What Did the Gnostics Ever Do for Us?
A brand new Tarot spread
Why should we bother revisiting the teachings of the ancient Gnostic teachers of wisdom? Maybe because they were the first (or at least the ones we have the earliest writings from) to point out that we live in a simulation or a holographic universe. The fact that we are trapped inside a hologram is something I discovered first-hand during an out-of-body experience at age five. The awareness of 3D as a hologram is gaining traction once more but this time, on the threshold of the Age of Aquarius, through AI and our interaction with the latest gadgets.
Another good reason to revisit the teachings of the Gnostics, as a student of the Tarot, is that their teachings left more than just traces in the symbolism of the Tarot.
The Tarot has a rich tapestry of symbols and archetypes that resonate deeply with the teachings of ancient Gnosis and the Western Mystery Schools. These cards, imbued with layers of esoteric wisdom, serve as a visual codex of the human quest for enlightenment and liberation from suffering. The Gnostics were seekers of knowledge — "gnosis" meaning direct knowledge of the divine mysteries — and they believed that personal experience of the divine was the path to enlightenment. Many of the images and archetypes found in the Tarot decks mirror this pursuit of inner wisdom and draw on Gnostic principles that can help us decode the nature of reality.
The Western Mystery Schools were custodians of this hidden knowledge until the time they were forced to close when Christianity became the state religion. They provided an intersection of philosophy, theurgy, and esotericism — all elements that are richly woven into the iconography of the Tarot. The symbolism of these schools, rooted in traditions like Hermeticism, Kemetic Spirituality, Neoplatonism, and Kabbalah, all of which share undercurrents with Gnostic thought, permeate the cards. It was within this fertile cultural and philosophical landscape that the Tarot's iconography was conceived, articulated, and developed into the powerful tool for introspection that it is today.
The revival of interest in the teachings of the Mystery Schools coincided with the creation of some of the earliest Tarot decks. Therefore, as we lay out the spread of a Tarot deck, we are not only peering into potential futures but also gazing back into the mysterious depths of ancient wisdom, finding threads that connect us with the mystical legacy of the Gnostics.
Given the profound connections between Gnostic teachings, and the vibrant, enduring symbols found in the Tarot, it's fascinating to consider how these ancient wisdoms can still enlighten our understanding today. One particularly evocative intersection is the role of Sophia in Valentinian Gnosticism.
In exploring deeper into this confluence of divine femininity, wisdom, and cosmic insight, I recommend the latest post on Angelorum, titled Holy Sophia in Valentinian Gnosticism (with Tarot Spread). By delving into this post, readers are invited to engage with a Tarot spread that draws on the essence of Holy Sophia, aiming to connect with the aspects of divine wisdom and enlightenment that she represents within Valentinian thought. Just as the Gnostic seekers pursued knowledge of the divine mysteries through personal experience, so too can Tarot enthusiasts and spiritual seekers today use this spread to journey through layers of their consciousness.
Tarot Daily Options
Some of you also subscribed to Tarot Daily for your card-of-the-day fix here on Substack. In case you missed my public service announcement over there, I just wanted to let you know that I have put that publication on pause indefinitely. You can still catch the card of the day on either TikTok (follow the link in the video below) or on Instagram.
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Blessed be!
