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Above all things, know thyself!

The Knight of Disks, Chokmah, and the Sovereignty of the I AM

In Western Hermetic Qabalah, Chokmah, the second Sephirah on the Tree of Life, is the first dynamic surge of being. If Kether is the silent and formless point of Divine Will, expressed as Eheieh, “I Will Be,” then Chokmah is that Will in motion. It is the primordial masculine principle, not as biological maleness, but as the archetypal Will-to-Force: the first outpouring of power from the unmanifest into creation.

Chokmah is not form itself. It is the fiery impulse that drives form into existence. It is pure vitality, pure motion, pure generative thrust. Binah, the third Sephirah, receives and gives structure to that force as the Will-to-Form. Together, Chokmah and Binah are the Supernal polarity through which manifestation becomes possible.

From the standpoint of the Supernal Triangle, debates over whether the male or female came first are meaningless. Such arguments belong to the lower mind, which is trapped in time, sequence, and cultural conditioning. In the Supernal Worlds, polarity is simultaneous. To conceive of Force is already to imply Form. To conceive of Male is already to imply Female. Neither exists without the other. In the higher metaphysical order, they arise together as complementary aspects of one ineffable reality.

Kether is the pure I. Chokmah and Binah together establish the AM. Thus the Supernal Triangle may be understood as the archetypal field of I AM, the eternal ground of conscious being before time hardens into cause and effect. This triune field is not a sequence but a simultaneous living mystery.

From this union of Force and Form arises the first awareness of Self: the Solar principle that later finds its harmonized reflection in Tiphareth, the sphere of the radiant Soul. In Hermetic language, this is the birth of the inner Sovereign, the Golden Child, the deeper Self that stands behind all passing masks of personality.

This is where the meaning of sexuality must be elevated beyond biology and social dogma. In the Supernal realms, sexuality is the sacred polarity by which the One appears as Two so that consciousness may behold itself. The ancient Hermetic formula 0 = 2 points to this mystery: apparent division is the means by which unity comes to know itself. The result is not separation in the ordinary sense, but the possibility of self-awareness.

The human problem begins when this inner sovereignty is forgotten. Instead of identifying with the Solar Self, many become identified with the conditioned personality, the socially manufactured “me.” In metaphysical and parapsychological terms, this false identity may be understood as a kind of psychic construct or social egregore: a programmed mask shaped by fear, dogma, media, and collective hypnosis. In Gnostic language, these forces are symbolized by the Archons, powers of division that obscure the Divine Spark and keep awareness trapped in externals.

Whether one uses the language of Archons, Wetiko, false ego, or psychic vampirism, the principle is similar. These are forces of inversion. They persuade us to seek authority outside ourselves, to identify with roles rather than essence, and to forget the primal truth of being: I AM.

The Great Work of Hermetic Qabalah is therefore the restoration of inner authorship. It is the stripping away of false identities so that the deeper Self may once again govern the kingdom of body, mind, and soul. The true Sovereign is not granted by society, religion, or politics. It is born from the union of Divine Will, Force, and Form within.

This is why the Court Cards matter so deeply in Hermetic Tarot.

In the Thoth Tarot, the Knights embody the fiery and generative thrust of Chokmah. In more traditional decks, the Kings express a similar principle as mature rulership within their suit. These are not merely pictures of outer authority. They are symbols of the awakened power of the Soul to govern its own domain. They represent mastery of inner elements, the ordering of consciousness, and the capacity to act from the center rather than from social conditioning.

The Knight of Disks, in particular, reveals this mystery in Earth.

He is the Fire of Earth, the dynamic force hidden within matter. He is not merely slow, practical, or hardworking in a mundane sense. He represents Spirit entering density and mastering it from within. His power is patient, fertile, and enduring. He does not conquer by spectacle. He cultivates, sustains, protects, and brings cycles to fruition.

Astrologically, the Knight of Disks rules the last decan of Leo and the first two decans of Virgo. Thus he combines Leo’s solar vitality with Virgo’s disciplined service and practicality. This makes him a powerful image of the Soul expressing itself through embodied labor, stewardship, and intelligent cultivation.

The black armor of the Knight is especially important. It does not symbolize evil, but the willingness to work within density, shadow, and the hidden layers of life. He is armored because incarnation itself requires strength. Yet he is not shown in frantic battle. His horse grazes peacefully. His helm is relaxed beneath the Sun. This is a profound image of achieved mastery: prepared, alert, and grounded, yet in harmony with the abundance of the land.

His flail of grain connects him to ancient rulership, especially the Osirian mysteries of fertility, death, and rebirth. He rules not by domination, but by stewardship. He knows that true power is not noisy. It is rhythmic, cyclic, and productive. He plants, tends, harvests, and renews.

Cosmologically, this Knight teaches that matter itself is not dead. Earth contains hidden fire. We see it in volcanic upheaval, in tectonic force, in the regenerative powers of nature. What appears as destruction is often renewal. Fire within Earth is the mystery of transformation concealed in density. Thus the Knight of Disks is not inert. He is latent power, the fertility of disciplined force, the sacred heat inside manifestation.

This also explains why he resists deception. The false ego thrives in fragmentation, distraction, and restless identification. But the Knight of Disks is rooted. He cannot be easily manipulated because he is embodied, patient, and aligned with natural law. He is not trying to become real through external validation. He already stands within his own substance.

In this sense, the Knight of Disks is a powerful antidote to the psychic distortions of the age. He reminds us that sovereignty begins when we stop seeking permission to exist. He calls us back to our own ground, our own labor, our own soul-authorship.

The lesson is simple, though not easy:
You are not merely your programming.
You are not merely your roles.
You are not merely the passing noise of thought.

At the center of your being is the radiant fact of consciousness itself: I AM.

The Knight of Disks teaches that this truth must be lived in the body, planted in the world, and harvested through patient work. He is the sovereign of manifestation, the battle-king at peace, the master who turns force into fertility and matter into living wisdom.

He does not ask for outer approval.
He simply embodies the truth of the Soul.

Above all things, know thyself.

The Arcane Tarot King of Pentacles is the equivalent of the Thoth Tarot Knight of Disks, both expressing mastery over the material world through discipline, stability, and grounded authority. This card represents leadership, prosperity, wealth, and the capacity to build lasting success through methodical action.

The image itself emphasizes rulership over matter. His elaborate crown, adorned with wings, suggests elevated authority and thought that rises above mere survival instinct. In one hand he holds a golden cube, decorated with sacred geometry, symbolizing structure, order, stability, and mastery of manifested form. The cube is one of the most important metaphysical symbols of Earth, showing matter brought into balanced arrangement.

In his other hand he raises a golden pentacle, the sign of material power, prosperity, and practical accomplishment. His red and gold robes further reinforce vitality, rulership, and success in the realm of manifestation. He appears stern, grounded, and not easily deceived, suggesting a personality that values results, realism, and competence over fantasy or empty words.

On the level of personality, this King represents someone who is thoughtful, patient, and methodical. He is not reckless or impulsive. He plans carefully, leads responsibly, and understands how to bring order into the world of business, finance, and practical affairs. His success benefits not only himself but also those around him, for he knows how to generate material security that can support others.

In relationships, this card suggests stability, loyalty, and the building of a solid future together. The partnership may be strongly tied to mutual ambition, financial growth, or the desire to create a secure foundation. There is often a practical and dependable quality here, though sometimes emotional expression may be overshadowed by duty, work, or shared goals.

In career matters, the King of Pentacles points to leadership, wise planning, and long-term advancement. It may indicate a strong mentor, an investor, a business leader, or the arrival of someone who knows how to turn effort into lasting success. It can also show that you are being called to take command of your own resources with maturity and discipline.

Reversed, however, this energy can become distorted. Then the pursuit of wealth, status, or recognition may become excessive. Materialism may replace meaning, and security may turn into greed, control, or fear of loss. In that condition, the card advises grounding oneself and remembering that true prosperity is not measured only by possessions, but also by inner balance, wisdom, and the right use of power.

From a Western Hermetic perspective, this archetype reflects the rulership of consciousness over matter. It is not merely about money, but about the ability of Spirit to organize the material plane into meaningful form. Parapsychologically, this card can represent a strong field of psychic gravity: a person whose presence stabilizes environments, directs collective energy, and attracts material opportunity through concentrated intent. Cosmologically, it is the image of ordered manifestation, where energy has taken shape and become reliable, enduring structure.

Compared to the Thoth Knight of Disks, the Arcane Tarot King of Pentacles appears more openly royal and managerial, emphasizing outer leadership, wealth, and command. The Thoth Knight of Disks, by contrast, carries a deeper Hermetic and elemental symbolism. He is not only a ruler of material resources but the Fire of Earth, the living force within matter itself. Where the Arcane King shows the authority of success, the Thoth Knight shows the sacred process by which success is cultivated, embodied, and harvested. The Arcane King is the lord of established prosperity; the Thoth Knight of Disks is the patient and fertile power that creates it.

Above all things, know thyself.

(Log onto magickeli.com, scroll down menu to blog for The Sun in the Field: A Rite of Solar Manifestation)

WHEN THE KNIGHT OF DISKS/KING OF PENTACLES IS THROWN DURING A READING:

It implies:

• A concern for the body and good health.
• A doctor or herbalist concerned with health.
• The querent shows the spirit of fertilization, as joyous practicality, steadfastness, reliability and is an epitome of material success.
• Generous, courageous but not prone to seeking adventure.
• Ordinary activity, in social position, accomplishments, experiencing a success that is relaxed and enjoyed.
• A mature reliable, dependable, and wise male upon whom others may depend on and with whom they lay their burdens.
• A dark male, who is both courageous and lethargic in tendencies. However, driven in matters of material success. 
• A good financial provider who understands and likes work knowing it leads to financial security.
• The querent may be such a person or involved with such a person in their life. The surrounding cards or position in the reading would support this understanding.

If ill defined by the surrounding cards, it implies:

• Conservative. 
• Materialistic.
• Dogmatic.
• Jealous of what they realize is the superior state of others. 
• Proud of their ignorance. 

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Thoth Master Class: Western Hermetic Qabalah & Tarot

One-on-One Esoteric Training with Magus Eli

Awaken Your Resonance with the Thoth Tarot

This is not an ordinary Tarot class. The Thoth Master Class is a personalized journey into Hermetic Qabalah and the mysteries of the Thoth Tarot, guided one-on-one by Magus Eli.
These sessions are designed to align your soul’s archetypes with the Tree of Life, blending mystical philosophy with hands-on Tarot practice for profound spiritual transformation.

What Makes This Class Unique?

• Private Instruction: Just you and the Magus in a 2-hour Google Meet session — fully tailored to your goals.

• Flexible Scheduling: Weekly, every two weeks, or monthly (12 sessions recommended for full mastery).

• Recorded Lessons: Every session is recorded for your personal review and ongoing study.

• Hermetic Depth: Learn Tarot as a gateway to the Tree of Life, elemental forces, and pathworking.

• Practical Mastery: Practice Tarot layouts live with guided interpretation to build confidence and resonance.

What You’ll Learn

• The structure of the Thoth Tarot: Major Arcana, Minor Arcana, and Court Cards

• The Western Hermetic Qabalah: Ten Sephiroth, Four Worlds, and 22 Paths

• Pathworking and meditative techniques using Tarot as a key to inner temples

• Hermetic spreads and ritual applications for personal transformation

• Developing personal gnosis and building your own mystical framework

Required Materials

• The Qabalistic Tarot: A Textbook of Mystical Philosophy by Robert Wang

• Thoth Tarot deck (Crowley/Harris edition preferred)

• Personal journal or Book of Shadows

Is This Class for You?

• No prior Tarot experience is required — beginners and advanced seekers are welcome.

• Perfect for anyone drawn to Hermetic wisdom, deep archetypal work, and personal gnosis.

How to Enroll

Email eli@elitarotstrickingly.com to request availability and begin your personalized resonance mapping session.