This is one of the most misunderstood cards in the deck by those who don’t know a great deal about the Tarot. Death – Transformation from the Initiate’s Way
“You are dealing here with a reversal of the ordinary and a completely different perspective from that which you are used to. The fact that the figure is hanging upside down and doesn’t look at all bothered about it, suggests that this has been a voluntary course of action and a self sacrifice for the greater good.
You could say that it is a willingness to immerse ones self in the true nature of things, in order to achieve and complete the great work that we are all capable of. This is the image of the Mystics and those who are unafraid to travel in the shadow lands, to further understand their place in the world and the nature of things.
In some decks the figure is poised with one leg crossed at the knee resting behind the other which forms the symbol for sulphur, suggesting the attainment of or reaching for the completion of something. The connecting of spirit within and without, the god- consciousness or however you decide to look at it in terms of your own understanding.
You are suspended at this point in the spiritual journey as you question everything, including your reasons for being, and the surrendering of yourself to that which is bigger than you, and for the greater good of all. Knowing your place in the world however obscure that may seem to others around you and trusting that once you have answered that higher calling and begin to step out on your own and with the acceptance of responsibility for yourself, even though the journey may not be as easy as you thought it might be.”
Excerpt from the Initiate’s Way.
If you would like to perform the path working for the Drowned Man, the video is below.
If you would like to order a copy of the Initiate’s Way you can get this directly from the Publisher.
The Wheel of Fortune and Fate This stage in the Initiate’s journey is where you can begin to instigate real and lasting change. On the image you can see a vortex and a spinning golden …
After much blood, sweat and tears the Initiate’s Way book has finally made it to print. It really has been a groundbreaking momentous journey for me while writing this book, and to see it in its final printed format was one of the most emotional moments of my life.
The 22 pathworkings included in the book preceded the imagery and are the result of many years of studying, meditating and inner seeking. The magickal images I painted after doing the inner workings, which can serve as a focal point as I guide you step by step through the process of the whole journey.
Creative Visualisation.
Using creative visualisation you can discover your own innate wisdom. You will learn simple breathing techniques, and how to bring the magical images to life within your imagination. You create your own healing sanctuary, awaken the god and the goddess, and bring forth your own inner teacher or guide. This book will teach you how to work internally with each of the twenty-two magical archetypes, so that you can perform spiritual alchemy on yourself and bring change into your life.
Every conscious step you take into the Initiate’s Way is signposted by these magical images and as you take time to study, meditate with, and explore each of them in turn you will become your true and authentic self.
This book contains full colour plates of the twenty-two magical images which correlate with the Tarot. They each tell the archetypical story of the spiritual journey into enlightenment.
You can, as a solitary practitioner, use this book to learn how to build up magical images and tread each step of this amazing journey for yourself. If you are working within a group, it can serve as a guidebook for creative visualisations during the year, to align with the seasons. If you work in a group or coven, one of the group members can lead the others through each stage of the journey. This path takes strength and courage as you become who you are truly meant to be.
I have worked with lots of people over the years using the material presented here, in small groups, and with the turn of events this year, it felt like it was time for the creation to take on a life of its own. The groundwork was there. The 22 parts of the journey road tested by myself, and others, and the feedback from those participating convinced me that this could be a useful tool for anyone who wanted to begin to use their creative imagination to make positive and lasting changes.
When I first started out writing this book it was for a number of reasons. It was a learning experience for me and as I was travelling the inner realms myself and journalling, it occurred to me that this was not just the product of my own imagination. That I had tapped into a source, a stream of wisdom that I could share with others in the hope that they too could share the path and access these inner resources. Along the way I met inner teachers, archetypes, gods and goddesses and entered a magickal world that became more real to me with every journey. It also felt like something I was ‘meant’ to do, That there had been preparation in past lives which I started to recall while participating in the pathworkings myself.
Spiritual Alchemy
My understanding of spiritual alchemy is that it is a practical journey that you can embark upon, and that the gold is the enlightenment experience of reaching that place within, where innate knowledge erupts like a fountain. To attain that it was necessary to create the spaces in which to do the work. So after using the pathworkings myself for a few years I led small groups through the experiences, so we could share and learn from each other.
Essentially you are setting out on a mythical journey but it all takes place in your imagination using creative visualiation. I studied hypnotherapy in 2016 which really helped me to craft these into tools with purpose. Doing this inner work myself helped me to create a foundation upon which I could set future goals upon, reflect and categorise experiences and learn from them rather than repeating the same mistakes.
If you are ready to find out who you really are then this book is for YOU.
Order a limited edition signed paperback copy with P&P in the UK:
If you would like a digital copy the links are below.
Welcoming in Autumn in 2020 this year has been like the embrace of an old friend. Long awaited and just the right time for the Initiate’s Way book to be unleashed on the world. Merlin the Hermit has been instrumental in this process of guidance in the form of an inner guide, a teacher who stepped forward to lead the way, so that I could choose with confidence this path that I have taken.
This book contains full colour plates of the twenty-two magical images which correlate with the Major Arcana of the Tarot. They each tell the archetypical story of the spiritual journey into enlightenment.
You can, as a solitary practitioner, use this book to learn how to build up magical images and tread each step of this amazing journey for yourself. If you are working within a group, it is a guidebook for creative visualisations during the year, to align with the seasons. One of the group members can lead the others through each stage of the journey. This path takes strength and courage as you become who you are truly meant to be.
In Tarot usually you will find here a male figure of the wise old man archetype which I attribute to Merlin. The importance of silence and retreat from the physical world for the purpose of meditation is stressed here, and the internal seeking of one’s own being.
In terms of psychology this archetype represents a journey into the underworld or the world of shadows. If you cast a light onto something, it casts a shadow and you cannot ignore it, instead you must retreat further into the silence and reintegrate these parts of yourself before you can progress any further on this journey.
In silence, solitude and retreat is where you can heal yourself, by going within and spending time alone. It is an intensely personal journey and each person is unique by having different life circumstances, but if you do not allow yourself significant time to explore the shadows and avoid doing inner work on yourself, it can manifest in physical and mental illness. The hermit is carrying a staff which is topped with the orphic egg, also being protected by the snake that is climbing up the staff, this is a universal symbol for wisdom.
The chapter for the Initiates Way concerning the Hermit and Numerology is a fantastic contribution written by Richard Abbot.
I have to thank Richard from the bottom of my heart for his numerological readings and the guidance that he gave me because it was priceless, at the outset of the journey of writing the Initiate’s Way.
Richard is Author of ten wonderful books and is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to be reckoned with. I would highly recommend his services if you every found yourself in need of his counsel.
This video contains a chapter from the Initiate’s Way Strength/Fortitude written by Caitlín Matthews and read by Jade Melany. The Initiate’s Way contains concise and complete instructions on how to create and use magical images …
Shaman – Heirophant –Meeting your Inner teacher This magical image emerged as a wise inner teacher, an archetype of a priest/shaman or wise old man. It is at this stage in your spiritual journey you …
Goddess of the Grove. This radiant figure of the Goddess of the Grove looks very much like one of the antique rounded sculptures of Venus, and she is one of the Guardians found in myth …
