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

The Interplay of Desire, Intuition, and Materiality

The Interplay of Desire, Intuition, and Materiality: A Philosophical Exploration of Desire

Treatise & Commentary
Sources Consulted:A. E. Thierens, The General Book of the Tarot (1930)
Key X — The Wheel of Fortune (Rota): Bearing the Tetragrammaton, the four alchemical signs, the Sphinx, Hermanubis, and Typhon.
Key X — The Wheel of Fortune (Rota): Bearing the Tetragrammaton, the four alchemical signs, the Sphinx, Hermanubis, and Typhon.Pamela Colman Smith & Arthur Edward Waite, Rider & Son, London (1909)

The interplay between the male driver, female sphinxes, desire, sexuality, grief, and debt offers a nuanced understanding of the tensions and balances that govern our lives.

§ I

Opposites: Male Driver and Female Sphinxes

The male driver and female sphinxes represent the fundamental duality of human existence, embodying the active and passive, conscious and subconscious, and masculine and feminine principles. The male driver, as the embodiment of will and action, navigates the journey of life, while the female sphinxes, with their nurturing and receptive qualities, guide and support him. This harmonious relationship illustrates the balance necessary for personal growth and self-realization.

§ II

The Driving Force of Desire

Desire is a manifold and complex entity, influencing various aspects of human experience. As a driving force, it interacts with the male driver's will and action, propelling individuals towards their goals and aspirations. However, desire can also be unfulfilled, leading to material concerns and financial obligations, as seen in the relationship between desire and debt. The association of desire with Scorpio and Virgo highlights its connection to spiritual, physical, and moral aspirations, as well as the importance of balancing its positive and negative aspects.

§ III

The Intertwining of Sexuality and Desire

Sexuality, as an expression of desire, represents a fundamental aspect of human experience, transforming and evolving through spiritual experiences and self-discovery. The connection between sexuality and desire demonstrates the complex and manifold nature of human longing, encompassing both physical and spiritual aspects.

§ IV

The Shadow of Grief and Debt

Grief and debt, as related concepts, reveal the darker aspects of human experience. The association of grief with the Four of Pentacles in a negative context highlights the material troubles and sadness that can arise from unfulfilled desires and financial obligations. The relationship between grief and debt attests to the necessity of acknowledging and addressing these challenges in order to maintain balance and harmony in life.

⁂

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.A. E. Thierens, The General Book of the Tarot
    1930

    Containing the Astrological Key to the Esoteric Tradition of the Greater and Lesser Arcana (Intro. by A. E. Waite)

✦The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus / Gérard Encausse)
From the Library

The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus / Gérard Encausse)

The absolute key to occult science: the classic nineteenth-century treatise uniting the twenty-two Major Arcana with Kabbalistic Hebrew letters, tetragrammaton progressions, and astrological synthesis.

Archival Reference$32.00
Acquire Volume