Alchemy for investors, part 6

To complete our study of the first row, turn your attention to the trumps The Lovers and The Chariot. These cards draw the eye, and inspire the imagination. One realizes that one is curious about the symbolism. Questions arise, and further observations, and more questions. One feels that one is a child again, and this is a new toy, a gift from your favourite uncle on Christmas morning.

Indeed, the Tarot is a gift. It was written before 'the book' was invented. Its' method of communication is similar to that of the language of the Ancient Egyptians. You would be wise to search out a knowledge of the grammar and syntax of those people, upon whose teachings the Greeks built their own sciences of mathematics and philosophy. This gift is not a necessary requirement of salvation. You can acheive all of your goals in life without the Tarot. Not everyone who studies it acheives anything. However, if you have a desire to learn, you will learn.

The Lovers represents the astrological sign Gemini. There is much detail on the card, and I direct your attention to only one pattern. Observe the angel and the female figure. One has arms upraised, the other, downturned. These symbol includes the property of contrast. Likewise, one figure looks down, the other looks up. Now observe the male and the female figure. Both have their arms downturned. The male figure looks to the female, and the female to the angel, and the angle gazes upon the female. This is a curious pattern ... let it consume you with curiosity, and let it fire your desire to learn its secret. There are other secrets on this card. The Lovers will teach you how to separate things, into like and unlike, similar and dissimilar.

The Chariot represents the correct relationship of the trinity of mind, emotions, and reason. Reason and the emotions are both similar (both being represented by the sphinx), yet different (being black and the other white). The mind controls both, but does not use reins or harness. Study of this card will calm your mind, and allow your emotions and reason to come into equilibrium and correct relationship to mind. You can also invoke these effects by contemplation of any enclosure. The Chariot is the beginning of any system of ritual magic.

Ritual magic involves creating an arrangement and temporal sequencing of symbols designed towards an end. Much as cutting the lawn requires a lawnmower, fuel, and a strong arm to both start the machine and to push it around the yard, so too does ritual magic work. Selection of your objective requires a balanced mind. Vengence is a dish best eaten cold, as they say. So, cultivate the balance that The Chariot illustrates. With balance, your ability to dispose of good and bad, useful and not, as shown by The Lovers, will manifest like quicksilver. When balanced, your ability to hear the higher voice of wisdom will be sharp, like The Hierophant. Balance will allow you to sit upon the throne of rulership, as The Emperor does. Upon that throne you will be first among equals, with the powers of The Magician, The High Priestess, and The Empress as your allies. With your conscious mind, you will formulate questions and suggestions, package them and deliver them to the subconsciousness as a farmer plants a seed, then, like a farmer, weed the crop that comes up. You will harvest what is good for you, and cut the rest down for your other purposes. And you will learn from your experiences. The first row of seven teaches the scientific method, first put to writing by the wise ancient egyptians. Accept no substitutes!

I, Sargon the Magnificent, wrote this, a Mitchieville exclusive.