For an overview of and foundation for this series, see HERE The second row shows the questioning of everything learned in the first row and the inward search for self. Modern psychology really comes into play here, as we confront the illusions of ego, defensiveness, and rigid habits of the past. The first two cards, describing the basic issue of this row, are Strength and the Hermit. Like the High Priestess and the Magician, these cards represent opposite sides. Strength is about self-mastery, self-control, knowing when to rein yourself in. The Hermit is about living your own truth. Both deal with inner searching as well. With Strength, we examine and heal our shadows, integrating

Tantra? It's that sex stuff, right? Chances are you've heard of Tantra. If you're involved in occultism, you've probably heard something like "it's an Eastern form of sex magick." If you're more involved in what might be called popular New Age beliefs, you've probably heard that Tantra is about having long periods of ecstatic sex. Either way, Tantra is still "that sex stuff." If you're into sex stuff you've probably looked at the "pop" books on Tantra with cute names published by enormous super-publishers. Otherwise, chances are you've primarily avoided it. When I first started studying occultism I ignored Tantra for a different reason. I was simply following what I thought was my

Recently, there has been a great deal of blog-flutter concerning whether astral initiations into magickal groups are valid (see, for example, here, here, and here). I'd like to share my ideas as this topic has clearly struck a collective nerve. What is an initiation? According to the free, online Llewellyn Encyclopedia, here is the definition of initiation: A ritual or event that indicates a spiritual and/or psychological change and movement to a new period in life or a new awareness. Traditionally, the candidate for initiation would symbolically die and be reborn into this new way of being. In some traditions, being initiated is supposed to confer various spiritual powers. In magical

For an overview of and foundation for this series, see HERE Part 2 HERE Part 3 HERE If you have successfully met the test or challenge of the Emperor, you will experience the Lovers, in both its traditional and modern forms. Traditionally, the Lovers is about choices. If you have been successful in integrating your inner and outer selves and your private and public selves, then you have made choices. You cannot successfully complete this row without making choices. The Lovers is also about passion and about choosing (choices again!) or doing things that you know in your heart to be right. So, skating through school or learning to pass through society under the wire may get you