In the Ra Material, Ra discusses the Tarot as a system of study designed to help individuals understand the nature of the mind, the body, and the spirit. According to Ra, the Tarot was originally intended as a tool for self-discovery and contemplation, rather than for divination.
Ra describes the Tarot as consisting of 22 images, corresponding to the 22 Major Arcana cards, which they call the "archetypical mind." The archetypical mind is said to be a fundamental structure shared by all beings in the universe. The Tarot images represent various aspects of the mind and are organized into three main groups:
1. The mind cycle (Cards 1-7): This group of images corresponds to the processes and experiences within an individual's conscious mind. It includes the ways individuals perceive and interact with their reality.
2. The body cycle (Cards 8-14): These images relate to the experiences of an individual's physical body and how they influence the mind. They represent the intersection of mind and body, and the role of the body in shaping an individual's consciousness.
3. The spirit cycle (Cards 15-21): This group of images pertains to the spiritual aspects of an individual's existence, including their connection with the divine or the higher self. These images explore the journey of spiritual awakening and evolution.
In addition to these three groups, Ra also emphasizes the importance of the 22nd image, known as the "Choice" or "The Fool" in traditional Tarot decks. This image represents the catalyst that drives an individual to explore their mind, body, and spirit, ultimately leading to spiritual growth and self-discovery.
Ra suggests that studying and meditating on the Tarot images can help individuals gain a deeper understanding of their own archetypical mind, providing valuable insights into their personal growth and spiritual evolution.
It's important to remember that the Ra Material is a channeled work, and its perspective on the Tarot might not align with traditional interpretations. As with any spiritual material, it's crucial to use discernment and personal resonance when evaluating its relevance and applicability.
MIND
This group of images corresponds to the processes and experiences within an individual's conscious mind. It includes the ways individuals perceive and interact with their reality.
SPIRIT
This group of images pertains to the spiritual aspects of an individual's existence, including their connection with the divine or the higher self. These images explore the journey of spiritual awakening and evolution.
MATRIX
These cards are considered to be the foundational cards representing the core aspects of each cycle.
Ra emphasizes the importance of understanding these Matrix cards as a starting point for exploring the more complex aspects of the mind, body, and spirit. By meditating on and studying these cards, individuals can gain insights into the fundamental aspects of their being and begin their journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.
Matrix of the Mind
Card 1 - Magician
Represents the conscious mind and its potential to create and shape the individual's reality. It symbolizes the inherent power of the conscious mind to focus intention and manifest experiences.
Ra explains that the Matrix of the Mind remains inert until it is activated by the unconscious mind, which is hidden behind a veil. The Magician card in the Tarot is often associated with this archetype. The Magician symbolizes the conscious awareness within the illusion of our reality, reaching beyond the veil to access stored biases from past experiences. The Matrix of the Mind, as the seat of conscious awareness, allows the individual to develop understanding, gain wisdom, and make decisions based on their perceptions.
The Matrix of the Mind, however, is not potentiated on its own. It requires the influence of the unconscious mind to become an active and dynamic part of the individual's life. Through the interaction of the conscious and unconscious mind, an individual can experience personal growth, spiritual development, and a deeper understanding of their own nature.
Matrix of the Body
Card 8 - Strength
Represents the physical body and its ability to experience the material world. Symbolizes the inherent vitality and strength of the physical form and the role it plays in shaping the individual's life experiences.
The Matrix of the Body is an archetype that represents the physical body's inherent potential before it is influenced by external factors or experiences. This archetype serves as a foundation for the body to develop and adapt in response to its environment and experiences.
The Matrix of the Body is the unpotentiated, balanced state of the body, awaiting the influence of the conscious mind. The body has innate instincts and natural processes that function without direct conscious control. However, as the body interacts with its environment and gains experiences, it can develop new biases and automatic processes that may lead to spiritual growth or polarization.
Matrix of the Spirit
Card 15 - Devil
Represents the higher self or the divine aspect of the individual. It symbolizes the spiritual essence that exists within each person, often obscured by the illusions and distractions of the material world. Invites individuals to transcend their perceived limitations and connect with their true spiritual nature.
According to the Ra Material, the Matrix of the Spirit is the archetype that represents the deepest aspect of the spirit, containing the potential for spiritual growth and transformation. This archetype acts as a foundation from which the spirit can explore and develop its connections to the higher self, to the divine, and to the universe.
POTENTIATOR
These cards are considered to represent the potential energy or catalysts that activate and enhance the core aspects of each cycle.
Ra emphasizes that understanding the Potentiator cards is essential for exploring the more complex aspects of the mind, body, and spirit. By meditating on and studying these cards, individuals can gain insights into the forces that drive their personal growth and spiritual evolution.
Potentiator of the Mind
Card 2 – High Priestess
Represents the subconscious mind or the unconscious aspect that influences the conscious mind. Symbolizes the hidden knowledge, intuition, and inspiration that can guide and enhance the individual's mental processes and experiences.
In the Ra Material, the Potentiator of the Mind archetype refers to the subconscious or unconscious aspect of the mind that holds the potential for growth, change, and development in an individual's mental and spiritual journey. It is the source of inspiration, creativity, and intuition that shapes and influences conscious thoughts and actions.
Ra explains that the Potentiator of the Mind represents the hidden or veiled aspects of the self, where the seeds of potential are waiting to be actualized. The Potentiator works in tandem with the Matrix of the Mind, which represents the conscious mind, to facilitate growth and transformation.
In the context of the Tarot, Ra associates the Potentiator of the Mind archetype with the High Priestess card. This card embodies the concept of the mysterious and hidden feminine aspect of the mind, which holds the potential for wisdom, insight, and spiritual growth. The High Priestess serves as a symbol of the deep, intuitive knowledge that exists within each individual, waiting to be accessed and brought into conscious awareness.
Potentiator of the Body
Card 9 - Hermit
Represents the catalyst that activates and enlivens the physical body. Symbolizes the process of self-discovery and introspection that allows an individual to understand and utilize their physical form more effectively.
In the Ra Material, the Potentiator of the Body archetype refers to the unconscious aspect of the body that influences and shapes the experiences and actions of an individual in their physical journey. This includes the body's innate intelligence and wisdom, which governs various biological functions and processes that contribute to growth, healing, and overall well-being.
Ra explains that the Potentiator of the Body represents the potential for the physical body to express and manifest the spiritual and mental aspects of the self. It serves as the link between the conscious mind and the physical body, allowing for the integration and balancing of these two aspects of the self. The Potentiator of the Body is also responsible for encoding and storing the patterns and habits that define the individual's physical experience.
Potentiator of the Spirit
Card 16 - Tower
Represents the transformative energy that drives spiritual growth and evolution. Symbolizes the process of breaking down old structures, beliefs, and limitations to make way for the emergence of the true spiritual self.
In the Ra Material, the Potentiator of the Spirit archetype refers to the subconscious or unconscious aspect of the spirit that holds the potential for spiritual growth, transformation, and enlightenment. It represents the latent spiritual power within an individual, which can be accessed, actualized, and manifested as they progress on their spiritual journey.
Ra explains that the Potentiator of the Spirit embodies the hidden or veiled spiritual potential that exists within each person, waiting to be activated and brought into conscious awareness. This archetype serves as a catalyst for spiritual development, encouraging the individual to seek and connect with the divine and infinite aspects of their being.
CATALYST
These cards are considered to represent the experiences or events that trigger growth and transformation within the core aspects of each cycle.
Ra emphasizes the importance of understanding the Catalyst cards to explore the dynamic aspects of the mind, body, and spirit. By meditating on and studying these cards, individuals can gain insights into the experiences and events that drive their personal growth and spiritual evolution.
Catalyst of the Mind
Card 3 - Empress
Represents the variety of experiences that stimulate the conscious mind and shape the individual's mental processes. Symbolizes the creative and nurturing forces that inspire the mind to grow and evolve.
Catalyst of the Body
Card 10 - Wheel of Fortune
Represents the physical experiences and challenges that activate and engage the body. Symbolizes the cycles of change, growth, and transformation that individuals encounter in their physical lives.
Catalyst of the Spirit
Card 17 - Star
Represents the spiritual experiences and influences that inspire an individual's spiritual growth and awakening. Symbolizes the guiding light and higher aspirations that lead individuals towards their true spiritual nature.
EXPERIENCE
These cards are considered to represent the actualization or manifestation of the potential energies and catalysts within each cycle.
Ra emphasizes the importance of understanding the Experience cards to gain insights into the actualization and integration of the various aspects of the mind, body, and spirit. By meditating on and studying these cards, individuals can learn about their personal growth, spiritual evolution, and the manifestation of their potential energies.
Experience of the Mind
Card 4 - Emperor
Represents the process of integrating and balancing the conscious and subconscious aspects of the mind. Symbolizes the establishment of structure, order, and control in the mental realm, which allows the individual to effectively utilize their mental power and knowledge.
Experience of the BodyCard 11 - Justice
Represents the process of finding balance and harmony within the physical body and its experiences. Symbolizes the need for fairness, equilibrium, and self-care in maintaining physical health and well-being.
Experience of the SpiritCard 18 - Moon
Represents the process of spiritual transformation and the journey towards self-realization. Symbolizes the exploration of the deeper aspects of the self, the unconscious, and the spiritual realm, leading to a greater understanding of one's true spiritual nature.
SIGNIFICATOR
These cards are considered to represent the essence or the most important aspects of each cycle.
Ra emphasizes the importance of understanding the Significator cards to gain insights into the essential nature of the mind, body, and spirit. By meditating on and studying these cards, individuals can learn about their own spiritual essence and the role it plays in their journey of self-discovery and growth.
Significator of the Mind
Card 5 - Hierophant
Represents the higher wisdom and knowledge within the individual's mind. It symbolizes the search for truth, understanding, and the desire to gain insights into the mysteries of life. Represents the mind's potential for spiritual awakening and the role of the mind in the evolution of consciousness.
Significator of the Body
Card 12 - Hanged Man
Represents the physical body's ability to surrender and let go. It symbolizes the release of old patterns, habits, and attachments that may be holding the individual back in their physical experiences. Highlights the importance of flexibility, adaptability, and the willingness to change in the journey towards physical harmony and well-being.
Significator of the SpiritCard 19 - Sun
Represents the true spiritual essence or the divine spark within each individual. It symbolizes the joy, vitality, and creative energy that the spirit brings to life. Serves as a reminder of the individual's inherent connection to the divine and their potential for spiritual growth and self-realization.
TRANSFORMATION
These cards are considered to represent the process of change, growth, and evolution within each cycle.
Ra emphasizes the importance of understanding the Transformation cards to gain insights into the process of change, growth, and evolution within the mind, body, and spirit. By meditating on and studying these cards, individuals can learn about the transformative power of their own spiritual journey and the role it plays in their personal growth and self-discovery.
Transformation of the MindCard 6 - Lovers
Represents the integration and balance of the conscious and subconscious aspects of the mind. Symbolizes the process of making choices, achieving mental harmony, and the union of opposites within the individual's mental realm. The Transformation of the Mind card highlights the importance of understanding and embracing the different aspects of the mind in order to achieve personal growth and spiritual evolution.
In the Ra Material, the Transformation of the Mind archetype represents the process of change, growth, and development experienced by the mind as it evolves and refines its understanding of itself and the world around it. This transformation is related to the individual's ongoing process of self-awareness, learning, and spiritual evolution.
Ra explains that the Transformation of the Mind involves the integration and balancing of various aspects of the mind, such as thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions, as the individual continues to evolve along their spiritual journey. This process also includes learning to discern between helpful and unhelpful thought patterns, as well as aligning one's mind with the wisdom of the higher self and the cosmic principles of love, unity, and service to others.
Transformation of the BodyCard 13 – Death
Represents the process of transformation and renewal within the physical body. Symbolizes the shedding of old patterns, habits, and attachments, allowing for the emergence of a new, healthier, and more balanced physical state. The Transformation of the Body card emphasizes the necessity of change, adaptability, and the willingness to let go of what no longer serves the individual's well-being.
In the Ra Material, the Transformation of the Body archetype represents the changes and processes experienced by the physical body as it interacts with catalysts and experiences in the material world. This transformation refers to the way the body evolves and adapts in response to the experiences it undergoes. It is a reflection of the individual's spiritual and mental development as well.
Ra explains that the Transformation of the Body is a process that occurs as the individual learns to balance and integrate various aspects of their physical experience with their mental and spiritual understanding. This includes learning how to use the physical body as a tool for spiritual growth, self-expression, and service to others.
Transformation of the SpiritCard 20 - Judgment
Represents the process of spiritual awakening and the realization of the true spiritual nature within each individual. Symbolizes the rebirth of the spirit, the process of self-evaluation, and the ultimate awakening to one's divine purpose. The Transformation of the Spirit card serves as a reminder of the individual's potential for spiritual growth and the importance of embracing their true spiritual essence.
Ra emphasizes that this transformation is a process of balancing and integrating various aspects of the spirit, including love, wisdom, and unity. As the individual moves through different experiences, they learn to incorporate these spiritual qualities into their being, resulting in a deeper connection with their true self and the universe.
The Transformation of the Spirit is also related to the process of spiritual evolution, where the individual moves through different stages of consciousness, refining and expanding their understanding of themselves and the nature of reality. This process is ongoing and is an essential part of the spiritual journey.
GREAT WAY
These cards are considered to represent the culmination or completion of each cycle and the integration of the lessons learned.
Ra emphasizes the importance of understanding the Great Way cards to gain insights into the culmination and completion of the journey within the mind, body, and spirit. By meditating on and studying these cards, individuals can learn about the ultimate goals of their spiritual path and the role of integration in their personal growth and self-discovery.
Great Way of the Mind
Card 7 - Chariot
Represents the mastery and control of the mental realm. It symbolizes the successful integration of the conscious and subconscious aspects of the mind, leading to a balanced and harmonious mental state. Highlights the importance of discipline, focus, and determination in achieving personal growth and spiritual evolution.
Great Way of the Body
Card 14 - Temperance
Represents the achievement of balance, harmony, and equilibrium within the physical body. Symbolizes the successful integration of the physical and spiritual aspects of the individual, leading to a state of overall health and well-being. The Great Way of the Body card emphasizes the importance of moderation, balance, and the need for self-care in maintaining a healthy and vibrant physical existence.
Great Way of the Spirit
Card 21 - World
Represents the completion of the spiritual journey and the realization of one's true spiritual nature. Symbolizes the integration of all the spiritual lessons and experiences encountered throughout the individual's life, leading to a state of wholeness, fulfillment, and enlightenment. The Great Way of the Spirit card serves as a reminder of the ultimate goal of spiritual growth and self-realization.
ChoiceCard 0 - Fool
Choice is an essential aspect of spiritual growth, as it allows individuals to exercise their free will and make decisions that align with their higher purpose. Throughout the Tarot, various cards symbolize the need for choice and the role it plays in shaping one's destiny.
In the Ra Material, the idea of choice and free will is an important theme. They emphasize that each individual has the power to make choices that affect their spiritual growth and life path. By making conscious choices that align with their higher purpose, individuals can progress along their spiritual journey and ultimately achieve self-realization and enlightenment.
Sketches
Ra Numbering
Traditional Tarot organizes the Major Arcana according to the hero's journey, starting at the Magician, followed by the Priestess, the Empress, and so on.
Ra recommends reading the cards differently. Instead of looking at the Majors as three sets of seven, Ra recommends seven sets of three:Ra: We find it more nearly appropriate to discuss our plans in acquainting initiates upon your own planet with this particular version of the archetypes of the archetypical mind. Our first stage was the presentation of the images, one after the other, in the following order: one, eight, fifteen; two, nine, sixteen; three, ten, seventeen; four, eleven, eighteen; five, twelve, nineteen; six, thirteen, twenty; seven, fourteen, twenty-one; twenty-two. In this way the fundamental relationships between mind, body, and spirit could begin to be discovered, for as one sees, for instance, the Matrix of the Mind in comparison to the Matrices of Body and Spirit one may draw certain tentative conclusions.
88.24
Two numbering schemes for ordering the major arcana.
Both approaches begin (1) and end (21) with the same cards, Magician and Universe. They also intersect in the middle (11) with Strenght.
I'm thinking of using both numbering schemes in the card design, helping adepts navigate the archetypes whichever way they see fit:
• Reading the arcana in three groups of seven (traditional) helps you understand the adept's journey, one world at the time.
• Reading them in seven groups of three (proposed) helps you internalize the octaves more clearly, and start understanding each of the seven octaves as a mind/body/spirit complex.
Alternate numbering scheme.
Adding Numbers
Meditating on the cards led me to calculate the numerological sum of each row and column, using both systems:
Traditional order leads to a repeating 6-9-3 pattern for the octaves and a beginning-middle-end 1-5-9 for the worlds.
Revised order yields sixes across all octaves and 7-5-3 for the worlds.
Research
I have been interested in the Ra Tarot since learning about it reading the The Law of One in 2014. Having no previous knowledge with reading Tarot at the time, I first set out to learn traditional interpretations and decks, which has been an immensely pleasant journey. Diverging from the traditional Tarot and interpreting it as instructed by Ra takes a bit getting used to, but should be straightforward to serious adepts.
Over the years I have used everything from pen & paper to computer-based approaches for making sense of the instructed framework and organizing my notes. Since deciding to publish a printed deck of cards, I figured it would make sense to share some of the process with fellow adepts. Below you will find some images and annotations of my process.
Collage of 'Fool' cards from various Egyptian Tarot decks.
Hand-written snapshot from iPad Notes, showing correspondences between the arcana and astrological signs (blue = planets, yellow = signs, red = elements)
Hand-written overview of pairings between arcana.
Screenshot from Notion, a multi-purpose database tool for organizing linked data sets. 3 Paths = 3 Foundations.
7 Correspondences = 7 Octaves = 7 Chakras
Egyptian Decks
Screenshot from Muse with images, texts and handwritten notes, inlcuding various Egyptian Tarot designs.
Apologia Del Thoth (1980)
Papus (1909)
Falconnier (1896)
Tarot of the Bohemians
Assorted mentions of triads, heptads and twenty-twos from literature.
Websites:
•
LawOfOne.info > Category > Tarot
•
Bring4th.org > Forum > Archetypes of Mind, Body & Spirit
•
Reddit > r/lawofone – Especially
this post.
•
YouTube > Balraj Gill
•
YouTube > Brian Scott
•
YouTube > LawOfOneStudy
• Android-only:
Archetypist for Law of One
•
ODX > Law of One
Books:
• Tarot of the Bohemians – Papus
• The History and Practice of Magic – Paul Christian
• The Egyptian Mysteries - Iamblichus
• The Book of Thoth – A. Crowley
• Understanding Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot – LM DuQuette
• The Sacred Tarot – CC Zain
• Tarot Divinatoire – R. Falconnier
• The Royal Road – S. Hoeller
• History of the Occult Tarot – R. Decker & M. Dummett
•
The Law Of One Tarot Workbook – B. Gill
Resources
Learn more about the Law of One and how to interpret the Tarot according to Ra.