The Tarot of Eli 2, LLC: The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot- Four of Wands & The Animal Totem Tarot - 4 of Wands (Creativity Enhancement ritual at end)

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True to the Rider-Waite-Smith Cards tradition the 4 of Wands represents the minimal meanings with a hint of esoteric leaving out the more detailed image explanations of the Western Hermetic occult meanings that are presented on the Thoth Cards. This is because of Waites sworn lodge oath to not reveal the lodge secrets.

Depicted on the Rider-Waite-Smith 4 of Wands there are 4 staves implanted in the ground topped with garland of flowers. This implies fertility, fecundity, and strength. The number 4 is a number implying completeness and power.

Also on this card, are 2 female figures uplifting nosegays or flowers and at their side is a bridge over a moat, leading to an old manor house. This implies wealth and security. The Nosegay is usually given as a present, so here is also a picture of a sharing of the wealth. Normally a 4 is a closed system, where one is secure by closing off the "outside" with 4 strong walls, such as shown in the imagery of the of the Thoth 4 of wands arrangement. However, on the Rider-Waite-Smith Card, there is a bridge over a mote and the 4 Wands/Staves, seem to be more of an arbor than an enclosure, implying a willingness to be "open minded".

A flora nosegay, also known simply as a nosegay, refers to a small, fragrant bouquet of flowers. People often carry or present nosegays for various reasons, and the tradition has historical and cultural significance. Here are a few reasons for a flora nosegay:

1. Symbolism: Flowers are rich in symbolism, with each type carrying its own meaning. A nosegay can be crafted to convey specific sentiments or messages. For example, red roses may symbolize love and passion, while lavender represents calmness and devotion.

2. Expression of Sentiments: Nosegays are often given on special occasions or as gestures of affection. They can express love, friendship, congratulations, sympathy, or well-wishes, depending on the context and the flowers chosen.

3. Aesthetic Pleasure: The visual and olfactory appeal of flowers makes them a popular choice for creating pleasing arrangements. Nosegays are crafted not only for their symbolic meaning but also for the sheer beauty and fragrance they bring.

4. Historical Tradition: Throughout history, people have carried small bouquets of flowers to mask unpleasant odors, especially in crowded or less sanitary environments. This practice has evolved into the decorative and symbolic tradition of carrying or exchanging nosegays.

5. Weddings and Events: Nosegays are commonly used in weddings as small bouquets for bridesmaids or as decorative elements. They add a touch of elegance and can be coordinated with the overall theme or color scheme of an event.

6. Personal Adornment: Individuals may choose to carry a nosegay as a form of personal adornment, enhancing their appearance and exuding a pleasant fragrance. This tradition has been particularly prevalent in certain historical periods.

7. Superstition and Folklore: In various cultures, certain flowers were believed to possess protective or lucky qualities. Nosegays were sometimes carried for superstitious reasons, such as to ward off evil spirits or bring good fortune.

Overall, the use of a flora nosegay is a versatile and meaningful tradition that spans cultural, historical, and personal contexts, allowing people to communicate sentiments through the beauty and symbolism of flowers.

In the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck, the 4 of Wands card depicts a scene with four wands supporting an arbor of fruitful grapevines. This imagery is symbolic and holds several interpretations within the context of the card's meaning.

1. Celebration and Harmony: The 4 of Wands is often associated with celebrations, harmony, and joyous occasions. The arbor of fruitful grapevines can be seen as a symbol of abundance and the fruits of one's labor. It suggests a time of happiness, prosperity, and the fulfillment of goals.

2. Achievement and Completion: The four wands forming a stable structure represent a solid foundation and the completion of a project or a phase in life. This card may indicate that you have reached a significant milestone and can now celebrate your achievements.

3. Homecoming and Unity: The imagery can also signify a homecoming or a reunion. It may represent a period of unity, where people come together to celebrate shared successes and milestones. This could be related to family, friendships, or community.

4. Spiritual Symbolism: Grapes and grapevines often have spiritual connotations, symbolizing abundance, transformation, and the harvest of spiritual wisdom. The arbor can be viewed as a sacred space, suggesting that the celebration goes beyond the material realm and has spiritual significance.

5. Gateway to a New Phase: The arbor created by the four wands can be seen as a gateway or threshold to a new phase in life. Passing through the arbor may symbolize moving from one stage to another, with the assurance that positive energy and abundance will accompany this transition.

Overall, the 4 of Wands in the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck is a card of celebration, achievement, and harmony. The fruitful grapevines under the arbor reinforce the idea of abundance and the joy that comes from reaching a significant point in one's journey. It's a positive and auspicious card that often signifies a time of happiness and communal celebration.

The Tarot- 4's all bring perfection, realization, completion, and making a matter settled and fixed. The 4 of Wands is the card that Aleister Crowley called the Lord of Perfected Work as for "making a matter settled...".

The Animal Totem Tarot -4 of Wands illustrates a scene of fecund and fertile flora formed into a bower. Here is a scene of celebration, stability and harmony as a bower bird has done an excellent job of building a love nest. He is done and has done well giving him the time to put on his dancing shoes and attracting a healthy dance partner. The four wands form an enclosure and are decorated with the red ribbons that illustrate passion and fiery emotions.

The bowerbird, while not as commonly associated with spirit guides, power animals, or totem animals in traditional or indigenous belief systems as other animals (like eagles, wolves, or bears), has symbolic significance that aligns with its unique behaviors and qualities. Here’s a deeper look into how the bowerbird could be interpreted in spiritual and symbolic contexts:

Symbolism of the Bowerbird:

1. Creativity and Aesthetic Vision:
   The bowerbird is renowned for its elaborate courtship behavior, where males construct intricate bowers (structures) and decorate them with brightly colored objects. This makes the bird a powerful symbol of creativity, artistic expression, and the ability to shape one’s environment.

   • As a spirit guide or totem, the bowerbird could encourage someone to embrace their creative side and express themselves uniquely.
   • It may appear to those who need to bring more beauty, balance, and harmony into their lives.

2. Resourcefulness and Ingenuity:
   The bowerbird’s ability to find and repurpose natural materials to build its bower can symbolize resourcefulness, adaptability, and ingenuity. It teaches that you can use what’s available to you to create something extraordinary.

3. Attraction and Manifestation:
   The elaborate displays and dances of the bowerbird are closely tied to attracting a mate. Spiritually, this could translate to manifesting desires, attracting opportunities, or cultivating relationships through effort and intentionality.

4. Attention to Detail:
   The bowerbird’s precision and meticulousness in building its structures could guide individuals to pay attention to the finer details in their endeavors.

5. Showcasing Individuality:
   Each bowerbird builds its unique structure, reflecting its personal style. As a totem or power animal, it might urge individuals to embrace their individuality and stand out in a crowd, unafraid of being different.

Potential as a Spirit Guide or Totem Animal:

If the bowerbird has appeared as a spirit guide, power animal, or totem animal in someone's life, it could indicate:

• A time to focus on creative projects or artistic endeavors.
• The need to make your environment a reflection of your inner self, using design or decoration as a form of self-expression.
• A call to be resourceful and find innovative ways to solve challenges.
• Guidance to focus on the art of attraction—not just romantically, but in drawing what you need into your life through effort and clarity of purpose.

Modern and Personal Spirituality:

In contemporary spirituality, people often interpret the symbolism of animals based on their unique behaviors and traits, regardless of whether those animals have been traditionally associated with spiritual practices. Thus, the bowerbird could resonate deeply with creative individuals, artists, or those seeking to bring beauty and uniqueness into their lives. Its symbolic meanings may not be as ancient or widespread as other animals, but its significance can be profound for those who feel a connection to it.

In summary, while the bowerbird may not have a deep-rooted history as a spirit or power animal in indigenous or historical spiritual systems, its behaviors and qualities naturally lend themselves to powerful symbolic interpretations in the modern spiritual context.

In the Spirit of the Animal Totem bowerbird and within the Western Hermetic tradition, rituals to release writer's block and enhance creativity can be crafted using principles from Qabalah, High Magick, and Hermetic symbolism. These rituals typically involve aligning oneself with the creative energies of the universe, invoking archetypes, and opening pathways for inspiration. Below is an example of a Hermetic ritual designed to overcome creative blockages and spark inspiration.

Ritual to Release Writer's Block and Enhance Creativity

Preparation

1. Sacred Space:

   • Cleanse the space with incense, such as frankincense or sandalwood, to create a sacred environment.
   • Cast a circle or perform the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP) to clear energetic distractions.

2. Tools and Materials:

   • A white or yellow candle (symbolizing inspiration and clarity).
   • A notebook or piece of paper.
   • A pen or quill (due to ritual enhanced energy surges don't use an electronic laptop or computer as writing implement), preferably in a color you associate with creativity (blue, green, or gold).
   • A chalice of water (symbolizing the subconscious mind).
   • An image or sigil of Mercury (planetary ruler of communication and creativity) or Thoth (Hermetic deity of writing and wisdom).

3. Planetary Correspondences:

   • Perform the ritual on a Wednesday (Mercury’s day) during the hour of Mercury for maximum effectiveness.

The Ritual

1. Grounding and Centering:

• Sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes.
• Take deep breaths, visualizing a golden light descending from above and anchoring you in the present moment.
• Say aloud:
  “I am grounded in the infinite well of divine inspiration. I align myself with the flow of creation.”

2. Candle Invocation:

• Light the candle and focus on the flame. As you do, visualize the flame growing brighter, representing the fire of your creative spark.
• Say: “Sacred flame, ignite within me the spark of divine creation.
  Burn away all doubts, distractions, and blocks.
  May my mind flow freely with clarity and inspiration.”

3. Invocation of Mercury (or Thoth):

• Hold the image or sigil of Mercury or Thoth in your hands.

• Say: “O Mercury, swift messenger of the gods,
  Guide my words and open the channels of divine wisdom.
  O Thoth, lord of writing and sacred knowledge,
  Bestow upon me the gift of inspiration and eloquence.”

• Visualize a golden light surrounding you, filling your mind with ideas and creative energy.

4. Water Meditation:

• Take the chalice of water and gaze into its surface as though looking into your subconscious.
• Whisper: “As water reflects the depths of the soul,
  May my thoughts flow as a river of inspiration.
  I drink of the wellspring of creativity.”
• Take a sip of the water, imagining it washing away all mental blockages.

5. Automatic Writing or Sigil Creation:

• With the notebook and pen, begin to write freely. Do not think; allow whatever comes to mind to flow onto the page.
• Alternatively, draw a sigil that represents your intention to overcome writer’s block and channel creativity. Charge the sigil by focusing your energy on it, visualizing its power activating.

6. Affirmation:

• Stand and declare with conviction: “I am a vessel of divine creativity.
  The words flow through me effortlessly and with purpose.
  My mind is free, my heart is open, and I am inspired.”

7. Closing:

• Thank Mercury (or Thoth) and the divine forces for their assistance.
• Snuff out the candle (do not blow it out, as this disperses the energy).
• Perform the LBRP or a simple grounding exercise to close the ritual.

Additional Practices

• Keep the candle, sigil, or a written mantra from the ritual on your desk or workspace to remind you of the ritual’s energy.
• Repeat the ritual as needed, especially when creative blocks arise.

This ritual aligns with Hermetic principles by incorporating planetary energies, invoking archetypal forces, and engaging the subconscious mind. It not only addresses writer’s block but also connects you to the universal flow of creativity.

As for the Rider-Waite-Smith 4 of Wands, the implied meanings are easily seen on the Cards imagery. The castle behind the couple on the card imply security and those outside the walls are at some risk as they seek an order without walls, to freely enjoy the fruits of one's labors.

When the 4 of Spring /4 of Wands card is thrown in a divination, it implies:

• Country life.
• Repose.
• Concord.
• Harmony.
• Prosperity.
• Peace.
• The perfected work of the above.
• Perfection, realization, completion, and making a matter settled and fixed.
• Pride in your accomplishments. 
• Celebrating life.

When the Four/4 of wands is reversed:

• The meanings remain unaltered:
• Increase.
• Felicity.
• Beauty. 
• Embellishment. 

Thank you for your interest, comments, and supportive donations. May you live long and prosper.

Traditional Tarot Card Comparisons.

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