The Enchanted Initiate
A Journal of Traditional Symbolism, Hermeticism & the Occult Sciences

Trickery: Deception, Virtue, and Security

Unpacking the Complexities of Deception, Virtue, and Security: A Philosophical Analysis of Trickery

Treatise & Commentary
Sources Consulted:Arthur Edward Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1910)
Frontispiece plate illustrating the hierarchy of ancient mystery schools and the transmission of initiatic symbols.
Frontispiece plate illustrating the hierarchy of ancient mystery schools and the transmission of initiatic symbols.J. Augustus Knapp, in Manly P. Hall’s Secret Teachings of All Ages, San Francisco (1928)

Through a philosophical lens, we will explore how these figures and symbols intersect and influence one another, revealing a network of deceit, virtue, and the pursuit of safety and assurance.

§ I

The Interplay of Deception and Virtue

The concepts of trickery and perverse woman are inextricably linked, suggesting that deceitful behavior is often associated with individuals who exhibit morally questionable actions. This relationship is further underscored by the connection between trickery and security, where the former poses a challenge to the latter. The presence of trickery implies a sense of uncertainty and mistrust, which can erode the foundation of security. In contrast, the concept of distinguished woman is associated with a positive demeanor, implying that virtuous behavior is often accompanied by a sense of respectability and admiration.

§ II

The Role of Demeanor in Shaping Perceptions

Demeanor serves an essential office in shaping our perceptions of individuals, particularly women. The relationship between demeanor and perverse woman reveals the place of attitude and behavior in influencing how we view others. Conversely, the connection between demeanor and distinguished woman suggests that a positive demeanor can contribute to a woman's reputation and social standing.

§ III

Security and the Pursuit of Safety

Security is a manifold concept that encompasses not only physical safety but also emotional and financial well-being. The relationship between security and trickery demonstrates the challenges that deceit and manipulation can pose to achieving a sense of safety and assurance. In contrast, the connection between gifts and security suggests that acts of kindness and generosity can contribute to a sense of security and stability.

§ IV

The Gift as a Symbol of Support and Assurance

The concept of gift is particularly noteworthy, as it reveals the place of acts of kindness and support in fostering a sense of security and connection. Gifts can take many forms, from tangible items to intangible gestures of support. The relationship between gifts and security suggests that these acts of kindness can provide a sense of safety and assurance, which can be particularly significant in times of uncertainty.

⁂

Bibliographia & Fontes

Primary Source Books Used in This Article

The doctrines, historical citations, and symbolic correspondences synthesized in this article are drawn from the following primary works and chapters:

  1. I.Arthur Edward Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot
    1910

    Being Fragments of a Secret Tradition under the Veil of Divination

🜚The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall — Reader’s Edition)
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The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall — Reader’s Edition)

An encyclopedic outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic, and Rosicrucian symbolical philosophy, detailing the rites of ancient mystery schools from Eleusis to the Rose Cross.

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