Leisa
A basilisk (a serpent with a cock's head) is entwined around a sword, upright in the air, which is its element. A bird is startled by the sight, and hovers, suspended. The sword's hilt ends in a crystal ball. The sword's guard shows a winged spade, which represents the modern playing card suit sign of spades and the element of air.
In mythology, the basilisk is a symbol of wisdom, and is often shown devouring a human. To the ancients, to be devoured by wisdom wasa symbol of enlightenment, or gnosis; it represented initiation into the mysteries. The basilisk also is related to the all-powerful Gnostic god Abraxas, ruler of magic and spiritual powers in the universe, who is portrayed in art as having the head of a cock or lion and the body of a man with legs that terminated in serpents or scorpions. In Christianity, the basilisk became a symbol of the Devil. But, as we have learned from alchemy, we have to go through the Devil (darkness) to gain wisdom. The intellect alone is not enough to gain wisdom. Intellect must confront the unconscious, and the two must be integrated. This integration is represented by the basilisk itself.
Tarot wisdom: You are blessed by the beginning of something new in the intellect: an idea, a positive direction, enthusiasm, profound thinking, or originality. The message also relates to the intellectual process that helps to bring creativity and inspiration into the physical plane.
In mythology, the basilisk is a symbol of wisdom, and is often shown devouring a human. To the ancients, to be devoured by wisdom wasa symbol of enlightenment, or gnosis; it represented initiation into the mysteries. The basilisk also is related to the all-powerful Gnostic god Abraxas, ruler of magic and spiritual powers in the universe, who is portrayed in art as having the head of a cock or lion and the body of a man with legs that terminated in serpents or scorpions. In Christianity, the basilisk became a symbol of the Devil. But, as we have learned from alchemy, we have to go through the Devil (darkness) to gain wisdom. The intellect alone is not enough to gain wisdom. Intellect must confront the unconscious, and the two must be integrated. This integration is represented by the basilisk itself.
Tarot wisdom: You are blessed by the beginning of something new in the intellect: an idea, a positive direction, enthusiasm, profound thinking, or originality. The message also relates to the intellectual process that helps to bring creativity and inspiration into the physical plane.