Posts Tagged ‘divination’

The Tarot has been around for hundreds of years. During that time it’s been used for teaching, playing games and meditation.
Its most famous use, of course, has been for divination. Today there are hundreds of Tarot decks available. Most people use them for giving readings, but some people simply collect them for their artistic value.The archetypal images on the cards are highly evocative. They bring out feelings, emotions, and energies that might be long hidden. The Tarot contains 78 images of power. The question is, “How can you tap into that power?”
The answer can be found in Tarot Spells by Janina Renee. In this book you’ll learn the basics of casting spells with the help of the Tarot cards. The techniques are powerful yet easy. Here is an example: Lay out an incense burner, a candle to either side of the incense burner, your Tarot deck, and Tarot Spells on a table. Light the candles and incense, then read the opening which calls forth the can you tap into that power?”

The answer can be found in Tarot Spells by Janina Renee. In this book you’ll learn the basics of casting spells with the help of the Tarot cards. The techniques are powerful yet easy. Here is an example:

Lay out an incense burner, a candle to either side of the incense burner, your Tarot deck, and Tarot Spells on a table. Light the candles and incense, then read the opening which calls forth the powers of the magical elements: Air, Earth, Fire and Water. You’ve begun this simple ritual!

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by Anthony Louis

Many of the meanings attributed to the Tarot cards derive from numerology. In the West, numerology goes back to the philosophy of the Greek thinker Pythagoras who believed that reality can ultimately be expressed in numerical terms. We have already seen the importance of the number four in the four suits of the Tarot which are derived from the four elements of classic Greek philosophy. The fact that there are 10 pip cards is related to the fact that humans have 10 fingers and therefore use the decimal number system. Odd numbers are usually regarded as forceful, yang, or “masculine” and even numbers as stabilizing, yin, or “feminine”.

Below of some of the common meanings attributed to the basic numbers that comprise our system of numbering things:

• 0: Zero is the number of pure potential, of absolute beginnings and endings (return to nothingness). Only the Fool Trump carries the number 0 in the Tarot.
• 1: “One is the loneliest number…” the popular song goes. One is the first card of the pip sequence. One is the number of beginnings, of individuality, of the child emerging from the womb, of the prime force of creation. The Washington Monument is an architectural tribute to the number one.
• 2: Two is the number of duality, of coupling, of self and other, of opposing and complementing aspects of reality, of the union of two individuals (1s).
• 3: Three is the number of the triad, of the unit formed by duality (2) and its offspring (1), of the three faces of the goddess (virgin, mother, and crone), of the creation that is made possible by joining forces with another, the tripartite genitalia of the male and the genital triangle of the female.
• 4: Four is the number of manifestation and material reality. There are four elements, four sides of a square, four cardinal directions of a compass, four seasons, four winds, etc. It is a number of order, structure, power, and earthly dominion. Four is the number of the prototypical complete family: a father, a mother, a son, and a daughter.
• 5: Five is a number related to the five human senses and to the pentagram representing the human form (the head plus the four limbs). Five is the midpoint or turning point of the cycle that runs from 0 to 10. As such, five can represent a crisis point or a state of instability.
• 6: Six represents the harmony that returns when we resolve the disruption and instability seen in the five. Being a combination of 2 and 3 (6 = 2 x 3), six carries with it the connotations of both 2 and 3, that is harmony, cooperation, creation, new equilibrium.
• 7: Seven is regarded as a spiritual and introspective number. Being an odd number, it carries an active, forceful, and sometimes disruptive connotation.
• 8: Eight is made up of 2 x 4, or 2 x 2 x 2. Like the four, it is a number of power, manifestation, and material accomplishment.
• 9: Nine is the last single digit in the series. It carries a connotation of completion or the ending of a cycle. It can signify the wisdom that is achieved toward the end of a cycle.
• 10: In the number 10 we see the final ending — the sequence of pips is over. The cycle has ended and a new one is beginning. Being one more than nine, 10 often means “one too many”.

The Minor Arcana

The very number of cards in a Tarot deck reflects this numerological scheme. The 10 pip cards represent a series of everyday feelings, events, and situations associated with each of the 4 suits. The four court cards represent the four members of the prototypical family: father/king, mother/queen, son/knight, daughter/page. Hence each suit consists of 14 cards (10 pips plus 4 court cards).

Mundane and family matters are thus represented by the 10 pips and 4 court cards of the four suits. This makes a total of 4 x 14 = 56 Minor Arcana cards.

The Major Arcana

The remaining 22 cards of the deck are the Major Arcana (major secrets) cards. These have a different numerological basis. Representing timeless spiritual truths, these cards are based on the numbers 3 and 7. The Fool, numbered 0, stands at the center of a triangle (3 sides), and each side of the triangle consists of 7 cards (connected with 7 days of the week that are named for the 7 visible planets). The Fool (numbered 0) plus the 21 lessons the Fool must learn (the other 21 Trumps) make up the total of 22 Trump cards. In numerology, 22 can be broken down into 2 + 2 = 4, the number of manifestation in the “real” world. Furthermore, 21 (the number of spiritual lessons awaiting the Fool) is the sum of the first 6 digits, that is, 21 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6, a fact that was not lost on the original creators of the Tarot deck.

By playing with these numerical relationships and their connections to the cards of the Tarot deck, one can come to a deeper understanding of the origin, structure, and meaning of the cards.

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Copyright 1998 Anthony Louis.  Mr. Louis is a respected teacher who has lectured internationally on astrology and divination. He is the author of the critically acclaimed Horary Astrology: The History and Practice of Astro-Divination (Llewellyn, 1991) and of numerous articles in leading astrology journals. His most recent books are Tarot Plain and Simple (Llewellyn, 1996) and a workbook on horary astrology, Horary for Beginners (Just&Us and Associates, 1997). His Web page is: http://members.aol.com/tonylouis/home/index.html

Number: 1
Esoteric Title: Root of the Power of Fire
Numerical Keywords: 1: Unity, Origin, Potential
Numerical Attributions: Primium Mobile, White, Soul, Good
Intelligence: Hidden Intelligence
Element: Fire (hot, dry)
Elemental Keywords: Energy, Action, Inception
Elemental Attributions: South, Summer, Noon
Astrological Attribution: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Tree of Life: Kether
Suit Color: Wands-Red

Passion
Direction
Ignition
Expansion
Initiation
Creativity
Energization
Resourcefulness

Keywords: Instigate, Ignite, Action, Spark, Handle, Tool, Organic, Inspiration, Self-Expression, Grasp, Masculine Energy Virility, Desire, Confidence, Dominate, Vibrant Energy.
The Ace of Wands represents creative force, enthusiasm, confidence, and courage. For the querent, the appearance of this card may mean that the seeds of enthusiasm have been planted, though he may not yet have recognized the same. This enthusiasm could be in any form – a creative idea, a surge of optimism, or even a need to act boldly. This is the time for the querent to check out how the potent and confident energy of the Ace of Wands could work for him.

This could be the time to be daring and brave – the time to risk, trying to get what you want. Choose the way that excites you, and let go! This is the time to seize the initiative by its throat, push beyond your limits, and reach for the new heights. The Ace of Wands stands for individual power and fulfillment. This is the time for passion, the time to assert yourself for the best.

The Ace of Wands, being also the card of creativity, could influence and inspire you to invention. This is a chance to be original. This is the chance to trust your potential, and reach for the sky. There is no limit!

Upright: The Ace of Wands signifies the beginning of a new venture or a new life. It is representative of new experiences, fresh ideas, new beginnings, optimism, inventiveness, enthusiasm and drive. You may be experiencing a period of increased creativity or a feeling of being driven. You may be starting a new business or career. This could be the start of something big!
Do something different, and be alert or receptive to new ideas. Act on the alternatives that will be presented.
A new start or way of life will be realized soon.

Reversed: In its reversed position, the Ace of Wands would signify delays and difficulties, or trouble getting a new enterprise off the ground. You may be feeling powerless or impotent. Possibly you are pessimistic and are not even trying. Your own behavior may be the source of the problem. You need to follow through with your promises and spend some time brainstorming for new ideas. You need to be open to solutions to your problems.

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The Basics
You’re probably anxious to get to know your new deck. In this section you’ll find a brief introduction to the structure of the deck. This will help you understand the meanings of the cards in general terms.
The later sections will help you provide more in-depth interpretation. Think of this as the outline for the card meanings. The details and nuances will come in time.

The Cards
Remember that the tarot is very personal and that the cards are packed with many meanings. Use this text as a guidebook, but let your own intuition be the final word. If something here does not make sense, discard it. Divination is not a hard science. Use the exercises provided to help flesh out the meanings that you’ll use for your own readings. A journal or notebook will be especially handy in keeping all your notes and observations in order. Throughout this book, there will be exercises to help you solidify your understanding of the cards.

Seventy-eight cards may seem like a lot to learn. Dividing the deck into sections makes it easier. The first main division is in two parts: the Major Arcana (twenty-two cards) and the Minor Arcana (fifty-six cards). Arcana means “secrets”-so the Major Arcana are the “big secrets.” In practical terms, these are the cards that represent important milestones, major changes, events beyond our control, and spiritual growth. The Minor Arcana, “lesser secrets,” generally depict events, situations, or people related to everyday life. An important characteristic of the Minor Arcana is personal control-that is, they represent aspects of your life over which you have the control.

The Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana are usually very simple to understand because most people are familiar with the structure already. Think of a pack of playing cards: four suits (clubs, hearts, spades, and diamonds), with each suit having ten pip cards numbered ace through ten and three court cards (King, Queen, Jack). The Minor Arcana is just like that, with the addition of one court card for each suit. The court cards of the tarot reflect their medieval roots: King, Queen, Knight, and Page.
The suits have different names and symbols but still relate directly to the suits of playing cards [alternative names are in brackets]:

WANDS [Rods, Batons, or Staves] = Clubs

CUPS [Chalices] = Hearts

SWORDS = Spades

PENTACLES [Coins, Disks, or Stones] = Diamonds

In addition to relating to playing-card deck suits, the tarot suits are associated with the four elements.
This helps define the suit’s relation to our daily lives.
The illustration below shows the four suits, and the list below it reveals each suit’s elemental association and the aspects of life it represents.

WANDS (left). Fire or Air. Career, projects, inspiration.

CUPS (top). Water. Emotions, relationships, creativity.

SWORDS (right). Air or Fire. Challenges, intellect, ways of thinking.

PENTACLES (bottom). Earth. Physical world, money, resources.

Each Minor Arcana suit is associated with an area of life. All the cards are numbered as well; each of these numbers has meanings.

ACES: New beginnings, opportunity.
TWOS: Balance, duality, a crossroads or choice.
THREES: The full expression of the suit, achievement.
FOURS: Structure, stability, stagnation.
FIVES: Instability, conflict, loss, opportunity for change.
SIXES: Communication, problem-solving, cooperation.
SEVENS: Reflection, assessment, motives.
EIGHTS: Movement, action, change, power.
NINES: Fruition, attainment.
TENS: Completion, end of a cycle.

Using this information, you can already get a sense for a card’s meaning. For example, the Seven of Pentacles could represent an assessment of resources or property. This card shows a woman looking at the fruit on a tree. She might be contemplating the work invested and comparing it to the harvest gained by that investment. The Three of Cups could indicate the achievement of relationships. This image shows three woman celebrating the joy of their friendship.

While the numbered cards show different situations of everyday life, the court cards bring personality to these situations. They can represent other people or the querent (the person asking the question). Because real people are complex, the court cards usually represent just a facet of a person-the part of the person engaged in the particular situation being inquired about.

PAGES: Novices, eager and enthusiastic but sometimes shallow; can indicate a message that the querent will receive.
KNIGHTS: Extremists, very focused (like a knight on a quest); can be unbalanced or fanatical; may represent a fast-moving situation.
QUEENS: Mature and reflective; one who nurtures others; can be prone to obsession.
KINGS: Mature and expressive; one who organizes and controls external matters, sometimes at the expense of internal or personal matters.

Exercise 1
Put your Minor Arcana cards in numerical order. Look at each one and connect the image on the card to the associations of the suit and the number as described above. Write your observations in a notebook. Note whether the connections were obvious or subtle. Also note whatever details grab your attention. Write down why a particular image intrigued you and how it affects the meaning of the card for you.

Exercise 2
Lay out your court cards. Think about the personality represented on each card. Match that card with someone in your life, noting the particular behaviors, characteristics, or habits that caused the connection in your mind.

The Major Arcana
The Major Arcana are made up of twenty-two cards, numbered zero through twenty-one. Just as the minor suits have an elemental association, so does the Major Arcana; it is connected with the element of Spirit. In addition to being numbered, the Majors are also named as follows:

0 The Fool
I The Magician
II The High Priestess
III The Empress
IV The Emperor
V The Hierophant
VI The Lovers
VII The Chariot
VIII Strength
IX The Hermit
X Wheel of Fortune
XI Justice
XII The Hanging Man
XIII Death
XIV Temperance
XV The Devil
XVI The Tower
XVII The Star
XVIII The Moon
XIX The Sun
XX Judgement
XXI The World

The names give some indication of the meaning. For example, the Hermit means taking time to retreat from the world and look inward. The Star brings hope and guidance, a light to follow through otherwise dark times.

Exercise 3
List the meanings or associations that come to mind simply based on the name of each Major Arcana card.

The Fool’s Journey
Just as dividing the Minor Arcana into suits and learning about the suit and numerological associations provide a brief overview and introduction to these cards’ meanings, learning the Fool’s journey helps introduce us to the Major Arcana. The twenty-two Major Arcana cards depict a journey through life, a journey of self-development and spiritual growth. We all start as the Fool, the first card of the Major Arcana, though all our journeys are different.

To visualize the Fool’s journey, lay out the cards, placing the Fool alone at the top. Then lay out the rest of the cards, in numerical order, underneath the Fool in three rows of seven (1-7, 8-14, and 15-21).

1. The first row shows the steps we go through in our basic development from birth to young adult and in learning how to live in society.

2. The second row illustrates the universal laws or rules of society that we must confront, question, and come to terms with; it also is about discovering who we are.

3. The final row is our spiritual development.

THE FOOL: The Fool marks the beginning of the journey as an archetypal child, unformed and unlearned, innocent and eager.

THE MAGICIAN: The Magician represents the male principal or animus. This is our active or outgoing energy, our skills and abilities in terms of the outer world. In basic terms, it is how we do things and how we learn.

THE HIGH PRIESTESS: The High Priestess embodies the female principal or anima. This is our passive or introspective energy, our skills as they relate to our inner world and self-reflection. In short, this is how we think or feel about things and what we know intuitively.

THE EMPRESS: The Empress represents the Mother archetype and our experience with mothering, nurturing, emotions, and our creative impulse.

THE EMPEROR: The Emperor represents the Father archetype and our experience with authority, reason, and logic.

THE HIEROPHANT: The Hierophant is our formal education within our society, including school, religious training, and cultural traditions.

THE LOVERS: In a word, adolescence-our experience of hormones, sex, and our sense of self.

THE CHARIOT: The Chariot illustrates the ability to see both sides of an issue; it marks the ending of the “but that’s not fair!” stage.
Once we have synthesized these archetypes into our sense of self, we are usually pretty well prepared to participate in society. Sometimes we incorporate some of these elements better than others. For example, if someone “has issues with her mother,” she may not have dealt very effectively with the Empress.

STRENGTH: Strength is where we learn to control our instincts and impulses, where we master ourselves and develop self-control. We may want to party all night, eat the entire buffet, or shop until our credit card reaches its limit, but we realize that it is probably best if we do not indulge all these desires.

THE HERMIT: This is us feeling the need to “find ourselves.” We turn inward, questioning all we’ve learned, and try to find a sense of inner peace.

WHEEL OF FORTUNE: Just when we feel centered and balanced, our resolve is tested by a spin of fate. Something happens beyond our control or our ability to foresee.

JUSTICE: In the aftermath of the spin of fate, we find out how we fared, and realize that we reap what we sow. If we were well prepared, we come out perhaps shaken but okay. If not, we may need to revisit the Hermit phase of the journey-or move on to…

THE HANGING MAN: The Hanging Man shows us the strength and power of letting go and enjoying the view from a different perspective. This card also shows us the importance of sacrifice. Some things are worth sacrificing for and maybe we really can’t have it all-at least not the way we planned.

DEATH: Just when we get comfortable hanging on by a thread, we are faced with a major change in our lives. This can be any major change, positive or negative: an unexpected promotion, the ending of a relationship, moving to a new place.

TEMPERANCE: After coming through a transformational experience, we learn graceful balance and tolerance.
We learn to adapt to changes in circumstance while maintaining our center, our sense of self.
We have come through a very difficult phase of our development.
We have faced Death in some guise. We’ve learned to maintain ourselves, to adapt to circumstances, to not rail against the seeming unfairness of the universe. What more could we possibly have to do?

THE DEVIL: Balanced, strong, and confident, now we are asked to confront our shadow selves, the dark aspects of ourselves that we fear and that may control us in subtle ways. These may be aspects that we learned to control or repress in the Strength card.
This worked well for a while, before we had the knowledge and experience not just to ignore and repress these aspects. Now we need to revisit them, learn to appreciate the positive qualities they can bring to our lives, and synthesize them appropriately.

THE TOWER: Although we feel we’ve got ourselves under reasonable control by now, the universe reminds us that we are not in control of everything.
The Tower gives us a bolt from the blue that shakes our very foundation. This may differ from the Wheel or Death in that rather than disrupting the external circumstances of our lives, the Tower shakes the foundations of our belief systems.

THE STAR: The Star provides us guidance, hope, and optimism after cataclysmic events, giving us the strength we need to rebuild our crumbled foundations.

THE MOON: While the Star guides us on our way, the Moon teaches us to question everything and to realize that things are not always what they seem.
By the light of the Moon, we can lose our way or be distracted by enticing shadows. We can also have inspiring dreams. We must learn to tell the difference.

THE SUN: After wandering in the Moon, we emerge into the Sun with increased strength and self-awareness, with the certainty that we know ourselves, what we believe in, and what is real.

JUDGEMENT: The Judgement card calls us to a deeper spiritual realization. Often it is a call to action, to share your knowledge or experience with others.

THE WORLD: This is the end of the cycle; we have learned all of our lessons and have achieved integration, balance, and spiritual awareness.

Exercise 4
Look at each Major Arcana card. Write down a situation or experience from your own life that reminds you of each step of the Fool’s journey.

Nine of Wands

Divinatory Meanings: There is a pause in the struggle, a chance to redouble your efforts and regain the needed strength to emerge the victor. You will gain knowledge and insight from the battle, but perseverance is needed to endure. This card also denotes a successful recovery from an illness, as well as strength, courage and determination.

Reversed: This card warns of obstacles and struggles that are difficult to overcome. Take the time to strengthen yourself both mentally and physically and prepare to defend yourself against possible adversity.

(Click here for a free Card of The Day reading!)

The Universe

The Universe is the card of success and indicates completeness, reward and triumph in all undertakes. Perhaps success will lead to a change in residence, position or your outlook on life, for this card also indicates travel and the joy of living on a grand scale.

Reversed: A goal is almost in grasp, but perhaps someone lacks the necessary courage to lift oneself out of a rut. You must take chances and make the necessary effort to obtain happiness, otherwise boredom and stagnation can result. Discard any fears of change or attachments to a present situation or job and follow true destiny to success. Action brings good fortune.

(Click here for a free Card of The Day reading!)

Tarot major arcana with proper attributions and order. (Thoth Tarot deck)

The Chariot

Indicates success and triumph over adversity. All enemies and any obstacles are conquered, including hindrances of one’s own making. This is the card of travel and progress, of new friends and new opportunities.

Reversed: Disputes, quarrels or litigation leave you restless and desiring a change. Be prepared for some bad news or a setback in a long struggle.

(Click here for a free Card of The Day reading!)

The Tarot of Perfection: A Book of Tarot Tales (Paperback)
By Rachel Pollack

Buy new: $10.17
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A collection of wildly vivid tales of tarot, divination, imagination and desire from an award-winning author of fantasy. These stories are by turns profound, touching and outrageously funny. For tarot practitioners, they will also open out new ways of seeing and meditating on the cards, and provide a provocative new fantasy on the origins of the familiar

About the Author
Rachel Grace Pollack was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1945. She holds an honours degree in English from New York University, a Masters in English from Claremont Graduate School and has taught English at New York State University.