Sun in Gemini and The Eight of Swords | Crystal Clear Tarot

Welcome to Crystal Clear Tarot!

An integrated system that follows the natural rhythm of the cosmos and helps us connect to something bigger than ourselves.

• It is not just about Tarot or Astrology in isolation
• It is about creating connections between multiple wisdom traditions by understanding the energetic properties that connect these systems
• A holistic practice incorporating the physical, emotional, and mental world we live in
• A progression that helps you monitor your progress through immediate feedback
• 10-day Content Schedule: Every 10 days we focus on the current solar decan
• We began on March 20, 2025 with the Two of Wands (first decan of Aries) and we are progressing through all 36 decans of the zodiac
• The instagram account we mentioned is: https://www.instagram.com/yoga.energy.school/

This Series Is For:

• Practitioners seeking deeper integration of various wisdom traditions
• Students of Tarot wanting to understand astrological correspondences
• Yoga practitioners interested in expanding their practice
• Crystal enthusiasts looking for timing and systematic application
• Anyone desiring a structured approach to spiritual development

Brief Historical References

• The Egyptians (circa 3000-2000 BCE) divided the night sky into 36 groups of stars called "decans" (from Greek "deka" meaning ten, as each ruled approximately 10 days)
• These decans were primarily used for timekeeping at night
• They were not yet connected to zodiac signs (the 12-sign zodiac came later) or Tarot (which didn't exist)
• When the Babylonian zodiac of 12 signs was adopted in Hellenistic Egypt after 300 BCE, the decans were reorganized to fit within the zodiac framework (3 decans per sign)
• Texts attributed to Hermes Trismegistus incorporated these astrological concepts
• Tarot cards originated in 15th century Italy with no initial astrological associations
• The systematic correspondence between the 36 decans and the 36 numbered Minor Arcana cards (2-10 of each suit) was developed much later
• Aleister Crowley further refined this system for his Thoth Tarot deck designed 1938-1943

The Astrological Framework:

• The zodiac wheel divided into 36 decans (10° segments of each sign)
• Each decan corresponds to a specific Minor Arcana card in the Thoth Tarot
• The Sun's journey through these decans creates a natural sequence
• This ancient system dates back to Egyptian astrology and was refined through Hermetic traditions

EIGHT OF SWORDS

Third Decan of Gemini (May 21-May 31, 2025)

The Sun is between 0 degrees and 10 degrees in the sign of Gemini.

Today we enter the mutable air of Gemini season as the Sun moves into the first decan of Gemini, corresponding to the Eight of Swords in the Thoth Tarot deck—the Lord of Interference.

The Eight of Swords represents Jupiter in Gemini.

• Jupiter is about connecting with others, how we integrate into the society, our role, expanding our presence
• Gemini is the realm of thoughts, ideas, means of communication, books, social media, etc

So the energy of Jupiter in Gemini suggests that:

• We can expand our presence in our community by communicating, connecting more with others, sharing ideas, thoughts, etc

and at the same time

• Expand our own mental perspective in terms of thoughts, ideas, mental experiences, etc

We are transitioning from the material realm of Taurus to the mental realm of Gemini.

What the card actually shows is eight swords arranged in a geometric pattern, with two long central swords and six shorter blades parallel to each other and perpendicular to the two long swords.

• The background has angular, crystalline patterns in purples and oranges.
• The two long central swords represent main forces or consciousness
• The six smaller swords represent scattered, interfering thoughts
• Each small sword is deliberately depicted as a different cultural weapon suggesting external cultural interference and indoctrination
• Despite the interference, Jupiter's influence ensures that "good fortune attends even these weakened efforts"
• Positive expressions: Intellectual curiosity, multiple perspectives, adaptability, communication skills
• Shadow aspects: Mental overwhelm, paralysis by analysis, scattered attention, superficial understanding
• Key challenge: Channeling mental energy productively rather than getting lost in endless possibilities
• Core opportunity: Learning to navigate complexity without becoming trapped by it

A Note on Aleister Crowley's Description:

This card signifies lack of persistence in matters of the intellect and of contest. Good fortune, however, attends even these weakened efforts, thanks to the influence of Jupiter in Gemini, ruling the Decan. Yet the Will is constantly thwarted by accidental interference. The centre of the card is occupied by two long Swords pointed downward. These are crossed by six small swords, three on each side. They remind one of weapons peculiar to their countries or their cults; we see here the Kriss, the Kukri, the Scramasax, the Dagger, the Machete and the Yataghan.

Too much force applied to small things: too much attention to detail at the expense of the principal and more important points.

Crowley saw this card as representing mental scattering where Jupiter's expansive energy becomes fragmented in Gemini's dualistic nature, creating intellectual interference that prevents focused action while still maintaining underlying good fortune.

You can think of the “Eight of Swords” as representing the blockages or "knots" that prevent energy from flowing freely. They are the mental constructs, emotional patterns, and karmic residues that create interference in our energy system. The crossed and interfering swords visually suggest this blockage of flow.

SUPPORTING CARD | THE LOVERS (Major Arcana VI)

The framework of the card is the Arch of Swords, beneath which the Royal Marriage takes place. The Sword is primarily an engine of division. In the intellectual world-which is the world of the Sword suit-it represents analysis.

The hooded figure which occupies the centre of the Card is himself a form of the god Mercury... he is closely shrouded, as if to signify that the ultimate reason of things lies in a realm beyond manifestation and intellect.

The Royal persons concerned are the Black or Moorish King with a golden crown, and the White Queen with a silver crown. The King bears the Sacred Lance, and the Queen the Holy Grail; their other hands are joined, as consenting to the Marriage.

• Color Associations: Orange, purple, yellow
• Royal figures: The conscious choice between different paths
• Angel/Cupid figure: Divine messenger inspiring connection
• Lion and Eagle: Representing passion and inspiration
• Mountain/temple: Sacred space of decision-making
• Geometric patterns: Multiple intersecting influences
• Discrimination: Ability to discern between options
• Communication: The exchange of ideas and perspectives
• Integration: Bringing together different aspects into harmony
• Relationship: Connection between mind and heart, self and other

Relationship to Eight of Swords:

The Lovers (Mercury) provides the discernment needed to navigate the Eight's complexity

Where the Eight shows mental entanglement, The Lovers shows conscious choice

Together they represent the progression from confusion to clarity through communication

The Lovers teaches us to choose our thoughts rather than being trapped by them

You can think of “The Lovers” card as representing the balanced ida (feminine/lunar/left) and pingala (masculine/solar/right) channels. When these two polarities are in harmony (like the Queen and King in the card), the conditions are created for energy to rise.

SUPPORTING CARD | ACE OF SWORDS

The overall imagery communicates the emergence of mental clarity (the sword) rising from the golden light of consciousness (the sun) through the cloudy realm of confusion, crowned with divine illumination. The composition creates a vertical energy that suggests upward movement of thought and aspiration.

• Elemental Attribution: Root of Air element
• The Ace represents the seed potential that the Eight has difficulty accessing
• The Green Sword: The coloring is significant - green represents growth, fertility, and life. This suggests that intellectual power (the sword) can be a creative and generative force, not just destructive.
• The Crown/Diadem: Divine inspiration and mental sovereignty. At the top of the sword is the golden crown with multiple rays of light, 22 rays symbolizing the complete wisdom of the entire Major Arcana - the fullness of spiritual knowledge, and illumination crowning the intellect (the sword).
• Blue Sky/Clouds: The background shows parting clouds against a blue sky, symbolizing clarity emerging from confusion. The clouds represent the obscuring of truth that the sword cuts through.
• White Waves/Energy: The white wave-like patterns surrounding the yellow sphere represent the dynamic energy of thought and the movement of air (the element associated with swords).

Word Inscribed on the Blade “Thelema” This is highly significant. “Thelema" means “Will”, emphasizing that the intellect and analytical mind (represented by the Sword) should be directed by and in service to one's True Will - one's authentic purpose or destiny. The presence of this word on the sword transforms it from merely representing mental power to specifically representing the mind aligned with one's spiritual purpose - the intellect guided by True Will rather than ego or external influences.

This deliberate repetition of "Thelema" across these two cards highlights a central theme in Crowley's philosophy: True Will ("Thelema") is the guiding principle that should direct both intellectual pursuits/mind (Swords) and matters of choice / heart / desire (The Lovers).

You can think of the “Ace of Swords” as the awakened sushumna nadi - the central channel through which kundalini energy rises. The sword cutting through clouds parallels how the awakened sushumna cuts through illusion. The crown of light at the top evokes the crown chakra illumination that occurs when kundalini rises fully.

The sequence energetically:

• First comes recognition of the interference (8 of Swords)
• Then balancing of polarities (The Lovers)
• Finally, the awakening of the central channel and rising energy (Ace of Swords)

Ida Nadi:

• Feminine/lunar energy (cooling)
• Corresponds to the left side of the body
• Associated with the moon, intuition, and receptivity
• Connected to right-brain functions (creativity, holistic thinking)
• Begins and ends on the left side of the spine

Pingala Nadi:

• Masculine/solar energy (heating)
• Corresponds to the right side of the body
• Associated with the sun, logic, and activity
• Connected to left-brain functions (analytical thinking, logic)
• Begins and ends on the right side of the spine

Sushumna Nadi:

• Neutral central channel
• Runs directly through the center of the spine
• The path through which kundalini energy rises when ida and pingala are balanced

These two lateral channels spiral around the central sushumna nadi, crossing at each chakra point, creating a pattern reminiscent of the caduceus symbol (the medical staff with two snakes). The ida and pingala originate at the base of the spine at the root (muladhara) chakra and terminate at the left and right nostrils respectively.

INTEGRATION PRACTICE

Crystals:

• Clear quartz - for amplification of mental clarity, versatility
• Melody Stone, Super-Seven, Sacred Seven: a unique blend of amethyst, clear quartz, smoky quartz, cacoxenite, rutile, goethite, and lepidocrocite
• Fluorite - perfect cubic crystalline structure, used to enhance concentration, mental clarity, learning, protection from mental confusion, while maintaining mental flexibility (variety of colors)
• Amazonite - truth, courage in communication, harmony between heart and mind

Daily Practice for Gemini’s First Decan:

• Alternate Nostril Breathing for 2 minutes - Nadi Shodhana Pranayama is specifically designed to balance these two channels, creating the conditions for sushumna activation and kundalini awakening
• Carry or wear one of the crystals to maintain mental clarity during busy periods
• Practice one-legged balancing pose, such as Shiva or Tree focusing on glute strength, not on flexibility. This will help you develop mental focus and stability
• Mantra: “Aum Gam Ganapataye Namaha" (removing obstacles to clear thinking)
• Create a simple decision-making process for when mental overwhelm arises

Journal Prompts:

How can I organize my thoughts without limiting my perspective?

How can I honor multiple perspectives while still making clear decisions?

Where do I need to choose clarity over comfortable confusion?

What mental patterns am I ready to untangle and release?

What new way of thinking is seeking to emerge in my consciousness

Other Resources

This episode is brought to you by the breathtaking Aerial Mountain Springs in Clarkesville, GA.

We practice Ayurvedic Astrology based on the ABLAS method of calculations

Email us your feedback and any questions you may have at: ask.tim.and.vie@gmail.com

This series is brought to you by Yoga Energy School. It can be found at http://YogaEnergy.com

Yoga Energy is offering Personal Training, "Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy" teacher trainings and mini courses. They can be found at http://YogaEnergy.com

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May we all be well, adapt and thrive! -Tim, Vie, Freyja, Luci & Kali

Disclaimer

All information provided here is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not to be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken solely on the contents of this Podcast. Please consult your physician or a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health and well being or on any opinions expressed within this Podcast.

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