More regarding Thoth's Hierophant
cherryberry said:
check the Thoth and the little woman that stands right in front of him
That little woman is actually the Goddess Venus (Or Aphrodite), and she plays a vital role for the Hierophant, especially on an astrological level, as Venus rules the sign of Taurus, which corresponds to the Hierophant.
Notice the glyph of the planet Venus - a circle of spirit above the cross of matter - This represents content over form. Called the mirror of Aphrodite, it points to a certain physical vanity, recalling the myth of Narcissus, which reflects that the Hierophant even looks on himself subjectively, watching with an often obsessive concern for how others see him.
However, unlike the conservative and rather stodgy Hierophant seen in previously created decks, the Thoth Hierophant represents a whole new realm of mysteries, including those of the sexual realm. In the card, the Goddess Venus stands before him, but not in the delicate, dainty, and 'pretty' version, but more like the strong guardian aspect of her, which isn't seen in most of the myths regarding her. Instead of a rose, or a harp, she posesses a sword, representing the true "strength" of femininity, which when understood and appreciated by men, it can lead to numerous spiritual accents in one's journey. The Hierophant knows this, and hence he understands the importance of accepting not only the feminine powers of the divine, but the feminine powers within himself (you know, inside every man is a woman, and inside every woman is a man).
This Hierophant has mastered the mysteries and lore of sexuality from both oriental and occidental paths. Be it tantric sexuality, the Kama Sutra, hell even the latest erotica from eastern europe and shady studio's in California. However, he understands the spiritual power of sex, and hence understands that it cannot be misused in the way most "uninitiated" souls do so. That's the key to his immense prowess and incredible staying power and stamina, that, and the fact that he loves to take it slow, at his own sweet time, why rush it?
The four kerubic beasts, representing the 4 fixed signs of the zodiac appear in this card, solely in this deck for a very very important reason. The Bull (Taurus - The Hierophant's sign), The Lion (Leo), The Eagle (With a human head - The evolved version of Scorpio), and The Humanesque Figure (With an Eagle's head - The evolved version of Aquarius)
Astrologically, these signs also represent 4 integral aspects of sexuality, which The Hierophant has mastered. Taurus represents sensuality, the appreciation of beauty and mastery over fertility and potency.
Leo, to represent the sheer physical passion for sex (which is why in this deck, strength is renamed Lust), as well as an appreciation for the grandeur and magnanimous energy that the sexual act offers and bestows. Here as well, since Leo also rules the Heart, and love affairs, the Hierophant masters the blending of the emotional romantic aspects of sexuality, and understands the way to connect the heart to the genitals, bringing the sex act to a higher level.
Scorpio, the sign of sex itself. The eagle represents the highest aspect of this sign, (the other two being the scorpion and the lowest, the grey lizard) and further evolved with the human head, indicates appreciation of the sexual act in a more gentle, yet intense manner as compared to the earlier aeon version of the scorpio eagle. Here sex reaches a spiritual height of ecstacy, a power is experienced so close to divinity that it can even overcome the power of "Death" (look at the RWS 'Death' card and see that it's only the Hierophant that stands before the horse rider, unflinching and firmly grounded in his position).
And which finally brings us to Aquarius (a highly evolved version with an eagle head), indicating the ability to know when and when not to detach from the intense energies of the sex act. In the previous aeon, aquarius, though sexually powerful, often got too caught up into the kinks and deviations and 'accessories' that came along and distracted him from acheiving the true goal of sexual-spiritual bliss, which at times led to premature ejaculations. Here, the intensity is more focussed, and more involved with the act. However, he knows now that without a sense of detachment, one can get too consumed and hence devoured by the energy let out during the ever powerful spiritual orgasm. Hence striking out a strong balance.
And finally, we child within the star upon the Hierophant's heart. This in a way represents the Hierophant choosing to keep that innocence of heart within him symbolizing a purity of his soul. Despite his vast knowledge about a subject which most of us feels robs children of their innocence, the Hierophant teaches us that possessing that innocence is always forever possible, and it's that innocence that truly is the true key towards acheiving oneness with the divine powers of the universe through the ecstatic powerful bliss of sexuality.
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(Whew, that's a lotta typing)