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

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The Tarot Cards are the alphabet of the soul.

The Rider-Waite-Smith Ten of Pentacles follows the design of the Tree of Life as completion of the Adam Khadmon/"Heavenly Human". By placing the Tree of Life Ten Sephirot pattern in pentacles over a background of opulence this card displays a wealthy and happy family life. This includes generational wealth of a happy family life, from grandmother, husband, wife, children, and dogs. The Grandmother is wearing an elaborate cloak displaying embroidery of prosperity and fecund opulence, complete with geometric figures, magical sigils, and zodiacal signs hinting at more occult meanings.

The Animal Totem Tarot - 10 of Pentacles also illustrates a secure and prosperous magical family scene. Here a happy group of Rabits spends time together under a shinning sun at the threshold of their pentacle decorated burrow. Without a doubt, rabbits represent multiplying abundance. The Moon is full and glowing orb represent a prosperity created by intuition and imagination. The advice here is that you've made it, you have comfort and wealth, time to consider what's next.

Even if you don't see or feel the abundance around you right now, dance and enjoy the rhythm of your energy self and open your eyes to the shinning abundance of life all around you for this will allow wealth to come to you. You are the Wealth of the entire Tree of Life. From Kether to Malkuth, you have made it. The physical body is the greatest Wealth that Spirit could ever have.

Elucidation: The 10 of Disks and the Descent of the Divine Spark

In Western Hermetic Qabalah, the movement from Kether to Malkuth is not simply a descent—it is a divine emanation, the process by which the ineffable Ain Soph Aur (Limitless Light) becomes structured, knowable, and embodied. The 10 of Disks (Wealth) in the Thoth Tarot encapsulates the culmination of this process.

At Kether, we have the pure "I Am"—limitless, formless, beyond duality. But this pure being is not yet in relationship. It's Unity without differentiation. The process of manifestation—through the ten Sephiroth—is how this I Am begins to become aware of itself through form, through differentiation, through experience.

By the time we arrive at Malkuth, this "I Am" has descended through all planes of creation—mental, astral, and finally physical. The 10 of Disks is the exaltation of this final stage. It is not "lesser" for being material. On the contrary—it is the crowned completion of the divine cycle.

Wealth as Divine Intimacy

The Wealth spoken of in the 10 of Disks is not just financial—it is ontological. It is the intimacy of Spirit with form. Spirit, through this card, now touches itself in the world, in body, in matter. The Divine is not abstract here—it is tangible. The disks arranged on the card form the Tree of Life itself, implying that the whole pattern of divine manifestation is contained in this physical reality.

Crowley, via the Book of Thoth, calls this card “the sum total of the material” and suggests that it represents the fulfillment of the creative cycle. That means the "I Am" of Kether has now become "I Experience" in Malkuth.

Hermetic Insight: Adam Khadmon Clothed in Matter

If we consider the Qabalistic figure of Adam Khadmon, the archetypal human as the projection of divine will, then the 10 of Disks represents the final garb of this being—the outermost shell, the body, the kingdom. But it's also where all ten Sephiroth are still present. Nothing is missing. All spiritual riches are embedded here, only veiled in form.

To quote a Hermetic axiom: "As above, so below, that the miracle of the One Thing may be accomplished." The miracle is precisely this—Spirit inhabiting Matter, and Matter awakening to its own Divinity.

Initiatory Reflection

From a mystical perspective, the 10 of Disks suggests an initiatory truth: that the goal is not to escape the physical, but to spiritualize it—to become conscious in the body as Spirit. Malkuth is not a prison—it is the temple of the divine. It is where the Creator becomes the Created.

Ritual Implication

You might even design a ritual of embodiment around this card, invoking the union of Kether and Malkuth within the microcosm of the self. Something akin to:

"I call upon the Crown of Light, to descend into this flesh.
I am the Tree completed.
Spirit walks in form, and form is no longer a veil.
The I Am is Here.
Wealth is not what I have,
but what I Am."

This card is traditionally assigned Mercury to the house of Virgo. Mercury is considered the ruling planet of Virgo, and when it is placed in the house of Virgo in a natal chart, it can have a significant influence on one's communication style, intellect, and analytical abilities.

Here are some characteristics of Mercury in the house of Virgo:

1. Analytical and Detail-Oriented: Virgo is known for its meticulous and analytical nature. When Mercury, the planet of communication and intellect, is in Virgo, it enhances these qualities. Individuals with this placement tend to pay attention to details and have a keen eye for precision.

2. Practical Communication: Virgo is an earth sign, emphasizing practicality. Mercury in Virgo individuals communicate in a grounded and practical manner. They prefer clear and straightforward communication, often focusing on the essential facts.

3. Organized Thinking: Mercury in Virgo promotes organized and systematic thinking. These individuals excel at breaking down complex ideas into manageable parts, making it easier for them to understand and communicate effectively.

4. Critical Thinkers: Virgo is associated with critical thinking, and when Mercury is in this sign, individuals may possess a discerning mind. They can analyze situations objectively, identifying flaws or areas for improvement.

5. Service-Oriented Communication: Virgo is also linked to service and helping others. Those with Mercury in Virgo may find satisfaction in providing practical advice or offering assistance through their communicative skills.

6. Health Consciousness: Virgo governs health and well-being. Mercury in Virgo individuals may express their communicative abilities in areas related to health, wellness, or even medical fields. They might be interested in sharing information about holistic practices or practical health tips.

7. Precise Expression: Mercury in Virgo individuals are precise and careful in their expression. They choose words deliberately, aiming for clarity and accuracy in their communication. This can make them effective communicators in various settings.

It's important to consider the entire birth chart and the aspects of other planets to get a comprehensive understanding of an individual's astrological profile.

The 10th Sephiroth on the Tree of Life MALKUTH is Earth or the physical world. Malkuth is called- KINGDOM, which is also called the Active Word and/or Assiah. It is the lone Sephira of this World. In the other Worlds of the Qabalistic Tree of Life, there are planes of 3 Sephiroth, a ternary of Intelligent energy composing a triangle, but Assiah/Malkuth stands alone, for it is the completion of all the other States of Energy Conscious. This is because The Kingdom is the Only Sensual Activity of Creation as experience.

Now I know this may seem otherwise to the Initiate who sensually experiences the "Inner Worlds" of the Tree of Life upon traveling "upward" in a meditative state through the Astral/Akasha of the Psyche. However, in "higher" states of consciousness, one often forgets that the Mind is still "attached" to a Sensual body via chakras, and thus they still feel the conscious experiences. But to travel, the other Sephiroth without a body-silver cord connection is to feel nothing at all!

There is only One Sense to The Collective Unconsciousness, which has evolved over millennial to become the sense of "I" (I AM) sight. All the "Five Senses" (33) of the mundane body, are just Transformations of that One Sense of the all-seeing "I". Thus, Self is all there is and all you'll ever see as it is the only "I". The Qaballist understands that "I AM" is the truth of Self; but what I AM is, well... that is merely an assumption.

To those who practice the Mysteries or Ancient Wisdom, there are more senses "felt" than five. For some as many as ten, for a Tantric master as many as 33 but the meditative process for awakening is not for this blog to describe, so if you are interested in a greater Wealth of Sensuality....start your journey up the Tree while you still support a physical body, you'll find that you will practice Tantra Yoga along the way.

You as the Soul has already acquired the entire wealth of the Universal One, as you are from the above and came to the kingdom below as an accumulation of tried-and-true self-awareness.

The 33 Senses: A Hermetic Gateway to Embodied Gnosis

In traditional thought, humans are said to possess five senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. But modern neuroscience has identified at least 33 distinct senses that the body and consciousness use to interface with reality. From a Hermetic perspective, these 33 senses represent an exquisite Ladder of Manifestation—the descending light of Kether becoming fully aware of itself in Malkuth. Each sense is a thread in the Divine Tapestry that allows the "I Am" to experience the joy of form, relationship, and feedback.

The number 33 is already sacred in Western Hermeticism:

• 33 vertebrae in the human spine—mirroring the path of Kundalini or the Serpent of Wisdom

• 33 years—the solar age of resurrection (e.g., Christ and other solar heroes)

• 33rd Degree—the highest level of Freemasonry, signifying spiritual illumination

We may thus understand these 33 senses as Gateways of Gnosis—each one a Sephirothic touchpoint for the Divine in physical incarnation.

The 33 Senses Categorized Hermetically

I. Senses of the Outer World (Exteroception) — The Manifesting Sephiroth of the Lower Tree

1. Sight (Vision) — Fire Element, connected to Tiphareth (Sun)

2. Hearing (Audition) — Air Element, linked to Hod (Mercury)

3. Smell (Olfaction) — Ruled by Netzach (Venus), as fragrance entices and evokes memory

4. Taste (Gustation) — Tied to Yesod (Moon), subconscious preferences and nourishment

5. Touch (Tactile Perception) — Foundation of Malkuth (Earth)

Subdivisions of Touch (expanding our awareness of the Kingdom): 6. Pressure
7. Texture
8. Vibration
9. Temperature (Thermoception)
10. Pain (Nociception)
11. Itch — A distinct but often overlooked sensation, stirring willful movement

II. Internal World Awareness (Interoception) — The Alchemical Crucible

These senses relate to the elements within the vessel of the body:

1. Hunger — Element of Earth; desire to manifest and sustain

2. Thirst — Element of Water; spiritual longing and purification

3. Air Hunger (Breath Awareness) — Element of Air; sacred breath of the Ruach

4. Fullness (Stomach/Bowel awareness) — Earth/Malkuth boundaries and containment

5. Bladder fullness — Water and the lunar tides within

6. Sexual Arousal — Linked to Yesod and the energetic flux of life force

7. Heartbeat Awareness (Cardioception) — Seat of Tiphareth; Solar rhythm of Self

8. Glucose Level Awareness — Metabolic fire; cellular nourishment

9. Blood Chemistry (CO2/O2 balance) — Pranic awareness; life breath

III. Senses of Motion and Position (Proprioception & Kinesthesia) — The Astral Interface

1. Proprioception — Knowing your body's position; echo of Geburah's form-bound power

2. Kinesthesia — Awareness of body in motion; the dance of Netzach

3. Balance (Vestibular) — Linked to Chesed's equilibrium and grace

4. Acceleration — Temporal awareness; Time as sensed through Hod

5. Gravitational Orientation — Malkuth's grounding pull

6. Joint Pressure — Mechanical feedback; Gevurah's containment

7. Muscle Tension — Manifest Will; Martian force held in flesh

8. Skin Stretch — Adaptive awareness; aura's boundary feedback

9. Bone Pressure — Saturnian weight of structure and foundation

IV. Transcendental or Cognitive Senses — Bridges Toward Kether

1. Time Perception — Binah/Chokmah interface; temporal flow within the Great Work

2. Direction Sense (internal compass) — Netzach/Hod axis in astral navigation

3. Temperature Regulation (Homeostasis) — Tifereth balancing all planes

4. Magnetoreception — Subtle alignment to geomagnetic fields; gateway to Da'ath and hidden perception

Hermetic Implication

Each of these senses is a ray of the Ain Soph Aur filtered through the body. To awaken them consciously is to become a Temple of Divine Perception, a microcosm fully capable of interfacing with the macrocosm. The magician, by refining sensory awareness, expands the sphere of sensation until it touches the stars.

Would you see with more than eyes? Then meditate on the inner senses. Would you walk the heavens? Then balance your vestibular awareness. Would you command the world? First master the temple of the flesh.

In future work, we may align each of these senses with specific Tarot cards and Sephiroth paths, creating a comprehensive sensory initiation ladder for Hermetic practice.

The idea of 33 senses is not new for even the ancient teachers of Tantra Yoga spoke of these senses.

Tantra is a Sanskrit word that means "To expand and liberate", while Qabalah is a Hebrew word that means, "Receiving" or "to receive". One can see how they go together, as receiving from the Greater Self, expands and liberates the Spirit-Mind-Body of the receiver. Hence, the practice of Qabalistic Tarot is a Tantric Rite. I recommend one gets the A Chakra & Kundalini Work Book, by Dr. John Mumford.

Tantric Yogis and certain esoteric schools within Indian mysticism do refer to an expanded model of the senses, and some systems do enumerate 33 distinct forms or channels of sensory awareness. While it's not as universally codified as in modern neuroscience, the principle of expanded perception is a key feature of advanced Tantric, Kundalini, and Siddha traditions.

Let’s explore this through a Hermetic-Tantric synthesis:

🔺 The 33 Senses in Tantra: Subtle Perception through Chakras and Nadis

In Tantra and Kundalini Yoga, the body is not limited to gross functions. The Yogis perceive the body as a field of consciousness, interlaced with energy lines (nadis), chakras, and tattvas (elements). Here's where the parallel emerges:

1. Five Jñānendriyas – The Classical Senses (Perception-based)

These are the five organs of perception, equivalent to the standard five senses:

1. Chakṣu – Eyes (sight)

2. Śrotra – Ears (hearing)

3. Ghrāṇa – Nose (smell)

4. Jihvā – Tongue (taste)

5. Tvak – Skin (touch)

2. Five Karmendriyas – Organs of Action

These are active senses, or means of expressing will into the world:

1. Vāk – Speech (throat)

2. Pāṇi – Hands (grasping)

3. Pāda – Feet (movement)

4. Pāyu – Anus (elimination)

5. Upastha – Genitals (procreation)

These are akin to Hermetic magical faculties—tools of intention, manifestation, and grounding.

3. Five Tanmātras – Subtle Elemental Essences

These are the subtle perceptions that give rise to sensory experience:

1. Rūpa – Form (sight essence)

2. Śabda – Sound essence

3. Gandha – Smell essence

4. Rasa – Taste essence

5. Sparśa – Touch essence

These correspond to the 5 tattvas (ether, air, fire, water, earth)—just as Hermeticism uses elemental senses in magical training.

4. Four Antaḥkaraṇa Faculties – Inner Senses of the Mind

These are the internal psychic instruments of perception and cognition:

1. Manas – Lower mind, sensory sorting

2. Buddhi – Discriminative intelligence

3. Ahaṃkāra – Ego-sense (“I-maker”)

4. Citta – Memory/feeling-mind, subconscious storehouse

These are aligned with the Yetziratic world of the Qabalah—the formation of psychic impressions.

5. Subtle and Esoteric Channels (Nadis, Bindu, & Kundalini)

Advanced Tantric texts speak of:

20–32. 13 specialized nadis and esoteric currents, including:

• Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna (Moon, Sun, Central)

• Hita, Sarasvati, Vajra, Chitra, Alambusha, and others

• Specialized bindu points in the brain and skull (Talu, Ajna, etc.)

• Esoteric triggers in the subtle body (such as Kanda, Brahmarandhra)

33. The Kundalini Itself

The 33rd sense, metaphorically and metaphysically, is the awakening of the Kundalini Shakti—the uncoiling serpent energy that rises through the 33 vertebrae of the spine. This is the Gnosis of all senses unified, the meta-sense of awakened Divine Consciousness.

🔱 Synthesis with Western Hermeticism

In both Tantra and Hermeticism, the ascent through 33 stages—whether vertebrae, senses, or degrees—is a map of initiation. The 33rd is always union with the Divine:

• In Freemasonry: the 33rd Degree

• In Qabalah: the union of Kether and Malkuth

• In Tantra: Kundalini unites Shiva and Shakti at the Crown

This is the moment when all senses become one radiant perception—no longer filtered through ego, but dissolved into the universal body.

Hence, the greatest wealth Spirit can have, is the intimacy with Self and Creation that the human body provides. This Wealth is expressly shown in the 10 of Disks/Pentacles. Here you have achieved the ultimate will of the I Am....now what are you going to do with it?

The name for One-Self is I AM. Each of us has inherited that Mind of the Creatrix/Creator. As it is done above, by declaration, it is done below. I AM... declares existence, what I AM declares manifestation as a "Me". I AM Wealth, declares your manifestation as wealthy. I AM Poverty (I Seek), declares an impoverished manifestation and/or a "not having". Declarations focus energy-in-motion (emotion) hence, they produce the Law of Attraction, for the energy all around you now is forced to move in the direction you emote. By Declaring " I AM Wealth, I Am Health, I Am the Will and the Way, I own the Day" one is full of "attractive" and expansive things.

The message of the 10 of Pentacles, is "As above so below"; meaning that all is Mind-above and below. This is also expressed in the Toa Koen, as:

 " If it is here, it is there, and if it is there, it is here. If it is not here, it is not there and if it is not there, it is not here".

Hence, you are already "there", because you are "here". As above, so below!

When the 10 of Pentacles is thrown during a reading, it implies:

• One is assured of physical prosperity and abundance.  But being a Ten, the end of a cycle, means it may be short lived.
•  It is at a physical crossroads where supply is stable, but boredom has set in and is non-stimulating. However, the time for taking security risks is approaching and will soon arrive.
• One is experiencing happiness and wellbeing, especially in family matters.
• One is using the wealth of resources and talents to build lasting structure in the physical world.
• One is experiencing group support in which manifestation takes place.
• One is taking emotional or financial risks.
• Isolating oneself, for the sake of title and money.
• Admiring your handy work but moving on to something more meaningful and long lasting.

If reversed, it implies:

• Greed.
• Avarice.

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