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HEBREW LETTERS AND THE TAROT
Uniquely, the Holy Hebrew Letters are considered feminine in nature. Each has three aspects to their meaning:1) a vocalization sound or silent breath; 2) an alpha-numerical value distinct from her alphabetical order, ie the letter in the 12th position is Lamed, and she has a numerical value of 30. Kabbalists find mystical associations in a coded numerical relationships between words of the Torah that equal the same value. This is called "gamatria"; and 3) a symbolic-spiritual aspect arrayed in each of the letter's form or architecture. Even if you don't know the Hebrew language, by scanning the text the sacred geometry of the letters will impart meaning and knowledge to your subconscious. God created the world with speech, which breaks down to words, which breaks down to letters.
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"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" John 1:1.
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This section will develop and grow with up-coming post. The date shows when the Hebrew letter and tarot card were discussed in a blog.
Aleph and The Fool - October 16, 2023 Blog
The tarot card, The Fool corresponds to the Hebrew letter Aleph. She is silent, has no sound, and is assigned the numerical value of 1 as in one God. Spiritually and symbolically, Aleph is associated with; a) an ox or energy, b) breath as in the silent, divine breath in all sentient beings, and c) wisdom, which comes from finding a balance between the spiritual and one's everyday, work world. For you see, this Holy Fool is silent and wise because she is listening to and following the inner whisper of the divine voice. She is confident, and building trust in herself and a sense faith as she pursues her calling. This distinguishes her from foolish, impulsive acts. The test for The Holy Fool is to stay the course in the midst of adversity, doubt, and fears. We'll see. . .
Hebrew Letter - Aleph
Kabbalistic number for The Fool is 1
Bet (Vet) and The Magician - March 12024 Blog
I am reminded of the tarot card, The Magician. Its beneficial aspect is manifestation through effective communication which helps us achieve our goals and connect to people. Generally, this card is depicted with the symbols of the four suits of the tarot displayed on a table before a practitioner. These demonstrate his or her resourcefulness. In turn, the figure represents a divine messenger: the Greek god Mercury, an angel, or prophet whose intentions are for the good. A bad aspect of this card is in the misguided use of the power of speech. How we talk to others and especially to ourselves can be destructive or transformative.
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In a traditional deck this card is numbered I or 1 in the Suite of Trumps. However, I prefer the tarot's connection to the Hebrew alphabet. Each letter has spiritual, and inherent magical properties of a highly technical nature, not like birthday parties or circus act magicians. The important point is to be mindful of what you say. "Scholars who support the Hebrew etymology say the incantation "abracadabra" is a corruption of the Hebrew, ebrah k’dabri, meaning 'I will create as I speak,' ie that the act of speech will magically create new realities" (Rabbi Julian Sinclair's article in The Jewish Chronicle, 2018).
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The Magician card lines up with the 2nd Hebrew letter, “Bet". Her numerical value is also 2, and she sounds like "b" as in book or at times like "v" as in "vault". Symbolically, she represents a house, a profoundly personal term which can signify protection.
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There are visualization techniques to help you claim your agency. One is to imagine nestled in the hollow of the Hebrew letter Bet. Feel you are at "home" and decorate it as you like. It is a safe haven to express yourself in imaginary talks with people you have a troubled relationship. It is where you can develop, rehearse, and prepare for any possible backlash you may get when you do meet up in real-time. Contemplate a positive outcome. Now, you are ready to speak up for yourself. Also, for those folks who remember their dreams pay attention to images of houses, buildings, or what seems to be homes. Notice the mood and atmosphere accompanying these structures too. These symbols in your dream-theater can indicate your inner state of security, and sense of agency.
Hebrew Letter - Bet
Kabbalistic number for The Magician is 2
Hei and The Emperor - December 1. 2023
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The tarot card, The Emperor is associated with the 5th letter, “Hei", which sounds like an “h” as in "hay". Her numerical value is also 5, and the symbolic/spiritual meanings are "Window” “To Behold” and “Light”. These three terms also demonstrate The Emperor’s positive qualities, such as a charismatic, benevolent leader whom people long to connect to and foresee a bright future in his reign. Other favorable terms are; "Father figure, Generous protector, Law and order”. However, The Emperor's negative aspects include “Control freak, Immaturity, Little to no moral and ethical discipline, Lawlessness, Loss of formal authority, Highly manipulative. Mean, Revengeful". Of course, the Emperor card can relate to a woman. There is a grammatical structure for the word "the" in the Hebrew language and it involves the letter Hei. When she begins a noun it amplifies the standard word she is attached to and turns it's meaning into something extra special. For example, Jews no longer pronounce the Tetragrammaton, or the Holy 4-letter Hebrew name of God, in blessings or prayers. Instead it's replaced by the word, Adoni or Lord. In everyday speech some use the term HaShem, which starts with a Hei and means, "The Name” where the Hei elevates the noun so "The Name" is God, and not to be used in vain.
Hebrew Letter - Hei
Kabbalistic Number for
The Emperor is 5
Yud and The Hermit - November 1, 2023
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What we do with this divine guidance is a personal question to answer. It may include a greater-than-oneself purpose. However, it is understandable not everyone can achieve the mountaintop, or be like Moses, a great statesman who led a group of people to become a nation. However, his example, which I term "Moses-lite" is embedded in the tarot card, The Hermit. In a traditional deck it is ninth in the suit of Trumps which, in my humble opinion, is a useless 0-21 number sequencing. I prefer the 22-Hebrew letter association which starts with 1. The Hermit correlates to the 10th letter in the Hebrew alphabet, which is Yud. She sometimes sounds like a "y" as in yes, or is used as a vowel. Her numerical value is also a 10. Her symbolic meaning is perfectly fitting to our analysis since Yud is associated with the hand, particularly the hand of God.
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As a meditation, use Yud's sacred geometry to visualize sending blessings of wellbeing to yourself, and others, even your foes. Now, imagine the divine hand sprinkling many Yuds over yourself or others, as if the letters were tiny flower petals raining down guidance and protection.
Hebrew Letter - Yud
Kabbalistic Number for
The Hermit is 10
Kaf and the Wheel of Fortune - January 1, 2024
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I am reminded of the Tarot card, Wheel of Fortune, which can read as; feeling lucky, destiny, karma, fortuitousness, or bad luck, resistance to change, a losing attitude. In a traditional deck, which is numbered 0-21, it is the X or 10th card in the Suit of Trumps. I prefer the tarot's association to the Hebrew alphabet and its ordering. Here, it is Kaf. She is the eleventh letter, her numerical value is 20 and her sound is like "kick" or at times more guttural. Symbolically, she represents the palm of the hand.
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The symbol of the palm of the hand immediately brings to mind the notion of fortune telling. Although forbidden as part of a con game for profit, The Torah contains instances of prophecy. In certain circumstances, the ability to interpret dreams is seen as a gift from God. For example, Joseph explained Egypt’s fate from the Pharaoh's dream and how to prepare for a lengthy famine. The truth is we all carry within us the prophetic abilities which can lead us to fulfill our destiny. We just have to intentionally develop this foresight. Another related interpretation for the palm of the hand is the Hamsa; used to ward off the evil eye and negative energies in Judaism, Islam, and other religions. This unifying symbol goes back to ancient Mesopotamia, the land of Ur and home of another unifying figure, Abraham, the patriarch to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Contemplate and meditate upon unifying images for a peaceful future in these turbulent times
Hebrew Letter - Kaf
Kabbalistic Number for
the Wheel of Fortune is 11
Modern Tree of Life Hamsa
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Article in International Association for Analytical
Psychology on Anima and Animus*
by Kamala Melik-Akhazarova - from January 31, 2024 Blog
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The concept of Anima/Animus is one of the most popular concepts of Jungian psychology. Originally it was created by C.G. Jung to define the unconscious opposite to the social mask of personality (Persona), thus being an archetype that links the conscious Ego to the unconscious, and an archetypal image that contains all those features and functions that are present in the psyche in a more or less latent form but are not manifested in the conscious life and not available to the conscious ego. . . .
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Anima is usually related to the emotional, empathetic, and sensitive aspects, while Animus is related to the active, intellectual, exploring side of the personality. Here it is important to understand that these definitions should by no means be perceived as literally describing certain characteristics, but that these images serve as symbols and are the abstractions of active (Animus) and reflective (Anima) principals correspondingly.
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Being opposite to the embodied sexual identity, Anima and Animus are most easily related to the erotic encounters and partners and inspire the creative and artistic imagination. In relationships, they are easily projected to the potential partners we are unconsciously attracted to; thus, the difficulty arrives at the moment when the projections lessen and fall, and the individuals are re-seen in the light of reality. The hopeful aspect of this moment is that, through this contact with his or hers own unconscious depth, the individual (through the mediation of Anima/Animus archetype) emerges out of the projective illusions enriched and with a wider conscious spectrum of experiences. Of course, this process is much easier if the experience of such relationships was mostly positive and developmental than negative and defensive.
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In dreams, the Anima/Animus archetype manifests in figures of strangers that are very attractive and invite us to travel to the unknown. The presence of these archetypal images is perceived by their sudden and captivating effect and a sense of being blessed or awakened – like what happened to Dante when he saw his Beatrice… Click on the title of this article to read more.