Judgement Tarot Card (B.O.T.A. Deck)
Introduction
Having seen the limitations of the World in the previous lesson, the seeker now moves onto the Judgement Card, which represents their Initiation into the Light and Sound Energies.
What is the Path of Light and Sound ?
The Light and Sound are the Energies that comprise the true spiritual realms. They lie beyond the physical universe which includes the body, emotions and most importantly, all thoughts. These regions are the source of everything we are normally conscious of and contain intelligent ‘beings’ that we refer to as the Spiritual Hierarchy. The path is a journey of self-discovery that takes the seeker through the spiritual dimensions that lead to the ultimate state of Enlightenment.
The Context of Judgement
As mentioned in the previous card, The World, I had to adhere to certain rules in order to receive the Initiation into Light and Sound. There was a requirement to be:
- Vegetarian
- Non consumption of alcohol or recreational drugs.
- Meditating for 2 hours a day on the mantra I was given.
There was also an interview to see if i was ready for such a step, as after being Initiated there were additional requirements of doing a 6 hour meditate once a week, as well as attending meetings and supporting others.
However, Judgement has to be seen in context. My experience of the higher realms in meditation is that there is No judgement, only LOVE. For those of you that want more information on this topic, i would do best to advise you to watch this video by Amber Kavannah, who has written a book about her near-death experiences. She talks a lot about non-judgement in the spiritual realms and is amazing at putting her experiences across:
Symbolism of the Judgement Card
Next, we will look at the major symbolism contained in the Judgement Card
Shin: Has a value of 300 which is related to the words Holy Spirit, or Life Breath of the Divine Ones. This is the life of the Divine Light that illuminates the grey figures so that they become spiritually alive to the energies of the Light and Sound. It is also related to the element of Fire, implying the Cosmic Fire of Creation coming down into the seeker on Initiation.
This Hebrew letter is pronounced ‘Sheen’ and is also associated with the word ‘Tooth’, implying that Initiation results in the tearing down of the limitations of living just a worldly life. The Light and Sound energies cut through these limits demonstrated in the World Tarot Card and the new Initiate can now meditate with a more expanded consciousness.
3 Figures: Their relationship to the Light LVX has already been highlighted above. The Man has black hair, representing the darkness of intellect, which keeps man separated from source and stuck in individuality.
The Woman has long blonde hair running down her back. This highlights the Kundalini Fire which rises from the base of the spine to her head. She displays an oppenness compared to the man. Her intuition helps her to connect with the divine upon Initiation.
The child’s back is to us in the card and they have renounced the world completely to turn towards Spirit.
These figures represent different aspects of the seeker. In order to have a strong connection to the Light and Sound we need to have an openness of heart and mind and the innocence of a child.
Scriptures are full of allegory and this quote from the King James Bible provides context for the paragraph above:
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4
Golden Trumpet: Initiation into the Sound Current of the Universal OM. This is mentioned in various forms in ancient scripture from the Bible to the Bhagavad Gita.
The universal sound current is a sound-light wave moving throughout all creation throughout all life. It inter-connects all life, this quantum resonance or background hum of creation.
12 Rays of Light: These represent the 12 zodiac signs which influence man. Although each of us are born under one sign, in ancient times, an Enlightened person was said to be one who had conquered the lesson in each sign, thus giving them completeness. This is represented symbolically in the book The Labours of Hercules and their mystical interpretation is detailed in the Book by Alice Bailey:
However, they all originate from the One Light and it is this Light that the Initiate meditates on at Initiation, of which the 12 rays of light are but a reflection of this Light as it individuates in the lower realms of creation.
7 Rays Radiating from the Trumpet: The trumpet as we have said represents the sound the Cosmic Ohm. It is from which all other sounds emanate. The 7 rays relate to the: 7 notes in the scale: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, all of which are united in the cosmic vibration, only finding their individuality in our manifest universe. Further investigation can lead to a study of the 7 tones and 7 scales of music but upon Initiation all manifest sound in the physical world is transcended for the soundless sound, the one which cannot be heard by the physical ears.
White Flag with Red Cross: In his Book ‘Tarot: A key to the Wisdom of the Ages’ (p.201) Paul Foster Case writes that the banner is referring to ‘Completeness and Adaptation’ and does not elaborate. In relation to the Light and Sound, this becomes clear, as the new Initiate now has a spiritual Light and Sound on which to focus and meditate on, thus giving a sense of completion, since they now have direct access to the Spiritual Planes.
The Initiate must also show adaptation to their new life and try to live that life as a best reflection of their New Self as they can in the World, as well as having to adapt to the disciplines of meditating through Second initiation to Enlightenment through the course of time.
The Next Transition
After receiving Initiation in the Jugdement Card, the new Initiate will now move on to the energies of The Sun Tarot Card. It has to be remembered that the Tarot in in highest expression is symbolic of real experiences, both in the World and the Spiritual Realms, and the more we can apply it to our chosen path, the more useful a tool it becomes.
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