The Tarot Fool - Symbol Of A Seeker

                                                   (Image via Wikipedia)

When we look at the card of "The Fool" in the tarot deck we see
a person standing at the edge of a high cliff about to take the next
step while gazing upward into the Infinite. There is a dog at the
feet of The Fool and this dog is also at the edge of the cliff, standing
on its two hind feet, with its front feet already over the edge.

Naturally, we wonder: "Why is this person so willing to take the
next step off of the cliff and why is he gazing up at the heavens
instead of watching where he is going".

Like all of the other cards in the tarot deck, this card is full of
Symbolism. So, let's break down some the principal Symbolism
contained within this card in order to get a better understanding
of what this card is telling us.

The Fool: Although The Fool appears to be a masculine archetype,
the face contains an air of femininity. This gives The Fool an
androgynous appearance which Symbolizes a combination and
Union of both the male and female essences. This means that
The Fool does not experience his Journey through either a male
or female perspective. He experiences it through both perspectives.
This androgynous (Hermaphroditic) portrayal of The Fool reminds
us that The Fool's Journey is a journey that is available to any man,
woman, boy, or girl who wishes to participate in an Adventure.

Mountains Symbolize the higher realms of consciousness. The
higher the mountain, the higher the realm of consciousness. The
highest mountain peak would Symbolize the highest realm of
consciousness that we can experience while still on earth.
In addition, when viewed from afar, mountain peaks are the
highest points on the Horizon and represent the loftiest
Border Between Realms; the highest borderland between
heaven and earth.

The Precipice upon which The Fool and his dog are standing
symbolizes the Threshold where one Journey ends so that
another Journey can begin.

(Also: The Precipice Symbolizes the mental obstacles we create for
ourselves which deter many of us from taking the next step in order
to achieve and experience our dreams.)

The Dog is "Man's best friend". The Dog is Instinctive and is a
Symbol for loyalty, trust, protection, and companionship.

White symbolizes Purity and Enlightenment.

Because the Journey of The Fool takes place in the higher realms
of consciousness (mountains) it Symbolizes a Spiritual Journey. It
is a Spiritual Call to Adventure which involves dreams, aspirations,
imagination, and finally Enlightenment.

The Fool gazes up into the heavens because that is where his
dreams, aspirations , and imaginings reside. The heavens also
represent the highest realm of Divine Consciousness that The
Fool can look up to for Spiritual Inspiration and Guidance.

Knowing that no physical harm can befall him in a Spiritual Quest,
The Fool unhesitatingly steps off the precipice when his current
Adventure comes to an end. He knows that only by ending, and
leaving behind, his current Adventure is he able to begin his next
one. Therefore, with great anticipation and excitement he proceeds
onward and upward into the next chapter of his life's Journey.

The Fool's Dog, being an instinctive animal, also understands that
there is no danger in stepping off of this Spiritual precipice. So it too
follows its master onward and upward. In addition, because the Dog
is a loyal and protective companion, The Fool need never feel alone
in his Travels into new and uncharted realms.

The White Sun that is shining behind The Fool is a Symbol for the
Pure Enlightenment which is forever accompanying The Fool and
nudging him onward.

And finally, although The Fool is currently standing atop a high
mountain, there are much higher mountains in the distance. These
higher mountains remind The Fool that there are still more
Journeys, and higher realms of consciousness, to be explored,
experienced, and conquered. And the only way for The Fool to
conquer these mountains is for him to continue to follow his dreams,
aspirations, and imagination until he reaches the highest mountain
peak of all...The Peak of Enlightenment!

Note: for literary simplicity I have used the masculine gender
in referring to The Fool. However, the feminine gender applies
equally as well.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009

Ba and Ka - Egyptian Symbolism

Divinity is the "Great Spirit", the "One", the "All". Everything
that is, ever was, and ever will be is an integral and inseparable
part of Divinity.

Divinity cannot be divided into parts nor can anything separate
itself from Divinity. Should something be able to separate itself
from Divinity then Divinity would no longer be whole, complete
and Infinite. It would no longer be the "All". It would no longer
be Divinity. Therefore Divinity, by It's very Nature is inseparable.
Divinity is whole, complete and Infinite; It is the "All".

Since Divinity is the One Great Spirit, everything that It expresses
(creates) is also a part of this One Great Spirit and contains Divinity
within it. When Divinity "creates" one of us It is expressing a
fractional part of It's Infinite Nature. Therefore, each one of us
is a fractional expression of Divinity.

When Divinity creates something in the material realm It unites
Spirit with matter in order to express a specific essence of It's
Infinite Nature.

At the moment of our conception (our physical creation) Divinity
provides us with the Spiritual Life Force which will accompany us
throughout our Current Incarnation. This Spiritual Life Force, or
Spark of Divinity, which resides within us is what the Ancient
Egyptians called the Ba. The Ba is the Vital Energy of Divinity which
allows us to experience, interact with, and understand, the Spiritual,
mental and physical realms of our Current Incarnation. The Ba also
provides us with that specific essence of Divinity which we call our
personality...our Divine Nature.

The Ba is represented, Symbolically, by the image of a bird with
a person's head. The bird is a Symbol which represents Spirit.
Therefore, the Ba represents the Spiritual Life Force and
personality of the person whose head appears on the bird.
The Ba is the temporary Union which exists between Spirit and
matter and represents the Spiritual aspect of our nature.

While the Ba represents the Spiritual aspect of our nature,
the Ka represents our physical aspect. The Ka is the physical
energy provided by the Ba which animates our body and enables
it to move and function in the material realm.

The Ka is represented, Symbolically, as two arms in the shape of
a square reaching toward heaven. The square is a Symbol which
represents matter and the physical realm. Therefore, the Ka
represents our physical energy.

Metaphorically, we can liken the Ba and Ka to the battery which
is within our car. The battery provides all the energy which our
car requires in order for it to function. The energy from the battery
is available to all of the components of our car regardless of whether
our car is turned on or off. This continual source of energy contained
within the battery represents the Ba.

Once we start our car, and begin using its many functions, we
begin to draw energy from the battery. This energy enables us
to use the car's headlights, radio, wiper blades, air conditioner, etc.
The energy from the battery also allows our engine to start in
order for our car to move and transport us from place to place.
This energy provided by the battery which animates the car and
allows it to function represents the Ka.

All ancient cultures understood that our bodies and Spirit are one.
They understood that we are all children of, and a fractional
expression of, Divinity. They also understood that the "marriage"
of Spirit and matter is but a temporary Union. This powerful, yet
temporary, Union is the Spiritual Essence which guides us through
our Current Incarnation. The Ancient Egyptians expressed this
Sacred Union by way of their Symbolism of the Ba and Ka.

(Images via Wikipedia)

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009

Decisions

There are two types of Decisions: Impulsive and Deliberate. An
Impulsive Decision is ruled by Passion while a Deliberate Decision
is governed by Reason.

An Impulsive Decision is a rash, blind, spur-of-the-moment
Choice we make when we allow the emotions of fear, guilt, or greed
to take control of our mind and our Actions. Impulsive Decisions
also occur when we relinquish our personal Sovereignty to external
pressures created by people or Events.

We justify our Impulsive Decisions with statements such as, "I just
had to do something!", or "I don't know what I was thinking at the
time". Impulsive Decisions, because they are quick and emotional,
are almost always followed by tragedy or regret.

A Deliberate Decision, on the other hand, is a long-developing
process in which we grapple with many different options, feelings
and Demons before coming to a final conclusion.

Examples of long-developing Deliberate Decisions are: changing
jobs, changing careers, discontinuing a Relationship, choosing a
college, moving to a new city...or country.

A long-developing Decision, just like a long-developing Event, has
many intricate ingredients Woven into it. All these ingredients
require Time to simmer, to Marinate, before a final conclusion can
be reached.

When we find ourselves confronted with a long-developing Decision
we are actually entering a period of Change in our lives. We are
confronting the Sphinx and its Riddle. We are entering a period of
Traveling, stagnation, and suspension, in which only Time and
patience can see us through.

Deliberate Decisions are represented Symbolically, by the card of
"The Hanged Man" in the Tarot deck. Metaphorically, it represents
a person in a state of suspension or stagnation who is viewing their
situation from different perspectives in order to Seek a proper
solution to their current dilemma.

Just like The Hanged Man, we too are in an uncomfortable state of
suspension, viewing our situation from different perspectives, when
we are in the midst of a Deliberate Decision. Once we have obtained
all the information and Insight required to solve our current dilemma
our state of suspension will come to an end and we can then proceed
down the next Path of our Current Incarnation.

Unlike the Impulsive Decision, a Deliberate Decision cannot be
explained by way of a simple statement or cliche. A Deliberate
Decision is far too detailed and intricate. Many options, feelings,
and insights, were explored. Many Demons were grappled with.
A great amount of Time, patience, and emotion, was expended in
getting us to our final conclusion.

This is why we find it so difficult when we try to "quickly" explain
our Deliberate Decisions to another person. Metaphorically, we find
ourselves trying to explain a gourmet recipe to someone as if it
came from a ready-made packet.

Deliberate Decisions can be difficult and painful. However, these
are the decisions, and Choices, which enable us to grow. They allow
us to travel new Paths. They enable us to experience new Horizons
that are just beyond our eyesight. They are an integral part of our
Current Incarnation.

See also: "Emotional Decisions"

(Image via Wikipedia)

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009

The Star - Symbol And Metaphor

"When you wish upon a Star,
Makes no difference who you are..."
-Jiminy Cricket, Walt Disney's "Pinocchio"

The Star presents us with one of the most beautiful and enchanting
of all Symbols. The Star Symbolizes: Aspiration, Inspiration,
Imagination, Wonder, Dreams, Pursuits, Magic (the Magical),
Creative Brilliance, and Divine Guidance.

To fully appreciate the Symbolism attached to The Star we must
first try to think back, and try to Imagine, what the night sky
looked like to Ancient Cultures.

Any of us who have driven through, or camped out in, remote
areas away from city lights have experienced an entirely different
night sky than the one we experience when we are within, or near,
a city. The number of Stars that can be seen in a remote area at
night seems Infinite. We experience an awe-inspiring and breath-
taking view of the real night sky that is always above us.

This is the same immense and awe-inspiring night sky that Ancient
Cultures experienced, and lived under, for millennia. It is the
Majestic "Canopy of the Heavens" referred to in Ancient Texts and
Symbols.

This Canopy consisted of not only an Infinite number of fixed-Stars,
but also Shooting-Stars, comets, meteors, and the Seven
"Wanderers". The Seven Wanderers are the five visible planets
plus the sun and the moon. This infinite night sky provided the
inspiration for their legends and mythologies.

The meteors ("Shooting-Stars") which fell to earth provided these
Ancient Cultures with Iron that they used to forge their many
different implements. They considered Iron to be a "Gift from the
Gods".

The Ancient Egyptians aligned their temples, monuments, and
buildings so as to be in Harmony with certain Stars. An
Alignment Ceremony called the "Stretching of the Cord" was
performed prior to the construction of their buildings. This
Ceremony aligned, and Harmonized, the placement of that
particular building with a specific Star. The Egyptian Neter Seshat,
who is recognized by the seven-pointed Star appearing above her
head, was invoked and honored during this Ceremony. Among Her
many attributes, Seshat Symbolizes Harmony and Equilibrium.

Our greatest Star, the Sun, not only radiates the energy that is
necessary for life on our planet but also determines which "Age"
our planet is currently experiencing based upon which
constellation of the Ecliptic (Zodiac) it is rising in on the Spring
Equinox. We are currently ending the Age of Pisces and preparing
to enter the Age of Aquarius.

And, in another interesting and charming piece of Symbolism,
Mythology, and Legend, many Ancient and modern Cultures
consider the Stars to be the Campfires of their Ancestors.
Ancestors who look down upon, and guide them; and to whom
they can look up to for Spiritual Guidance.

These are some of the Wondrous and Enchanting backgrounds from
which many of our current expressions about Stars find their origin.

"When you wish upon a Star", "Reach for the Stars" and
"Follow your Star" are metaphors for the Aspirations, Inspirations,
Dreams, and Creative Pursuits that live within each one of us.

"The Guiding Light" is a metaphor for Divine Guidance we rely upon
as we pursue our Dreams, Ambitions, and Adventures.

"Give me a tall ship and a Star to steer by": Mariners, both
Ancient and modern, use the fixed-Stars of the night sky to guide
them safely to their intended destinations. That fixed-Star by
which they steer their ship is also their "Guiding Light".

And, finally, to "Touch a Star" is a metaphor which means that we
have realized our Dream, Achieved our ambition, and safely and
successfully arrived at the end of our latest Adventure.

The Symbolism of The Star is a reminder to us that we can
embrace all the Wonder, Beauty, and Enchantment which The Star
represents. We merely have to "reach out" for our special Star and
allow It to "steer" us to our Dreams. Always keeping in mind the
immortal words of Jiminy Cricket, "When you wish upon a
Star, makes no difference who you are..."

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009

Mother Earth - As A Symbol

Mother Earth: The Great Material Womb

She is called "Mother Earth" for a reason. She is Abundance.
She is Fertility. She is Alive.

Mother Earth is the Bringer, the Nourisher, and the Protectoress
of life. She contains, and provides, all the minerals and nutrients
that are necessary for human, animal, and plant life to begin,
grow, and mature.

It is through the intense heat which exists within the deepest depths
of Her Womb that precious metals and gemstones are created. Then,
just like a woman giving birth, She gently nudges these precious
metals and gemstones out of Her Womb and onto the surface of the
earth in order for mankind to use these precious gifts of Hers to
satisfy its material requirements.

Mother Earth is the Womb, and Home, for all plant life. She
accepts all Seeds deposited into Her soil, nourishes these Seeds,
and brings them to fruition. And, even after these Seeds are
manifested into plants and trees, She continues to nourish them
through Her many umbilical cords which we refer to as roots.

Mother Earth is the Womb, and Home, for all subterranean life.
She nourishes and protects the worms, insects, and other
underground life which live, and thrive, in Her soil.

Mother Earth also provides shelter for above-ground animal
(and human) life through Her many burrows and caves.
Indigenous Cultures and Sacred Societies have always associated
Her caves with Her Great Womb.

This is the reason why these Cultures and Societies have used, and
still use, Her caves for Initiation Ceremonies and Rites-of-Passage.
These Ceremonies have been performed in Her caves since the
earliest beginnings of Time.

Through a rite-of-passage Ceremony a youngster enters Her cave
as a youth and emerges, is re-born, as an adult. Through an
Initiation Ceremony a well-qualified individual enters Her cave
as an Initiate, receives higher degrees of Wisdom, Instruction, and
Knowledge, and then emerges from Her cave re-born as an
Illumined Master.

Mother Earth also purifies the Water that mankind contaminates
by re-cycling these Waters through her underground soils.
In the same manner which blood flows through our veins and is
purified, so too are Mother Earth's Waters re-cycled through the
enormous network of Her subterranean Rivers.

She cleanses, and re-mineralizes, these Waters by passing them
through Her many different types of underground soils. When Her
purification process is complete these purified and re-mineralized
Waters re-emerge upon Her surface by way of Her many springs.

And, in our final experience with Mother Earth, She is also the
Great Keeper. When our earthly journey finally comes to an end,
She graciously accepts our material remains back into Her soil;
Her Maternal Womb; Her Great Vault.

We speak of "destroying" Mother Earth. This kind of thinking is
the folly of Ignorance. All we mere mortals can do is simply make a
mess of Her Surface. She is indestructible to the surface misuses
of mankind. At the appropriate Time She will simply re-cycle the
messes that mankind has created on Her surface through some
cataclysmic Event and then repeat Her earthly Cycle anew. One
can only wonder how many times She has "cleaned up" mankind's
messes throughout the eons of Eternity.

In the meantime, we all should appreciate and respect Mother
Earth for what She truly is: a Living and Breathing Entity which
provides us with all the nourishments, protections, and materials
we require to make the most of our Current Incarnation.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009