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Always be true to Thine own self!

The 3 of Wands (Virtue) represents the moment when Will ceases to be an abstract ideal and becomes a radiant force in action. In the Thoth system, the Wands are Spirit, and the number three brings balance and establishment. Here, Spirit takes form as a triune harmony: I (Spirit), AM (Mind), ME (Body). This ternary alignment clarifies identity, anchoring one’s presence as an effective, creative power in the world.

On the Tree of Life, this card corresponds to Binah (Understanding) in the fiery world of Atziluth. It is not the raw burst of the Ace, nor the directed intention of the Two; it is the establishment of force into a working pattern of conscious integrity. The triad stabilizes what was dual, bringing clarity and virtue into being.

Virtue as Unified Action

Virtue in this Hermetic sense is not morality imposed from outside but the natural state of being when Soul, Mind, and Body act as one. The three lotus blooms on the Thoth card are symbolic of this triple harmony. Just as a lotus rises pure from the waters, so does unified consciousness rise beyond the waters of division, shining as integrated presence.

Where the false ego (egregore) breeds “wannabe” selves divided by fear, the 3 of Wands calls forth the true Self who acts with inner authority. To live one’s virtue is to make no separation between thought, word, and deed—thus all action becomes magickal, rooted in integrity.

The Flame of Solar Identity

The card carries the astrological attribution of Sun in Aries: the fiery radiance of the Sun focused through the pioneering force of Aries. Here is the Solar Self’s first declaration of individuality, unburdened by conflict. It is the power to say with certainty:

“I AM ME.”

This is not mere affirmation—it is a declaration of the Solar Self’s authority to create, to act, and to manifest. The 3 of Wands thus signifies the virtue of clarity: knowing who you are, what you will, and how to move in alignment with your Higher Genius.

Practical Mystical Insight

In readings, the 3 of Wands – Virtue is the card of aligned action, the moment when plans crystallize into effective force. It represents:

• Acting with integrity, where all parts of the Self agree.

• Seeing oneself clearly as presence, no longer fragmented.

• The establishment of vision into reality through balanced will.

• A Solar breakthrough where doubt dissolves into confidence.

It is a reminder that true magick requires no division. When Spirit, Mind, and Body speak as one, the act is holy, and the result is certain.

Thoth Tarot – 3 of Wands (Virtue): Sun in Aries

On the Thoth 3 of Wands card, the glyph of the Sun above and Aries below declares its astrological attribution: Sun in Aries. This pairing symbolizes radiant, dynamic energy moving boldly into new directions, but always from the secure foundation of virtue—the clarity of true Self-knowledge.

The Sun shines as the conscious Solar Self, the radiant “I AM,” while Aries provides the initiating fire that dares to act. Together, they represent the first triumphant emergence of identity that is not only self-aware, but also aligned with Spirit’s Will. This is the virtue of knowing thyself and acting from that knowing.

The Communion of Spirit, Mind, and Action

What cannot be overstated is that in Hermetic Qabalah, the number Three establishes stability: Spirit, Mind, and Body acting as one creative current. The 3 of Wands is thus the fusion of I (Spirit), AM (Mind), and ME (Body) into a single, dynamic expression.

This ternary wholeness does not merely dream; it creates. It is not divisionist fantasy or egregore-inspired “wannabe” identity, but rather the direct power of integrity in motion. When the three aspects of Self commune, all action becomes holy—aligned, radiant, and effective.

Virtue in Action

Crowley’s choice of the word Virtue reflects not morality imposed from without, but the courage to act in harmony with one’s true Self. This card embodies the Hermetic axiom: “Do unto another as you would have done unto you.” Such motion is not a commandment but the natural consequence of unified consciousness.

Virtue here is creative, courageous, and expansive—it does not shrink back into fear or ego-separation. Instead, it assists Life in its eternal forward movement. The 3 of Wands shows us that to act with integrity is to cooperate with the Cosmos itself, becoming a willing participant in its ever-unfolding radiance.

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.

The Medieval Feathers 3 of Wands depicts three spear-pointed scepters crowned with fertile wand-heads, their staffs entwined with serpentine vines. The serpents indicate the wave-like undulation of fiery energy, for Fire is never static—it dances, coils, and spreads. The wands themselves are fecund life-forces, creative thrusts of spirit embodied in living form.

The threefold structure represents choice and movement: beginning, middle, and end; seed, growth, and fruition; past, present, and future. These are not random but bound together by intent, for such forces function most effectively in communion rather than isolation. The act of binding suggests that creative will is strongest when focused and directed.

Nestled between the three wands lies the long-tailed tyrant flycatcher’s feather, a symbol of agility and timing. Its restless positioning suggests the stirring of Spirit within form—seeking a way outward, testing the limits of containment. This feather becomes the messenger of choice, signaling that the time has come to move.

Upright Meaning – Focus and Forward Path

This card signifies the moment when reluctance is left behind and willpower is set into motion. You now choose to forge ahead, not because others push you, but because your spirit demands it. The three paths available represent both the diversity of opportunities and the unifying thread that ties them together: the path you were meant to take.

• Focus is achieved after hesitation.

• Action flows naturally when you align with your true direction.

• You may choose one path or walk multiple, but either way the act of commitment is what matters.

In essence, the upright 3 of Wands in this deck embodies the first confident strides of self-determined will.

Reversed Meaning – Responsibility and Discipline

When reversed, the 3 of Wands cautions against outsourcing your will. You know your responsibilities and obligations, yet by relying on others to carry them for you, you drain their strength and patience. This inversion points to the need for:

• Self-discipline without external prodding.

• Independence in fulfilling duties.

• Recognition that true progress demands personal initiative.

The reversed card reminds us: no one else can walk your path for you.

The Three Faces of the 3 of Wands

The 3 of Wands is one of those Tarot cards where each deck adds a unique perspective, yet all converge on a central theme: will put into motion, virtue in action, and the courage to step forward into destiny. Let us compare the Thoth, Rider–Waite–Smith, and Medieval Feathers versions of this card.

Thoth Tarot – Virtue

In the Thoth deck, the 3 of Wands is titled Virtue. It bears the astrological attribution of Sun in Aries—the Solar Self shining through the pioneering fire of Aries. Above, the glyph of the Sun; below, the glyph of Aries. Here radiant identity asserts itself boldly, yet with clarity and integrity.

The card portrays three lotus wands joined in a united purpose. This reflects the balance of Spirit, Mind, and Body (I–AM–ME) acting together in creative harmony. In Qabalistic terms, it is Binah in Atziluth—Understanding manifesting in the world of Spirit.

Virtue here is not morality imposed from outside but the natural power of self-knowledge. To know one’s true nature is to act in concert with it, and thus all deeds become radiant and creative. It is the courage to “do unto another as you would have done unto you,” not from compulsion, but from the dynamic joy of integrity.

Rider–Waite–Smith Tarot – Vision and Anticipation

The Rider–Waite–Smith (RWS) 3 of Wands shows a figure standing on a cliff, gazing out over ships moving across the sea. This imagery emphasizes vision, foresight, and anticipation. The wands are firmly planted in the ground, signifying stability, while the figure looks outward, suggesting openness to new horizons.

Here the 3 of Wands is less about the fiery virtue of self-integration (as in Thoth) and more about the practical expansion of plans. The card implies commerce, exploration, and the unfolding of opportunities. It represents a moment when foundations are secure, and the individual can now look outward with confidence, waiting for their “ships to come in” or preparing to set sail.

Thus, the RWS interpretation leans toward worldly foresight and enterprise. It is a card of standing firm in one’s place while daring to expect greater horizons.

Medieval Feathers Tarot – Focus and Choice

The Medieval Feathers 3 of Wands depicts three spear-pointed scepters, crowned with fertile wand-heads and entwined by serpentine vines. The vines symbolize the wave-like action of Fire, never static but always moving, weaving life’s energy through form. Bound together by choice, these wands embody both unity and potential direction.

Between them rests a long-tailed tyrant flycatcher’s feather, poised as if testing escape. This feather symbolizes agility, timing, and the restless stirring of Spirit seeking release.

Upright, the card signifies a moment of focus and decision: after reluctance, the querent chooses to move forward along a destined path. It is the call to act independently and courageously, no longer being pushed by others. The three wands suggest that multiple paths may be taken, but all serve the same creative current.

Reversed, the card warns against outsourcing responsibility. By leaning too heavily on others, the querent drains their patience and delays their own growth. The call is to reclaim self-discipline and walk one’s own path.

Comparative Insight

• Thoth (Virtue – Sun in Aries): emphasizes inner alignment of Spirit, Mind, and Body; action flowing from Self-knowledge and integrity.

• RWS (Ships on the Horizon): emphasizes foresight, commerce, and expansion; anticipation of results and the outward gaze to opportunity.

• Medieval Feathers (Bound Wands & Feather): emphasizes focus, choice, and independence; the decision to forge ahead without external prodding.

Together, these three decks highlight different aspects of the same archetype. The Thoth gives us the esoteric truth of virtue and integrity. The RWS grounds it in worldly vision and enterprise. The Medieval Feathers personalizes it as the necessity of discipline and choice.

The 3 of Wands thus teaches that true creative action requires virtue (alignment), vision (direction), and focus (discipline).

The Thoth 3 of Wands – Virtue is not only about integrity and balanced will; it is also a card of sexual potency and creative rush. The three wands themselves, flowering lotuses atop their shafts, stand as unmistakable symbols of fecundity and life-force. The flaming Mars-colored background on the Thoth card reveals the sheer passion behind this force: an explosion of fiery, generative energy, the Solar Will awakening matter to bloom.

Here we are dealing with the Solar Phallus — not merely in a literal sense, but as a mystical archetype of radiant creative power. This is the same current sought in Tantric practice, Sufi ecstasy, and Gnostic union: the conscious ignition of dormant seeds within the soul, as spring awakens the hidden seeds of winter. This energy is adorable, radiant, and intoxicating.

But like any fire, it demands balance. Too much fuel and the fire rages out of control. The untrained personality, swept along by passion without discipline, risks collapse, burnout, or destructive excess. Hence, Crowley’s keyword Virtue — it is not chastity, but truth to one’s Self and fidelity to one’s Will. Virtue here means channeling passion consciously, so that the energy builds creation rather than chaos.

The High-Octane Warning

The 3 of Wands is like driving a powerful car with the throttle all the way down. The acceleration is exhilarating, the sense of freedom intoxicating. Yet one lapse of focus, and the crash will be catastrophic. Passion’s heat is delicious, but it must be tempered with awareness, discipline, and responsibility.

The card’s message is simple yet profound: be true to yourself. Do not repress the fire, but do not squander it either. When Spirit, Mind, and Body align, the Solar Self rides this current like a master charioteer, directing it toward radiant creation.

But lose concentration, and “all hell will break loose.”

By now, you know that Mother Binah—the Great Creatrix, the third Sephira on the Tree of Life—is called Understanding. To the uninitiated she may appear as a distant cosmic Mother, separate and transcendent. But in truth she is not apart from you: she is an aspect of your own Psyche, your own Energetic Collective Unconscious.

In the Hermetic view, we are quantumly woven into the Universal Collective Unconscious (as Jung intuited), which is the Divine Creative itself. To experience Binah is to awaken to the realization that your personal “I” rests upon an ocean of archetypal depth—an ocean that births, nourishes, and sustains all individual consciousness.

The “Un” of Unconscious

Many recoil at the prefix Un- in “Unconscious,” imagining something lesser than Consciousness, as if shadowy or incomplete. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Here Un- does not mean “lesser”—it means Unseen, Unknowable, Unnameable: the Un that is One.

Just because a thing is unseen does not mean it is diminished. Unseen hydrogen bombs are no less potent than the one exploding on your doorstep. Likewise, unseen Psyche is no less powerful than the fragment of awareness you call “self.” In fact, 99.6% of your being is this Unseen Light—the radiant fullness of Soul, the great ocean of Psyche—while only 0.4% is the conscious material personality.

To imagine that the lesser (body–ego, indoctrinated subconscious) rules the greater (the Unconscious–Collective Self) is as absurd as believing a drop controls the ocean. Yet under the infection of mind-virus indoctrination, word-hypnosis, and dogmatic conditioning, many live enslaved to that illusion.

The Shadow of Wetiko

This condition has been named by modern shamans and depth psychologists. Paul Levy calls it Wetiko—the mind virus that plagues our world. This parasitic distortion thrives when we identify solely with the surface ego, cut off from the Great Mother Sea of Binah.

Binah is not an abstract Sephira, nor a mythic figure at a distance. She is your Deep Self, the ever-flowing Sea of Understanding that constantly sustains your spirit. To awaken to her is to remember that the vast Unseen of your being—the 99%—is not a shadow to be feared but a reservoir of inexhaustible Light and creative intelligence.

The indoctrinated mind clings to the absurd belief that the body and its narrow senses are the measure of reality. It imagines that because the Power of Spirit cannot be grasped with the five senses, it is not present. Yet the Power of Spirit is everywhere—it is the very breath that animates your body. Its footprint is your heartbeat, your inhalation, your pulse of life. To deny it is to deny the very energy that sustains the body one claims to worship.

The Solar Being of Light

In truth, you are enfolded by your Solar Being, which radiates as a rainbow aura of fiery plasmic spirit. This Solar Self is the inner Sun, the radiant core that feeds your subtle bodies and illumines your path. Around it swirls the fertile sea of the Fluid Mind—imagination, intuition, and receptivity. Together they form the polarity of Fire and Water, the primal balance from which all creation emerges.

• Fire: Will, Spirit, radiant dynamic force.

• Water: Imagination, receptivity, intuition, and the capacity to reflect and contain.

This is the eternal alchemy: Fire cannot create without the receptive vessel of Water, and Water cannot fructify without the enlivening heat of Fire. Their sacred union is the foundation of controlled strength—the power to generate worlds without being consumed by chaos.

The Creative Foundation

In Hermetic symbolism, Fire and Water are the primal marriage that gives rise to Air (breath, thought) and Earth (form, manifestation). To live only through the body’s senses is to mistake Earth for the whole. To live through Spirit and Mind together is to rediscover yourself as a Solar Soul, creating consciously from the inner marriage of Fire and Water.

Thus, Water as the symbol of imagination and intuition is not “less real” than sense perception. It is the matrix of reality itself. What the mind imagines, Spirit ignites; what Spirit wills, the imagination conceives; and what the two conjoin, Earth embodies.

The Unseen Spectrum and the Solar Soul

Many of us are unaware of the mind virus residing in our subconscious. This parasitic trickster force manipulates thought and emotion, and too often we mistake its influence for our true Self. This is not the result of any personal inadequacy but rather the limitations of our sensory apparatus.

Science affirms what Hermetic wisdom has always declared: 99.6% of the electromagnetic spectrum is invisible to the naked eye. From this vast field—the radiant light of the Central Sun of the Milky Way—we emerge, yet our waking consciousness only registers a mere 0.4% through the physical senses. The body, magnificent as it is, perceives but the faintest sliver of the full spectrum of Being.

The Lens of the Naked Eye

The naked eye itself is little more than a complex biological camera. It flips incoming images upside down, projects them into the brain, and leaves them to be interpreted by layers of personal experience, indoctrination, and dogmatic programming.

This limited perspective is valuable for survival—it helps us navigate the material world and avoid harm. Yet it is utterly inadequate when it comes to perceiving the ultra-light realms of Spirit. By mistaking these shadows for the whole, we confine ourselves to a partial truth, a prison in which the mind virus thrives.

The Solar Plasmic Soul

Your true identity is far greater. You are a Solar Plasmic Soul, radiant with rainbow fire, surrounded by the luminous field of Spirit. The physical body is a coagulated light-vehicle, a sensual instrument that allows experience in this world. It is not the master but the servant; not the totality but the lens through which the Solar Self gazes into matter.

The Power of Spirit is all around you—it is you. It can be felt as intense energetic currents that surge through even the narrow 0.4% of Self that the body reveals. The Solar Being enfolds you in fiery plasmic light and nourishes you in the fertile sea of fluid Mind: Fire (Spirit, Will) and Water (Imagination, Intuition). Together they are the primal foundation of all creation.

Beyond the Trickster

To identify only with the small portion of self that the senses reveal is to live under illusion—enslaved by the trickster parasite, the Wetiko mind virus, which feeds on fear and word-hypnosis. But when you awaken to the 99.6% of your unseen Being, you dissolve its power.

To Know Thyself is not to stop at the body or the conditioned ego. It is to recognize that you are a Solar Soul, a radiant current of the Central Sun, living through matter but not limited to it. The eye sees surfaces; the Soul beholds essences.

The moment you remember this truth, you reclaim the totality of your Being and step beyond indoctrination into the radiant freedom of the Solar Self.

Each of us is a ternary individual, a living echo of Hermes/Mercury Trismegistus—the “Thrice Great” messenger of the Divine. We are fashioned by a trinity of wisdoms that, when harmonized, reveal our true stature as Solar Souls:

1. Spiritual Wisdom – the radiant flame of Spirit, the eternal spark of the Divine that animates us.

2. Mental Wisdom – the luminous field of Mind, imagination and reason, where archetypes take form and thought directs energy.

3. Somaic (Bodily) Wisdom – the instinctual knowing of the body, the wisdom of cells, breath, and blood, rooted in the Earth and attuned to the cycles of nature.

When these three operate in concert, they form a trinity of integrity and virtue. This is not virtue as morality imposed, but virtue as wholeness: the conscious alignment of Spirit, Mind, and Body into one harmonious current of will.

The Messenger Within

Just as Hermes served as mediator between gods and mortals, so do we stand as messengers of the Divine Creative, transmitting the Light of Spirit into the world of form. The ternary wisdom within us is the Hermetic seal of wholeness, allowing us to act not as fragmented personalities but as integrated beings whose every thought, word, and deed becomes a faithful transmission of the Greater Self.

To live as Trismegistic is to embody this truth: I (Spirit), AM (Mind), ME (Body). This trinity is the foundation of authentic magick, true virtue, and the conscious life of a Magus.

In Western Hermetic Qabalah there is a linguistic and mystical basis for interpreting the Hebrew word for the Sun, שֶׁמֶשׁ (Shemesh), as being related to or symbolically linked to the concept of the "Son." However, this interpretation is not literal but arises from mystical, symbolic, and esoteric traditions, especially within Qabalistic and Hermetic frameworks. Let’s break it down:

Linguistic Perspective

1. Shemesh (שֶׁמֶשׁ): The Hebrew word for "Sun" does not directly mean "Son" (which is בֵּן or Ben in Hebrew). However, esoteric traditions often find connections between words through numerology (gematria), symbolism, and phonetics.

2. Masculine Representation: In Hebrew, the Sun (Shemesh) is treated as masculine in some symbolic interpretations, even though Hebrew grammar does not strictly define celestial objects as inherently masculine or feminine. This allows for a mystical association with the archetype of the divine Son or solar hero.

Mystical Interpretation

1. Solar Archetype as Son:

   • In many esoteric systems, the Sun represents the divine principle of the Son as an emanation of the Source or Father (correlating with the idea of Tiphareth in the Qabalistic Tree of Life).
   • The Sun, as a life-giving and illuminating force, often symbolizes the intermediary between the transcendent (Father) and the manifest (Mother/Earth).

2. Qabalistic Gematria:

   • Words with similar numerical values in gematria are often seen as mystically connected. While the direct gematria of Shemesh (שֶׁמֶשׁ = 640) does not correspond with Ben (בֵּן = 52), reinterpretations of letters or numbers can yield connections.

3. Symbolism in Tarot and Qabalah:

   • The Tarot card The Sun (Key XIX) often portrays themes of rebirth, illumination, and the "child of light." This aligns with the Qabalistic idea of Tiphareth, the Sephirah of the Sun, associated with the "Son of God" or the Christ consciousness.

Cross-Tradition Influence

The idea of equating the Sun with the Son is also prominent in Christian esotericism, where the Christ is symbolized as the "Light of the World." This further strengthens the symbolic link between the Hebrew concept of the Sun (Shemesh) and the archetypal "Son."

Summary

While Shemesh literally means "Sun" and not "Son," mystical and symbolic interpretations allow for this connection, particularly in esoteric traditions where the Sun often serves as a symbol for the divine Son or intermediary. This interpretation is rooted in archetypal symbolism rather than linguistic etymology.

Since all the Tarot Cards represent the Soul's heroic journey we call "life", both hero (Son) and heroine (Daughter-Ocean) are represented in this card.

Binah – The Great Mother and the Mighty Ones

The Golden Dawn captured the essence of Binah with luminous words:

“In Binah is a thick darkness which yet veileth the Divine Glory in which all colors are hidden, wherein mystery, depth, and silence; and yet it is the habitation of the Supernal Light. There the Supernal Triad is complete. And the Sphere of its Operation is Shabbathi, or rest, and it giveth forms and similitudes unto chaotic matter, and it ruleth the sphere of action of the planet Saturn. And Jehovah Elohim is the perfection of Creation and Life of the World to Come. And the Archangel is Tzaphqiel, the Prince of the Spiritual Strife against Evil, and the name of the Angels is Arahim, the strong and mighty Ones who are also called the Order of Thrones.”

Binah as the Dark Womb of Light

Here we encounter the paradox of Binah: a thick darkness that veils Divine Glory. All colors are hidden within her, as all seeds of form slumber within the womb. She is Silence, Mystery, and Depth, yet also the habitation of Supernal Light. Within her, the Supernal Triad—Kether, Chokmah, Binah—is completed, forming the archetypal nucleus of the Tree of Life.

Binah’s sphere is Saturn (Shabbathai), the power of limitation, structure, and rest. Through Saturn, she gives form and similitude to chaotic matter, just as the womb shapes the seed into recognizable life.

Her Divine Name is Jehovah Elohim, the perfection of Creation and the promise of the Life of the World to Come. Her Archangel is Tzaphqiel, the Watcher of God, leading the spiritual strife against forces that oppose Divine Order. Her angelic choir is the Aralim, the Strong and Mighty Ones—the Thrones.

The Order of Thrones

The Order of Thrones is represented in Tarot as the Four Queens, each united with their Kings. These are the living emblems of the supernal archetypes descending into manifestation, the great Mothers joined with their creative Consorts.

It is in this union that the Four Threes of the Tarot emerge. Each “Three” reflects conception—the moment when the Prince (the Solar Self, the Son/Sun of God) is conceived within the womb of the Mother. On the Thoth cards, this is symbolized as the central flaming figure: action conceived, now poised to move outward.

Thus, the Threes mark the launch of action. Whether for good or ill depends on alignment, but when carried in Virtue, this action becomes the expansion and liberation of the Self as Life.

The Mighty Ones – Aralim

The Mighty Ones (Aralim) are not vague poetic beings. In the Golden Dawn and Hermetic Qabalah they are understood as celestial powers of immense strength: the Thrones who uphold the Mother’s authority. They are the cosmic architects of form, charged with stabilizing and ordering the currents of manifestation.

In mystical practice, they can be invoked as guardians of the threshold of Binah, testing whether the aspirant has achieved true Understanding. They embody the paradox of Saturn—severity and rest, limitation and stability—without which Spirit could never descend into form.

The Aralim stand as a chorus of disciplined power, the “bones” of the universe, upon which the living Spirit weaves its flesh.

Integrative Insight

• Golden Dawn language emphasizes the veiling, the mystery, and the Thrones as Mighty guardians.

• Hermetic Qabalah frames Binah as the archetypal Mother who gives shape to Chokmah’s force.

• Thoth Tarot expresses this through the Four Queens and the Four Threes—each showing the moment of conception, action launched in fire, water, air, or earth.

To contemplate Binah is to stand at the threshold of Understanding: the “thick darkness” that veils the Supernal Light. To call upon her Mighty Ones is to invite the structuring forces that give form to chaos, so that Spirit may become visible.

The Mighty Ones – Aralim of Binah

In the Western Hermetic Qabalah, each Sephira on the Tree of Life is alive with its own host of spiritual powers—Divine Names, Archangels, Angelic Orders, and planetary currents. Together these forces shape the pathway between the Infinite and the manifest, serving as bridges for consciousness and tools for the Magus.

Within the sphere of Binah (Understanding), the angelic host is called the Aralim, translated as the Strong Ones or Mighty Ones. In the Golden Dawn system, they are understood as Thrones—the celestial powers that uphold structure, embodying the Mother’s ability to give form and similitude to

Chokmah’s fiery current.

The Mighty Ones are not merely external beings to be invoked; they also represent a deep inner inheritance. To be a “Mighty One” is to realize your birthright as a Solar Soul:

• Spiritually, they signify the eternal flame of your Divine essence.

• Mentally, they represent the luminous clarity of Understanding, where wisdom becomes structure.

• Physically, they embody the instinctual strength of the body as vessel of Spirit.

Thus, the Aralim are both cosmic and personal. They can be invoked or meditated upon to stabilize chaotic forces, to ground inspiration into form, and to awaken within yourself the virtue of strength through understanding.

Your Inheritance as a Mighty One

To walk the Tree is to remember that you are fashioned by the Great Creatrix not as a passive vessel but as a participant in Divine unfolding. Each of us is called to be a Mighty One—a ternary union of Spirit, Mind, and Body acting with integrity. This is the true inheritance of Binah: to embody the strength of Wisdom and Understanding in every level of our being.

When the Threes of the Tarot appear, they remind us of this very truth. In the Thoth system, each Three marks the conception of the Prince (Solar Self) within the womb of the Mother. To act with virtue, aligned to this archetypal conception, is to live as a Mighty One: radiating strength, stability, and creativity for the liberation of Self and the expansion of Life.

The 3 of Wands – A “Christmas Card” of the Soul

The 3 of Wands may rightly be called a Christmas Card of the Qabalah, for it depicts the holy union of the Supernal Father and Mother on the Tree of Life.

• Chokmah (the King) embodies Masculine Energy, the Will to Force.

• Binah (the Queen) embodies Feminine Energy, the Will to Form.

When these two unite, their conception manifests as the Prince in Tiphareth—the Golden Child, the Solar Soul. This radiant Son/Sun is the androgynous Self, the beauty of harmony born from the marriage of Force and Form.

Thus, the Threes in Tarot symbolize conception: the moment the Divine Will takes on pattern, the holy flame carried forward as the Child of Life.

Astrological Significance

The astrological signature of the 3 of Wands—Sun in Aries—perfectly mirrors this symbolism. The glyph of the Sun (☉) above, and Aries (♈) below, speaks to the radiant Solar Self entering the house of fiery new beginnings. Just as the traditional entrance of the Sun into Aries heralds Spring, so too does this card signal new creation, new life, and new beginnings after the long gestation of the Winter Mother.

The “Christmas Card” imagery thus applies on two levels:

• In the Supernal Triad, it is the birth of the Soul (Tiphareth) from the union of Wisdom and Understanding.

• In the Zodiac, it is the rebirth of the Sun in Aries, the turning of the year’s wheel toward growth and blossoming.

Mystical Insight

To meditate upon the 3 of Wands is to behold the mystery of cosmic parentage: the King and Queen united in love, giving birth to the Child who is the true Self within you. It is a card of virtue, for virtue is the wholeness of Spirit, Mind, and Body in union.

The lesson is simple yet profound: you are the Golden Child of the Supernal Father and Mother, the radiant Soul born of their union. Just as Spring unfailingly returns when the Sun enters Aries, so too does your Soul continually arise, reborn through the virtue of inner alignment.

Virtue as Fidelity to the Self

It cannot be said enough: Virtue is always being true to yourself. This Truth arises only when Spirit, Mind, and Body are conjoined in agreement, each aspect of your being aligned in harmony. Some describe this state as “listening to the heart,” or acting with heartfelt determination. Yet in Qabalistic terms, it is far more: it is the ternary of Self—I (Spirit), AM (Mind), ME (Body)—acting as one undivided current of will.

Without self-trust, Virtue is impossible. For when we do not trust ourselves, we default to the subconscious survival reflex of self-dishonesty—the ego’s desperate attempt to appease fear and maintain illusion. This dishonesty, repeated until it calcifies, becomes a kind of viral deceit, a “mind parasite” that feeds upon our energy.

The Parasite of Falsehood

The result is tragic: progress halts. Vision narrows. We become “short-sighted,” for our inner sight is veiled by a parasitic caul of falsehood covering our “I’s.” This is Wetiko at work—the hypnotic suggestion that we are less than we are, that we must fragment ourselves to survive.

But the Thoth 3 of Wands (Virtue) offers a corrective. It declares that when Spirit, Mind, and Body act as one, the fog is pierced and the Solar Self shines through. Virtue is not external morality but the restoration of wholeness—the courage to be true to one’s own inner authority, without compromise.

The Heart of Virtue

To live in Virtue is to live from the heart of the Soul, which is the Sun within. This is why Crowley linked the 3 of Wands to the Sun in Aries: the bold, radiant birth of the true Self, confident in its being and unafraid to act.

Virtue, then, is not a discipline of repression but a liberation of Truth. It is trust in one’s inner wholeness, which dissolves viral deceit and restores clear vision. When the “I’s” are uncovered, we see not with short-sight but with the luminous gaze of the Solar Soul.

Claiming the Divine Inheritance

All of us are Princes and Princesses of the Divine King and Queen—Children of God, heirs of the Divine Creative. The Qabalistic marriage of Chokmah (Wisdom, Will-to-Force) and Binah (Understanding, Will-to-Form) gives birth to the Child, Tiphareth, the Golden Soul. Each of us stands as that Child, radiant with inheritance.

Yet as with all inheritances, it is not something one earns—it is something one must claim. To remain unaware of this is to wander like orphans in a palace that already belongs to us.

The Power of “I AM”

We know how to claim it, for we are the Original I AM’s identity. The simple act of declaration—“I AM”—is the signature of Divine authority. Whatever follows “I AM” becomes the shaping force of our inheritance.

• I AM health, wealth, and well-being is a claim upon our Divine birthright.

• I AM sick, poor, and depressed is a rejection of that inheritance, a surrender of power to external forces.

Every “I AM” is either an invocation of the Solar Self or a denial of it. In Qabalistic terms, it is the difference between living as the Child of the Supernal Father and Mother, or submitting to a false identity imposed by the Patriarchal egregore—dogma, indoctrination, and fear-based programming.

The False Soul vs. the True Soul

The false soul is an egregore: a parasite constructed by collective fear and enforced by systems of control. It thrives when we forget our divine inheritance and speak in the language of lack. The true Soul is the Solar Self, radiant and whole, knowing that its inheritance is the Universe itself.

This is why it is said: “Man does not make wealth… Wealth made humankind.” Abundance is not something artificially created; it is woven into the very fabric of existence. The Universe itself is wealth, and we are its heirs.

Virtue as Claim

To live in Virtue is to live in Truth: to claim your inheritance by aligning Spirit, Mind, and Body with the radiant “I AM.” This is not arrogance, but remembrance. It is the courage to say with full integrity:

“I AM the Child of the Divine King and Queen, and I claim the fullness of Life.”

The "me" is your mental creation of what you think you are: Be not your creation but your creator.

Ritual Declaration of the Divine Inheritance

(to be spoken aloud, standing tall with spine straight, as if radiating the Sun through the body. The 3 of Wands card may be placed before the aspirant. Hands may be raised in the Sign of Osiris Risen or extended outward in a Solar gesture.)

Opening Alignment

Take three deep breaths. With each breath, affirm silently:

• I inhale Spirit.

• I center in Mind.

• I stand in Body.

Feel the union of the ternary Self—Spirit, Mind, and Body—alive as one radiant current.

Declaration

I AM the Child of the Divine King and Queen.
I AM the Solar Soul, born of Wisdom and Understanding.
I claim my inheritance as radiant life.

I AM Health.
I AM Wealth.
I AM Well-being.

I AM the Virtue of Spirit, Mind, and Body in union.
No false soul, no egregore, no indoctrination shall veil me.
I AM the True Self, the Golden Child of the Sun.

Closing Affirmation

Place your hand over your heart and say:

So long as I live and breathe, the Universe is my inheritance,
for I AM One with the Divine Creative.

(Pause in silence, visualizing yourself surrounded by rainbow Solar fire, the plasmic light of the Central Sun enfolding you. Then bow gently in gratitude.)

Time, the Body, and the Living Day

We cannot have days unless we have forms made of time-space. Your body is not merely flesh and bone—it is the sacred vessel through which time is experienced. My body makes my day! Without embodiment, there is no day, no hour, no sunrise or sunset—only the eternal, formless Now.

Thus, it is not time that makes you. You make the time. Every breath, every heartbeat, every step is the mark of time-space expressing itself through your form. The body is the alchemical crucible in which eternity pours itself into rhythm and sequence.

Love of the Body, Love of Being

To love the body is to enter into the intimacy of the present moment. When you love your being, you are alive in the Now, and each day becomes a holy day—a day of embodied love.

To reject the body or deny being is to exile yourself from life itself. Then you are not living the present, but clinging to the shadows of yesterdays of the dead—the echoes of what once was, not the living fire of what is.

Hermetic Insight

From the Qabalistic view, this is the mystery of Malkuth as the Kingdom: Spirit realized in form. The body is not a prison but the Temple of Time, the way in which the formless enters form so that Love may be known.

To love your body is to honor the Divine Creative in its most immediate expression. To despise it is to deny the gift of being and live among phantoms.

Spirit, Light, and the Avatar of Matter

We are Spirits seeking to bring our intelligence into matter. At our essence we are beings of Light, for Light itself is composed of photons. As Photonic Beings, we are without mass—pure, radiant, unbound. Yet to experience Being, Light must clothe itself in form.

Thus, we create an avatar of matter—the body, the vessel, the coagulated light-form through which the intangible becomes tangible. To have mass is to experience Being; without form there is no day, no moment, no hand to touch, no breath to draw.

Experience as In-Form-Action

To experience Being is to channel Spirit into in-form-action—the movement of intelligence shaping matter. This process generates knowledge. And knowledge, in itself, is neither good nor bad—it is neutral potential, awaiting the direction of will.

Knowledge gives us the power to do the Work, and that Work is Life: the art of creating the alive. Every act of experience is an experiment of consciousness, showing us what leads to greater expansion and what contracts us into limitation.

Knowledge as Virtue – The Path of Expansion

From the Hermetic perspective, knowledge is born of experience, and experience is the crucible of growth. Each moment teaches not only what to do, but also what not to do, refining our path toward the progressive goal of ever-expanding self-expression. This unfolding is the essence of Life: the Solar Self eternally declaring “I AM” and discovering new ways to radiate its Light into form.

Virtue as True Selfhood

The Qabalist knows this as Virtue. In the practice of high magick, the Magus of “I AM” acts toward others as they would act toward themselves—being true to their own Self. Virtue is not passive; it is the alignment of Spirit, Mind, and Body as a radiant current of action.

The volume and potency of the Life Force—the twin currents of Fire and Water—are predetermined by the clarity of Virtue in manifestation. When the channels of consciousness are open and unblocked by deception, denial, or bigotry, the Life Force flows freely. In this unimpeded current shines the Solar Logos, the Word of the True Self expressed in radiant creation.

Morals vs. Virtue

Many confuse morals with virtue. Morals are often rules imposed from without, enforced by authority, culture, or dogma. Virtue, however, is born from within: it is the morality of Knowing Thyself.

The Virtuous understand that the only true morality is simple and eternal:
“Do unto others as you would have done unto you.”

This is not a law of fear or reward, but the natural expression of an integrated Self. One cannot give what one does not possess. Therefore, without Love, there can be no Virtue.

The Threefold Love

To embody Virtue, one must be rooted in Love in its three classical states:

• Eros – the love of the flesh, honoring the beauty and passion of embodied life.

• Philos – the love of family, friendship, and kinship; the bonds of soul to soul.

• Agapé – the universal and spiritual Love, transcending form to embrace the All.

The one who does not know Love in these three aspects cannot know Virtue. For Virtue is not restraint, but the living flow of Love through the channels of Spirit, Mind, and Body, expanding the Self and liberating Life.

• It can symbolize Pride and Arrogance, sometimes Power and established force and/or strength.
• Realization of hope, completion of labor, nobility, wealth, and success after struggle.
•  It is a new surge of Power that sprouts new manifested ideas and motion, all within the next 3wks or 3 months. This card also adds acceleration to the surrounding cards in a reading.

• The querent is experiencing the conjoining of Body, Mind and Spirit.

• Putting thoughts into action.
•  Keeping on with present activities for they are conceived and will soon flourish into manifestation.
• Clarity, where you are seeing yourself honestly.
• Established strength in enterprises where collaboration will favor the querent.
• Radiating intention, understanding the Will of Fire, and increasing energy to birth ideas.
• This is a highly active card of powerful direction, so it requires us to understand that Virtue is not chastity, no nothing so obviously prejudicial, but rather "Always being True to Thine own self". Here there is a warning not to compromise your inner integrity and passion for others.
• Be as Spring and flower in your own inner fire! Clarify your identity and " Above all things, Know thyself!"

• In the next 3 weeks or 3 months, it is important to operate from a place of virtue/integrity as you move forward in sunny new directions.
• This could also mean that you should wait until your heart, mind and body are aligned and share clarity of purpose before you act in or handle your relationships with the Aries people in your life; Aries -March 21 to April 21.
• The state of natural clarity is represented in this card by the crystalline structure in the background. While the flames represent the ability to await the natural unfolding of things to come.
• Inside all of us is the "inner fire of balanced integrity", it is an inheritance of our Divinity; However, one is reminded that the smoke of denial has dimmed the flames of I Am Me, as a spiritual expression of Life-self- awareness into the slave thinking of "I Want To be me"(Wanna-Be).
• When this card is thrown, it means it is time to act as a True You and not what others think you must do.

​When ill defined by the surrounding negative cards in a reading, it implies:

• Moodiness and attention getting behavior.
• Overestimation of one's own energy.

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