The father in the parable of the prodigal child had neither sent his son far from his paternal home in order to lead a life of debauchery, nor had he prevented him from leaving and forced him to lead a life which was pleasing to him (the father).

All he did was to await his return and to go and meet him when the prodigal son was approaching his father’s home. Everything which took place in the story of the prodigal son, save for his return to the father, was clearly contrary to the will of the father.

The history of the human race since the Fall is that of the prodigal son….and the key formula of the history of humanity is to be found neither in the progress of civilisation in the process of evolution or in any other ‘process’, but rather in the parable of the prodigal son, in the words:

Father, I have sinnerd against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants. (Luke xv, 18-19).

Letter IV, The Emperor, Meditations on the Tarot, Unknown Author