The Ankh, an ancient Egyptian symbol of life and immortality, holds a significant place within the diverse landscape of Tarot symbolism and spiritual practice. Often referred to as the "key of life," its imagery and meaning have transcended millennia, appearing not only in the hands of Egyptian deities but also integrated into the specific imagery of Tarot cards and the structure of divination spreads. The source material provides a detailed exploration of the Ankh's multifaceted role, ranging from its presence in the Rider-Waite and Elemental Tarot decks to its connection with the Alexandrian Rose Ankh and its function as a meditative focal point.
The Ancient Origins and Core Meaning of the Ankh
The Ankh is an ancient Egyptian symbol depicting a cross with a loop at the top, dating back to the Middle Kingdom of Egypt (c. 2040–1650 BCE). Its meaning is deeply connected to the concepts of life, eternal existence, and the divine. In Egyptian mythology, the Ankh is frequently associated with gods such as Osiris, the deity of death, rebirth, and resurrection. It is commonly seen in the hands of goddesses and deities, signifying their power to grant life and immortality.
The structure of the symbol itself carries profound meaning. The loop at the top represents eternal life and the divine world, having no start and no end. It is also linked to the ancient Egyptians' Sun God, representing the spirit of Ra. The cross portion represents the change from one lifetime to the next. Over time, the Ankh evolved into a charm associated with good fortune, benefits, and divine protection. In burial rituals, it served as a key unlocking the gates to the afterlife and exploring the hidden importance of eternity. It was often placed between the eyes of the deceased or offered to them to ensure their well-being in the afterlife. The symbol is also viewed as a magical connection that holds everything together, known as the Knot of Isis, representing the concept of reuniting.
The Alexandrian Rose Ankh and Tarot Integration
Within the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca, founded by Alex and Maxine Sanders, the Alexandrian Rose Ankh stands as a profound symbol intertwining life, magic, and mystery. This emblem fuses the Ankh with the rose and the lily. The Ankh represents life, the rose represents the magician and the mysteries, and the lily’s leaves hint at concealed knowledge yet to be unveiled.
The Rose Ankh’s connection to Tarot is rooted in its rich symbolic essence, which mirrors the layered meanings found within Tarot cards. Both tools share themes of life, death, and rebirth, as well as the intricate dance between the visible and the invisible. The Tarot’s Major Arcana echoes the journey signified by the Rose Ankh, from the Fool’s naive beginnings through trials like Death and The Tower to the completion symbolized by The World. The rose, associated with the blooming of understanding, parallels the blossoming journey through the Tarot’s archetypal stories.
In Tarot, the concept of initiation and self-discovery, symbolized by the Ankh, is a recurrent theme. The Fool’s journey is essentially one of initiation, mirroring the path of a witch’s rise through the degrees within Alexandrian Wicca, as marked by the Rose Ankh. Furthermore, the pentagram associated with Wicca shares similarities with the Tarot’s elemental correspondences (earth, air, fire, water, and spirit). The Rose Ankh encapsulates these elements within its design, particularly noted in the rose’s five petals, mirroring the elemental teachings within Wicca.
As noted by Vivianne Crowley in "Wicca: The Old Religion in the New Age," the Rose Ankh symbolizes the Self on the key of initiation, mirroring the Tarot’s role as a key to unlocking the mysteries of the human experience and the universe. In Tarot readings, the Rose Ankh can serve as a powerful focal point for meditation or as a physical representation of the querent’s spiritual journey. It can also represent the synthesis of elemental energies within a reading, guiding the interpretation towards a holistic understanding of the querent’s situation and inner self.
The Ankh in Specific Tarot Card Imagery
Certain Tarot cards within specific decks explicitly feature the Ankh symbol, adding layers of meaning to their traditional interpretations.
The Emperor Card
In the Rider-Waite Deck, the Emperor Card contains the Ankh symbol. Its presence here represents the desire to control a person's surroundings. When this card appears in a reading, it frequently indicates that the subject must understand that not everything is within their control and that those they encounter may not enjoy being in a position of being led or dominated.
The Empress Card
The Empress, representing the Earth Mother in Arthur Edward Waite's Rider-Waite Tarot, displays a heart-shaped cushion with a large Ankh inscribed on it. This association reinforces the Empress's connection to fertility, creation, and the sustaining forces of life.
The Death Card
In the Elemental Tarot deck, the Death card is referred to as "Transformation." A black-shrouded figure holds an Ankh, described as a sign for life and the door to the afterlife's wisdom. It represents the universal cycle of rebirth, death, and regeneration. The Ankh here emphasizes that death is not an end but a transition and a necessary part of the life cycle.
The Sun Card
In the Elemental Tarot deck, the card titled "Awareness" depicts an orange sun with an Ankh in the center of the sun's orb. This imagery illustrates how the Sun's energy keeps life on Earth alive; without it, the planet would be a frozen rock. It connects the Ankh to the life-giving force of the sun and the concept of vitality and awareness.
The Ankh Spread: A Divination Structure
The connection between the Ankh and Tarot extends to the creation of specific divination spreads. The Ankh Spread is a nine-card layout that forms the image of the Ankh, utilizing its distinct shape of a circular top and a cross.
The arrangement of the cards in this spread carries specific meanings: * The Circle: The cards arranged in a circle symbolize spiritual issues. * The Cross: The cards arranged in a cross indicate difficulties faced in practical life, including their cause and remedy. * Card Placement: * The initial two cards are placed together to create a conflict between them and to act as barriers to the condition. * The third card represents the issues encountered in early years. * The fourth card represents the initial causes of those issues. * The fifth card displays a better level of perception. * The sixth card is the conclusion derived from the starting five cards. * The final three cards indicate what to do next, unexpected experiences, and the outcome awaiting when the battle is settled.
The Ankh as a Focal Point in Practice
Beyond specific cards and spreads, the Ankh serves a broader function in Tarot practice. The Tarot card or reading that features an Ankh asks the reader to concentrate on accepting the magical power of being present in the moment and their relationship to the universe. It serves as a constant reminder to take a complete approach to life and live it to the fullest.
The Ankh is also viewed as a magical connection that holds the center of the knot together, symbolizing the idea of reuniting (the Knot of Isis). Its use as an amulet in daily life and in burial rituals underscores its enduring power as a symbol of divine protection and the continuity of life.
Conclusion
The Ankh serves as a potent bridge between ancient Egyptian spirituality and modern Tarot practice. From its depiction on specific cards like the Emperor, Empress, Death, and Sun in the Elemental and Rider-Waite decks, to its structural influence on the nine-card Ankh Spread, the symbol provides a framework for understanding life, death, transformation, and control. Furthermore, the Alexandrian Rose Ankh represents a specific synthesis of symbols that mirrors the Tarot’s journey of initiation and elemental balance. Whether used as a meditative focal point or a key to unlocking the mysteries of the cards, the Ankh remains a vital emblem of eternal life and the interconnectedness of the spiritual and physical realms.