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In most of the traditional Tarot Decks like the Connoly Tarot, B.O.T.A. Deck, The Prophet Tarot, Rider-Waite-Smith, versions of THE TOWER, we see stylized lightning or energy strikes knocking off the anatomically accurate human forms which symbolize the man-made personalities that see reality as a world of straight lines; straight lines as in 'black and White" or "good and bad". The Man-Made personality, (false ego-a mind virus program) sees a linear reality foreign to Nature and the Universe. The Universe is actually circular and/or spiral in nature, and is known for its lack of straight lines as its "I" sight (identity) is about I AM Light. Self-Awareness being a circular creation of self- reflection that has no right angles, a Serpentine flow, and is all assumed potential, as it is all about the spiraling and thereby, transforming potentiality of "I Will Be" and/or "I Am the Dream and the Dreamer".

The Tower symbolizes the construct that most people call "I" or Self, where perspectives of the Personality and its "false ego", shown as the crown-Kingdom of Earth, are being shattered by the influx of the Fiery Energy of Higher-Self -Knowledge. The toppling Tower also represents the destruction of man-made institutions, Military Industrial Complex, government, religions, the media supported "hypnosis of words" or any accepted values. Yet this striking down, is not to be construed as the destruction of evil, rather it is a process of change, as "stepping stones" of perspective are built that contributes to the continual building up and striking down of "stepping stone" concepts that lead into the Inner Realms of Higher Self; Kind of like the building up and striking down of miles as one travels, and also accompanied with the pain and effort of long travel.

Evil may seem a horror of darkness; However, we must know our darkness to know our Light. When we acknowledge our shadow self, we see that it isn't evil, or bad. Rather it is our instinctual survival mind inherited with the body, that deserves respect and love. Thereby, one becomes immune to the evil mind virus of the "False Ego", whose only power is denial and hiding in the shadows of the subconscious; the cure comes from knowing and observing it. Above all things, know thyself!

Another way to understand THE TOWER'S process, is that upon first approach to these "Higher Planes" of reality, many people begin anthropomorphizing the States of Conscious Energy, as Archangels or "Spiritual Beings", as that is how they "realize" them in a cultural egregore; However, these Creative Forces are formless dimensions of Mind, so in order to incorporate these forces into our own anthropomorphic "reality", we must step beyond the previous false concepts of these angelic beings and know them as states of Self -Awareness that we are to manifest and often do manifest in balance or imbalance, to assist in correcting the illusional identity of " Me." This is a necessary process of progressive and expanding Self-Awareness as we journey on the "Above all things, know thyself" Paths of the Tree of Life.

Just to travel in the present, we must destroy the perspectives of our past! For if we are always looking behind, we've never seen the present or the possibility of future and only loop around and upon yesterday's travel becoming dead to the experience of the now. To have true "I" sight, we must always remove the blinding veils of yesterday's views. And yes, the Soul/Solar Self, whose shape is undefined by infinity, is the I AM-anthropomorphizing itself as a Me -dream so that it can experience with intimate certainty, data/information.

When information becomes in-form-Action, Knowledge is produced!

The Western Hermetic Qabalistic Thoth Tarot- Tower Card-Key 16, displays the Hebrew Letter-Peh (bottom of Thoth Card-Not shown on Traditional Tarot); the Path of Peh (meaning Mouth), the 27th Path on the Tree of Life. Dr. Paul Foster Case (of B.O.T.A. fame) calls the Tower card the 27th Path of Peh," The Exciting Intelligence", as its vibrations excite matter and are simulated in the Mouth, which sends forth vibrations as sound or words. Hod (Splendor), the Sephirotic center of the reasoning process is connected to the center of the intuition-desire nature, Netzach (Victory) by the Path of Peh-THE TOWER. This Path of the Personality brings into balance what is out of balance and is related to Mars, the Roman god of War and the North.

Traditionally the North was the quarter seen as the "greatest place of darkness", for when the Mysteries were initiated, the North side of King Solomon's temple was the darkest side. But all is not doom and gloom here, as any initiate or aspirant in the Mysteries knows, it is from the darkest night that comes Light and that "enlightenment has its origin in the hidden sources of power which terrify the minds of the ignorant". To us moderns who are familiar with Quantum Physics Theory, it is said that Dark Energy and Dark Matter are the birthplaces of Light energy.

Peh, the Hebrew word, is called a double letter, for it not only means -Mouth but also-Grace-Indignation, a union of opposites. Double letters are considered gateways of the Soul, which have two directions of passage. It is also a fact that the mouth has two passages as well. One passage takes in nourishment into the organic system and another expresses speech. Thus, we can see the similarity between the two actions of the Path of Peh/Tower. For it not only is a devastating Path of the Higher Vibrations that burn away the dross of our Personalities, but it is also the entrance that nourishes the consciousness with the Spiritual knowledge, (enlightenment) from the Real Personality...the one your soul built before you were reconstructed by your indoctrination and environmental reactions created by a viral mental program.

Many of us are familiar with chanting and the effects of the power of vibration on the physical world and body. Many Mysteries expound on the use of "god names" or "Words of Power" to affect the destruction of "negative energies", in body and environment. (Relative to speech, we know that the Logos, is also called the Word). These "negative forces" of The Tower card represent the destruction of our own personal towers of false concepts and institutions that are commonly believed to be reality. By tearing down past reality, which is ignorant of today, room is made for something new in perspective. When a mask is ripped off, the Real face is exposed (persona, the root word for personality, is mask in Greek).

The lightning flashes on both cards are representative of sudden inspiration, or flashes of perception, which occur when we realize our Real Identities.

The RWS-TOWER CARD displays the Crown as an obvious reference to Kether (God name of Eheieh-"I Will Be") at the top of the Tower; However, this also symbolizes the false crowns of our existence, those man-made values that we believe control us; hence, false authority is outside authority. To show this conflict within humans, Waite called the two falling figures who are also wearing crowns, The Kings of Edan (the consciousness and the unconsciousness). The Striking of the Crown from the Tower also refers to an older, more complex Hebrew mystery of the Circumcision. This is a most secret meaning of the Tower card, which is supported by Gematria as the Hebrew word for circumcision is the same value as the number 85. We also know that in numerology 8+5=13 which is the Death Card and that 13 in numerology is 1+3=4 which is the emperor who is the Authority of Mars and/or the Father as avenger and protector. There is much to research here so I would advise the curious student to do so.

The Hebrew mystery of circumcision is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and spiritual symbolism. It is primarily derived from the covenant between God and Abraham as described in the Torah. Here’s a detailed explanation of its mystical and religious significance:

Historical and Religious Context:

1. Biblical Origin:

   • The practice of circumcision (Brit Milah) is first mentioned in Genesis 17:10-14, where God commands Abraham to circumcise himself and his descendants as a sign of their covenant.
   • It is performed on the eighth day after a male child's birth, symbolizing his entry into the Jewish community and the covenant with God.

2. Spiritual Significance:

   • Covenant (Brit): Circumcision represents a physical sign of the eternal covenant between God and the Jewish people. It signifies dedication and commitment to the divine commandments and the spiritual heritage of Israel.
   • Purification: The act is seen as a removal of physical impurity, reflecting a deeper spiritual cleansing and alignment with divine will.
   • Holiness and Separation: Circumcision marks the Jewish people as distinct and holy, set apart for a unique relationship with God.

Mystical and Kabbalistic Interpretations:

1. Symbol of Unity and Completion:

   • In Kabbalistic thought, circumcision is viewed as completing the human form, symbolizing spiritual wholeness and the union of the physical and spiritual realms.
   • The foreskin is often seen as representing the barriers or veils that separate the physical world from divine light. Its removal symbolizes the unveiling of spiritual truth and the removal of obstacles to divine connection.

2. Sefirot and Divine Emanations:

   • Kabbalah teaches that the body is a microcosm of the divine structure, with different parts corresponding to the Sephirot, the ten attributes through which God interacts with the world.
   • Circumcision is connected to Yesod, the ninth Sephirah, which represents foundation, covenant, and the channel through which divine energy flows into the physical realm.

3. Rectification (Tikkun):

   • The act of circumcision is seen as part of the process of Tikkun, the rectification and repair of the world. By performing this mitzvah (commandment), Jews contribute to the spiritual restoration of the universe.
   • It also signifies personal rectification, helping the individual align more closely with divine will and purpose.

4. Shekinah and Divine Presence:

   • The ritual is associated with inviting the Shekinah, the divine presence, into the life of the individual and the community.
   • It symbolizes a deepening of the relationship between the Jewish people and the Shekinah, fostering a closer connection to God’s presence in the world.

Conclusion

The Hebrew mystery of circumcision is a profound blend of physical, spiritual, and mystical elements. It serves as a powerful symbol of the covenant between God and the Jewish people, reflecting themes of purity, holiness, divine connection, and spiritual completion. Through the lens of Kabbalah, it is seen as a key act in the ongoing process of Tikkun, the rectification and elevation of both the individual soul and the collective consciousness.

To carry on, the fore-stated inner conflict of man-made values and spiritual values, is why A. Crowley subtitled THE TOWER as WAR. But this is not a new perspective on the inner conflict of survival persona and the Higher Self, as throughout esoteric literature is depicted these moments of "inner- and outer war". For instance, in the Bhagavad Gita, there is described symbolic battle of self-perspectives, and/or component parts of Self: The Higher Genius is portrayed as Krishna (Solar Logos), guiding Arjuna (lower personality) onto his inner, and personal field of conflict.

We also have the storied example of the destruction of the Tower of Babel illustrating the fact that those who are locked behind the bricks and mortar of any system, culture, words, institutions of man and/ or religion, are unable to see beyond that system to the Divine Unity and purpose which is the Light of all True Self.

In Western literature, we also have Christ, going through his days in the desert, solitary and alone, while being continually tempted by the lower personality of Satan, (false ego) which relates to the survival-based ego/mind virus, trying to usurp the Rule of the True Ego/Soul/Psyche

Also, I previously mentioned that this card is about the destruction of the old order.

Primarily, the flash of Super consciousness turns all perceptions of personal consciousness upside down and destroys these false conceptions. The 22 Yods (flames) on the RWS Key 16-The Tower card represent the 22 basic modes of consciousness as symbolized in the TAROT KEYS.

Religion is man-made and a control mechanism designed to control the minds and actions of others. Whereas, the Divine Creative is not man-made, but has made man and given humans the "freedom to choose" what they do with their mind and self-identity. The primary meanings of the Tarot of Sacred Kingdoms-key 16-the Tower card are courage, upheaval, and change.

In Medieval Europe the Tower was called the "blasted tower" or the "house of god".

Often severity visits us because we refuse to change, which is a form of entropy and will not be favored by the Soul. Thus, salvation falls from the Heavens, the lightning and wipes out the obsolete ego, to allow us further progress.

The Love of Spirit (Agapé) demands we stand in our power, and not kneel to our weakness. That Power, the ability of our Soul to do work, in the material world, requires adaptation, change, flexibility and often, complete personality self-reconstruction. Attitudes no longer adequate for the situation shall be swept away by the Spiritual motion within for the material world is transitory, as is the personality, but the soul is immortal in its forward movement of I AM.

Overall, this Tower Card forces us to consider the source of negative life experiences, such as loss of job, illness, and other disasters that arbitrarily befall us. Are these accidents, or are we "reaping what we sow" by using the "false ego" as identity? Such questions must be addressed towards this Archetypal image of the Greater Self: Therefore, scrying this card is recommended.

When the Key 16-The Tower, is thrown in a divination, it implies:

• The instinctive destruction of form.
• The upheaval of values.
• Overcoming one's self-setting the soul free.
• The truth and enlightenment of perception that strikes like lightning and destroys false and/or rigid ideas.
• Breaking open encrustations. 
• Passing through pain to new birth.
• Sudden, massive, and painful change is on the horizon. 
• The need for significant change.
• Releasing belief systems that no longer work.

When reversed:

• Blind destruction.
• Stagnation.
• Lack of insight.
• Unable to make changes. 
• Caught in a negative situation. 
• Imprisonment.

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