Atu XX - The Aeon

[Aeon418]

The traditional Last Judgment card is based on the biblical book of Revelation, in which the dead are resurrected and judged according to their deeds. Those who's names are not written in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire and subject to the Second Death. At it's core we see a transition from one state (death) into another state (life), with a burning away of anything found unworthy.

 

In the context of spiritual development this card represents the experience of the individual Personality-self as it strives to become conscious of its own awakening towards universal consciousness. This is reflected in the dual attribution of this card to both Spirit and Fire. The aspiration of the seeker towards Spirit simultaneously invokes the purging Fire that will burn away the material dross that can not accommodate the influx of Spirit. Needless to say this is a difficult and fiery path.

 

In the Thoth tarot deck Crowley and Harris replaced the old Last Judgment card with the Aeon. In the older card the dead are raised by an outside agency in the form of an angel, who is depicted as above and outside the human forms at the bottom of the card. In the new card all the action takes place within a human form. Look closely at the card and notice how the area immediately above the slope of the wings and the central oval shape are an outline of a human head and shoulders. "There is no part of me that is not of the gods."

 

Unlike the old Last Judgment card that portrays a singular event after death, the Aeon card shows a continual and ongoing process in time that mirrors the natural growth and development of the individual. In the foreground of the card stands the silent Child god, Harpocrates. He represents the spiritual True Self of each individual (Atu 0-The Fool), trying to incarnate within the material world and body. He is the symbolic "god" of Spirit within that communicates through the "voice of the silence," urging us to become more than we believe we are. Meanwhile the seated god Horus is the outer expression of this silent, inner impulse. As such he is the self-invoked judge of our own deeds, who assesses the worth and fitness of our efforts to progress and grow in alignment with the True Self. Whatever is imbalanced, imperfect, or too weak to withstand the impact of Spirit will be burnt away by the avenging fire of Horus. But this is not malice. It is closer to strength and fitness being gained through the fires of trial and ordeal. But, to reiterate, none of this is imposed from on high. It is a natural process that emerges from within under the symbolic imagery of "gods" representing our own inherent divinity.

 

Towards the end of the description of this card in the Book of Thoth, Crowley appears to go off on a tangent and starts talking about 500 years of dark ages. But interpreting this material at an individual level could point to the darkness and uncertainty that we commonly find ourselves in at the commencement of any step into the unknown. Are we up to the task? Will we be found wanting? Is failure waiting up ahead. Maybe it would be better to stay still and do nothing. Or maybe it is time to face one's fears and turn that into fiery energy and courage to take a positive step forward in the spirit of the gods that we inherently are.

 

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Final decision in respect of the past, new current in respect of the future; always represents the taking of a definite step.

 

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Fear not at all; fear neither men nor Fates, nor gods, nor anything. Money fear not, nor laughter of the folk folly, nor any other power in heaven or upon the earth or under the earth. Nu is your refuge as Hadit your light; and I am the strength, force, vigour, of your arms.