MEETING THE MASTERS
through the archetypes of the Major Arcana
by Trudy J Ashplant
Think of the Tarot and most people’s thoughts turn to Fortune Telling … but there is so much more to the cards than this. For too long their deeper message has been suppressed, limiting their potential as a tool for awakening the psyche and accelerating our spiritual gifts. They have been viewed with suspicion, even fear, and cast aside until the time was right for their spiritual resurrection. That time is now. But what is their true message? And how do we access it?
The language of the Tarot is that of symbolism, understood by all and seen repeatedly in our daily lives. And it is there for all to see in the Tarot. The cards are not simply pretty pictures with attractive images. They are a means of accessing the higher mind through the portrayal of symbols and archetypal figures which we comprehend at a level beyond the consciousness. So if any of you learning the Tarot are attempting to ‘remember’ their meanings – DON’T! Relax, meditate, invoke – and allow their true message to be relayed to you.
I am passionate about teaching the higher message of the Tarot and have been fortunate to receive visitations from the Ascended Masters over the years. When this has occurred they have prompted me to undertake a specific piece of work, or relayed information to be included in ongoing work. It is a very humbling experience, but one which has empowered me to undertake tasks I would have only dreamt of previously.
One of the biggest tasks given was the alignment of 22 Masters to the Major Arcana. Initially I didn’t appreciate what was being channelled but it soon dawned that its message was twofold: firstly, a full alignment of Masters to the 22 Major Arcana; secondly, an individual piece of work for each Master including meditation, visualisation and prose.
So what is the alignment of Ascended Master to Major Arcana card, and how do the two relate to one another?
The journey of the Major Arcana is essentially that of the Fool, whom we follow as he emerges from the safety of the maternal cave in his physical life and leaps into the unknown. We meet his experiences of childhood in the cards of the Magician, High Priestess, Empress, Emperor, and Hierophant. We witness the conflicts and passions of adolescence in the Lovers and the Chariot. We encounter the worldly tests and moral challenges of life in Strength, Hermit, Justice and Temperance. Crisis and loss are dealt with, along with the influence of fate through the Wheel of Fortune. We experience the sacrificial aspect of the Hanged Man and the transformation of Death. We then follow the Fool through his confrontation with himself in the Devil and Tower. From this darkness hope emerges via the Star, Moon and Sun. Victory and forward movement arrive via Judgement, and finally achievement through the World.
However, the Fool’s journey can also be seen as the one we engage with on our spiritual path as we encounter the universal laws and the lessons they hold.
The FOOL represents the pure essence of our soul – untarnished by the material world as it enters the physical plane. It is aligned with Sanat Kumara, the lightbearer from Venus who came to Earth to anchor the Three Fold Flame within the hearts of mankind until they were sufficiently evolved to do this for themselves.
The MAGICIAN encourages us to move beyond any perceived limitations, and to display our skills to their fullest advantage. It is aligned with St Germain, keeper of the Silver Violet Flame, which transmutes low frequency energy so we can attain our highest potential.
The HIGH PRIESTESS is a card of mystery and intrigue, often linked with the unfolding of secrets. It is aligned with Isis, Egyptian Goddess of the Underworld, whose initiates carry the mysteries of the universe by activating the keys and codes of ancient wisdom within.
The EMPRESS card depicts a mother figure, unconditional love and nurturing. It is aligned with Mother Teresa who, before she ascended from the physical plane, worked tirelessly with lepers and orphans, enabling them to experience true peace and acceptance.
The EMPEROR card represents a father or authority figure – someone who guides us with discipline, but is just and fair. It is aligned with Maitreya, the Master of Masters who monitors the progress of all incarnate souls in order that we can reach Nirvana, the state of totality.
The HIEROPHANT card is one of reconciliation and spiritual awareness. It portrays a priest or great spiritual teacher and is aligned with Melchizedek, Initiator and High Priest who teaches mastery over the four planes of matter. He is credited with being the first to serve Holy Communion and thus often depicted carrying a chalice.
The LOVERS card shows itself when a crossroads in life is reached and a choice must be made. It can arise when romance is in the air, but is essentially a card of inward maturity. It is aligned with Mary Magdalene, divine counterpart of Jesus. She carries the torch of hope for all who seek the higher way and is a shining example of holding true to our heart’s desire when all appears lost.
The CHARIOT card relates to having faith in our abilities, and progress being made through strength of will and steering the middle path. It can also refer to dealings with vehicles. It is aligned with Commander Ashtar, Head of the Galactic Fleet, whose members work through their merkabah vehicles to harmonise negative influences and assist humans to participate in the evolutionary process.
The STRENGTH card encourages us to be strong, be patient and have courage. It can imply setbacks but which allow us to discover depths of our personality. It is aligned with St Theresa, who challenged accepted guidelines in order to become a Carmelite Nun at the age of fifteen, and who endured chronic pain without complaint.
The HERMIT card portrays a character who seeks to withdraw from everyday life for a period of reflection, re-evaluation or study. Alone but not lonely, there is sense of solitude and inner peace. It is aligned with Hilarion, a hermit in both nature and profession, and a great healer. In his lifetime as Paul the Apostle he sought quietude in the wilderness.
The WHEEL OF FORTUNE is often classed as a “lucky” card, but when taking into account the “what goes around comes around” element of its meaning we must question our discernment. It is aligned with the Karmic Board who deal with petitions for the resolution of karma and which meters out the necessary lessons for us to learn on Earth.
The JUSTICE card is also very much a karmic card, but more so divine justice rather than personal lessons to be learnt. Here we receive just reward for past actions and order is restored. It is aligned with Lady Portia, Goddess of Justice and Hierarch of the Aquarian Age. She helps those who judge or criticise others from the lower mind to raise their energy.
The HANGED MAN implies a risk or sacrifice. There is a need to release anything or anyone who has a negative effect on our life. It is aligned with Kuthumi, Head of the Brothers of the Golden Robe, who in his lifetime as St Francis of Assisi surrendered all material attachments.
The DEATH card relates to a transformation in lifestyle and acceptance that enforced changes are essential in order for a new way of life to begin. It is aligned with Maha Chohan whose name means “Great Lord”. He ministers to all souls as they enter and exit their physical incarnations on Earth. At birth he breathes life into our body and ignites the Three Fold Flame. At death he withdraws the flame of life and returns our divine spark to the etheric body.
The TEMPERANCE card reminds us of the need for balance between the spiritual and material sides of life. Creativity is also expressed here. It is aligned with Paul the Venetian whose inspiration flows from his works of art and are an example to us all of what we can achieve when spirituality and materialism unify.
The DEVIL card portrays negativity in its extreme and depicts what our shadow side can create when we give way to base impulses. Temptation, subordination, oppression and addiction are just a few examples. It is aligned with Serapis Bey who assists us in the process of purification and holding in check our lower human qualities.
The TOWER card signifies a clean break with the past, an encounter or experience having such a profound effect that nothing remains the same. Though our strength of character may be tested, negativity and doubt are removed. It is aligned with El Morya who helps us maintain strong willpower and gives assistance to all who are prepared to walk the higher path on Earth.
The STAR card relates to new horizons and a new direction in life. It often reveals itself when we have been ill or going through a bad time as it promises light at the end of the tunnel. It is aligned with Djwal Khul, the Messenger of the Masters, who in his incarnation as one of the Three Wise Men led the way for others to follow.
The MOON card presides over our subconscious; also to all feminine issues, including her three faces – virgin, mother and crone. It is aligned with Mother Mary, the Divine Mother, who serves us all as her children. Just as a child turns to its mother, she too holds out her arms to us, enfolding us in the love and joy.
The SUN card relates to triumph over adversity; also to dealings with children. It is aligned with Sananda, son of the Divine Creator, who walked on Earth as his child. He is thus the Son and the light of the world, and brings us to life just as the sun does all life forms on Earth.
The JUDGEMENT card deals with endings in all forms. It is aligned with Joan of Arc, the French farm girl who led her countrymen to victory by following her spiritual calling. She reminds us of the need to stand true to our spiritual path and that we are never deserted by our sacred companions.
The WORLD card shows inner peace, contentment and fulfilment on attaining our goals and reaching our destination. It is aligned with Gautama Buddha, the wealthy Prince who achieved enlightenment by overcoming the cravings of the lower bodies. He is reflective of your transitional journey, of your overcoming fear and the negative aspects of the material plane in order that you too can walk the path of Ascension and live a life of enlightenment.
Whether your interest lies in the Tarot, the Ascended Masters, or both, this alignment of energies gives a unique insight into the Fool’s journey – our journey – through life.
Below is The Master’s Path Tarot spread. Only the 22 Major Arcana cards are to be used so reference can be made to the alignment of Masters to cards above.
The Master’s Path
SPIRITUAL
Card No
1, 2, 3 Energies around higher bodies
4, 5, 6 Energies around lower bodies
7 Doorkeeper – FIRE
8 Doorkeeper – EARTH
9 Doorkeeper – AIR
10 Doorkeeper – WATER
11 Higher Heart (key issue)
12 Soul Star (spiritual mission)
13 Earth Star (bringing Heaven to Earth)
PRACTICAL
Card No
1, 2, 3 Issues coming in
4, 5, 6 Present time
7 FIRE – Ideas & Actions
8 EARTH – Practical steps
9 AIR – Communication & Plans
10 WATER – Emotions
11 Central issue
12 Waiting to happen
13 Activity beneath the surface
So whether your preferred tool is meditation, invocation, affirmation, prayer or working with the Tarot – the Masters are waiting to work with you. Are you ready to meet them? If you are reading this article, then you are.
A full description of the alignment is given in the book “A Journey with the Masters” and also verbally on Track 2 of Trudy’s CD of the same name. Track 1 is a one hour meditative journey to meet the 22 Ascended Masters.
Trudy Ashplant is a clairvoyant and spiritual teacher who specialises in teaching Ascension and the Tarot. She holds regular Tarot workshops at Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced & Master ship levels and also two correspondence courses. She has produced a number of meditation CDs and is the author of “A Journey with the Masters”.
See www.trudyjashplant.co.uk or call 07968 096131.
© Trudy J Ashplant 2008 |
