THIRD EDITION
THE REVELATION
Relive the life of a Templar knight from the Order of Solomon’s Temple, a princess from Bhutan, the Hidden Holy Land, an Inuk spiritual healer in the Arctic tundra, and a nusta from Tawantinsuyu.
Experience a sunrise over the mountain ranges of Hokkaido, or see the Pleiades in the skies of pre-Columbian Patagonia. Enter a Zoroastrian Fire Temple, the subterranean Rani ki Vav, or journey through the Celtic Otherworld. Meet Dihya, warrior queen of the Amizighs, or Bertha of Savoy.
These and many more stories of our collective ancestors await your retelling.
THE FOUR EMPYREAN COURTS
The four Empyrean Courts occupy an ethereal firmament between the spirits embodying the Septenaries of the Major Arcana and the Seven Lower Realms (Fours through Tens). The Four Courts plus Aces, Twos, and Threes altogether comprise of the Seven Upper Realms.
Archangels are the tarot Kings. Shields are the tarot Queens. The Shining Ones are tarot Knights and the Strongholds are tarot Pages.
| SKT | RWS | Thoth |
| Archangels | Kings | Knights |
| Shields | Queens | Queens |
| Shining Ones | Knights | Princes |
| Heralds (Strongholds) | Pages | Princesses |
Tarot readers may be used to Kings presenting as male and Queens as female, but here, the King equivalents are Archangels, where the elemental forces of Fire and Air present as masculine in both levels, while Water and Earth present as feminine.
The top caption of each court card features the angelic epithet or hierarchical title.
The center of the bottom caption features that angelic being’s role, powers, or jurisdiction.
THE ARCHANGELS
The four Archangels are the four most exalted titles of divinity within, symbolic of personal mastery over attributes relating to the suit’s element. The title of “King” is not gendered, but rather, is hierarchical.
Each Archangel expresses mastery of what divine will called upon you to master. This is manifestation of divine genius over the realm each Archangel is sovereign of. The magic squares, based on Islamic-Arabic ceremonial magic and invocation of archangels, are written in Brahmi numerals, attributed per element.
Archangels (Kings), bonded to Twos, are keys to Wisdom, a step transcending Knowledge. Communion with Divinity has transpired.
Archangel of Glory. Angel of Art and Grace: You’re hearing the call to pursue greater scholarship. Artistic, literary, and academic excellence is seeking you out. You’ve worked hard and you’ve persevered, and now you will dominate in scholarly or professional endeavors. Invoking this Archangel brings self-awareness that is productive and creative. You are endowed with the blessings of self-confidence, incredible raw talent, and intuitive knowledge. Be assertive, project outward, and influence the world around you, beyond you. Expand. Pictured here is northeastern Japan in the mountain ranges of Hokkaido, reflecting a copper red from the rising sun. To embody the archetype of this Angel, exude ambition, cleverness, and generosity.
Archangel of Healing. Angel Who Salves and Purifies: The Archangel of Healing purifies you, mind, body, and soul. She has a tender place in her heart for those who are like fish out of water, caring for them the most. You are being called to lean in to your own pain and through it, feel empathy for others. You will be one who unifies others, one who instills faith in those who need it the most. You are a crucial part of an oncoming Renaissance. Do not underestimate the power and potency of your own subconscious mind. You’ll lead others safely through dangerous terrain. Activate your powers of attraction. Pictured here is an Inuk (Inuit) spiritual healer—an angakkuq— set in the Arctic tundra. While it was rare for a woman to be an angakkuq, it did happen. Present before you is a savant of medicine. Inuit sea otter talismans protect you. To embody the archetype of this Angel, exude devotion to the wellbeing of the collective, serving a greater good.
Archangel Commander. Angel of Storms and Battles: Choose to fight with purpose. Exude confidence in your own capabilities. Here is mastery over law and letters, commander of logic and reasoning—a facet of The Emperor. By your side is the Archangel Commander of the Light. He blesses you with the courage to stand tall and stand up for yourself. Strategy, politics, science, and invention are your blessings. Be a powerful force of goodness, intelligence, and knowledge.
Pictured here is a 14th century French Templar, a knight from the Order of Solomon’s Temple. “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17. To embody the archetype of this Angel, exude grace under pressure, triumph over your fears, and be strong in spirit. Be brave enough to decide for yourself. You possess the mental prowess to communicate to the universe what you want—so speak. Declare.
Read Book of Maps excerpt on the Archangel Commander: click here.
Archangel of Mysteries. Angel Who Illuminates the Shadow: This is an omen of self-sufficiency and security over worldly possessions. All that you need for fulfillment has been and will be provided. Here is the Archangel of Revelations, set in pre-Columbian Tehuelche-occupied Patagonia, the southern tip of South America, incorporating parts of Chile and Argentina. Blessings from Küpuka kushe, Mapuche goddess of abundance. In the skies is the Pleiades, under the constellation Taurus—an omen of prosperity, of a great harvest to come. The corn symbolizes provision, one who is a Provider, one who nourishes and sustains the livelihoods of others. You work and labor not for yourself, but for the establishment of a kingdom for your kin. In the SKT, HRU manifests as the Archangel of Mysteries. The esoteric implication of the suit of Orbs is that it not only signifies the element Earth, but also the fifth element of quintessence.
THE SHIELDS
The four Shields are four sanctuaries, and each sanctuary is a safe haven where you cultivate greater power and abilities that correspond to the suit’s element. The title of “Queen” is not gendered, but rather, is hierarchical.
The essence of the feminine is not physical, but rather in reference to a dwelling place, a metaphorical womb where we nurture and cultivate, and the epithet for each Shield is a “Sanctum of…”
Shields appear to protect and guide us when we are in a developmental phase. They are divine genius incubators. Shields (Queens), bonded to Threes, are the incubators of power through understanding.
Each Shield’s color reference is to its corresponding alchemical phase: Yellow Work, White Work, Red Work, and Black Work, summation of which is achievement of the Great Work.
The Golden Shield. Sanctum of Splendor: There is cause for optimism. Cultivating your passion project will bring great rewards. What you can envision, you can attract toward you. Shine to prosper. Sire self-confidence to inspire believers. How do you shine so they believe? Believe passionately in your dreams, and they will believe in you. What you’re seeing as their lack of faith is in fact your lack of faith in yourself. Change that. Here, your sanctuary is a Zoroastrian Fire Temple in Persepolis during the Achaemenid Empire. Light a candle in darkness and you will be transported here to this astral holy place. Nuska (Nusku), the Mesopotamian god of light and fire, son of the moon god, greets you. The prayer in Old Persian on the Shield: “Lord of Wisdom and Light, protect my people from our enemies, from famine, and from falsehoods.” Nuska hears you, you leave the temple, return to your physical world, now safeguarded and blessed by the Lord of Wisdom and Light.
The Ivory Shield. Sanctum of the Immaculate: The patron divinity in this sanctuary is Airmid (Airmed), from the Tuatha Dé Danann, tribe of the goddess Danu. In Gaelic Irish lore, Airmid is an immortal with the powers of healing. She is also the guardian over the Well of Wisdom in the Celtic Otherworld. Airmid is surrounded by blossoms of chamomile, one of the oldest medicinal herbs documented. Dedicate time in the sanctum of the immaculate to clear your world of the debris others have left behind in it, and once cleared, trust and create from your own intuition, psychic senses, and lean in to your emotions—they will not lead you astray. Know that you are loved and seen by Heaven, and let that give you strength to see yourself through. Have faith in Heaven, and let that give you courage. The spirits advise spiritual purification.
The Scarlet Shield. Sanctum of the Valiant: Cultivate your confidence and fearlessness. Make sure your voice is heard—you do that by presenting yourself as logical and reasoned. Also, do not hold back. Conquer to dominate. Invoke the warrior spirit. Encourage an opponent to make mistakes so you can capitalize on it. Mind games bring victory. Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings (S. Dali). Calculate your advantages.
The gatekeeper of this sanctuary is a Shorn One, an Aztec warrior priest who shall be your formidable line of defense as you charge forth confidently to face your battles. His shield features an eagle devouring a serpent: a divine omen from the gods. And yet The Scarlet Shield reminds you to wear your armor—protect yourself by asserting yourself. Also: there must be sacrifice for there to be glory. Pictured in the background is the city-state Mexica-Tenochtitlan in the 15th century. Here there is the implied divine presence of Huitzilopochtli, god of war and military strategy, and Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent, god of wind, knowledge, learning, and writing.
See also Animated Work in Progress (Instagram Video).
The Ebony Shield. Sanctum of Treasures: Save, invest, and be more mindful of your personal security. Fortify yourself. Ward to preserve and protect. This is the archetype of the breadwinner, and the rock that anchors the family, the anchor that keeps the ship grounded. The Ebony Shield safeguards your wealth, luck, gains, and earthly dominion so that others cannot take what is yours. Pictured here is Dihya, warrior queen of the Amizighs, circa the 7th century. She was al-Kahina, The Prophetess. The men who feared her called her a soothsayer-sorceress. Here, in tribute to the Amizighs, she appears with traditional facial tattoos—magical talismans for fertility, prosperity, and power during magical rites. The spirit of Dihya guides you around this palace of opportunities.
See also Animated Work in Progress (Instagram Video).
THE SHINING ONES
In Biblical angelology, the Shining Ones are a hierarchy of angels who gift humanity with miracles, endow us with blessings, and encourage us to act virtuously. They’re called the “shining ones” because they emanate with a brilliant, luminous light. They represent the pure kinetic power of the four elements, masculinized.
Each Knight is accompanied by one of the Four Horses and one of the four alchemical mythic creatures per Paracelsus. Knights appear when there is a call to action. The Shining Ones (Knights), bonded to the Sixes, quest for harmony, balance, and equilibrium. Here is a realm where glory and splendor manifest. Here is a residence of the ascended masters. The Four Knights reveal the Mystery of the Messiah.
The Shining Flame. Embers of the Salamander: Do not delay; do not procrastinate. Train now, and train hard. Throw the lightning bolt. Accelerate your passions and impulses. Learn fast and you’ll earn fast. Crystallize your intentions and define them clearly.
Here is a hwarang warrior knight from the Silla Kingdom, training at a Buddhist monastery dedicated to Maitreya. Balancing the scepter off-center requires more of the knight’s core strength. Helper spirit: the fire-breathing salamander. The winged horse is named Bellum. By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail (Benjamin Franklin). To prove you are worthy, you must show you are ready, and when you are ready, the gods will send you opportunity. Passion and discipline.
The Shining Waters. Waves of the Undine: Slow down and take some time to introspect. Don’t get so caught up with knowing all the answers that you neglect the pleasurable experience of life. Go with the flow. Ride the waves. Romance is present. There is a time for wisdom, and a time for pleasure; now is the time to satiate your yearnings. The world you’re creating is pure poetry. Dreams are prophetic. Employ kindness and charisma, as they will take you far. Pictured here is one of nobility from 14th century Florence, the advent of the Italian Renaissance. His helper spirit is the undine, who shapeshifts, can cast illusions, and shows you prescient visions. The winged horse is Mortem. Pursue your talents; be creative.
The Shining Gale. Winds of the Sylph: Be strategic. Appear to conform to the shape of that which is around you, but then assert yourself once you’re at the center. That is how you advance quickly to the top. Launch the attack, but be cunning about it. Do not show your hand. Do not reveal your plan. Just hasten your move, and act progressively. Pictured here is a warrior general wielding the Sword of Goujian. The text is from the Diamond Sutra. The sutra’s thesis: you are what you are not; the perfection you seek is achieved by your imperfection. Behind the sutra in imperial yellow is the seal for invoking the Lady of the Nine Heavens. The warrior general’s helper spirit is the sylph who controls the winds and storms. The winged horse is named Victorum.
The Shining Quarry. Caverns of the Gnome: Slow and steady is your pace. Take time to think through every move. Be chivalrous and you will be abundantly rewarded. You are the workhorse who gets the task done. Pictured here is a Rajput warrior in front of a reimagined Rani ki Vav, a subterranean temple and stepwell in honor of Vishnu, The Preserver. His helper spirit is the gnome, who grows metals and minerals in the earth and who can help to retrieve that which was lost. The winged horse is Denarius. Take some time to review your finances and also, check in on your own physical health and wellbeing.
THE HERALDS
The Heralds represent the power of potential for the four elements, feminized. They signify the gestation of a force or influence forthcoming. They announce the arrival of greater gods, ancestors, or celestial spirits, letting us know that a particular Divinity has taken an interest in us, and have thus sent a scout or messenger our way.
The Heralds, bonded to the Tens, express Shekhinah. This is also the state of a newcomer. When a Herald appears in your reading, the sealed scroll signifies that she comes bearing you a message from beyond. Pull an additional card to receive the message and to reveal the gestating force that will most influence the journey to come.
Herald of the Flame. Awaken the Brilliance: Here is an omen of talent rising, the promise of a Light about to shine. Hold your head high. Do not doubt yourself—you are good enough. School, career, or a passion project—what you produce is sheer brilliance. Here, the Page is a princess from Bhutan, the Hidden Holy Land and Lotus Garden of the Gods. The Bhutanese call their lands the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon. The princess is being trained and prepared for the role of Queen, which she will someday serve. Likewise, you are in training and preparation for the great title you will someday be ordained to hold. Awaken your inner brilliance and rise! Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working (Pablo Picasso). One vision of the Page of Scepters is as a virginal priestess messenger sent by Vesta, Roman goddess of the hearth and home, who tends to the Sacred Fire. In the Greek pantheon, this is the veiled virgin goddess Hestia.
Herald of the Waters. Inspire the Prodigy: Your empathy will be the source of your creativity. Your intuition is knocking on a closed door, wanting you to pay attention. Open that door and listen to your inner voice; with it comes realization of an important opportunity. Your greatest attributes are your grace, your kindness, and tenderness. The Page of Chalices is the Herald here to help you become better attuned to your emotions, helping you in your pursuit of true happiness. She appears to you when you need further guidance on your path to finding your personal Holy Grail. Pictured here is a 15th century Inca ñust’a, or high-born from Tawantinsuyu. Nusta is the Quechua word for a princess, queen, or a feminine divine being. Tawantinsuyu, meaning “The Four Regions [Suyu],” is the name the Inca gave their empire. She is a priestess of Mama Qucha, Inca goddess of the waters. This Herald is a prophecy of miracle working.
Herald of the Winds. Ventures of the Dauntless: You are fearless. You’ll undertake an enterprise even while it’s still speculative. The future is uncertain, but that won’t stop you from chasing fortune. Speak your truth. Walk your talk. Pictured here is a Roma woman traversing the Silk Road during the rule of the Byzantine Empire. In one hand she holds a bronze sword, which she acquired by trade, and in the other, her enchanted divination cards. Inscribed upon her sword is the mantra invoking Vajrayogini, the dakini or female essence of transcendental passion, a passion that will break down every barrier in your path. Move forward to move upward. Speak with a commanding voice and people will listen. One vision of the Page of Swords is as a priestess of Minerva, Roman goddess of warfare, military strategy, justice, wisdom, and the arts and trades. The divinity calling to you through this Herald could also be likened to Athena.
Herald of the Earth. Dedication of the Adept: The adepti were those skilled in the secret arts of alchemy and mysticism. Your hard work and commitment to success will bear the fruits of mastery. This is the narrative of tenacity, grit, and determination. It’s demonstrating the discipline to hone your craft. Be resourceful. Crowley describes the Thoth Princess of Disks (Page of Orbs) as a priestess of Demeter, Greek goddess of the harvest, agriculture, sacred law Iethical codes, religious doctrines, ritual), and fertility of the earth—a central figure in the Eleusinian Mysteries. Another vision of the Page of Orbs is as a priestess messenger from Cybele, a mother goddess, or the Roman equivalent Ceres.
Pictured here is a maiden inspired by Bertha of Savoy, from the Duchy of Swabia, who later became the Holy Roman Empress. In the midnight blue skies is the birth of a supernova that occurred in the 11th century, now known as the Crab Nebula. The Herald of the Earth reminds you to care for your body with all the tender love and nurture it deserves. Your body is sacred, and it can hear your inner voice. So be kind to yourself. Make sure you are getting enough protein, balancing your blood sugar, and eating plenty of greens.
See also Animated Work in Progress (Instagram Video).
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