The Tarot of Eli 2: Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot-King of Pentacles & The Animal Totem Tarot - King of Pentacles

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The Rider-Waite-Smith King of Pentacles is Fire of Earth and is most effective in illustrating the fecund growth of this Energy of Earth. Surrounding this fertile King who is dressed in robes of greenery and sitting on a throne decorated with bulls in a dense growth of green plants. On his head he wears the royal crown, decorated with the five petaled roses of the Western Goddess and surrounded in a wreath of fertility. The heads of the bulls on the throne are a medieval symbol of fertility and the Lion heads show his link with the Sun.

Waite's King holds the scepter of the Sun in one hand and a Pentacle, the symbol for earth and humankind, on his lap with the other, acknowledging the union of male and female forces (Sun and Moon) in this fruitful King. Dressed in a robe of harvest, the purple grapes also support the fact that this king is fertile and of good harvest; he sows well and therefore, reaps well. Hinting at his active battle status, underneath his robes, he shows an armored leg. However, here he is in repose and not in battle, as no sword is shown.

He celebrates the good things of Earth.

The Animal Totem Tarot -King of Pentacles is one who doesn't sit on a throne, instead he is shown as an American Bison with a royal crown dangling from his horn. He displays a mature presence of reliability and ambition while he seems to be contemplating some intention and is dedicated to his work; a dedication he proudly displays as a golden pentacle under his hoof. He is a Master of Resources and knows how to use those resources around him. He knows the past will no longer support him and that the future is as yet unavailable, so he masters the moment.

The American Bison is one tough hombre, often lives in the harshest subzero winds and winter snows, dryest summers, and survive near extinction. He has mastered the lesson of thriving no matter where he is. This one even shows scars on his face that come from facing the worst and surviving.

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The American Bison (commonly but less correctly called "buffalo") is one of the most profound animal spirits in the Western Hemisphere. It embodies survival, sacred connection, abundance, and perseverance through the harshest tests of nature. Let's break it down through the three lenses — Totem Animal, Spirit Guide, and Power Animal — but with a Hermetic, forward-thinking insight woven through:

Bison as a Totem Animal

Totem animals are foundational. They signify your soul's core nature and represent a guiding archetype across lifetimes.

In this sense, the Bison Totem represents:

• Sacred Will: The Bison carries the memory of ancient Earth — it moves forward steadily, no matter how harsh the winds. As a Totem, it builds in you a remembrance of soul-purpose that is unshakable. In Western Hermetic Qabalah, it resonates with Geburah tempered by Chesed: immense strength governed by Divine Mercy.

• Survival Wisdom: Bison have survived ice ages, colonization, near-extinction. If Bison is your totem, you carry an ancestral resilience encoded into your spiritual DNA.

• Community and Guardianship: Herd consciousness is strong. Those with Bison Totems are natural guardians of both physical families and spiritual communities, remembering the old ways of unity and mutual aid.

Hermetic Insight:
The Bison stands at the Gate between Malkuth (Kingdom) and Yesod (Foundation) — a reminder that to ascend the Tree of Life, you must honor the body's needs and the land's wisdom first.

Bison as a Spirit Guide

Spirit guides are temporary or shifting presences, walking beside you to teach specific lessons or help during particular chapters.

The Bison Spirit Guide teaches:

• Abundance through Gratitude: True wealth isn't conquest — it's the sustainable plenty that comes from honoring the Source (a deeply Hermetic ideal: drawing spiritual riches from Chokmah through Tiphareth to Malkuth).

• Grounded Spirituality: Many chase "ascension" by fleeing the material — Bison teaches ascension through Earth, not away from it. Like the Thoth Tarot's Princess of Disks, the Bison reminds you that the Divine is within your incarnation.

• Right Relationship with Nature: Bison demands you act as a steward, not a conqueror. This is deeply tied to the Western Mysteries of Elemental Earth: being a priest/priestess of Earth rather than over it.

Forward View:
In our evolving Age of Aquarius, Bison comes to teach collective stewardship of the planet — eco-consciousness, yes, but also spiritually-rooted ecology, where Earth's health is seen as sacred covenant rather than social trend.

Bison as a Power Animal

Power animals are force-beings — living frequencies you can call upon for strength, energy, and empowerment, especially during magical or life-critical moments.

When you invoke Bison as a Power Animal, you summon:

• Monumental Endurance: Bison energy gives you the will to "walk into the storm," much like they do in blizzards — they face storms rather than run.

• Massive Manifestation: Bison represents "mass," in both a literal and a Hermetic sense — the crystallization of thought into physical reality. Call upon Bison when you need to anchor a big vision into material form.

• Soul Integrity: No selling out. No compromise of your essence. Bison restores the magnetic center of the Solar Self (Tiphareth), keeping your actions aligned with your deepest being.

Magickal Correspondence:

• Element: Earth

• Planetary Vibration: Saturn (endurance, structure) tempered by Jupiter (expansion, abundance)

• Qabalistic Sphere: Malkuth, but activated upward through Yesod toward Tiphareth

• Tarot Keys: Princess of Disks (Earth manifest), 10 of Disks ("Wealth" of Spirit made tangible)

Summary

In Western Hermetic Qabalistic Tarot, this King of Pentacles card is assigned the astrological sign of the Sun in Virgo.

Individuals with the Sun in Virgo often exhibit distinctive characteristics associated with this zodiac sign. Virgo is ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication and intellect, influencing their traits. Here are some unique characteristics of someone with their Sun in Virgo:

1. Analytical and Detail-Oriented: Virgos have a keen eye for detail and are highly analytical. They excel in tasks that require precision and attention to minutiae.

2. Practical and Grounded: Virgos are known for their practicality and down-to-earth nature. They prefer tangible, realistic solutions and are not prone to flights of fancy.

3. Organized and Efficient: Virgos thrive in organized environments. They have a natural ability to streamline processes and ensure efficiency, making them excellent planners and organizers.

4. Service-Oriented: Virgos derive satisfaction from helping others. They often find fulfillment in acts of service and are willing to go the extra mile to support those around them.

5. Critical Thinkers: Virgos have a sharp mind and are critical thinkers. They enjoy problem-solving and are adept at finding logical solutions to challenges.

6. Modesty and Humility: Virgos are typically modest and humble, preferring to let their actions speak louder than words. They may downplay their achievements and seek improvement continually.

7. Health-Conscious: Virgos are mindful of their well-being and often adopt healthy lifestyles. They pay attention to diet, exercise, and overall self-care to maintain optimal health.

8. Worry Prone: While their analytical minds serve them well, Virgos may sometimes overanalyze and become prone to worrying. It's important for them to find a balance and not let anxiety dominate their thoughts.

9. Discerning Tastes: Virgos often have refined and discerning tastes. Whether it's in the arts, fashion, or any other aspect of life, they appreciate quality and craftsmanship.

Understanding these traits can provide insights into the personality of individuals with their Sun in Virgo. Keep in mind that the overall astrological profile, including the Moon and rising signs, contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of a person's characteristics.

Because of Patriarchal rule of our cultures, it is proper to think that Male came first, and that Female came latter. This argument is also because of our short-sighted animal physical perspective on sexuality, where big strong stud is seen as better than soft small female. The startling fact to some, is that if you produce the idea of Male, then you produce the idea of Female simultaneously. There is no male concept without the concept of female and vise verse. So, the argument of who came first is invalid when talking about the Supernal Triangle of Kether-Chokmah-Binah. Besides, it is a well-known fact that the strength of male is external while female strength is internal.

Chokmah is the second Sephirah and thus is also the force behind the four Deuces. The Personification of that force is represented in the four Kings of traditional Tarot. In other words, Chokmah's will-to-force is at its most concentrated and dense elemental form on Earth when represented as an archetypal King of Pentacles personality. He is also often compared to Baccus, God of Wine.

Bacchus (known as Dionysus in Greek mythology) is the Roman god of wine, revelry, fertility, and ecstasy. He embodies several characteristics and attributes that have evolved over time, linking him with nature, spiritual liberation, and transformation. Here are some of the key characteristics and associations commonly applied to Bacchus:

1. God of Wine and Ecstasy:

• Bacchus is most famously known as the god of wine, symbolizing both the pleasure and danger that come with intoxication. Wine, under his influence, represents not only physical intoxication but also a metaphorical one: liberation from the confines of everyday consciousness. This leads to ecstasy, heightened emotion, and spiritual euphoria.

2. Fertility and Nature:

• Bacchus, just as the Tarot King of Pentacles, is deeply connected to nature, particularly vegetation and the fertility of the land. His influence ensures bountiful harvests, not just of grapes for wine but also of general agricultural abundance. In this role, he often symbolizes renewal and rebirth, linked to the cyclical nature of the seasons.

3. Madness and Chaos:

• Bacchus is not just the god of joyous revelry, but also of the chaos and madness that can accompany it. He is often portrayed as a deity who can drive individuals to madness (the "bacchic frenzy" or "bacchanalia") through the release of inhibitions. This aspect of Bacchus emphasizes the dual nature of wine: a source of both pleasure and destruction.

4. Transformation and Liberation:

• Bacchus is seen as a god of transformation, freeing individuals from their societal roles and rigid identities through intoxication, dance, and ecstatic worship. His followers, known as Bacchantes or Maenads, would often lose themselves in ecstatic rituals, symbolizing spiritual liberation and personal metamorphosis.

5. Gender Fluidity:

• Bacchus often defied traditional gender roles. He was sometimes depicted as androgynous, embodying both masculine and feminine qualities. This fluidity in his representation highlights his role as a god who transcends boundaries—social, physical, and spiritual.

6. Death and Resurrection:

• Similar to other dying-and-reborn gods, Bacchus is linked with themes of death and resurrection. In some versions of his myth, Bacchus experiences death and rebirth, symbolizing the life-death cycle present in nature, especially with regard to the grapevine’s seasonal cycles of growth and dormancy.

7. Patron of Theater and the Arts:

• Bacchus is also a god of theater, particularly the form of tragedy, which developed from festivals honoring him. As a god of drama, he presides over the suspension of reality and the catharsis that comes with storytelling, performance, and role-playing.

8. Cult and Mystery Religions:

• Bacchus was central to several mystery religions, particularly the Orphic mysteries, where initiates would seek spiritual transformation through secret rites. These rituals were thought to offer insights into the nature of life and death, offering the promise of a mystical union with the divine.

Symbolism:

• Grapevine: His primary symbol, representing wine and intoxication.
• Thyrsus: A staff topped with a pinecone, carried by Bacchus and his followers, symbolizing prosperity and pleasure.
• Panther or Leopard: Bacchus is often depicted riding a chariot drawn by big cats, symbolizing the wild, untamable forces of nature.

In Roman culture, Bacchus, like Dionysus, played an important role in festivals and religious practices. His worship often involved wild, ecstatic celebrations, sometimes scandalizing conservative Roman society, who feared the loosening of social mores. Bacchus, therefore, became a symbol of both physical pleasure and spiritual transcendence

The Will to Force (Chokmah) and the Will to Form (Binah) united produce the Will - To - Be, i.e. The Divine Creative, which is the way of saying the mating of I and Am produces the idea of Being "Me", which when "made manifest" is a "me" and/or an assumed personality. Our concept of sexuality needs adjustment before we can understand the One Energy that made itself Two and/or 0=2 and the passions of union that creates 2=1.

As an Archetypal personality, the King of Pentacles (Disks on the Tarot Wheel), is usually born as a dark-haired person with dark eyes. Unless very well dignified, s/he is heavy, dull, and material. S/He would be very laborious, clever, and patient in material matters; "A person of the sod" and/or "salt of the Earth".

WHEN THE KING OF PENTACLES IS THROWN DURING A READING It implies:

• A concern for the body and good health.
• A doctor or herbalist concerned with health.
• The querent shows the spirit of fertilization, as joyous practicality, steadfastness, reliability and is an epitome of material success.
• Generous, courageous but not prone to seeking adventure.

• Ordinary activity, in social position, accomplishments, experiencing a physical success that is relaxed and enjoyed.

• A mature reliable, dependable, and wise male/female upon whom others may depend on and with whom they lay their burdens.

• A dark male or female, who is both courageous and lethargic in tendencies. However, driven in matters of material success.
• A Doctor of physical medicine.
• Valor.
• Realizing intelligence.
• A good financial provider who understands and likes work knowing it leads to financial security. The querent may be such a person or involved with such a person in their life. The surrounding cards or position in the reading would support this understanding.

If reversed, it implies:

• Conservative.
• Materialistic.
• Dogmatic.
• Weakness.
• Pettiness.

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