Category Archives: Symbolism

Pesach: Reflection, Resilience, and Hope

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Pesach: Reflection, Resilience, and Hope

Pesach, also known as Passover, is a sacred time for the Jewish community. It is an eight-day holiday celebrated in the early spring, and it holds deep historical and cultural significance. As we gather around the Seder table, we reflect on our identity, values, and the enduring spirit of freedom and liberation.

Emancipation from Slavery

At the heart of Pesach lies the commemoration of the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. The story of their exodus resonates across generations, reminding us of the power of resilience and faith. But let us pause and consider: Were the Israelites truly slaves?

Historical evidence suggests that the Israelites were not mere labourers toiling under the whip of taskmasters. The construction of the pyramids, often associated with their suffering, was likely carried out by a system of paid labour. Skilled workers, organized by professional construction organizations within Egyptian society, contributed to these awe-inspiring structures. Yet, the symbolism of emancipation remains potent—the Israelites physically left the comfort and wealth of Egypt, embarking on a journey toward new beliefs and ideals.

Challenges of Being Jewish Today

Fast-forward to 2024, and being Jewish remains a complex experience. For Israelis, political upheaval and security concerns cast shadows over daily life. But even beyond Israel’s borders, challenges persist. Antisemitism, once hidden, now rears its ugly head openly. In the UK and American universities, Jewish individuals face discrimination and fear. Yet, the most insidious form of Antisemitism emerges from within our own ranks.

The Golden Calf of Social Media

Among so-called leftists, liberals, and even occultist Jews, a troubling trend emerges. They chase the Golden Calf of social media fame, acknowledgement, and likes. In their pursuit of “freedom” and activism, they unwittingly align themselves with Amalek—the ancient enemy of the Israelites. Their activism often takes the form of supporting terror activities against fellow Jews and Israelis. Worse still, some become internet trolls, dispensing unsolicited wisdom with a self-righteous air.

The Maror: Tasting Bitterness

As we gather around the Pesach Seder plate, one item stands out: Maror, the Bitter Herbs. Why do we eat it? Why connect to the “taste of death”? Perhaps it mirrors our current reality—a world grappling with pain, discomfort, and uncertainty. We must confront bitterness head-on, just as the Israelites did when leaving Egypt.

A Cry for the Hostages

Tonight, as we partake in the Seder, we cannot ignore the plight of 133 Israeli hostages. Held captive by the terrorist organization Hamas and its proxies in Gaza, they endure unimaginable suffering. The bitter taste of their captivity lingers, and our hearts ache for their safety and immediate release.

Resilience Across Millennia

The Jewish people have thrived in the Middle East for over 4000 years. Against all odds, we persist. We chew on the bitterness of adversity until it turns sweet. Our resilience lies not in avoiding pain but in transforming it. So, this year, I refrain from wishing you a “Happy Pesach.” Instead, I pray for the freedom of the hostages—a prayer that echoes across time and space.

Amen. 🕊️

Fool’s Journey

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Many view the fool as he is about to fall into the abyss, off the cliff. In my eyes, the fool always seemed like he is about to leap higher, ready to take the greatest leap of fate of them all. He is looking ahead and up with a little smile and a glint in his eyes, his dog is just as excited as he is and the rays of Aten shining upon him. If we look carefully at the picture, we don’t really see the abyss, we only assume it is there, which tells us never to assume anything before you carefully check the details you are presented with. 

The card is in vibrant yellow, the colour of our conscious mind, the practical mind – the doer not the dreamer. Yellow is a stimulating colour, which stimulates our nerves, glands and brain, making us more alert and full of energy. It boosts our memory and intellect, arouses original thought, and curiosity and encourages communication. 

Yellow is the colour That promotes activity and interaction and helps us find new ways and new ideas. Even the fools’ boots are yellow which symbolising suggests that the fool is fully aware and prepared for the things to come. 

Kameswari is the first Kala of the moon cycle and she corresponds with the letter Aleph.

“Aleph corresponds with or is the alphabet’s New Moon” (from Egyptian Magick by Mogg Morgan). Kameswari’s foot represents the first step of the Lunar month cycle, that she/we are taking on the first phase of the moon cycle. Like the fool, Kameswari opens the new cycle with a little step in the dark, but her foot is a fiery one and brings forth the first ray of lunar light into the darkness. 

Looking at the image of the Thoth Tarot 

We can see here that our humble fool looks very prepared and awakened (the tiger biting his leg and the Aten shining in full power in his Yesod) for the cycle ahead of it. Crowley’s fool looks fiercely ahead and smiles knowing that his first step will be taken with the blessing of Horus in his crocodile avatar – kenty-kht. 

The fool represents the primaeval spark from a solar explosion that initiated everything around its universe to move forward. We are moving in spiral cycles, every new cycle we spiralling deeper and further.

The dream I had the night of April’s fool was a very solar one, a blessed one. 

I was riding on a wild horse, which can suggest material wealth, happiness and contentment. According to Jung, dreams, are connected to our “natural force” of life and the horse, is representative of our own inner power.

A horse in a dream might symbolize freedom, energy, strength, endurance, stamina, power, but also hard work. It might signify male sexual energy and masculinity. Running horses symbolize freedom and the release of repressed energy.

The freedom to take the first step and move forward with no hesitations or regrets.

The Spider

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Last night I dreamt of a huge spider sitting on the wall and looking at me. I have no fear of spiders but neither got the need to have a pet tarantula. When I woke up I couldn’t help the feeling that the spider in my dream was trying to tell me something, to deliver some kind of totemic message.

 So what does the spider mean to me?

The spider symbolizes a few things:

  • Patience
  • Receptivity
  • Feminine energy
  • Creativity
  • Weaver of life’s fate
  • Shadow self, dark aspects of life or personality

The spider has 8 legs that resemble the 8 points of chaos, the all-seeing eye. The Hunter – the spider weaves its web so very finely and transparently, so the prey won’t notice it and will fly straight into the deadly trap. When weaving its magical trap, the spider is actually weaving its life story, home, food and creation.

The spider, though not reptilian, is somehow connected. The Serpent represents the male/yang/kundalini energy; the spider the feminine. Like the serpent who is the keeper and guardian of knowledge, so is the spider guarding fiercely at the gates of the unknown.

A while ago, I saw a spider catching a fly. Watching the spider hunt was mesmerising and made me think of how we humans are conditioned to think with our emotions, and feel everything. By doing so we are actually missing the beauty (and maybe the secrets) of nature.

Nature is like a spider, weaving its web of flora and fauna all over, and when it is time, hunting them down with fire, storms, floods etc.

Sometimes nature is the prey as when we cut down the forests or pollute the air and the sea.

The spider reminds me of my skills as a huntress, as the creative weaver of ideas and dreams, or as my dear friend Steve D. wrote in My Spidey  Sense is Tingling, “she skillfully walks her web rather than getting caught within it like a fly!”