The Serpent

Date: Fri, 19 Jul 96 09:18:53 EDT

Hi J.

Well, I'll give it a try at explaining the relationship between 0, 8, and the serpent with its tail in its mouth.

0 is the Self before incarnation. The Fool stands upon a peak (the results of past attainment) and looks towards the summit of his next attainment. This is the big picture, the vision. Down below is the valley of physical space-time experience through which he must travel in order to gain the next peak.

The stages of the serpent 8-11-14 represent the transformation of the Kundalini (serpent) power which we use to climb up the summit to our next attainment (the peak that the Fool looks towards in K0).

We now look at the Tarot Tableau:

The second row shows us the Agencies (Laws) that we use through the seven paths of spiritual unfoldment towards 21 where 21 is actually a return to 0, ie. we're the Fool again, but at the next peak.

We start off with 8 as our agency (1st path of spiritual unfoldment: 1-8-15). This is 0 twisted in the middle. This (K8) represents the Law of Suggestion. Improper use of our Attention (K1) acting through the Law of Suggestion (K8) is what keeps us in ignorance and bondage (K15).

As we progress 8-9-10-11, the serpent is uncoiled and active. Thus the active serpent acts as our agency. The serpent is now a straight stick dispensing justice.

As we progress 11-12-13-14, the serpent turns back to a 0 (tail in its mouth). This is on the path (7-14-21) where we become the Fool again at the next peak (21-0). The key to turning the serpent from a stick to the ouroboros (tail in mouth) is shown by keys 12 and 13.

12: Depending totally upon God. Surrender to the One Will. (not my will, but thy will be done).

    THY Kingdom come 
    THY will be done on earth as it is in heaven

13: Dissolving outworn attachments, redirecting Kundalini power from Mars (Volition/War) to Venus (LOVE).

    and FORGIVE us our trespasses 
    as we FORGIVE those who have trespassed against us

14: The serpent with its tail in its mouth - that which has lead us into temptation now delivers us from evil - because we have learned to control it through love.

    and lead us not into temptation 
    but deliver us from evil

=====================================================

See also Pain and Suffering.

=====================================================

Isabel,

With regards to the Serpent changing direction from being coiled on way (8), to stretching out (11), to placing its tail in its mouth (14), you asked:

> Could it should be like in Sameck all the time ...and we did something for it to coil in the opposite curvature?

Indeed, we do do something. Look at the previous key, Key 13 (Death). The River flows from the North (Mars) and takes and abrupt turn to the East (Venus). And the Skeleton has two curious twists in his spine - one at the Mars center, and one at the Venus center in the throat.

What does this all mean?

It shows a transformation taking place where the flow of energy changes direction. Where it previously flowed down into the Mars (Volitional and Sex) center, the energy now flows up from Mars up to Venus, (the Love Center).

In other words, by directing the energy of your life towards love, you forgive yourself, DISSOLVE the things that hold you back (K13), and prepare yourself for conversation with your Holy Guardian Angel (K14), your own Higher Self.

jc