THE POWERS


Entering the castle, the Fool is greeted by a long, dark corridor with chambers off to the sides. Slowly, he stumbles toward the first chamber, hearing the echo of his own faltering steps.

The heavy odor of incense greets him as he steps through the doorway. Shadows dance on the walls as candles flicker throughout the room. His eyes slowly adjust.

A long table stands in the middle of the room and behind it stands a man with one hand pointing upwards towards the heavens, the other hand pointing downward to the table's contents ...a Rod for growth .... a Cup for Happiness .... a Sword for Strength .... and a Pentacle for Money.


Finally, he looks at the Fool and speaks. "I am the Magician. I am the magic. I am the keeper of the Powers, although I am but one of them."

"I am totally committed to achieving all I set out to do. I acknowledge my motivations and understand my intentions. By doing so I find the balance which is necessary for success in all my endeavors."

The Fool looks down, afraid to meet the Magician's gaze, feeling somewhat humbled in the presence of such a POWER.


Feeling his way down the long, dark corridor, the Fool comes to another chamber.

Magic and mystery emanating from her as she sits on her throne, the High Priestess smiles at the Fool. She holds a partially open scroll containing the Secrets of the Universe.


Never saying a word, she silently speaks to some unseen forces. "The Fool carries his sack from place to place, never bothering to open it and not even curious as to its contents. Hopefully, he will come to realize he possesses all the Powers and all the Magic that are the Magician's."


Calm and passive, looking beyond the obvious, the High Priestess is aware of a larger reality and understands the possibilities that exist.

In awe, the Fool gazes at the High Priestess, realizing that this, too, is POWER.




The fragrant aroma of flowers and the sound of birds chirping draws the Fool further down the long, dark corridor until he comes to a chamber filled with light. The over powering fragrances of nature delight his senses as the sounds of nature echo a warm welcome.




As his eyes adjust, he sees, sitting on a throne - the sign of Venus above her head - the Empress as she tenderly nourishes all forms of life from one lifetime to the next.



The Empress looks up and whispers, "The seed, which bears the fruit, only matures once the blossoms are blown away. That is the mystery of renewal and rebirth.

And the Fool realizes that this is also POWER.


Leaving the chamber of the Empress, stumbling less and less, the Fool continues along the corridor. Coming to the next chamber, he peeks in and sees a giant of a man sitting on a thrown which bears the mark of authority.


The Emperor, consumed with the job of establishing law and order from within the system, is determined to hold on to the traditions he believes necessary for the continuance of existence.



He is the energy of nature and the driving force of life. He enables growth by applying reason and setting directions through struggle and personal jeopardy.

This is another POWER, theFool realizes.


The sound of a voice lecturing finds its way to the Fool from further down the corridor.


Walking more steadily, he follows the sound and enters a round chamber. In the middle of the chamber sits the Hierophant.



His Initiates stand before him as he advises them to seek the Path - not the attainment - within themselves. The Hierophant further commands them to listen to their inner voice, which has always been with them, without relying on others' insights or deceptions.

And the Fool realizes that this, too, is POWER.


The Fool notices a door just ahead and slowly opens it, finding himself, once again, out in the grassy court yard.



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Copyright 1998

Lightning By
Mike Ralston