Hebrew Name: Qoph (back of head)
Qoph means "back of the head." As the back of the head, Qoph
represents that which leads up to and "comes before the dominion and
rulership of which the word 'head' is a symbol."2
Qoph
represents the period of development which takes place under the control of
subconscious processes whereby all organic structures undergo transformation and
evolutionary growth.
Sleep is the function assigned to Qoph. "Sleep is the period of physiological repair, during which the cells of the body undergo subtle changes which make [one] ready to experience and understand facts and phenomena concealed from ordinary men. These facts are the experiential basis of Ageless Wisdom."3
Qabalistic Intelligence: The
Corporeal Intelligence
Corporeal means "body". The "Corporeal Intelligence means
'body consciousness', the aggregate intelligence of the cells of the
body."4 In Hebrew, the word translated
"corporeal" means "to rain upon" [and] refers to the descent
of the life-force from above into the conditions of corporeal existence."5
Astrological Correspondence: Pisces
Pisces is attributed to Qoph. "Pisces is receptive, intuitive and
emotional, imaginative, romantic, impressionable and mystical, and very
changeable. [It is symbolized by ] two fishes tied to one another and
swimming in opposite directions: Signifying hidden depths, shifting emotional
patterns, conflicting desires, and extremes of temperament."6
Each of these states and conditions result from the way our
subconscious patterns express and shape our lives.
Pisces rules the feet, and as feet are the means of traveling a path, the subconscious
body-building process (which Pisces symbolizes) is what governs the growth and
evolution of all organic structures, including our physical bodies.
Pisces is ruled by Neptune. Evolutionary growth is ruled by the fact that
everything in existence is composed of, in union with and totally dependent upon the One
Universal Subconscious Mind-Stuff. The process of evolution is the ONE growing
it Self.
Venus is exalted in Pisces. Imagination finds its highest form of
expression in the building of bodies, vehicles and organic structures
which are capable of expressing some desired function or activity.
Number: 18
The power of 8 operating through the agency of 1. The Law of
Suggestion in action, which controls and creates the subconscious patterns which
in turn create and build form. All organic structures are built under the control
of the Law of Suggestion, be it an individual body, a personality, an
institution, a culture, a nation, or an entire race.
Color / Note: Red-Violet / B
Symbolism:
(Summarized from "The Tarot", by P. F. Case)7
The Scene: Under a moonlit night, a shellfish emerges out of a pool of water and begins to crawl along a path which ultimately leads to a mountain top. This scene shows the whole process of evolution.
The Pool: " The great deep of the cosmic mind stuff, out of which emerges the dry land of physical manifestation. From it all organic life proceeds. [...] Also refers to Yesod (9th Sephira), the sphere of the Moon, the seat of the Vital Soul, manifested in man as automatic consciousness, generally referred to as subconsciousness."8
The Shellfish: " A symbol of the early stages of conscious unfoldment. In these first developments of consciousness, the individual seems to be isolated from the rest of nature."9
The Path: Symbol of the evolution of consciousness. You build a specialized body by holding an image in your mind that drives you to action. Action is the secret. You can't just sit on your duff and dream. That's why you see the path in this key. You must tread the path. However, it is not an unbroken upward path. It undulates, waxes and wanes - a balance of activity and rest, expression and assimilation.
The two Dogs: The path passes between the "wolf, who remains as nature made him [ and a] dog, a product of human adaptation. Thus the path passes between the extremes of nature and art."10 The path of return is the Middle Way.
The Towers: The path progresses from the mineral and vegetable kingdom (ground with stones and plants) to the animal kingdom (wolf and dog), until it comes to the boundaries of the known (the towers). The two man made towers signify the ordinary limits of human sensation and perception which is based upon separation. As a part of a larger wall (not shown) the towers form a gateway to the beyond. Creative Imagination (Gateway-Door-Daleth-Empress & Venus which is exalted in Pisces) is key to opening the door to growth and experience which is beyond that of ordinary perception & limitation.
The Mountain: The mountain peak of the Hermit (18 reduces to 1+8 = 9) is the goal of the path.
The Moon: " Symbolizes the reflected light of subconsciousness"11 which governs bodily growth. Contains 32 rays for the 32 paths of wisdom on the Tree of Life. Thus, the rays show the sum total of the cosmic forces at work.
Falling Yods: " The yods raining down from it refer to the descent of the life-force from above into the conditions of corporeal existence."12
The challenge is to consciously bring about the condition of Bodily Organization in our everyday life:
 | Body Building: You love and show kindness to your body, because you realize that every cell of your body is a living aspect of the Most High. Your body is holy and beautiful. The Kingdom of Spirit is right now actually embodied in your flesh. Your body is a Temple of the Lord and also your vehicle for evolution. Vivid imagery leads to action which conditions the body. |
| Sleep: It is during sleep that your body organizes, changes, and builds itself in accordance with your thinking and feeling processes. Development and bodily changes depend upon adequate sleep. Start the practice of reviewing the day's activities just before going to sleep. |
In "Living the Tarot", Amber Jayanti provides some suggestions for integration and application of The Moon:
|
The Imagery of The Moon can be used as a reminder:13
To feel confident to go forward into the unknown. To have your dog and wolf natures peacefully coexist. [To honor your body as the spiritual vehicle that it is.] |
| Ask yourself the following questions:14 What memories are haunting me? What cycle is ebbing or flowing? In what area of my life am I venturing out into new domains? What message, teaching or behavior has suddenly become automatic? How has my desire worked to tame a wolf? What hidden thoughts and feelings am I expressing with increasing clarity? Where is my path taking me? |
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.