Zephyros
I have been neglecting my studies lately, but have returned to them, and thought I would share some reflections about this great card. My study of it isn't finished yet, but I'm getting there. Usually I have a question, but this time I'll just jot down a few things, get my thoughts in order.
Firstly, looking at this path on the Tree, we gain some valuable insight about it. In a way, Death is a lower form of the Fool, in that both are game-changers. The Fool seemingly creates from nothing, he is the base (of nothing) that all of the other cards lean on. Death is another such mid-station, it creates something from something, in quite a unique way. While the idea of rebirth etc. isn't inherent in Death, it is implied, as it takes the ideal material of Tiphareth and continues the inevitable process of chemicals interacting, and so creates new combinations. We also see the significance of the proximity to Fortune; if Atu X is the machinery and impetus of creation, XIII is the means by whlch this is achieved (I have discussed the connection of the triad of the Hermit, Fortune and Death to IAO elsewhere, so I won't reiterate it here).
Crowley says of Death that it is the culmination of Lust, and despite the snake, I had trouble understanding why, but I think I'm getting it. Lust depicts the ecstasy of union, while Death is what breaks down separations, the fluids are mixing. Putrefaction is the stage of decompostion when proteins lose their cohesion, and are liquified, and devoid of morbidness this is a description of a pretty good time that is had. This also connects us to the "little death" of orgasm, when one is at union with the All.
Scorpio, of course, makes an appearance here, and in looking up the mythology associated with it, a clear theme seems to emerge. Orion boasted that he would kill all living creatures, and Artemis and Leto sent the scorpion to kill him, which it eventually did. Phaeton rode high to the heavens on the sun-chariot, and was frightened by the scorpion, who had already ascended. Both of these stories suggest the inevitability of hubris being curbed. However strong a hunter you may be, however high you may ascend, Death will always be there, not only in its physical aspect but also in its aspect of change. On a higher level, Death also mirrors Adjustment, by which I take that whatever one does, one always goes forth and comes back to Adjustment. Everything ultimately springs forth from the primordial goo which you create, use and then create again.
I'll have more sometime, that's all I've got for now.
Firstly, looking at this path on the Tree, we gain some valuable insight about it. In a way, Death is a lower form of the Fool, in that both are game-changers. The Fool seemingly creates from nothing, he is the base (of nothing) that all of the other cards lean on. Death is another such mid-station, it creates something from something, in quite a unique way. While the idea of rebirth etc. isn't inherent in Death, it is implied, as it takes the ideal material of Tiphareth and continues the inevitable process of chemicals interacting, and so creates new combinations. We also see the significance of the proximity to Fortune; if Atu X is the machinery and impetus of creation, XIII is the means by whlch this is achieved (I have discussed the connection of the triad of the Hermit, Fortune and Death to IAO elsewhere, so I won't reiterate it here).
Crowley says of Death that it is the culmination of Lust, and despite the snake, I had trouble understanding why, but I think I'm getting it. Lust depicts the ecstasy of union, while Death is what breaks down separations, the fluids are mixing. Putrefaction is the stage of decompostion when proteins lose their cohesion, and are liquified, and devoid of morbidness this is a description of a pretty good time that is had. This also connects us to the "little death" of orgasm, when one is at union with the All.
Scorpio, of course, makes an appearance here, and in looking up the mythology associated with it, a clear theme seems to emerge. Orion boasted that he would kill all living creatures, and Artemis and Leto sent the scorpion to kill him, which it eventually did. Phaeton rode high to the heavens on the sun-chariot, and was frightened by the scorpion, who had already ascended. Both of these stories suggest the inevitability of hubris being curbed. However strong a hunter you may be, however high you may ascend, Death will always be there, not only in its physical aspect but also in its aspect of change. On a higher level, Death also mirrors Adjustment, by which I take that whatever one does, one always goes forth and comes back to Adjustment. Everything ultimately springs forth from the primordial goo which you create, use and then create again.
I'll have more sometime, that's all I've got for now.