THE JUGGLER MAGICIAN BECOMES THE CHANGER
The Changer’s significance “cannot be said”. Nobody can ever pin point the Changer in words. No one can name that which he personifies – for he is always changing and the meaning of what he expresses is of the moment alone, now. His acts are mercurial and, as the trickster, his nature and effects change in a flash. He is as unpredictable as a wind-song and only he who listens within can follow his melody.
The Changer balances upon a sphere. The meaning of this sphere cannot be stated either. It is the prime mystery. It is the essence of all that is, yet it is nowhere. It has no individuality nor does any portion of it differ. All that can be said is that it probably whirls when he dances. But it could be that it is motionless momentarily. His toes grip the sphere in this Book. The action of One is unstoppable, yet One can stop instantly.
The Changer states that a very big change occurs after a man has imbibed the Cup of Flame. A stupendous inner reversal takes place foreshadowing the Correct Channelling of Flows in the outer world represented by the Reverser. The Book of the Changer annou- nces that with deliverance the Good Shepherd takes over. Hence, the Changer wears the simple brown smock of a shepherd.
Upon the Changer’s shoulder is perched a hooded eagle. This is the same eagle that winged its power above the Victorious One. Here it is hooded and, thereby, in the control of the Changer. It is not completely tamed, however, as stated by the three drops of blood on the shepherd’s shoulder. It is hooded to protect the sheep until that time he purposely lets it loose to strike the blow of final initiation. This takes place only when one among them, as the Seeker, must confront Death – the Renewer. Until that time, he bears its claws unflinchingly.
The ruby-red jewel that fastens his smock symbolizes that the Changer, though humble, is the noble Victorious One. And upon his modest garment is delicately stitched in blue the double axe. The two-bladed weapon is an ancient symbol for the thunder bolt of the Gods.
As the Mother brandished this thunder bolt and shot forth lightning in one hand, a flower in the other, the Changer holds a white flower in his right hand and looses rain, or blessings, from his left. The Mother creates; the Changer sustains and nourishes.
The carpet beneath the Changer’s globe is gold. The field upon which he works is of the highest spirit. For he is the Mighty Alchemist.
Spread on this golden carpet are four objects: a stone, a curved blade, a two-headed serpent and a pear. These represent an alchemical operation and progression. The stone symbolizes oneself; the cutting instrument or blade the mind which divides; the two-headed serpent the passion and compassion united in feeling; and the pear the re-uniting of that which is paired into a wholeness upon a new level of Being or consciousness – the Golden Fruit.
These four symbols are also related to the four elements of earth, air, fire and water.
In the former trump, the Changer was the Juggler-Magician, who literally juggled balls or spheres – the worlds – and, at the same time as spinning them on high, controlled them. The Sphere and his changes are simultaneously within and without. He remains balanced even when all forms are changing, dissolving and re-emerging in new shapes entirely. Even inner processes, laws, principles and the entire structure of the universe can change and he will not lose his equilibrium. The bubble of manifestation could explode, yet he would remain centered. Nothing could unbalance him even though the One for whom the Changer stands were to change its purpose, or yield to whim or fancy.
Change is the only constant. It is the nature of the One. Its significance cannot be said.