These twenty-four symbols do correlate to the twenty-six letters of the western alphabet, but that is not relevant to this lesson, and I refer any interested parties to the book mentioned in the previous paragraph. Because these Theban letters don’t have a specific name, I am using the names Dr. Jenkins ascribed to them. Dr. Jenkins has named each letter of the Theban alphabet after a mage, real or mythical, whose life he considers to best-exemplify the spirit and energy of that letter.
THE THEBAN ALPHABET
Joan of Arc-The Journey Ahead, Change, a New Development
Innocence and compassion, as well as tenacity, personal drive, and the courage to live outside people’s expectations of how one should live. The destination may not be clear at this point, but the journey you’re on has a purpose, and you need to be patient with the process and trust that you will arrive at where you should be. This letter may reflect a need for constant movement and constant change. You may have to submit to the natural pull of where current events in your life are taking you. A relationship or life situation may be ending and your own passions, the passions of others, or the natural course of events are pulling you in a different direction and influencing your journey. Be like driftwood in the current, and trust the waters are taking you to the right place. There is a lesson for you in this journey.
Joan of Arc, reversed-Obstacles on the Path
You may be hindered in the right choices you should be making, either as the result of your own habits of mind or possibly as the result of receiving bad advice. More than likely, the problem here is self-imposed obstacles created over a long period of time, obstacles like fear, insecurity, laziness, resistance to change, and other such personal shortcomings. “Let go and let be” should be your operating principle wherever you turn this symbol up in a reading, for only doing so leads to the path of freedom and understanding. You may need to look deeply and with fresh eyes at the old familiar pathways to see the obstacles and potholes which have always been there. You may decide to take a different pathway. If you stay on the same path, at least try to remove those obstacles and fill those potholes before you proceed any further. Not doing so will only insure a continued pattern of failure and stagnation.
King Solomon-Intellect, Pride, Divine Wisdom, Abundance
There is a gain of some kind coming your way, an advancement, some gift of some kind coming your way, either large or small. You’re also cautioned this gain may strongly tempt you to misuse it, so exercise personal restraint. King Solomon was renowned for his intellect and great wisdom, but he was also very proud, and pride brings along its own set of shortcomings. Do you harbor any thoughts of self-righteousness or self-importance in some regard? Remain conscious of your good fortune and do not look down on those less-favored. Consider the example of King Solomon’s own life as an example of what happened as the result of both his wisdom and his avarice. This symbol may be exhorting you to exercise good judgement, for you may be feeling a deliberate reluctance to choose a wise path in life. When drawing this symbol, keep in mind it may be cautioning you not to be too wise, nor too prominent, for pride goeth before the fall.
King Solomon, reversed-Need for Self-reflection
This symbol reversed suggests you may be searching, even hungering, for some form of gratitude, reward, or recognition. You may need to engage in an intense bout of self-reflection at this time, and think about how you present yourself to the world, and how you interact with others. Be very honest with yourself here, because the likelihood is that how you think others see you is not how they see you. You may be forced to take an honest look at your ‘shadow’ side, those less-appealing aspects of your character you don’t want to see, and to which you may be blind. See this as an opportunity for growth and do not look away from what is being presented to you now. You have to identify the problem before you can solve it, and the problem in this case may well be you.
Zoroaster-Inner Power, Self-Realization, Divine Understanding
You are becoming a spiritual warrior, and the path that you are presently on, the path you have been travelling on, you must continue. You are not making a mistake in this; trust that the path which is showing itself to you is the correct one, no matter what bumps or bruises you incur along the way. You are seeking wisdom and inner power now, and for a sense of wholeness which has been missing from your life. This is a time of contemplation for you. You may be hiding your innermost thoughts from others and even from yourself, but you are beginning to know the truth now. Focus your thoughts on the rewards you deserve, and they will appear before you.
Zoroaster, Reversed
You may be acting with little thinking right now, or paying insufficient attention to details. You must stop and look at your situation and contemplate it thoroughly, before acting further. Make sure you understand what your situation is about and if it is even worth further effort on your part. The presence of this symbol reversed indicates there may well be a roadblock in your life, a roadblock which can be either removed or avoided. Listen to that small still voice within and it will tell you what to do. If you don’t stop and think deeply first, you stand to lose what you seek to gain. Let go of the madness and turmoil of everyday life for a moment, release, anger, aggression, regret, and hopelessness, and simply relax.
Nostradamus-Self-Restraint, Reflection, Flow, Transformation
There is a subterranean fluidity at work in your life right now, and like the mighty ocean, this fluidity may send an upsurge of creativity into your life, or it may be wearing away the foundations of old, outdated belief systems. This surge is at work in your life right now. The presence of this symbol indicates some important experience will soon arrive in your life. This could be a new love, a career change, an addition to the family, or a graduation of some kind, but important change is on the way now. This symbol could indicate an emotional or spiritual transformation you are undergoing right now. It may be time to nurture the inner you, the secret you. Exercising self-restraint right now may be the key to obtaining the end you seek.
Nostradamus, Reversed
This symbol reversed indicates you are not exercising needed self-restraint right now. You are steadfastly refusing to engage in reflection and you are refusing to look at the image the mirror in your mind is reflecting back to you. You are trying to block the flow of events and ongoing transformations. Understand that no progress can be made until you look honestly at yourself, identify those aspects of your character which are keeping you in one place, and let go of your compulsion to block the natural flow of events. You need to take a good hard look at yourself right now.
Petrus De Abano-Friendship, Distinguished Companionship, Partnership
A divine union, whether romantic, platonic or professional, is at hand, but do not let yourself to become the underling in this relationship. In order for this relationship to work, it is important that you remain the individual you are. Remember that what first drew this other to you was your difference from themselves. If you conform to this other person or group of people and lose your own unique nature, you will diminish or damage the good you may experience in the relationship. This symbol also counsels you to stay on course, and allow all experiences to happen to you as they will, but remain steadfastly yourself through it all. Be open to friendship and love. Embrace companionship and partnership with honesty and understanding. Trust completely in what will soon arrive.
Petrus De Abano, Reversed
This symbol reversed indicates the existence of two possible different scenarios. In the first scenario, you may be unaware of the existence and possibility of this divine union and let it pass you by, unaware. You may be so used to living your own way and doing things your own way, that the gifts a union will bring you are invisible to you, or unreasonable to you. You need to spiritually open and listen with your psychic ears. In the second scenario, it’s possible a disruptive union is coming. Such a relationship, whether romance, friendship or a business opportunity, may tax you more than it’s worth. There may be a person or situation in your life, that no matter how seemingly friendly or beneficial, is draining your psychic energies. This union, if left untreated, can eventually affect your physical and emotional well-being. Whichever scenario you’re in, this symbol encourages you to look deeply at your present situation, and reconsider before you continue on this life path.
Johannes Faustus-A Warning, Fear, Ignorance, Self-Loathing
There is something you desire, some end you wish to obtain, but this symbol indicates you may be tempted to resort to less-than-honorable means to achieve it. Resist this temptation, and remain steadfast in your ethics, for making the wrong choice and taking the quick and easy path to fame, fortune and success will ultimately turn out badly for you. Like the unwise mage this symbol is named for, this symbol indicates a lack of faith in oneself, coupled with a good dose of self-loathing. These two traits of character lay the groundwork for future failure, so you need to undergo an internal housecleaning and renovate your attitude toward yourself. Nothing will go well for you until you do. Go with your gut feeling. You already know the right choices to make.
Johannes Faustus, Reversed
A crafty little Mephistopheles in the person of a man, a woman, an issue, a situation, or a business offer may be presenting itself to you right now. Think twice before committing yourself to anything, especially if your heart has reservations about it, or if something in your head is saying, “This is wrong.” Someone may be taking advantage of you, either knowingly or unwittingly, so step back, coolly assess the situation, and remember that your final decision is really up to you, regardless of what the opposition is telling you. Your personal relationships may be demanding your attention right now. Some cracks may be forming in these relationships, possibly because someone may be pressuring you to decide on a course of action you know in your heart is not right. Keep in mind that even if your decision means stepping back, stepping down, taking detours, throwing someone else’s careful plans into disorder, or suffering a failure, your steadfastness of character will impress others and in fact, create future opportunities by others who respect your scruples. Plus, you’ll feel better about yourself.
Hypatia-The Sovereign Feminine Spirit, Inward Wisdom, the Pursuit of Enlightenment The pursuit of wisdom and enlightenment in the face of insurmountable odds. Feminine intuition and the desire to give and share, also to receive. Harmony may be an issue right now, and a need to adjust to new relationships. You may feel the need to give and teach, but not all are open to what you have to offer, and that is going to stand in your way right now. Be patient and firm in what you need to do, surrendering to no one. You may be in a time of liberation and joyfulness, because you now have the strength and wisdom to achieve your goals, finish what needs to be finished, and find a solution to the problem before you.
Hypatia, Reversed
You don’t want to take on a particular challenge right now, because you feel the time is not yet right to act on something. Until you overcome this reluctance and let go of old habits, your journey in life cannot proceed. Old habits can feel like a safe harbor, but you must let them go now. Now is a time for consulting your inner wisdom—is it time for a change? If so, this may mean living with an emptiness in your life for a while, but keep in mind, a vessel must be emptied before it can be filled again.
Dr. John Dee-Concentration, Thought, Wise Decisions
Dr. John Dee was a wise, learned and honest man, but he often lacked foresight, common sense, organizational skills, and social judgment. You may be facing a similar mental defectiveness, either in yourself or someone else, so try to identify those areas of thought where you or the other person could use some help in identifying obstacles or potholes in the road ahead. Getting a second opinion from someone with a more objective view could prevent you from making a costly mistake. Even the most educated and experienced of people are occasionally taken for a fool; be extra careful of any prospective new relationships at this time, for this symbol suggests someone new in your life may not be honest, honorable or above-board and may, in fact, be planning to swindle you. Be patient, prudent, and not eager to press forward and this alone may flush the impatient scoundrel from your life.
Dr. John Dee, Reversed
There is someone in your environment who covets something you have, or even you yourself, and they are looking for an opening, some fracture in your spiritual armor. This can also indicate an agency, business or family which has a hidden agenda for you. Be cautious, wise, and keep all your senses open and your spiritual defenses up now, for you are a target, under a state of siege, and may not even know it. Conversely, this symbol reversed may also indicate you have become aware someone has been taking advantage of you. If so, good! Now, plan how you are going to deal with them.
Thanks for sharing this! I always learn something fascinating from your posts!
Wow I really enjoyed looking and look forward to learning the meanings of each one, i always just thought of them as a single letter not having
much meaning…So really appreciate this.
I was surprised too. I’ve only found Dr. Jenkins’ book on the subject of the Theban letters’ individual meanings, but it’s a good introduction to the subject. And I’ve found the Theban Alphabet oracle quite on-target about what’s going on in my life at various times.
On behalf of Dr. Jenkins, I can say that he is most impressed and appreciative of your work here. Your work here, along with the beautiful cards (PDF) are simply splendid. He, and all of us at PSIresearcher thank you. With a kind heart, take care.
Oh, thank you! I’m glad you like it!