at this stage is that of Self-sustained activity, not depending on any preceding mode of activity because there is none. The law of reciprocity, therefore, demands a similar self-sustained motion in the material correspondence, and mathematical considerations show that the only sort of motion which can sustain a selfsupporting body in vacuo is a rotary motion, bringing the body itself into a spherical form.

“Now this is exactly what we find at both extremes of the material world. At the big end the spheres of the planets rotating on their axes and revolving around the sun; and at the little end the spheres of the atoms consisting of particles which, modern science tells us, in like manner rotate around a common center at distances which are astronomical when compared with their own mass. Thus the two ultimate units of physical manifestation, the atom and the planet, both follow the same law of self-sustained motion which we have found that, on a priori grounds, they ought in order to express the primary activity of Spirit. And we may note in passing that this rotary, or absolute, motion is a combination of the only two possible modes of relative motion, namely motion from a point and motion to it, that is to say centrifugal and centripetal motion; so that in rotary or absolute motion we find that both the polarities of motion are included, thus repeating on the purely mechanical side the primordial principle of the Unity including the Duality in itself.” --The Creative Process in the Individual, pp. 29-30

Study this quotation carefully. It is full of meat. Build up in your mind an image of the initial whirling motion in the vast expanse of Limitless Light. The doctrine of Rotation is one of the most important in occultism, for it is the very embodiment of the principles of growth, evolution, action and reaction, and the reciprocal relationship between every pair of opposites. It contains the secret of the manifested universe, for you will note that here we are dealing with things in manifestation, the comprehensible, and not with the incomprehensible Absolute which is motionless, changeless, and attributeless. Do not confuse absolute motion with the Absolute, for absolute motion is so called here simply because it is Self-derived and Self-sustained, and therefore unconditioned by other modes of activity.

The Hebrew letter Kaph represents a hand in the act of grasping, or a closed fist. Close your fist and turn it with the palm towards you. Note how the fingers suggest a spiral. The activity of the One Force is not simply in its form. Thus, and only thus, is such a thing as growth or evolution possible. We return to the starting point, it is true, but always upon a higher plane than where we began. Recall what was said in lesson 11 about spiral activity.

The basic idea suggested by Kaph is comprehension, or grasp. As stated above, we are dealing in this lesson not with the Infinite, but with a law of the Finite, which is definitely within our mental grasp. What we are considering now is the series of manifestations which is finite, however immense it might be. The principle of rotation which is at work in the entire series is intelligible. We can grasp it. It can be comprehended. This law, which can be understood and applied, is best represented by a Wheel.

The title thus refers to the universal cyclic activity. But here we must remember an important thing. All there is within the whole series of manifestations is but the expression of the limitless power of the Infinite. Furthermore, all there is is but the SINGLE expression of that power. The whole procession of activities in the phenomenal universe is itself a unity. All things are One, or, as better expressed, 'The related Many equals the One.'

The title also refers directly to the planet Jupiter which is attributed to Key 10. Jupiter is called in astrology the

“Greater Fortune.” In mythology Jupiter is the ruler of all the gods, and through their agency, of the destinies of man. So it becomes evident to the careful student that this title will suggest the power whereby we find that, which we are seeking the power that makes us partakers of every good and perfect gift. It is perfectly true that the spiral, cyclic activity as applied to man is the means whereby he progresses along the path that leads to enlightenment and union, making him the master of his fate and the captain of his soul. The spiral motion, expressing through his personality, manifests as growth.

Jupiter is the planet that rules the astrological sign Cancer, which we have already considered in the study of Key 7. Thus the wheels which move the Chariot along represent the law of Rotation in that Key. A review of Key 7 should help you to see some of the practical applications of this law in your own life. When we comprehend the truth that even the least of our personal activities is a particular manifestation of some greater cycle of universal energy we shall find that every detail of those activities is adjusted harmoniously to the sweep of the currents of cosmic manifestation. Such comprehension gives man power over every disease, every misfortune, every limitation. The power of Jupiter, the Father, is his power. But it must be true comprehension, not merely an intellectual grasp that whatever we do is a part of the cosmic flux and reflux. It must be a realization, and that is arrived at by continually suggesting the idea to sub-consciousness by deep thought and by looking at the Tarot Keys, so that it automatically becomes a part of your mental makeup.

Jupiter is often called the “Sky Father”, and thus the god of cloud, rain, lightning and thunder. This is close to what modern science has to say as to the nature of physical things. Whatever exists is a form of the manifestation of the electric energy pervading the atmosphere. It is the circulation of that energy that produces all forms. Here, also, we have the combination of the fiery energy which is the symbol of self-consciousness, and the water symbolism of sub-consciousness. All of these meanings are symbolized by the clouds in this Tarot Key.

The four figures at the corners of the Key are called the Cherubic emblems. They are the Cherubs mentioned in Ezekiel and in Revelation. They represent the Divine Name, IHVH, usually translated 'Jehovah', which has an occult correspondence with Jove, or Jupiter. They also represent the fixed signs of the zodiac and the four elements. The Lion is Leo, and the element of fire. The eagle is Scorpio, and the element of water. The Man is Aquarius, and the element of air, while the bull represents Taurus and the element of earth. Thus they represent the fixed principles which remain unchanged throughout the cycles of manifestation.

The symbol of the wheel, as shown here, is taken from a diagram drawn by Eliphas Levi, which he called the 'Wheel of Ezekiel.' It is composed of three concentric circles. The innermost has eight spokes, and is thus the same as the wheel design on the dress of the Fool. It has the same general meaning, as a symbol of Spirit, or the Life Breath, and its whirling motion. The particular meaning here is that the first requirement for an adequate comprehension of existence is the perception that everything in the phenomenal world is an expression of Spirit, pervaded by the pure consciousness of Spirit, made of the substance of Spirit, and moved by the energy of Spirit.

The circle surrounding this innermost one is also divided into eight parts. It represents the activities of the formative world of the Qabalists. It contains alchemical symbols of Mercury, Sulphur, Salt, and Dissolution. The first three of these represent wisdom, activity and inertia respectively. These symbols represent the laws, or agencies, which carry the ruling power of Spirit out into manifestation, and which give man dominion over the powers of nature. Dominion is expressed through the combination of the three principles in the Great Work of dissolving all seeming obstacles by right knowledge, or true comprehension. This dissolution is what makes available for human use the energy locked up in form.

The outer circle contains the Roman characters ROTA. Read in this order they spell the Latin word for 'wheel' but they may be recombined to form the words 'ROTA TARO ORAT TORA ATOR.' This sentence, (which is not good Latin) may be translated to mean, 'The Wheel of Tarot speaks the Law of Hathor.' Hathor is mother Nature, the Empress in Tarot.

These Roman characters are counterchanged with the four Hebrew letters, Yd He Vau He (IHVH), which is commonly translated Jehovah. Observe that the Roman letters are read clockwise around the wheel, as is shown by the position of the letter R. The Hebrew letters, on the contrary, are read in the opposite direction, and this is true with the reading of all Hebrew words. This is interesting, since it denotes a double movement. The suggestion is similar to that indicated by the horizontal 8 over the heads of the Magician and the woman in Strength.

The wheel is orange to indicate the fact that the power at work throughout nature is the same as that which comes to us from the suns as sunlight.

The serpent on the descending side of the Wheel is yellow to represent light. Its wavy form denotes vibration. It is a symbol of the descent of the serpent-power (Key 8) into physical existence, of the involution of light into form. It is the power which flows through the Magician, and is also the light in the Hermit’s lantern.

The ascending figure is a Hermanubis, having the head of a jackal and the body of a man. It represents the type of evolving life which has reached the average human level at the present time. The animal head shows that humanity, as a whole, has not risen above the purely intellectual level. But his ears rise above the horizontal diameter of the wheel, showing that through interior hearing (intuition) man is beginning to gain some knowledge of the segment of the cycle of evolution through which he is destined to rise. This figure is red to denote self-consciousness and desire.

The sphinx represents the completion of the identification of the personality with the One Identity. She carries a sword, so that her weapon is that which the alphabet typifies by the letter Zain, signifying right discrimination.

The Sphinx is none other than the One Identity. In the old myth the answer to the riddle of the Sphinx was “Man.” When we come to understand the true nature of man, we find that MAN is the REALITY which holds within Itself all that we commonly call Nature, even as Adam held Eve within himself before she was brought forth as a separate being.

Thus the sphinx, although she has a woman’s head and breasts, has the hindquarters of a male lion. She combines the two principal elements in Key 8. She is the union of male and female powers, the perfect blending of forces which, at lower levels of perception, seem to be opposed. The figure is at the top of the wheel to symbolize stability, equilibrium, and balance in the midst of perpetual transformation, change and motion of the Universal process. It is super-consciousness, the attainment, the beginning of the end.

The law of Rotation is one of the most obvious in Nature. Yet it is one of the least understood. If humanity as a whole would realize that is future – not that of its children, but its very own future – is entirely dependent upon its present actions. Such a realization would mean the end of wars, of strife, of selfishness, and of all that tends to separate. It is important for you to realize the importance of this law. For that reason your exercise this week should be a studied attempt to see this law in operation. Begin by thinking of all of the things you can where cyclic or spiral activity is apparent. Then examine yourself. Think back over your past life, and note, if you can, the cycles through which you have passed. Think of your present activities, and try to picture their results in the future.

None of the forces in the universe is alien to man. The innermost reality in man is the One Identity behind, within, and surrounding the whole universe. This like the very center of the wheel is always at rest. Or, like the Sphinx, it remains unmoved throughout all the cycles of transformation. Grasp the truth behind this Key and you will find it a powerful weapon, a sword of right discrimination, enabling you to cut off all the forms of error and delusion which now bar your progress to complete liberation.

JUSTICE

Green / F#

Astrological Chart

Section FIRST