The Ankh, an ancient Egyptian talisman revered as the key of life, holds profound significance within the realm of Tarot reading. As a symbol of eternal life, cosmic insight, and the bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds, the Ankh offers a unique lens through which to interpret Tarot spreads and individual cards. When this graceful icon awakens amidst a Tarot spread, it signals potent transformation and a merging of antiquity’s symbolic soul with the cards’ prescient precision. The Ankh serves as a constant reminder to take a complete approach to life and live it to the fullest. By integrating the Ankh's symbolism into Tarot practices, readers and querents can access deeper layers of meaning, focusing on the magical power of being present in the moment and understanding one's relationship to the universe.
The Ankh: A Symbol of Eternal Life and Cosmic Insight
The Ankh is one of the most enduring Egyptian talismans, its legacy echoing powerfully through the ages. Characterized by an oval crest mounted on a T-shaped Tau cross, the Ankh subtly signifies the essence of eternal life rippling through all creation in sacred circulation. Its looping stream represents the immortal vibration of Spirit, flowing continuously without beginning or conclusion through aeons. For awakened seekers and light bearers decoding existence’s hidden patterns, the Ankh contains layers of encoded ascended intelligence regarding the intricate unfolding of destiny and reincarnation’s winding cycles.
In ancient Egyptian culture, the Ankh was deeply connected to the Sun God, representing the spirit of Ra. The circle acts as the key's handle, carried by gods. Similar to the Sun, it rests on Earth when it rises or sets. This key unlocks the gates to the afterlife, exploring the hidden importance of eternity. In burial rituals, it represents the tomb's key and a pledge of secrecy when placed between the eyes. It can also be viewed as a magical connection that holds the center of the knot together, known as the Knot of Isis, symbolizing reuniting. The Ankh was used as an amulet to symbolize life, offered to the dead to accompany them in the afterlife.
When the Ankh appears in Tarot readings, it asks the reader to concentrate on accepting the magical power of being present in the moment and their relationship to the universe. It signifies that cosmic downloads are activating, bridging epochs and oracle traditions. By resurrecting Egyptian relics like the Ankh into contemporary Tarot decks, a powerful melding of past and future ensues, channeling ancient Gnostic streams of esoteric revelation through the cards’ timeless archetypes.
The Ankh in Specific Tarot Cards
Several Tarot cards in various decks explicitly feature the Ankh symbol, each imbuing the card's traditional meaning with the Ankh's specific attributes of life, eternity, and cosmic connection.
The Emperor Card
In the Rider Waite Deck, the Emperor Card contains the Ankh symbol. Here, the Ankh 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 charge. The presence of the Ankh suggests that true authority stems from an understanding of eternal cycles rather than mere earthly dominance.
The Empress
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 placement reinforces the Empress's role as the ultimate nurturer and symbol of fertility and abundance. The Ankh emphasizes the eternal nature of creation and the divine feminine energy that sustains life.
Death (Transformation)
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. This imagery represents the universal cycle of rebirth, death, and regeneration. The Ankh here clarifies that death is not an end but a transition, a necessary step in the eternal flow of existence.
Sun (Awareness)
In the Elemental Tarot deck, the "Awareness" card (The Sun) depicts an orange sun that glows with an Ankh in the center of the sun's orb. This shows how the Sun's energy keeps life on Earth alive; without it, our planet would be nothing more than a freezing "Rock" in space. Additionally, it represents the querent's freedom and divine protection. The Ankh reinforces the Sun's role as the source of all life and the giver of clarity and vitality.
Judgment (Forgiveness)
In a specific deck, the Judgment card is titled "Forgiveness." A cross and a circle, separated from one another, are visible in the necklace worn by the individual depicted. Some interpretations suggest this imagery symbolizes Pluto, the planet of change. However, the picture appears to depict an "Ankh," with the circle and cross separated. This separation suggests a distinct view of the cycle of life and judgment, perhaps indicating that spiritual judgment separates the eternal soul (circle) from the earthly cross, leading to a new beginning.
The Moon
In the Aleister Crowley Thoth Tarot deck, the Moon (Tarot Trump XVIII) features an Anubis figure holding an Ankh on each side. Anubis, the God of death, links with the defense of the dead through his Ankh. This card's message is that, despite the backstabbing and fraud that may surround the querent, they have a connection with the secure forces of the universe. Even when everything seems lost, the Ankh signifies that the querent will overcome obstacles due to this connection to cosmic forces and inner strength.
Wheel of Fortune
In contemporary decks, when the Ankh subtly imprints the Wheel of Fortune, it augurs destiny’s unpredictable course. It reminds the querent that inner peace blooms by harmonizing perspective with externals beyond controlling. By consciously aligning to ever-shifting phases with presence instead of wishing reality to freeze frame, the Ankh transforms into an inner compass revealing flow state through the nonlinear soul.
The Ankh Tarot Spread
The existence of the Ankh Tarot spread is not surprising given the deep historical links between Tarot and ancient Egypt, particularly the respect accorded to the pyramids and the Ankh. This spread is designed to focus on the causes behind trends and circumstances, similar to the Celtic Cross and Secret of the High Priestess spreads, but with a specific focus on explaining why things are the way they are.
Structure of the Spread
The Ankh Spread consists of nine cards arranged to form the image of the Ankh. The loop of the upper section reveals the spiritual background and causes of the situation, while the stem of the base focuses on prospects for the outcome.
- The Loop (Spiritual Issues): The cards arranged in a circle symbolize your spiritual issues.
- The Cross (Practical Life): The cards arranged in a cross indicate difficulties you face in practical life, including their cause and remedy.
Interpretation of Positions
- Card 1 & 2 (The Parent Causes/Significators): The first two tarot cards represent the two parent causes of the situation. They will either complement each other or show two opposing sides of a conflict, depending on how they relate. These are the significator cards of the Ankh spread. The initial two cards are put together to create a conflict between them and to act as barriers to the condition.
- Card 3 (Early Causes): This tarot card shines light upon the early causes of the trend in question. The issues you encounter in your early years are represented by this card.
- Card 4 (Triggering Causes): This card pinpoints the causes that triggered the current situation. It represents the initial causes of those issues.
- Card 5 (Spiritual Perspective): Reveals the spiritual perspective of the subject at hand. This card displays a better level of perception.
- Card 6 (Reason for Unfolding): This card examines the reasons why this course of action had to unfold, as a means to an end. It is the conclusion taken from the starting five cards. At this point, it is recommended to pause to soak in the meaning of the first six cards before moving forward.
- Card 7 (Next Step): The last three cards reveal prospects for the future. Card 7 gives clues about the immediate future.
- Card 8 (Surprising Experiences): This card reveals surprising experiences encountered en route to the result.
- Card 9 (Outcome): The final card indicates the outcome that is awaiting you when the battle is settled.
The Ankh spread is considered kind of tough but offers a comprehensive explanation of the causes behind trends, providing a deeper understanding of the querent's situation.
Spiritual Guidance and the Ankh
The appearance of the Ankh in Tarot readings or spreads is a call to navigate change and cycles with guidance. It signifies the inevitability of breakdowns kindling breakthroughs, where death delivers rebirth unfailingly in time as consciousness learns and grows through earthly classrooms. During tumultuous periods of upheaval and uncertainty, meditating on the Ankh’s immortal essence helps one remember that endings and darkness sublime each time into more glorious light once outdated shells fully release.
The Ankh acts as a cosmic bridge, allowing winged guardians and ascended mentors to infuse card spreads with graceful overviews. Through Ankh Tarot, hidden higher design concealed by layers of illusion and amnesia glimmers recognition once more for awakening minds. It helps mending back together the fragments of remembering. It encourages the querent to harmonize perspective with externals beyond controlling, revealing flow state through the nonlinear soul.
Conclusion
The Ankh serves as a profound symbol within Tarot reading, bridging the ancient wisdom of Egypt with the archetypal language of the cards. Whether appearing on specific cards like the Emperor, Empress, Death, Sun, Judgment, or the Moon, or guiding the querent through the structured insights of the Ankh Spread, this "key of life" offers clarity on the eternal cycles of existence. It reminds individuals of their connection to cosmic forces, the necessity of transformation, and the freedom found in accepting the flow of life. By focusing on the Ankh's symbolism, Tarot readings can provide deeper spiritual insights, helping seekers understand the causes behind their circumstances and navigate their journey with greater awareness and divine protection.