“I will build a Round Table, and around it a Hall, and about the Hall a Castle.” -King Arthur Pendragon in John Boorman's Excalibur
Arthur gathers the greatest knights of the land to form the Round Table, a symbol of equality and unity.
The Gathering of Heroes * Highlights the importance of collaboration, shared ideals, and the creation of a sacred fellowship.
Symbolism: * The Round Table: The unbroken circle of equality, where no knight holds precedence over another. * Camelot: The utopian ideal of a harmonious and just society.
“In one version of the Arthurian mythos, the Round Table was part of the dowry of Guenivere upon her marriage to King Arthur. According to the esoteric tradition, the table was built according to the design of the Archmage Merlin, based upon a template of one of the wisdom-temples of Atlantis. This tradition further states that it was originally brought from the stars, from Sirius, the "Tear of Isis." This stellar symbolism is reinforced by the symbols of the twelve constellations of the zodiac upon the table's rim. This is the same symbolism found in the belt worn by The Fool in the first tarot card of the major keys. The zodiac represents time and space, which is also the meaning of Eden, the garden in which Adam and Eve were placed. In the myth, the Grail appears upon the Table Round when the king and all his knights are gathered for court on the feast of Pentecost. Pentecost, or Whitsun, as it is also called, occurs fifty days after Easter (Christ's resurrection) and celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples when they are gathered together, in the same upper room in which they had celebrated the Last Supper with their master. The Divine Spirit descends like tongues of fire.”
“Leodegan gave the Round Table to Arthur as a wedding gift. This table could seat 150 knights. According to Robert de Boron's Merlin (1200), Merlin had constructed the Round Table for Uther Pendragon, Arthur's father. Merlin had designed the table using the Grail table as a model. Joseph of Arimathea had designed the Grail Table to only seat 13 people. However, the 13th seat was the Perilous Seat (Siege Perilous) which no one might sit on without dying. So the Perilous Seat was left vacated. Like Joseph's table, only one seat was left vacated at the Round Table: the Siege Perilous. Merlin warned Arthur and the other knights that only the greatest knight in the world could sit in this deadly chair, and that knight would be the true Grail Knight.”
The Round Table and the 12 Signs of the Zodiac
- Aries: A knight of courage and initiative, leading the charge in quests.
- Taurus: A steadfast and loyal knight, representing strength and patience.
- Gemini: A quick-witted and communicative knight, skilled in diplomacy.
- Cancer: A protective knight, embodying nurturing and loyalty.
- Leo: A brave and charismatic knight, leading with heart.
- Virgo: A meticulous and analytical knight, focused on service and healing.
- Libra: A knight of balance and justice, seeking harmony.
- Scorpio: A transformative knight, delving into mysteries and the depths of the soul.
- Sagittarius: An adventurous knight, ever seeking knowledge and truth.
- Capricorn: A disciplined and ambitious knight, climbing towards lofty goals.
- Aquarius: A visionary knight, championing innovation and idealism.
- Pisces: A compassionate and mystical knight, embodying empathy and spiritual insight.
- Sir Lancelot: Leo—brave, charismatic, and passionate, known for his heroic deeds and romantic entanglements.
- Sir Galahad: Pisces—pure, mystical, and spiritually insightful, destined to achieve the Holy Grail due to his purity.
- Sir Gawain: Aries—courageous and headstrong, always at the forefront of battles and adventures.
- Sir Percival: Cancer—nurturing, loyal, and deeply connected to his emotions, often shown as a compassionate and humble seeker.
- Sir Mordred: Scorpio—mysterious, intense, and transformative, bringing challenges and deep changes to the Arthurian court.