The extra two cards in the Bifrost Tarot require a little
explanation. I believe the place to start is with Dr. Timothy Leary. Timothy
Leary admitted that it was his goal to furthur progress the life's
work of Aleister Crowley. In his '79 tarot classic, The Game of Life,
Leary explained it best: "If we are working with a system of 4 elements, then the number of permutations is 24.
It is simple math. 4 X 3 X 2 X 1 = 24." Leary
also explained the mathematical importance of the equation 8
X 3 = 24. He stated:
|
| |
The number eight (particularly expressed as 7 + 1) seems to
be involved in the basic equations of energy-matter. Neurogenetic theory
looks to atomic physics for explanatory guides. The Periodic Table of
Elements is a logical foundation for any model of energy manifestation,
even as peripheral as the phsychlogical and sociological. The Periodic
Table defines eight (7
+ 1) families of elements. We have pointed out earlier, that the
directional tendency of the Periodic Table is, in general outline, similar
to the Neurogenetic array. Moving from earth-metals to the noble gases.
Also: the oldest philosophic text is the I Ching. The Chinese Book of
Changes defines eight levels of energy, again
moving from earth (yin) to heaven (yang). |
|
Leary said that the number three is important
because of the fact that neural signals come in three phases; reception, integration, and transmission. He also pointed out
the obvious fact that there are 24 hours
in the day and likened the hero's journey to the grand scheme of evolution,
beginning with the single-cell organisms at the stage of The Fool and
ending with godhood at The Aeon.
|
The Holy Bible in Revelation 4:4 states:
|
| |
And round about the throne were four
and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting,
clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
|
|
These seats are the 24 locks
and the elders are the 24 keys, or the archetypes
of the tarot trumps.
Also note the two missing paths on the Tree
of Life, from 5 - 2, and from 3 - 4. These two secret pathways have always cried out for attention, but to my knowledge
nobody has ever really mentioned them. They form an X on the head and
they contain secrets that are only to be revealed after a certain time.
These two cards go beyond The Universe as mankind has previously understood
it. They are necessary to facilitate the next stages of evolution.
|
Even Crowley himself hinted at the existence of these two
extra cards, signified by numbers *31 and *32 (as apposed to the ordinary
31 and 32). Numbers 1 - 10 are the Sephiroth, and then numbers 11 - 32
represent the Trumps. *32 and *31 are tacked on at the end of the charts,
suggesting two extra cards.
|
In light of my awareness of this issue, I added two extra
cards to the Bifrost Tarot; The Aeon and The
Black Hole. Of course those of us who know the Thoth Deck know that The Aeon is nothing new. This was an opportunity to reconcile Crowley's disdain for A.E. Waite and his tarot. The
Aeon has been re-rendered as more of a mystical energy field that
appears in the image of man. It represents the final, self-actualized
stage of awareness, the Singularity. Yoga and Buddhism are symbolized
on this card. The Black Hole is inspired by
Timothy Leary's extra card, Violet Whole Fusion. It is the quest into
the beyond, or the great unknown. It can be taken as a reference to Abaddon
(Apollyon), the angel and king of the bottomless pit. Also it completes
a series of cards that begins with the Tower, its masculine counterpart.
|
