Course XLII - Teaching 13: Tarot Explained According to Rosicrucian Fellowship I

*Translator’s Notice: Here and in the following text, Rosicrucian Fellowship (or Brotherhood) has to be interpreted as Ancient Rosicrucian Tradition, without any specific connotations referred to other Institutions of the same or similar kind in the world. Such are Master Santiago Bovisio’s intentions.

“KETHER”, First Sephirah

TITLE: Kether, Crown (Hebrew letters: Kaph, Tau, Resh).
MAGICAL IMAGE: An old King of the antiquity, in profile.
SITE ON THE TREE: Top of the Balance Pillar, on the Supreme Triangle.
YETZIRAH TEXT: The first Path is called Admirable or of Hidden Intelligence because it is light giving power of understanding, the First Inception, without beginning; and Primordial Glory because no creature can reach its essence.
TITLES GIVEN TO KETER: Existence of existences. Secret of secrets. Ancient among the ancient ones. The Ancient of the days. Primordial Point. Point in the Circle. The Highest One. Immense Face. White Head. Head that is not. Macroposopos. Amen. Lux Interna, HE.
DIVINE NAME: Eheieh.
ANGELIC ORDER: Saint Living Beings. Kjaioth ja Kadesh.
WORLDLY CHAKRA: Rashith ja Gilgalim. Primum Mobile. First Tremblings.
SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE: Union with God.
VIRTUE: Realization.
VICE.
CORRESPONDENCE IN MICROCOSM: Skull. Sah. Yechicah. Divine Spark. Lotus of a Thousand Petals.
SYMBOLS: Crown. Swastika.
TAROT CARDS: Four Aces.
ACE OF CLUBS: Root of Fire Powers.
ACE OF HEARTS: Root of Water Powers.
ACE OF SPADES: Root of Air Powers.
ACE OF DIAMONDS: Root of Earth Powers.
COLOR IN ATZILUTH: Brilliance.
BRIAH: Purest white shine.
YETZIRAH: Purest white shine.
ASSIAH: White, golden mottled.

“CHOKMAH”, Second Sephirah

TITLE: Chokmah, Wisdom (Hebrew letters: Chet, Kaph, Mem, He).
MAGICAL IMAGE: Bearded man.
SITE ON THE TREE: Too of Mercy Pillar, on the Supreme Triangle.
YETZIRAH TEXT: The Second Path is called that of Illuminating Intelligence: it the Crown of the Creation, Splendor of Unity matching it. At the top of all heads; Cabalists call it Second Glory. TITLES GIVEN TO CHOKMAH: Power of Yetzirah, Ab, Abba, Supreme Father, Tetragrammaton – Yod of Tetragrammaton.
DIVINE NAME: Iehovah.
ARCHANGEL: Ratziel.
ANGELIC ORDER: Auphanim, Wheels.
WORDLY CHAKRA: Mazloth, Zodiac.
SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE: Vision of God face to face.
VIRTUE: Devotion.
VICE: —
CORRESPONDENCE IN MACROCOSM: Left side of face.
SYMBOLS:Lingam. Phallus. Yod of Tetragrammaton. Clothing of Inner Glory. Pedestal or stone. Tower. Scepter of Power, high up. Straight Line.
TAROT CARDS: Four Twos.
TWO OF CLUBS: Control.
TWO OF HEARTS: Love.
TWO OF SPADES: Peace Reestablished.
TWO OF DIAMONDS: Harmonious change.
COLOR IN ATZILUTH: Pure light blue.
COLOR IN BRIAH: Gray.
COLOR IN YETZIRAH: Iridiscent gray pearl.
COLOR IN ASSIAH: White with mottled red, blue and yellow.

“BINAH”, Third Sephirah

TITLE: Binah, Understanding (Hebrew letters: Beth, Yod, Nun, He).
MAGICAL IMAGE: Mature woman. Matron.
SITE ON THE TREE: Top of the Severity Pillar, in the Supreme Triangle.
YETZIRAH TEXT: The third Intelligence is called Sanctifying Intelligence, Foundation of Primordial Wisdom; also, Creator of Faith; is roots are in Amen. It is Mother of Faith; faith emanates from it. TITLES GIVEN TO BINAH: Ama, Dark and Sterile Woman. Aima, Radiant and Fertile Mother. Kjorsia, Throne. Mara, Great Sea.
DIVINE NAME: Yehovah Elohim.
ARCHANGEL: Tzaphkiel.
ANGELIC ORDER: Aralim, Thrones.
WORDLY CHAKRA: Shabbathai, Saturn.
SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE: Vision of suffering.
VIRTUE: Silence.
VICE: Greed.
CORRESPONDENCE IN MICROCOSM: Right side of face.
SYMBOLS: Yoni. Kteis. Vesica Piscis. Cup or Calyx. External attire that hides.
TAROT CARDS: Four Threes.
THREE OF CLUBS: Affirmation of Force.
THREE OF HEARTS: Abundance.
THREE OF SPADES: Grief, sorrow, affliction, misfortune.
THREE OF DIAMONDS: Material tasks.
COLOR IN ATZILUTH: Crimson.
COLOR IN BRIAH: Black.
COLOR IN YETZIRAH: Deep brown.
COLOR IN ASSIAH: Gray with mottled pink.

“CHESED”, Fourth Sephirah

TITLE: Chesed, Mercy (Hebrew letters: Hjed, Sameoj, Daleth).
MAGICAL IMAGE: Powerful King, crowned and sitting on his throne.
SITE ON THE TREE: In the center of the Mercy Pillar.
YETZIRAH TEXT: The Fourth Path is called Cohesive and Receptive Intelligence: containing every Holy Power and all spiritual virtues emanate from it with the most exalted essences. They emanate one from another by virtue of the Primordial Emanation, the Highest Crown: Kether.
TITLES GIVEN TO CHESED: Gedulah. Love. Majesty.
DIVINE NAME: HE.
ARCHANGEL: Tzadkiel.
ANGELIC ORDER: Chasmalim. Luminous Beings.
WORDLY CHAKRA: Tzedek, Jupiter.
SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE: Vision of Love.
VIRTUE: Obedience.
VICE: Fanaticism; Hypocrisy; Gluttony; Tyranny.
CORRESPONDENCE IN MICROCOSM: Left arm.
SYMBOLS: Solid figure. Tetrahedron. Pyramid. Cross with equal arms. Staff. Sphere. Scepter. Wand. TAROT CARDS: Fours.
FOUR OF CLUBS: Work or perfected task.
FOUR OF HEARTS: Pleasure.
FOUR OF SPADES: Rest after fight.
FOUR OF DIAMONDS: Earthly Power.
COLOR IN ATZILUTH: Deep violet.
COLOR IN BRIAH: Blue.
COLOR IN YETZIRAH: Deep purple.
COLOR IN ASSIAH: Deep blue with mottled yellow.