The Experience of the Mind

[Plenum]

thanks for the great compilation of quotes and thoughts Ankh. There is a voluminous amount of information on cards I-IV, as opposed to the other archetypes, of which there is only a scattered paragraph here and there on which to ground one's analysis.

personally, I can't say that I've spent much time with the Emperor. A great deal of effort, however, has been expended on the previous card, the Empress.

in regards to your personal summary ...

Interpretation of Archetype Four:

The entity is sitting on a cube which to me symbolizes the third density illusion. This cube might or might not appear, if the magic is found, as a tessearct, having more dimensions. The seated image indicates the inner work in the lower energy centers being done, and the experience in those rays being seated.

The polarity comes into play, and the experience can now become more polarized through conscious work. The entity is then able to grasp with firm authority the experience in a conscious way.

When purely positively polarized entity facing the left (although without any bigger significance attached to this detail) and with its milk-white, i.e. pure in intention, pointed leg experience a seemingly negative catalyst, this entity is able to interpret a seemingly negative experience in a positively polarized way, understanding that this is where magic and power lies, that each opportunity is pregnant with magical, infinite possibilities.

The spirit is in this case seated in the green ray, and the gateway to the indigo ray open, the entity is now guarded towards random catalyst by its purity and is now able to grasp the fullness of this archetype.

The great pitch of light is now being held high above and all interpretation can be seen to be protected by light.

It is now that this entity is ready to begin its flight towards the great Logos, which is a calling of an adept.

I personally understand this to be the concept of Wise Service. The Emperor sees his kingdom or domain, and then chooses a method or way of relating to it (the so-called experience of the mind). The experience is self-chosen via the catalyst of the mind, but the interpretation of it takes place in this card, whether to make it a positive, negative, or a non-acknowledged experience. It is the 'create your own reality' paradigm, but here rather a 'create your own interpretation'.

here is Scott Mandelker's view of the card, if you are willing to sit through some poor audio quality and some side rants:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-umVJrg38...plpp_video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4tmPmM_Y...plpp_video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wBwWLHao...plpp_video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwUlZVF-W...plpp_video