The Wellington Harbour as a Mystical Threshold
The Wellington harbour is more than a scenic landmark — it is a living symbol of transition, initiation, and the journey within, concepts that are central to B.O.T.A.’s teachings.
Just as a harbour is the place where ships set out to sea and where they return, Wellington harbour represents the soul’s venture into deeper waters of consciousness, and the return to the Higher Self.
In the B.O.T.A. tradition, the inner journey is about crossing from the known to the unknown, from the outer world of appearances to the inner world of spirit. The “Port of Entry” that Wellington’s harbour symbolises is aligned with the concept of “The Path of Return” — our spiritual journey back to our Source, the One Light and Life.
Water as the Symbol of the Subconscious
In the Qabalistic symbolism, water symbolises the subconscious mind, the great inner sea that holds both our fears, our habit patterns and our potential for transformation.
- Just as the harbour opens out to the vast ocean, our conscious mind opens to the vastness of the subconscious — a realm that B.O.T.A. students learn to explore through meditation, Tarot, and the Qabalah.
- The still or turbulent waters of the harbour reflect our inner emotional and astral states. Watching the harbour on a stormy day or a calm morning can be a reminder of the need to master the waters of the subconscious, to align them with the Higher Will.
The Wellington Harbour as the Gateway to the Great Journey — Tarot and the Path
From a Tarot perspective, many of the Major Arcana cards depict threshold moments — crossing water, walking between pillars, or standing before veils. The harbour, as a real-world symbol, echoes this process:
- The High Priestess (Key 2) sits before a veil of mystery, symbolising the gateway to the subconscious.
- The Fool (Key 0) stands on the cliff edge, ready to leap into the unknown — much like a ship leaving the safety of the harbour for the open sea.
- Death (Key 13), often associated with crossing water, symbolises necessary change and inner transformation.
Students of B.O.T.A. are encouraged to cross these thresholds within themselves, facing fears, seeking truth, and moving from darkness to light — “the journey across the waters of consciousness.”
Wellington as a Spiritual Port: A Place to Begin or Return
For seekers living in Wellington, the harbour is a daily reminder of spiritual work:
- Where am I on my inner journey?
- What am I carrying out to sea, and what am I bringing home?
- Am I adrift, or navigating with purpose?
B.O.T.A. emphasises conscious, structured work on the inner planes — building the Inner Temple and walking the path of initiation. The harbour invites reflection on entering this path, returning to it, or launching deeper into it.
Reflection Exercise (Optional for Readers): Harbour Meditation
To tie this theme practically to B.O.T.A. practices, you could include a simple reflection or meditation:
“Next time you sit by Wellington’s harbour, close your eyes and imagine that you are standing at a great threshold. The waters before you are the vastness of your own subconscious mind. What is waiting there to be discovered? What vessel (symbolic of your spiritual body) do you need to embark upon this journey? What is calling you from the far shore?
Take a few deep breaths and imagine setting sail on the calm or stormy waters — trusting that the Light within will guide you.”
An Invitation to the Journey
Our Wellington group is looking for new members.
If you reside in the Wellington region, come along to our Vibratory Attunement ritual on Sundays at 10.30 or to one of our taped lectures on Tuesday nights at 7.30 (excluding the first and third Tuesdays of the month)
Learn more about meditation in the B.O.T.A. tradition: The Art of Meditation
More about Wellington’s harbour: Wellington Waterfront