The Essence Of The Taro
by an Anonymous Author
The Sixth Ternary
The sixth ternary, arcana XVI, XVII, XVIII.
The 16th card, the Lighting-struck Tower, is the Yod, active (+) force of the ternary. The destruction of false Ego and the refinement of ideas, the alchemical process of death and rebirth are shown by the image of the Tower, constructed of involutionary substances, crumbling from the force and activity of the divine light. The idea of immortality is confirmed with the numerical value of this card, 16, 1+6=7=1.
The 17th card, the Star, is the 1st He, and passive (-) force of the ternary. The Star is a near reflection of the card Temperance, from the previous ternary. The Star however, is the source of the divine illumination the woman is receiving. This is shown, by her kneeling, with her left foot in the water, signifying passive qualities. She is also naked, symbolizing the subtle qualities of creation.
The 18th card, the Moon, is the Vau, and is the neutral (=) agent of the ternary. The moon reflects the light of the Sun and dimly lights the meadow around, revealing the towers in its background. Before the towers are two dogs, one symbolizes love, devotion, unity and evolution, the other, dark, symbolizes involution and hidden threats or dangers. The moon also suggests the fecundation of creation and life. The lowest levels reflected from the highest, and it is in the transitory element we see the qualities of the Moon revealed.
The 2nd He of the Tetragrammaton is the 19th card, the Sun, and is the active/passive (+/-) element.
The active (+) destruction of the mental constructions of false Ego symbolized in the Tower, with the dissolving qualities of the Star, give birth the agent which reflects the absorbed illumination. This Sun is the source of divine inspiration, of truth and unity, and is seen by showering its rays upon the naked children. This shower, or transfer of the divine inspiration is the transitory element of the Tetragrammaton.