Have you noticed yourself recently drawn to creative people? Or suddenly feeling an impulse to renovate an old house or restart an old project? Or perhaps you’ve begun to look at things that once pained you with a sense of humor you never had before?
These are not coincidences.
In the Thoth Tarot — a wisdom system that weaves together ancient symbolism, astrology, and life numbers — three cards are quietly revealing the energy cycles of integration, humor, and restoration in your life: Art/Temperance, Devil/Pan, and The Tower.
XIV Art/Temperance: When Opposites Begin to Merge
Core Principle: Integration, Synthesis, Synergy
The Art/Temperance card represents the universal principle of integration, synthesis, and synergy. To step into the artistry of who we are, it is essential to balance the apparent paradoxes, oppositions, or polarities within our nature.
Every symbol on this card represents the union of opposites, and that union creates something new. Synergy is the union of two or more principles which, combined, create a greater whole. Art/Temperance is the integration of opposition in order to become even more of who we are.
Fire and Water Combined
Fire and water merge to create steam. This metaphor is pictured on the card by Leo, the lion — a fire sign — drinking from a cauldron with Scorpio, the eagle or phoenix — a water sign. Together they drink from the cauldron which contains air, or life force. On the cauldron itself appears another union of polarity: the bird and the skull — the union of life and death, a universal human experience.
In the background, the great sun disk unifies with its polar opposite, the crescent moons, from which the spinning stars at the top and sides of this card are created.
The Vision of Sagittarius
This is the Sagittarius symbol, represented by the arrow going up the central part of the figure. Sagittarius reminds us that it is through our life visions and dreams that we fully express the artistry of who we are, as well as resolve any apparent conflicts or oppositions within our nature.
The light and dark aspects of our nature need to be incorporated before we can fully express the whole of who we are. This is represented by the light and dark arms and faces on the card — when combined, they create the balanced and tempered being.
Timing and Cycles
When you find yourself drawn to the energy of Art/Temperance over the next fourteen weeks or fourteen months, this is an excellent time to bring two or more gifts and talents together in order to create something greater. It is a time to integrate and synthesize apparent polarities or oppositions you are experiencing personally or professionally.
Aesthetics, integration, and the arts become important qualities you want to incorporate more fully into your life. Whatever life dreams or visions are important to you may be actualized, or may fall into place, within the next fourteen weeks or fourteen months.
Sagittarius people (born November 21 – December 21) serve as mirrors of your dreams. The month of Sagittarius (late November to late December) is an ideal time to integrate visions and put ideas into practice, as well as to resolve issues with Sagittarius people in your life.
Art and The Hierophant
The Art card is the externalized expression of The Hierophant (Art is number 14, which reduces to 5, the number of The Hierophant). The capacity to integrate and balance varied parts of ourselves and our lives comes from listening to our inner teacher and instinctive faith arising from deep within.
It is through the learning and teaching we experience in our family and extended family that we discover what needs to be tempered and balanced in our life. We are tempered, and discover the artistry of who we are, when we face and move through fear of defeat (Five of Swords), disappointment (Five of Cups), anxiety and strife (Five of Wands), and worry (Five of Disks).
For Those Born with the Number 14
For those whose birthday adds up to 14, Art/Temperance is your life-time personality symbol. Your inherent nature is one of bringing together polarities, oppositions, and paradoxes in order to create a greater whole. You are a visionary. You can see possibilities and combinations that many others would never consider. You are a natural alchemist, constantly seeing that two or more is always a greater combination than one.
An Art/Temperance year occurs when your birthday plus the current year adds up to 14. This is a year when things begin to “fall into place” — you have a feeling that “things are finally coming together.” You may find yourself drawn to expressing yourself artistically in ways you have not previously considered. Beauty, balance, negotiation, and networking are important qualities that want to be expressed more fully in your life.
Affirmations for Art/Temperance
I am a creative, well-integrated individual.
I am as strong in my magnetic nature as I am in my dynamic nature.
I express the artistry of who I am in states of balance and integration.
I experience temperance when I equally value the light and dark within my own nature.
XV Devil/Pan: Humor Is the Best Medicine
Core Principle: Mirth + Stability
The Devil/Pan card represents the universal principle of mirth combined with stability. This is the only card in the entire deck that has undergone a transformation within itself.
In Greek mythology, this symbol was Pan — half-man and half-goat, the God of Merriment and Sensuality. In Egyptian mythology, this symbol was Ra — the Sun Deity, a symbol of life force and energy. During the Middle Ages, there was a backlash against the panistic cults, and the archetype of the devil was created. Ironically, “devil” spelled backward is “lived.” The panistic activities of people “living it up” were considered hedonistic; to quell those activities, they had to be rendered “evil” to make way for new belief systems.
The Wisdom of Facing Troubles
The Devil/Pan archetype represents the need to face whatever we might consider our “bedevilments” or problems with the tenacity of Capricorn (the goat) or with the humor of Pan or Bacchus from Greek mythology. We can face and move through our bedevilments with sure-footedness like Capricorn and with the mirth and humor of Pan.
This symbol reminds us: If we take our problems or bedevilments too seriously, they can ensnare us and throw us off balance. The Devil/Pan represents the need to hold onto the qualities of mirth, stability, and centeredness when facing real or imagined problems, so that we won’t be thrown off balance.
The Law of Attraction and Resonance
This symbol also represents the principle of sensuality and sexuality — the law of attraction and resonance. The phallus and testicles represent the potency of creative power within each of us that wants to be expressed with mirth and tangibility. It is important in our lives to follow that which we are drawn toward, or that which inspires us personally or professionally.
The laws of attraction and resonance motivate and evoke unlimited creative energies within us that want to be used.
Capricorn and Saturn
Capricorn is ruled by Saturn. The double-ringed planet Saturn appears at the top of the card — the planet most associated with balance, discipline, and doing things step by step. Capricorn is the astrological sign of the goat, known for tenacity, productivity, and achievement. It is in our capacity to follow our bliss or what has resonance for us that we can execute the discipline to bring our creative visions into form with mirth and tangible results.
Devil/Pan and The Lovers
Devil/Pan is the externalized expression of The Lovers archetype (Devil/Pan is number 15, which reduces to 6, the number of The Lovers). Many of our real and imagined problems and developments occur in our personal and professional relationships. Devil/Pan reflects our willingness to look at our bedevilments in relationships with a creative and problem-solving attitude.
By maintaining our sense of humor, we can continue to maintain balance within our relationships. Taking things too seriously will always throw us off balance. If we can laugh at something that was once painful, we express the fundamental aspect of the Devil/Pan archetype — the reclamation of joy and the recommitment to that which inspires and uplifts our nature.
Timing and Cycles
Over the next fifteen weeks or fifteen months, you may find yourself attracted or drawn to creative people, projects, and inspirational events. This is the best time to follow your bliss and to trust that which has strong resonance and attraction for you.
Capricorn people (born December 21 – January 21) serve as important mirrors during this period. The month of Capricorn (late December to late January) is a time to maintain your sense of humor in all arenas of your life and to resolve issues with Capricorn people.
For Those Born with the Number 15
For those whose birthday adds up to 15, Devil/Pan is your life-time personality symbol. It is important for you to maintain your sense of humor and your productivity. You are a practical person, yet you know how to have a good time. People enjoy being around you, not only for your earthiness and appeal, but also for your sense of humor combined with practicality and productivity.
A Devil/Pan year occurs when your birthday plus the current year adds up to 15. This is the best year to resolve issues with Capricorn people. During this year, you will find your creative energies ignited to such a degree that you are attracted to creative people and inspirational events. You become more comfortable within your own body and sensuality. Sexuality becomes a form of play and creative expression. Old beliefs about sexuality may be dropped during this year.
Affirmations for Devil/Pan
I retain my sense of humor in areas of experience which bedevil me.
I enjoy my sensuality.
I am a vital, joyful, and grounded person.
Whether my problems are real or imagined, I can handle them realistically and mirthfully.
XVI The Tower: Dismantling for the Sake of Rebuilding
Core Principle: Healing, Renovation, Restoration
The Tower is a symbol of the universal principle of healing, renovation, and restoration. Because this card appears dramatic, it has often been misinterpreted. The Tower is a symbol of the change and awakening required to dismantle that which is artificial, false-to-fact, or conditioned within our natures.
The Fire-Breathing Dragon and Inner Awakening
The Oriental fire-breathing dragon is the spiritual fire or life force that requires us to dismantle and restructure old forms within our personality so that what is actual and true within our nature can be restored and expressed. Whatever is crystallized or not truly part of our nature is burned or thrown out of our personality. The four figures flying in the air represent old mental, emotional, intuitive, and physical ways of expressing oneself that are outmoded and no longer part of the authentic or essential Self.
The Eye of Horus and Awakening
The Eye of Horus — the open and radiant eye at the top of the card — is an Egyptian symbol for the God of Perception. It represents the state of awakening and of seeing the deeper and authentic aspects of self. Once we begin to awaken, we are required to come into alignment with the greater Being of who we are, symbolized by the Oriental fire-breathing dragon.
The haloed snake reminds us that renovation is often a process similar to a snake shedding an old skin in order to express more fully its new and expanded nature. The Egyptian snake with a halo reminds us that as we expand our consciousness (the halo), we are required to shed outgrown parts of ourselves like a snake shedding its skin.
Inner Peace and Gentleness
The dove with the olive twig is a symbol of the inner peace that comes when we return to the essential and authentic aspects of who we are. This symbol reminds us that during times of inner and outer restoration, it is important to remember this line from the Desiderata: “Be Gentle with Yourself.”
The Tower and The Chariot
The Tower is the external manifestation of the internal Chariot (The Tower is number 16, which reduces to 7, the number of The Chariot). External processes of change are motivated and ignited by internal changes. During processes of change and renovation, it is important to have the courage to stay by what we value (Seven of Wands), which allows us to move through blocks that inhibit or delay change: debauch (Seven of Cups), futility (Seven of Swords), and fear of failure or success (Seven of Disks). When we are deeply willing to change, the results are transformation and restoration.
Timing and Cycles
When you find yourself drawn to the energy of The Tower over the next sixteen weeks or sixteen months, you may be renovating different parts of your life personally and professionally. This is a time when you might consider healing and restoring yourself through diet, exercise, excursions in nature, and inner work. It is definitely a period where you are determined to eliminate from your life that which is false-to-fact, artificial, and no longer useful. You find yourself committed to simplifying and restoring your life to match who you are internally.
For Those Born with the Number 16 or 7
For those whose birthday adds up to 16 or 7, The Tower is your life-time personality symbol. You have a natural ability to heal, renovate, and restore ideas, people, buildings, organizations, and environments. You can see what is working and what is not working; you desire always to repair, rectify, and restore people, things, or situations to a point that is more balanced, beautiful, and in harmony with their authentic expression.
A Tower year occurs when your birthday plus the current year adds up to 16. This is the best year to buy or renovate old buildings, cars, ideas, and projects. It is a year where you could experience a mystical experience or have the experience of waking up to who you really are. You begin to dismantle that which is artificial, false-to-fact, or outmoded in your life. You shed things, people, and situations in order to restore what is true within your essential nature. You are no longer willing to support the dichotomy of experiencing your life as externally full and internally empty, or internally full and externally empty.
Affirmations for The Tower
I have a commitment to actualize who I really am.
My body is a temple for my spirit.
I have the ability to naturally restore and heal myself at all times.
Who I think I am is a belief to be undone.
I am not inside my body; my body is inside me.
How to Determine Which Stage You Are In
These three cards correspond to different time cycles and number energies:
Art/Temperance corresponds to a cycle of fourteen weeks or fourteen months, with the number 14. When you find yourself integrating opposites and combining multiple talents, you are in the energy of Art/Temperance.
Devil/Pan corresponds to a cycle of fifteen weeks or fifteen months, with the number 15. When you find yourself attracted to creative people and needing to face troubles with humor, you are in the energy of Devil/Pan.
The Tower corresponds to a cycle of sixteen weeks or sixteen months, with the number 16. When you are experiencing dismantling and rebuilding, clearing away what is false, you are in the energy of The Tower.
You can calculate your “year number”: add your birth month, birth day, and the current year, then reduce the sum until you get a single digit or one of the numbers 14, 15, or 16. If the result is 14, 15, or 16, you are in the corresponding energy cycle.
You can also notice whether you are repeatedly drawn to certain kinds of people, events, or inspirations over the next fourteen, fifteen, or sixteen weeks — this is a synchronistic reflection of your inner energy cycle in the outer world.
Final Reflections
No matter which stage you are in, these three cards share a common invitation: they are all calling you to become a more whole person.
If you are facing troubles, remember that humor is the best medicine — take your problems too seriously and they will trap you; face them with lightness and stability, and they will loosen their grip.
If you are feeling split , try to integrate opposites into a greater whole — fire and water can coexist, light and darkness are equally worthy of embrace, as the Art/Temperance card teaches.
If you are experiencing chaos, trust that dismantling serves the purpose of stronger rebuilding — clearing away what is false and outmoded allows your inner and outer realities to truly align, as The Tower reveals.
As one of the affirmations says:
Whether my problems are real or imagined, I can handle them realistically and mirthfully.
References
Arrien, A. (1997). The Tarot handbook: Practical applications of ancient visual symbols. Tarcher.
