kwaw
The mystical symbolism of the letter Gimel and its correlations to the Tarot card the Popess.
In the Popess I see the image of the Gevirah, Lady and Queen of the Sabbath and Gan [garden - used as a figure of speech for 'bride' in the bible and in kabbalistic traditions]. Gevirah is the title of the Priestess in the heretical kabbalah of the Frankists into whose body is drawn down the divine influx of the Shekinah [there are some very strong similarities between Frankism and modern Wicca]. Shekinah is the GAV, the majesty of Israel, carried into exile [GLA] until she along with Israel are redeemed [GAL - redemption, used in relation to redemption from Egypt, from bondage, from exile] . As Lady and Queen Mother she is Binah and Malkuth, the two aspects of the Shekinah, the Queen of the Sabbath; Matrona and Maiden.
Among other meanings Gimel means 'camel' and 'weaning' and in the SY is attributed to Jupiter [this varies in late redactions], significator of benevolence, wealth and wisdom. The shape of the letter is said to be of 'a rich man running after a poor man [the Dalet] to share with him his wealth'.
In some decks of the Italian tradition, tarot II is called 'Juno'. The Roman Goddess Juno was the sister and wife of Jupiter. She was called Queen of Heaven and of womanhood. She was said to accompany every woman through life from birth to death and it was she who 'makes the child see the light of day'. The festival of Matronalia was held on March 1 in her honour (when the Sun is in Pisces, ruled by Jupiter). On the card she is usually portrayed full figure. She holds in her left hand a staff that extends above the top of the picture and may be the shaft of a lance or spear (Juno is classically portrayed with a weapon). Her right hand is extended and points down with a sleight bend of the elbow. Her left leg is also bent and a peacock is on the ground behind her. Her stance resembles a swastika and which is also called the stance of 'Isis Mourning'. Isis is the Egyptian 'Queen of Heaven' and she mourns the death of Osiris whose body has been dismembered, the One into Many.
On other decks the figure is of a female figure seated, in some modern decks she may be called 'the priestess', in older version the 'female pope (La Papess) which some relate to the legend of Pope Joan (Joan-Juno?). She may hold in her lap an open book, taken among other things, a mercurial symbol. There is considered to be a close connection between Isis and Hermes/Thoth within a variety of 'esoteric' schools. In some decks [Knapp/Egyptian] she has the symbol of Mercury on her breast. Mercury is the 'inferior' planet to Jupiter, the signs they rule being opposite each other in the zodiac. Placed here on the lap or at the breast of the female figure may symbolise Mercury as 'child' and allude to the figure of Madonna and Child. A figure most commonly recognised in the portrayal of Mary and the baby Jesus that is derived from Egyptian portrayals of Isis and the child Horus. The idea of the child may be seen as a reference to the Son or Vau of YHVH. The Vau between the two Heh which represent the upper and lower Shekinah [Binah and Malkuth]. It is also relevant to the meaning of Gimel as 'weaning'.
Weaning is often a painful process for a child. The mother too, who nonetheless must be determined, though her determination may make her appear at times hard and cold. To a child the first steps towards independence such as in being separated from its mother can be an utterly desolate experience and the child inconsolable in its distress. Juno was in many respects a 'cruel' goddess; but here we may recall the old 'cruel to be kind' adage. The 'priestess' is a teacher and initiator. Her duty is to invest us with those qualities, attributes and powers of the mind, body and soul that equip us for the rite of passage from one level or stage in our lives to the next. It is these powers and attributes invested in us that are the gifts of the 'wealthy man', not gold or rubies. For what are rubies compared to wisdom and understanding?
In respect to the connection of Gimel with 'Wealth', or 'Wisdom' that is the greater 'wealth', Aesop's fable of the Peacock and Juno may be relevant. "
THE PEACOCK made complaint to Juno that, while the nightingale pleased every ear with his song, he himself no sooner opened his mouth than he became a laughingstock to all who heard him. The Goddess, to console him, said, "But you far excel in beauty and in size. The splendour of the emerald shines in your neck and you unfold a tail gorgeous with painted plumage." "But for what purpose have I," said the bird, "this dumb beauty so long as I am surpassed in song?' "The lot of each," replied Juno, "has been assigned by the will of the Fates--to thee, beauty; to the eagle, strength; to the nightingale, song; to the raven, favourable, and to the crow, unfavourable auguries. These are all contented with the endowments allotted to them."
We may relate the fable to the concept of wealth/wisdom in that, although dissatisfied with its lot the Peacock is nonetheless endowed with those gifts, attributes and powers that are to sufficient to fulfil its nature. From which we may consider that the gift of the 'wealthy man' is not in gold and rubies but is a metaphor for the powers and attributes physical, mental and spiritual that are required to fulfil our nature.
The myth of Io may also be relevant in that both Mercury and the Peacock figure in it. Jupiter fell in love with Io, a priestess in the temple of Juno. Jupiter descended upon Io in the form of a cloud. Juno became suspicious and found out and to protect Io from Juno's jealous wrath Jupiter changed Io into a heifer. Juno was not deceived by the disguise however and asked Jupiter to give the heifer to her as a present. She placed Io, still in the form of a heifer, under the guard of Argus Panoptes "who sees all”, as he was a giant who was "all eyes". Some eyes always remained opened even when Argos slept so that he remained 'ever watchful'. Jupiter asked Mercury to help Io escape. Mercury disguised himself as a shepherd's boy and made friends with Argus. He succeeded in charming the giant to sleep and close all his eyes with the sound of his flute and then cut off his head. To honour Argus Juno placed his eyes on the tail of the Peacock. The wheel shape of the Peacocks tail when fanned is said to symbolise the sky; its 'eyes' the starry vault of heaven. The head of the all seeing has been separated from its body and its eyes distributed from the One to Many. In Judaic kabbalah Stars are said to symbolise souls as 'sparks of God'. The souls of all those to be incarnated are said to be 'on a curtain before God', which Hermetic Qabalists have called the 'Peacock Veil of ISIS'. Io is said to have went into exile in Egypt, where she became a priestess of Isis.
The peacock is also a symbol of wholeness, in that it combines all colours when it spreads out its tail in a fan. It is frequently portrayed with a serpent in its mouth and the beauty of its plumage was considered to have resulted from the transformation of the poison it had absorbed in its battle with the serpent. The Peacock was originally sacred to Pan, but he gave it over to Juno. "Peacocks" in Hebrew is TVVSYM = 131, which is also the number of Pan [transliterated into Hebrew]. 131 is the number of Samael, the Poison of God or Blind God, a title of the Angel of Death. Melek Taus, the Peacock Angel of the Yezidi 'who existed before all other creatures" is also know as Azrael the angel of death, and was depicted with a number of eyes on its wings. While the Peacock may represent 'death' as the 'retribution' of God, it is also symbolic of the immortality of the soul. Possibly the symbolism of the transformation of poison (death) is related here to Alchemy as a process of spiritual transformation. The 'serpent' before the fall was said to be in the form of a camel/gimel [or in some versions rode on the back of an animal having a form like the form of a camel]. The 'serpent' Satan is identified in Jewish literature with Samael and in relation to the correspondences to Pan we have here some esoteric relation to the figure of Satan as a Pan like figure in medieval iconagraphy. Eve, the human feminine, corresponds to the divine feminine the Shekinah. The gift of the Peacock to Juno is here analogous with the serpent Satan's gift to Eve [life in Hebrew], the gift of death.
The divine appellation of Gimel [GAL] means 'God of Retribution and Redemption', and we may note the darker side of the Goddess as nemesis, and that Juno and ISIS for example both have cruel and vengeful aspects. Juno in particular, as a figure of Jealousy, Vengeance and Wrath, may be said to have much in common with the Old Testament YHVH. However, Juno is also she 'who makes the child see the light of day'; and the connection of Madonna and Child with this card symbolises the manifestation of the Holy Spirit [the Shikinah] and a means of reparation and redemption. The Child Horus is to seek reparation for the death of Osiris, and Christ reparation for the sins of man. Continuing the theme of Retribution and Reparation by Aiq Kbr Gimel 3 = Lamed (30) which is attributed to the card 'Justice', and to Shin (300) which is attributed to 'Judgement'.
The divine femine, the Shekinah, is also identified with Wisdom sofia. As she was identified with the 'congregation of Israel' and with the Torah in Judaism, she became identified with the 'church' in Christianity and the portrayal of La Papessa in the Marseille pattern is probably a reflection of that. In modern 'occultist' redactions we seem to be going backwards in reference to time as we move forwards. In RWS she holds the Torah, with which wisdom is identified in Ben Sirah, in modern pagan decks to antiquity with a Priestess of a Pagan Goddess of Wisdom and Fertility.
Kwaw
In the Popess I see the image of the Gevirah, Lady and Queen of the Sabbath and Gan [garden - used as a figure of speech for 'bride' in the bible and in kabbalistic traditions]. Gevirah is the title of the Priestess in the heretical kabbalah of the Frankists into whose body is drawn down the divine influx of the Shekinah [there are some very strong similarities between Frankism and modern Wicca]. Shekinah is the GAV, the majesty of Israel, carried into exile [GLA] until she along with Israel are redeemed [GAL - redemption, used in relation to redemption from Egypt, from bondage, from exile] . As Lady and Queen Mother she is Binah and Malkuth, the two aspects of the Shekinah, the Queen of the Sabbath; Matrona and Maiden.
Among other meanings Gimel means 'camel' and 'weaning' and in the SY is attributed to Jupiter [this varies in late redactions], significator of benevolence, wealth and wisdom. The shape of the letter is said to be of 'a rich man running after a poor man [the Dalet] to share with him his wealth'.
In some decks of the Italian tradition, tarot II is called 'Juno'. The Roman Goddess Juno was the sister and wife of Jupiter. She was called Queen of Heaven and of womanhood. She was said to accompany every woman through life from birth to death and it was she who 'makes the child see the light of day'. The festival of Matronalia was held on March 1 in her honour (when the Sun is in Pisces, ruled by Jupiter). On the card she is usually portrayed full figure. She holds in her left hand a staff that extends above the top of the picture and may be the shaft of a lance or spear (Juno is classically portrayed with a weapon). Her right hand is extended and points down with a sleight bend of the elbow. Her left leg is also bent and a peacock is on the ground behind her. Her stance resembles a swastika and which is also called the stance of 'Isis Mourning'. Isis is the Egyptian 'Queen of Heaven' and she mourns the death of Osiris whose body has been dismembered, the One into Many.
On other decks the figure is of a female figure seated, in some modern decks she may be called 'the priestess', in older version the 'female pope (La Papess) which some relate to the legend of Pope Joan (Joan-Juno?). She may hold in her lap an open book, taken among other things, a mercurial symbol. There is considered to be a close connection between Isis and Hermes/Thoth within a variety of 'esoteric' schools. In some decks [Knapp/Egyptian] she has the symbol of Mercury on her breast. Mercury is the 'inferior' planet to Jupiter, the signs they rule being opposite each other in the zodiac. Placed here on the lap or at the breast of the female figure may symbolise Mercury as 'child' and allude to the figure of Madonna and Child. A figure most commonly recognised in the portrayal of Mary and the baby Jesus that is derived from Egyptian portrayals of Isis and the child Horus. The idea of the child may be seen as a reference to the Son or Vau of YHVH. The Vau between the two Heh which represent the upper and lower Shekinah [Binah and Malkuth]. It is also relevant to the meaning of Gimel as 'weaning'.
Weaning is often a painful process for a child. The mother too, who nonetheless must be determined, though her determination may make her appear at times hard and cold. To a child the first steps towards independence such as in being separated from its mother can be an utterly desolate experience and the child inconsolable in its distress. Juno was in many respects a 'cruel' goddess; but here we may recall the old 'cruel to be kind' adage. The 'priestess' is a teacher and initiator. Her duty is to invest us with those qualities, attributes and powers of the mind, body and soul that equip us for the rite of passage from one level or stage in our lives to the next. It is these powers and attributes invested in us that are the gifts of the 'wealthy man', not gold or rubies. For what are rubies compared to wisdom and understanding?
In respect to the connection of Gimel with 'Wealth', or 'Wisdom' that is the greater 'wealth', Aesop's fable of the Peacock and Juno may be relevant. "
THE PEACOCK made complaint to Juno that, while the nightingale pleased every ear with his song, he himself no sooner opened his mouth than he became a laughingstock to all who heard him. The Goddess, to console him, said, "But you far excel in beauty and in size. The splendour of the emerald shines in your neck and you unfold a tail gorgeous with painted plumage." "But for what purpose have I," said the bird, "this dumb beauty so long as I am surpassed in song?' "The lot of each," replied Juno, "has been assigned by the will of the Fates--to thee, beauty; to the eagle, strength; to the nightingale, song; to the raven, favourable, and to the crow, unfavourable auguries. These are all contented with the endowments allotted to them."
We may relate the fable to the concept of wealth/wisdom in that, although dissatisfied with its lot the Peacock is nonetheless endowed with those gifts, attributes and powers that are to sufficient to fulfil its nature. From which we may consider that the gift of the 'wealthy man' is not in gold and rubies but is a metaphor for the powers and attributes physical, mental and spiritual that are required to fulfil our nature.
The myth of Io may also be relevant in that both Mercury and the Peacock figure in it. Jupiter fell in love with Io, a priestess in the temple of Juno. Jupiter descended upon Io in the form of a cloud. Juno became suspicious and found out and to protect Io from Juno's jealous wrath Jupiter changed Io into a heifer. Juno was not deceived by the disguise however and asked Jupiter to give the heifer to her as a present. She placed Io, still in the form of a heifer, under the guard of Argus Panoptes "who sees all”, as he was a giant who was "all eyes". Some eyes always remained opened even when Argos slept so that he remained 'ever watchful'. Jupiter asked Mercury to help Io escape. Mercury disguised himself as a shepherd's boy and made friends with Argus. He succeeded in charming the giant to sleep and close all his eyes with the sound of his flute and then cut off his head. To honour Argus Juno placed his eyes on the tail of the Peacock. The wheel shape of the Peacocks tail when fanned is said to symbolise the sky; its 'eyes' the starry vault of heaven. The head of the all seeing has been separated from its body and its eyes distributed from the One to Many. In Judaic kabbalah Stars are said to symbolise souls as 'sparks of God'. The souls of all those to be incarnated are said to be 'on a curtain before God', which Hermetic Qabalists have called the 'Peacock Veil of ISIS'. Io is said to have went into exile in Egypt, where she became a priestess of Isis.
The peacock is also a symbol of wholeness, in that it combines all colours when it spreads out its tail in a fan. It is frequently portrayed with a serpent in its mouth and the beauty of its plumage was considered to have resulted from the transformation of the poison it had absorbed in its battle with the serpent. The Peacock was originally sacred to Pan, but he gave it over to Juno. "Peacocks" in Hebrew is TVVSYM = 131, which is also the number of Pan [transliterated into Hebrew]. 131 is the number of Samael, the Poison of God or Blind God, a title of the Angel of Death. Melek Taus, the Peacock Angel of the Yezidi 'who existed before all other creatures" is also know as Azrael the angel of death, and was depicted with a number of eyes on its wings. While the Peacock may represent 'death' as the 'retribution' of God, it is also symbolic of the immortality of the soul. Possibly the symbolism of the transformation of poison (death) is related here to Alchemy as a process of spiritual transformation. The 'serpent' before the fall was said to be in the form of a camel/gimel [or in some versions rode on the back of an animal having a form like the form of a camel]. The 'serpent' Satan is identified in Jewish literature with Samael and in relation to the correspondences to Pan we have here some esoteric relation to the figure of Satan as a Pan like figure in medieval iconagraphy. Eve, the human feminine, corresponds to the divine feminine the Shekinah. The gift of the Peacock to Juno is here analogous with the serpent Satan's gift to Eve [life in Hebrew], the gift of death.
The divine appellation of Gimel [GAL] means 'God of Retribution and Redemption', and we may note the darker side of the Goddess as nemesis, and that Juno and ISIS for example both have cruel and vengeful aspects. Juno in particular, as a figure of Jealousy, Vengeance and Wrath, may be said to have much in common with the Old Testament YHVH. However, Juno is also she 'who makes the child see the light of day'; and the connection of Madonna and Child with this card symbolises the manifestation of the Holy Spirit [the Shikinah] and a means of reparation and redemption. The Child Horus is to seek reparation for the death of Osiris, and Christ reparation for the sins of man. Continuing the theme of Retribution and Reparation by Aiq Kbr Gimel 3 = Lamed (30) which is attributed to the card 'Justice', and to Shin (300) which is attributed to 'Judgement'.
The divine femine, the Shekinah, is also identified with Wisdom sofia. As she was identified with the 'congregation of Israel' and with the Torah in Judaism, she became identified with the 'church' in Christianity and the portrayal of La Papessa in the Marseille pattern is probably a reflection of that. In modern 'occultist' redactions we seem to be going backwards in reference to time as we move forwards. In RWS she holds the Torah, with which wisdom is identified in Ben Sirah, in modern pagan decks to antiquity with a Priestess of a Pagan Goddess of Wisdom and Fertility.
Kwaw