And so this man must answer a riddle proposed by the Sphinx. Each riddle must be answered by those who wish entrance into the city. Although the riddle was not set in the original Greek tale, later incarnations were given the riddle as asked, ‘What animal is that which enters in the morning on all fours, at noon is on two and in the evening upon three?’ The grown man answers the simple riddle and the Sphinx runs away in humiliation. Thus the man has proven himself worthy and the city of Thebes is free to prosper once more.
“All growth arises from death”. ~Starhawk
Although the story of the Sphinx of Thebes is one of redemption, the eerie judgment of death by a monster upon a city is clear cut and very human. Death is a natural progression of life, embedded in nature as we pass from time to time. The Wheel of Life, and the Sphinx as it sits atop, helps us evolve, move along, ride it out and see what happens. Many religions try to reconcile us to death; Karma, cause and effect, what goes around comes around, and many other concepts where it is understood that we must behave because death is not the end.
I thought of all sorts of examples and description to best help anyone understand the meaning of this inspired, expansive and sometimes frightening concept. The white books of Tarot talks of providence, opportunity, rebirth, and on a darker note it is described as aching avarice, evolutionary progress and destiny. Perhaps it is the colors of the card; lavender and yellow or perhaps the astrological influence of Aquarius and Sagittarius, or the planetary power of Jupiter? Maybe I should describe the place it holds; numerically the number 10 has been known for the higher energy of ‘1’, (one) completion and beginning anew? Maybe the 10 tells us to let things ride; go with the flow, everything set in perpetual motion.
Perhaps we can combine the Wheel with other cards; since it is a 10 card let’s try that: