When first we open our eyes after the Awakening, it is as though we have passed through a gate into a new and unexplored region. This stage takes us from Malkuth, the world of appearances, to Yesod, the Foundation. These connecting stages represent the activity of consciousness, and we can expect to be particularly active during this first stage. So, of course, it always is when we discover something new which invites us to explore. The hidden potential stored in the ‘foundation’ of our natures is ready to be stimulated into action, and will have definite effects in the real world. One of the titles given to Malkuth is “The Gate” a title also given in esoteric astrology to the sign Cancer, ruled by the Moon - also attributed to Yesod.

One quality of this sign of the zodiac is that of holding tightly to that which we possess; a self-contained principle which at times can degenerate into avarice, a vice associated with Malkuth. Another aspect of this sign is what is often described as moodiness - a description of some Cancerians which may not be gratefully received. More accurately this impression is formed due to a tendency to engage in a considerable degree of reflection, often quite deeply.

The Moon, we know, reflects the light of the Sun, and Cancer is a sign which may produce people who often unerringly capture or reflect the activities and attitudes of others. This can sometimes incline to participation in some form of entertainment or theatrical activity. The important thing is that the talent for reflection can be a form of accurate imitation, although it may over- or understress certain aspects. So it is with us. In order to understand the nature of people, particularly of ourselves, we need to gather with crab-like tenacity the qualities which may be used to reflect and direct the qualities of the inner and deeper levels of our being, beyond the superficial appearance; to learn to know and understand both ourselves and others, and in so doing, to make improvements. The source of light at this stage is symbolised by the reflective Moon of Yesod, at the feet of the High Priestess, the receptacle of the emanations; the vast hidden potential of the Tree of Life itself, of which it is said that it has its roots in heaven and its branches in Earth.

At this stage we are particularly under, and sensitive to, the influences of psychic “moon” forces, and the tenacity and self-containment of the crab are necessary to keep our balance. This is also the very first step in the purification of awareness, and for this reason we must keep ourselves very much awake and alive to the power of the hidden potential whose energies lie before us. In the Waite pack the ‘Magician’ is shown with five objects, four on the table, and one in the raised right hand. This latter represents freedom of choice and action, free will, while the other hand, pointing towards the earth, represents the direction in which the power is to be employed: in the real world of living things, symbolised by the growth of vegetation in front of the table.
On the table itself are the four symbols of the Tarot: the wand, the cup, the sword and the coin. These four symbols relate directly to the four worlds of Kabbalah, and to human nature. The wand represents the world of Atziluth; in us it
represents our spiritual origin. The cup represents the world of Briah, or world of creation; in us it represents our most fundamental essence, an essence of Spirit, which in its original purity is called Yechidah, recognisable by us only through Knowledge and the stages of tarot.

Yechidah carries the connotation, in Hebrew, of “only child” or “only-begotten” and thus points towards a perception of the otherwise seemingly absurd Christian doctrine of Jesus as the “only-begotten” of God. The Atziluthic
principle in us is called in Kabbalah, ‘Hia, usually translated “life” but as it is used here is particularly related to the One Life of Kether, origin of all life and of the Tree of Life. The Hebrew word is also the root of the word for “Eve,” described
in Genesis as “the mother of all life (or living).” The Briatic principle in us is called Neschamah, which may be translated loosely as aspiration and ideals. So we may say that in order to perfect ourselves we must aim for union with the One Life of Kether, via Yechidah, or the spirit within ourselves, and which we truly are. The sword represents the world of Yetzirah, and the power of reason, properly understood as the intelligence which makes us human in a way differentfrom other creatures. It is this native human intelligence which we now must learn to use as our “sword” of truth, to separate and discriminate between that which is real and that which is not.Discrimination is the virtue of Malkuth. It is the development of this quality which has brought about the Awakening. As we now learn to discriminate between previously hidden qualities within, so we develop in proportion the virtue of Yesod, which is Independence.

Although the stages of the Way are each symbolised by the figures on the different Tarot cards, we remain fundamentally a “Fool” in different situations. The differing images on the cards represent the forces and principles which impress themselves upon us, and which we seek both to reflect into the world, and to reflect upon in our journey towards knowledge and understanding.
The coin represents the world of Assiah, of the visibly material, and is represented by what is known as Nephesh, which has been interpreted as the animal passions.
The use of the word “passions” is a little unfortunate, for modern usage has distorted its original meaning. It is better to think of this principle as our animal nature, closely related to the body itself, which is the animal form within which we are temporarily confined. The important thing to understand is that in all the stages of the Way the work we do is reflected through this animal body and animal nature. It is with this nature and this body that we will give expression to the principles and forces that we come to know, and which are impressed upon us.
The activity of these principles and forces will reflect through us according to our understanding, combined with the direction of the will. The energies invoked by the double-ended wand in the right hand will have to pass through the ‘magician’ (you or me) before they may be directed into the world by the downward-pointing left. It is therefore wise for us to note that this wand is double ended, and that the sword of reason is double sided - discrimination, in other words, is absolutely essential in all 21 Stages.

Fratboys, Jocks, Sports, Surfers, Movies and Videos - Euro Thai Thug Foot
Fratboy`s Movies - The Best Movies and Videos on Demand on the Net!