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The Tarot of Eli 2: Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot- Ten of Pentacles & The Archeon Tarot-10 Pentacles

Western Hermetic Magick Qabalah, Tantric, Alchemical, Astrological, and Numerical Traditional Tarot Card Comparisons

September 8, 2025

#tarottraditionalqabalahmagickelitarot2strikingly.com

Above all things, know thyself!

Radiant: Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot- Ten of Pentacles

Archeon Tarot-Ten of Pentacles

Tree of Life

The Ten of Pentacles – Wealth of the Kingdom

The Tarot cards are indeed the alphabet of the soul, each letter a glyph of consciousness inscribed upon the Book of Life. The Rider–Waite–Smith Ten of Pentacles is one such letter, a sigil of completion that whispers of the Tree of Life made manifest in the earthly sphere.

In this card, we see the design of Adam Khadmon—the Heavenly Human—hidden in plain sight. The ten pentacles are arranged in the Sephirotic pattern, crowned by Malkuth, the Kingdom. Around this glyph of wholeness is a vision of prosperity: the generational family gathered together, children, parents, grandparent, and even the loyal dogs. The elder wears a robe embroidered with signs of fecundity, sigils, and zodiacal figures, revealing that what seems mundane wealth is, in truth, the flowering of the occult order that sustains the world.

Malkuth – The Kingdom of Sensation

Malkuth, the tenth Sephira, is unlike the others. It does not form a triangle with its neighbors; it stands solitary, yet as the sum of all that precedes it. For this reason, it is called The Kingdom, The Active Word, Assiah. Here the abstract energy of the higher spheres condenses into the tangible world.

Creation knows itself only through experience, and experience requires sensation. The true “Wealth” of Malkuth is not coins or castles, but the very ability to feel existence.

To the average mind, there are five senses. To the mystic, there are more—ten, and to the Tantric adept, thirty-three. These are not merely faculties of the body but gradations of the “One Sense” of the Divine Self, the Eye that declares I AM. Every perception, gross or subtle, is but a mode of the primal Sight.

Thus, the Kingdom is not poverty but plenitude; it is the treasure-house of awareness itself.

The Great Declaration – I AM

The message of the Ten of Pentacles is simple yet profound: as above, so below. The Name of the One-Self is I AM.

Above, it is the fiat of creation. Below, it is the key to manifestation.

  • To say I AM Wealth is to clothe the formless with abundance.

  • To say I AM Poverty is to declare oneself as the seeker, the not-having.

Every declaration directs emotion, which is energy-in-motion. This is the true Law of Attraction, not a superficial glamour but a Hermetic fact: consciousness shapes reality. The Ten of Pentacles shows the reward of right declaration—the family whole, the Kingdom secured, the Tree completed.

 

 

Tantra and Qabalah – Expansion and Reception

Tantra means “to expand and to liberate.” Qabalah means “to receive.” Together, they describe the rhythm of spirit: the Soul receives the influx from the higher, and by expanding, liberates that power into form.

Thus, the practice of Qabalistic Tarot is itself a Tantric rite. Each card becomes a yantra, each path a mantra, and each declaration of I AM a consecration of the body as the temple of Spirit.

The Ten of Pentacles, therefore, is not merely wealth of coin but wealth of incarnation. To live in a body is to inherit intimacy with Creation itself. To declare I AM is to wield the same Word by which the Aeons are sustained.

 

Final Gnosis

The Taoist axiom declares:
“If it is here, it is there. If it is there, it is here.
If it is not here, it is not there.
If it is not there, it is not here.”

So too with the Ten of Pentacles. The Kingdom is not elsewhere; it is here. The Family of the Soul, the Heavenly Human, the Wealth of Being—all are already within the Self who dares to declare I AM.

The question is no longer how to gain wealth, but rather:
Now that you are Wealth itself—what will you do with it?

The Archeon Tarot - Ten of Pentacles

Where the Rider–Waite–Smith Ten of Pentacles grounds the Kingdom in the tangible wealth of family and lineage, the Archeon Tarot elevates the vision into mythic architecture: a castle suspended in the clouds. Here, we encounter a marvel of imagination and engineering, the symbol of security raised to the heavens.

In this imagery, five pentacles shine above in the sky and five rest below upon the earth, forming the perfect glyph of As Above, So Below. The Kingdom (Malkuth) is revealed not as isolated matter but as the mirror of the supernal order. What is founded above is secured below; what is rooted in matter reflects the designs of Spirit.

The crescent moon glows in the night sky, a clear emblem of the Divine Feminine. It is She who dispenses the cycles of wealth, fertility, and life itself. Where the RWS card cloaks the matriarch in embroidered sigils, the Archeon card crowns her influence directly in the heavens. The wealth here is not just material but mystical—the comfort of being at home in both body and cosmos.

Thus, the Archeon Ten of Pentacles represents:

  • Comfort and Wealth – security earned and received.

  • Home and Domicile – the castle as the sanctum of the Soul.

  • The Feminine Current – the lunar mystery that nourishes all prosperity.

Reversed / Inverted Meaning (for both RWS & Archeon)

When inverted, the Ten of Pentacles warns of the disruption of Kingdom. Its shadow is:

  • Robbery or Theft – the usurpation of security.

  • Family Disputes – disharmony within the lineage.

  • Money Problems – the collapse of structure or mismanagement of wealth.

  • Violation – a breach of trust, whether material or spiritual.

In this state, the glyph of the Tree is overturned: what should be rooted in stability becomes chaos. The aspirant is urged to recall that Wealth is not only coin but consciousness; restoring order to the “castle” requires re-aligning declaration (I AM) with the harmony of Above and Below.

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 Pentacles 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 Pentacles 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.

Mercury (What the Personality Aspires to be, one who hears their Soul and communicates that to their body)

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!

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.

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.

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 above because you are here!

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.
  • Robbery
  • Family disfunction.

Thank you for your interest, comments, and supportive donations. May you live long and prosper!

Thoth Master Class: Western Hermetic Qabalah & Tarot

One-on-One Esoteric Training with Magus Eli

Awaken Your Resonance with the Thoth Tarot

This is not an ordinary Tarot class. The Thoth Master Class is a personalized journey into Hermetic Qabalah and the mysteries of the Thoth Tarot, guided one-on-one by Magus Eli.
These sessions are designed to align your soul’s archetypes with the Tree of Life, blending mystical philosophy with hands-on Tarot practice for profound spiritual transformation.

What Makes This Class Unique?

  • Private Instruction: Just you and the Magus in a 2-hour Google Meet session — fully tailored to your goals.

  • Flexible Scheduling: Weekly, every two weeks, or monthly (12 sessions recommended for full mastery).

  • Recorded Lessons: Every session is recorded for your personal review and ongoing study.

  • Hermetic Depth: Learn Tarot as a gateway to the Tree of Life, elemental forces, and pathworking.

  • Practical Mastery: Practice Tarot layouts live with guided interpretation to build confidence and resonance.

What You’ll Learn

  • The structure of the Thoth Tarot: Major Arcana, Minor Arcana, and Court Cards

  • The Western Hermetic Qabalah: Ten Sephiroth, Four Worlds, and 22 Paths

  • Pathworking and meditative techniques using Tarot as a key to inner temples

  • Hermetic spreads and ritual applications for personal transformation

  • Developing personal gnosis and building your own mystical framework

Required Materials

  • The Qabalistic Tarot: A Textbook of Mystical Philosophy by Robert Wang

  • Thoth Tarot deck (Crowley/Harris edition preferred)

  • Personal journal or Book of Shadows

Is This Class for You?

  • No prior Tarot experience is required — beginners and advanced seekers are welcome.

  • Perfect for anyone drawn to Hermetic wisdom, deep archetypal work, and personal gnosis.

How to Enroll

Email eli@elitarotstrickingly.com to request availability and begin your personalized resonance mapping session. I also give a sliding price list for those who find it hard to pay my normal price. I am about the aspirant getting the assistance they need, not about accumulating wealth at the expense of gnosis.

Call to Action

Awaken the archetypes within. Enter the living mysteries of the Thoth Tarot. Begin your Master Class today.

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