The Kabbalah’s Tree of Life has 22 paths consisting of 11 paths, outward and inward.
The Chartres Rose Labyrinth has 11 concentric circles that form the unicursal path, inward and outward. Twice 11 is 22.
It is possible that the two, the Tree of Life and the Chartres Labyrinth, derived from the same belief system of the Jewish Kabbalah. It is believed that the Rose Labyrinth was installed in the Chartres Cathedral in southern France by the Knights Templar, the same group that defended the temple in Jerusalem, where they would have encountered the 22 paths of the Kabbalah and the Tree of Life. In time when they could no longer make their pilgrimage to the Holy City, they designed the Chartres Rose Labyrinth as a walking meditation that became the new focus of their pilgrimage.
The Tree of Life & Tarot on the Labyrinth
To prepare the Earth & Soul Labyrinth, I have divided the total length of the Unicursal Path into 11 equal sections. Each section is marked with stones to highlight the transition points. Each stone marks the place of a Tree of Life Sephira. A Sephira is an emanation or a state of being. There are 10 Sephiroth on the Tree of Life Sephiroth. In my diagram I have also included a symbol for Spirit and Earth.
Each section, connecting the Sephiroth, is a Tree of Life path. Each path relates to a Tarot Major Arcana card.
Inward JourneyEarth (Living Existence) to Malkuth (Kingdom) Wheel of Life X
Malkuth (Kingdom) to Hod (Glory & Splendour) Strength XI
Hod (Glory & Splendour) to Netzach (Power & Victory) Hanged Man XII
Netzach (Power & Victory) to Yesod (Foundation) Death XIII
Yesod (Foundation) to Geburah (Severity) Temperance XIV
Geburah (Severity) to Chesed (Mercy) Devil XV
Chesed (Mercy) to Tiphareth (Beauty) Tower XVI
Tiphareth (Beauty) to Binah (Understanding) Star XVII
Binah (Understanding) to Chokhmah (Wisdom) Moon XVIII
Chokhmah (Wisdom) to Kether (Crown) Sun XIX
Kether (Crown) to Ain Soph Aur (Spirit) Judgment XX
Outward JourneyAin Soph Aur (Spirit) to Kether (Crown) Fool 0
Kether (Crown) to Chokhmah (Wisdom) Magician I
Chokhmah (Wisdom) to Binah (Understanding) High Priestess II
Binah (Understanding) to Tiphareth (Beauty) Empress III
Tiphareth (Beauty) to Chesed (Mercy) Emperor IV
Chesed (Mercy) to Geburah (Severity) Hierophant V
Geburah (Severity) to Yesod (Foundation) Lovers VI
Yesod (Foundation) to Netzach (Power & Victory) Chariot VII
Netzach (Power & Victory) to Hod (Glory & Splendour) Justice VIII
Hod (Glory & Splendour) to Malkuth (Kingdom) Hermit IX
Malkuth (Kingdom) to Earth (Living Existence) Wheel of Life X
The 22nd Tarot card and the 22nd Path is the World XXI. The World is the complete set of everything. For that reason, it does not appear in either the outward or inward journey. It is the complete journey.
As a guide to the walk, I have written an explanation of the Inward Journey and the Outward Journey. I have included a short explanation of the meaning of the petals of the Rose. At the end I have also included a series of cards that may be used as palm cards, to inform and assist as you walk the labyrinth according to the Tarot and the Tree of Life.
To prepare the Earth & Soul Labyrinth, I have divided the total length of the Unicursal Path into 11 equal sections. Each section is marked with stones to highlight the transition points. Each stone marks the place of a Tree of Life Sephira. A Sephira is an emanation or a state of being. There are 10 Sephiroth on the Tree of Life Sephiroth. In my diagram I have also included a symbol for Spirit and Earth.
Each section, connecting the Sephiroth, is a Tree of Life path. Each path relates to a Tarot Major Arcana card.
Inward JourneyEarth (Living Existence) to Malkuth (Kingdom) Wheel of Life X
Malkuth (Kingdom) to Hod (Glory & Splendour) Strength XI
Hod (Glory & Splendour) to Netzach (Power & Victory) Hanged Man XII
Netzach (Power & Victory) to Yesod (Foundation) Death XIII
Yesod (Foundation) to Geburah (Severity) Temperance XIV
Geburah (Severity) to Chesed (Mercy) Devil XV
Chesed (Mercy) to Tiphareth (Beauty) Tower XVI
Tiphareth (Beauty) to Binah (Understanding) Star XVII
Binah (Understanding) to Chokhmah (Wisdom) Moon XVIII
Chokhmah (Wisdom) to Kether (Crown) Sun XIX
Kether (Crown) to Ain Soph Aur (Spirit) Judgment XX
Outward JourneyAin Soph Aur (Spirit) to Kether (Crown) Fool 0
Kether (Crown) to Chokhmah (Wisdom) Magician I
Chokhmah (Wisdom) to Binah (Understanding) High Priestess II
Binah (Understanding) to Tiphareth (Beauty) Empress III
Tiphareth (Beauty) to Chesed (Mercy) Emperor IV
Chesed (Mercy) to Geburah (Severity) Hierophant V
Geburah (Severity) to Yesod (Foundation) Lovers VI
Yesod (Foundation) to Netzach (Power & Victory) Chariot VII
Netzach (Power & Victory) to Hod (Glory & Splendour) Justice VIII
Hod (Glory & Splendour) to Malkuth (Kingdom) Hermit IX
Malkuth (Kingdom) to Earth (Living Existence) Wheel of Life X
The 22nd Tarot card and the 22nd Path is the World XXI. The World is the complete set of everything. For that reason, it does not appear in either the outward or inward journey. It is the complete journey.
As a guide to the walk, I have written an explanation of the Inward Journey and the Outward Journey. I have included a short explanation of the meaning of the petals of the Rose. At the end I have also included a series of cards that may be used as palm cards, to inform and assist as you walk the labyrinth according to the Tarot and the Tree of Life.
The Inward Journey.
The Labyrinth walk commences with us standing on Earth in the midst of the goings on of life. This is the world of Nephesh - the living soul. The intent of the living soul is to return to the spiritual centre, the source, situated within the central rose at the heart of the labyrinth.
As it is said, every journey commences with a single step and this first step takes us into the sanctuary of the Labyrinth. Step onto the path of the Wheel of Life. The Wheel of Life performs a weighing up and review function. Considering where you started from, where you have been, and where you now are, how have you developed your Soul’s potential? The path of the Wheel of Life returns to the Sephira Malkuth meaning Kingdom. On the Tree of Life, the elements of the world of Nephesh look like this:
The Labyrinth walk commences with us standing on Earth in the midst of the goings on of life. This is the world of Nephesh - the living soul. The intent of the living soul is to return to the spiritual centre, the source, situated within the central rose at the heart of the labyrinth.
As it is said, every journey commences with a single step and this first step takes us into the sanctuary of the Labyrinth. Step onto the path of the Wheel of Life. The Wheel of Life performs a weighing up and review function. Considering where you started from, where you have been, and where you now are, how have you developed your Soul’s potential? The path of the Wheel of Life returns to the Sephira Malkuth meaning Kingdom. On the Tree of Life, the elements of the world of Nephesh look like this:
Arriving at Malkuth you have stepped off the Wheel of Life. Everything stops for a while now as you walk the Labyrinth. Malkuth is a Gateway of Consciousness that transitions from the living world of Nephesh to the Kabbalistic world of Assiyah meaning Manifestation. This is the world of manifest behaviour and actions.
Within each of the three lower Kabbalistic worlds, there are two Sephiroth which represent dual opposite energies. In the world of Assiyah the dual opposites are the Sephira Hod meaning splendour and glory and the Sephira Netzach meaning power and victory. Can you understand the nature of these Sephiroth as they relate to manifest behaviour? Are your actions about the glory and power of the ego or are your actions about the needs of your soul? In each world it is essential to find a balance between the two dual opposite functions. These two opposites, in combination, then generate a third function.
A further aspect of the Tree of Life is that it exists with three vertical columns. The middle column (Middle Pillar) which holds the four Gateways of Consciousness, represents balance, harmony, equilibrium, and neutral forces. On either side of the Middle Pillar are the Pillars of Force and Form. Other terms used to describe the Pillar of Force are active, masculine, expansion and mercy. The Pillar of Form is described as passive, feminine, contraction and severity.
On the Tree of Life, the three lower Kabbalistic worlds are structured as follows:
Within each of the three lower Kabbalistic worlds, there are two Sephiroth which represent dual opposite energies. In the world of Assiyah the dual opposites are the Sephira Hod meaning splendour and glory and the Sephira Netzach meaning power and victory. Can you understand the nature of these Sephiroth as they relate to manifest behaviour? Are your actions about the glory and power of the ego or are your actions about the needs of your soul? In each world it is essential to find a balance between the two dual opposite functions. These two opposites, in combination, then generate a third function.
A further aspect of the Tree of Life is that it exists with three vertical columns. The middle column (Middle Pillar) which holds the four Gateways of Consciousness, represents balance, harmony, equilibrium, and neutral forces. On either side of the Middle Pillar are the Pillars of Force and Form. Other terms used to describe the Pillar of Force are active, masculine, expansion and mercy. The Pillar of Form is described as passive, feminine, contraction and severity.
On the Tree of Life, the three lower Kabbalistic worlds are structured as follows:
Applying this model to the Kabbalistic World of Assiyah, as we return back up the Tree, the elements on the Tree of Life look as follows:
Issuing from Malkuth, the kingdom, Hod and Netzach, glory/splendour and power/victory, generate Yesod which is foundation. Similarly, the balanced dual opposites of Strength and the Hanged Man generate and are expressed in the path of Death which leads to our foundation. Remember, Death here does not relate to our physical death of the body. This is the death of the ego. So, what we are doing here is removing the ego from our physical actions.
The journey of enlightenment, returning to your spiritual centre, requires enormous inner strength and resolve. Departing from Malkuth you step onto the path of Strength. This path is all about cultivating this quiet, inner, gentle strength that you need in order to overpower the raging, demanding ego. This is why the Tarot card of Strength shows a woman gently controlling a lion. The feminine constrains into form the active, expanding force of the masculine.
The next path from Hod (glory & splendour) to Netzach (power & victory) is the path of the Hanged Man. The path of the Hanged Man then expands to the active side, balancing the contracting energy and finding a perfect equilibrium between the two energies. The Hanged Man is stuck, hanging, dangling upside down. He must quieten himself as in meditation. Calm the rage within him and use the lessons of Strength to build the resolve to choose to sacrifice himself and leave the ego behind. Arriving at Netzach he has learned the lessons of power and victory. He has overcome the ego.
The combined lessons of Hod and Netzach, Strength and the Hanged Man, assist on the next path, Death, which takes us to Yesod - Foundation. Death represents the release from the ego, the overcoming and liberation from physical boundaries whilst in the living condition. This is not the physical death of the body. This is the release of the Hanged Man.
Arriving at Yesod we have reestablished our self at the Foundation of the Kingdom. Yesod is also a Gateway of Consciousness transitioning from the Kabbalistic world of Assiyah (Manifestation) to the Kabbalistic world of Yetzirah (Formation). Yetzirah is the world of the formation of the emotions. Travelling back up the Tree of Life, we have first reviewed and re-established the manifest physical world. Now we review and re-establish the seat of our emotions. We now pass back through Yesod, the Gateway of Consciousness (Lower/Ego Consciousness) to the world of emotional processes. In this world the elements on the Tree of Life look like this:
The journey of enlightenment, returning to your spiritual centre, requires enormous inner strength and resolve. Departing from Malkuth you step onto the path of Strength. This path is all about cultivating this quiet, inner, gentle strength that you need in order to overpower the raging, demanding ego. This is why the Tarot card of Strength shows a woman gently controlling a lion. The feminine constrains into form the active, expanding force of the masculine.
The next path from Hod (glory & splendour) to Netzach (power & victory) is the path of the Hanged Man. The path of the Hanged Man then expands to the active side, balancing the contracting energy and finding a perfect equilibrium between the two energies. The Hanged Man is stuck, hanging, dangling upside down. He must quieten himself as in meditation. Calm the rage within him and use the lessons of Strength to build the resolve to choose to sacrifice himself and leave the ego behind. Arriving at Netzach he has learned the lessons of power and victory. He has overcome the ego.
The combined lessons of Hod and Netzach, Strength and the Hanged Man, assist on the next path, Death, which takes us to Yesod - Foundation. Death represents the release from the ego, the overcoming and liberation from physical boundaries whilst in the living condition. This is not the physical death of the body. This is the release of the Hanged Man.
Arriving at Yesod we have reestablished our self at the Foundation of the Kingdom. Yesod is also a Gateway of Consciousness transitioning from the Kabbalistic world of Assiyah (Manifestation) to the Kabbalistic world of Yetzirah (Formation). Yetzirah is the world of the formation of the emotions. Travelling back up the Tree of Life, we have first reviewed and re-established the manifest physical world. Now we review and re-establish the seat of our emotions. We now pass back through Yesod, the Gateway of Consciousness (Lower/Ego Consciousness) to the world of emotional processes. In this world the elements on the Tree of Life look like this:
Departing from Yesod, our place of foundation, we embark upon the path of Temperance, learning the lessons of moderation and finding the middle way in things. Temperance takes us to Geburah meaning Severity. In Temperance we can learn to be hard on ourselves when exercising self-discipline. This form of severity needs to be balanced with the dual opposite of mercy which is found in the next Sephira known as Chesed which means Mercy.
The path from Geburah to Chesed is the path of the Devil. On this path you learn all about the qualities of mercy. The Devil, unlike Temperance, will give you everything and anything you want and desire. This is temptation which can lead to addiction. The ego has not completely let go of the hold on you. This is the last attempt to hold you back. Finding a balance between Temperance and the Devil, severity and mercy, is the key here to balancing dual opposites.
The outcome of this balance is the path of the Lightning-Struck Tower which takes you from Chesed (mercy) to Tiphareth which means Beauty. When on the path of the Tower you may not perceive any sense of beauty. It is only in hindsight, when you have attained beauty, that you appreciate the purpose of the lightning strike. The Tower clears away old, out-moded behaviours and emotional attachments, preparing you to review and rebuild your way of thinking. At this time, you realise that you are in a beautiful place in your life and it was totally unexpected.
Tiphareth (Beauty) is the Gateway of Consciousness (Higher/Self Consciousness) from the world of Yetzirah (emotional formation) to the world of Beriah (mental creation). We now return to where our original thoughts and ideas, our way of thinking, was established and we review and re-establish the mind and the mental processes. In this world the elements on the Tree of Life look like this:
The path from Geburah to Chesed is the path of the Devil. On this path you learn all about the qualities of mercy. The Devil, unlike Temperance, will give you everything and anything you want and desire. This is temptation which can lead to addiction. The ego has not completely let go of the hold on you. This is the last attempt to hold you back. Finding a balance between Temperance and the Devil, severity and mercy, is the key here to balancing dual opposites.
The outcome of this balance is the path of the Lightning-Struck Tower which takes you from Chesed (mercy) to Tiphareth which means Beauty. When on the path of the Tower you may not perceive any sense of beauty. It is only in hindsight, when you have attained beauty, that you appreciate the purpose of the lightning strike. The Tower clears away old, out-moded behaviours and emotional attachments, preparing you to review and rebuild your way of thinking. At this time, you realise that you are in a beautiful place in your life and it was totally unexpected.
Tiphareth (Beauty) is the Gateway of Consciousness (Higher/Self Consciousness) from the world of Yetzirah (emotional formation) to the world of Beriah (mental creation). We now return to where our original thoughts and ideas, our way of thinking, was established and we review and re-establish the mind and the mental processes. In this world the elements on the Tree of Life look like this:
From Tiphareth we step onto the path of the Star, returning to the Sephira Binah which means understanding. The Star rebuilds hope after the difficult experience of the breakdown of the Devil and the Tower. The Star places the stars back in the heavens and lifts our ideals to a new level of understanding in the scheme of things and the furthering of enlightenment.
With this new understanding we leave Binah and travel on the path of the Moon to Chokhmah meaning Wisdom. Our purpose is to learn from all of our experiences and generate this wonderful new wisdom of enlightenment. The imagery on the Tarot card of the Moon is distinctive. An outwardly unattractive, gnarly creature in the form of a crayfish or lobster, climbs out of the murky pool of the Abyss and approaches the gates of the palace of the Sun, getting closer to the source and the spiritual centre. The internal introspection of the phase of the moon, prepares our understanding of ourselves and we navigate the dim, narrow path between the howling wolf and the domesticated dog of our opposing energies. It is our purpose here to balance these two opposing energies - the enlightened self and the ego - and fuse them in the Sun.
Arriving at Chokhmah (Wisdom) we are now ready to embark on the path of the Sun, returning to the Sephira Kether meaning the Crown. On the path of the Sun we have melded together the two dual opposite halves of our self - the Moon and the Sun - feminine and masculine - in Jung’s process of individuation. We have come to find peace with and within our self. The Sun returns to Kether the Crown, the place into which our soul first incarnated. The Sun returns to Kether the Crown, the place into which our soul first incarnated.
Kether is the Gateway of Consciousness (spiritual consciousness) where we now transition from the world of Beriah (mental creation) to the world of Atziluth (emanation and spirit).
On the Tree of Life, the elements of the world of Atziluth look like this:
With this new understanding we leave Binah and travel on the path of the Moon to Chokhmah meaning Wisdom. Our purpose is to learn from all of our experiences and generate this wonderful new wisdom of enlightenment. The imagery on the Tarot card of the Moon is distinctive. An outwardly unattractive, gnarly creature in the form of a crayfish or lobster, climbs out of the murky pool of the Abyss and approaches the gates of the palace of the Sun, getting closer to the source and the spiritual centre. The internal introspection of the phase of the moon, prepares our understanding of ourselves and we navigate the dim, narrow path between the howling wolf and the domesticated dog of our opposing energies. It is our purpose here to balance these two opposing energies - the enlightened self and the ego - and fuse them in the Sun.
Arriving at Chokhmah (Wisdom) we are now ready to embark on the path of the Sun, returning to the Sephira Kether meaning the Crown. On the path of the Sun we have melded together the two dual opposite halves of our self - the Moon and the Sun - feminine and masculine - in Jung’s process of individuation. We have come to find peace with and within our self. The Sun returns to Kether the Crown, the place into which our soul first incarnated. The Sun returns to Kether the Crown, the place into which our soul first incarnated.
Kether is the Gateway of Consciousness (spiritual consciousness) where we now transition from the world of Beriah (mental creation) to the world of Atziluth (emanation and spirit).
On the Tree of Life, the elements of the world of Atziluth look like this:
We now prepare to leave Kether and step onto the path of Judgment that returns to our spiritual centre, the Ain Soph Aur. The Ain Soph Aur means the absolute limitless light. It is also known as nothingness. This is the place, the home of our spirit, the central rose of the Chartres Labyrinth. We step onto the path of Judgment. Judgment is about you judging you. How have you done? How are you going with your soul’s lesson in life? Will you graduate? Arriving at the Spiritual centre we now have the time to resolve and re-centre our self. When we are ready, we contemplate the next journey. The outward cycle that returns us to our world, Earth, the place of the living soul, Nephesh.
The Spiritual Centre of the Chartres Rose Labyrinth.
In the centre of the Labyrinth are six stones in the outer petals of a rose. In the centre of the rose is another stone. The six stones are identified as Belief, Purpose, Kindness, Harmony, Happiness and Support. The central stone is identified as Love. At the centre of our existence is love and it is intended that all of our thoughts, feelings and actions should be tempered with love. Take the time to contemplate each of these stones.
The names and meanings of the stones are derived from the Lord’s Prayer and the teachings of Jesus. The relevant phrases are provided at the end of each explanation.
Belief
What is your belief? I believe our Source is Spirit, a form of energy which appears as Nothingness and yet is Everything. We are all one and the same with the Spirit. Everything is connected and there is a reason for Everything.
(Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name.)
Purpose
My purpose is to follow the will of Spirit.
(Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,)
Kindness
To do everything I do here on Earth with the same kindness that is shown in the Spirit.
(On Earth as it is in Heaven.)
Harmony
I have been prepared for this journey with everything I need in order to carry out my soul’s purpose and so I can trust, be at peace and exist in harmony with my fellow souls and the universe.
(Give us this day our daily bread.)
Happiness
I forgive others as Spirit forgives me and therefore, I exist in happiness.
(Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.)
Support
I need the help and support of Spirit in order to avoid and overcome temptation and protect me from evil. I cannot do this on my own.
(Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil.)
Love
Do all of these things with love.
(Love one another.)
(Note: the end of the Lord’s Prayer, the doxology, “for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory. Forever and ever, amen”, is an added phrase which may or may not be used. Note the connection between the words “the kingdom, the power and the glory” and the three lower Sephiroth - Malkuth (Kingdom), Netzach (Power) and Hod (Glory).)
In the centre of the Labyrinth are six stones in the outer petals of a rose. In the centre of the rose is another stone. The six stones are identified as Belief, Purpose, Kindness, Harmony, Happiness and Support. The central stone is identified as Love. At the centre of our existence is love and it is intended that all of our thoughts, feelings and actions should be tempered with love. Take the time to contemplate each of these stones.
The names and meanings of the stones are derived from the Lord’s Prayer and the teachings of Jesus. The relevant phrases are provided at the end of each explanation.
Belief
What is your belief? I believe our Source is Spirit, a form of energy which appears as Nothingness and yet is Everything. We are all one and the same with the Spirit. Everything is connected and there is a reason for Everything.
(Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name.)
Purpose
My purpose is to follow the will of Spirit.
(Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,)
Kindness
To do everything I do here on Earth with the same kindness that is shown in the Spirit.
(On Earth as it is in Heaven.)
Harmony
I have been prepared for this journey with everything I need in order to carry out my soul’s purpose and so I can trust, be at peace and exist in harmony with my fellow souls and the universe.
(Give us this day our daily bread.)
Happiness
I forgive others as Spirit forgives me and therefore, I exist in happiness.
(Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.)
Support
I need the help and support of Spirit in order to avoid and overcome temptation and protect me from evil. I cannot do this on my own.
(Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil.)
Love
Do all of these things with love.
(Love one another.)
(Note: the end of the Lord’s Prayer, the doxology, “for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory. Forever and ever, amen”, is an added phrase which may or may not be used. Note the connection between the words “the kingdom, the power and the glory” and the three lower Sephiroth - Malkuth (Kingdom), Netzach (Power) and Hod (Glory).)
The Outward Journey
Standing at the opening of the central rose, prepare to depart from your Spiritual centre and commence the outward journey to return to your living world. You first enter the world of Atziluth. The world of emanation and spirit. On the Tree of Life, the elements of this world look like this:
Standing at the opening of the central rose, prepare to depart from your Spiritual centre and commence the outward journey to return to your living world. You first enter the world of Atziluth. The world of emanation and spirit. On the Tree of Life, the elements of this world look like this:
Step onto the path of the Fool. This is the emanation of spirit as the soul. The spark of life that energises the body. This is incarnation. The soul incarnates into the Sephira Kether known as the Crown. Think of the Crown Chakra. The Fool represents your full, unlimited, infinite potential. Kether is the Gateway of Consciousness (Spiritual Consciousness) that transitions from the world of Atziluth (Emanation and spirit) to the world of Beriah (the mind and creation).
On the Tree of Life, the elements of the world of Beriah on the outward journey look like this:
On the Tree of Life, the elements of the world of Beriah on the outward journey look like this:
The path from Kether is the path of the Magician travelling to Chokhmah learning Wisdom. Think of what you have learned in this process and what you now know that perhaps you did not know before. Arriving at Chokhmah you have learned wisdom.
The next path from Chokhmah (Wisdom) to Binah (Understanding) is the path of the High Priestess. You are now deriving and absorbing the understanding of the wisdom that you learned on the path of the Magician. Arriving at Binah, what is it now that you understand, that you perhaps did not understand before this process.
The combined dual energy of the mind, the Magician and the High Priestess, Chokhmah and Binah, is now expressed in the path of the Empress. The Empress represents creative expression, fertility, the natural boundless, flowing energy of nature. The path of the Empress travels from Binah (understanding) to Tiphareth (Beauty). What we have here, at this place, is beautiful.
Tiphareth is the Gateway of Consciousness (Higher Consciousness - the self) that transitions from the world of Beriah (the mind and creation) to the world of Yetzirah (the emotions and formation). We have established the mindset and we are now establishing the emotional processes as a result of this labyrinth experience.
On the Tree of Life, the elements of the world of Yetzirah on the outward journey are as follows:
The next path from Chokhmah (Wisdom) to Binah (Understanding) is the path of the High Priestess. You are now deriving and absorbing the understanding of the wisdom that you learned on the path of the Magician. Arriving at Binah, what is it now that you understand, that you perhaps did not understand before this process.
The combined dual energy of the mind, the Magician and the High Priestess, Chokhmah and Binah, is now expressed in the path of the Empress. The Empress represents creative expression, fertility, the natural boundless, flowing energy of nature. The path of the Empress travels from Binah (understanding) to Tiphareth (Beauty). What we have here, at this place, is beautiful.
Tiphareth is the Gateway of Consciousness (Higher Consciousness - the self) that transitions from the world of Beriah (the mind and creation) to the world of Yetzirah (the emotions and formation). We have established the mindset and we are now establishing the emotional processes as a result of this labyrinth experience.
On the Tree of Life, the elements of the world of Yetzirah on the outward journey are as follows:
The path from Tiphareth (Beauty) to Chesed (Mercy) is the path of the Emperor. The Emperor represents structure, rules, discipline. The young nature child of the Empress is now prepared for school. Note that the path of the Emperor leads to Mercy. The Emperor is a merciful leader.
From Chesed (Mercy) to Geburah (Severity) is the path of the Hierophant. Hierophant is the title of a teacher-priest in ancient Egypt. The child, the Empress and Emperor combination, is now ready for school and the role of the Hierophant is to impart values, standards and principles. This can be seen as the traditions and beliefs that help us in our emotional choices in life. The Hierophant takes us from Mercy to Severity and it is our purpose to find a balance between these two aspects of emotional love.
From Geburah we now travel on the path of the Lovers, learning all about relationships and our emotional choices. Combining the teachings of the Emperor and the Hierophant, Chesed and Geburah, we travel to Yesod, the place of our foundation in life.
Yesod is the seat of the Ego and is also the Gateway of Consciousness (Lower/Ego Consciousness) from the world of Yetzirah (emotional formation) to the world of Assiyah (physical manifestation). We are now ready to transition our new thinking and new emotional being into new physical behaviours.
On the Tree of Life, the world of Assiyah on the outward journey looks like this:
From Chesed (Mercy) to Geburah (Severity) is the path of the Hierophant. Hierophant is the title of a teacher-priest in ancient Egypt. The child, the Empress and Emperor combination, is now ready for school and the role of the Hierophant is to impart values, standards and principles. This can be seen as the traditions and beliefs that help us in our emotional choices in life. The Hierophant takes us from Mercy to Severity and it is our purpose to find a balance between these two aspects of emotional love.
From Geburah we now travel on the path of the Lovers, learning all about relationships and our emotional choices. Combining the teachings of the Emperor and the Hierophant, Chesed and Geburah, we travel to Yesod, the place of our foundation in life.
Yesod is the seat of the Ego and is also the Gateway of Consciousness (Lower/Ego Consciousness) from the world of Yetzirah (emotional formation) to the world of Assiyah (physical manifestation). We are now ready to transition our new thinking and new emotional being into new physical behaviours.
On the Tree of Life, the world of Assiyah on the outward journey looks like this:
From Yesod (Foundation) we travel on the path of the Chariot to the Sephira Netzach (power & victory). The Chariot is all about willpower and the power of the mind and the emotions to make things happen, to manifest behaviour.
The counter balance of the Chariot (Willpower) and Netzach (Power & Victory) is Justice (Fair thinking and balance) and Hod (Glory & Splendour). The path of Justice leads from Netzach to Hod.
These combined learnings are then expressed in the path of the Hermit, from Hod to Malkuth (Kingdom), and the outcome of these energies is then seen in the manifest nature of your world. How will your world change?
Malkuth is the Gateway of Consciousness (Physical awareness/sensation) from the world of Assiyah (physical manifestation) to the world of the Living Soul (Nephesh). On the Tree of Life, the structure of the world of Nephesh on the outward journey looks like this:
The counter balance of the Chariot (Willpower) and Netzach (Power & Victory) is Justice (Fair thinking and balance) and Hod (Glory & Splendour). The path of Justice leads from Netzach to Hod.
These combined learnings are then expressed in the path of the Hermit, from Hod to Malkuth (Kingdom), and the outcome of these energies is then seen in the manifest nature of your world. How will your world change?
Malkuth is the Gateway of Consciousness (Physical awareness/sensation) from the world of Assiyah (physical manifestation) to the world of the Living Soul (Nephesh). On the Tree of Life, the structure of the world of Nephesh on the outward journey looks like this:
The path leading from Malkuth to our Earth is called the Wheel of Life. We step onto the Wheel of Life and contemplate our return to the living world, leaving the sanctuary of the Labyrinth and re-engaging with life, taking with us the benefits of our labyrinth experience. Step through the portal from the labyrinth and return to life on Earth.
Palm Cards for the Tarot Journey