Lion's Gate Part 1: Star Wheel

Hindu Wheel of Life and Death

Intro:

The lion is a creature that has always been admired and revered.  It is a symbol of strength, royalty, victory, and power.  It is associated with  the sun, christ, the cross, various alchemical phases and processes, and is known as "the king of the jungle".

In Egypt Sphinxes (lions) were guardians at the entrance of temples.  One faced east while the other faced west.  This brings to mind Janus, the roman god with two opposed faces.  This is how he was said to see into both the future and the past.  Significantly he is the god of doorways and gateways.  He also rules over beginnings and endings...

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"The Wheel of Fortune", as it is sometimes called, is an old and complex symbol.  It is included among the collection of archetypes found in the taro (note the involvement of the taro, as the taro as a whole is itself a great wheel, "Rota").  It is Atu #10 and is the path that connects Chesed and Netzach on the Kabbalic Tree of Life.  Notice now that this path is ruled by Jupiter and that Netzach is also called "Victory" (remembering lion symbology).

Taking a closer look at the taro's illustration, specifically that of Crowley's Thoth deck, we see a variety of elements involved here.  We see three players directly engaged with the wheel.  These are the "Sphinx", "Hermanubis", and "Typhon".  They correspond to the alchemical "Tria Prima", or sulphur, mercury, and salt.  They represent most basically "balanced calm", "energetic activity", and "inertia, death" respectively.

We find the same three-fold concept in eastern thought with the three gunas: "Sattvas", "Rajas", and "Tamas".

These concepts illustrate the dynamic of manifestation through time, or more simply, "motion".  All things are subject to the succession of the phases articulated in this symbol.  All objects and events, or "space-time phenomena", exert influence on all others.  All things in this way are bound to each other.

While this happens "non-locally" in a very absolute kind of way, it is also modified and modulated via "local" mechanisms.

In astrology for example, a celestial object is said to exert influence on Earthly affairs.  Depending, though, on its relationship to other players (planets, constellations, so forth).  In a Zodiacal context we see that a certain "sign" is exercising a significant affect only when modulated or "filtered" through our sun.  Thus we can see how motion, that is, the very function of a wheel, determines relationships, and therefor phases (think Gunas or Tria Prima) of all phenomena.

Zodiac Wheel

Proceeding, give the three-fold aspect due notice.  The Triad is a vast archetypal symbol.  As stated, we are currently focusing on the Triad in terms of phases or motion.  Remember, it is a wheel.

If we look at one astoundingly ubiquitous symbol, the "Recycle" logo, we see the pattern confirmed.  A three part wheel emphasizing "recycle" or "rebirth".  Let us recall Janus for a moment, the god of new beginnings.  Now, look closely at this symbol.  At its center or "hub" there is something wholly profound and relevant: a hexagram.

The hexagram symbolizes many things, though most pertinent to this essay is its association with "union", or center, which is exactly where we find it.

Certainly the "Center" is of paramount importance and relevance to the concept of the wheel.  Indeed, for a wheel is not, without an axle.

Scaling fractally here, we return to the sun.  The sun is the center or axle/axis of our solar system.  Relating this to time cycles, days and years, both solar phenomena, are our primary method of tracking time.  In terms of phases, we can clearly see it in the progression of day into night or the changing of seasons.

Looking at the symbol for sun, we can clearly see a wheel.  As Jake at "The Blob" has pointed out, a delightful representation of this is found in the clock.  A circle dot, with wheel emulating motion, the very function of which is to track time.

Another symbol for the sun is the "solar wheel".  A rather overt connection here.  Why solar wheel?  An inspection reveals a long tradition of mythologizing the daily movement of the sun as that of a chariot.

Atu #7, "The Chariot", now enters the investigation.  Here we see the wheels in motion.  Special attention should be paid to the one in the center, of course.

Recalling the hexagram we found earlier, we can take a shot at tying a few things together here.

The hexagram, or more specifically, two interlocking tetrahedra, have been recognized as "Merkabah".  The merkabah first appears on the stage in the Book of Ezekiel as "wheels within wheels" or the chariot throne of God.  Also, the chariot or "Chayot" is driven by the four beasts; man, lion, ox, and eagle, which also happens to be depicted in the taro card illustration.  Interestingly, in this image the four creatures are "sphinxed".

Another consideration linking these two images is that Jupiter rules Atu #10 "Fortune", and is also exalted in Cancer (8 legs), the ruling sign of Atu #7, "The Chariot".  The Rainbow heralds Jupiter and is, of course, itself a wheel, one absolutely dependent on the sun.  Again, a quick thank you to Jake and Jim, who revealed the Jupiter rainbow connection.

Taking a general look at the Tree of Life we see that there is actually a singular representation os the sun, Sephirot 6, Tiphareth.  Tiphareth is considered to be the heart of the tree, clearly as it is dead center.

Then the heart, of course, is the Center closest to home, located at the Solar Plexus.

Consulting the Tibetan flag, we get a pretty well rounded image of the ideas we have been dealing with.  Snow lions guard the wheel which yields access to the three gems.  In the center we have the sun who oversees the three buddhist gems, which we can equate to the Gunas.

So where is this going?

The Sun of Awareness rises from the Ocean of the Subconscious

Continued in part 2.