Tarot Card Comparisons: The Qabalistic Thoth Tarot-8 of Disks: Prudence & The Jungian Tarot-the 8 of Pentacles: Manipulation and secrets.

The Thoth Deck 8 of Disks-Prudence, marks the "turn of the tide", as the seven of Disks was the fullest possible establishment of matter transformation/failure. This is simply because of the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which many call Entropy: Matter proceeds from order to disorder in the Seven and proceeds into a step by step process of purity in the 8. In our organic world of light, compost supports the healthy seed, while the Sun gives it the energy to grow; such is the process of the 7 to 8, in Hermetic Qabalah.

In the Hermetic Qabalah and the Tarot, the number 8 represents Hod-Splendor, and is very advantageous, as it represents Mercury in its highest spiritual aspect, as Mercury both rules and is exalted in Virgo which belongs to the Decan and is governed by the Sun. Therefore, the Thoth Deck 8 of Disks, signifies loving intelligence applied to material matters. This especially true in engineering and agricultural matters. The 8 of Disks card can also be called the card of the Master craftsman.

As Crowley so eloquently put it." Note that Virgo is Yod, the secret seed of Life, and also the Virgin Earth awaiting the Phallic Plough."

This may sound unseemly to some, however, the Sun is the Phallus to Earth, as the Sun ejaculates its energy to the material womb that is Earth, so Crowley's explanation makes perfect sense. 

 

In the Meta-physics of the Hermetic Qabalah, masculine force is Electric-expressive, while feminine force is Magnetic-receptive. Since every Sephiroth on the Tree of Life is Androgen, that is both expressive and receptive, the student often becomes confused about the gender attributed to the Sephira. This confusion is easily dispersed by the understanding that the Divine Twins, as shown on the Sun card, are dancing in every state of conscious energy on the Tree of Life. The rhythm of the dance may be "more active" or "less active" , "more receptive" or "less receptive" but the motion of Force and Form is always there. Hence, to the Qabalistic Magi, God is neither male nor female, rather Hermes and Aphrodite dance as one and are called Hermaphrodite.

To continue, the interest of the 8 of Disks, is a more common interest, as the Sun in Virgo suggests birth, fruitfulness, and supply. Thus, the Disks are arranged as flowers and fruits of a healthy tree, whose trunk is the "Middle Pillar" with both left hand path (female) and right hand path (male); fructification of this union is represented as eight lovely flowers. The figure eight is also the figure of feminine form and masculine force in union, i.e. the "Twisted Circle of One who is Two" and/or a Mobius loop. All of which reinforces the notion of birth and fruitfulness of a Great Tree whose solid roots are in fertile land and whose "Head" is in the Sun (Higher Self).

 Again, the Four Eights are attributed to Hod (eighth Sepiroth--Splendor) on the Tree of Life. Since Hod is in the same plane as the Sevens (Netzach-victory) the same weaknesses and/or defects that are in the sevens will apply. Yet, in a sense, the alleviation of the Seven's weakness is also being applied in the Eights. One might say that the mischief has been done  and there is an action against it---much like white blood cells attacking a intruder in the blood stream; not a total cure but a beginning in that direction.

The Eight of Disks is called PRUDENCE, hence it is a great deal better than the eight of swords or the eight of cups. This is because in the purely material world of Disks, and in money matters, there is a certain strength gained by doing nothing at all. Sometimes, "putting away for a rainy day" is best. The Eight of Disks is attributed to the Sun in Virgo and is the card of husband-man and/or husbandry. One can sow the seed but do little more than sit back and await the harvest, as the birth is under her/earth control. As in all eights, a certain amount of calculation is suggested, and it the Eight of Disks this is not necessarily a noble idea as it is like fixing a fight and then betting on the outcome. Therefore the 8 of Disks could represent a very congenial person, on the outside, but who is nobodies fool on the inside. Maybe even Practicality with a hint of villainy. However, if linked up with "higher" cards, this is the impeccable path of a Master, who takes their development seriously and examines each step, with out haste. In the realm of matter, a master craftsman comes to mind.

The Jungian Tarot-8 of Pentacles: Manipulation and Secrets, represents the essence of subtlety and diplomacy applied to a specific goal.

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