House of Cards.doc
House of CardsRev: 5042015
Project originator, architect & artist:Rachel Sprague
Metaphysics: Dale Sprague
Cardinal Cards (in bold): fundamental metaphysical axioms, used as a focus for readings.
Page / House of Cards2 / The Cave (solipsism) / 25 / The Penitent ( guilt )
3 / The Self ( dread ) / 26 / The Peacock ( pride )
4 / The Lion ( right brain ) / 27 / The Leprechaun ( greed )
5 / The Lamb ( left brain ) / 28 / The Mirror ( vanity )
6 / Shangrila (pareidolia ) / 29 / Fire and Ice ( hate )
7 / [ blank ] / 30 / Bedmates (Magus: envy- jealousy )
8 / Serpent’s Tree ( of Knowledge of Good and Evil ) / 31 / The Carrion ( lust )
9 / Tree of Life / 32 / The Bone ( instinct )
10 / The Wave ( spirit-energy ) / 33 / Hinterspace ( two POVs, same territory )
11 / The Moon ( emotion ) / 34 / Creature Light ( carnal knowledge )
12 / The Shadow ( conscience ) / 35 / The Stream ( streaming consciousness )
13 / Dark Creature ( carnal darkness ) / 36 / Forgetfulness
14 / The Lantern ( inspiration ) / 37 / The Philosopher (everyone is developer )
15 / Blue Sky ( intuition ) / 38 / Outlaw ( one’s self to one’s self )
16 / The Menagerie ( imagination ) / 39 / Slave ( to one’s unconsciousness )
17 / Death ( death and transfiguration ) / 40 / The Mask ( one’s virtual persona )
18 / The Balance ( between right and left brain ) / 41 / Juggernaut ( power )
19 / The Rock ( absolute truth ) / 42 / The Messenger ( information )
20 / Water Walker ( faith ) / 43 / Knowledge
21 / I think therefore I am / 44 / The Wanderer ( fear )
22 / I feel therefore I am / 45 / Carnal Keep ( magus-seven deadlies )
23 / I know therefore I am
24 / I am that I am
[Cardinal Card]
The CaveDwells by itself in a cave, because experience proves only one true thing. Alone, but not lonely, it lives out its years until the lights dim, when the cave becomes a grave. In the end, it curls up into itself, passing’on un’knowing, that everyone has the same true thing.
The Self
What is present in the dark that perceives the dark simply for what it is, except when, in that darkness, with no past or future, nor anything else of value, causes what is of value, the self, to be used as the only diversion, and consequently, becomes self’conscious in eternity.
The Lion
A lion dwells in the forest, but knows the forest only by each tree..each unique, separately, seeing each, robust and tall, but only in terms of him or herself..otherwise, not at all.
The Lamb
The lamb dwells in a forest, but knows the forest only by community, through the values those trees share with each other and the lamb, their order and self’esteem. Other trees are simply, not seen.
[Cardinal Card]
ShangrilaA man consumes a drug, and while walking, trips over a bird on his path. The man immediately climbs the first building at hand, until he reaches its top. From the roof, he stands with outstretched arms, and from his perch, he springs, and tries to catch the wind with his wings.
[ blank ]
Serpent's Tree
The serpent is deceptive because it lives hidden, and this tree hosts a special serpent, for its venom is persuasion, and causes intoxication after the eyes open to judge, where the divine is, where it is not. And by that judgment, and the station it assumes, its absolute authority, darkens the soul..absolutely.
Tree of Life
Under the Tree of Life, without judgment, without condemnation, there is no necessity to forgive, for the child within, lives. The air is clear without boundaries. The divine is 'all and everything.' Whether it be deceptive or otherwise, and regardless of what is fickle, terrible, or late, there is always life, to celebrate.
The Wave
What within? identifies with the wind, or the streaming of waters from mountain tops, or the waves pounding upon ocean shores. What within? its origin, it often knows not, and moves without thought, whether or not, there should be any motion. What within? can find its origin if sought, in anything..especially dedication and devotion.
The Moon
Under yonder moon, it is revealed when a stream transforms into a lake, or when many rivers become an ocean. Upon its surface, wind wakes radiate, or its feelings deep, flow darkly and find themselves swirling, as a maelstrom steep..for what was a feeling, has swirled into itself, giving its name, each unique, never the same.
The Shadow
What has mass and weight? but with shadows late, or not at all, does not belong to the real world at all. In the rain, it can stand, its dream world will withstand, but once genuine, when the sun breaks through, it will see its shadow, strong and true.
Dark Creature
As an element of consciousness un'aware of itself, a creature dark lives in darkness of itself, but with the same effect, is denial of what is apparent, where the creature, unchanged, simply puts itself, in a closet..and still remains, to its instincts, darkly chained.
The Lantern
When a lantern is lit, light reveals where the eye could not otherwise see. So it is with the subconscious mind, drawing together, things unseen, casts the same light, for the conscious eye in between.
Blue Sky
Out of the blue, blue sky, it is quiet and shy, but with a blink of an eyeof the subconscious mind, it provides insight darkly found. More often right than wrong, and more than reason sound, its senses apprehend..ever ready to provide again.
The Menagerie
Has no weight nor gravity that can be measured, only by what one would assign to it. As a dimension of the subconscious mind, it can be one or many of them. It is boundless, but even bounded, the dimensions within, can number, ad infinitum.
[ down feather ]
Death
Death is as fleeting as a wisp of wind softly whispering, "You have passed away." Death is a soft thing, like moonshade, cast from something new made. Death is a gentle thing, like a down feather, freed and drifting, lost and falling..never to be, as it were before. Death is a subtle thing, as common as a new experience..the result of an experiment, the occult of enlightenment. Death is subtle, fleeting...soft and gentle
[Cardinal Card]
The BalanceA state of being beyond reason, being one or the other, but born sexually, one is inclined to be, predominately one or the other. Yet aware, the balance can be achieved for a moment, when in that moment, one is in tune with the "Chi," as it eternally flows, freely.
The Rock
Like a rock immutable, it is self'impassioned, representing itself as soul, and it is strong, but usually, only when collectively commissioned. Through its notions..rigid, not inclined to bend..with ears muffled, and eyes affixed, it lives without context. As the nemesis of the righteous, its opinions are not cautious, not even for the apparent, to be somewhat reverent.
Water Walker
It is quiet and personal..as individual'minded as it is social'minded, as deeply moonbound as it would be shallow and earthbound. It is a distillation of tradition, of all feelings and aspirations, of all what reason knows, of all that one has lived and has been.
[Cardinal Card]
I think therefore I amWhatever one thinks becomes a part of what one knows about themselves. One's identity. If another has the same thought, through that thought, one is a'kin. Since this is existential or without conditions, what one may think has no bounds.
[Cardinal Card]
I feel therefore I amWhatever one feels becomes a part of what one knows about themselves. One's identity. If another has the same feeling, through that feeling, one is a'kin. Since this is existential or without conditions, what one may feel has no bounds.
[Cardinal Card]
I know therefore I amWhatever one experiences becomes a part of what one knows about themselves. One's identity. If another has the same experience, through that knowledge, one is a'kin. Since this is existential or without conditions, what one may know from experience, has no bounds.
[Cardinal Card]
I am that I amOne reacts to one's environment spontaneously. There is no identity, except what spontaneity reveals. If another is spontaneous with one, one is a'kin to them. Since this is existential or without condition, how one may act has no bounds, with ‘I am that I am’ in motion.
The Penitent
Out of spontaneity or desperate necessity, sensibilities in opposition are brought together within. They interact, and after the fact, experience remorse and regret. Penitent, with an effort to heal, sometimes works, but what cannot be undone, becomes contrition..yet, without judgment, simply acceptance of imperfection.
The Peacock
Even though fragile, it is always out front. Always shining, it will always assure, yet more glossy, than wise and demur. It is strong, it will stand'fast against any wind..rigid, solid..not inclined to bend. A progeny of vanity, a dividend of triumph! It is first to shine bright, being always inclined, towards vainglorious light.
The Leprechaun
Hiding what it always needs, its treasure rises to become a mountain. High into the sky the treasure will gain, a peak from which, near'sightedness looks for the most precious. Becoming lost, a timeless ghost, it is always in want, only for that, which makes it more gaunt.
The Mirror
It can live only alone, but constantly seeks company. It exists invisibly, yet needs a mirror..looking everywhere, seeing only itself, it recognizes none but itself, as its own peer.
Fire and Ice
Sharper than any knife could be, it makes the mind eat first, what fear conjures most. Enshrouding the soul with voids, the mind becomes mad'stricken, the heart sickened, the soul..grief'ridden. Burning and void'centered, eyes turn..one to fire, one to ice. It has no substance, yet can turn the living, into a thing.
Bedmates
When disappointed idealism penetrates deep expectation, envy turns to the darkside. Envy and hate become bedmates, and sets out to conquer, in any way, what is superior in another...but the wrath is without hope, for even if the superior other without, is conquered, there remains, still, what is inferior within.
The Carrion
Deeper than the darkest void, it consumes more than the fire of the sun. And raging as a storm within an empty heart, the mind becomes a furnace, for it surely loves beauty and carnal passion, yet turning beauty into carrion, readily devours beauty's substance, as it hungers, beyond the limits of sensation.
The Bone
There is a voice, but faint and alone. More often programmed action or vision, hard'wired in bone. Yet, accumulation of experience can breed its own..especially, when one, un'knowing really, what to do, completely relies upon it..and if such spontaneous action is not fatal or dank, then one has their ancestors to thank.
Hinterspace
With meaning different, or slightly so, puts a false edge to the same words, they know..or where together, they spin foul weather, un'aware, raging like a feud, blood against blood, conduct themselves especially bitter..or like two, dueling for a cause with banners muddied, but up close would reveal the same, if closely studied.
[Cardinal Card]
Creature LightAs a dimension of self'awareness, aware of itself, the creature light lives in the light of itself, knowing it is a creature. Yet, still compelled by inborn instinct, but now, from human being to being, has acquired a perspective to it.
The Stream
With thought and feeling married, the conscious mind is darkened and carried, and flowing un'interruptedly to a wide open sea, delivers what was revealed along the way, to the conscious mind at peace with the sea, seeing what the subconscious mind revealed in thought and feeling, streaming.
[Cardinal Card]
ForgetfulnessIf all the stars appear at once, like a perennial day, everything remains displayed. As the universe unending forgets, but promises return, so does memory from life to life, but how much, is not certain at all. As without, so within, the light is cast for recall, and more indelible if mused, yet becomes deep'submerged, unless used.
The Philosopher
After first breath, instinct impels to learn and relate, even if only to imitate, but once self'aware, one develops a belief system. While one evolves its form, fit, and function, one is the architect and developer; one is a philosopher.
[Cardinal card]
OutlawEverything else can be experienced and known as experiences and perceptions allow, but the one ever sought..never. Ever wondering, always..yet, to experience and perceive, always hopeless, because it cannot be, in two places at once.
Slave
It has been said, "We are a slave to our own nature." Some of that nature, we know, and can control. For the rest, the greater of the whole, we do not know. What we are a slave to, is what we do not know.
The Mask
By fashioning a mask and wearing it, receive approval, and be..feeling this, but not that, and what to experience, only by command or decree. Think the forbidden at your own risk. For the rest, put in the closet, by making the mask permanent..but at what expense? of everything else one's knows, in the closet, that will not show.
[Cardinal Card]
JuggernautFrom the first great roar of a lion, to the movement of massive boulders for a pyramid, to regal domains canonized by desperate brains, everyone is hard'wired to key'in on it. However it manifests, it matters not, for every form of life responds to it, seeks it, and hopes to employ the might of a Juggernaut.
The Messenger
Words are abstractions. A teacher informs with abstractions, and is the messenger of their meanings, as they approximate the physical world. To be informed, is to become aware. Information is knowledge in disguise. Not until the messenger experiences the information, does the messenger become wise.
Knowledge
Unlike abstracts, rational or irrational, it can only originate from the empirical. The written word is its shadow, and with only shadow seen, it is often under estimated, but in the end, it is the only thing that tells true, because what makes the shadow, can only be acquired from experience.
[Cardinal card]
The WandererWandering in any direction, it lives tall and thin, without sight or sensation. For lack of light, responds to what is in the light, with fire and ice. Even light, it may dread, and only by challenge, will it die, and after all being said, if to no avail, a tear..each in a bit of eternity, it must bear.
[Cardinal card]
The Carnal KeepFor what is held dear..one’s own hide, mate, or child, fear and hate reside deep, and by them, creates the Carnal Keep of the seven deadlies, within which, one is locked’in by the fear of living without the Mask, behind which a sense of nothing springs, and the fear to be, without material things.
MANUAL
Balance
Survival is by two methods: as a member of a group, or as an individual. Both methods have been so equally important throughout the course of human evolution that two brains developed: the right brain and the left brain.
The right brain maps information according to the qualities and values of the independent self. This brain is "I am," the self that sets itself apart from everyone else, makes itself the center of the universe, and takes initiatives according to its sensibilities and instincts as an independent individual.
The left brain maps information according to the values as one shares with other members of a group. This brain is "we are," the socially dependent one that equalizes with the other members of the group. The social self makes its group the center of the universe, and takes initiatives according to the sensibilities and instincts of the group.
The human has also evolved to be sexual. By in large, the male is biased to the left brain, and the woman is biased to the right brain, which becomes more biased during sexual maturity; less so, before puberty and after old age onset.
The balance is a paradigm of the two mutually exclusive frames of mind. One is either one or the other; not both. This overall state exists beyond what reason can apprehend because the existential shift between them through undefined space is instinctive.
Throughout the course of one's life, a balance between them can be achieved for as long as one maintains atonement with JHVH. In that moment, one is in tune with the eternity of the universe; its energy is called "Chi."
This state of two mutually exclusive frames of mind, the resonance between them, does not lend itself to the rationalizations of philosophy; yet by their belief systems, they still belong to philosophy, and philosophically, is called, "indeterminism."
That those two frames of mind are mutually exclusive is the reason why the universe is eternal. Being mutually exclusive creates an infinite oscillation between them.
Bedmates
When envy is experienced, one feels lacking, wishing they had more to make their road to happiness less cluttered along the way. But even if attained, somehow another lacking will appear, and no matter how many gained, there will always be another envy road sign by a road never ending, until what is lacking within, is gained.