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The Llewellyn Encyclopedia

Term: Rod

DEFINITIONS

Rod: Jewish tradition tells of staffs endowed with miraculous powers. Specifically, the staff of Aaron was transformed into a serpent and was the instrument for summoning the first three plagues against Egypt. Aaron’s rod, however, also delivered signs when not in his hands, as when it budded and blossomed overnight as part of a trial by ordeal. Moses also possessed a rod he used in performing miraculous deeds.

Later tradition claims all Biblical references to staves actually allude to a single magical rod that was given to Adam, then traveled with the Patriarchs, Prophets, and Kings of Israel across history. This rod, created on the eve of the sixth day, was made of either sapphire or almond wood and bore an inscription of the Tetragrammaton as well as an acrostic phrase constructed from the initials for the Ten Plagues. Like Excalibur, only the rightful owner could withdraw the rod once it was planted in the ground.

Hidden away by Elijah, in time the staff will reappear as a weapon in the hands of Hephzibah, the mother of the Messiah. It then will pass from her to the Messiah ben Joseph and then to the Messiah ben David who will wield it in end-times struggles.

Christianity developed additional magical traditions about this legendary staff, regarding it to be a relic from the Tree of Life and linking it closely to various Biblical figures and finally to Jesus, for whom the staff served as the cross beam of his crucifix.
source: The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic & Mysticism, by Rab


ARTICLES

Review of The Vampires Tarot of the Eternal Night
Summary: The theme of vampires lends itself to the shadowy aspects of human experiences. The Tarot, by its nature, sheds light in the darkness. This deck, with its dual nature, helps us explore the darkness, whether within or around us, while ...
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Stimulating the Brow Chakra Through Sound
Introduction: In the article on Tratak we’ve already mentioned the value of stimulating the brow chakra. A very powerful adjunct to the method of physically feeling subtle sensations in the brow area is the use of voice vibrations focused ...
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Witchy Tarot Deck Review
Summary: The Witchy Tarot is like your best friend: smart, pretty, funny, surprising deep and always clever…and always very real and honest. It helps you embrace your power while accepting your shortcomings. This deck gives great Tarot readings but ...
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Review of the Celtic Oracle
Summary: The twenty-two oversized cards of the Celtic Oracle provide both an excellent divination tool as well as an introduction to Celtic studies. It elegantly combines Celtic astrology with the Ogham (or Celtic alphabet) and tree symbolism ...
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Review of The Gilded Tarot
Summary: A spectacularly beautiful Tarot deck using modern digital art that is firmly based on the Rider-Waite-Smith model—making it easy to use for traditionalists and beginners, as well as a compliment for any book—yet significantly original so it ...
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Restoring Romance with Astral Projection
Introduction. Our goal here is not so much formulaic as it a reminder of what romance and sexual interaction can be, as it was when “we were young and filled with anticipation for the great adventure that is Love’s Promise.” Even ...
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Review of Gothic Tarot of Vampires
Summary: Although this deck will obviously appeal to those who are interested in vampire culture, Interview with the Vampire, the Twilight series of books and the TV show True Blood, people uninterested in that mythos shouldn’t dismiss this deck ...
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Reaching and Using the Pool of Power
Introduction. The well-demonstrated capacity of mind to influence the physical body is enhanced during astral projection with the deliberate intervention into physiological functions is the actual goal of the OBE. This procedure recognizes that ...
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Review of The Book of Shadows Tarot, volume 1: As Above
Summary The Book of Shadows Tarot is the first deck in a two deck set. Each deck is designed to work on its own as well as in tandem with its partner deck. This volume, As Above, is a unique deck using the structure of Tarot to explore the beliefs ...
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Review of The Enochian Tarot
Summary: Not a beginners deck, the energy and passion in the art, combined with a unique focus on the Enochian system that only loosely—very loosely—follows standard Tarot protocols, make this deck a powerful addition to any magickian’s toolkit, ...
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Review of the Tarot of Mermaids
Summary: The Tarot of Mermaids is an enchanting Rider-Waite-Smith-style deck that can easily be used out of the box for anyone familiar with that system. It is also much more than that, inviting journeys into the murky depths of the waters of our ...
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This article is about the nodal axis from the perspective of evolutionary astrology. A central teaching within Evolutionary Astrology is that the Soul contains within it two antithetical, yet co-equal, desires: one to return to source, and one to separate away. Evolution occurs as the Soul progressively purges and exhausts separating desires from... read this article
The Mibramig Magical Tarot
Cultivating Bliss: 4 Ways to Explore Your Inner Garden
Exercise: Asking for a Dream Visit from a Loved One in Spirit
The Final Secrets of Enochian Magick
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