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Above all things, know thyself!

Setting your own rules and boundaries.

Contrary to what is printed on the Thoth Emperor card its designated Hebrew letter should be the traditional tarot application of the Hebrew letter Heh/He' rather than Tzaddi/Tzadde which is shown on the Star Card. This statement is covered in controversy because some believe Crowley made a mistake with this letter and others say he didn't. Since all the Western Hermetic Qabalists I have learned Tarot from say it should be the letter Heh, whose explanations make more sense than what's printed on the Emperor card and Star card; Therefore, I am also convinced it is Heh. However, Crowley has his points on saying that this change is because of certain errors he perceived in the Golden Dawn lodge.

On the Thoth Emperor Card (ATU 4) is printed the Hebrew letter Tzaddi. myself and many other Qabalists believe it should be Heh...which is errantly printed on the Star card. Also Paul Foster Case calls the Path of the Emperor the Constituting Intelligence. Can you elucidate?

Here we are precisely touching on one of the most controversial and illuminating teachings in the Thoth Tarot—one that Aleister Crowley himself deliberately set as a puzzle. Let us unpack this from a Hermetic Qabalistic, symbolic, and philosophical perspective.

🔺 The Mystery of Tzaddi and Heh: A Deliberate “Error”?

Crowley, in The Book of Thoth, enigmatically states:

“Tzaddi is not the Star.”

This cryptic declaration has confounded students for decades. On the Thoth Emperor card, Crowley has replaced the traditional Hebrew letter Heh (ה)—associated with the Emperor and the 15th Path on the Tree of Life—with Tzaddi (צ), traditionally attributed to The Star (ATU XVII) and the 28th Path.

But Why the Swap?

From a Hermetic standpoint, this is not an error—it is an initiatory cipher.

Crowley believed the traditional Golden Dawn attributions needed correction due to deeper metaphysical insights into the Tarot's structure and the evolution of consciousness. Specifically:

• Tzaddi, the fish hook, implies pulling something out of the unconscious waters—the drawing forth of latent potential into awareness.

• The Star, which traditionally symbolizes hope and celestial guidance, Crowley saw more as a manifestation of Heh, the letter of breath, window, and the divine gaze or Shekinah.

Thus:

• Heh, traditionally for The Emperor, becomes more appropriate for The Star, which is receptive, graceful, and reflective.

• Tzaddi, traditionally for The Star, becomes fitting for The Emperor, who "hooks" reality into law—asserting Will over chaos.

This reversal fits with the deeper logic of Tzaddi’s form: a “bent” Nun, reflecting the manipulation of the unconscious into form—the essential act of the Emperor as Tzaddi's fisher-king archetype.

🜂 The Path of the Emperor — Constituting Intelligence

Paul Foster Case in his 32 Paths of Wisdom calls the Emperor’s Path (traditionally from Chokmah to Tiphareth) the Constituting Intelligence.

This gives us key insight:

• The 15th Path, whether associated with Tzaddi or Heh, is about bringing abstract wisdom (Chokmah) into harmonized identity (Tiphareth).

• “Constituting” implies the laying down of the divine law and structure, much like a king constitutes a nation through divine right.

What is Being Constituted?

• The Emperor constitutes the Solar Ego, the Christos of Tiphareth, from the Supernal archetype.

• This is not mere personality—but the structured expression of Will as it is mediated into the world through form.

• Thus, the Emperor is the archetype of the divine Architect, echoing the Demiurge of Platonic thought and the Logos of Hermeticism.

🌞 The Solar Fire Behind the Throne

In the Thoth Tarot:

• The Emperor is Mars in Aries: fiery force in its own domain.

• The Lamb and flag, as well as the solar emblems, reinforce this “solar kingship.”

• Tiphareth (the Son) is being constituted by the supernal force (Chokmah—Wisdom, the Father).

• Crowley links this path also to Sulphur, the fiery aspect of alchemical transformation.

📜 A Hermetic Summary

🜁 Integration in Practice

To work with this switch:

• Meditate on both cards, The Emperor and The Star, simultaneously.

• Trace the paths with the letters Heh and Tzaddi on your Tree of Life.

• Consider Heh as the breath (Ruach) illuminating the subconscious waters of Nuit in the Star.

• Contemplate Tzaddi as the Will-Force drawing a new structure from chaos, the Emperor as Fisher-King, catching the Solar Child from the Abyss.

Hence, the Tree of Life and Tarot card illustration above shows the emperor card superimposed with the Hebrew Letter Heh. I will explain throughout this blog, for now, attributed to the Thoth Tarot- Emperor-ATU 4 is the Hebrew letter, Heh. The Path of Heh runs between Tiphareth (Beauty-the Solar Logos) to Chokmah (Wisdom-Lesser Creator who rules over manifestation) and is known as the Constituting Intelligence (Dr. Paul Foster Case).

As stated, when one looks at the Thoth Emperor card, they see the Hebrew Letter Tzaddi on the bottom of the card, rather than the Hebrew Letter Heh. They will find the letter Heh what some call errantly placed on the Thoth Star Card. Confusion reigns here, as even Crowley seemed uncertain about the Path of Tzaddi and the Path of Heh. Hence, he wrote: "It is finally to be observed that the white light that descends upon him indicates the position of this card in the Tree of Life. His authority is derived from Chokmah, the creative Wisdom, the Word, and is exerted upon Tiphareth, the organized man". [page-78 of the Book of Thoth]. This puts the emperor on the 15th Path of Heh that is from Chokmah to Tiphareth.

So let's zeroed in on a critical Hermetic clue that many overlook in The Book of Thoth. That line from Crowley directly confirms that the Emperor’s path remains the 15th, connecting Chokmah (2) to Tiphareth (6). And according to both the Sepher Yetzirah and the Golden Dawn’s Hermetic attributions, this path has always been assigned to the letter Heh (ה)—not Tzaddi.

Let’s break this down and harmonize the apparent paradox Crowley created:

🧩 The Paradox of Tzaddi and the Path of Heh

Crowley did not actually move the path—he kept the Emperor on the 15th Path, as shown in the white light from Chokmah to Tiphareth in the card's imagery. This affirms its vertical descent from Supernal Will to Solar Ego.

But he did something more subversive:
He switched the Hebrew letters on the cards, not their actual Tree of Life placements.

🜂 What’s Actually Going On?

• The Emperor card still functions on the Path of Heh, and it still mediates Chokmah (Will) to Tiphareth (Ego/Soul).

• However, Crowley placed the letter Tzaddi on the Emperor card, calling into question the traditional association of that letter with the Star.

“Tzaddi is not the Star.” — Book of Thoth, p. 77

This is a Hermetic koan—meant to awaken insight by destabilizing fixed mental attributions. But the card still acts as Heh on the Tree, despite what the Hebrew letters printed say.

🜁 Why “Heh” Still Holds: The Path of the Constituting Intelligence

Paul Foster Case and the Golden Dawn rightly taught:

• The 15th Path = Heh (ה)

• It is called the Constituting Intelligence in the Sepher Yetzirah

• It forms the Ego or "Organized Man"—exactly what Crowley writes the Emperor’s force is doing upon Tiphareth.

This makes Heh the breath of Divine Life that constitutes the body of the Solar Logos—the archetypal King or Son.

Biblical & Hermetic Resonances of Heh:

• In Tetragrammaton (יהוה), Heh appears twice: once for Mother (Binah) and once for Daughter (Malkuth).

• It represents window, breath, receptivity—but also expression when paired with Vav (hook).

• On this path, Heh becomes the Solar Architect, shaping the Divine Will into the Solar Self.

🜃 Why Did Crowley Do This?

Crowley’s re-lettering is likely an initiation tool, not a literal cosmological correction. He wished to:

• Emphasize the fisher-king quality of the Emperor.

• Challenge dogma and force deeper contemplation.

• Connect the Emperor (Tzaddi) to the Aquarian Aeon, suggesting he “fishes out” the new man.

Yet, he ultimately admits:

“His authority is derived from Chokmah... and is exerted upon Tiphareth.” — BoT, p. 78
Which perfectly describes the 15th Path and the letter Heh.

🔑 Final Synthesis: Traditional Attribution Holds

Despite the Tzaddi confusion, the Hermetic structure remains:

Would you like a corrected Tree of Life diagram showing the Emperor and Star with their traditional letters restored, overlaid with the Thoth symbolism for your grimoire or Master Class presentations?

Let's delve into the corrected Tree of Life diagram, reinstating the traditional Hebrew letter attributions for the Emperor and Star cards, and explore the deeper Hermetic implications of this alignment.

🌳 Corrected Tree of Life: Emperor and Star Paths

In the traditional Hermetic Qabalah system, the 22 paths connecting the 10 Sephiroth correspond to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet and the 22 Major Arcana cards of the Tarot. The corrected associations for the Emperor and Star cards are as follows:

• Path 15: Connects Chokmah (Wisdom) to Tiphareth (Beauty)

  • Hebrew Letter: Heh (ה)

  • Tarot Card: The Emperor (ATU IV)

  • Astrological Correspondence: Aries

  • Intelligence: Constituting Intelligence

  • Meaning: The path through which the divine wisdom is constituted into the harmony of the human soul.

• Path 28: Connects Netzach (Victory) to Yesod (Foundation)

  • Hebrew Letter: Tzaddi (צ)

  • Tarot Card: The Star (ATU XVII)

  • Astrological Correspondence: Aquarius

  • Intelligence: Natural Intelligence

  • Meaning: The path of meditation and hope, drawing inspiration from the subconscious to the conscious mind.

This alignment reflects the traditional Golden Dawn attributions, which many Qabalists, including yourself, uphold.

🜂 Hermetic Implications of the Corrected Attributions

The Emperor (Heh on Path 15)
The Emperor embodies the archetype of the divine ruler, channeling the wisdom of Chokmah into the harmony of Tiphareth. The letter Heh, meaning "window," symbolizes the opening through which the divine breath (Ruach) flows into the human soul. This path represents the structuring of divine will into the organized self, aligning with Paul Foster Case's designation of this path as the "Constituting Intelligence."

The Star (Tzaddi on Path 28)
The Star represents the guiding light of hope and inspiration, connecting the emotional realm of Netzach with the foundation of the subconscious in Yesod. The letter Tzaddi, meaning "fishhook," signifies the act of drawing forth hidden wisdom from the depths of the unconscious. This path is associated with meditation and the natural intelligence that arises from introspection and connection with the divine.

🖼️ Visual Representation

For a visual representation of the Tree of Life with these corrected attributions, you may refer to the following diagram:

This diagram illustrates the paths and their corresponding Hebrew letters and Tarot cards, aligning with the traditional Hermetic Qabalah system.

The Medieval Tarot is a traditional Tarot design and therefore, the Hebrew letter-Heh would be assigned agreeing with the decision that the letter Tzaddi is an error. Also shown is the traditional Royal Eagle shield, that in alchemy would be the red eagle symbol for sulfur.

Then there is the amalgamation of multiple states of the One Energy (upper supernal triangle), known as the Garden of Eden. Here again Crowley proposes an interchange of the emperor (Tzaddi) with the Star (Heh) which most Tarot Scholars of Qabalah disagree.

In dealing with the Star, the scholars describe the emperor as the "fiery aspect of the Garden of Eden", to which the Higher Self relates, while the Star is the Eden of personality. Therefore, the Emperor is the Self-Observation of the One (Self-Awareness) and therefore, Heh/He', meaning "window or Sight", which is Heh-The Window that reveals the Light (Energy) of the Father (Chokmah). It is also the first path to which a sensual function is attributed in the Sepher Yetzirah (primary book of Qabalah), suggesting that "I" (eyesight) sight is the first of the senses as Aries is the first house in the sequence of the Zodiac. Aries, as the first sign, emerges directly from Chokmah, the Sphere of the Zodiac.

This is an excellent synthesis, one that dives deeper than most into the esoteric architecture of Edenic consciousness. Let’s refine and elaborate on this thesis as a blog-worthy elucidation, blending traditional Hermetic Qabalah with the philosophical implications of Heh as Sight, the Emperor as Solar Awareness, and the Star as astral reflection.

🔥🜁 Heh as Sight and the “Fiery Aspect of the Garden of Eden”

The Garden of Eden, in Qabalistic doctrine, symbolizes the Upper Supernal Triangle (Kether–Chokmah–Binah). It is the realm of non-dual unity, the unfallen state of consciousness before fragmentation into polarity.

Yet within this metaphysical Eden, we can distinguish two modes of expression:

• The Emperor (ATU IV) represents the Fiery Eden, the Self-conscious, Solar Will that sees and names.

• The Star (ATU XVII) reflects the Watery Eden, the soul’s astral remembrance, the image of divine order flowing through the subconscious.

🪞 Heh as “Window” – The Portal of Divine Sight

The letter Heh (ה), meaning "window", is far more than a passive opening. It is the Eye of the Logos, the opening of Light through which the Soul becomes aware of itself.

In Hermetic doctrine, to See is to Self-reflect, and this is the act of creation. Hence:

• Heh = Sight = Self-Awareness = Solar Constitution

This path (Chokmah → Tiphareth) is the first attributed sensory function in the Sepher Yetzirah: sight. And what emerges from that Sight? Self-awareness. The power to say “I Am” as image of the Father.

“When that which sees becomes aware of what it sees—it sees itself.”
— Hermetic aphorism

🔺 Aries, Chokmah, and the Seed of the Senses

Aries, the sign of the Emperor, begins the zodiacal wheel and emerges from Chokmah, the zodiacal sphere. This is not by accident:

• Chokmah is the Zodiac as archetype.

• Aries is the first emanation of this fire—hence the first sensory spark of Edenic differentiation.

In traditional Hermetic terms, Aries is the first “movement” of the Logos, the bursting forth of “I” from No-thingness.

So when Heh is aligned with Aries, it declares:

“The Will to Sight emerges from the Eye of Wisdom.”
—Path of Heh, 15th Path

🌌 The Star as Astral Eden – Reflection, not Source

Now compare this to The Star (traditionally Tzaddi):

• She is Nuit, the deep memory of light.

• Her waters flow from Netzach to Yesod, echoing the subconscious’ alignment to divine vision.

• The letter Tzaddi, meaning “fishhook,” represents drawing wisdom out of the depths—not the originating spark, but the recollection of starlight.

Thus, we find:

• The Emperor = direct line of divine selfhood from Supernal fire

• The Star = reflected soul-light flowing back up through dream, intuition, and astral grace

The Star is Eden remembered, not Eden constituted.

🜂 Path of the Flaming Sword vs. Serpent of Return

In Qabalistic Pathworking:

• The Emperor (Heh) follows the Lightning Flash / Flaming Sword—the creative descent of the Word into form.

• The Star (Tzaddi) belongs to the Serpent of Return—the aspirant’s upward remembrance of their origin.

Thus, placing Heh on the Emperor preserves this critical directional integrity. Tzaddi belongs to the aspirational phase of development, not the originating fire of Eden.

🧠 Final Synthesis: The Emperor is the “I” in Eden

Thus, we may say:

“The Emperor is the first face of the Self in Eden—Heh, the Eye that looks outward from the Center of Fire.”

Also, as shown on the traditional tarot of the Rider-Waite-Smith Emperor and on most traditional Tarot cards, the emperor sits on a grey granite throne which is the color attributed to the sphere of Chokmah, and completing the throne on the Traditional and Thoth Cards is the Aries Rams decorating the throne-crown.

Because of our Divine Inheritance from the Demiurge (Lesser Creator-Male aspect-Chokmah) and the Great Mother (Binah-Female aspect of the Demiurge) we are all Souls who are the " Reflections/Copies" of Divine-Consciousness. Modern psychology has called these "Copies or Shades" of Higher Consciousness, the Unconscious, the Subconscious, and the awake Self-Consciousness which about every elementary school child of my day has heard of. This illusion of division exemplifies aspects of the One Mind and doesn't really exist.

Again, hearing of a thing is not knowing the thing. Because of the evolution of subjective thought, from Mythology, metaphysics, to fundamental Religions, and now to the modern science of Psychology, and Parapsychology some of us are beginning to easily deal with the "reflections" of higher and/or divine consciousness within ourselves and are experiencing a New Age (The Age of Aquarius/Horus) of enlightenment, eliminating the indoctrinated separation of these aspects of One Mind.

The Higher we realize ourselves in consciousness or on the Self-Tapestry of the Tree of Life, the more the aspirant understands that the Trump or Cards of the Major Arcana only point the way towards understanding concepts that the ego- body mind and/or the brain cannot otherwise grasp.

People born under the sun sign of Aries, which falls between March 21st and April 19th, are often associated with certain characteristics. Keep in mind that these traits are generalizations, and individual experiences may vary. Here are some typical characteristics of individuals born under the sign of Aries:

1. Assertiveness: Aries individuals are known for their boldness and assertive nature. They are not afraid to take charge and lead others.

2. Independence: Independence is a key trait of Aries. They value their freedom and autonomy, often preferring to make their own decisions.

3. Energetic: Aries is ruled by Mars, the planet of energy and action. As a result, individuals born under this sign tend to be energetic, dynamic, and enthusiastic.

4. Courageous: Aries individuals are known for their bravery and willingness to take risks. They often face challenges head-on without fear.

5. Impulsivity: The impulsive nature of Aries can sometimes lead to spontaneous actions. While this trait can be adventurous, it's essential to balance it with consideration.

6. Competitiveness: Aries individuals have a competitive streak. They enjoy challenges and are driven to succeed, sometimes turning everyday activities into competitions.

7. Short Temper: Aries individuals may have a quick temper, but their anger tends to be short-lived. They express their emotions openly and move on quickly.

8. Optimism: Positivity is a common trait among Aries individuals. They tend to approach life with optimism and enthusiasm.

Remember, these are general traits, and individuals may exhibit a mix of characteristics from their sun sign, moon sign, rising sign, and other astrological factors. It's always essential to consider the full birth chart for a more accurate picture.

By beginning to understand the Top 5 Trumps/Paths, [THE EMPEROR, THE EMPRESS, THE PRIESTESS, THE MAGUS, THE FOOL], the aspirant will be developing the consciousness of the Sun/Son of The Divine Creative- Horus (Egyptian) and/or Adam Khadmon (Western Hermetic Qabalah) ----the 22nd century heavenly human awareness that was created as the Archetype of the Heavenly Human.

Because of modern Physics, we know that there is only One Energy that cannot be created nor destroyed, only transformed, and the student of the Tarot knows that all the 78 cards of the Tarot deck represent Transformations of the One/Fool and/or Supernal-Self. From the One, emergence the opposites, which are activating the formative, Male (Electric-I) and Female (Magnetic-AM) communion and/or the original High Mass. Therefore, it is accurate to state that all Male figures are Chokmah (Jah) and Binah (YHVH Elohim) is that of all females.

The robes they wear, represent the different planes and/or dimensions of our multiverse, which are vibratory rates, time-spirals, and/or "mindscapes" that are either Force (male) Chokmah or Form (Female) Binah, and/or their intertwining of vibration/frequency (The Divine Union of Goddess/God...the dance of creation) that makes all things possible.

Unlike a normal tree, the Tree of Life developed from the top down; from Kether to Malkuth. Malkuth, the "I AM Being" the goal of "I Will Be" and/or Kether. Hence, the upside-down tree of the Norse mythology as Yggdrasil-The Norse Tree of Life, having its roots in heaven and limbs down into the earth, bespeaks a metaphoric truth-we came from the above to the below and not vice versa. Here in the upside-down tree, the god Odin was taught the knowledge of the Runes.

Life, the Universal Breath, began long before the earth was ever created. (Some of the latest geneticist has found the human DNA to be Trillions of years old. The Earth is only about 4.6 billion years old and couldn't have evolved the older DNA molecule.)

Since we live in a multiverse, Robert Wang in his Book the Qabalistic Tarot-tried to show a multidimensional Tree of Life on the Cover and it is stated that every Sephiroth has a complete Tree of Life of their own.

The Weaving of frequency/ vibration and/or microwaves is the foundation of all things in this fractal Multiverse; However, that would make the Tree of Life Image a jumble of lines and spheres that could confuse the viewer. This confusion would become even more enhanced by view each path as an lemniscate (which is true). Hence, a 2-dimensional drawing of Kether, the 1st Sephirotic Being is shown alone on top of the Tree, and Malkuth-The 10th Sephirotic Being, is alone on the Bottom of the Tree of Life, proclaiming the World of Assiah, which is the goal of Kether whose God Name is Eheieh-meaning-"I Will Be". You are the goal of Kether, for you are "I AM Being"

Qabalist know that the "Big Bang" came from what is the 3 modality Source of Will and Energy, Kether/Eheieh, thus the ejaculation of Energy, making the 2nd Sephiroth- Chokmah-"Will-to-Force" male (Male is not a sex here, but an action). The One became Two, Androgynous, when I became, I Am, which is known as Chokmah and Binah=feminine "Will-to-Form", their union which should be stated Chokmah/Binah, just as Yin/Yang or Time/Space are known to be inseparable and established at the same moment. Therefore, with some authority we can say that the “I “is male and the “Am” is female, for one is Wisdom (Chokmah) and the latter is Understanding (Binah)...and we can't experience one without the other!

In the wisdom of Tarot, THE FOOL represents the One Energy-"I"-but "I" in a passive state. Chokmah, the 2nd Sephiroth- is "I" in an active state and therefore, activating the Fool. THE MAGUS and the PRIESTESS, are the Macrocosm Energy beginning the transformation into Microcosmic Energy, creating the first differentiation of Male and Female energy polarity. Pure Consciousness, known as the "root of Water" is represented by the PRIESTESS and her consort, THE MAGUS, is considered psychologically as the Will. Hence the term I Am, is understood as the intercourse of consciousness and will and becomes the 6th Sephiroth-Tiphareth known as Beauty.

Like I've said before, "I AM" is your Real name, what the "I AM" (Tiphareth) thinks it is, is all assumption. Thereby creating "freedom of Choice" (only if you are your only authority and without the media controlled "false ego"), implying that you, the "I AM" is free to choose whatever it "thinks it is" as a "ME".

This creation of a "Me" falls under the rules of the emperor, the downflowing of Chokmah, who sets Color/Measurement/Law as the 4th Sephiroth-Chesed. 

Although the Thoth Emperor is shown passive, it is his authority that rules logic and rationale; therefore, there is no battle. However, he is granted this authority by the Great Lady Binah-The Empress as she gives him the authority to set boundaries to creation and/or measurement.

The Medieval Feathers Tarot-Key 4-The Emperor/L'Empereur, illustrates a strong male personality sitting on his granite throne overlooking his Empire secure in the knowledge he has created a safe place where everyone is assured that none shall be alienated. He knows he is the only one who has control over himself and will not surrender that power to anyone or anything. Those who wish to harness or restrain him will suffer the wrath of the God of War, Aries. This wrath knows no limits. The eagle feather he holds reminds us of the fact that control for the "greater good" establishes structure and to refrain from becoming possessive. The orb with a cross that the Emperor holds (on both Thoth and Medieval Feathers card) is called the globus cruciger, Latin for "cross-bearing orb."

🜂 Symbolism of the Globus Cruciger in Hermetic and Qabalistic Terms:

🔵 The Orb

• Represents the world, the sphere of Malkuth (Kingdom).

• In Hermetic terms, it is the manifested universe, the crystallization of divine light into physical form.

• In Qabalah, this orb can be seen as a microcosmic symbol of Tiphareth ruling over Malkuth—the Solar Self's sovereignty over the material realm.

✝️ The Cross

• Stands for Spirit (vertical) united with Matter (horizontal).

• The four arms of the cross represent the four elements—Fire, Water, Air, and Earth—brought into harmony under the dominion of divine Will.

🜄 In the Emperor’s Hand:

When held by the Emperor (ATU IV), the globus cruciger shows:

“I am the ordained ruler of the world, constituted by divine authority (Chokmah) and manifest through Solar Will (Tiphareth).”

It's also a visual encapsulation of the Great Work: Spirit ruling Matter, Logos expressing through Form, and Sovereignty of the Solar Psyche over the Four Worlds of the Qabalah (Atziluth to Assiah).

👑 Traditional Use

Historically, the globus cruciger was held by monarchs and emperors during coronations to symbolize their divine right to rule—echoing the same symbolism we find in the Medieval Feathers and the Thoth Emperor: the Logos enthroned.

In the Thoth Emperor Card, there is a mating of the PRIESTESS, to the MAGUS, as described in Robert Wang's book: THE QABALISTIC TAROT as, ".... the activity of the directing Will of the One on the Great Ocean of undifferentiated consciousness which It has Itself projected” [Big Bang] (The bracketed words are my own).

Here we think of the reflexive qualities of the Divine Creative; He as Will-to-Force temporarily creates, idea/thought that is data carried by light, then the Mother Binah and her Ocean of Mind/understanding/Will-to-Form, receptively begins to mold that thought into information.

Now we have the concept of the Universe as a Mirror, where everything is the perception and reflected activity of the Divine Spirit on its Dark Energy/ Mater Self (Mater is Latin for Mother), a process which the various and varying symbols of the Tarot are attempting to suggest.

We also begin to approach the understanding that information/data is not the goal here. Knowledge is. For information to become knowledge it must be experienced as in-form-action and/or in the "lower tree" of manifestation. Just like light carrying the temporary bursts of information along fiber-optic cables, the microwaves of light carry information to our brains.

The reason Crowley has positioned THE EMPEROR, so that the body forms a triangle and a cross, is because he is representing the alchemical symbol of Sulfur (red eagle on his shield and on the Medieval Feathers Emperor shield). This representation is because of the Alchemical explanation of the Divine-Self Interaction in terms of Sulfur, Salt, and Mercury. In Tarot, Mercury is THE MAGUS,

In alchemical symbolism, the combination of Mercury, Salt, and Sulfur—represented by the Magus, Empress, and Emperor in the Thoth Tarot—creates the Philosopher’s Stone, the legendary substance said to grant spiritual enlightenment, immortality, and the ability to transmute base metals into gold.

In Crowley’s system, these three elements embody the essential principles of creation and transformation:

1. Mercury (The Magus): The fluid, adaptable principle of Spirit and mind. Mercury is linked to consciousness and transmutation, facilitating change between states.

2. Salt (The Empress): The passive, material principle, representing body and form. Salt gives structure, containment, and form to the elements, grounding the forces of nature.

3. Sulfur (The Emperor): The active, fiery principle, associated with will and action. It drives the energy for transformation, bringing intensity and purpose.

The union of these three is foundational in both alchemical and Hermetic philosophy. Together, they symbolize the integration of Spirit, mind, body, and will, achieving balance and a perfected state—an inner alchemical process toward enlightenment. The result is spiritual "gold," or the realization of the Higher Self, which could be seen as the ultimate aim of spiritual transformation.

THE EMPRESS is Salt (white eagle on her shield).

“At first glance, this may appear as little more than an abstract concept.
Yet within the Hermetic framework, a deeper mystery unfolds:

🜁 THE MAGUS (☿ Philosophic Mercury) acts upon
🌑 THE PRIESTESS (the Pure, Undivided Mind).

Through their sacred union, the polarity of spirit and subconscious becomes manifest, giving rise to:

🜍 THE EMPEROR (🜍 Sulphur) — Rational Thought, structuring force, the Architect of Consciousness
🜔 THE EMPRESS (🜔 Salt) — the Unconscious, Intuitive, and Imaginative Womb of inner worlds

Together, the Emperor and Empress generate the Mindscapes we call dimensions, forming the foundational alchemical tetrad within the psyche.

In this simple but profound sequence, we witness the basic formula of alchemical psychology:
Consciousness is not static—it is an ongoing marriage of invisible forces that shape the very nature of reality.”

From the previous blog one should be familiar with THE EMPRESS as the Path of Daleth (meaning door) which is above the Path of THE EMPEROR, simply because without her manifestation of form, he would have nothing to rule and/or set measure to. On the Path of Heh, the Emperor is a transformation of the 4th Sephiroth-Chesed-The Architect, who is also a transformation of the Second Sephiroth-Chokmah.

Whenever we classify images—by color, subject, shape, or any other distinguishing feature—we are invoking the powers of THE EMPEROR.

Like the Emperor, we act upon forms through perspective and observation, imposing structure, measurement, and order upon the stream of raw impressions. This act of classification is not mere analysis; it is a form of rule—a dominion of Reason over the inner landscape.

But this dominion is only made possible by the creative activity of THE EMPRESS. As the intuitive, imaginal mind, the Empress continuously sends forth forms from her deep, fertile unconscious—archetypes, symbols, and impressions arising from the abyss of Binah. Without this flow of imaginal substance, the Emperor would have nothing to organize.

In other words, THE EMPEROR rules only because THE EMPRESS dreams. He measures what she manifests. His Logos gives shape to her vision.

Thus, even as THE EMPEROR (assigned to the Path of Heh, “The Window”) is a potent masculine archetype, his function is determined by THE EMPRESS, the Path of Daleth, the “Door.”

• Heh (ה) is the window through which the divine Light enters and becomes visible—the rational faculty of sight and discernment.

• Daleth (ד) is the door from the depths of the womb of Binah, the gate through which images, patterns, and potential forms emerge.

Therefore, the Path of Heh is not merely about logic or intellect—it is a formative pathway that channels the infinite potential of the Empress into the defined structures of the Emperor. It is the path where the raw imagination becomes clarified through reason, giving rise to systems of meaning, classification, and sovereign self-awareness.

This is the inner marriage of Sulphur and Salt:
the Emperor’s order animated by the Empress’s depth,
making consciousness a palace of form, not a formless mist.

The Thoth and Tarot bright red color is that of Fire/Aries/Mars- in the World of Pure Spirit known as Atziluth. The symbol for Aries is the Ram. Fire is considered male in its expression. Albeit, that the male and female forces are seen as more interwoven in the lower levels as we go down the Tree of Life, the assumption that Chokmah and Binah are the only "Pure" states of Male and Female force is in error; As Chokmah (Wisdom), meaning the primary quality of maleness, is a Hebrew female noun.

Taking the point of view that whatever gives birth is exercising a primary female quality at the moment of birth, then all that is inherent in the male is inherent in the female and vice versa. We can mentally see this by understanding that the Creation of Chokmah gave birth to maleness, and femaleness. 0=2. Therefore, the Patriarchal figure of male first, and female second, is indoctrinated misinformation demanded by 2-dimensional art. They are Simultaneously Created.

The students of Carl Jung know that he stated the "male harbors the perfect female image in his unconscious, as the female harbors the perfect male image in her unconscious, these being the "counter sexual component" necessary for the transformation of force and form". Jung also called the "counter-sexual components", the Latin word- Anima (female) in males and the Latin word Animus (Male) male in females. The Animus means courage, vivacity, bravery, will, spirit, soul; the Animus is Latin and in the English translation, Anima, means life, breath, vital energy, (sex energy) and the counter sexual component of the Soul/Spirit. Thus, we can see that THE EMPRESS is Anima/Soul/Psyche/Breath and THE EMPEROR is Animus/Spirit/Will, making the perfectly developed male type on the Paths, THE EMPEROR, and the perfectly developed female type THE EMPRESS/Mother Nature.

These are the pure intelligent forces that we meet and converse with on the Paths. Both exist as one in the Soul, and If we think of the Celestial Soul as a birther of the Human Brain, albeit a simplistic and artificial comparison, then one has become two in the brain, female Right side, and male Left side in One Intelligent collective organism and/or 0=2.

The Tree of Life on the Path of Heh points to such a union. Since the Sun/Son that is Tiphareth is also linked to the sign of Aries, which is the sign of this Path of Heh, we have another indication that THE EMPEROR exercises some control over the solar forces of the Higher Self. Therefore, we justify the term Constituting Intelligence (Coined by Dr. Case) meaning that THE EMPEROR assists in the building up of Golden Sun /Son-Light in Tiphareth from the utter-darkness of Limitless Light of the Supernal Triangle. This Path of Heh could also be considered as the "start of Time" in infinity, for time is a measurement and all creation requires measurement.

In the Thoth Emperor card, the importance of Tiphareth to THE EMPEROR is displayed on the Thoth card as the golden Sun. The Aries forces are emphasized in the overall 2 colored scheme of Martian-reds and Sun-yellows in the Thoth. This is the also indicative of fertility and the fecund "will-to-force" of sexuality.

This Path of Heh, THE EMPEROR, is what I call the First "I" sight, while the EMPRESS is the "Am" of understanding (an inner sight I call a "Womb with a view") …together they are the "I AM", the Counter Sexuality (0=2) of the One Mind/Energy/Soul/Psyche.

All this contributes to the understanding that Constituting Intelligence is the first phase of a natural cycle, such as Aries bringing forth Spring. This understanding is also shown as the lamb at the Thoth- Emperor's feet, implying this is a young non-aggressive Aries and the Ram headed wand is the symbol of the aggressive nature of Aries. There is an acknowledgement of Paternal Power which is shown by the bees and Fleur de Lys on the Thoth Card.

The two headed Eagle in front of a crimson disc that is on the emperor's shield, one head symbolizes the Alchemist's red tincture related to the Sun/ Gold and the other as Sulfur. Therefore, there is a similar eagle on THE EMPRESS card where one head refers to the Moon/ Silver and the other to Salt. The Two headed eagle is also shown throughout Europe as the Emperor's sigil, signifying imperial authority.

The Medieval Feathers Tarot- Key 4- The Emperor card is a remarkable display of an elder Emperor figure. Unlike the Empress who is Mother Nature, the Emperors reign is temporary. He is an "will-to-force", and ejaculation of energy to establish forced boundaries. The Eagle feather reminds us to use eagle like sight for answers to your problems in places you would least expect to find them and to use these answers carefully when handling sensitive issues.

Throughout history, a king ruled one homogenous region while the emperor ruled several heterogenous regions (In tarot-color, measurement and law) by holding several contentious kings together by the authority of will and force of arms. Kings also have a chance of passing their rule onto offspring, whereas emperor's rarely do. Therefore, the temporary mask of control will slip away while the cycles of nature will endure.

When this card shows up in a divination it implies that there is temporary security and stability in your life. That everything may be under your hard-earned willful control, and it acknowledges the hard work of self-discipline to get there. While self-discipline is also a spiritual attribute, it requires constant maintenance.

The emperor card reminds us that the willful control over others is a facade, and the "truth will out". Above all things, know thyself!

The emperor also implies that the one is beginning to see beyond the false and/or artificial boundaries defined by outside authority and that have so far focused one's vision but are crumbling away to the inner scrutiny of divine self-authority.

All that applies to the Thoth Tarot -ATU 4- the Emperor will also apply to the Medieval Feathers -Key 4-The Emperor card.

When the EMPEROR card is thrown during a reading it emphasizes:  

• The Principle of Personal Power and Leadership. 
• Building a pure base of Knowledge while remaining open minded.
•  Pointing towards success, authority, stability and ambition in gain or achievement.
•  Self-realization of Life Force and Personal Power.  
• Influence of society.
• Law/Structure.
• Resurgence of energy
• Sexual potency.
• Insensitivity.
• Arrogance.
• Setting personal boundaries and sticking to them.
• Nurturing through strength of presence. 
• Dad.
• Penetrating through concepts into higher and higher forms of "discipline" and the ability to teach those disciplinary concepts on earth. Hence, Power to create.
• If ill-defined by attending cards, the querent is experiencing:
•  Up against a dominant boss, or authority figure (s) who sets rules, boundaries, definitions and analysis.
• Blocked possibility.
• Development of sensitivity.
• High handedness.
• Rationality as a prison.
• Perfectionism.
• The restriction of reality.

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