The Moon. Tarot Card 18, Major Arcana. Symbols, Meaning & Interpretations

Introduction

The Moon card is number 18 in the Major Arcana of the tarot deck. It is a card rich with symbolism, often associated with intuition, illusion, and the subconscious mind.

Symbols, Meaning & Interpretations

Below is a detailed list of the primary symbols found in The Moon card and their interpretations:

The Moon Card (Number 18)

The Moon

Meaning: Illusion, intuition, and the subconscious.

Interpretation: The moon represents the realm of the subconscious, dreams, and illusions. It suggests that things may not be as they seem and encourages one to trust their intuition and explore their inner self.

Sun and Moon Combined

Meaning: Duality and balance.

Interpretation: The presence of both the sun and moon in the card represents the balance between the conscious and subconscious mind. It signifies the dual nature of reality and the blending of light and dark, known and unknown.

Dog and Wolf

Meaning: Tamed and wild aspects of the psyche.

Interpretation: The dog represents the tamed, domesticated side of the psyche, while the wolf symbolizes the wild, instinctual nature. Together, they highlight the dual aspects of human nature and the tension between them.

Tower Pair

Meaning: Structure and boundaries.

Interpretation: The two towers symbolize structure and boundaries within the subconscious mind. They mark the gateway to deeper, hidden realms and suggest the need to navigate these areas carefully.

Path

Meaning: Journey and discovery.

Interpretation: The winding path leading from the foreground into the mountains represents the journey of self-discovery and the exploration of the unknown. It signifies the process of delving into one’s subconscious and uncovering hidden truths.

Crawfish

Meaning: Emergence from the subconscious.

Interpretation: The crawfish emerging from the water symbolizes the early stages of consciousness emerging from the depths of the subconscious. It suggests that one must bring hidden aspects of themselves to the surface for understanding and integration.

Water

Meaning: Emotions and the subconscious.

Interpretation: The body of water represents the subconscious mind and the emotions. It indicates that the journey involves diving deep into one’s emotional landscape and exploring the hidden depths.

Moonlight

Meaning: Illumination and intuition.

Interpretation: The moonlight symbolizes the light of intuition and the subtle illumination of hidden truths. It suggests that not everything is clearly visible, but intuition can guide one through the darkness.

Number 18

Meaning: Intuition and spiritual insight.

Interpretation: The number 18 is associated with intuition, spiritual insight, and the exploration of hidden aspects of the self. It signifies the deeper understanding that comes from delving into the subconscious.

Stars in the Sky

Meaning: Guidance and hope.

Interpretation: The stars represent guidance and hope, indicating that even in the darkness of the night, there are points of light to guide the way. They symbolize spiritual insight and the eternal nature of the soul.

Dark Sky

Meaning: Mystery and the unknown.

Interpretation: The dark sky signifies mystery, the unknown, and the depths of the subconscious. It represents the areas of life that are hidden from view and need to be explored to gain deeper understanding.

Crayfish

Meaning: Emergence from the unconscious.

Interpretation: The crayfish, sometimes depicted as a lobster or crab, symbolizes emerging consciousness and the first steps towards self-awareness. It represents the initial stages of bringing subconscious material into the conscious mind.

Conclusion

These symbols collectively emphasize themes of intuition, illusion, and the exploration of the subconscious mind. The Moon card encourages the seeker to trust their intuition, explore their dreams, and delve into their subconscious to uncover hidden truths. It serves as a reminder that not everything is as it seems and that deeper insights can be gained by looking beyond the surface and embracing the mysteries of the inner self.

The Platonic Solids

In the name of the Most Gracious, Most Merciful, embark upon the journey of the Moon, traversing through the celestial harmony of divine geometry, from the solid Cube to the golden Unity in the spiral of existence.

The Moon, standing in the place of the Cube, corresponds to the Earth element. This signifies the soul’s immersion into the mysteries of the subconscious, a grounding in the depth of inner shadows and reflections. It is the echo of divine music that hums softly in the stillness of the night, guiding the seeker through the hidden pathways of the self.

Progressing towards the Octahedron, an embodiment of Air, the soul feels the whispering breeze of intuition, lifting it beyond the material confines of the Cube. The Moon, with its enigmatic glow, guides the seeker to internalize these whispers, these breaths from the Divine, which illuminate the dark corners of the mind.

The seeker transitions again to the Octahedron, reinforcing the lessons of Air. This repetition represents the rhythm of divine Zikr, a silent remembrance that resonates in the heart, allowing the gentle winds of insight to disperse the mists of illusion within the self.

Moving towards the Tetrahedron, the symbol of Fire, the Moon guides the soul to the transformative flame of inner clarity. This fire, subtle yet powerful, burns away the illusions and fears, refining the soul and preparing it for the ascent into deeper understanding.

The soul’s journey through this gate involves various expressions: solitary reflections, shared dreams, and mystical symphonies, all under the watchful light of the Divine. As it is said, “When you are together, I will always be with you.” All harmonics align into a higher resonance, preparing the soul for its ultimate illumination.

The journey takes the seeker to the Icosahedron, representing Water, where the depths of emotion and the wisdom of the heart flow freely. The Moon, like a celestial navigator, steers the soul through these vast, deep waters of feeling, teaching the balance of intuition and discernment, of emotional depth and spiritual clarity.

Transitioning to the Dodecahedron, representing Spirit and the universe, the Moon leads the soul to the realization of interconnectedness, of unity in multiplicity, as symbolized by the twelve faces of the Dodecahedron, reflecting the cycles of the cosmos. Here, the soul witnesses the divine beauty in all creation, understanding the hidden harmony of the universe.

The journey moves once again to the Icosahedron and then back to the Dodecahedron, signifying the rhythmic flow of life, the pulse of existence moving between the seen and the unseen, the individual drop and the boundless ocean, guided by the Moon.

Finally, the journey culminates in Unity, represented by the endless fall into the golden spiral. The Moon, having led the soul through its transformative journey into the subconscious, now points towards the Divine, towards the unity of all existence.

The golden spiral, an embodiment of divine harmony and proportion, mirrors the soul’s return to its origin, to its unity with the Divine. It is a homecoming, the return to the eternal garden, the Garden of Eden.

This journey of the soul, as guided by the Moon through the mystic dance of the Platonic solids, embodies the Sufi path — a path that starts from the self, purifies the self, and eventually transcends the self, merging into the One Beloved.

As in the “Conference of the Birds” by Attar, it is in the reflection of the Spirit in the waters that the true Self is revealed, and in the heavens, the ultimate Self is seen.

Such is the divine love story, the sacred dance of existence, revealed through the Moon.