Introduction

     Greetings loyal readers! This column is dedicated to the last new moon of the millennium, which occurs on Christmas Day. This new moon is an excellent time to meditate on the next cycle, the "real" millennium. We need to create a calm, safe space where we can let the higher spirits communicate directly with our souls. In this way we can prepare ourselves to receive the higher vibrational energies that will enable us to evolve ourselves and our planet.

     Intuitive Tarot

     I decided to follow my own advice and open up to the spirits to receive information through the tarot for this column. In recent columns, I consulted an online tarot program. In this column, however, I opened up to the higher vibrational energies of the Universe and let them pick the cards through me. I used the Aleister Crowley deck, my own intuition, and some interpretations from Gerd Ziegler's Tarot: Mirror of the Soul. First I intuited the question, and then I intuited the number of cards to pick for my question. Buckle up for safety!

Question: What one card best describes the difference between the energy of the final year of the last millennium (2000) and the first year of the next millennium (2001)?

Answer: The Magician, Two of Pentacles, The Chariot

     In typical tarot fashion, my request for a one-card answer resulted in three cards turning over as I was shuffling. Spirits have a wonderful sense of humor . What they appear to be telling us is that the basic question cannot be answered with one card alone. The cards have given us the best three-card description of this year 2001 energy: The Magician, Two of Pentacles and The Chariot.

     The Magician and The Chariot are Major Arcana cards. As regular readers know, a tarot deck is comprised of two sub-decks, the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. There are twenty-two cards in the Major Arcana, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. (Tarot has roots in Kabalah and other ancient Jewish mystical scriptures.) The minor arcana are divided into four suits: wands, cups, swords and pentacles. These suits correspond to the suits in present day playing cards (diamonds, hearts, spades and clubs). In fact, playing cards come from the tarot's Minor Arcana. The Minor Arcana have fifty-six (56) cards, while a playing card deck has fifty-two (52) cards. This is because there are four court cards in the Major Arcana (king, queen, knight, page), as opposed to three court cards in a playing card deck (king, queen, jack).

     In our reading, we have two Major Arcana cards and one Minor Arcana card in the element of earth. The Major Arcana cards represent higher spiritual consciousness, and assistance from more evolved beings existing at a higher level of vibration (i.e., consciousness). Since there are only 22 Major Arcana cards out of a total of 78 cards in the deck, selecting two Major Arcana in a draw of three cards out of 78 is highly statistically unlikely. The tarot is telling us that higher spiritual forces are at work in the year 2001, and we are all being called upon to pay attention to them.

     The Two of Pentacles

     The one Minor Arcana card is in the element of earth. Aleister Crowley labels the Two of Pentacles card with the word "Change." This is because the Two of Pentacles traditionally depicts a juggler holding two coins inside a sideways figure eight - the symbol for infinity. Thus this card is one of having many choices in the material realm, and new choices lead to changing circumstances. In combination with the two Major Arcana cards, we are being told that the higher spirits are calling upon us to take responsibility for reshaping our physical, earthly reality according to higher spiritual forces.

     Gerd Ziegler, in his excellent work Tarot: Mirror of the Soul gives magnificent interpretations of the tarot as expressed through the symbolism of the Crowley deck. The astrological association for the Two of Pentacles is Jupiter in Capricorn. Jupiter is the planet of luck and expansion, and Capricorn is the cardinal earth sign. Capricorn, like all the earth signs, signifies talent with money and the material realm. Here is Gerd Ziegler's interpretation for this card:

A huge snake, symbol for infinity. This signifies perpetual change. The snake encloses two disks, the Chinese yin/yang, symbols of balance and harmony. They turn in opposite directions, representing internal and external change. The triangles, which are ancient alchemical symbols, are painted in the colors of the four elements: red for fire, blue for water, gray for earth and yellow for air. The transformation touches all realms of being.
     Jupiter, the planet symbolizing luck and expansion, indicates that the change will bring luck and enrich life. The new will bring more stability and security (Capricorn) with it.
     Change is always necessary when the old falls out of equilibrium. Changes shake us and wake us up. The crown on the snake's head is a symbol of wakefulness.
     The violet color (color of the warrior) shows that new energies will be drawn from the transformation. The only permanent thing is impermanence. The only certain thing is uncertainty.

     The Magician

     The astrological association for the Magician card is Mercury, which is the planet of communication. Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo (although some modern astrologers would argue that Vulcan rules Virgo). Here is Gerd Ziegler's interpretation for this important Major Arcana card:

The Magus is represented by the Greek god Mercury, the messenger with wings of pure spirit (see the yellow wings on his feet). Mercury bears energy which spreads and radiates from him. The card represents the Will, Wisdom and the Word through which the world was created.
     Mercury balances with great skill on the tip of surfboard-shaped stand and juggles with the different tools of communication. He is a genius at using all the possibilities available to him.
     In his duality, Mercury stands for truth and falsehood. He brings all set ideas and judgments into question, which often makes him appear in a questionable light himself. As a creative creature, he knows no conscience. He uses all tools, all methods, to arrive at his goal. The temptation to misuse his talents is great. His ability and skill lend him superiority and power. He moves on the narrow border between white and black magic. This means he needs constant self-examination. He can use his talents in a self-seeking manner, or in the service of love and light.
     In this painting, the Magus plays with the possibilities of communication. He wears a smile, meaning that he communicates with humor. The humorous playful ease with which he manipulates his ability is an indication of its potential positive use. The monkey is the companion of the Egyptian god of Wisdom, Thoth. He illustrates that wisdom can never be regulated in set ways. Any external manifestation, for example through words, includes in it some illusion.
     The objects Mercury juggles represent different realms of communication. For example:

1. Coins: body, matter, finance.
2. Fire: inspiration, transformation, dynamics.
3. Wand: Philosophy, religion, spirituality.
4. Arrow: directness, honesty, purposefulness.
5. Scroll: writing, publication.
6. Winged Egg: extra-sensory perception, telepathy.
7. Sword: intellect, logic, analysis.

     The two snakes at his head are an ancient Egyptian symbol for healing and regeneration (Caduceus). In this context they refer to the regeneration of thought. Above them is the Eye of Horus (god of Perception) with the symbol of the dove (bearer of the spirit). The Magus receives inspiration from the soul of the Universe whose message he spreads on Earth. This is more strongly expressed by the blue/yellow energy beam which enters his head, penetrates his body, and emerges again at his feet.
     He cannot fulfill his tasks without constantly remaining in touch with the spiritual forces of the universe. He is always in the service of a superior law. When he recognizes and accepts this as his true function, he bears clarifying light into the darkness of ignorance and misunderstanding.

     The Chariot

     The astrological association for the Chariot is the sign of Cancer. Cancer is ruled by the Moon. The Moon shows up in our reading as the ruler of the number 2 (discussed below in the "Tarot and Numerology" section.) Here is Gerd Ziegler's interpretation for this important Major Arcana card:

The driver sits in meditation posture in a chariot which has not yet begun to move. He is clothed in golden armor and is meditating on the Holy Grail which is rotating in his hands. The Grail symbolizes the Wheel of Fortune. The driver is examining all possible consequences before daring to set the chariot in motion on a new beginning, for once the driver has chosen to start, there is no turning back. Nothing will be able to arrest the journey.
     This card refers generally to new beginnings. It can point to a journey, or the start of some new phase (relationship, living situation, job) of life. Nothing should be decided precipitously. Everything requires exact examination and preparation. But once all the groundwork is done, the new start should not be put off unnecessarily. Everything points toward favorable developments.
     The driver's armor is golden and set with ten crystals. It is a symbol of Cancer's protective shell, providing shelter and protection for the inner transformation (the color gold) and the development of clarity (crystals). In times of breakthrough or new beginnings you need the protection and support of a loving atmosphere which provides a sense of safety and security. The oncoming change brings with it much excitement and unrest. This is a time to avoid chaotic, disorganized or loveless relationships.
     The new start leaves behind the boring routine of daily life. Inspiration and ideas abound, and expand your areas of activity. This is symbolized by the concentric blue circles in the background. You are now in a position to engage successfully in many different activities. This variety of activity will enrich and stimulate you. Despite the bustle, your highest goal will not be forgotten. The road upon which the chariot stands is paved with golden stones. This is the regal path traveled by every spiritual seeker in search of self-knowledge and inner transformation.
     The four sphinxes (bull, lion, person, eagle) are the energies which will set the chariot in motion. They have exchanged heads and bodies, and assist each other. Once the right direction is chosen, their energies will combine and be set in motion to assure successful progress. Your trust in your own powers and perceptions will grow.

     Tarot and Numerology

     Since the tarot uses numerology as well as symbolism, it is important to pay attention to this information. In their wonderful book The Metaphysical Handbook, David and Lucy Pond (siblings, not spouses) have a wonderful outlook on this particular science/art:

Numerology is a method of organizing a perspective as to where you have been and where you are going. It is a way to segment life in an orderly fashion.
     Here we have the numbers 1 (The Magician), 2 (Pentacles) and 7 (The Chariot). The Metaphysical Handbook gives keywords, an actor and a planet for each number. Here are there definitions for the numbers 1, 2 and 7:

No.	Keywords	Actor	Planet
1	Beginning, initiation, leadership	The Leader	Sun
2	Reflection, opposition, duality, balance	The Nurturer	Moon
7	Intuition, aloofness, rebellion, inner awareness	The Eccentric	Uranus

     In reference to our original question requesting a description of the difference in energy between the year 2000 and the year 2001, we are being told that the year 2001 will bring energy that supports leaders, nurturers and eccentrics. We already knew from the Two of Pentacles that the new year will support changes of all kinds, and that this change will be in accord with spiritual forces and a superior law (The Magician) which spiritual seekers will intuit through their own knowledge (The Chariot). It will also bring new beginnings, new leaders, reflection, nurturing and balance.

     The year 2001 will support individual development of intuition and inner awareness, leading to rebellion against the current power structure's systematic repression of individual expression of these gifts. The number 7 is also about inner work, because with inner awareness comes the recognition that such work must take place. Inner work on a massive scale will spark the rebellion that leads to radical social and political change. As individuals begin to expand their awareness and evolve spiritually, they will no longer be able to tolerate the existing power structure's exploitation of human labor and the human spirit. The year 2000 sparked the consciousness shift, as illustrated by the demonstrations in Seattle, D.C., Prague and elsewhere around the globe. The year 2001 will see this shifted consciousness transforming into massive democratic action, led by nurturing individualists. Peace on earth and good will toward humans and other living beings!

Copyright 2000 Marcy J. Gordon. All rights reserved. The author wants you to know you are free to copy and distribute this article for noncommercial purposes, provided you reproduce it in its entirety and credit the author. For quotation permission, please contact the author at mgordon@pipeline.com.

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