The Nameless One gives her function as Being. Formerly this book was known as the World card. The Virgin is the Great Turtle of Hindu myth that supports the world. The reality known to the scientist has as much solidity as the ribbon which waves in the air in front of the Virgin. The world of the Thinker has become an idol, on which all beauty and feeling is sacrificed. But this idol has feet of magic instead of feet of clay. The magic wands are effortlessly manipulated by one big toe, as the Virgin playfully shows us how easy it is. The spark star of sudden inspiration and creativity stands by the other foot, the one solidly planted in higher purpose of long standing, escaping the shallow understanding of the Thinker. For thousands of years there have been tales of giant sea-turtles mysteriously rising from the deeps to save sailors lives, sometimes swimming for thousands of miles without diving. The turtle is thus a symbol of the mysterious purposes of nature, the living psychic and creative component of nature which actually shapes and frames the world. We are referring to the garland of roses and five leaves which frame the Virgin. The four symbols in the corners can best be understood in the Light of Way-Showers like Edgar Cayce, whose cup of light shines down upon us. Cayce described sudden reversals and cataclysms of nature, such as the fall of Atlantis. These phases of nature are like night and day, suggested by the yellow and black (night and day) of the horse and the boy/girl. The horses (forces) of one age are suddenly caught short by the lightning erupting from the ground. Before refrigeration, apples were the one fruit that could be packed away to last until another season. The apple is the fruit of a former season, knowledge of Atlantis for example. To learn about Atlantis is to learn about cataclysm. Such earth-changes are part of the round of renewal of Life, as is the birth of children, suggested by the boy/girl. If there were no death, there would be no children. The ever-creating joyous spontaneous light of children and all young and innocent things is a cup that pours out its blessings on us. So do not regret the times of upheaval. |
The Virgin is a nude woman, standing on one leg, with the other crossed in front holding 2 wands between her toes. A white streamer is held in each hand, and it flutters in front of her. A star with seven points is near her feet. One yellow plume sweeps down from her dark hair. Hands at sides. Surrounding her is a ring of red flowers, separated by five leaves (this makes a turtle shape). As we view the card, in the lower right is a red apple; in the upper right an androgyne face of a black boy/yellow girl. Half of the face is one, half the other. At top left, light streams from an inverted chalice. At bottom left, lightning strikes up from the ground through a black and yellow horse.