XXI The Universe
„every journey ends at the beginning“
symbol: Alpha = Omega, wholeness, cosmic unification, completion of Karma
planet: Saturn
ritual: finishing and completion
archetype: The crowned Horus, the resurrection of the Messiah, The Ouroboros
path of Tau: Yesod – Malkuth
All journeys end at the beginning. Like in a clockwork, but just as a resolved knot, the own personality has arrived at a completely different point of view during the voyage.
The symbol of salvation (= Tau) is achieved through self-awareness and experiences made through this journey. The labyrinth symbolizes the path, with all its restrictions and obstacles we are walking our way through. The orphic egg in the center represents the sum of all these experiences, or the whole of our way.
The liberator, or symbolic child (compare to Jesus/Horus) can only emerge from the egg and be born, if every possible plot has been lived through and every experience has been made. The evolution, or process of growth must be finalized completely and should not be rushed in any way. This liberator may not be seen as an outside being, or force, but must be discovered within. For some, this symbol can be better understood in mathematical terms: Every digit of Pi must be calculated, to measure the perfect circle. The dance of duality is pictured by the goddess who dances with the serpent. In vedic scriptures dance symbolizes life and the competing forces which play around with each other. This whirling constantly births the colors, aspects, and story lines of life itself. Like in an artistic process, every small and thin line which is drawn is exactly as important as the many others and should not be missed or drawn in a hurry.
The eye of Shiva (or „all seeing eye“ in western tradition) marks the beginning and the end of every such creation cycle. The opening and closing of the eye would represent the birth of existence and its end. Some myths indicate that our existence is just a dream and therefore an illusion in the mind of a conscious creator. When such an entity would wake up, our existence may end like a dream (the opening of the eye). A completely different point of view can be found elsewhere in the world: There is a sum of myths, which indicate that this conscious creator only makes existence possible, while it keeps focus on the cosmic plot. When the eye closes, the focus of this observer and therefore the universal plot would disappear (compare this narrative to Schrodinger’s cat). In each of these cases, the action of this symbolic eye is relevant to the completion of the cycle. We can refer to our own experiences at this point. We would recognize both myths are relevant and real to our own cycles, plots, ideas and dreams.
In this interpretation of the card a vertical and horizontal eye should represent both concepts, which exclude each other from a logical point of view, but are both relevant and true on their own, nevertheless.
In the upper part of the card, we can observe the cosmic mother bearing a universe, while below (after the kabbalistic idea of Tzimtzum) the throne is still unoccupied. The liberator is not yet crowned. The throne stays empty until the whole cycle is complete.
The serpents dancing around the orphic egg, form the two pillars, which contain and restrict all acts, experiences, and story lines within comprehensive borders. From our point of view there is a beginning and an end. But like a day, which contains 24 hours, which contains 60 minutes which contains 60 seconds, our plots always exist within a greater measurable cycle.
The trees refer to the four cherubim, elements, and directions, to which we can expand. They are connected to each other. This is a reference to the fact that all our actions are linked to one another and cannot be separated. Each development of a single being is an advancement for the whole construct we are part of.
The constraints of individuality are melting away in this card and form the idea of unity without losing the uniqueness of our own experiences. The reconciliation, cosmic coalition and achieving symbiosis of two opposite angles are the challenges, which are represented by this card.
