Fortune: The Wheel in Perennial Motion

By Paul Joseph Rovelli

The incalculable factor known by those whom study Thelemic Gnosticism as 'ordeal x' is the

one single factor that makes forecasting with Tarot cards (or even the weather) an inexact science. We

can think about this as that element that occurs in the course of the events of our lives that is simply

unforseeable and happenstance. Or even this can be considered as the chaotic collisions resulting

from the constant (and often mindless) movement of all things.

Of course, the universe is a wheel in a constant state of change. Einstein proved that the

universe was curved which adds hard physical evidence to this ancient mystical fact more directly

evidenced by the cycle of the seasons. And three forms of energy garner this change which are

equivalent to the three Gunas of Hindu mysticism or to three of the Alchemical agents in our own

tradition. Each of these explains the other.

In Hindu there is Tamas (darkness, inertia, sloth, ignorance, and death), Rajas (Moxie, fire,

brilliance, and restlessness), and Sattvas (calm, intelligence, lucidity, balance). In Alchemy there is Salt

for Tamas (The inactive principal in nature which must be energized by 'Sulphur' to maintain

equilibrium), Sulphur for Rajas (The active principal in nature which infuses 'Salt' with virulent energy),

and Mercury for Sattvas (This is the substance which transmits the activity of the Sulphur upon the

Salt).

These are represented in this Atu by Typhon, the Sphinx, and Hermanubis respectively. They

are as upon the Wheel of Fortune. They also correspond to the Empress, Emperor, and Magus Atus

respectively. Typhon is destructive power. The Sphinx represents the four magickal virtues (To Know,

To Will, To Dare, and To Keep Silent). And Hermanubis is a composite god with Simian elements).

On the Tree-of-Life, the card is attributed to the path that leads from Chesed to Netzach. The

Hebrew letter Kaph is also attributed here and is translated as the Palm of the hand. And Jupiter is

also attributed to this Atu as well as to the Sephira Chesed. Chesed is the highest point of attainment

before the Magus must traverse the abyss. And if he fails in this quest, it is the point at which the

aspirant, now a brother of the black art, must remain with the illusion of thinking that he or she has

attained the crown that awaits the one of whom the abyss is crossed successfully.