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1. “God governs the world by authority, and not by force” (page 80). For those of us who seek a closer union with God, what implications does this idea have for our lives? How can we manifest divine authority in our lives and our relationships?
2. Do you believe freedom and existence are “synonymous”? Why or why not? (see page 83)
3. The author sees philosophy as the “summary” of mysticism, gnosis, and magic. In our day, philosophy is often seen as an erudite academic discipline, more suited to university professors than to the ordinary spiritual seekers. What do you think a “Hermetic” (spiritual) philosophy would look like, in your life? Do you think of yourself as a philosopher? Why or why not?
4. The author says “the ideal of Hermeticism is essentially and fundamentally the alchemical ideal” (page 96) — in other words, the quest to transform base metals into gold. How does this principle apply to the spiritual life? How are we called to be “alchemists of the soul”? What does (or would) that look like?
The letter on the Emperor is one of my favorites in this book. As someone who had become disillusioned with Christianity over the years, these meditations have helped me see God and the Christian mystery with fresh eyes and a theological and philosophical perspective grounded in love and freedom. This is extremely important given how many Christians have been raised to see God as a cosmic tyrant and judge. To understand that God not only governs by authority rather than force, but also considers human freedom fundamental to any authentic spiritual life, is incredibly empowering and liberating. Regarding whether freedom and existence are “synonymous,” I think what the author is trying to do is snap us out of complacency, reminding us that the whole point of the spiritual life is to cultivate freedom, creativity, and responsibility – in God, who is boundless. He refutes the common tendency to see humans as completely conditioned by material causes.
I also appreciated the author’s emphasis on Hermetic philosophy representing practical, embodied wisdom that both inspires others and enhances/contributes to the wisdom traditions of humanity. It is the outcome of divinely inspired action, rather than a circular exercise where people endlessly analyze and rehash abstract theories.
Morgan, thank you for your thoughts!
“To understand that God not only governs by authority rather than force, but also considers human freedom fundamental to any authentic spiritual life, is incredibly empowering and liberating”
I agree 100%!!!
It is! And I think it can be informative for those of us in leadership positions as well, which I think is what the Emperor arcana is trying to depict–or at least what our author understands it to be depicting. No doubt other tarot interpreters have their own ideas of what the Emperor represents. To lead by refraining from using the force that you possess and reflecting instead the love and graciousness of God will bring out the best in the people that you are responsible for leading, which is what any good leader wants. And when people are at their best and given the freedom to express what God created to be, transformation happens in many surprising and miraculous ways. I don’t think it’s an overstatement to call this process “alchemy” as our author does.
“No doubt other tarot interpreters have their own ideas of what the Emperor represents.”
Indeed. One important lesson about exploring the Tarot is learning to interpret the cards on the basis of our own inner story, rather than simply trying to conform them to some immutable external standard. I think it’s a mistake to think that each card has only one static, unchangeable meaning. The richness of what a card “means” — or even what a book like “Meditations on the Tarot” means — has so much to do with the unique perspective that each of us brings to the interpretation.
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