The Lover stands in equilibrium between two gravitational fields—the world of the serpent, on the one hand, and the world of the Word, on the other (cf. the “psychic man” in Letter XII).
MOTT References:
“spiritual fornication“ (143); “It is love which awakens” (126); “the ‘psychic man’ ” (307).
The Wheel of Fortune— aka the world of the serpent —suggests separation and duality (cf. fallen creation, maya, samsara, or simply the rat race).
MOTT References:
”the world of the serpent” (242-243, 246-7, 253 – cf. 143;203).
The World indicates union / nonduality — the world of the Word (cf. true nature, moksha, nirvana, the kingdom of heaven or kingdom of God).
MOTT References:
”creative joy” (644); “the world of the Word” (143);
NOTE: “the kingdom heaven” and “nirvana” are not equivalent in MOTT.
The Moon points to our empirical ego and personal self-image—and, more generally, to discursive thought and instrumental reasoning (cf. analysis, calculation, ratiocination—see also The Ace of Swords).
MOTT References:
“materialist intellectuality” (494).
The Sun suggests our transcendental Self—the light of awareness in which we are called to walk (cf. I John 1:5-7). See also Matthew 18:3 — “Unless you become as little children, you cannot enter the kingdom…”
MOTT References:
“the look of a child” (552).
The Tower of Destruction points to the destiny of the egoic mind together with its projects—i.e. the inevitable end of “the story of me”, however successful “I” may be along the way (cf. “the tower of Babel” or “the house built on the sand”).
MOTT References:
“confronted by divine reality” (444).
The Hanged Man suggests the possibility of taking up our cross— of “dying before we die” —and entering the kingdom NOW… (aka transcending the ego, being crucified with Christ—cf. Romans 6:4-6; Galatians 2:20).
MOTT References:
“attraction from above” (307).
The Ace of Swords, in this context, indicates the rule of the empirical / dualistic / egoic mind (cf. the all too often “arbitrary will” of the “emancipated personality” per MOTT ).
MOTT References:
“arbitrary will” (411); “emancipated personality” (119—cf. 116, 125, 127). NOTE: The Tarot Aces are not discussed in MOTT and it’s treatment of the Tarot suits is Kabbalistic whereas this approach is best characterized as Neoplatonic.
The Ace of Batons points to Spirit / Presence / Awareness / God’s will / our real will— as we are in the beginning —in Christ, the image and likeness of God (cf. GK Nous / Logos / Mind of Christ / Divine Intelligence).
NOTE: “Action” as in Divine activity; the ground of authentic action… (not fallen reactivity).
MOTT References:
NOTE: The Tarot Aces are not discussed in MOTT and it’s treatment of the Tarot suits is Kabbalistic whereas this approach is best characterized as Neoplatonic.
The Devil indicates the temptation of duality and forgetfulness (in material, ideological and/or sensual pursuits).
MOTT References:
“two personages” (404, 408ff – see discussion of “egregores” for the ideological aspect).
Temperance alerts us to the call of conscience
(mindfulness / recollection / remembrance / Divine presence); helps bridge the gap (functionally) between the image and likeness of God in us…
MOTT References:
“faithful ally” (375 – see pages 374ff for the distinction between image and likeness).
The Ace of Coins here suggests the ego’s preoccupation with “laying up treasure on earth” (See Luke 12:15-34; Philippians 3:18-21; I Timothy 6:9-10; James 4:1-3).
MOTT References:
NOTE: The Tarot Aces are not discussed in MOTT and it’s treatment of the Tarot suits is Kabbalistic whereas this approach is best characterized as Neoplatonic.
The Ace of Chalices suggests a heart that is open to Spirit (“If you are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above…” See Colossians 3:1-3; Luke 12:15-34).
MOTT References:
NOTE: The Tarot Aces are not discussed in MOTT and it’s treatment of the Tarot suits is Kabbalistic whereas this approach is best characterized as Neoplatonic.
[Editor’s Note: Go to The Soul’s Choice menu to explore a recently
revised and expanded presentation of this material ~ Nov. 2018 ]
The Soul’s Choice…
A Thirteen Card Spread of Inspirational Trumps & Aces:
[ Introduction | Commentary | Acknowledgements | Download ]
Whosoever will may come and drink of the water of life freely…
[See TTTarot Hermeneutics for additional background on this arrangement of images.]
Christian Meditations on the Tarot www.cmott.net 