6 of swords "Science" THOTH TAROT CARD: ANALYSIS AND READING.

 

Aleister Crowley's roller coaster flow of meanings from the highly complex cards of the Thoth Tarot to the more simplified impressions of his interpretations, is testament to his structured and at the same time, unstructured esoterical beliefs, which are centered around Crowley's own religion of Thelema.  Yet, as analysed with my study of the Thoth cards to date, it would be prudent to factor in, respectfully, his drug use which may have contributed to both a detailed and rambled meaning from various Thoth cards.   The 6 of Swords "Science", with Lady Frieda Harris's extraordinary detailed 1940s cubist and expressionist style art, where she had incorporated the early 20th Century occultist theory of Projective Synthetic Geometry by Rudolf Steiner, the Austrian occultist.  Who saw this artistic technique as a way of cognitively tuning the mind, so everything in nature is viewed as an infinite point of view.  That when looked at retrospectively, was also a release from the restrains of artistic impression in a general sense, that one could portray and image as an infinite plane.  Which, at the time of experimental and Avant-garde art world have appeared very liberating from traditionalist viewpoints. Crowley, who also inspired by the scientific concept of infinity of Steiner's teachings, within his own Occultist thinking, noted with this quote from his poem, "Long Odds":  "Infinity -yet you and I have met. Eternity -yet hand in hand we run. All odds that I should lose you or forget, But, soul and spirit and body, we are one".

Science undoubtedly appealed to Crowley, as the 1900s heralded in new technologies, advancements in astronomy, the studying of the Universe and its millions of Galaxies.  It also pressured the established religious institutions, at the time, to answer poignant questions about the place of spirituality in an ever expanding Universe.  He quoted Einstein many times throughout his writings, in relation to Space and Time, correlating it with mostly to his fondness for Jewish mysticism of the Qabalah.  That Tree of Life, through its Hebrew lettering and mythos, that the physical plane reveals much more between the material worlds that it resides on, in other words, infinity is ever present as are the endless possibilities.  Once again, is the attraction that Geometry in art held, in freeing up the restrictions and opening up new dimensions beyond the confined views of the monothetic viewpoint.  Hence, Crowley fused science with the esoteric, the Gnostic teachings of Western and Middle Eastern spiritual beliefs to his own conclusion; that the infinity of the Universe, is also the finite of the material world. 

The symbolism on the 6 of Swords "Science" very much encapsulates Crowley's interpretation of both the traditional Tarot, and his devising of creating a card that offers less of a paradoxical view from its reading.  It is a very balanced card, Lady Frieda Harris's measured 'Projective Synthetic Geometry' is evident throughout, the circle in the middle with its Six swords creating a point of infinity, the handles, arranged in a Six pointed hexagram, which is considered a perfect number in mathematics.  The top symbol is Mercury, the Greek god of 'Commence and Communication', the below symbol is Aquarius, in which Crowley attributes as the pourer of 'Celentrial Energy', further elaborating, from 'The Book of Thoth' in representing, "intelligence and humanity".  The middle of the card, to which appears to be the focal point, is the Rose Cross as a potent symbol of the 'Golden Dawn', later used in Thelema, as a representation of infinity of the night sky.

Reading:

Focus on the point of infinity, six being the number of perfection and balance.  The material plane in all of its expanse, will be reduced to nothing.  But, for now be aware of the gifts you entail.  In all of its geometric shapes, you'll see truth and meaning.  For science is the great revealer, and yet it also begs to answer the ultimate question.  And for that, it does not hold the answer.  Ponder and marvel at what the Universe entails, be invigorated by its presence.  Yes, intelligence is a part of humanity, and we do indeed communicate with its celestial energy.  But, is it a gift from the gods?  You must ask yourself.  Was this Universe created for me?  And in its design.  Is this what I expected?  Yet, I cannot stop change.  And for what was here, in time will disappear.  To remain a mystery. 

Summary:

Infinity, Perfection, Balance, Material Plane, Geometric Shapes, Truth, Meaning, Revealer, Intelligence, Celestial Energy, Mystery, Gift, Marvel, Science, Number Six.

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(A.Glass 2024)

All Thoth Tarot analysis and readings to date:  chiasmusmagazine.blogspot.com/search/label/Thoth%20Tarot%20reading