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Posts Tagged 'Carl Jung'
Posted in Mitología, Psicología, Varios, tagged Aeschylus' "Oresteia", Allecto, Allegory of the Chariot, Aphrodite, Apollo, Artemis, Carl Jung, Charites or Three Graces, Erinyes, Graffiti Lux and Murals, Greek Mythology, Helios, Hermes, Hermes or Mercury, Hermes Trismegistus, Major Arcana, Megaera, Minor Arcana, Nine of Swords, Odin, Persephone, Plato, Plato's "Phaedrus", Resa McConaghy, Selene, Tarot, Tarot: Reversed Cards, Tarot: Suits, The Chariot, The High Priestess, The Magician, Theory of Forms, Thoth, Three of Cups, Tisiphone, Zeus on 04/26/2018| 301 Comments »
► "Tarot and Archetypes" /
"Collaboration with Resa McConaghy" 💢:
"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time".-
(T. S. Eliot. "Four Quartets": Little Gidding).
This is the third post of a series on Tarot (See these two previous posts: Tarot: "Most Relevant Generalities / Major Arcana" and Tarot: "Minor Arcana").
The following post was written in collaboration with my friend Resa McConaghy, from Graffiti Lux and Murals and Art Gowns. (See brief bio below).
Here, we´ll analyze how certain cards from both Major and Minor Arcana are "archetypes", and could therefore be related to Greek Mythology. Our pivotal benchmark, as expected, will be the Rider-Waite tarot deck.
We´ll then see how examples of Street Art (Murals and Graffiti) could have equivalents in certain Tarot Cards. We could say that such Symbolic images appear once and over again as expressions of a common collective unconscious. We´ll talk further about this.
We´ll finally dig further into the Major Arcana and the so-called "Journey of The Fool", which is a graphic expression of Joseph Campbell´s Hero´s Journey, as it appears in his book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces".
Although there is not such scheme in the Minor Arcana, we can also find certain schemes, involving recurrent narrative sequences. These archetypical patterns provide Minor Arcana with a sort of recurrent cyclic structure, as it happens with the "Journey of the Fool".
(Disclaimer: All murals photographs were taken by Resa and/or featured on her blog Graffiti Lux and Murals. © Resa McConaghy. 2018).
Check out Resa´s Blogs: •Art Gowns: http://artgowns.com/ •Graffiti Lux and Murals: http://graffitiluxandmurals.com/
I. ►Tarot and Greek Mythology:
A. ►Major Arcana: The Magician:
The Magician is associated with the planet, Mercury and carries with it skill, logic, and intellect. The number of the Magician is one (1), the number of beginnings. The Magician is a psychopomp, a bridge between worlds: the World of the Living and the Underworld, a guide of souls.
In the Marseille French deck this character is called Le Bateleur, "the mountebank" and he is a practitioner of stage magic.
In the Marseille deck, the table has a square top and three legs. This is because the card represents, among many things, the Great Pyramid of Giza, in Egypt. The Pyramid has sides of three and a base of four. The Magician's table has three legs and square top. The letter associated with the card is "B," known in Hebrew as Beth. This term means "house" and connotes the "House of God." In Egypt, the Pyramid was considered the House of God.
The curves of the magician's hat brim in the Marseilles image are similar to the esoteric deck's mathematical sign of infinity (as we see in the Rider Waite deck).
In the Rider Waite deck, this symbol also appears in the Strenght card, as well.
Similarly, other symbols were added in the Rider Waite deck. The essentials are that the magician has set up a temporary table outdoors, to display items that represent the suits of the Minor Arcana: Cups, Coins, Swords. As to the fourth, the Wand, he holds it in his hands. These four suits represent the four elements. Water, Earth, Air and Fire, respectively.
The Magician. Table (Left: Rider Waite. Right: Marseille).
In the Magician's right hand is a wand raised toward heaven, the sky or the element æther, while his left hand is pointing to the earth. This iconographic gesture has multiple meanings, but is endemic to the Mysteries and symbolizes divine immanence, the ability of the magician to bridge the gap between heaven and earth. The Magician's robe is white, symbolising the purity and innocence found in the Fool but his cloak is red, representing worldly experience and knowledge. He is surrounded by flowers, symbol of fertility and possibilities.
This card entails feeling centered and committed and being creative. Reversed, the Magician can indicate greed, deceit, manipulation and using one's skill for negative ends. It can reflect trickery and cunning and mental confusion. Plus, the Magician reversed often suggests that you may be out of touch with reality and struggling to bring yourself back down to earth.
The Magician reminds us of Hermes, the Messenger of Gods. Hermes had several attributes and represented many things. Hermes was the Olympian god of herds and flocks, travellers and hospitality, roads and trade, thievery and cunning, heralds and diplomacy, astronomy and astrology. Besides, he was the herald and personal messenger of Zeus. He was also a god of science and wisdom, art, speech, eloquence. And, most importantly: "the God of Writing".
Hermes´ equivalents were: In Roman Mythology: Mercury. In Norse Mythology, Odin and for the Egyptians, Thoth (also known as Theuth). Hermes Trismegistus could be a representation of the syncretic combination of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth. Hermes, the Greek god of interpretive communication, was combined with Thoth, the Egyptian god of wisdom, to become the patron of astrology and alchemy. In addition, both gods were psychopomps, who guided Souls into the Afterlife.
Hermes Trismegistus, floor mosaic in the Cathedral of Siena. 1480s.
B. ►Major Arcana: The High Priestess:
In the 18th century Marseilles Tarot, this figure is crowned with the Papal tiara and labelled La Papesse, the Popess, a possible reference to the legend of Pope Joan.
In the creation of the Rider-Waite tarot deck this card changed into The High Priestess, who appears sitting between the pillars of Boaz and Jachin (which has a particular meaning to Freemasonry).
Other variants that came after Rider-Waite are the Virgin Mary, Isis, the metaphorical Bride of Christ or Holy Mother Church.
In the The Rider Waite deck, the High Priestess is majorly associated with Persephone, Isis, and Artemis (previously: Selene).
Selene is the Greek Goddess of the Moon. She is the daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia. Besides, Selene is sister of the Sun-God Helios, and Eos, Goddess of the Dawn. In classical times, Selene was often identified with the Goddess of Hunting, Artemis, much as her brother (Helios), was identified with Apollo.
"Proserpine / Persephone" (three-quarter portrait holding a pomegranate), by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1874).-
"Diana" (AKA Artemis/Selene) by Joseph Duch (19th Century).
In the Rider Waite deck, the High Priestess sits at the gate before the great Mystery, as indicated by the Tree of Life in the background. She sits between the darkness and the light, represented by the pillars of Solomon's temple, which suggests it is she who is the mediator of the passage into the depth of reality. The tapestry hung between the pillars keeps the casual onlookers out and allows only those initiated to enter.
The pomegranates on the tapestry are sacred to Persephone. They are a symbol of duty (because Persephone ate a pomegranate seed in the underworld which forced her to return every year).
The blue robe the Priestess is wearing is a symbol of knowledge.
She is also wearing a crown, symbolising the Triple Goddess.
The phases of the moon (Triple Goddess Moon).
The High Priestess is associated with the Moon. Like The High Priestess, the Moon is also feminine so it symbolises fertility, hormonal influences and the mysterious side of femininity.
As mentioned above, Selene and Artemis were Greek Goddesses related to the Moon as well.
The solar cross on her breast is a symbol of balance between male and female.
In her lap, she holds the half-revealed and half-concealed Torah, representative of the esoteric teachings and higher knowledge. The moon under her left foot shows her dominion over pure intuition. The palm indicates fertility of the mind and the cube on which she sits is the earth. The planet associated with the High Priestess is the Moon.
High Priestess. Rider Waite deck. Details: Pomegranate and Moon.
The High Priestess could also be identified with the Shekhinah, the female indwelling presence of the divine. She wears plain blue robes and sits with her hands in her lap.
She has a lunar crescent at her feet, a horned diadem on her head, with a globe in the middle place, similar to the crown of the ancient Egyptian goddess Hathor.
The scroll in her hands, partly covered by her mantle, bears the letters TORA (meaning "divine law", for the jewish tradition). The High Priestess conceals the last letter, "H", beneath her cloak. The Torah contains Jewish laws in the form of the five books of Moses. Great spiritual knowledge and wisdom is to be found within the Torah. The fact that part of the name is hidden indicates mystery and concealment.
The High Priestess is a card of mystery, stillness and passivity. This is not a time for action of moving forward. Instead The High Priestess suggests that at present you should retreat from your situation. When The High Priestess shows up Reversed, it suggests inability to find your inner voice or to look beyond.
C. ►Major Arcana: The Chariot:
In the Rider Waite version, there is a chariot standing in the middle and two sphinxes are at the bottom, on both sides.
The sphinxes´colors are reversed, pretty much like a Yin-Yang symbol. (See image 3).
The sphinxes highlight the idea of standing still. The man doesn´t move forward. And yet, there is a probable good outcome.
The sky is yellow representing hopes and prospect.
The stars on the curtain and the Sun in his forehead also stands for hope and trust. He seems to follow his own intuition and light… His own star. (See image 1, above).
The latter is a recurrent symbol in the tarot deck, as we can see in the Hermit card (See image 1, below) and the Star card (See image 2).
This card represents power, and also it emphasizes the importance of balance within oneself.
The driver has a Sun on his head. We can see rising and falling moons close to his neck.
The complementary nature of these two opposite forces tend to echo the sphinxes … pointing out to Balance.
The little red top below the wings ad in the middle of the chariot represents Lingam and Yoni, which entails the connection of two extremes (the "Golden mean").
The card represents Victory, reaching goals. It entails self-control, balance and discipline. If the card is reversed, it means lack of determination or focus, low self-esteem, defeat or confusion.
This card can be related to Plato´s allegory of the Chariot, as it appears in his dialogue "Phaedrus".
As he tries to explain the tripartite nature of the Soul, Plato uses an allegory.
He says that a chariot (representing the Soul) is pulled by two-winged horses, one black and mortal; and the other white and immortal.
The black mortal horse is obstinate and wild. The immortal, white horse, on the other hand, is noble, and a lover of honor and modesty and temperance.
In the driver's seat is the charioteer. His destination is the ridge of heaven, beyond which he may behold the Forms, the absolute Knowledge. This is a very turbulent ride, as the horses are led by opposite forces. The rider needs to keep the horse in balance. He represents the rational part of the Soul. The Black horse represents man's appetites, meaning the part of the Soul linked with instincts. The white horse represents man's spirit, the spirited part of the soul which seeks honor and victory.
This allegory highlights the importance of balance, integration and self-control. The two horses and the charioteer totally echo the characters on the Chariot card. Instead of horses, there are sphinxes, though. But the general meaning is strikingly similar.
The Chariot card also remind us of Helios (later on Apollo), the God and personification of the Sun in Greek mythology. Helios was portrayed as a mighty charioteer, driving his flaming chariot (or gleaming horses) from east to west across the sky each day.
"Helios on His Chariot" (Detail) by Hans Adam Weissenkircher (Laufen, Germany 1646-1695 Graz, Austria).
D. ►Minor Arcana: Three of Cups:
The Three of Cups is a card of celebration and accomplishment. Three young maidens dance in a circle with their golden goblets upraised in a toast of joy. Their arms reach out to each other and they connect through their emotions and their friendship with one another. The ground is covered with fruit and there is a general sense of abundance and happiness. Each woman in the Three of Cups has a laurel wreath on her head. Wreaths of this type have long been a symbol of victory and success.
At the women's feet lie various flowers, symbolising joy, beauty.
The Three of Cups represents celebration, festivity and socializing. More broadly, the Three of Cups indicates the end or conclusion of any problems you have been experiencing, particularly those that relate to your interactions with others.
When the Three of Cups reverses it can suggest lack of emotional growth, losing touch with friends, over-indulgence, and gossiping.
This card seems to epitomize the Ancient Greek Charites (also known as "Three Graces").
The Charites were reputed to be the essence of beauty, charm and grace. They were associated with the Nine Muses, who presided and inspired arts and sciences.
The Charites were three goddesses, who were sisters between them. From youngest to oldest: Aglaea ("Splendor"), Euphrosyne ("Mirth"), and Thalia ("Good Cheer"). Frequently, the Graces were taken as goddesses of charm or beauty in general and hence were associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love.
"Primavera" by Sandro Botticelli (1482). Detail on the left: The Three Graces.
Fresco from Pompeii, House of Titus Dentatus Panthera, ca 65 -79 AD; Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli – Three Graces
E. ►Minor Arcana: Nine of Swords:
The Nine of Swords shows a woman with her head in her hands, sitting up in her bed. She appears to have just woken up from a bad nightmare, and is obviously upset, fearful and anxious following her dream.
Nine swords hang on the wall behind her. The base of the bed is decorated with a carving of a duel in which one person is being defeated by another. All those Swords are weighing heavily on her as she sits in bed. These are all the Swords she has accumulated on her journey. The Figure in the Nine looks in despair and bereft of any logical thinking. She is in a terrible state of sorrow and feels she cannot share her problems or express them properly.
The Nine of Swords is the card of fear and nightmares. However, the troubles alluded to in the Nine of Swords are primarily of a psychological nature and do not necessarily indicate suffering in your external reality. That is, it is what is inside your mind that is creating the fear and anxiety. The dreadful worry associated with the Nine of Swords may also come guilt, shame or your conscience eating you up. On the other hand, it may be you who is the victim.
Reversed, the Nine of Swords indicates that you are working yourself up and becoming incredibly stressed and anxious when, really, this does not have to be a complicated issue. It is also possible that you have already worked through this period of worry and depression and are beginning to make a recovery.
The Nine of Swords somehow reminds us of the Erinyes (or Furies). According to the Greek poet Hesiod, they were the daughters of Gaia (Earth) and sprang from the blood of her mutilated spouse Uranus.
The Erinyes were mainly goddesses of vengeance. They could be either the angry goddesses, or the goddesses who hunt up or search after the criminal. Hence they were associated with punishments, mainly in the shape of remorse, shame, regret, sorrow and guilty feelings. The wrath of the Erinyes could lead to disease, illness and dearth. This is mostly what happens in Aeschylus' "Oresteia". Euripides was the first to speak of them as three in number. Later authors named them Allecto ("Unceasing in Anger"), Tisiphone ("Avenger of Murder"), and Megaera ("Jealous"). They were depicted as ugly, winged women with hair, arms and waists entwined with serpents.
"Orestes and the Erynies" by Gustave Moreau (1891).
"Orestes Pursued by the Furies" by William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1861).
II. ►Tarot and Graffiti:
According to Carl Jung, myth making is an inherent part of the unconscious psyche. Myths typically have a number of rituals associated with it and secondary elaborations and expressions. Art is an example.
How about Street Art?. Well… Street art is usually created as a means to convey a message connected to artistic, political and social ideas. In any case, Street Art could reveal and express archetypes.
Archetypes consist of the mental representations of certain motifs that may vary a great deal in detail without losing their basic pattern. These archetypes manifest themselves in the form of symbolic images that appear throughout the world as expressions of a common collective unconscious.
Tarot embodies archetypes behind which lie similar archetypical meanings. And the same applies to certain graffiti or murals. So let´s see how Tarot and Street Art get juxtaposed in an artistic way.
Resa McConaghy presents us some murals from her great blog "Graffiti Lux and Murals", illustrating the theme of the Tarot. Let´s take a look…
Mural: Goat. ©Resa McConaghy.
Meeting the Shadow Self: XV: The Devil.
Murals: Fierce and tender lions. ©Resa McConaghy. 2017)
Major Arcana. VIII: Strenght.
Mural: Skull/Death. ©Resa McConaghy.
Dark Night of the Soul: XIII: Death.
Mural. Charioteer and Chariot. ©Resa McConaghy.
Test and Trials: VII: The Chariot.
Mural: Woman and Water. ©Resa McConaghy.
Minor Arcana: Queen of Cups.
►III. The Journey of The Fool in The Major Arcana:
Joseph Campbell explores the theory that important myths from around the world which have survived for thousands of years all share a fundamental structure which he calls the Monomyth.
In laying out the Monomyth, Campbell describes a number of stages along this journey.
The hero starts in the Ordinary World and receives a call to enter an unusual world. The hero ventures forth from a familiar world into strange and sometimes threatening lands.
If the hero accepts the call, he might have to face tasks and trials, alone or he could have assistance.
At its most intense, the hero must survive a severe challenge, often with the help earned along the journey. They may achieve a great gift or Boon which most times results in the discovery of self-knowledge.
The hero must then decide whether to return with this boon, often facing challenges on the return journey as well. If he is succesful in returning the ordinary world these gifts may be used to improve the world.
Campbell proposed we view this as symbolic of the individual's departure from their conscious personality, into the unexplored regions of their unconscious in search of the "ultimate boon", the unrealized potentials hidden within.
Campbell´s scheme echoes the Journey of the Fool, as displayed in The Major Arcana.
People interpret the Journey of the Fool in various ways. It represents the process of the life cycle (childhood to middle age to old age). More often it is used to illustrate the process of spiritual development of the individual.
Following the Major Arcana´s cards and stages, people begin in a state of innocent ignorance represented by the Fool (card 0), as he begins the journey, and pass into a final state of enlightenment reflected by the World (card XXI). After the World (perhaps paradoxically, maybe logically), comes the Fool again, as in many versions one is thought to be beginning the journey again, simply at another stage of knowledge.
Well get into the stages of the Hero´s Journey, as proposed by Joseph Campbell in his book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces". And, simultaneously, we´ll present certain different Major Arcana cards exemplifying the particular phases of the journey. (Note that not all the stages are covered. But most of them, are).
Joseph Campbell´s Journey of the Hero.
References Jouney of the Hero/Journey of the Fool (Major Arcana):
Call to Adventure: The Fool.
Meeting the Mentor: The Hierophant.
Test and Trials: The Chariot.
Approaching the Innermost Cave: The Hermit.
Meeting the Shadow Self: The Devil.
Ordeal: The Tower.
Boon: The Star.
Refusal to Return to the Ordinary World: The Moon.
Dark Night of the Soul: Death.
Resurrection: Judgement.
Third Threshold: The Hanged Man.
Mastery of the Two Worlds: The World.
Call to Adventure: 0: The Fool.
Meeting the Mentor: V: The Hierophant.
Approaching the Innermost Cave: IX: The Hermit.
Ordeal: XVI: The Tower.
Boon: XVI: The Star.
Refusal to Return to the Ordinary World: XVIII: The Moon.
Resurrection: X: Judgement.
Third Threshold: XII: The Hanged Man.
Mastery of the Two Worlds: XXI: The World.
►IV. Is there a "Journey" in the Minor Arcana?.
How does archetypal interactions might work in Minor Arcana?:
The Minor Arcana does not typically have an overall story or narrative to connect them that is specific to the Tarot alone.
However, one thing we can notice is that Minor Arcana cards also follow a "narrative progression".
And that this seems to apply to all suits. We´ll provide examples. In order to methodize this, we´ll bring up a book that Colleen Chesebro kindly provided to us. The book in question is "The Writer and the Hero´s Journey", by Rob Parnell.
In page 43, the author says:
"When telling a story, your overriding concern is to provide a platform from which you can derive conflict. Conflict is drama is story. But in order for drama to be compelling, you must create believable characters first". He then states that the best way to create good characters is "by providing scenarios in which your characters are tested and can interact convincingly with other characters".
We´ll use Parnell´s tips to demarcate certain progressions in certain implicit narrative sequences. These interactions could be subtle, but they are arranged in a systematic way, as stages. Hence they provide Minor Arcana with a coherent and recurrent cyclic structure in the form of implicit narrative sequence. Pretty much like the Journey of the Fool in Major Arcana.
Parnell mentions the following "archetypal characters" (not necessarily people, they could be ideas, institutions, etc) who often interact with the main character:
The Hero's Sidekick, sometimes called "the Reflection" because they represent the hero' s inner self as he was before the challenge.
The Hero's Nemesis: A bad person, sometimes a situation or an institution the character is fighting against.
The Hero's Love Interest, (not always necessary to a story though).
The Hero's Mentor: The person who the character/"Hero" goes to for advice or guidance.
Here are some examples of archetypal correspondences:
1 Sidekick: The Five of Wands, considered from the Ten of Cups. The latter represents Harmony and alignment; while the Five Of Wands represents disagreement, tension, conflict.
2. Nemesis: The Three of Swords, considered from the perspective of the character included in the Nine of Swords. The first card represents heartbreak ad rejection; whilst the Nine of Swords depicts someone who is depressed or concerned about certain things. We could say he is somehow fighting against the ideas the Three of Swords represents.
3. Love Interest: Clearly this card: The Two of Cups. Representing: Love and partnership, and considered from any other card ("character").
4. Mentor: King of Swords and Queen of Cups. Plus King and Queen of Pentacles seem to be characters that could well fulfill this role. King of Swords provides organization and quick thinking. Queen of Cups, emotional safety, calm and compassion. King and Queen of Pentacles represent discipline; and nourishing security, respectively.
Symbolic images have appeared throughout time, and all over the world. Whether they be myths, motifs, images in dreams or ritual, they are all manifestations of the unconscious psyche.
These symbols vary in detail, but like the many different decks of Tarot cards, meanings remain the same. They are archetypal.
These archetypes are experienced by all. The "collective unconscious", as proposed by Jung in his theories relating to psychology and myth, shares an innate psychic language.
A.E. Waite had put it in different words, but in the end aligns with the thought that "secret doctrine" is interred in "the consciousness of all". We may expose our intellect to many creative ideas and philosophical practices, as life and time relentlessly progresses. Not just our bodies mature, but our ideas, ideologies, purpose and direction are called to conscience. This is referred to by some as "Rites of Passage".
In Tarot, the Major Arcana, presents"Rites of Passage" through the "Fool's Journey". Wisely, it presents not just a path of life, but cycles of life. The Minor Arcana purposes cycles of daily life, and therein, leads us to the larger picture.
Guided by Astrology, Numerology, I Ching (or Book of Changes), Kabbala, Chinese Zodiac and/ or other related mystic arts, we proceed through the stages of life with an ability to live filled with comprehension through creativity. Be it intellectual and/or physical, this creativity includes all arts and sciences including alchemy.
With understanding of the archetypes and symbols representing them, we progress inventively. We become original. Therefore we can aid ourselves in the understanding of our unique path/ cycle through the physical sphere. It also assists in expressing to others, should one be a reader of Tarot, interpreter of Astrological charts, a giver of guidance via numerology religion or portrayal of relevance via mythology, a deeper meaning.
Tarot is special in that it combines most of the archetypes gone before it. Tarot uses its own imagery that contains symbols and ideology from numerology, astrology, religion, history and more. Thereby, Tarot is a powerful guiding force.
Whichever deck of Tarot one chooses to read from, it was illustrated and painted by an artist. Art has depicted Mankind spiritually, intellectually and physically from cave drawings through to Graffiti art. Artists have executed their thoughts, visions and ideas with paint, clay, writing, music, dance, myth and more.
Mythology, Greek or Roman and otherwise, has guided man with culturally relevant imagined tales. Greek myths contain many archetypal characters that are reflected in the Tarot: such as: the hero's sidekick (The Fool), the hero's nemesis (The Devil), love interest (The Lovers) and mentor (The Hierophant).
These stories provide a metaphor to individuals' personal lives involving political and ethical ideals, thereby yielding emotional reactions. Mythology, as many legends, has been represented in many art forms from: sculpture, paintings and drawings, to dance, costumes and music.
In these modern times, even tattoos express the archetypes of "the collective unconscious".
Pythagoras, a Greek mathematician who created the theorem for right-angled triangles, was also a philosopher. His creative mind was not relegated to mathematics, and he created the Pythagorean Tarot. His creativity was deeply rooted in the art of imagery through mythology and ancient Greek Mysteries. His was a pre-christian world, and his Tarot reflects that. Nonetheless, it is filled with many archetypes of his time's philosophies. These archetypes prevail today.
In conclusion: All of the arts and archetypes are in the Tarot. The Tarot, through "the consciousness of all" is in all of the arts and archetypes.
A few cards from The Rider- Waite Tarot deck.
⇒Links Post:
http://www.michaeltsarion.com/inner-zodiac.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpV40oP8QEI
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/pythagorean/
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/361902/jewish/The-Four-Worlds.htm
https://soa.illinoisstate.edu/downloads/anthro_theses/caldwell_sara.pdfh
https://es.scribd.com/document/311979264/Rob-Parnell-The-Writer-and-the-Hero-s-Journey
https://teachmetarot.com/part-iii-major-arcana/lesson-2/the-high-priestess-ii-upright/
https://teachmetarot.com/part-1-minor-arcana/lesson-2/the-collective-unconscious-archetypes-and-symbols/
Posted in Mitología, Universo, Varios, tagged Carl Jung, Fool´s Journey, Major Arcana, Minor Arcana, Pamela Colman-Smith, Querent, Rider-Waite deck, Tarot, Tarot: Origins, Tarot: Reversed Cards, Tarot: spreads, Tarot: Upright Cards, Tarot: Zodiac Signs on 01/15/2018| 413 Comments »
►Tarot:
"Most Relevant Generalities / Major Arcana" 🗝:
The twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana. Tarot deck: Rider,Waite & Smith.
►Introduction and Sketch of this Post:
This is the first post of the series on "Tarot".
Firstly, in section 1), I´ll present an overview of the story of Tarot, its use for divination purposes, tarot spreads, cards´positions (upright or reversed), total number of cards, division into two categories: Major and Minor Arcana.
In the second section (2) of this post, I´ll assess in-depth the Major Arcana.
For that purpose, I´ll use the classic Rider-Waite deck, illustrated by Pamela Colman-Smith, which has been continually printed since 1909. Hence, it is easy to find in Bookstores or online nowadays.
Let´s keep in mind that the Major Arcana cards are somehow related to Carl Jung's archetypes. They are "patterns", inherent part of the Collective Unconscious. These cards symbolise the process we go through in our lives, aiming to become a balanced and integrated person.
With that being said, I´ll offer the meanings of the respective 22 cards comprising this group.
In both, the upright and reversed position. Worth noting that, when you shuffle the tarot cards, they often end up facing in different directions. So basically, each card can show up in an "upright" or a reversed" position.
To end, in the third (3) section, I´ll dig into the so-called "Fool´s Journey". The Fool card is numbered zero, and if you look closely at the cards, in sequential order, starting with the Fool, you´ll notice that them seem to tell us a story. The story of our own evolution as persons, going through different stages, with their respective struggles and victories. Along this journey, we encounter challenges, face adversity, perform labours, meet people, make hard decisions and fight opposing forces. Each step of the way brings us closer to embrace the Wholeness of Ourselves and of the World. This "journey" is, in fact a cycle. And one could go through the same cycle many times in a lifetime. Or one could just fail to reach the end of the cycle. There is of course, an implied recurring element associated with Karma here. Maybe the "Fool´s Journey" could reach its finish line in another, next life. Or did so in a past life and now he is facing a new, different challenge.
►1) Tarot. Generalities:
Story and Purpose. Rider-Waite Deck: Spreads. Positions. Major and Minor Arcana:
I own this deck!: Tarot Rider Waite boxed-deck.
1.1.⇒♦ What is Tarot and how does a Tarot Reading work?:
The Tarot is a pack of playing cards, used from the mid-15th century in various parts of Europe to play games such as Italian Tarocchini and French Tarot. In the late 18th century, it began to be used for divination.
In this last sense, Tarot cards are commonly used to measure potential outcomes and evaluate influences surrounding a person, an event, or both. The technical term for tarot reading is Taromancy (divination through the use of tarot cards), which is a subsection of Cartomancy (divination through cards in general).
Tarot reading is not about predictions, but more about possible outcomes as well as examining influences related to the issue at hand. These could be influences which the subject might not even be aware of before the reading.A spread is the arrangement of cards dealt in a reading.
1.2 ⇒♦Spreads:
There are many types of spreads. Usually, the querent (receiver of the reading) asks a general question, or could just picture a situation in his mind. He can keep them to himself. You (person doing the reading) can then pull six cards, representing different aspects of your past, present and future situation. You can pull three cards, instead, where the first represents the past, the second represents the present, and the third represents the future. The three card spread is called The Three Fates. Also, we have the so-called Celtic- Spread Reading, which consists of ten cards representing a variety of things including any past and future influences, personal hopes, and conflicting influences. You can check out other spreads here.
1.3 ⇒♦ Positions of the Cards: Upright or Reversed:
Cards can show up in two positions: Upright or Reversed.
The Upright position represents certain Idea or Situation.
But, what happens when the card shows up in a reversed or inverted position?.
a) If the card is reversed, the meaning is almost always considered to be the opposite of the one the card might reveal when it is upright.
Although this is the predominant criteria (and, hence, the one, I´ll stick to), there are still other ways of interpreting reversals.
b) One of them could be to say that they refer to the previous card (For example: If we have an inverted Strength card (8), it might actually be referring to The Chariot (7)).
c) Other way of interpreting reversals is to say that they represent blocked energies or resistance towards what the card represents.
d) Finally, another way of doing reversals would be to say that it indicates an unconscious influence and, hence, that the querent is not aware of it. For example: If we pulled an inverted Sun, we might say that the querent lacks awareness towards this bright, joyful influence. Maybe because it is hidden, or perhaps because it has not fully developed yet.
e) Another point to keep in mind: some people like to switch "gender" in those cards in which a female or male figure shows up. So, If we pulled Justice (with a Female figure) in an inverted position, we could assume that the characteristics of that card might be related to a Man in the querent´s life.
As I said above, I will provide the meaning of reversed cards as the opposite to which the card reveals in its upright position. But, when doing a reading you can include other interpretation criteria, too.
Justice Card: Upright and Reversed.
The Hermit Card. Upright and Reversed.
Hanged Man Card: Upright and Reversed.
1.4 ⇒♦ The Tarot Deck. Major and Minor Arcana:
A Tarot deck has 78 cards, consisting of two types of cards: Major and Minor Arcana.
The "Trump cards" (numbered 1 to 21) and the Fool (numbered 0) are called the Major Arcana, while the ten pip and four court cards in each suit are known as Minor Arcana.
•The Minor Arcana (Lesser Secrets) Consists of 56 cards, divided into four suits (Swords, Cups, Wands and Pentacles). Each suit has 14 cards: ten numbered cards and four court cards. The court cards are the King, Queen, Knight and Page/Jack, in each of the four tarot suits.
•The Major Arcana (Greater Secrets), consists of 22 cards, without suits: The Magician, The High Priestess, The Empress, The Emperor, The Hierophant, The Lovers, The Chariot, Strength, The Hermit, Wheel of Fortune, Justice, The Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon, The Sun, Judgement, The World, and The Fool. Cards from The Magician to The World are numbered in Roman numerals from I to XXI, while The Fool is the only unnumbered card, often placed at the beginning of the deck as 0.
I finally wanted to stress that when one lays out a spread or performs a reading and sees mostly Major Arcana cards,one can assume that the matter in question, and/or the querent's life, is more profound in comparison to Minor Arcana cards. The Major Arcana are signposts to things, events, and people, that are meant to be taken more seriously and looked at more closely, in general, than the Minor Arcana cards will generally represent.
►2) Major Arcana Cards (Rider-Waite Deck):
These are 22 cards of the Major Arcana and their respective meanings, in both the upright and reversed position.
⇒♦ 0. The Fool:
The Fool is shown at the beginning of his journey with unlimited potential. He has a bag holding off his staff and a bright sun rising up behind him.
The white rose in his left hand represents purity and innocence. He has a guardian in the little white dog warning him of danger as he approaches the edge of the cliff. The fool is unaware, as he is looking up.
The card represents beginnings, overly optimistic approaches and spontaneity. It also reminds us that, even if we are enjoying ourselves, there are always consequences facing our actions.
►Meanings:
•Upright: Living in the moment, feeling carefree or spontaneous, entering a new phase.
•Reversed: Being blocked, restricted.
⇒♦ I. The Magician:
When the Magician appears in a spread, it points to the talents, capabilities and resources at the querent's disposal. It represents possibilities and the card shows that the querent has all the elements, as the four suits of the Minor Arcana (Swords, Wands, Pentacles and Cups) show up in the card. The magician is the creator of ideas and thoughts.
•Upright: Acting consciously, acknowledging your motivations. Feeling centered and committed. Being creative and energized.
•Reversed: Inability to act or react. Feeling drained. Losing focus or commitment.
⇒♦ II. The High Priestess:
The High Priestess card shows her seated between two pillars marked B and J, which stand for Boaz and Jachin respectively (You can find these names in the First Books of Kings). Furthermore, these letters are inscribed upon the pillars of the Salomon Temple, associated with Wisdom. There is a cloth behind her depicting pomegranates, a symbol of death and the afterlife in Greek Mythology. The High Priestess is the keeper of secret knowledge, as the crystal ball on her head shows. There is a crescent moon beneath her feet, which might represent that the opportunities could increase. She is holding a book, the Tora, the Jewish sacred book.
•Upright: Withdrawing. Being passive or calm. Seeking guidance from within. Understanding the potential and possibilities. Looking beyond the obvious.
•Reversed: Inability to find your inner voice or to look beyond.
⇒♦ III. The Empress:
The Empress depicts a woman seating in a field. She represents fertility, being a sort of Mother figure. She is surrounded by flowers and plants. There is also a heart-shaped rock with a Venus symbol on it. As we know, this symbol stands for Women.
•Upright: Nourishing life. Nurturing and caring for others. Abundance. Experiencing the senses (pleasure, beauty, etc). Feeling connected to Nature.
•Reversed: Focusing on oneself without caring for other people. Scarcity. Inhibition. Closure.
⇒♦ IV. The Emperor:
The figure in this card depicts stability, structure, power and protection. He is related to Aries, in the Horoscope.
•Upright: Father figure. Setting directions, laws rules or boundaries. Applying reason. Creating order. Exerting control.
•Reversed: Chaos. Lack of control and order.
⇒♦ V. The Hierophant:
He is a High Priest. He sits upon his throne as to other men kneel before him. He is a man who shares rituals, he is a leader of a flock/group, not of individuals. He represents alliances, goodness, comfort and traditional values. The Hierophant is associated with Taurus, in the Zodiac.
•Upright: Education, becoming informed. Having a belief system. Following the rules, staying within conventional bounds.
•Reversed: Being heterodox, rebel. Not sticking to traditional values. Acting crazily.
⇒♦ VI. The Lovers:
This card shows temptation, represented by the snake on the tree. We can also see two human beings, male and female, and a spirit with open hands above them, a brilliant sun. The card is not about two people however as it is about one: the person who experiences love. It refers to falling in love with someone or … Something. This card is associated with Gemini, in the Zodiac.
•Upright: Love. Marriage or partnership. Establishing bonds. Staying true to yourself. Determining values. Facing a moral choice.
•Reversed: Loneliness. Loss in relationships. Rejection. Sticking to others´opinions or values.
⇒♦ VII. The Chariot:
It represents labour and power. There are two sphinxes. Their colors are reversed, pretty much like a Yin-Yang symbol. The driver has a Sun on his head. We can see rising and falling moons close to his neck. The complementary nature of these two opposite natures tend to echo the sphinxes pointing out to Balance. The Chariot is related to Cancer, in the Horoscope.
•Upright: Victory, reaching goals. Being determined and focussed. Feeling self-confident. Mastering emotions. Self control, discipline.
•Reversed: Putting other´s first. Resignation. Lack of determination or focus. Low self-esteem. Defeat. Confusion.
⇒♦ VIII. Strength:
The card shows a maiden taming a lion, not with physical strength, but with strenght of character: understanding, compassion. This is symbolic of resourcefulness, of softening the power we have to control others. The card shows that harmony has been achieved as the lion seems to be happy as the woman caresses him and his tail is tucked between his legs, in a submissive attitude. The woman has a symbol of infinite, as it appears in the card of the Magician. This represents endless possibilities. The card stresses that our strengths are much more than our physical abilities. This card is related to Leo, in the Horoscope.
•Upright: Strenght and power. Refusing to get angry, maintaining composure. Caring about others, compassion. Forgiveness. Persuasion, being able to influence.
•Reversed: Hard Control. Weariness.
⇒♦ IX. The Hermit:
The card depicts an old man, alone, leading his way through the darkness by a light, which, is actually a little shining star. The Hermit represents knowledge, inner peace and understanding of his life. The card represents solitude, withdrawal, careful thought, ruminations.
The Hermit could represent a need to be alone in order to sort out things… Or a person in the querent´s life. The Hermit is associated to Virgo, in the Horoscope.
•Upright: Being introspective, looking for answers within. Withdrawing from the world. Loneliness.
•Reversed: Involvement with the world. Being with others.
⇒♦ X. Wheel of Fortune:
We can see the letters T, A , R and O which stand for Tarot, as it its spelt. This represents endless circles. In the inner, little circle, we can see the signs for the four key elements in Alchemy: Mercury, Salt, Sulfur and Water. The Egyptian God Anubis, (painted in red) is holding the Wheel on his back. Anubis looked like a dog and was a Psychopomp and Ruler of the Underworld. Upon the wheel we can see a Sphinx, keeping the balance of the wheel itself. There is a snake on the left of the card. Some say this snake is Typhon, a monster from Greek Mythology, representing Earth. On the four corners of the card yellow, winged creatures are reading books. This could reference the Book of Revelations. The creatures resemble a lion, a calf, a human being and an eagle. The wheel is a circle, but carrying with it the past experiences. It represents completion, also Fate, sudden good luck, transitions and changes.
•Upright: Feeling a sense of destiny. Uncovering patterns and cycles. Turning point: altering the present course. Speed. Change.
•Reversed: Slow pace. Blocked change, no movement.
⇒♦ XI. Justice:
The card depicts a King seated between two pillars. He has a sword in one hand and a scales of Justice in the other. It represents balance, a middle ground. This card could also be literal suggesting a Court proceeding, a conflict or the involvement of Authority to resolve a dispute. Justice is associated with Libra in the Horoscope.
•Upright: Fairness, justice. Honesty. Responsibility. Acknowledging the truth. Accepting the consequences of your actions.
•Reversed: Avoiding the truth, disavowing your role. Shirking responsibility.
⇒♦ XII. The Hanged Man:
The card depicts a man suspended by his legs upside down from a tree. His leg is bent and his face is peaceful. There is no indication of suffering. A corona is around his head indicating wisdom. The hanged man indicates a change of perspective, swaying between different possibilities, an inability to make a decision. It is a time of internal focus , introspection and self-discovery.
Being hung by one leg was traditionally a punishment for traitors. In that sense, what the hanged man sees as right is upside down to those who have passed judgement upon him.
•Upright: Waiting. Letting go. Accepting what is. Overturning priorities.
•Reversed: Inability to let go. Control. Self-assertion. Struggle.
⇒♦ XIII. Death:
The Death card depicts a skeleton in dark armor, a grim reaper upon horseback. Before him, a Priest offers prayers, a man lays dead, a young looks on with curiosity as an older child turns away in fear. Overall, we can see the range of emotions that people experience. In the Reaper´s hand there is a black flag. This card is a symbol of change, part of the cycle of death and rebirth. This card is associated with Scorpio, in the Zodiac.
•Upright: Endings. Putting the past behind you. Change or transition. Accepting the inevitable. Cutting out what isn't necessary.
•Reversed: Beginnings. Fresh start.
⇒♦ XIV. Temperance:
The card depicts an archangel at the edge of a riverbank. One foot on land, the other in water. He pours water from one cup into another. The card is about balance. It suggest finding compromise or agreement as well as reminder to maintain moderation. This card is associated with Sagittarius, in the Horoscope.
•Upright: Showing moderation. Mitigating a harsh position. Harmony. Fostering cooperation and synthesis. Healing and flourishing.
•Reversed: Excesses. Disagreement, competition. Discord, lack of harmony.
⇒♦ XV. The Devil:
The Devil in this card has horns, goat legs and wings of a bat. He holds a torch in his left hand. Chained to his pedestal are a man and a woman, also with characteristics of the devil: horns and a tail, but interestingly, their chains are loose around their neck. They are capable of slipping them off. However, they choose to remain chained. The card represents addiction, vice or obsession, things to which we might choose to remain beholden. In relationships, this card could represent a control and temptation. This card is related to Capricorn in the Zodiac.
•Upright: Being obsessed and unaware. Allowing yourself to be controlled. Being addicted. Overindulgence. Feeling hopeless.
•Reversed: Independence. Clarity. Hope and optimism. Release, freedom.
⇒♦ XVI. The Tower:
The Tower shows a tall tower pitched atop a mountain. Lightning strikes and flames burst from the building's windows. People are leaping from the tower in desperation, wanting to flee such destruction and turmoil.
The Tower signifies darkness and destruction on a physical scale. The Tower itself represents ambitions built on false premises. The card is associated with sudden, disruptive, rude awakening and destructive change.
•Upright: Sudden change, defeat, destruction. Erupting in anger. Letting everything go. Exposing what was hidden. Toppling from the heights
•Reversed: Victory, control. Staying together. Serenity. Calm.
⇒♦ XVII. The Star:
The card depicts a maiden kneeling at the edge of a small pool. The woman holds two containers of water. She pours the water out to nourish the earth and to continue the cycle of fertility,
The other container pours the water onto dry land in five rivulets, representing the five senses. The woman has one foot on the ground, representing her common sense, and the other foot in the water, representing her intuition. Behind her, shines one large star and seven smaller stars. All the stars have eight points, and eight represents Strength.
The card entails illumination, guidance and renewal. It suggests nourishment and hope. The astrological sign of the Star is Aquarius.
•Upright: Regaining hope. Realizing an inner strength or truth. Wisdom. Being generous. Free-flowing love. Peace of mind. Calm.
•Reversed: Hopelessness, lack of faith, pessimism. Upheaval, Chaos.
⇒♦ XVIII. The Moon:
This card depicts two wolves howling at a Full Moon with a Crescent Moon inside.
The pool at the base of the card represents the subconscious mind and the crayfish that crawls out of the pool symbolises the early stages of consciousness unfolding.
The card suggests illusion, fear, anxiety. This might be a time of an emotional or mental trial and that the querent might not think clearly or could make questionable decisions as those inspired by the Lunacy of the Full Moon. The astrological sign of the Moon is Pisces.
•Upright: Feeling fear. Deceiving yourself. Losing direction and purpose.
•Reversed: Being serene, untroubled, at peace. Enlightenment.
⇒♦ XIX. The Sun:
This is a joyful card. The bright Sun is an image of optimism and fulfilment. The child in the card is happy. He is naked and this represents innocence and purity. The white horse upon which the child rides represents strength and purity of spirit. The horse is without a saddle and is controlled without the use of the hands. The sunflowers in the background represent the fruitfulness of the spirit under the nourishment of the Sun.
•Upright: Understanding. Enlightenment. Believing in your worth. Greatness, shining brilliantly. Joy and enthusiasm.
•Reversed: Being tired or sad. Weariness, confusion.
⇒♦ XX. Judgement:
The Judgement card shows a number of naked men, women and children rising up from their graves, responding to the trumpet call of the Archangel Gabriel, a psychopomp, who hovers high above them.
The card represents absolution and rebirth. The card could suggest that this is a time of resurrection, of bringing back the Past, revisiting things and making peace with past situations that were long ago thought be to put to rest, in order to finally move forward.
•Upright: Making a judgment. Making hard choices. Knowing what you must do. Making a fresh start. Releasing guilt. Forgiving yourself and others. Absolution.
•Reversed: Endings, feeling regretful and guilty.
⇒♦ XXI. The World:
The card depicts a woman surrounded by a wreath (symbol of Victory), holding two wands.
The figures in each of the four corners of the World card are the same figures that appear on the Wheel of Fortune. Interestingly, the World card is very much associated with the Wheel of Fortune, reflecting the cyclical progression of time and the human experience.
The woman has one leg crossed over the other, just like the Hanged man. She is, in a sense, his opposite (i.e. the Hanged Man upright). As the Hanged Man looks inward, the woman in the World card looks outward. This card is a symbol of a completion and accomplishment.
•Upright: experiencing wholeness and balance. Synthesis. Accomplishing your goals. Becoming involved. Feeling fulfilled.
•Reversed: Isolation, apathy, withdrawal. Lack of integration.
⇒♦Astrological Signs & Planets:
Which are their Equivalents in the Arcana Major?:
Here we have the Zodiac Signs and their respective cards in the Major Arcana:
💦Water Signs: Cancer: The Chariot . Scorpio: Death. Piscis: The Moon.
🔥Fire Signs: Aries: The Emperor. Leo: Strength. Sagittarius: Temperance.
💨Air Signs: Gemini: The Lovers. Libra: Justice. Aquarius: The Star.
🌎Earth Signs: Taurus: The Hierophant. Virgo: The Hermit. Capricorn: The Devil.
►3) The Fool´s Journey… Or the Fool´s Lifecycle:
The Fool (0) has no idea what will happen to him and sets out on his journey with only his hopes. At the start of his trip, the Fool is fresh, open and spontaneous. But he is also unaware of the hardships he will face as he travels this world.
On setting out, the Fool immediately encounters the Magician (I) and the High Priestess (II).
The Magician takes advantage of the opportunities the Fool has in himself and provides him with what he might find useful during his journey. The High Priestess provides the fertile ground in which creative events occur.
0. The Fool.
I. The Magician.
As he grows, he meets with the Empress (III). The Fool becomes more and more aware of his surroundings. Hence he comes to know Mother Earth, experiencing an awakening of his senses. The Emperor (IV) represents for the Fool a Father Figure and through him he learns about the importance of laws and rules.
III. The Empress. IV. The Emperor.
The Hierophant (V) teaches the Fool to acknowledge the value of the beliefs and traditions of his culture. The Fool learns to identify with a group and discovers a sense of belonging.
Eventually, the Fool experiences Love (VI). He wants to reach out and become half of a loving partnership. In the meantime, he also feels he need to decide upon his own beliefs.
The Fool becomes an adult, he has a strong identity and a certain mastery over himself. Through discipline and will-power, he has developed an inner control, which are characteristics of the Chariot (VII).
V. The Hierophant.
VI. The Lovers.
VII. The Chariot (Major).
Over time, life presents the Fool with many challenges, some that cause them sorrow and disappointment. But he is resilient and strong. He develops Patience, Compassion and Tolerance, which are all attributes of Strength (VIII).
Sometime during his journey, the Fool begins to look inward, trying to understand his feelings and motivations. He seeks moments of solitude to find his own direction, in accordance with the Hermit card (IX).
After much soul-searching, the Fool begins to see how everything connects. The Cycles he and Nature go through remind him of a Wheel of Fortune (X). He believes in both the power of his freedom to choose and Fate. He faces changes, recognizing his destiny in the sequence of events that led him to certain turning points.
VIII. Strenght.
IX. The Hermit.
X. Wheel of Fortune.
The Fool wonders about Justice (XI). He starts with himself and looks back over his life to trace his actions. He takes responsibility for his past actions so he can make amends and ensure a more honest course for the future.
Sooner or later, he faces an experience that seems too difficult to endure. This overwhelming challenge humbles him until he has no choice but to give up and let go. He feels his world has been turned upside-down. So he pauses free of pressures, like the Hanged Man (XII).
The Fool cuts out what no longer serves him, or what makes him feel bad about himself. Death (XIII) .. . and Rebirth. After al the changes, he is ready to start over.
XI. Justice.
XII. The Hanged Man.
XIII. Death.
The Fool realizes the balancing stability of Temperance (XIV) and its powerful effects. By experiencing the extremes, he has come to appreciate moderation.
But moderation doesn´t last forever and vices and excesses could prevail. The Fool confronts the Devil (XV) within himself, in the form of obsessions and addictions.
The Fool may only find release through the sudden change represented by the Tower (XVI). Sometimes only a monumental crisis can generate enough power to smash the walls of the Tower. Only the destruction of the tower will set him free.
XIV. Temperance.
XV. The Devil (Major).
XVI. The Tower.
After going through a harsh time, the Fool find serenity and calm. He looks up and sees his own Star (XVII), a reflection of his own inner Self, which replaces the negative energies of the Devil.
Woefully, he is still vulnerable to the illusions of the Moon (XVIII). The Fool's joy is a feeling state. His positive emotions are not yet subject to mental clarity. In his dreamy condition, the Fool is susceptible to fantasy, distortion and a false picture of the truth.
However, the Sun (XIX) shines. It dispels the clouds of confusion and fear. It enlightens, so the Fool both feels and understands the goodness of the world.
XVII. The Star.
XVIII. The Moon.
XIX. The Sun.
The Fool´s false, ego-self has been shed and his true Self manifests. The Fool makes a deeper Judgement (XX) about his life. He forgives himself and others. He feels cleansed and absolved.
The Fool reenters the World (XXI), but this time with a more complete understanding. He has integrated all the disparate parts of himself and achieved wholeness and fulfillment.
XX. Judgement. XXI. The World.
►Last, but not Least: Tarot, "Deepening Knowledge":
🗣Before waving Goodbye, I wanted to leave you a few recommendations, as to this topic. Check them out:
•Learn the meanings of all cards and other issues. (Playlist): Reading Tarot Cards by Goodie.
•Free Tarot Readings on YouTube, according to your astrological sign. I´ll recommend you my favorite Tarotist over there, who (as such!) often uses the classic Rider Waite Tarot (Or variations of it). Keep in mind that we haven´t still gotten into the Minor Arcana. But, we have already studied the Major Arcana. Look for your Zodiac sign, over here: Carol´s Universe. (Long, in-depth monthly reading & great knowledge of the cards).
•Poetry of the Tarot: Deborah Gregory´s poems based on Tarot Cards are excellent!.
Thanks for reading!. My next post will focus on Minor Arcana. Stay Tuned if you want to learn more about Tarot. See you!. Aquileana💕.
https://youtu.be/tFuCz1wAjLk
https://youtu.be/8WDQQZkEe4g
http://www.learntarot.com/less2.htm
http://www.learntarot.com/journey.htm
https://www.usgamesinc.com/Rider-Waite-Tarot-Card-Deck/
https://www.biddytarot.com/tarot-card-meanings/major-arcana/
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/the-surprising-origins-of-tarot-most-misunderstood-cards/
Posted in Filosofía, Literatura, Mitología, tagged Alan Severs, Apollo, "The Shield of Achilles", Carl Jung, Greek Mythology, Greek Theatre, Hermanubis, Hermes, Hermes or Mercury, Hermes Trismegistus, Hesiod, Homer's "Odyssey", Homer´s "Iliad", Horus, Linear A and Linear B, Maia, Odin, Philosophy, Phoenician Alphabet, Platón, Plato, Plato's "Phaedrus", Seth, Thamus, The Pleiades, Thoth, Walter Ong´s "Orality and Literacy", Zeus on 05/29/2017| 346 Comments »
► "Hermes & Writing in Ancient Greece": "Collaboration with Alan Severs"✍:
♠Divided into three sections, this article revolves around three main themes: Hermes, as The Greek God of Writing and his equivalents in other cultures; Plato´s derogatory ideas of writing, amidst the prevailing Oral Tradition; and how this eventually would change, as writing became a most accepted form, when the Greeks adopted the Phoenician Alphabet.
Greek God Hermes was the equivalent of the egyptian God Thoth, and from both of them resulted a Hybrid God: Hermes Trismegistus.
Hermes´roman counterpart was Mercury.
In Norse Mythology, his Homologous figure was Odin.
Hermes and his associated figures are described in the first section.
♠The second section refers to Plato´s dialogue "Phaedrus", emphasizing Socrates´quite negative statements concerning writing in that dialogue.
In "Phaedrus", Plato denies the legitimacy of the written word in favour of the oral tradition. With that purpose, Socrates tells us a myth, featuring Thoth (also known as Theuth and Hermes´egyptian equivalent).
Greece's transition to literacy, was slow, and it augmented and transformed the traditions of oral culture which had for centuries been instrumental in the handing down of certain forms of cultural knowledge.
Before the advent of writing, Greek citizens' knowledge of their history, the ways of their gods, and the attitudes, mores, and taboos of their society were orally transmitted. This occurred not only through parent-to-child communication and transmission within a community, but also through the poetry of the bards, most notably Homer and Hesiod.
♠The third section delves into this issue, taking into account how writing effectively evolved in Ancient Greece.
As a matter of fact, Writing went through different phases, summed up as follows:
>Linear A Script: It was the written language of the Minoans of Crete, remains undecipherable.
>Linear B Script: It consists of the Mycenaean Civilization and the only partially decipherable Linear B script of Crete.
>Phoenician Alphabet: It was the alphabet of ancient Phoenicia, which first came to Greece sometime before the 8th century BCE, from whence it spread.
►Section I. Hermes, Thoth, Hermes Trismegistus, Mercury and Odin:
Hermes was son of Zeus and one of the Pleiades, Maia.
Hermes, Greek God. 540 BC
The name Hermes appears to have originated in the word for "stone heap."
Probably since prehistoric times there existed in Crete and in other Greek regions a custom or erecting a herma, consisting of an upright stone surrounded at its base by a heap of smaller stones. Such monuments were used to serve as boundaries or as landmarks for wayfarers. A connection existed between these simple monuments and the deity named Hermes.
Hermes had many attributes and represented many things. Hermes was the Olympian god of herds and flocks, travellers and hospitality, roads and trade, thievery and cunning, heralds and diplomacy, astronomy and astrology. Besides, he was the herald and personal messenger of Zeus, and also the guide of the dead who led souls down into the underworld.
He was also a god of science and wisdom, art, speech, eloquence. And, most importantly: "the God of Writing".
Hermes. Classical Period.
The Greek God Hermes, as God of Writing, finds his analogue in Egypt as the ancient Wisdom God Thoth (sometimes spelled Thouth, Theuth or Tahuti).
Thoth, Egyptian God of Writing.
Thoth was important in many myths of Pharaonic Egypt: he played a role in the creation myth, he was recorder of the gods, and the principal pleader for the soul at the judgment of the dead. It was he who invented writing. According to relevant sources, he wrote all the ancient texts, including the most esoteric ones, including "The Book of Breathings", which taught humans how to become gods.
Furthermore, Thoth acted as an emissary between the contending armies of Horus (Egyptian God of the sky and kingship) and Seth (god of the desert, storms, disorder and violence in ancient Egyptian). Thoth eventually came to negotiate the peace treaty between these two gods. His role as a mediator between the opposites is thus made evident, perhaps prefiguring the role of the alchemical Mercury as the "medium of the conjunction."
Both Hermes and Thoth were gods of writing and of magic in their respective cultures.
Hermes, the Greek god of interpretive communication, was combined with Thoth, the Egyptian god of wisdom, to become the patron of astrology and alchemy. In addition, both gods were psychopomps, guiding souls to the afterlife. Hermes Trismegistus may be a representation of the syncretic combination of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth.
As Alan Severs says in his post "The Grammar of Magic":
"Writing and magic have always been closely associated. The Egyptian God Thoth was thought to be the inventor of writing and the patron of every magical art. The considerable cultural contact and resulting overlap over the centuries because of conquest and trade between Egypt, Greece and Rome led to the deities Hermes and Mercury who shared many of the same attributes as Thoth before they all further blended together, creating the composite figure that was to later an immeasurable influence in the history of ideas, Hermes Trismegistus".
Last, but not least: there is still another Egyptian parallel. Specifically, in the figure of Anubis. In classical mythology, Hermanubis was a god who combined Hermes with Anubis (given that they were both conductors of souls).
Hermes´roman equivalent, Mercury had essentially the same aspects as Hermes. He also wore winged shoes and a winged hat, and carried the caduceus, a herald's staff with two entwined snakes that was Apollo's gift to Hermes. He was often accompanied by a cockerel, herald of the new day, a ram or goat, symbolizing fertility, and a tortoise, referring to Mercury's legendary invention of the lyre from a tortoise-shell.
Like Hermes, he was also a god of messages, eloquence and of trade, particularly of the grain trade. He was also, like Hermes, the Romans' psychopomp, whose ability was to lead the newly deceased souls to the afterlife.
Hermes Trismegistus: Illustration from "Viridarium chymicum", by D. Stolcius von Stolcenbeerg. 1624.
Thoth. Hermes Trismegistus and Mercury.
Another related God, given his attributes, is Odin.
Odin is a prominently mentioned god throughout the recorded history of the Germanic people, from the Roman occupation of regions of Germania through the tribal expansions of the Migration Period and the Viking Age. In the major mythological Old Norse texts, the Poetic and Prose Eddas, Odin is depicted as one-eyed and long-bearded, frequently wielding a spear named Gungnir, and wearing a cloak and a broad hat. He is often accompanied by his animal companions: two wolves and two ravens named Huginn and Muninn (Thought and Memory). As well as being the Germanic equivalent of Hermes, Odin appears to have marked shamanistic tendencies as he frequently has ecstatic visions in other realms after undergoing various trials and ordeals.
In Norse Mythology he was associated with healing, death, royalty, the gallows, knowledge, battle, sorcery, poetry and the runic alphabet. In the long Eddic, gnomic poem Havamal (The Words of Odin the High One) Odin sacrifices himself to himself by hanging from a tree (presumably Yggdrasil, the World Tree) for nine days and nine nights in order to obtain knowledge of the runes, which is suggested throughout Norse mythology as being a symbolic alphabet used for magical purposes.
"Odin". Illustration by Alexander Murray. 1865.
"Odin the Wanderer", by Georg von Rosen. 1895.
►Section II. Plato´s dialogue "Phaedrus", in which Socrates pronounced himself in favour of the prevailing Oral Tradition and, thus, against writing:
In his dialogue "Phaedrus"; Plato denies the legitimacy of the written word as capable of conveying knowledge in any truly significant way.
In this dialogue, Socrates puts the case against writing into the mouth of Thamus, the Egyptian equivalent of Zeus.
When Thamus is presented by the god Theuth (Thoth) with the invention of writing, Thoth claims it "will make the Egyptians wiser and will improve their memories, for it is an elixir of memory and wisdom that I have discovered". But Thamus replies:
'Most ingenious Theuth, one man has the ability to beget arts, but the ability to judge of their usefulness or harmfulness to their users belongs to another; and now you who are the father of letters, have been led by your affection to ascribe to them a power the opposite of that which they really possess. For this invention will produce forgetfulness in the minds of those who learn to use it, because they will not practice their memory. Their trust in writing, produced by external characters which are no part of themselves, will discourage the use of their own memory within them. You have invented an elixir not of memory, but of reminding; and you offer your pupils the appearance of wisdom, not true wisdom, for they will read many things without instruction and will therefore seem to know many things, when they are for the most part ignorant and hard to get along with, since they are not wise, but only appear wise'. (Plato´s "Phaedrus". Line 140 and following).
Socrates adds his own conviction that written words are inhuman, unresponsive to questioning, and indiscriminate as to whom they address themselves. At best, they can only "remind him who knows the matter about which they are written" (Plato´s "Phaedrus". Line 278).
Walter Ong points out in his book "Orality and Literacy" [*Click here to read book] that these denunciations can by the modern reader as the same ones levelled by many against computers. This analogy is instructive because it allows us to understand in some small way the nature of the enormous change that was taking place in early Greek culture at the time of Socrates and Plato: the transition from a dominantly oral mode of transmitting knowledge to a slowly emerging literate one.
The Egyptian god Thoth, or Tehuti, in the form of an ibis. With him is his associate, the ape, proferring the Eye of Horus.
►Section III. Towards a Literate Society: Writing in Ancient Greece:
1) >Linear A and Linear B Scripts:
Linear A (1700 BC) was the written language of the Minoans of Crete. It consists of 60 phonetic symbols representing syllables and 60 symbols representing sounds and concrete objects or abstract ideas. There is no consensus on how to translate the Linear A symbols
Linear B (1450 BC) was first studied by Sir Arthur Evans, but it was not until 1952 that it was deciphered by Michael Ventris.
Linear B is generally seen as a more simplified and less pictorial version of the earlier scripts . It is also far more cursive in its shape. The script consists of about 87 symbols, which each represent a syllable, as well as some ideograms which represent an entire word or idea. It seems that the Myceneans used writing not to keep historical records but strictly as a device to register the flow of goods and produce into the palaces from a complex, highly centralized economy featuring regional networks of collection and distribution. [To see examples of decipherments of Linear A and Linear B Minoans tablets, please visit this guest post at "The Shield of Achilles"].
Linear A symbols.
Linear B syllabary.
Linear B logograms.
2) >The Phoenician Alphabet in Greece:
The alphabet of most modern languages was originated in ancient Phoenicia (11oo BC) and first came to Greece sometime before the 8th century BC, from whence it spread. Homer's "Illiad" and "Odyssey", written around 800 BC, are early examples of the Greek use of the Phoenician alphabet, as are the classics "Theogony" and "Works and Days", by Hesiod. Homer's poems appear to have been recorded shortly after the script's invention: an inscription from Ischia in the Bay of Naples, dated 740 BC, appears to refer to a text of the "Iliad"; and illustrations inspired by the Polyphemus episode in the "Odyssey" were found in Mykonos in 715 BC.
Herodotus claimed that the Phoenician alphabet was brought by Cadmus to Boeotia where he founded the city of Thebes.
The early Greek alphabet, based on the alphabet of the Phoenicians, was different from the linear and hieroglyphic scripts preceding it in that each symbol represents a single consonant as opposed to a syllable.
The Phoenician alphabet consisted of 22 characters with vowel sounds built into the symbols. The Greeks modified the Phoenician alphabet by changing some of the symbols as well as creating separate vowels. They also made their alphabet more phonetically correct.
By using individual symbols to represent vowels and consonants, the Greeks created a writing system that could, for the first time, represent speech in an unambiguous manner. Furthermore, while Linear B seems to have only been used for inventories and lists, the Greek alphabet was used for literary purposes. Writing became not simply a means of recording events, but also an art form in itself.
⇒Writing from right to left. Bidirectional writing. Writing from left to right:
In the earliest versions of the alphabet, the Greeks complied with the Phoenician practice of writing from right to left and the letters had a left-facing orientation.
A good example of writing from right to left is shown in the inscription on the so-called Nestor's Cup, a clay drinking vessel of the 8th century BC, which bears a famous inscription.
The text of the inscription runs:
Nestor's cup, good to drink from.
Whoever drinks from this cup, him straightaway
the desire of beautiful-crowned Aphrodite will seize.
The so-called Nestor's cup from Pithekoussai, Ischia and its inscription.
This was followed by a period of bidirectional writing, which means that the direction of the writing was in one direction on one line but in the opposite direction on the next, a practice known as boustrophedon.
During the 5th century BCE, however, the direction of Greek writing was standardized as left to right, and all the letters adopted a fixed right-facing orientation.
Comparison between different scripts: Phoenician, Early Greek and Roman.
Comparison between different scripts. Egyptian (Hieroglyphic, Hieratic), Phoenician/Semitic; Greek, Roman and Hebrew
Writing Timeline, , relevant as far as this post concerns.
So far, we have seen that there are clear and effective similarities, when it comes to certain Gods.
Gods Hermes, Thoth (and the hybrid resulting of both: Hermes Trismegistus); as well as Mercury and Odin, they all represent similar ideas.
They all seem to be fused in an eclectic space of cultural juxtaposition, despite the cultural differences.
This could prove Carl Jung´s thesis of the Collective Unconscious. According to him, the human collective unconscious is populated by archetypes and universal symbols, shared among beings of the same species.
Worth noting that Hermes and his equivalents were mainly considered here keeping in mind their specific roles as "Gods of Writing".
Plato was a keen defender of Oral tradition, against writing. This is evident particularly in his dialogue "Phaedrus", in which Socrates (by retelling an Egyptian myth), states that Writing will produce forgetfulness in the minds of those who learn to use it, because they will not practice their memory.
Pisistratus (6th century BC/ 527 BC) was tyrant of Athens whose unification of Attica and consolidation and rapid improvement of the city's prosperity helped to make possible it's later preeminence in Greece.
Pisistratus clearly supported Oral tradition. And he did so, by specifically encouraging Dramatic Arts and Theatre. Indeed, theatre was a key technological factor of specialization in Greek culture. The choral poetry offered a fissure through which the choir was first sung until the actors took over in order to visually stage the oral poetry.
Probably, this was the most evident symptom of the transition from an Oral culture to a hybrid, semi-oral or audiovisual Culture, which dominated the fifth century BC and classicism. At last, by the end of the century, Writing prevailed.
When introducing writing, (Linear A, Linear B, and especially alphabetic writing), the Ancient Greeks privileged the visual sense against other senses such as seeing or hearing. Alongside this change, their conception of space and time was also altered, going from discontinuous to a linear, homogeneous conception. Hence, the chronological narrative and History itself arose as new types of discourses.
By objectifying words and making meaning accessible to a much longer and more intense meaning of what is orally possible, writing fostered private thought and increased awareness of individual differences.
Thus, Writing led to free initiative and creativity of the Ancient Greek society as a plural "whole", while preserving the value of the individual forms. Such a tendency could be also considered a "call for democracy", as a political correlate of literacy, expressivity, abstraction and individualization.
♠About Alan Severs: Alan defines himself as an occasional writer of fiction, poetry; and essays on modernism, mysticism, mythology, magic and mystery. His blog, Cakeordeathsite covers many of these and other interesting subjects. Please check it out here. Thank you, Alan! 🐬
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Click to visit Alan´s blog.-
https://http://www.ancient.eu/script/
http://www.omniglot.com/writing/lineara.htm
http://www.ancient.eu/timeline/writing/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nestor%27s_Cup
https://cakeordeathsite.wordpress.com/2017/03/24/the-grammaire-of-magic/
http://www.ancient.eu/Greek_Alphabet/
http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Hermes.html
http://www.john-uebersax.com/plato/myths/phaedrus.htm
http://www.csuchico.edu/phil/sdobra_mat/platopaper.html
►Greek Mythology: "Hermes" / Poem at La Poesía no Muerde: "Tempus Fugit" 🌟.-
Posted in Arte, Literatura, Mitología, Poesía, tagged "La Poesía No Muerde", Anubis, Aphrodite, Carl Jung, Charon, Gorgon Medusa, Greek Mythology, Hades, Hélène Laurent, Hermanubis, Hermes, Hermes or Mercury, Hermes Trismegistus, Homer's "Odyssey", Homer´s "Iliad", Maia, Odysseus, Perseus, Poetry, Poseidon, The Pleiades, Zeus on 12/17/2015| 484 Comments »
"Mercury" by Evelyn De Morgan. 1873.
(Roman name: Mercury) was the messenger of the Gods.
It was Hermes´duty to guide the souls of the dead down to the underworld, which is known as a psycho pomp.
Carl Jung often speaks of Hermes as psycho pomp, spiritual friend, or personal guide.
He says: "From the earliest times, Hermes was the psycho pomp of the alchemists, their friend and counselor, who leads them to the goal of their work. He is like a teacher mediating between the stone and the disciple… To others the friend appears in the shape of Christ or Khidr or a visible or invisible guru, or some other personal guide or leader figure". (Carl Jung, Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious. 1934–1954. Vol.9 Part 1. CW 9I, para. 283).
One of his most famous regular roles was as as God of Crossroads, leader of souls to the river Styx in the underworld, where the boatman Charon would take them to Hades.
He was also portrayed as an emissary and messenger of the gods: an intercessor between mortals and the divine, and conductor of souls into the afterlife. He has been viewed as the protector and patron of herdsmen, thieves, oratory and wit, literature and poetry, athletics and sports, invention and trade for being cunning and full of tricks.
He was also the patron of of luck and revered by gamblers and merchants undertaking new enterprises.
He was born in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. Zeus had impregnated Maia at the dead of night while all other gods slept. When dawn broke amazingly he was born.
Maia wrapped him in swaddling bands, then resting herself, fell fast asleep. Hermes, however, squirmed free and ran off to Thessaly.
This is where Apollo, his brother, grazed his cattle. Hermes stole a number of the herd and drove them back to Greece. He hid them in a small grotto near to the city of Pylos and covered their tracks.
Before returning to the cave he caught a tortoise, killed it and removed its entrails. Using the intestines from a cow stolen from Apollo and the hollow tortoise shell, he made the first lyre.
When he reached the cave he wrapped himself back into the swaddling bands.
When Apollo realized he had been robbed he protested to Maia that it had been Hermes who had taken his cattle. Maia looked to Hermes and said it could not be, as he is still wrapped in swaddling bands. Zeus the all powerful intervened saying he had been watching and Hermes should return the cattle to Apollo. As the argument went on, Hermes began to play his lyre.
The sweet music enchanted Apollo, and he offered Hermes to keep the cattle in exchange for the lyre. Apollo later became the grand master of the instrument, and it also became one of his symbols.
Hermes was also known as something of a trickster, stealing at one time or another Poseidon's trident, Artemis' arrows, and Aphrodite's girdle.
Hermes appears in Homer´s Iliad. He is most often described by Homer as 'Hermes the guide, slayer of Argos' and 'Hermes the kindly'.
In Homer´s Odyssey, Hermes helps Odysseus, especially on his long return voyage to Ithaca.
Another hero helped by the god was Perseus. Hermes gave him an unbreakable sword and guided him to were the Gorgon Medusa was.
Hermes is usually depicted with a broad-brimmed hat or a winged cap, winged sandals and the heralds staff (kerykeion in Greek, or Caduceus in Latin).
He was often shown as a shaft with two white ribbons, although later they were represented by serpents intertwined in a figure of eight shape, and the shaft often had wings attached.
Symbols of Hermes were the turtle, the stork, the rooster, the goat, the number four.
Originally Hermes was a phallic god, being attached to fertility and good fortune, and also a patron of roads and boundaries. It is also possible that since the beginning he has been a deity with shamanic attributes linked to divination, reconciliation,magic, sacrifices, and initiation and contact with other planes of existence, a role of mediator between the worlds of the visible and invisible.
As to Hermes Trismegistus, he may be a representation of the syncretic combination of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth.
In Hellenistic Egypt, the Greeks recognised the congruence of their god Hermes with Thoth, egyptian God of Knowledge.
Hence, the two gods were worshipped as one in what had been the Temple of Thoth in Khemnu, which the Greeks called Hermopolis.
There is still another Egyptian parallel, specifically, in the figure of Anubis. In classical mythology, Hermanubis was a god who combined Hermes with Anubis. Hermes and Anubis's similar responsibilities (they were both conductors of souls) led to the god Hermanubis.
Icons of Hermes were displayed in front of houses and where roads intersect. He was seen as guiding people in transition.
Hermes was worshiped throughout Greece, especially in Arcadia, and festivals in his honor were called Hermoea.
On the Left: "Parnaso" by Andrea Mantegna, 1497. On the Right: Detail Hermes and Pegasus.
►Galleries: "Hermes, the Messenger of Gods":
Statue of Hermanubis, white marble, 1st-2nd century AD (Vatican Museums)
"Mercury and Argus" by Luis Gonzales Velázquez. 18th century.
"Mercury and Paris" by Donato. 17th century.
"Apollo and Mercury" by Pierre Narcise Guèrin. 18th century.
"Jupiter, Mercury & Virtue" by Dosso Dossi. 1524.
"Mercury" by Hendrick Goltzius. 1611.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermes
http://www.ancient.eu/Hermes/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermes_Trismegistus
http://www.mythweb.com/encyc/entries/hermes.html
http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Hermes
Click above to visit the blog / Click en el logo para ingresar al blog.~
► "My Poem Tempus Fugit at La Poesía no Muerde"
[December 10th, 2015].~
I am very glad to tell my readers that my poem "Tempus Fugit" has been featured at "La Poesía no Muerde". I initially wrote the poem in Spanish, based in an image called "Il tempo che passa e il tempo che resiste", provided by Angela Caporaso (Caserta – Italy) so I am attaching the image, the poem in Spanish and its translation to English…
"La Poesía no Muerde" is a blog hosted by Hélène Laurent. It is a collective blog in spanish which prompts are usually triggered by images that might lead to poems or poems that once published are waiting to be illustrated with photographs or creative images, such as collages or digital creations… With that being said, I hope that you take a peek and subscribe if you enjoy it, which I am sure you will…
As to the poem I was making reference to, you can check out the original post here. It is also included in La Poesía no Muerde, fourth literary magazine, page 42.
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►La Poesía no Muerde / Poetry doesn´t Bite
~ Poem~"Tempus Fugit":
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►Last but not Least: Four Awards:
Thank you very much to Millie Thom from the namesake blog, Irena from Books and Hot Tea, Yemie from Straight from the Heart and Luis López from ByLuis7 for nominating me for an Epic Awesomeness Award, a Dragon's Loyalty Award a Sisterhood Of The World Bloggers Award and a Bloguera con Buen Rollo Award, respectively… Please make sure to check out these blogs and follow them, if you haven´t already done so…
*Note*: If you have been nominated, check out the four awards which are displayed at the end. Click on the respective logo to save it.
♠Rules for the Epic Awesomeness Award:
•Display the award on your blog.
•Announce your win with a post and link the blogger who nominated you.
•Present at least 7 deserving bloggers with the award.
•Link your awardees in the post.
•Write about the indirect questions above… just let it flow…
Question 1→You are awesome; tell us why… what does awesome mean to you?…
Awesome… I guess it means extremely good… But, on the other hand, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as and adjective, which implies that something or someone causes feelings of fear and wonder: causing feelings of awe.
I was think of Immanuel Kant… In his book, "Observations on the Feeling of the Beautiful and Sublime" (1764), Immanuel Kant describes the feeling of the sublime and the feeling of the beautiful.
Some of his examples of feelings of the beautiful are the sight of flower beds, grazing flocks, and daylight.
As to Kant, they "occasion a pleasant sensation but one that is joyous and smiling".
Feelings of the sublime are the result of seeing mountain peaks, raging storms, and night. These ones, according to Kant, "arouse enjoyment but with horror". Kant said that Beauty and the Sublime can be joined or alternated…
So, I am that "awesomeness" could be a sort of dual feeling at times… Isn't idealization or admiration a sort of sublimation?. … Don´t we experience a sort of shivering dizziness when we come across something/someone awesome after all?.
Question 2→You are my friend; tell us about other blogger friends …
I have met extraordinary bloggers and I felt a sort of deep connection with many of them… Even when Virtuality would seem a veiled reality, at times… I´d rather call it an alternative Reality, at least, using as measurement parameter, our Reality … I find so many beautiful posts, I learn every single day something new due to my blogger friends… For the record, I am now thinking that Twitter is also a great tool. I believe that it is a very efficient way to catch up with blogs you really like and to do so almost daily…
My seven nominees for the Epic Awesomeness Award are: 1. Jeri Walker #Editor 2. Life as we See It 3. Straight from the Heart 4. House of Heart 5. A Chaos Fairy Realm 6 Books and Hot Tea 7. A Writer's Path.
♠Rules for the Dragon's Loyalty Award:
•Present 6 deserving bloggers with the award.
•Write 7 things about you.
→The 7 facts about me are…
1. I am a scorpion in the horoscope and was born one day before my mom, but, needless to say, a few decades after her… 2. I'm very superstitious. 3. I am extremely cynical when arguing with someone… I usually know how to leave my opponent speechless… 4. I love cats, I not only speak to them, but I speak with them 5. I hate ignorance by conviction 6. Once I´ve started a series on Netflix I enjoy, I seldom set it aside before having completely finished it. 7. I believe in God, despite my rational faith in the Theory of Evolution.
My six nominees for the Dragon's Loyalty Award are: 1. Shehanne Moore 2. ByLuis7 3. Scribble and Scrawl 4. Millie Thom 5. Micheline's Blog 6. Scattered Thoughts
♠Rules for the Sisterhood Of The World Bloggers Award:
•Answer to the following questions below.
1.What's your life's philosophy? I will mention three principles, concerning this question. a. Be tolerant… your opinion is just a personal, thus relative, standpoint. b. Be Patient. Try to get the whole picture, before jumping in… c. Give people the benefit of the doubt, until all doubts are vanished.
2.One word that best describes you would be?… Steadfast.
3.What's the one best thing for you about being female, or if being the case male?… Honestly, I believe that women are more gracious and gorgeous, and our sexuality is an endless driving loop … Plus we don´t have to shave our faces each morning.
4.Who's that one person, (could be your regular boy/girl next door or a celebrity crush or a pet or even a stuffed toy) you'd really fancy being marooned with for three whole days and nights on a deserted island and why?... I won´t put down details here regarding my personal life… To avoid awkwardness, I´ll carry the stuffed toy… *Successful deterrent maneuver*.
5.What would you say was the craziest, nuttiest thing you've ever found yourself doing?… Any of the stuff I might do if I ever get more than I can take… *Free interpretation*.
My seven nominees for the Sisterhood Of The World Bloggers Award are: 1. Brittney Sahin 2. People Forward 3. Claudia Moss 4. Course of Mirrors 5. Tails Around the Ranch 6. Souldier Girl 7. The Genealogy of Style
♠Rules for the Bloguera con Buen Rollo Award:
1.How frequently do you post on your blog?. Once in three weeks or once a month…
2. Was it hard for you to choose the name of your blog?. Not that much… I knew I wanted to include Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and then the hero Achilles popped up… Aquileana is a sort of Hybrid resulting of their juxtaposition.
3. Please, recommend me a book to read and review. Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami.
4. Please, recommend me a song. This Is The Life –and many others- by Amy Macdonald.
5. Which would be your recommendation regarding your blog?. Read it slowly and click on the red links, i.e trackbacks.
6. Do you share your posts on Social Media?. Yes, I do. On Twitter, Google Plus and Pinterest.
7. Which one would you say is your favorite character whether from movies, series or books… I would say that Lady Mary Crawley from the series Downtown Abbey. At least, lately…
My six nominees for the Bloguera con Buen Rollo Award are: 1. My Space in the Immense Universe 2. Postcards from Kerry 3. Travels with Choppy 4. Fatima Saysell 5. Sherrie Miranda 6. Lorna´s Voice.
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Merry Christmas, for all those who celebrate them, and Happy New Year, everyone 💛☀. My next post will be exclusively a Guest Post…
See you Soon, in 2016 💛. Much Joy and Love. Aquileana ☺


Education starts the moment we are born and continues throughout our entire lives, however the most critical phase is primary school.
The team is working to build up self awareness in students who have difficulties living up to the expectations of their parents and experienced harsh and limited relations with their teachers. The team is involved in both educational sciences and psychology.
They designed a product and service that provides primary school students gain cognitive skills. The team presents a diversified learning experience with the New Generation Learning Mind Workshop Series that include activities like imagination drawing, origami, drama etc.
We are obligated to teach human values to our children.
The team argues that when teachers embrace a more genuine, supportive and inclusive attitude in their classes, the teaching process becomes accelerated and students tend to be more motivated. They also argue that when students step out from classical learning models and participate to the teaching process, learning process becomes more efficient.
The team is planning to formulate alternative educational structures like the Learning Mind Workshops, in order to improve the efficiency, support the communication between generations, create a whole from differences and form new, self aware generations.


Learn more about the rise of coworking and the state of the coworking market in Austin, Texas.
See Austin's office development pipeline; learn which new projects are set to deliver and the status of their pre-leasing efforts.
Find out which eight office projects traded hands and what they traded for.
See tables and graphs of historical asking rates, vacancy rates and absorption.
Plus, take a deep dive into the Arboretum/Domain micromarket as we examine the past, present and future of the area in our latest special report.


Excel treats date and time as numbers which are then formatted into the Date and Time formats. This gives you the opportunity to convert numbers to dates. That means that you can also perform some mathematical operations on them.
The first way to create a date from a number is to use the Format Cells feature. It will convert a number to date without using formulas.
It consists of several numbers. Let's copy them to column B.
Select cells from B2 to B5 and use the Ctrl + 1 keyboard shortcut.
From Date, you can choose one of the different data formats. This will give us the following result.
The TEXT function converts a value to text in a specified format. For example, the formula will return the following text string.
We can create a date from text using the DATE function.
You can join both functions to create the following formula.
This formula gives us the same result as the cell formatting.