By analyzing the interactions between the Key of the Tarot, the Eight-Pointed Star, Universal Life, the Butterfly of Psyche, and other concepts, we will trace the underlying philosophical framework that governs this domain. Our exploration will reveal the intricate web of symbolism, hieroglyphics, and cosmological correspondences that underpin the mystical practices and concepts within this tradition.
The Cosmic Landscape
Central to this hermetic lineage is the Key of the Tarot, specifically the sixteenth key, which represents the downfall of Satan's temple. This key is inextricably linked to the Eight-Pointed Star, a symbol used in Christian mysticism, which appears on the seventeenth leaf of the Tarot. The Eight-Pointed Star is also associated with the container of Universal Life, poured down from the two ewers, one of gold and one of silver, symbolizing eternal life. This connection between the Tarot, the Eight-Pointed Star, and Universal Life establishes a profound relationship between the mystical, the cosmological, and the eternal.
The Butterfly of Psyche: A Symbol of Eternity
The Butterfly of Psyche, a symbol of immortal beings, appears near the Eight-Pointed Star on the seventeenth leaf, forging a connection between the two. This conjunction reinforces the idea that both the Butterfly of Psyche and the Eight-Pointed Star are linked to eternal concepts, demonstrating the notion that eternity is a fundamental aspect of the esoteric domain. The Immortal Maid, who pours down the water of Universal Life, is also associated with the Eight-Pointed Star, further solidifying the connection between eternity, the cosmos, and the mystical.
Mystic Hieroglyphics and the Alphabet of the Stars
The configurations of stars form hieroglyphic characters, used as symbols in the Tarot figures, affirming the role of mystic hieroglyphics in perceiving signs in the stars. This practice, employed by Kabbalists, allows for a deeper understanding of the cosmic landscape and the symbolism embedded within. The Alphabet of the Stars, comprised of hieroglyphic figures derived from the positions of constellations, serves as a tool for deciphering the mystical language of the cosmos.
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:
- I.Éliphas Lévi, Transcendental Magic: Its Doctrine and Ritual (Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie)1856 / 1896 trans.
Translated and Annotated by A. E. Waite
Chapters / Sections Consulted:Part II: The Ritual of Transcendental Magic
Further Inquiry in This Cycle
Companion Studies & Disputations
The Celestial Alphabet: Unlocking the Mystical Language of the Stars
By examining the intersections between star configurations, mystic hieroglyphics, tarot figures, and geomancy, we gain insight into a celestial alphabet…
Eight-pointed Star & Immortal Maid: The Eternality of Life
In this essay, we examine the esoteric data points of this hermetic lineage, uncovering a rich body of symbolism that converges around the concept of…
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.