Hebrew Name: Samekh (prop)
Samekh means tent-peg or prop, and as such corresponds to that part of a
structure or house which acts as the foundation or primary support in any
structure. Thus it symbolizes "that which is the basis or support for
our house of life. It is that which sustains, preserves and maintains our
personal existence." 1
The function or sense attributed to Samekh is vibration. Intense vibration is often felt as Wrath. "Vibration is the fundamental nature of the fiery power which makes sight possible, and that same power is the source of all our strength."2 Vibration is the basis or foundation of all manifestation.
Qabalistic Intelligence: Intelligence
of Probation or Trial
This is the mode of consciousness which puts theories and hypotheses to the
test of verification. All such testing and work in the laboratories of
life consist of "the examination and modification of various modes of
vibration."3
Astrological Correspondence: Sagittarius
Sagittarius, the archer, rules the hips and thighs which "support the
weight of the body in standing or sitting."4 And as we are
gradually tempered by the tests and trials of life, our aspirations and desires
become forged into "into an arrow of purpose pointed toward the goal of
becoming More Than Man."5
Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter.
Number: 14
The power of 4 acting through the agency of 1. The power of divine sight
and reason expressing through self-consciousness. He who puts in order
(The Emperor, Tarot key 4), puts in order via the the process of testing,
tempering, and trial.
Color / Note: Blue / G#
Symbolism:
(Summarized from "The Tarot", by P. F. Case)6
The Scene: The Archangel Michael pours a liquid (the fiery waters of consciousness) back and forth, from one cup to another. He is tempering and modifying the substance placed in his charge - human personality.
Archangel: Michael, the Archangel of Fire, angel of the Sun. The angel pours water on fire and fire on water, meaning that our personalities are being tempered through the experience of opposites. Fire and water make steam, and this turmoil is the process of transmutation, of refinement. It's the alchemical process of turning the base metal of our personalities into gold. The Holy Guardian angel (who is in fact our own Higher Self) makes all the tests and trials which lead us along the path of attainment.
Cup on left (lower/receiving cup): Symbol for the Fiery energy, Leo, and the animal nature. In Key 8 (Strength) we saw a picture of humanized subconsciousness (the woman) gaining control through the faculties of higher levels. Here we see the primeval, vital animal soul being worked upon directly by the Higher Self.
Cup on Right (higher/pouring cup): Symbol for the ,watery energy, Scorpio, and the procreative, sex nature. Scorpio represents the force behind the drive for mating -the sex energies.
Pool: Corresponds to Yesod, the seat of the automatic consciousness, the vital soul in man.
Path/Mountains: Starts at pool and ends at mountain top and crown signifying attainment. This path is shown again in Tarot Key 18 (The Moon), and is fully explained there.
The challenge is to consciously apply the Law of Verification to everyday life:
 | Probation: You understand that your trials and sufferings are but tests whose purpose is to transmute some aspect of your personality. You know that there is no failure of these tests. There's only what is called "missing the mark". The only failure is failure to try. |
| Guidance: Your Holy Guardian Angel is guiding you along the
path. You say to yourself : "I will look upon every circumstance of my life as a particular dealing of God with my soul." |
| Verification: You accept no theories until you have tested them out in actual practice. You draw your bow and shoot at some definite mark. You act as if you're the one making the tests, but in actuality you know better. |
In "Living
the Tarot", Amber Jayanti
provides some suggestions for integration and application of Temperance:
| The Image of Temperance can be used to remind us:7 To create a bridge between your spiritual and every day worlds. To remain true to your spiritual path despite its incessant tests and trials To become more cognizant of the alchemical process going on in your life [That we do not suffer for naught, for there is a meaning and a purpose to our trials. ] |
| Ask yourself the following questions:8 What foundations are weakening or are already weak? What test have I just passed or failed? In what situations am I feeling like I am on fire, or being doused with water? Where am I being supported and guided without realizing it? What skill am I looking forward to mastering? What initiation have I experienced? What new thing or concept is it important for me to test out? |
Illustrations from the Universal Waite Tarot Deck reproduced by permission of
U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902 USA. Copyright ©1990 by U.S. Games
Systems, Inc. Further reproduction prohibited.