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The h{ew CompleteBook of
A stey-by-step guide to reading thecards
Forewordby T'
LIZ L;reene ffi
TulietSharman-Burke
mhEffiph6
B O O KP U B L I S H I N G
CO ACONNECTIONSEDITiON This edition publishedin Great Britain in 2007 by ConnectionsBook Publishing Llmited St Chads House,l48 Kine's Cross Road LondonWClX 9DH vwwconnections-publishing.com Text copyright O Juliet Sharman-Burke2007 Card illustrationscopyright @Giovanni Caselli2001
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This edition copyright O EddisonSaddEditions 2007 All rights reserved.No part of this publicationmaybe reproduced,storedin a retriwal system or transmittedin any form or by any meanswithout the prior written permissionof the publisher, nor be otherwisecirculatedin any form ofbinding or coverotherthan that in which it is published,
Tfuu Tfur
andwithout a similarcondition beingimposedon the subsequentpublisher.
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The right ofJuliet Sharman-Burketo be identified m the author ofthis work hasbeen assertedby her in accordance with the Copyright, Designsand PatentsAct I9BB. British LibraryCataloguing-in-Publication dataavailableon request.
rsBN978-I-8s906,2r5,9 3579r0864 TheCompleteBookof Throtwasprevtouslypublishedby PenguinBooksin the UK and St.Martins Griffin in the US. Phototypesetin Albertan and Cochin using QuarkXPresson Apple Macintosh Prinredin China
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COlVTEI\TTS H o w t h eT h r oW t o r k s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2. l. . . . Getting to KnowYour Cards.........23
PART ONE 27
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PART Tw.O 67
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PART THREE IOl
PART FOUR T43 I : ; t o R e a dt h eC a r d s. . " . . , . ........ , . 1 4 4 - : . F i r . e - c a rHdo r s e s h o.e. . . . . . . . . " . . I 4 6 l : . . C e l t i cC r o s s. . , . . . . . . . . . . . . ". .. .. . I. 4 9 - : - : S t a rS p r e a d ......I53
T h e T r e eo f L i f e. . , . . . . . . . , , . . . , , . . . .I. 5 . .6. . . . . F u r t h e rE x a m p l e .s. . . . , . . . . . . . . . . , .I. .6. .I . . . F i n a lE x e r c ies s. . ." ." . . . . . . . ". . . . . . . . . .|.6. .9
\:::s on YourOwn Readings .....170
A b o u t t h eA u t h o r . . . . . . .". .. .. . . .".... . 1 . 76 A c k n o w l e d g e m e n t. s. . , . . . . . . . . , . .1, ,7, 6. .
- ^li,rorrnhr'
, . . , . . , . , . . , ,1.7. 5
Foreword
n the early 1980s there were few books availableon the Tarot.Juliet l[ lL Shrr-rn-Burke, an experiencedThrot teacher,respondedto her students'requestsfor a correspondencecourse by creatingone,which was then transformedinto The CompleteBookof Tarot,Therearenow around thirty million referencesto the Tarot listed on internet searchengines, linking the interestedindividual with interpretations,history both factual and imaginative, newly designed decks of cards, and, of course, books.Most of thesebooks have a brief time in the light and then vanish into oblivion.The CompleteBook of Tarothas remainedpopular for the simple reasonthat it is one of the clearest,most accessible,and least'doctrinal' of all the many works on these enigmatic cards.Whatever the reader'sspiritual views, The CompleteBookof Tarot addressesthe fundamental experiences of human life in a language whlch both the sophisticatedThrotreaderand the individualwith little knowledge of the qards can utilise to shed light on the profound underpinnings of meaning in everydayexistence. The cardsJuliet used to illustrate the original edition of the book were designedby A. E.Waite in 19 I 0. For many decadesthesebeautiful imageswere perceived as the'authoritative'modern deck. But Waites involvement in Rosicrucian and Theosophical studies infused his creation with a very specific form of spirituality, and the cards did not 'speak'to those unresponsiveto such an approach.ln 1986 Juliet and I designed a new deck with an accompanying book, called The Mythic Tarot.These cards use the narratives of Greek myth to illuminate the psychologicalpatterns and conflicts of everyday human existence.But The Mythic Tarot'sbreak from tradition neededto be bridged by a deck that appealedto those who still find the older images evocative,Juliet then designed another,more traditional deck, which draws from both Waite s imagery and older decks such as the fifteenth century VscontiSforza cards.It is thls new deck, sensitively and beautifullv illustrated '-6-
rr Giovanni Caselli,which illustrates The New CompleteBook of Tarot. The best of all worlds is thus presentedin this new edition of the book, o hlch provides both an inspirational and eminently practical path into :hesemysterious imagesthat have intrigued both scholars and seekers
: -.- :heTarot.Juliet ..::rJed to her stu'
:rr over five centuries,and will no doubt continue to do so for many cenluries to come.
.:,:-: Jne,which was l,:l: :Ie nOWafOUnd
Ll: CnEENE
::-.: searchengines,
SrprltrasnR2006
:-. :istory both fac' ,:-s and, of course, ,:r- :nd thenvanish -:-- : popular for the '..-:ie , and least'doc:,::s. Whatever the : - lressesthe funda., o hich both the : --- rnor' rledgeof the ::::innings of mean,, .-ltion of the book :, -.s thesebeautiful :- :.ck, But Waite's -- :s infused his cre-- ::r. cards did not -:. -9t6 Julietand I s -,rled The Mythic -.-.:-:r iliuminate the --:,:n existence.But :: ::1Jqedby a deck .,: -. erocative.Juliet .: - ,:.:..rs from both :-.: ::ntury visconti :., . --ullf illustrated -7-
Introduction
fl;-L::-- : i"-ur Court car,I. crns-d. ilf're:-tt: Jecks,the \linrr ..::s
trl:. :'-:re,-omnii;ateitr- .=.::.. his book is intended to give you a comprehensiveunderstandingof the Tarot as well as encouragingyour own study and involvement in the learning process.Youmaywant to study the Throt in order to interpret the cards for others;or you may wish to use it as an aid to personal qrowth and development.Ihope that you will wish to do both. This book has developedout of manyyearsof teachingThrotin work, shops and by correspondence,so my personal method and style have been reproducedhere as much as possible.For instance,l have included 'quided fantasy'exercisesbecauseso many students have found them useful in both the memorizing processand in gaining a deeperpersonal knowledge of each card. Becausereading the Tarot relies so heavily on the reader'sintuitive and interpretativeprowess,it isn't an easysubjectto teach.However,I don't believe that any special clairvoyant or psychic powers are neededin order to becomea sensitivereader.All of us have natural intuitive powers,and readingthe Tarot is certainly one good way oiheightening and developingthesequalities.The exercisesare designed to stimulatethe imaginationand,in turn,the unconsciouspo\riersof intu.
G,r--..:.:--Caselli an,i [ ;r..r=: _ CI:r--. r:l= hock. has im,i.: ::- ; fu:-:-,--.rstsctlt6os)) t. - :=signedthe Sharrran{*-o
il;L::-- i.rks: the 191t] \\.lr: i :iai:- . becauseit s-as the ;irrt :. - - - ' : - , l i n q i t m o r ea r i e . s : r - = . :nr -': the earliest deci<,..J.it:
, -;)r tr;.r-desiqned TJrr-\I-,:ir:"J ' - l : = t n e, i n s h i c h \ \ r . . - n : . : : -e-.:: >i!-riesfiom Greek m.th,--: :r-n-:-i,s..f learninq the cari-. t.;i :L-.i -:i Jir inatorr-meanrni=--:. -;:;::r;n-Caselli deck are FSn:::: - - -- - - F . - . 1 ' . i n ' r n o . thfCUt-
::..,
:---::---::--n that as humani \\': :r_t
:-"-:r."rd are all reflectedin r:. I --r"rumber of authorsha...,: : particularl.- :l,u -ls i':':-: --: r-ierr,',
ition. I also found that the idea of the Fool's journey through the Tarot (seepages29,69 and 7?3),incorporatingmyrhs and legends,caughtthe
i:-'--.-stCarl Gustar-Tung.,r'i:r,,=
students'imaginationbecausethey felt able to relate it to their personal stagesof growth. The Tarot imagesare archetypal so the messageof each
L- - :i:- tour functions of hu:i":- . l.----r.'>,,.eshallseeas\\c i-- j --
card will touch some aspectof everyones life, and in learning ii you are ableto take a fresh look at yourself.
:- !:;qes in life: during the ilis: : ::-. -:relopment of the pr:>::_=
The Tarot is madeup of seventy-eightcards.The deck is divided into ls-enty-two Major Arcana (or Trump)cards and fifty-six Minor Arcana
:-::::nrs> and meanin{in l.: :.. --:-=...-elurn our attentionT,--.i-:
cards. The Major Arcana cards are easily distinguishable by their unusual namesand imagessuch as the The Fool,The Magician and The
-:
Empress.The remaining fifty-six cards are divlded into four suits,rather like our modern playing cards. They are named differently though \\ ands,Cups, Swords and Pentacles- and, unlike playing cards,each -8-
.rithin rather than rr'i::---.-
:--. r r..loqicalderelopmrr-r: ::.:l
:--nerlcal sequenceoi th.- \ I..--: -.:r:\ Jrrong TarOt exltrr_i ---.':::: ::-. earliesldecks.r'eren'tnu.l:,::r
Introduction
.uit has four Court cardsconsistingof King, Queen,Knight and Page.In :he older decks,the Minor cards have no pictorial images,which makes :hem quite complicatedto learn; however,the Sharman-Casellideck that Giovanni Caselli and I createdin 2000 and which is used for illustra-.:r-: --.: unJerslanding o[ -1:- :: "nd involvement ::-: -,r:t in orderto inter- - d^l Lr-.I lLr\^J ^ ^ - - r n a l :> ill 1:
tion in this book, has imageson all the Minor cards,which is helpful for
--i.-:--io both.
partly becauseit was the first deck to use pictures on the Minor cards, thus making it more accessible;and the Msconti-sforzaTarot,which is
PcrJ\
---:=,-hinq Tarotin work-
I designedthe Sharman-Casellideck drawing on imagery from two ;lassic decks:the 1910 Waite deck,which becameextremelypopular
-:-::::r.e.I haveincluded
cne of the earliest decks, dating back to the midfifteenth century. In 1984,1 co-designedTheMythic TarotwiLhmy good friend and colleague
--::--s ha.-efound them
Liz Greene,in which we combined the traditional meaningsof the cards
i: :,-:i a deeperpersonal l,::: ::lies so heavily on
u-ith storiesfrom Greek mythology.Our intention was to help make the
:::r.-J
and style have
:cqinners(seepage22).
f rocessof learning the cards easierby using a storyline upon which to
,:: t en easysubjectto
rang the divinatorymeaningsof eachcard,Both The lt4ythicTarot andrhe
,- :,,-rr or-anlor psychic
-qharman-Caselli deck are psychologicalin orientation and use the idea
.-.-.:."ier. All of us have
--fthe Fool'sjourney through the stagesof hfe as a backdrop,drawing on
- :.:::lnlv one goodway -:,: :\-rcises aredesigned
:he notion that as humans we sharecollectiveexperiencesthat are arche-
i
:r pal and are all reflectedin the Tarot.
powersof intu:--:--.:i-rus
A number of authors have approachedthe Throtfrom a psychological
r *::,:-' through the Tarot - .: - rr'rrids. causht .'**b--' the :-''*"'
roint of view; particularly focusing on the ideas of the Swiss psycho'collective unconscious' "nalyst Carl Gustav Jung,whose theory of the 'nd the four functions of human consciousnessarevery pertinent to the Iarot, aswe shall seeaswe go along.l, too,have followed |ung s thoughts
::-:-: it to their personal ' - - m e s s A soef e a c h -' a ::. - ..- -earning it you are
--n stagesin life: during the first half of life, concernswith outer life and the development of the personality are paramount, as is searching for
, . . --;k ts divided into - --- . -'ix \'{inor Arcana
nappinessand meaning in the materialworld; during the secondhalf of ,ite,we turn our allention towards the inner world, searchingfor mean-
,.-:,r:uishable by their -- - :,. \laqician and The
-nq within rather than without. In order to make the Fools story of psvchologicaldevelopmenteasierto follow,l have slightly changedthe
r: r -::-- iour suits,rather though -- . -...':.=rently
numerical sequenceof the Major Trumps. There is considerablecontro\-ersyamong Tarot experts over the numbering of the Major Arcana as
: --. - :.:r ing cards,each
the earliestdecksweren't numbered and many didn't even have a name;
Y
Introduction
they just bore the pictorial image.The eighteenth-centuryoccult revival was in fact responsiblefor much of the rectified numbering(seepage7Bl.
:t-"',. and interpretation.The --::\-e toqetherthe learrur,
The Major Arcana of the Sharman-Casellideck echoesthe old style, so the cardshave titles but no numbers.
],l.cr and Minor cards are r
Another relatively modern innovation is that of reading significance into reversedcards.This is a practice to which I do not personally sub, scribe as,in my opinion, reversalscan end up being more confusing and baffling than informative, for each Tarot card carrieswithin its upright position both positive and negativepossibilities.Broadly speaking,reversals show the opposite meaning of the upright card, but I believe that both possibilities - along with the surrounding cards in the spread should always be taken into account. I feel that reversalscan act as straightjackets,offering just one solution.For instance,if an upright card 'optimism', reveals its reversedmeaningwould be'pessimism',But I feel that optimism and pessimismsit side by side,not at opposite ends,and both possibilities should always be considered. However, I would encourageyou to experiment for yourself at all times, to discover the right path for you. There is no right or wrong way; the most important thing is that you find your own way. The cards act as springboards from which the intuitive por /ers should start working, and feelings and ideas evoked by the images are therefore the final touchstone for good divinatory interpretation.The better you get to know your cards - and using the guided fantasy and other exercisesdescribedlaterwill help a greatdeal- the more your intuitive powerswill be heightened,and the more sensitivea readeryou will become.If, initially, you immerseyourself in the storiesof the cards,they will filter through into your unconscious so you'll find that you are able to interpret the cards intuitively rather than needing to refer to the book lo discoverwhat eachcard means.As the old saying goes,the more you sow,the moreyou will reap. I have divided the book into four sections.The first three explain the cards in detail,and eachends with somesuggestedexercises.The fourth section concentrateson interpretation and describeshow to conduct a reading.Ihaveincluded a number of samplereadingsto illustratepossible -10-
=: -"1 interestin boih. t-or..;'r
\{ajor Tiumps are lea
':::essfully on their orl-n.t] :=rjs to get put ofT. This --x:remelyvaluable addttic::
'--: tbllow the sections in t :=ted,,vou will be surpris.d
:: irips with the ancient art (
Introduction ::-'-::-: r\- occult revival
style and interpretation.The book has been arrangedin such a way as to
: r --:.-:inq (seeyage18).
The weave together the learning processand the path of self-discovery.
:,r-r':> the old style,so
Major and Minor cards are mixed togetherin each section to encourage
,- - - :=, jinq significance
equal interest in both, for what often seemsto happen is that the twentytwo Major tumps are learned first, and, as they can be used quite
- - --- r--t personallysubr-:-i r::--reconfusing and ::::-:s ..rithin its upright . I :--.jir- speaking,rever-: -::-. but I believethat :-: :.:js in the spread-
successfullyon their own, the task of learning the other fifty-six cards tends to get put off. This is a pity becausethe Minor cards are an extremelyvaluable addition to the Tarot,asyou will seeaswe go along.lf .'ou follow the sections in turn and complete all the exercisesas sug' qested,youwill be surprised at how quickly and naturallyyou will come to grips with the ancient art of Tarotreading.
:i-r- ::\'ersals can act as -:-::---.if an upright card :.: :trssimism'.But I feel ::- :: --ppositeends,and -::-. However, I would .-- :-:res,to discoverthe -r.,-., :he most important .. -'. .:.. lltIuluvc :' li:-
Puwers
br the images are
interpretation.The :uided fantasy and - the moreyour intu.i-e a readeryou will -ts oi the cards,they -r j that you are able : :-- refer to the book j,j-.
: ioes,the moreyou
, :.- :-.: threeexplain the -.,: I :\-rcises, The fourth :-l-l:!
rc\\- to conducf a - ' l r r < t r a tn eo s s i b l e
- 11-
fhc &
The Origins of the Cards {lmost as fascinating and mysterious as the Tarot cards themselves / \ is the mystery surrounding their historical origins and purpose.
priests or Brahmins; Ssnrds t Pentaclesto the merchants..r\
Sudras.The Major Arcana ira -ould be the wandering mc,nli n path taken bythe TarotFml.
Moving to Europe: z rru-rL Switzerlandlwrote an essar. in
while it is true that the Tarot was, and still is, used as a game,it is also clear that the human love of playing gamesexists alongsidean equally human desireto understand and revealthe unknown. The Tarot can be
invented,where and bv rvhou
used as away of gaining knowledge and insight regardingthe past,pres-
irings,noblemen and commona
ent and future.Indeed,gamesare an interestingmodel for life - the cards we are dealt involve a certain amount of luck but howwe play the hand is up to us.whether the Tarot cardswere originally designedas a game or a symbolic system for divination, and whether the Major and Minor
f urposesto map out a scietv
cards were designed separately(and,if so,when they came together)is still ambiguous,even after much researchand debate.Arthur E. waite, himself a significant figure in the Tarot'shistory,wrote in the prefaceof Le TarotdesBohtmiens,'Thechief point regardingthe history of the T"rot cards,whetherused as pretexts for fortune telling or as symbols of philo. sophicalinterpretation,is that such history doesnot in fact exist,'l Although there are many books on the possibleorigins of the Tarot, written by historians for academicpurposes and lovers of Tarot alike, there is still no definitive answer.Many different theoriesexist as to the Tarot'sgeographicaland philosophical roots - its beginnings have been attributed to Italy spain, southern France,the Far East,the Middle East and Egypt, among other places- and many of thesetheoriesare fascinat-
:ined society'sstructure.He ic;
" rle the lesson of knor* inq : :epresentedthe classesof scr-= rristocracy; Coins or Pentacl*
rcr the peasants.Stayinq in Eur .-i King Charles Vl of Fran:,
iacquemin Gringonneur t-orthr, Jir.erse colours ornamentoi -* :lously like early Throtcard-..
The Tarot first appearedin th :ifteenth century.Richard C;.-.r
have emergedfrom the prer-aiiirr interestin the use of picturs -
levices.'2The Renaissance hur,; rfthe ancient world - a blen,] r: . ;ism and Hermetic and Cabaii.ti
ing and compelling. Indeed,it is part of the Tarot'srichness that it has elementsin common with so many differenr countries and their myths
spiritual and esoteric traditirn
and legends;the possibilities are as interesting as whatever the reality might be,so I will touch on a few of them here.
Another theory put t-onr:. Ritual to Romance3 is that the T
some writers have speculatedthat the cardscomefrom India and that the Minor Arcana refer to the four castesof Hinduism: Cups to the i Encausse, G6rard,'Papus', le TarotdesBohtmiens,paris.lggg
* 12-
Jrawn from this background t-:r
:.nd PenLaclewere connecte: v
- Tilley Roger.Pl afing Card s,Oct-.p*. -r:,: r_. - Car.endish,Richard. The llro r, \ i::: . :- ::: ' Weston,Jessie.From Ritual to R..n.;r.,r -s
TheOriginsof the Cards
priests or Brahmins; Swords to the warriors or Kshatriyas; Coins or Pentaclesto the merchantsorVaisyas;and Rods orWands to the serfsor
C ards
Sudras.The Major Arcana has been ltnked with Buddhism: the Fool could be thewandering monkwhose path of enlightenmentparallelsthe -,::: :.rds themselves . : . - . . . - r . -a-n- *d n r *u- rr "o o s e . qame, .:-, :: : it iS alSO
path taken by the Tarot Fool. Moving to Europe: a monk named Brother Johannesof Bredfeld in Switzerlandr wrote an essayin 1377 describinga gameof cards that out.
r--.:.:, The Tarotcan be
lined society'sstructure,He declaredthat he was ignorant of when it was invented, where and by whom, but he suggestedthe cards portrayed
-: -- -- -- -: --- -' -r: s t- -h- -ero* -a- 's tT. -o r c s -
kings,noblemen and commoners,and could therefore be used for moral
*- ,:, ::r life- thecards - . .. .\. piaythehand
purposesto map out a society and its structure.It could then teach peo-
- - - -.:- < i , l e : n - - t . - - l Y ".t'rrlt
'
1... --..gned ds a game
ple the lesson of knowing and keeping to their place. The suits representedthe classesof society:Cups for the church; Swords for the
,: :. \lalor and Minor : i m e -t.o- as) .e- -t' -h- /e ri)s
aristocracy;Coins or Pentaclesfor the merchants;and Rods or Wands
: - ..: \rthur E.Waite, ' - - = ' n t' -h^e' rn- r- e- 'f-a" c e o[
of King Charles Vl
- :. _ -:
.
sloryoftheTarot .\ l-l ILU U- IiJ - - r - ^ L : l o -
:
Ur
PrrI
tor the peasants.Staying in Europe: evidenceexists from a court ledger of France stating that money had been paid to
TacqueminCringonneur for three packs of cards illustrated in'gold and diverse colours ornamented with many devices',which sound suspiciously like early Tarotcards.
- --.
";t exist.'] - : --:-iins of the Tarot,
The Throtfirst appearedin the formwe knowit in ltalyduring the mid iifteenth century.Richard Cavendish suggeststhat the Tarot Trumps may
r ---.:i-iof Tarot alike, .,-:::--s existas to the
have emergedfrom the prevailing Renaissancebackground,which was of 'instructional, interest in the use of pictures as magical and mnemonic
: .: r ilnqs havebeen ,r :-.:. :he Middle East
devices.'2The Renaissancehumanists believed that the profound wisdom of the ancient world - a blend of Pythagoreanism,Graceo-Egyptian gnosti-
'i: :-:r:ies are fascinar- : :.-rness that it has - - . 1t h e i rm v t h s
cism and Hermetic and Cabalistic teachings- underpinned manydifferent
:r :. -::-\er the reality
Another theory put forward by JessieWeston in her book From Ritual to Romance3 is that the Tarot emblemsof the Wand, Cup, Sword
-
and Pentaclewere connected with the four Grail Hallows or sacred
-r r:l India and that --' -*r"
spiritual and esoteric traditions. Cavendish postulates that imagery drawn from this background found its wayinto the Tarot Trumps.
'" -^ . f i f l e r .R o g e r . P I a v i nCga r d s . O o o p u sB o o k s ,I 9 7 3 - Cavendish,Richard,The Tarot,Michael Joseph,1975 i Weston,Jessie. From Ritual to Romance(firstpub, 1920),Anchor Books,]957
'-13-
TheOriginsof the Cards objects found in the Grail castle of Arthurian legend.An interesting combination of Judaeo-Christiansymbols and mysterious Celtic images
-|_--a---:.-'_l:--
3:
;)i:-
::
{;::
;: :i
;r-5
:lt
;-i-i
:l
emerged in the Grail romances,which appearedbetween 1IB0 and 1200, and took European culture by storm.Ltke the trot, the Grail leg, ends reflect a path of personaldevelopmentand integration that makesit
::-
clear they are not merely storiesbut are symbolic of the processof striving towards selfawarenessand illumination.Weston proposedthat such
r
4
:-
- .:-
-.r-.--
_'_ -,-
J__-
arcanewisdom was a secretof the fourteenth-century Knights Templar who were believed to be privy to the inner mystery of the Grail. The
:
Flrrfi, ;'---*::
l_:---
.ra-
_:_
l:l :
lr_\
_-:-.
iht::;.1
:,;
Tarot suits and Grail Hallows couple thus: WaNo
The Lance of Longinus, the Roman centurion who was said to have piercedChrist s side as He hung from the Cross. (C--
Cup The Grail itself,said to be the cup used byJesusar rhe Last Supper.
----. -.-l-::--n
&e :r:.
::
: : . : : - : - , ' : - cr . - \ ' - -i : :
-: ililtS 1l' --:,-I- -.
Swono
- - : - : - =- - ' "
th-
nf:.1-.:.:
King David's legendary Sword of the Spirit referred to in the Old Testament.
,ffirn :-:,: ::---u:-i tLrt hil.::;
Pniltncre
S;
The Platefromwhich the Last Supperwas eaten,
The four Grail Hallows could be seen,in turn, Lohave descendedfrom the Four teasures of lreland,the magicalemblemsof Celtic myth. These treasureswere said to have belonged to the pre-Christian Celtic gods known as the Ti-rathade Danaanor the Peopleof the GoddessDanu. The chieftains of the Tuatha were expectedby their people to maintain wellbeing and prosperity of the land through their supernatural powers, Four magicaltreasures,the Spearof Lug, the Cauldron of the Dagda,the srvord of Nuada and the stone of Fal aided the gods in this. Thesefour treasuresshow striking similarities to the four Grail Hallows, and, in turn, io the four Tarot suits. \\ lro
The Spearof Lug is named after a supremelyversatilegod who
.r-asknorvn among his people for being'many skilled'.Legend goesthat -
1,4 -
i :::rilri
[ i m ] :l .
--i
:
is -::.:--::::
; - . : : j , = : . r S = . - - - :-:'--.. -; r-:-r.rnl:]ri::::d'.r-:.-
S* : ::r ----: .-r-r-iit:' :" --rui:. l:-= --*:rls'titni.::i. '
-'-'---f
.-: :
TheOrigins of the Cards -:.:j. -\n interesting
-'i.r
. ,-- T,rol, the Grail leg-
he presentedhimself to the Tiratha de Danaan,wishing to join :::=:r. he was asked to state his craft. Lug replied,'Carpenter',and was : '.". informed that the Tiratha alreadyhada carpenter.Lugaddedthat he -^',s also a smith, and was told they already had a smith, too. Lug then
-:- :.-:.iion that makesit . ' . : ' : = D r o c e sosf r s t r i v -
.:-:.:unced that he was not only a carpenterand a smith, but also a war:- --:.a harpist,a historian,a poet,a sorcerer,a hero and many other things
-r.--r.r:Jposed that such
:"-.rJe.Each post was reputedly alreadyfilled, but when Lug demanded : --inow whether the court had a single memberwho possessedall these
",-.: -:-rus Celtic images :- I l::\\'een 1 180 and
::- - -:-.- Knights Templar '.'::::1'-.f the Grail. The
u-ho was said to
:-'.. ,i the LastSupper. ::-:-- :eierredto in the
.<-,1s,it seemedthey had not, so the triumphant Lug was finally admitted :: r-rin the Tuatha de Danaan.When we come to look closely at the :1.,,-our'ofeach suit,we will seehow admirably this tale fits in with the .:it of Wands and its element.fire. - , i The Cauldron of the Dagda,meaning the All-Father, could never :'. :mptied, and no-onewas left with his hunger unsatisfied.The Dagda -..-s known as the nourisher of all his people,and his inexhaustiblecaul:::n not only fed the hungry but was even able to bring the deadback to '::. This treasureis connectedwith the Cups, and their element,warer. S .'.ono The deadly Sword of Nuada, King of the Tuatha,wasso power,:- that, when unsheathed,no enemy could ever escapeit, The suit of
:! ilten.
.-- :.:-.-:lescendedfrom
S-"ords,often associatedwith strife and battle,connectswith this treas-::. The Swords'element,air, fits well as it is the element that seeksto
. ' .l i' ..- .m, v,/ f h l h q 5 g - - : . : . - ' : : n C e l t i cg o d s
.:nCthe inescapable truth.
.- : ---:less Danu.The t,:- ---: :t maintainwell-
i.rltcLn
.'
- - - . - . l :rlJ. 'l-u" II d l ^P^U- -w. .C f S ,
-
:'jtheDasda.the - - ' - - -
* * b . 4 * ' !
: --,: ,r- lhis.Thesefour -::.,. ilellows, and, in
The Stoneof Fal,the coronation seatof Irish Kings,was said
:: cry out loud when sat upon by the rightful King of lreland.The stone --: St Columba, a cross-patternedstone found in old Celtic churchyards, >:emsto have connectionswith the Stone of Fal,which,like the stoneof -
-.::filo
-^l
.-,h^
l " -o" n- 'e^c* .t h r t -.= ] .:.e. n* b
--rthy with the magical,both qualities attributed to the Pentaclesand re ir element,earth. -15_'
TheOriginsof the Cards
If we take each element and suit as representativeof a psychological function, as conceived of by Carl iung, we can elaborateon the basic energiescontainedin eachcard.Let us look at eachsuit, elementand psychologicalfunction in turn.
5:,"''" Tl"
:
, -: -r
---.-
-:-: - __:-:t: --li: "mfi{i
Wnds-Fire-Intuition Fire is the energy that,in psychologicalterms,is called intuition,lt is the spark of divine creativity,the feeling of inspiration and inner certainty that forms an important beginning for the whole creativeprocess.Fire is the faith in one's ability to have'brainwaves', and to be able to make something out of a passingthought or daydream.Intuition is connected with the imaginationand theworld of creativefantasy.However,without the other elements- water, air and earth - to balance and stabilize this
-r:-.--
:--.
,-_:::
-+fir-:::-: - -.::- :a:::i-,-:-
::
,:_ - .
m[EUItr.:----1l;-:-.-:I. .: :i-,:-iS ,: l f f i s , n-: : : . - : > - : r - b . : - , - = , -
ilfii'ntr,--. : : ; :--:r .."1'--r>- :,- :.,-: aq :r-- . -.- .L: ]]--l: :,: l-Mm.r--.- .l .t:::-.:.@ffi1
-.r:.:
- - L - - - - - 1-
-:.. ::r-::...:
MSr-.r': - - . ::,--. ,-------:= .-: ffi!!L--.- -:l
--.-.:- . .-:',
=.=:--....
energy,it's possible that the creativity may tizzle out through lack of form. Associations to the motifs of flames, salamandersand positive colours of red, orange,and yellow will help you to identify the element and its message.
Cups-Water - Feeling Water symbolizes the feelings and emotions that give depth to the cre. ative urge represented by fire. W'hereas fire is active, masculine, life-giving power,the energy provided bywater is passive,feminine,nurturing. Water representsthe feelings and emotions thit are constantly shifting expression.ln the suit of Cups, the water elementseemsto refer mainly to relationships and personal life. When working together,the suit and its element deal with inner experiencesand realities that are emotionaland thereforeillogical and volatile.ln the sameway that uncontained fire may burn out of conlrol and become destructive, so uncontainedwater may overwhelm and end up drowning that which is most valuable within, The themesof fish, mermaids,streams,rivers and fountains help identify the element of water, as do the sofi colours of
|l.l- : - ::-.:,:--.
watery blues and pale pinks.
; - - . - : . - . : . -- ) - : : - - : : - - - - - \ '-16-
I":--: :r:r::-:
TheOrigins of the Cards :r--::i\-eof a psychological
S w o r d-s A i r - T h i n k i n g
-":- .i"borate on the basic : :'::: suit,elementand psy-
l:.
swords, the suit traditionally connectedwith strife and difficulty, :::resent the element of air. Air and intellect seek out truth and logic, -:- J the cutting edgeof the thought processdepictedby the Swords can ;-,:e through deceptionand illusion even though this may sometimesbe :"intul. However,if things are seenand understood,and even accepted,
i '. -.tled intuition.lt is the ':=:.:;r and inner certainty Fire is ::,. :reatirr Process. 1: ,:.,i to be able to make -,::. Intuition is connected . :, :-:.sr'. However,without : :"-,nce and stabilizethis
::-.n choicescan be made and decisionstaken. Thinking is an essential - .-nctionwhich we use to sort out muddled emotions;the more confused t. become,the more we need the sharp edge of the Swords to cut ::-:rugh to the truth. The design of birds and butterflies as well as an =:iphasis on cloud formation run through the Swords as a memory ::-:me. The cool colours of ice blues, greys and pale mauves act as a :.ninder of the airy element.
--::-e out through lack of .."-"nanders and positive ;--- :r identify the element
- Earth- Sensation Pentacles E-rth is a symbol for our bodies,our physical being and our physical :,.eds.The earth itself provides the firm basefrom which we can gro\ /.
-_ t -.
::cm the intuitive conception of an idea (fire), through its emotional -rportance (water),testedby the intellect (air),the earth finally provides
t;;.t :i
I
.l
.
.r
_ r . : .i i \ e o e P t nt o I n e c r e :-:. -s active, masculine,
- :ontainer for the idea to develop into reality.The elementearth is the ='sential baseon which foundations for creative,emotional or intellec-
::: -. :issive, feminine,nur'
:.r"1ideascan be established.These can be made solid and brought to
:,-:-::-r that are constantly ,''.:- :.:ment seemsto refer -:r-:- .'.';rking together,the
::ncrete form through the'earth-planeor sensationfunction. The sym:.rl of the five-pointed star,which is engraved on each pentacle,is a
':--=. ,nd realitieslhar are
:::asicalglyph symbolizing the earthy magic that is found every day in --rr bodies,in nature and in our world. The themes that typify the ele-
.:- :- - ;"me way that uncon- r,:-rrre destructive, so ' '1 'rich _: ::--'r-nlngtnat wr is
:rent of earth are small animals,flowers and fruit, which all signify the -"rths bounty. The colours are greens and browns, reminiscent of the :atural world.
:r.:,:--5.slreams,rivers and : -! - -- the soft colours of
\lore recently,Tarot expert Paul Huson has painstakingly tracedthe orilins of the four suits of the Minor Arcana, via the surviving Mamluk *17-
TheOriginsof the Cards
decks of Egypt,to the heraldic symbols denoting the four virtues and
fi5!--
the four Mazdean castesof ancient Persia.lHe suggeststhat the four car-
][q==
--:-:l-r-
n r:
:-::::>::j
- - - - - - .= - : . : : : : - i - - - . . i
dinal virtues of Prudence,whose emblem is a circular mirror, Justice, who carriesa sword, Temperance,whosesymbol is a cup, and Fortitude, who carriesa rod or wand, can be linked with the four suits of the Minor Arcana, namely Pentacles,Swords,Cups and Wands. Thesefour virtues also appear in the Major Arcana: The Hermit as Prudence; Justice; Temperance;and Strength as Fortitude.
x*-[ :-:-: r--Coult .i.,.".1
Huson also locatesthe figures of the Major Arcana in the mystery and miracle plays that were popular in ihe Middle Ages, Mystery plays were supernaturaldramasor sacredhistoriesthat were playedout before followers of Christianity. The play would start with the birth of a hero,
i:::
follow his life, then chart his death or descentinto darknessto retrieve
.r -t
:: :-:: i-\rles[-i \l,Ju_: ir .'Fi:i:-i the g"-r]-. " C:i "-t
sometreasure.This might be in the form of a loved one or even the hero's
-'i=:
own life. The hero must struggle in the dark before winning the prize and returning to life or the outer world in triumph. Of course,the life,
as ther- tlil
i:--t-:
.r:uni m .r:: :i
F{.rme-. Tri-
death and triumphant rebirth of Jesuswas the play most popular in Europe during the Middle Ages, but such miracle plays had their roots
=t:r;h
le_.s ;cmp.':1
. j;-:--,'!r
produ;ins i:ir
in the mysteryplays of ancientGreece.Among such playswere the
r :-: :inetrenth -rn:;:-l
Eleusian mysteries,which celebratedover two years the abduction of
Im--
-Lhc
l::--=.]
lfr\j:a:-t
Persephone , her restorationto Demeter,the birth,life and violent deathof Dionysus, Persephone'simpregnation and Dionysus' rebir.th as lacchus,
trile-:- ..::r"-betrnJ ::: :\
god of light.
milr:!:::- :;;ks
Although
the Tarot made its first documented appearance in
-*'cre
ilfi;*-: ---: j
lfrr:-
r-nu--r1.r:t
toljc*'thr
:u.
=-:rabct rr-e:t :i-:
t
RenaissanceItaly in the fifteenth century, it enjoyed a major revival in
@rr.L-{-: Trr
the eighteenthcentury,when French occultists claimed its origins to be
lnmri: :.r]:
Egyptian. They declared that it contained the purest doctrines of
unr:=:c:-i r; thr \ftn--r _\:,
Egyptian priesis,who were said to have concealedsecretsin the images
@mL::,::::l nith
of the cards to protect and preservethem from the uninitiated. They put
olligr,:l:=:::a ireet namt _-: G
forward the theory that the cards had been brought into Europe by gyp-
ca;: :: ::.: -Jur rit-=l-
sies,who were then believedto have emigratedfrom Egypt. The pioneer
iimnrni-:r; - r:..1k .-t ;f eatir 6 ;1;1:.
in this school of thought was Antoine Court de Gebelin, a clergyman
ffiu:l
-18-
intl L'einSt_h.::--
the Ht:::*-
:_-.
:::. :lrst H. \\.t.i
I :-".lLLl* :,r -'t:t-
1Huson,Paul,M7 stical(iigins of theTarot,DestinyBooks,2004
li L-r. *:_-:
:, -1;-::t-_:
:
.:1 _\ii
r,l I :
TheOrigins of the Cards :----:-:,ithe four virtues and : -: :,{{ests that the four car-. . :jrcu] ar mirror, Justice, ' : . - . - - . a L u P , a n dF o r t i t u d e ,
; :r \\-as deeply interestedin the secret lore and doctrines of ancient i:-' pt. This subjectenjoyedfashionableattention at the time, alongwith :-- kinds of other esotericand occult matters.court de Gebelin thought ::-: Tarot images of the Major Arcana were remnants of the Book of l:.:th, and wrote a highly acclaimedbook entitled The primitiue world
:: ::- iour suits of the Minor : - :.\ "nds. Thesefour virtues i::::-i as Prudence;Justice;
-\',.,iitsedand Comparedwith theModern wbrldr in which he connected ':-= \lajor Arcana with secret beliefs and traditions of ancient Eygpt.
,1, ,-: -\rcana in the mystery
-\::ording to court de Gebelin, the ancient custom was to stand in the :=::'plesof Thoth,whose walls were adornedwith pictorial imagesrepre-
\ 1-- -ie ,\qes, Mystery plays :-: ::-:- .. ereplayedout before ::::: '.\lth the birth of a hero, :::-: -::to darknessto retrieve ' : . =i one or even the hero's .:i :.-rre winning the prize ::- --::Dh. Of course,the life, 's ,:, plav most popular in - - -l^-,- L^I L. roots rr.-r:-.c pldvsnad rtneir : - _- , - ,. -._ -: )-u.L. r. rL ^ l - . ,r - .vv e r et h e -.,
Prdl
-..-,-\-earsthe abduction of : -:::.,ire andviolentdeathof L ::',-sus'rebirth as Iacchus, - - .- t n f e d a oearance in * ror"-'' ' - - - - . ' . ,I a m a i o r r e v i v a l i n - - ' . - . j m e d 'i"t"s o r i s i n s t o b e "'-b'
:-
*..-- !
-,!-
I'uICiL
l--'-ineS
LTULLI
Of
S.a..t, in the images
:,::'-::
:,-.: .:-. uninitiated.They put ::,-::ht into Europe by gyp.-
l-^.,^l
lh^
:.: - . r.'trl fq)'PL. IIIc Proneer
r-:- r- Gebelin,a clergyman
;::rting the major forces governing the patterns of life. The person *.-.hing to consult the gods would throw a loose bundle of rods at rani--n, and as they fell with varying emphasis towards one image or ;:::ther, the priests would interpret the patterns,which were known as --::r..'ords of the gods'.out of tht custom grew the practiceof carrying :-: imagesaround in card form,'the unbound leavesof the sacredbook --: Thoth Hermes tismegistus'.ln this way, consultation with the gods :.::ame much lesscomplicatedand any room could be turned into a tem:-.. simply by producingthe pack of cards, In the nineteenth century,a French Rosicruicianand cabalistEliphas r :r-i stressedthe apparent link between the twenty-two letters of the H.trew alphabet and the twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana, The \laror cardswere renumberbdto fit into this cabalisticsystemand many ::rlern packs follow the numerical order of this time, The letters of the iiebrew alphabetwere said to connectwith the twenty-two paths of the ::'nalistic Tiee of Life, which, among other things, illustrates how the .:rld cameinto being through the ten divine emanationsor spheresthat ::rrespond to the Minor Arcana cards,Ace to Gn. The four suits were ::nnected with the Hebrew letters of the alphabet,Y-H-V-H, which ::noted the greatname of God, The letterswere in turn connectedwith =-;h of the four elementsthus:Y, fire and the suit of wands signifies the ::ritial spark of creativeenergythat is neededto start any project or living ::ring; the first H, water and Cups adds emotion and feeling to this J:urt de Gebelin,Antoine.Le Monde Primitif Ana\st et Compar'eauecleMonde Moderne,
: : : s .1 7 8 1
-19--
TheOriginsof the Cards and Swords,standing for intellect and power of thought, is added,the energy and emotions remain unorganized' The final H, Earth and Pentaclesstands for the operation of making the end
Hcn- t
process,butuntilVAir
product real in physical terms by giving it structure and form, In the late nineteenth century, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn gave the Throt an important position in its teaching and has proved to be a major influence on subsequentattemptsto interpret the cards,Although the order only lasted a couple of years,it neverLheless exercised a lasting effect on subsequent magical groups. The Golden
-Lrlr-: -l----l i.=-:--.
i
-f-+--:.----i-r'-'
whose secrelwisdom Dawn s anceslrywent back to the Rosicrucians, had its roots in cabala.Their teachings included alchemy aspectsof Graeco,EgyptianGnosticism and magic.Arthur Edward Waite joined the Golden Dawn in 1891 and devisedtheWaite deck drawn byPamela Colman-Smith,which is one of the most popular decks around today. Otherwell-known membersof the order included the notorious magician Aleister Crowley,who alsodesignedhis own Tarot deck,and.W B'Yeats, who was fascinatedby the use of Throt cards to explore mysterious worlds and evokevisions,a technique taught bythe Golden Dawn. Today the Tarot is used for divination but also for self,illumination and exploration; a systemthat has been around for at leastfive hundred years yet shows no sign of ageing.Indeed, its popularity seemsto be
{
--_-_:-':-
---{i
:-
---
increasing,but it's not losing any of its mysterious appeal.More new decks are being designedall the time, and many of the oldest ones are being rediscoveredand printed, while researchcontinues into the hiscards. tory and originsof the enigmaLic Sr :.io::-, - :,:i:r=:,-: f WEFJ:-,J
:i: : :":::
: - :: ::,
--l lI: --t tr:
lsr-* ;- -r.::rrr--rr-::: -i:-.-:
roqm,: : --i-r'":: mm,rJ,irrg-l-a ::-:j
:: :t--< - --:-i:rl .:-:
t i @- - - . - - - - - : : - r - r . : :
*20-
::= ::,
i :- :'
-,,:'.. ,-r intellectand power of - ' - ' -- ., ' n a i n r* -r- "n- bo* ' r- p a n i z eTd h. e '*'-'
How the TarotWbrks
r: - ::::lion of making the end : .::'.:iure and form. l.::-.-.. Order of the Golden - - " : n i" -t s -t' e *-'a - ' - 'c b h i n sa n d h a s
he riddle of why the Throt cards work lies wirhin the mind of the readerrather than in the actual cards.The images act as mirrors,
- . : t t e m p l st o i n t e r p r e t h e
,,-: .lied alchemy,aspectsof
t :---h offer a reflection of unsuspectedknowledge burled deep in the -:-::nscious mind. Rachel Pollackt saysthat while ancient people spoke 'other --i ::e worlds' or the 'lands of the gods',today we speak of the ':-:rnscious'. She points out that the underlying experienceremains:a :=.-n of being inwhich time doesnot exist and knowledge is not limlted
---:-aur Edward Waite joined ----,','rte deckdrawn by Pamela
:-- ::e images received from our senses.The Throt works as a bridge :t::.\een our conscious and unconscious knowledge. Answers and
: ::-:-rLar decks around today. t'-i the notoriousmagician :
i:-,'o-ledgeariseout of the unconsciousthrough dream,fantasyand intu-
,'",: T:rot deck,and W B.Yeats,
Paul Huson2, a respectedTarot authority, suggeststhat learning the :::"nings of the pictorial imageson Lhecards can be comparedwith, or
--
:: - :-: oi vears,it nevertheless - ,- . r ^ - - . . - - ^.r LI e G o l d e n ---<-!Jl
.:-.: ,:rs,$'hose secretwisdom
. . : r . i t o e x p l o r em y s t e r i o u s -i:- :\ the Golden Dawn. -- - -.: "lso for sel[illumination : - .-: ior at leastfive hundred :: - , > oopularity seemsto be .'.:-rious appeal.More new
.:-::, and,when sensitivelyread,the Tarotcards stimulatethis intuition.
:.--'sibly even arosefrom, ancient memory systemsor'ars memorativa', ]: Greeks invented an art of memory systembasedon impressingupon ::-= mind a sequenceof imageswith a parLicularsignificance,to improve :::mory recall.This methodwas passedon via the Romans,and was used
-r :-::r\- of the oldesi ones are
- ireat deal by medieval monks.ln the days when books were rare and -,'sth, student monks were obliged to memorizelengthy tracts from the few
conlinues into the his-
i-. .iiable books and manuscripts.To aid their memory,they used pictures or
::::t,it
.:.cially arrangedsymbols aroundwhich to focus eachsectionof the text. l:: materialwould be mentallyfiled away,as it were,under the'heading'of :::: particularimageor picture,in the back of the studentsmind,whenever . :rrticular chapteror tract neededto be retrieved,the student would simply ---oxat the appropriatekey image,and the knowledgewould automatically -,-ne forward to his consciousmind.This systemwasusedto memorize :-iiqious creeds,and the practiceof following the stations of the cross -: Catholic churches is an exampleof this systemstill in use today, ::.-:ck, Rachel.Seventl-EightDegreesof Wisdoin,The Aquarian press,1983 ' ::s,.n, Paul.TheDeuil s Picturehook.Abacus.1971
*2r-
How the TarotWorks
However,the monks did not include one specialpractice,which had been a central part of classical memory systems.This was a Greek
Cetting to
method of approaching gods called the'enlivening'of the imaginarion, behevedto bring additional mysterious benefits as well as an excellent memory.During the Italian Renaissance,whenthe Tarot first emergedin the form it retains today,memory systemsstartedto include associations with magical talismans,amulets or pictures,which it was hoped would reveal the deeper meanings behind the whole of creation.Meditation upon theseprofound imageswas intended to raise an individual's consciousnessbeyond the mundane and the trivial in order to achieve a connectionwith the divine. In many ways,learning to read the Tarotworks in a similarway to the 'ars memorativa'.Using the imageson the cardsto enrich and enliven the imagination,the readergains a special insight into the cards and their meanings.By learning the symbols on each card in this way,the associations will spontaneouslyreveal themselveseach time a card is laid out. The Tarot imagesact like mirrors, reflecting things that the unconscious mind already knows, and feeding this information through to the conscious mind. Those images are powerful archetypes that can identify relevant associationswith unexpected accuracyif left to their own devices. The imagery on the Major Arcana of the Sharman-Cabellideck, which is used to illustrate this book, uses colour and symbolism to aid understanding of the cards,but you will notice that various key images keep recurring. For example,the colours white and red represent the opposition betweenintellect and emotion,while the frequent appearance
:ltinq to knoo r-u-rulT-: :nJerstandinq the T;rr
ruusr::: illustrate this book. the *,m:!: i--.ou should cho.-se Ln an*:t-- t.r \-our personal tastt ; @:. i ::ust be impres>i\-i ::i m n n r : - - : if.h e o l d s u p e r s t i t i . - n ti for ,."=,t iqnored. fhe most i:.n
mu: :.ils: ther. should br liit m&T :---r rv achier-eds-ith " l,;: ffi'::- --: lecks to choc- i:--: f,-sr--:-:- er the u-oodcut_\{;15;l ffin---',;11 to the imaqinaLirE l;.;s.
Ttr:r .: r-.oell sorth takinq _'"n !E{- >t:ri ,r,orkinq ,r ith ..nt _o.:---:.-.-ro chosen a decli. "_-.. --f gettinq to kncn thc ; nmri-=_::s mtf: ::sFCt: treasurethem .s s :: -:r .-therpeoplehanj_= t ':. a iittie box: others nr"
of two pillars reminds us of the continual tension betweenthe opposites of youth and age,day and night,life and death,masculine and feminine. The Minor Arcana uses key colours to alert the readerinstantly to the elementsof each suit: reds and yellows for the fiery Wands; soft blues and pinks for the watery Cups; ice blue and grey for the airy Swords; and greensand browns for the earthy Pentacles. By the sametoken there are recurring symbols, such as salamandersand flames for fire, fish or mermaidsto signifywater, birds and butterflies for air,andfruit and animals to representearth, -22-
:;- >-initicanceand thl. arr]i \{.--.- Iarot readercp..p.r...n -- ;j : ,eries of breathjng .rt L1-::::: hrit and,in turn. t-:: :-- -rne to the tbre.lt l. trtl:i r :: -:ne.\\'hich u ill heip,-_-i; 1
' - i - - - ' i l n r a c t i c ew h i c h h a d ,.','i,:::rs,This was a Greek : . ' = : . i n q ' o ft h e i m a g i n a t i o n ,
Getting to Know Your Cards
::,::--: as ..'ell as an excellent ::--- :jle Tarot first emergedin ;-::::r to include associations -. '.:li-h it was hoped would , : -,= ri creation,Meditation , .,- ::i-.e an individual's con::, . -,i in order to achievea -.:::is in a similarwayto the :: -s -l enrich and enliven the ,-:: - ,rto the cards and their : -::: in this way,the associai ::,it time a card is laid out. : , rr{i that the unconscious
:t s;teiy ignored.The most important thing is that you feel at homewith -.--rr cards; they should be hke old friends, intimate and familiar - this :,-.-not be achievedwith a pack that youVe been given. There are hun::=ls of decks to choose from, from the traditional fifteenth-century -.-,,-onti or the woodcut Marseillesdeck,to the rnoremodernwaite deck,
-------r and symbolismto aid
:.-:--uqhto the imaginativedecks like the Mythic Tarotor the Arthurian --::t. It is well worth taking sometime to decideyour preferenceas,once ',': -r startworking with one setof images,it's difficult to switch to another. Having chosen a deck, examine the images carefully: the exciting ::-\ess of getting to know the cards is just beginning. Tieat your cards ;'-:h respect;treasurethem as something special to you alone,and try
:-,-: ihat r-ariouskey images ':.'^-- :n,l red renresentthe
:-,-i to let other people handle them casually,Some readerskeep their :':Js in a little box; others wrap them in a cloth.I use the traditional
--:-:,-,rn through to the con::'- :\?es that can identify :.:
,- .ett to their own devices.
- ::.
'
etting to know your Tarot deck is a vital part of Lhe processof f \Junderstanding the Tarot,Although the Sharman.Casellideck is ::: j to illustrate this book, the divinatory meaningswill work with any :::i. so you should choosethe pack you like best.The imagesneed to i::.al to your personal taste and senseof style and colour, for the pic:-::s must be impressive enough for you to turn them into 'mind :r-::Jrs'. The old superstitionthat buying your ov/n pack is uniucky can
Sharman-Casellideck,
. -:ri irequent aPPearance
:-';k silk square,which was believedto keep the cards neutral and pro-
::-.-r:- bet*-eenthe opposites
:::t them from negative energies.whether or not you believe this, the :."1 importancelies in the care and effort you take in making and keep.
:: l :;SCuline and feminine. -:. -:-: readerinstantly to the : ..-- :i:rvWands; soft blues : - rr:\' tor the airy Swords; ,--.. Br-thesametokenthere ri :r- - ilames for fire, fish or :--,-s:ll air,and fruit and ani-
:-; a relationship with your cards.Anything we treasure takes on a .:ecial significanceand this appliesto your Tarot cards. \lany Tarotreaderspreparefor a readingusing a method of relaxation .-i:h as a seriesof breathing exercises.The rhythm of deep breathing :.,ares the body and, in turn, the mind, so that the intuitive powers are -:re to come to the fore.It is helpful to work out, and stick to, a prepara:,-n-routine,which will help you to distinguish your individual style, -23*
Gettingto KnowYourCards
It is important to use imagination and fantasy to get to know your cards and interpret their imagesso thai the intuitive levels of the uncon-
-\ common difficultr- r. ht::
duce its own associatedimages.Make a note of the images that recur.
: - ::ejudge situations.Thl. i:-i - i :,. read trot. A u orli . ---: -.\'ould :,:,: ever marr\'.Thi. o: -n-anted -:.*: to marry for a 1.-:: . - _ : ; .S h e w a s i n h e r t b r t i . =
Acquiring this habit can increaseyour personalfeeling about eachcard
:r:,,.nally doubted that shr 11
as you build your ovin rapport with the images.Let yourself reallyfeel
:": - :.ading as I didn't $-ant i -.
the heat of the blazing Sun; let the cool mist rising from the dewy pond mer's scent in the Empress'scornfield; hear the loud blast from the
:- -. ;ndicatedlove,marri;i: , u*-- :-:sentiallydisbelie.-ins.i: : r,:-.: I saw to avoid di>appr-
Judgementangel'strumpet, This all helps to enliven your imagination.lt may seeman effort at first, but if you are seriousin your wish to become
J*., =rtheless, I readthe cari :: ;i:-: ret the man that she t-.s t
a good Tarot reader,you cannot afford to take short cuts. Once you get
.i;-.rjr.r country.This is a prir: :r::-: '.'.rLlr own judgement. "n: ---l,-lever,what the car.j. "o f. : r..i. Their message is .-:r=: :,
scious are stirred.A good way to do this is to make up storiesabout each card,lettingyour imaginationrevolve around the chosenimage.lf you do this severaltimes,you will flnd that the card starts to automaticallypro-
on the Moon card send shivers down your spine; smell rhe fresh sum-
involved in the enchanted work of imagination and fantasy, it will becometoo much fun to seemlike work. To develop as a truly sensitive Tarot readeryou must be serious in your intention.You need to be awareof what your cards can ahd can't do for you. They can give indication and guidelines for future events,they can clarify a difficult situation,which makes it possiblefor you to start thinking about it in a different light, and they can suggestopportunities for changeor action.The energy of the cards seemsto indicate the possibilitles available,but you need to meet lhem halfway.Justas it's no good sitting inside when the sun is shining, hoping to get a tan, the energies
::,t ;.-Ler room to make up t:.. :::,:-ilt to answer,and the :.::
;ts . >,:tof strict instructi.-n: \l rti :-:-i. trr- fo discussr.-h-;r--=:
i,n])::- raiher than attemplin; t 5:: -:lmes,just acknos-ledij:,
cards suggestchange,do somethingpositive about it.lf they suggestyou
a: -. :=adersareoften con u,:= ;d--- :. lecisionor despair.b"r-.:r h-- :-: :ards for help s hen thot
do nothing, take heed.One client came for a reading to ask for advice
[L-,--.'::: asu'e]l as to taltrl.S"r:i
about a complication that had arisenduring a house purchase,The cards
$,-i. :. h-rrrthis can be Jln-
and opportunities indicated by the cards have to be acted upon. If the
indicated that it wasn't a good proposition, and that it would prove too much for him to copewith. However,the client took no notice,proceeded with the legal battles and finally bought the house,only to find that he couldn't managethe payments andwas forced to sell almostimmediately. He consulted me over the next purchase and that time the cards were more favourable.As far as I know he is still livine in the secondhouse. *),1
-
l.'- trllou'ing section-.g1..-
br:1,:i.:scriptionsand their ::-, fr:i. :,.-r:ionssvstematicalh "*i bn::,:=nor-inq on to the nr,\t ii -* -:.: the learninq f r-\::: :. j,iir-r;--. :ullJinq an in-deprh i:-_-
CettingLoKnowYourCqrds -_--i:\- to gel to Knowyour -
--
,-
L^
^^!
l^
l--
: ,'-,:*-ii\-elevelsof the uncon-
,1.ommon difficultywhen first readingfor friends,is the temptation
.:- :-'rts to automaticallypro-
:: :::iudge situations.This happenedto me long ago when I was learn:-: :-- read Throt.Awork colleagueaskedme to read her cards to seeif i;-- -..-ouldever marry.This woman was much older than I was and she r- .* anted to marry for a long time but had had no successfulrelation-
:-,.- ,-: the imagesthat recur.
':-::s. She was in her forties and, from my youthful naive posilion, I
:-::,. .eelingabout eachcard
ir:-r-nally doubted that shewould evermarry.l was reluctant to even do ::--=:eading as I didn't want to be the bearerof bad tidings, so when the : ': -s indicatedlove,marriageand a changeof residenceI was surprised
- r :-,:de up storiesabout each : '. ' ;hosenimage.lfyou do
-:::s.
Let yourself reallyfeel
-- : -.,ngfrom the dewy pond -r :---ne;smell rhe fresh sum:: " , -:re loud blast from the '
'' r\ dn \crrrrimroin2[ i6p1.lI
;---: :ssentiallydisbelieving,so much so that I was temptednot to tell her = t't
I saw to avoid disappointment,so sure was I that I knew best. \=-. trtheless,l read the cards truthfully, and three days after the reading
::- ----. in r-ourwish to become
'::= met the man that she was to marry six months later,and moved to
-::.: -.lort cuts.Once you get
i:---rhercountry.This is a prime exampleof how difficult it can be to sus:t:J vour own judgement,and yet it is a necessarylessonto learn.
..r.:---'r and fantas;i,it will
l{owever,what the cards will not do is state definite, unchangeable :: -:- \-.rumus[ be seriousin j '"'r-r cardscan and can't do
:,-:lts. Their messageis often necessarilyvague,for it's important to give
-:--:-:Stor future events,they
::::icult to answer,and the cards should be used as a guide rather than
t-. - :ossible for you to start
::
::-.' ::n suqgestopportunities --j j::rns to indicate the possi-
.
. . . : * a i . T u sal s i l s n o g o o d
:-..: :l qet a tan,the energies r,: .: r-l be actedupon.If the - I -'-:Lit . lf lhey suggestyou : . :..jinq lo ask for advice - ' r ourchase.Thecards *'-"*".-' :- - - -. '.:c . - --rf
. ' r- - , ^ , , 1 1 -
. -' - :d[ lr wouro provetoo -::. :rK no notice,proceeded : - -. -i :-c. .' o' -n- l' v- /f o f i n d t h a t h e :: . :,- >ell almostimmediately. ,- , :i.t time the cardswere :-i in the secondhouse,
::-. seekerroom to make up their own mind. Specific questions arevery set of strict instructions.When dealing with &fficult matters in a " :..Jing, try to discusswhat can be done and how the situation may have .:rsen rather than attempting to offer concrete predictions or advice. -::metimes,just acknowledging that difficulties exist can be helpful. -.rot readersare often consulted by clients who are in a stateof confu. s-:n, indecisionor despair,both mentally and emotionally.They rnayrurn :,- the cards for help when they have a problem to solve,so be prepared :-- listen aswell as to talk. Samplereadingsin the fourth part of the book .-iqqesthowthis can be done. The following sectionsgive full descriptionsof eachcard,their sym:.:iic descriptionsand their meaningwithin a reading.Be sure to follow :he sections systematically and perform all the exercisescompletely :eiore moving on to the next stage.The sectionshave been formulated i-'' make the learning processsimple and enjoyable as well as a way of slowly building an in-depth knowledge. -25-
PAR
Th T
PART ONE '>: MAJOR CARDS
e-{'
The Fool TheMagician The Empress The Emperor The High Priestess The Hierophant The Lovers The Chariot a .?,
*€ MINOR CARDS *' The Aces The Twos TheThrees The Fours The Fives
*27-
The Fool'sJourney journey l[would like to treat the Major tumps in terms of the Fools .lLthroreh various stagesof life, a familiar theme in a greatmany myths, legends and,fairy tales.The Fool's journey can be seen as a story that
Ifu Fcoii ;hiUhod cni r,r':ltfr
makes the Throt easierto learn and understand,especiallybecausethis theme is, broadly speaking,that of everyone'slife. The basic myth starts with the birth of a hero, a person with mortal and divine parentage.ln our story,thehero is the Fool and in SectionOnewewill followhis early life through childhood and education(The Magician),meetinghis mortal parents (The Empress and The Emperor)his divine parents (The High Priestessand The Hierophant) and his loves and conflicts (The Lovers and The Chariot). The Throt imagesare archetypal,as is the story this journey tells,and some myths and legends overlap.As many mythological figures have much in common with specific cards,l have found it useful to associate the Major Arcana cards with a particular mythical story or figure and, on the whole,l have stuck to Greek myths as their richness provides a The myth of the good senseof the card,its meaningsand its resonances. to The Judgementof Paris,for example,adds a much richer dimension Lovers card than its bald keyword description'a love affair involving a trial or choice'. The four elementsof fire,water,air and earth,which feature so promi' nently in astrology,alchemyand the whole spectrumof esotericthought, also appearfrequently in Tarotimagery.Some,thoughnot all,of the cards can be associatedwith zodiac signs or their planets,and,when appropriate,I have included them. Let us now look at the first eisht cardsin detail,startingwith The Fool.
-28-
Ftnmas: teuhs: eui'fuotsil& theR:n,il-* nPmatr
TheFool'sJourney
Ares: war; conflict; struggle
;1-
:: s --: the Fool's journey :r- -r .r qreatmany myths,
TheFool'schildhood andyouth
: r. ,ieenas a story that - -.:ecially becausethis
t
-,. The basicmyth starts In ,--,: Ji.-ine parentage, 'i :,. - s-il1follow his early i,:-':r . meetinghis mortal :','-:rr parents(The High . '- ::nt-licts (The Lovers :::-. ihis journeytells,and
i--..::-es.The myth of the - : ::ir dimensionto The
'\phrodite: Iove; choice
/'
CIiron: :elestial father
i-l t L
Zeus: earthly tather
' .:.. :nd,when appropri-
Persephone: celestial mother
DemeLer: earthly mother
1[,@l |ll llr,',' ll
|t-1r ';""';ll l]* t ,/ -:----'r l','
: ;. r:;h featureso promi::: --i:rnot all,ofthe cards
|
lr *,"''"'.-'ll
- . -,-',-eaffair involving a
thought, :.' ::. -.f esoteric
Hfr.HrRr,lr$
|tl
* " ,::loqical figures have , *:--- -t useful to associate - - - < t o r vo r f i p r r r ea n d , /"...|)*'" - ---: rlchnessprovides a
M M lFll W- E-:ll Hermes: teacher; guide of souls; the Fools mentor
lll,--
ll
ll il
ill,' 'l
tLitu__.rl
:,, :-'rtinq with The Fool. Donysus: travelleron the Tarot path
ZJ
' THg Foor .
::-::ace the world. He sh,:u i: is before him a singlt .;r
:::--1lent posturesuqqe-
:-'
- r - - - - -j
t ",,, f,.,tpa:tni ] nin-:r:-\ into the unknoo-n".r "lo"
-t:
^Fth.
=lge is at the forefr.-nr
f= :-ul doesn't even looir"&
h'*-:= :riqht sun fills the leti,l F:.- - ..ems to rise abo. e the :
- :.. Fool carrieshis sr;i: .
lhru'.-''burden.The bundle r.
h,n-.:-- immediateneed.Tht s
fr :,-:-:halantly over his sh.-u ffi ,-_:pc*erful potential.Ber
$*:-:,,-1 of the psy.chean.j d rffiii Ln the forefront oi the -'' ;- .'-lpplies the leare=:r--
S :r i. rhr iinal card,is :--nr. rcr--r--.-. reilectinqthe mur:-e k.:-:
iirections. His i.-:
!!nmr.:-rr\-nthat all humar. :
: : - : - - r ' h o t s t h a t .J e . p i : =
: *:-:nerted terrain.
-:- ::-l-: Iarot tale.the Fl-, i -:ri sith a nurnkr ,-: r rii-- :-l\-e a similar stcrr-. B
he imageof the Fool startsoff the Major Arcana sequence'In many ways he is the most important card in the pack'The Fool is the only one of the Major Arcana to live on in the modern playing card deck
: :----:os a questthat rnri *'r t'.i ;onquerinq the t.-rt
where he exists as the Joker.The Jokerin modern gamesis known as a 'wild'card, one which can take the place of any other card and, like the
.* : :-"The character ..f Dc ::: n-ith the Iarot F,ti.
TarotFool,is unnumbered and can mean all or nothing. Let us take time to examinethe imageryin depth.The central figure is a youth dressedin bright colours,whose oPen pose seemsto want to --30-
i::=:.'=r. r.-hen]eus s n==
TheFool
::,:race theworld.He shouldersa staff with a bag attachedto it, and : - is before him a single white rose.His upturned, cheerful face and :---,-iJentposture suggestenergy and adventure.A dog prancesbeside .--:: looking both excited and anxious as togetherthey prepare to step - : - ine edgeof the imposing precipice.This is the first step of the Fool's r-- rnev into the unknown, yet his expressionis calm and positive' The :-:-- edgeis at the forefront,sowe can'l seewhat lies beneaththe Fool; :--.- Fool doesn't even look, Behind him in the distancelies a dark forest, : *: : bright sun fills the left-handcorner of the card and the figure of the : --,:iseemsto rise abovethe clouds. The Fool carrieshis staff and bundle lightly; it doesn't apPearto be a :-::\-v burden. The bundle representshis past experiencesof which he r-:: oo immediateneed.The staff symbolizesenergy,yet the Fool carries -. :-onchalantlyover his shoulder as if he is unaware of or unimpressed :'.' ,ts powerful potential.Beforethe Fool flutters a beautiful butterfly a ,';rbol of the psyche and the truth, which is perhaps what the Fool -::ks. in the forefront of the card is a laurel bush; perhaps it is the one ::.t supplies the leaves from which the crown on the figure of the -,i. -.rld,the final card,is fashioned.The Fool wears bright multi-coloured - --rhes,reflecting the muddled impulseswithin him that pull him in dif-.rcnt directions. His dog symbolizes the instinctive fear of the -:Known that all humans share,while his step off the edge of the :::cipice shows that, despitehis fear,he is preparedto take the plunge ----..unchartedterrain.
-t-: : ':la sequence.In manY : _: : i. The Fool is the only r,,-.r:rn playing card deck t,-::t {f,rteSiS known as a ,:.-.':iher card and,like the ::-,-:linq.
--:r -1.The centralfigure is :. -- :,-se seemsto want to
In this Tarot tale,the Fool is our hero,The figure of the Fool could be ,=-cciatedwith a number of Greek, Egyptian or Celtic heroes,many of -;.-romhave a similar story.Born of both mortal and divine parents,the *.ro follows a quest that involves him facing many different situations, -'.:luding conquering the forces of darknessbefore achieving his goal ln .:.umph.Thecharacterof Dionysus,theGreek god ofwine,has much in :,-mmon with the Throt Fool, He was known as an overturner of hide:':und traditions,the god of madnessas well as ecstasy.One myth tells ,:iat Dionysus was born of the union between Zeus and Semele,a mor' -=1.However,when Zeus'sjealouswife Hera discoveredthat Semelewas --31 -
TheFool
'THEI
carrying her husbands child, she disguisedherself as the girl's maid and persuaded Semeleto insist that Zeus reveal himself to her in all his divine glory.When he did so,shewas immediatelyscorchedto death by brilliance too great for mortal flesh to behold. Nevertheless,Zeus managed to save the unborn Dionysus and sealedthe foetus in his thigh until it was ready to be delivered.When the baby Dionysus was finally born, Zeus entrusted him to Hermes' care and upbringing. Another Orphic version of the birth of Dionysus tells that the Titans,older gods envious of Dionysus'noble birth, tore him limb from limb and boiled him in a cauldron. Zeus, however,stepped in ajain, saving the childs queen of the underworld, in the form heart,which he fed to Persephone, of pomegranate seeds.Thus impregnated,Persephonegave birth to Dionysus-Zagreus,godof light and ecstasy. The Fool is like each of us on our various quests through life. He is like the child discoveringlife for the first time,or the adult searchingfor a new meaningor senseof purpose.The Fool seeksthe truth, and turns his attention towards the spirit in searchof it. His madnessor foolishnesslinks him to the divine, for originally the word'silly'meant'blessed'. The Fool is simple,trusting, innocent and ignorant of the trials and pitfalls that await him; he is preparedto abandonhis old ways and take the leap into the unknown in order to follow his quest. Perhapsyou can identify with the Fool as you begin your adventure and prepare to journey with him through the Tarot.Like hm, you are moving into unfamiliar territory, not knowing where it may lead you. Learn with him as he travels the various paths of knowledge,development and self,awareness.
-:=\fuqician is the iir=r prr -:-:--ush hfe. The irnagr :
When TheFoolappearsin a readinglouffiaybesurethat an maybe a sudden will sooncomeintoplay.There influence unexpecLed Fool of adventure or escape.The or thepossibility opportunity, rheoldwaysandstartsomethingnew theneedto abandon represents noseandjump! soholdyour Anythingcouldhappen, anduntested,
::..rJ
in a u-hiteturu- -
: . ^ : i l r ,a n J r e d i > a > , . n n
:---.n archof red anJ rr n.r ::- - u i
eu ml il lnl ri n rl L l t cc ,
,t 'at .r ng _ r i < S - _
: :irn. His belt. t hirh L.
-_I.L-_ - _: .'_ ,'nl the rlemnL.ats. --ri
- 32-
:::.:-: as ihe girls maid and
" THE MecrcrAN
,- :-nself to her in all his
o
--,-=ir scorchedto deathby Zeus man-, \er ertheless, ,-. - :he foetus in hls thigh :,:r
Dionysus was finally
,:-J upbringing. Another -. :i.t the Titans,older gods --::r irom limb and boiled ,:- ,qain, saving the childs ::. -inderworld,in the form i=r.ephone gave birth to ^. - rests through life. He is :. ,-: the adult searchingfor :- .==ksthe truth, and turns : , . i{is madnessor foolish' 1- -..--rJ'silly'meant'blessed'. i:---:"nt of the trials and Pit' :,, :is old ways and takethe , -:>t.
:: -.-rubegin your adventure ::. l,rot. Like him, you are --:-. t-here lt may lead you. .-: . :f knowledge,developt-l- he Maglcianis the first personthe Fool encounterson his journey 1
rhrough life. The image on the card shows a young, dark-haired
." ',:,it be surethat an ',.Tiiere maybea sudden
-:-rer purity, and red is a symbol of his purposeful activity. He stands
ri ,'r escape.The FooI
:':reath an arch of red and white roses.Thesecolours alsorepresentmas.
new st aft something .;',,.,i .;i.rrr jump! noseand --,,;
: -iine and feminine, or passion and purity, whlch exist in harmony ;:thin him. His belt, which is a snake eating its own tail, symbolizes
:-.n dressedin a white tunic and a scarlet cloak. White signifies his
:::'rnit/, and the lemniscates,or figures of eight,that decoratethe edgeof --33-.
TheMagirian table,standfor infinity. The Magician holds one hand up, and is pointing a wand heavenwardsto symbolize the purity of his higher aspirations, while the other hand points downwards, for he is a link between the gods and men, spirit and matter.His pose suggeststhat what is aboveis mirrored by what is below. Before him on a table stand four objects: a wand, a cup, a sword and a pentacle. The Magician is often comparedwith Hermes,the Greek messenger god,who was an extremelyversatileand flexible character.Not only did betweenthe gods and men,he also actedas a protector he carry messages to men on all their journeys.And as,in ancient times,most journeys were undertaken for commercialpurposes,he also becameknown as the god of merchantsand thieves.Inhis more sombrerole of psychopomphe was expectedto accompanymen on their final journey as he guided the souls of the dead to the underworld. His versatileintellect earnedhim the title of god of educationand the mind,yet hewas also a trickster,enjoyingmischievous pranks on gods and men alike,. But he always remained popular with both on accountof his good nature.He was entrustedwith the delivery of his halfbrother Dionysus and kept him safefrom jealous Hera who wanted to kill her husband'sillegitimateoffspring.In the Tarot story,theMagician takescareof the Fool' The objectslaid out on the Magician'stable correspondwith the four suits of the Minor Arcana, and alsowith the four elements- fire, water air and earth - which in ancient times were thought to form the world. They can also correspondwith the Jungian four functions of consciousness:intuition, feeling,thinking and sensation,and in turn can be linked with the attributes of Hermes;Wands with the caduceus,his herald's staff of office that all respected;Cups with the cup of fortune that Hermes gavemortals to sip from in order to changetheir fortune in love; Swords with the sword given to him by Zeus with which to slay Argos, the many-eyedmonster; and Pentacleswith the coin symbolizing his guise as protector of merchants and thieves,Hermes was granted the po\\/ersof divination by Apollo, which earned him the title of Lord of the Tarot. All manner of divination came under Hermes' jurisdiction, includins ancientmethodsusing eachof the four elementsto foretell the -
1A
-
lflhr ].L:-;ian st;nj-o :--r ;r
-
=-
-'--hf;n mFnr
- -
:i -:,.Thr ener{-,.;:
r.r: - --1.He rer-eaL:-**J--=
-im -_*
::
m u t:: nt
!r.-_- : \ e
rf, -*-r: i:.htr- of hL l:t - {: :: ::.-;iJe err-et,At r :&-
--: --,_
;niFirt-> uatrlotll
-+ dllJ
;r.g;i .'fi.lr.is, Thr I Ifin-.--;.;i suggrstsr fin ;;
rn ahunlantt.Tl
il-': r:cf hat t b."n t,tk
ryrc;nitits Jc,rintil su :ir p,.ssil'ilit irs,1
rf,irn-d ci ytu-r' an
srrlirr io .l
The Magician
: :,r-l up, and is pointing -- :rs higher aspirations, ::
;-:*:=: pyromancy - divination by fire; hydromancy - divination by * ?::: : aeromancy- divination by airi and geomancy- divination by earth. - re Magician stands for a teacher-guide, a person who offers educa-
s a link between the
-.-s lhat what is aboveis
:-:- :nd enlightenment to all pupils attending the first lesson in the
.:-- -.tandfour objects:a
;: --olof life. The energyembodiedin the Magician is that of action,pur. i,-s, and will. He revealsto the Fool his potentials and possibilities;he
---s :he Greek messenger
;-"'. before him a map of personality in terms of elements,and reminds - - ri the duality of his nature,mortal and divine. In alchemy,Hermes 'r':,. saidto presideover the whole alchemicalwork; in the Fool'sjourney
-. ::::racter.Not only did = ",.-- actedas a protector mostjourneyswere ---:-:-.. i-::ri
known as the god
:: ,:[s as the initiator and guide who will accompanyhim, unseen,on :-.i
"i'3\-.
hewas -- ,--ps1'chopomp :=-.,s he guided the souls .--=:i earnedhim the title mis--, :i;kster,enjoying i-- le aiways remained :- :-l: u-asentrusLedwith ::--, rim safefrom jealous .,: - :,tspring.ln the Tarot - --::-spond with the four t, -: ,lements- fire,water
in a spread of cards,The Magicianindicates an importantbeginning. Thiscardsuggests a timeof action,creatiue initiative,skilland :':tentialin abundance.The equipment needed is auailable but steps maynotyethavebeentakentowardsachievement of thegoal.New opporLunities or creatiue pursuitsarepresented, for intellectual and thepossibilitiesf or newventures seemassured.A great reserve ofpowerandenergyis auailable;itis up to the seeker Lodecidehow it is to beused.
.:'*.it [o form the world. -: ---rctions of conscious.:, ---n lurn can be linked :: :.Juceus, his herald's .:: .up of fortune that =:-t: iheir fortune in love; r : : o hich to slay Argos, ::,: ::in symbolizing his : -.::les was granted the - :,-...rthe title of Lord of --,: Flermes'jurisdiction, -: -:menlsto foretellthe -35-
' THE EupnEss .
l[ t is now time for the Fool to move on and meethis earthly mother,the JL E-pr.rr. This card depicts a beautiful, serenewoman with long fair hair that is like the golden fields of corn surrounding her. Beyond the rich fields can be seen a forest and waterfall. At her feet the horn o[ plenty overflows with fruit symbolizing the earth's bounty, A few pop pies grow in the cornfields. The Empress is a symbol of fertility and abundance.Her full robes hint at pregnancy,suggestingpotential fulfilled; they are decoratedwith -36*
iESS
O
::granates and hemmed with leafy evergreenboughs symbolizing :€rmanenceof lfe. The many-seededpomegranatessignify conjugal .nd fertility while the sheafof corn on the Empress'slap character:re earth's fruitfulness. She wears a necklaceof ten pearls,which ::clizes the ten planets that comprise our solar system.The twelve ;s .n her crown representthe twelve months of the year,the lwelve ::-. ri the zodiac and the infinite becoming finite in the twelve hours
:
".-andnight.The Empressis seatedin a field of ripe corn signifying :-"tural cyclesof the year;time for seed,blossom,fruit and decay.The :irs are the flowers of death,which is ever present,even in the full-
s :f life, In the distance,the mature trees stand as an image of the :: -. continuity and age,while the water falling into a pool symbolizes ,nion of male and femalecombining to produce newlife.Everything :: the imageryof this card points to natural growth. i:le Empresshas much in commonwith Demeter,theGreekversionof :r:er Nature. Shewas the qoddessof the earth,the mistressof motheri" and all young defencelesscreatureswere believedto be under her --.;oientprotection.The fruits of the earth,plants,flowers and crops
As goddessof the fertile soil,Demeter :.me under her patronage. i;.d relationships, aswell as the fruitfulnessof marriaqe. Shewas a :r:-.r herself, and her only daughter Persephonewas very dear to :::-=trri heart. Togetherthey tended the earth; side by side they proi=l man with all the food and shelter he needed to llve. However, :.:
Perseohonereached adolescence. she wandered off alone to oick .rs, catching the lustful eye of Hades,Lord of the Underworld. He
- - ::-.tt his earthly mother,the .::::le \\romanwith long fair
r:-;ted her and took her away with him to be queen of his gloomy :. jom. Demeter so was distraught by her daughter's disappearance ;: she forsook her duties as earth eoddessand declaredshewould not
.-::--unding her,Beyondthe
;::re them until Persephonewas returned to her.Gradually the crops
:-, . -\t her feet the horn of
i. the flowers faded,the earth becamebarren and the men and women
:: :,rth's bounty. A few pop-
::-: hungry.All their entreatiesfell on deaf ears;Demeterrefusedto do 'rhinq until Persephonecamehome,even though it pained her to see
r , :rundance.Her full robes
,.' :hildren and baby animals die of starvation.Finally, with the assis-
,-=:: ihey aredecoratedwith
:::: of diplomatic Hermes,a bargainwas struck between Demeterand -37-
TheEmpress
Hades,As Persephonehad eaten six pomegranateseedswhlle in the underworld, she was bound to stay there with Hades for six months of
' THr
the year,The other six months were spent with her mother so,in spring, when Persephonecame to spend her time on earth, Demeter and the earth rejoicedand bore fruit. In the autumn, when Persephonereturned
IHE
to the underworld, Demetermourned and the earthwas barren. Demeter,like many mothers,had difficulty letting go of her child, so she is not only the mother who nurtures, she is also the mother who mourns.When any creations,be they children or other creativeworks, reach their prime, they must live their own life and the mother-creator must let them go.The Empresscan be linkedwith the full moon,which, on reachingits shining bright potential,must slowly fade into darkness. The Empressrepresentsthe Fool'searthly mother.From her he learns about nature,its rhythms and cycles of growth, death and rebirth, and gains knowledge about the samecycles operatingwithin all humans.He learns about women and their needs and ways, and also learns to care and nurture himself. The Empressteacheshim to attend to and respect his own bodily needs.He is loved and cherished by the Empress and is thus able to love and cherish others.Attached as the Fool may be to his Empress-mother,he must alsolearn to leaveher and make his ownwayin the world if he is to reachhis own potential.
representt happ),stable relationships, In a reading,The Empress cardis a symbolofpoLential growthandt'ertiliry.This fulfilledand Etnpress mayalso stands andmotherhood.The forlove,marriage it bewriting, standf or al\ mannerof creativ e pursuitswhether the a cakeor plantinga garden. Shesymbolizes painting,baking to saLisfaction thatmaybefoundftom nurturingsomething fuuition,aswellas Lhepain0f its loss.
umrn" ::-:l:s-. is the Foc--. : -*mJl,riL: :': itheri Lae."-;n: i
:':s --::- Focl ccrn": -i:r i:.. :;:crtraving
th- --:n
::-:t:-: ir;lratei r lL:: t:t r : - : : - < : i . t i - l t . i - t t - - : -. _ -
-38-
' TttE EupEnon .
-i:;rate seedswhile in the -:: Hades for six months of --:: her mother so,in spring, ,-:. earth, Demeter and the -i-i-n . Persephonereturned .. .,rth rvasbarren. .: ' -rtting go of her child, so >:-=is also the mother who i.:
or other creativeworks,
.-:" and the mother-creator j -.r.ththe full moon,which, ; .--..t lv fade into darkness. r:::ther, From her he learns '-':a. death and rebirth, and -.:-rq s'ilhin all humans.He ,-'-,-..and also learns to care -':,-rto attend to and respect .'.:=i bt the Empress and is .:
the Fool may be to his "s l.: 'nd makehis ownwayin
ry';.stttblerelationships, :.:1,il entialfult'illed and i.Thi Empress ffia)alsa ".;it ' therit bewriting, ii,:. Sresymbolizes the ', :'-,tingsomethingto .'j:i-. loss.
f I
: the Empress is the Fools mother, then who else but the Emperor :ruid be his father?Leaving behind the natural feminine softnessof
t:: Empress,the Fool comes upon the Emperor,who complementsher ;:=r.lutely by portraying the oppositecharacteristics. The Emperor is a mature man who is seatedon an impressivegold, :":',-ed throne decoratedwith the heads of eagles.The throne is angled t:*'ards the right, the side of action.The powerful eagleis a royal bird r-.t is able to fly higher than any other,with the keenesteyesightof all. -39-
TheEmperor
Next to the throne stands a shield with an eagleengravedupon it, sym-
:- -:. Fool how to handioit
bolizing the spirit encasedin malter. The Emperor holds an orb and sceptreas imagesof worldly power.He wears a gold crown, a symbol of status and authority.The orb he holds in his left hand,the sideof creati* ity, and it representshis rational understandingof the laws necessary for men to abide by. The sceptreis held in the right hand, the side of action:
-:. uisdom the Emprr:-=-.-.sessentialto th= F:
it is a symbol of his masculine creativity and potency.The Emperors
-: ' lvnamic force.en.::.l ,:--. He representsthe :r
robes are red and purple, colours of power and majesty.Behind him the
*'. modeof expres,.icr-
landscapeis barren,in contrast to the lush fertile surroundings of the
- r- :.: Empress,..-hl=o:-.= l::.:rr acts;the Emprt_;s: - . - : - r . 1 , s h o u i nhqi m : : .
Empress,symbolizing the sterility of a masculineworld founded entirel,v on authority and discipline.Whereas the Empressreclines comfortabl,v on soft cushions,the Emperor sits bolt upright on his hard throne,read,r for action.The imageof the Emperorconjuresup an impressionof power. influence,wealth and status. The Emperor can be associatedwith Zeus,the supremefather-godof the Greeks. Zeus overthrew his father Cronus, who swallowed his chil-
i:- :---.1of the cardsir. -r--
dren at birth to prevent any of them taking his place as ruler of the Golden Age. Eventually Zeus'mother Rhea tired of producing children for her husband to devour, so when Zeus was born she hid him awar-
i ,i;;ing, Thc Emptr,.,po
and gave Cronus a stonewrapped in baby clothes,which he undiscern-
::.rjs
ingly swallowed.On reaching manhood,disguisedas a cupbearer,Zeus gaveCronus a potion to drink that causedhim to vomit, bringing up all
iLlrauthorit\,aw.b
fr& ..z"j,i;ates thekin.lo.irnr vr;::':.Ht is ahelyfirltnf,
Zeus'siblings.Togetherthey fought Cronus and his brothers the Titars.
--2..'tr[littctd to 1,, ^)i,
and when at last Zeus' teamwon, he dlvided up the rulership of the heat-
:: ;.r*r contralofliiEir
ens,oceansand underworld betweenthem.Although he remainedin the position of All'Father, and as such demandedrespectand obedience,he was also capableof kindness and compassion.He was the protector of the weak and vulnerable and,aswe have seen,having fatheredDionysus he took great care to ensure his son's safe birth, despite all opposition. Zeus dispensedgood and evil according to the laws that he established. He was also known as the god of the hearth, and of friendship and the protector of all men. As the Empressis the mother,so the Emperor is the father,the giver of life, the owner who sows the divine seed.The Emperor's task is to - 40.-
TheEmperor ..i-- enqravedupon it, sym:-:eror holds an orb and :. . :o1dcrown, a symbol of - - : nand,the sideof creativ-:,: --: the iaws necessaryfor -i:: rand, the sideof action; ,:,
:otency. The Emperor's
.: , naiesty.Behind him the
:--:h ihe Fool how to handle the material side of life, how to live in, and :=-- * ith, the world of men,He instructs him on mattersof authority and a,:::-nistration as well as giving guidelines on moral and ethical behav*- -:. The wisdom the Emperor imparts is of a worldly nature, but is ---:-.theless essential to the Fools development.The Emperor is sym:,---: of a dynamic force,energy channelledinto making ideas solid and . -:
---:-. r.-orldfounded entirely
:;:: -. His mode of expressionis direct,forceful and outgoing,unlike his ::--,sJrt the Empress,whosefeminine energy is receptive and nurturing. l---=Emperor acts;the Empressis actedupon. Togetherthesetwo parenrs
:-: ::is reclinescomfortably
r- :t the Fool,showing him that an excessof either too much masculine
::- r:r his hard throne,ready : .r :n impressionof power,
:r :,-.:much feminine energy can be damaging.what is neededis a balL--:.. an equation of the two opposites.The Fool needsto internalizethe r.': jitferent imagesand use them to find harmonywithin himself.Tht
-: ::: suPremefather-godof
::::e
-.::-ie surroundingsof the
:-s .'ho swallowed his chil- i :rr-
of balance starts with the Fool's earthly parents and follows r::: -rqhmost of the cardshe will encounteron his iournev.
:-:. j oiproducing children ;.:i forn she hid him away
h a reading,TheEmperorpoints to material success and stabirity.
:- --:r:s, rvhich he undiscern,. --..J as a cupbearer,Zeus
Hc standsfor authority,ambition andworldlygain or achievement, He indicatesthekind of energyrequiredto transformideasinto
-,:. :,r r-omit,bringing up all , r hrs brothers the Titans, -: :ae rulershipof the heavt-, :---uqhhe remainedin the
reality.Heis ahelpt'ulinfluenceif practicalchangesathome orwork needto be made.TheEmperordenotesa time to takecontrolof lit'ein a materialor concretesense.
:- ::spect and obedience, he ::
:le s.as the protector of
:- :,," inq fatheredDionysus :-: ::. Jespiie all opposition. ::-. ,"..-sthat he established, : ,:-i of friendship and the ,:.:,-r is the father,the giver - - re Emperor's task is to
-
/l'l
-
Ti t
" THE Hrcn PnrnsrESS.
The pillars are black and r rature contains both positir e a
:ir-e,benevolentand malevolen
"ie a symbol of new life, of prc '"cred fruit of Persephone.qu
Priestess'connection with t-heu The pomegranateis the fruit er -,-re - the latter becauseof its n
::e veil symbolizes the hidden ::pths of the unconscious mir
,-,-urboiizevirginity and the J S.rcissus is the flower assciat --:-:tlrst flowers to emergeatier The simple etherealqualit.:;:thv richness of the Emprc-.s
:::ninine nature in both its snin ;r i:hetwo forms a healthl-v hol
.,rui. to imbalanceand,asr.e ha
r:: harmony in seekingto achie Ln mythology, Persephoneu, n:,:ucted her to rule his dark ca::l together.The High priste
uils*.Persephone,queen of the l, ur :t tulfilled, and the Hieh F
mn::=:oorld waiting to be br..ug -rlerworld, Persephone*-ahe Fool now turns his attention from the earthy plane towards
-::granateseeds,and qare L,i
more spiritual matters.The time is ripe for him to encounter the mysterious figure of the High Priestess.She representshis spiritual or celestialmother and is depicted seatedbetween two pillars topped with crescentmoons.Betweenthe pillars hangs a veil decoratedwith Pomegranates,behind which we catch a glimpse of water. She wears a simple white dresswith a crown of daisiesaround her head.She looks down in quiet contemplationat the narcissiin her lap. -
t-t -
l:=s. o[the moon,and n-ith H
n:. Flecatewas the qoddesscJ
:-_._
-___-r
6wuL_\_r
L.l
: ::.. bitter,destructire eleme r".:s.i s'hen the natural pr-
TheHigh Priestess
;TESS O
The pillars are black and white, symbolizing duality. The feminine .:- -rrecontains both positive and negativeaspects,creativeand destruc:.-.'.,benevolentand malevolent,fruitful and barren.The crescentmoons !r: ; symbol of new life, of promise,while the veil of pomegranates, the :.-red fruit of Persephone,queen of the underworld, shows the High : :-..tess'connectionwith the unconsciousworld, the realm of the spirit. l:.
pomegranateis the fruit of the dead as well as the fruit of conjugal -'. - - the latter becauseof its many seeds,The glimpse of water beyond
::. i-eil symbolizesthe hidden riches that lie concealedin the emotional :.:ths of the unconsciousmind. The High Priestess'robeis white to =',::lolize virginity and the daisies are the flower of innocence.The )..::issus is the flower associatedwith death and rebirth. as it is one of ::-. :irst fiowers to emergeafterwinter. The simple etherealquality of the High Priestesscontrastswith the :::::r\- richness of the Empress;yet together they combine to form the ::::inine nature in both its spiritual and earthly sense.The combination - i :ne two forms a healthywhole; too much emphasisin either direction :. rs to imbalanceand,aswe have seen,the Throt strives to teachbalance .ii-- larmony in seekingto achieveintegrity of personality. -r mytholog;i,Persephonewas Demeter'sdaughter and, until Hades i:,:.rcted her to rule his dark kingdom, mother and child tended the :-:.: logether.The High Priestessmay be connectedwith the virgin god-.-.' Persephone, queen of the dead.The virgin symbolizespotential yet :: :" fulfilled, and the High Priestessstands for the treasuresof the -- --=r.r'orld waiting to be brought to consciousness. During her time in
-: ::rthy planetowards
:: - ;nderworld,Persephonewas fed the heart of Dionysus in the form of ;': -.:{ranate seeds,and gave birth to twice-born Dionysus-Zagreus,the
:: lim to encounterthe
r:':,-f ltght.
::::-:ents his spiritual or - ..: pillars toppedwith
-:e High Priestesscan also be connectedwith Artemis, the virgin i --,-:-ss of the moon,and with Hecate,witch and enchantress, goddessof
.r. :-.orated with pome'
r,, :. : . Hecatewas the goddessof the dark side of the moon and symbol-: - rhe bitter,destructiveelementin the feminine nature.The bitterness
. , =:. Shewears a simple a:'1. Shelooks down in
r' .-.':ked when the natural potential inherent in the virgin remains -. .-..:i1ied.
-
/2
*
TheHigh Priestess
The High PriesLess is connectedwith occult, secretand esotericmatters,and her emphasisis on unseentalent and potential that needsto be
' THr I-
brought to light. All life starts in darkness,whether the darknessis of the womb or the soil, and a period of gestationis necessaryfor the new life to be formed before it is brought to light. A good example is the foetus developing in the secrecyof the womb until the time is ripe for the fully formed baby to be born into light. Creative ideas take the same course;the artist or author nurtures the spark of creationlong before the image or idea takes shape in the form of a painting or book. The High Priestesssymbolizesthe nurturing of spiritual ideas and the knowledge of occult and esotericmatters,as well as enchantmentand magic,which can be used for good or evil. The black and white pillars echo the duality in her nature.The High Priestessis subtle and unobtrusive; her secrets are not easilyrevealed.The key to understandingher mysterieslies in the sea of the unconscious hidden behind the veil. Only by crossing the threshold of consciousnesscan that which is conceivedin the darkness be brought to light.
Thediuinatory meanings of thiscardincludepotentialthatis waiting to befulfilled,secrets that arewaitingtobereuealed,thewisdom that canbegained or esoteric studiesandthedeuelopment fromocculL of thefemininepowersof intuitionandinsight.
: -s time for the Fool to *ct -:ier. The Empressand En ::-L-;: theHigh Priestess anl t
:, . :eiestial ones.Hierophan *:=. fhe ancient ,r,'ord t-cr
1 ;i=: of bridges',and the rcit ','-.n Cod and man.fhe prie :::rr to be of spiritual serr-l-
,1,1 -
--. s.;ret and esotericmat::,-ntial that needsto be
' Tug HTnnoPHANT o
, .,.::rer the darknessis of :- -. :iecessaryfor the new -- ::rJ exampleis the foe: - :he time is riPe for the .' ,-.--ideastake the same ,, ::eationlong beforethe ,-.,:,nqor book.The High ,- - --:s and the knowledge ':- -:renl and magic,which :-,= :lllars echothe duality her secrets -- --:-,obtrusive; : : :ir mysterieslies in the .-. Cnly by crossingthe ::r:eired in the darkness
i :':;intial thaLis waiting , :'.i.,led,thewisdomthat :-. ,;irJthedeuelopment insight. --,., "11;ti
r. time for the Fool to get to know the Hierophant, his heavenly I I :rther, The Empress and Emperor together form the pair of earthly :;r:.nts; the High Priestessand the Hierophant,or High Priest,join as the ::-,:- s celestialones.Hierophant meansone who revealssacredor holy 'pontifex', which means the ::^,:-is. The ancient word for priest was T,'i:r of bridges',and the role of priest was to act as a link or bridge :r. ,:.'-enGod and man.The priest sacrificeshis life in the materialworld .r: --:f er to be of spiritual service to mankind,yet he must also renounce
-,f
i*
TheHierophant
the higher order to which he has accessin order to be on equal terms with the peoplehewishes to help. Like the High Priestess,the Hierophant is portrayed seatedbetween two pillars. Once again,the pillars are symbolic of duality and the balance that needs to be struck between opposites.The Hierophant wears simple white robes,which symbolize purity of spirit. His crown is gold, denoting masculineor solarenergy,and it is madeup of three tiers,which representthe three statesof being: body,mind and spirit. This signifies the Hierophant's understanding of the physical, emotional and mental spheres of the human psyche. Around his neck hangs a chain with crossedkeys - the keys of heaven - suggestingthe knowledge of good and evil. As one key is gold and the other silver they also representmasculine and feminine as a balancedwhole, His hand is raisedin blessing with the first and second finger pointing upwards, and the third and fourth fingers folded down on to his palm and held in place by his 'as above,so below',meaningthat what is thumb. This is an expressionof on earth is a reflection of what is in the heavens.He is intently studying from the open book on his lap, suggestingthat he is willing to increase
T".
::rd his remarkablediscoreries -=al himself.The onlyu.av he :;
:-:ces with Prometheus,the Ti :--.-inefire from the gods to gi..,t:ture as punishment for tril:
-:,less another god -as prepjr, l:-.metheus from his agoni:fu *,:und that could never be ho; :--lr took his placein Hades. Ihe Hierophant embodie_.ti :,1: He signifies the urge to tinj :r:,-rd the forming of ceie.tial :
l,ir: n-ilfiin each man. He stan.{ r:t---lqy, but alsofor the neeCraqr :":-iefsfor himself. The Hier_-
ffin- : personal sacredtruth. He flm{-:r.ntor to the Fool but unii !n::5e secrelsare not readilr-rer
his knowledge from many sources, Although the Hierophant is a spiritual figure, he is essentiallynondenominational;however,his essencecan be likened to the wise centaur Chiron, who was half man and half horse.Chiron was the semi-divine and greatly valued teacherof the young Greek princes, instilling into them the spiritual values and respectfor divine law,which they would need to learn before tackling the art of rulership or being trained to fight in battle. One day Chiron's friend Herakles paid hlm a visit. Unfortunately Herakles had on ht back a quiver of arrows poisoned with blood from the deadly Hydra and somehow by accident,the tip of an arrow pierced Chiron's thigh. The poison was deadly and any human or animal would have died instantly but as Chiron was semi-divine,he could not die.But thewoundwas in the animal part of him and could not be healed. He was destined to live forever but always in agony. This injury gave him more compassion than ever for those who suffer. He experimentedwith many herbs in a desperateattempt to heal the wound. - 46-
Tr diuinatory meanings oi th u-:-;;or helpfulperson, asu ill t mt needtofind spiritualmedn :a{ urgein manto undtrsttnl :..rrugllstudywiththehdyol 'r;in, yerhaps a teather,mt .inv u,ith thesid of formal
TheHierophant
r:r :J be on equal terms
i- i his remarkablediscoverieshelped many others,but he could never : ,,1 himself,The onlyway he could be releasedfrom pain was to change
:,:::::ted seatedbetween . . : -': luahty and the bal=-. The Hierophant wears
:-=:es with Prometheus,the Titan who had angeredZeus by stealing
: -: :it, His crown is gold, ,: ,rp of threetiers,which : ,: j spirit, This signifies
--.essanother god was prepared to give up his immortality to rescue
:-'.-inefire from the gods to give to man.Zeus had arrangedan agonizing :--::ure as punishment for this crime, which would last for eternity i:--metheus from his agonizing fate. Chiron, weary of living with a * :.lnd that could never be healed,gave Prometheushis life and grate-
:... :motional and mental :-:x hangs a chain with
::---r took his placein Hades.
r< -,r- knowledge of good ':: ,:ra\-alsorePresentmas:.:.j is raisedin blessing '-.,..:is, and the third and
: - He signifies the urge to find etherealmeaningin life; he is the force
The Hierophant embodiesthe spiritual face of the masculineprinci :n-:-nd the forming of celestialor religious beliefs and philosophicalval- -. u-ithin each man. He stands not only for acceptedand traditional :: - --loqy,but alsofor the needwithin eachman to testout such teachings
,' : held in place bY his '. .-:-.r meaningthat what is
--,::.:liefs for himself.The Hierophant is the energy behind the desireto :-- - a personal sacredtruth. He thus becomesthe otherworldly guide
--. lle is intently studying ,- :: is w;lling to increase
;-.: menlor to the Fool but unlike his counterpart,the High Priestess, 'rL:-:se secretsare not readily revealed,the Hierophant is lessmysterious i:-: nore direct in his teachings,
: *:.. he is essentiallynon--r:r.edto the wise centaur :--:,-n rvas lhe semi-divine =.i princes,instilling into -- -= ia..-,which they would ,--- :: being trained to fiSht :,s-.s paid him a visit. - - -,-crof arrows Poisoned ,: --. bv accident,the tip of .. ,. Jeadly and any human
Thediuinatorymeanings of this cqrdarethoseof assistance from a '..'ise orhelpfulperson, aswellasguidance on spiritualmattersand ;',r;needtofind spiriLual inlif e.TheHierophant represents meaning :iit urgein manLounderstandhis highernature,This maybedone :iiroughsLudywith thehelpof another persontohelpexplorethis .ialm,perhaps a teacher,mentor,priest or therapist, or it couldbe Jonewiththeaidofformallearningthrough classes orbooks,
l:,::r-r u,as semi-divine,he ,- :'rt of him and could not -'-: "I..'ays in agonY.This : -,-: those who suffer. He : :,::Inpt to healthewound, -
A-7 -
Ti
' THn Lovnns o
gms.rcn.The garden they stand in -r r-oung man, whose )elloo, : *': standstor communicalion:
-.:.r that he is trying to deciJr :.:r;'lite, goddess o[ lor-e.h.;_ --r.s .vould strike blindins l"-\
: r_.struck; the lead-tippedar
_.... l:r: imageof choice that The L
-.=l from the Judgementoi -^-.reof his royalheritaqe,n hc
: :et*'een the gods. At a qr r* . qolden apple with a not
.rJ it. Their squabbletreram
E :: L,ecomeinvolved himseli. :. Each ofthe goddessesfurne
r:-pt him and sway his judse
= rim lord of all Asia; Athen -:- :'. crv battlehe fouqht: t,ut -
.r-, ri,r.i"tned her maqic girJ : - fhat was not enouqh p;n
F-:-irrows and he s-as smitt ,---:r-
L^ ^-1-l r - r :'iite !the golden apple s-itho
:=.s p,romisedhlm the han"l .;--rman was the legenC;n completedhis childhood under the guidanceof his tutor the ffiuvlng JL JlMagician, and his earthly and celestialparents,the Fool is now readyto stand at the first trial of youth, namely love.
::':ite omitted to mention th. ns." The terrible Trojan\\lr tr
::--.nstrating hou' chcirt= :r
The imageon The Lovers card shows a young man standing between two women. From a futffy cloud above flies Eros, pointing his arrow at the young man's heart.One of the women is blonde and young, dressed in white, the colour of purity and innocence.The other woman is older, dark haired and wears a dress of deep pink, the colour of desire and --48-
; '-rnple matterdecidedtr p -':: in affairs of the heart -nust also t",_-r:come to unjt
TheLouers
\-ERS
O
:,ssion. The gardenthey stand in is filled with roses,the symbol of love. -:t ,voung man, whose yellow shirt denotes mental energy and blue : -:ric standsfor communication skills, seemsconfused and in doubt - it .- :lear that he is trying to decidebetween the two women. Eros,son of ---:hrodite, goddessof love, has two kinds of arro\Ns;the gold-tipped i::J\\'s would strike blinding love and desire into the heart of anyone ;:-.
is struck; the lead-tippedarrowwould fill the recipient with hate
i:: tear. The imageof choice that The Lovers card portrays is thought to have :=r,r-ed from the Judgement of Paris. Paris was a mortal shepherd, -:-:\\'are of his royal heritage,whounwittingly becameinvolved in a dis- -.:e between the gods. At a wedding feast,Eris, goddess of discord, :::::\\- a golden apple with a note attached stating'To the fairest'and ::-::e greal goddesses,Athena, Hera and Aphrodite, all felt they :.str..ed it. Their squabblebecameso violent that Zeus,wisely not wish,..: to become involved himself, demanded that Paris should be the ',--;e . Each of the goddessesturned to him, offering him glittering prizes :: ::mpt him and sway his judgement in their favour. Hera offered to :-,re him lord of all Asia; Athena promised that he should be success::. -r everybattle he fought; but Aphrodite, goddessof love and beauty, :,:::h- unclasped her magic girdle, which made her quite irresistible' .--- I if that was not enough Paris' heart was pierced by one of Eros' a: :rn arrows and he was smitten with love and desire.He handed .*-::rodite the golden applewithout question,and in return the smiling r:,:::ss promised him the hand of the most beautiful woman on earth. .---.: :he guidanceof his tutor the ::-:: -r1 parents,the Fool is now
l:--s *,oman was the legendary beauty, Helen of Troy; however, ,'-:rrodite omitted to mention that Helen was alreadymarried to some: . -. .ise, The terrible Trojan War broke oul when Paris iried to claim his
--..:l-1.-lot'e. ,' : ' -.,-url3man standingbetween
:r-:.. demonstratinghow choicesin love can have dire consequences' -:ris myth illustrates the dangersand pitfalls that attend all choices,
. t .-. Eros,pointing his arrow at :: - ,. blonde and young,dressed
:*::-:ularlythose madein the nameof love.TheFool must learnthat love :s . ri a simple matter decidedby physical altraction,and the considera-
---:. -:. The otherwoman is older, :. - -:rt. the colour of desire and
:r:.-,. made in affairs of the heart are neither easynor straightforward. Fool must also come to understand that any choice in love will l: -
49-
The Lovers
inevitably bring about many repercussionsand complications,just Lile the ripples causedfrom a singlepebble dropped into a pool.
' Tgr
The Lovers card is not only about decisions in love; it denotes all choices.Choices bring about changes,and whenever a choice is madeit changesthe status quo irrevocably.The decisionyou must make when faced with The Lovers card may involve choosing between lover-.: between virtue and vice; or between ambition and love, However, the most important point to rememberabout this card is that the choiceyou finally decide upon will inevitably have far-reaching consequence'which is why the decisionmust be looked at from all anqlesbefore a conclusion is reached.
In alayout,The Loversindicates thatthereis,orwill be,a relationship orloveaffairinuolving somekindof trial or choice.ltis possible that marriage mayfollow sucha choice,or it maybewhat theold ho oks 'choice described as the samedandprofaneloue'. beLween Alternatively,this cardcanmeana choice mustbemadeLhat hasheartfeltconsequences evenif it is not ahoutaloveaffair,
:.: F:.-1.har-inqstrug*.,:: , ::, : --unterthe next triai --:
- r : . : [ J s i n c o n t r a stt: r : . ; -,:j sho.r-sa group sri.:
*50-_
:-. ::rl complications,just like :::.1
into a pool.
' THr CHanIor
o
::-.-:ns in love; it denotesall : -..:renevera choice is madeit :-:--.ion you must makewhen -'.-=-hoosing between lovers; :: :-ln and love. However, the ::--. :ard is that the choiceyou '^', -:r-reaching consequences, ,- :..m all anglesbeflorea con-
ri is.orwill be,a relationship that t --,;hoice,Itis possible -'.;'; bewhattheoldbooks r loue'. ;;,, i andprofane madethat .;:-'i;.'musLbe :-',t..tabouLaloveaffair,
he Fool, having struggledwith love s complexities,is now ready to encounterthe next trial of youth -war. The battlefield imageof The i::"riot standsin contrast to the gentle fertile imageof The Lovers.The L-..ers card shows a group standing togetherin a garden of roses,wear::-. coloured flowing robes,whereas The Chariot depicts a lone figure '.,:-iantly struggling to managetwo powerful horses as they traverse a : -str- arid plane.The warrior wears a red cloak,the colour of passionand e::ression,and on his breastplateis the emblem of Scorpio,the zodiacal '-51 -
TheChariot
sign that is co-ruledby Mars, god of war. The horses,one black,the other white, which seemto be pulling in different directions,symbolize the opposing and conflicting sides of human naLure:emotion and intellect. weaknessand strength,loveand hate,cowardiceand courage. The Chariot may be connectedwith Ares or Mars, the passionate. fiery-temperedgod of war who was always involved in one skirmish or
dh,l:*:::t oi as the carnal:ni fl|*nl;-.-=,i. They can alsc rr:r &: -:-.rre, and the sim,-llr:
frBr:"- The Fool, as the ;h, ;:;. ihrough the battlegr,
:-. -\ithough uncomi.-
another,His method of fighting was to use brute force, and it might indeed have been his masculine strength and pride that attracted Aphrodite, the goddessof love. The warrior and lover are said to walk
r:--nq to be shunned.h:
hand in hand and, in myth, Ares and Aphrodite were lovers. Their
:- nature; rather it i_<>-:-.---ution can be positir t.
union bore a child named Harmonia,or Harmony,symbolizing the posi tive results of uniting and reconciling opposites. Another mythic link with the Chariot is that of Phaeton,son of the god Helios who drove the golden chariot holding the sun across the skies to give light and warmth to the world. His teenageson Phaeton wanted to take chargeof the chariot but his father warned that he would not be able to control the horses.Determined to have his way, one darPhaetonroseearlierthan his father,harnessedthe horsesto the sun chariot and took off into the skies before hts father could stop him. Predictably the young man could not control the horses and the chariot veeredfar awayfrom the earth,causingparts of it to freeze,whilecominq dangerouslycloseto other parts,scorching the land and burning the peo ple who lived there.In the end Zeus sent down a thunderbolt to strike down the unfortunate Phaetonand preservethe earth,as it was in imminent danger of destruction.This myth also gave a poetic reasonfor the climatic changesaround the world. The Chariot describesthe conflict that oppositescreate.In the myth of Phaeton it started with conflict between youth and age.The card depicts the charioteerattempting to control his horses,which represent the opposing aspectsof himself,eachof which is different and so wants to pull in a different direction.The story of Phaetonwarns of what can happen if the horsesare not controlled properly.The charioteermust balance his divergent horses to prevent them from pulling too far in one direction, or turning in on one another. The opposite forces may bc - 52-
Lt a reading,The Chaiot rd .qhtJora desiredgo,rl ,rrJ i.ril meanaftght ir-,rx iiu-tll placedin tht syr
as is triumth or
TheChsriot
:, t:-..s.one black,the other --::ctions, symbolizethe
:-:---rqhtof as the carnal and spiritual forces within man that need to be :'"-,nced.They can also representthe wish to go forwards to find new
:*:.: emotionand intelleci,
l,'.-:nture, and the simultaneous desire to be secure in the tried and :,.:t,1, The Fool, as the charioteer,must learn how to steer a middle
-:- ,nd courage, .-. ,-: \fars, the passionate, :-- ,--.-edin one skirmish or : ::r[e force, and it might ,:-J pride that attracted
:: -rse through the battleground of his opposing feelings,thoughts and :-,-res. Although uncomfortable,the confusion brought about by the :::Lrsition can be creative,for conflict is necessaryto promote change
,-li lover are said to walk '::,-Jite were lovers.Their
;--: qrowth. No changeoccurs when there is stagnation.Conflict is not i;:rething to be shunned,however,becauseit is an unavoidablepart of - ,nan nature; rather it is something to be facedwith courage,because
;-" . ,r'mbolizingthe posi-
r, ::solution can be positive.
.::>.
-:.: oi Phaeton,son of the :-:inq the sun acrosslhe -- :iis teenageson Phaeton ,-:--r r.-arnedthat he would
thequality of enetgyneeded In a reading,TheCharioLrepresents or conflictof inLerests, ;,.fight for a desiredgoal.It showsa strugg;le and canmeana fight for selfassertionthat is necessary.However,
-, :: har.ehis way, one day - :. horsesto the sun char-
is assured, ouLcome if well placedin the spread,a successful as is triumph overdifficultiesand obstacles,
--. -:lher could stop him. - :-. horsesand the chariol ,--.: to freeze,whilecoming - - .rJ and burning the Peo:-".:- r thunderbolt to strike , ,:-. earth,as it was in immi ::- . .r poetic reasonfor the ::,-.iles create,ln the myth :- .':uth and age,The card - . horses,which represent .-: s different and so wanls i:,'eton warns of what can t:, ..The charioteermust bal:--: pulling too far in one . : - :pposite forces maY be -53-
THr AcEs TheAce or NumberOneis thebeginning of all things.One is thenumber of creative powerandpotential.Itis theprimarynumber fromwhichall theothersgrow.All the Acesshowa tremendous upsurge of energy: the;indicatenewbeginnings of auital,positiue andvigorous nature.
:.:-=*-alof strong emoticn-;
:-- ::*-ard that ma; L,eearli.
Acr
hu. :.:rd depicts the double-e
:.-.thways,for good anJ rl :-: of the sword, It is m,.
AcE of WeNos
-. oi p.u." and the palm i
emerging from a cloud, offering a flaming wand.
,-: S*'ords correspond-stl :: the intellect.ltalsopoirtj , l:re Ace of Swords L. . i
The distancerevealsa castleon a hill, which is a
=:;,tr-,and often indicatesth
promise of what the future might bring. Wands
.
correspond with fire, the element of creativit;
:::
energy and initiative, and the Ace suggestspositive new beginnings and ideas along such lines.
:i:::mely promisinq.-\ =.n : iie old order chanqeth"
The image on this card shows a strong hand
"rcd
will come.A situati
:\:qinnlng Can SUrpri:< r 1
,.
The Aces all stand for energy in its purest form, so the fiery Ace ofWands representspure creativity. This card could symbolizenew understanding,
Acr o
a new business venture, new foundations and creative powers with plentyof potential and ambition to progressand succeed.
This time golden g
AcE of Cues
indicate-;
Pentaclc:
Ahand appearsfrom the clouds,this time bearing
the elemc
a jewel-encrustedcup. Five streamsof water brim over the edge and fall into a beautiful lily pond.
This suit
achie*ernr
The streamsstand for the fives senses.The water lily is a symbol of emotional growth. The suit of
weatth. I
Cups is associaledwith water, the element that
ventures i
governsfeelingsand emotions,so the Ace of Cups representsthe purest aspectof emotionalenergy.It
--:lq of a business that ma
can indicate the beginning of a new relationship,
-
E;'l
-
beginninq
i oi:Lrritv firmly based.Itmisl
-rhaps of gold.
TheAces the kind of ::-- renewalof strong emotions,love,marriage,motherhood,or ir,,'tulreward that maybe gainedfrom a loving union.
:ES :.: .;.'':. things, Oneis thenumber 'r.,-..).t\ number fromwhichall ::':.;..irsupsurgeof energy ; they :'"-"'.; anduigorous nature,
l:is card depicts the double.edgedsword,which :::s both ways, for good and ill. Awreath circles ::: tip of the sword. It is made up of the olive :,,nch of peaceand the palm leaf of victory. The
t\DS ,. :"rJ shows a strong hand -'- -. ..ifering a llaming wand. '. , ,astleon a hill, which is a := :-rture might bring.Wands :-:. fhe element of creativity, -^-.,nd the Ace suggestsposi i. ,rJ ideas along such lines. i ---: energy in its purest form, 'i, ,:ls representspure creativ-.-::bolize new understanding, ; ::-;
AcE of Swonos
ir:-: of Swords correspondsto the element of air, i:- j to the intellect.It alsopoints to strife and diffi ::-:r. The Ace of Swords is a card of strength in a:-,ersity,and often indicatesthat out of evil some'-::,:iqgood will come.A situation that looks bleak -- ihe beginning can surprise us and turn out to :t exlremely promising. A senseof inevitable change comeswith this 'the old order changeth'.It is a card of great power, force and :,:J: -i:.ngth.
AcE of PENTecLES
creative powers with
"nd -.. 'nJ succeed.
This time the hand from the clouds offers a large golden pentacle. A well-tended garden beneath indicates the positive reward for hard work. The Pentaclescorrespond with the element of earth,
UPS
the element of the body, matter and material gain. This suit can also stand for worldly status and achievement,as well as for material security or wealth. The Ace of Pentacles signifies strong beginnings for financial propositions, business ventures or enterprises,ltcan meanthe successful j::nding of a business that may bring financial rewards,or prosperity a:-i security firmly based.It might alsoindicate a lump sum of money,or i:::s.perhapsof gold. --55--
THE Twos ThenumberTtuo reueals opposites:positive andnegative,male andfemab. spiritandmatter.The pureenerg)of the Acesis splitinto opposing forcts thatcancreate conflictorbalance.The dualityof the Ttuos manifests in thefollowingcardsas a balance offorcesor a creativity notyetfutfitled.
-.ra1ly associated rr-ith r :-rppy balancebeto-se :n::ilning
of a romancr r
Tn
jtblded womansils a fr,,--:::ld indicatesthat sh
Two of WaNos
.h the present situatic :
her sea of emolion_s
As we have seen in the Ace, the Wands signifo enterprise,energy and growth. The man depicted
:i tactbehnd her.Her r
on the image stands on the walls of a castle with two wands held firmly in place,symbolizing what
,--n.fhis is thecardof * iraveimmobilized ea-
:,::t]for the moment.but
he has already achieved.He seemsto be considering his future, and trying to decide his next move.
::'ched an impasse.Tl =ned,or unsure of q-hi
The salamandermotifs that adorn the castlebattlements representthe creativeenergyof fire, but the
::t:
essenceof the card is potential as yet unfulfilledThe card denoteshieh ldealsand aims.a desirefor
l:ol often comesout ofr
travel and a newoutlook from the presentenvironment.Changeis in the air,and a senseof intuition and vision; initiative can overcomeobstacles.
nothing.lti as thor ; rhel'will go awar. Hor
Tu-o Aloun
Two o/ Curs This card is a good example of the balance of opposites that the Two represents:a man and a woman exchangingcups. The Cups are a symbol of feelings and emotions, the pure energy that overflowedin the Ace.Nowthe energyis divided; two people are involved and both their interests need to be considered.The serpentsof good and evil twine around the pillars as emblemsof love s positive and negative attributes,while the carved -56*
althouq
to hare tance.tl
experier man ke hins.I ser eral
mo\eme i;hieves success.Ther :;L matters,but also harn
::- remain flexible efitruQ
'\-OS
: usually associated with carnal desire,has the wings of spirit, indicat-.: a happy balancebetween spiritual and carnallove.This card denotes
.'.i ,;ittiilegaLiue,male andfemale, -_r-':sis splitinto opposing forces .;-,.;,rtlof theTruos manifests in :'-;--rLlireativitynotyt fulfilled.
n:= beginning of a romanceorwell-balancedplatonic friendship. fr-
Iwo oJ )woRDS A riindfolded woman sits at the water'sedse.The --lfold indicates that she can't see her way
.1.\DS : -:- fhe Ace, the Wands signify ,:i qrowth, The man depicted :: ' .n the walls of a castlewith
L:-.ugh * - * ) - - the " - - ' present ""-**-*"-'l r - . - " - ^ - " situation, so she steadfastly r:-rres her seao[ emolions and the jaggedrocks -rerd fact behind her.Her raised swords arewell nr.ancedfor the moment,but she is in a precarious :-rtion.This is the card of stalemate;thebalanced
-::r-r in place,symbolizing what :-- ' :J. He seemsto be consider-
hr:rs have immobilized each other. The conflict l":'s reached an imDasse,The woman seems so
: ::".inq to decidehis next move. :--:--sthat adorn the castlebattle-
h--ihtened,or unsure of which way to turn, that st. ,joes nothing.lt's as though she hopes that by not confronting the
::: :re ative energyof fire, but the
fusuts they will go away.However,with courage,a change can be made,
:: -,. potential as yet unfulfilled.
j soodoftencomesout of what seemsto be a badsituation.
:-::: idealsand aims,a desirefor :i :nr-ironment.Changeis in the rl:-'tir-e can overcomeobstacles.
Two of PENTacLES Ayoung man is happily balancing two pentacles,
-ups
although behind him the seais rough. He appears to have a light-hearted,casual attitude.ln the distance,the ships,which representhis fortunes, are experiencing some choppy seas but the young man keeps his eyeson the pentaclesfor the time being. This card stands for the necessityto keep several propositions going at once. The flow of movement,however,indicatesthat skilful manipu-:n achieves success.There is change,particularly with regard to rcial matters,but alsoharmony within that changeif only the young
L:..an remainflexibleenoughto alloweverythingto keepmoving, -57-
THn THnEEs Threeis thenumberofgrowthandexpansion.Number Onecontainst\u idea,number Twois thepairwhocancarr)it ouLandnumber Threebearc thefruit.The threealsosignifies initial completion, thefirst sLage achietil-
It
l l--:-
THnnEof WeNns
--: *q.ArrJs.i
-i-- -- ra
. f,-..'
*-
The man we saw depicted in the Two of WanJs reappears. He has left the safetyof the castleand b now looking out over wider horizons. The t wands staked in the ground suggestthat he made his initial decision,but he is now ready'to proceed further. The distant pyramids stand t':r ancientwisdom and the ships representthe imaq nation. The presenceof the salamanderindicates the fire connection. Efforts are rewarded in this card and an initial completion is achieved.lt is a card of satisfactionand challenee.It could be likened to someonewor ing single-mindedlyuntil a job is flnished,only to realizethat this is jul stageone and that the next phasewill follow fast.
TnnEEo/ Cues Three maidensdance and hold their cups high in joyful
celebration. They wear floral garlands
around their waists and heads.The pool in the foreground,which has a fish fountain at its centre is a symbol of the water element,suggestingthe outpouring of emotion.The image clearly depicts a celebration or joyful occasion.It can signify a marriageor birth, emotional growth, and a feeling of happiness in achievement,It can indicate the --58--
Tn
The Threes
iES
:--rclusion of a happy situation or a healing of wounds, As with all the i::rees, however,there is a sensethat it is important to enjoy the moment
the r.\,,mberOnecontains : ,.-.,urtlnumberThreebears achieved. t:'.:,t.the f.rststage
.-f ::ioicing for there is still much hard work ahead.
THnEEof Swonos fhree of Swords shows
,tuin"d-glasswin" Jepicting a heart piercedwith three swords. ::in clouds in shades of blue and grey, the
\DS ':::=J in the Two of Wands
:urs of air,indicate stormyweatherfor the emo-
satetyof the castleand is -"r'iJer horizons. The three r
There may be quarrels or separationsas a ir:it: maybe tears over a faithless lover.There is
suggestthat he has
-=rtheless a powerfulsenseof thegroundbeing
---:. but he is now ready to
,:ed for somethingnew.Amid the sorrowthere 'the i. >enseof relief; darkest hour is before the n'. This card signifies a flash of understand-
t,
:i:und
i.-.rant pyramids stand for ::, ;hips representthe imagi:: lhe salamanderindicates l:-.rts are rewarded in this ,r:ietion is achieved.Itis a
i -.r insight into a situation as it reallyis,which helps to put the sorrow : perspective.This card suggeststhat the difficulties experiencedin
;;iuships canbe overcome if facedandworkedwithhonestly.
:. .:kened lo someonework:,=. to realizethat this is just '
THnEE of PENTacLES
- -_F :\L.
.PS
This card shows a craftsman leaving a building that has reached the first stagesof completion.
'' i:
The discussion could be about ideas for the next phase of work. Three pentacles carved into the
1n
-l :,
sLaircaseshow the completed work while scaffolding indicatesthe unfinished part of the structure.
-rl)
-r_ ihe
Alittle mousescurrying down the stairsconnects
. :--Llc
the card with the elementof earth.Once again,the
:- a, ,.-., --, 15
initial completion of work has been achievedand --nly the finer details need to be added.As with the other Threes.a cf achievement can be deservedly enjoyed; however, there is still
.-i :
.L^ il-tc
-: to bedone,
JJ
THE Founs Thenumber Fourformsa square,with eachsideequal.Itis thenumhr of reality,logic andreason.The essence of man'sthreefold nature- mi bodyand spirit-is broughtto thematerial place,to t'orma square.
-..:h another beinq ..iirrt
:-". i or unhappyto seethr
a .-.:bie. He turns his em,::::r:jt. tnorepOsitire,*-ar-.,n
Foun Foun of WeNns Garlands of fruit and flowers form a canopy ported by four wands,which are firmly rooted the ground, symbolizing a secure base.A raises a wreath, a symbol of success,above headin a gestureof triumph.ln the distance a castledenoting achievement.Crowds are from the castleto welcome their conquering Here we have the solidity of the Four ming with the energy and enthusiasmcharacteristic the Whnds; so the result is a happy and prod tive card. This card indicates the satisfaction of the 'harvest home celebrationand reward after labour, a pausein activities and a tr time of rest.It may signify a well-deservedholiday or time of relaxation
--r:jr or this card is oi = : ---nb carvedwith trro .rr : s.i rrds point dorvn to ; ii
,--mb.He is dressed in btru ":.J sleepson his back.h.r - re imageo[ sorrot- :r j
:rds moved to the ha;xir
irr --*:rssis now in motion. _\l : : -:itethreatening,this c;rl
:: :rtreat after a struqglr: -
r.---:things through,rhe e.i ; --ncof convalescence ;:t=
Foc n o The Four l
Foun of Curs A young man sits cross-legged,arms folded discontentedly, gazing at three cups before him. He ignores or refuses a fourth cup offered by the hand in a cloud. He seemsto be caught between reflection and action,for the volatile nature of the feelings signified by the Cups isn't altogether comfortable in the solidity of the number Four. The card is one of divine discontent.The young man has a lot going for him, as symbolized by the -60--
holdinq,-n
trun-k dec:r fears being needto hrli gain.The r
the numL.,
Pentacles.-
the earthr-t *::1, nothing gained.'The.n ::---tions are expressed;th.re = --.lear that freedomof feeiiri
TheFours
35.s ith another being offered in a magicalway. But he is too bored,
:j-rsedor unhappyto seethe goodaroundhim,or takethe opportuni{.;.,,il.Itis thenumber it,; ;_f d nature - mind, ".1 i : : . t of o r md s q u d r e .
; .r-ailable,He turns his emotionsinwards.He needsto look at his life his position. ; :resh,more positive,way,and reassess
Foun of Swonos imageon this card is of a crypt containing a :::e tomb carved with two crossedswords.Two ,-cis torm a canopy suP
rr= strords point down to a figure lying on top
-i-1 are firmly rooted in : secure base.A man
i::e tomb.He is dressedin blue robes,thecolour
'i --i success,above his
sl. The image of sorrow from the Three of
:r.ln the distancestan&
:rls has moved to the background,as the heal-
r.:i. Crowds are coming e :heir conquering hero.
:rocess is now in motion. Although the image
:.- .-i the Four mingled Lrsiasmcharacteristicof
:r retreat after a struggle: a quiet period for
;. a happl and produc'harvest home': --: the
; timeof convalescence afteran illnessor anunhappyperiod.
:.-rivities and a tranquil ir-rr time of relaxation.
[;-r. and sleepson his back,hands claspedon his
s quite threatening,this card denotesa time of ring things through, the easingof tension and anxiety.lt may sug-
Foun of PnNrecLES The Four of Pentaclesshows a richly dressedman holding on tightly to a pentacle.He is sitting on a trunk decoratedwith bright gold pentacles,as if he fears being robbed.This is the card of the miser; the needto hold on to possessionsor emotionsprevents gain.The caid couples the strength of purpose of the number Four with the material aspectof the Pentacles.A tiny mouse connects the card with the earthy element.The card'smessageis,'Nothing : ,red,nothing gained.'The attitude towards money reflects the way ::rotions are expressed;there is an underlying senseof anxiety,as if
=:, fearthat freedomof feelinsswill resultin emotionalhurt or loss. -61
-
.-rt
Ta
I HE .TIVES Fiveis thenumberof uncertainty.It carriesno constantvibration and maychange or shift,thoughit seemsthat thefive in Tarotsignifiesmore adversity thanit doesin numerology.
Tljs card suggeststheremar-be L'st.ltmaybe necessary to turn at Tlere areotheralternatives to be
FrvE o
A man stands victorious in batd
Frvn of WaNns Five young men brandish huge wands in com
a conflictof interestis aptly portrayed. Although a battle is evident, it is important to note that blood has been shed.nor do the men seemto
attemptingto kill eachother.The Wands sent creativity,but here they are crossed,impl that the creativeprocessis blocked.This card gests a struggle in life and love and indicates
rt.1 ,rp three swords,while t.'*o J
slrk away.Their swords lie in hr n- r.r seemsinvincible. They ha. e
;--rendertheir weapons to him-' message,'Swallow your pride
tions, then move onwards an
r*.: of Swords carries a warnine t and defeat:there is danqerin :ribute to defeat,and dangerin
obstaclesand annoyances,orshort.termcom
.:ess. The birds connect tle car ::Uon, which means it is nere
cation problems which, once overcome,
I :cknowledgelimitationsbrfo
change things for the better. In the short term it seems as if not works out quite right in work or play; however, Five is the number change,so this doesn'tlast for long.
FrvE of
Two beqqar
FrvEof Curs
seemto nob heads,for tl
Afigurewearing a black cloak of mourning bends
the rererse
woefully over three overturned cups. He appears
the suit of I
not to notice the two full upright cups behind
etyover mo
him. The spilled cups represent that which has
difficulries
been lost and the full ones signify what remains
just a lack c
intact. On a distant hill stands a castle,symbol of
have lost s1
hope and security.The river representsgrief, and links the card with the water element,The bridge
rability to gain comfort *jt r--nshould be paid to detail -
indicates the way across the river towards hope.
s lhat without due care some
*62-
TheFiues
l:-is card suggeststhere may be regret over past actions,but all is not
t\-ES
:rs:. It may be necessaryto turn attentionstowardswhat can be salvaged.
; r--..-; 11oconstantvibration and
l::.re are other alternativesto be exploredwithin the loss.
;. .".t .ftr:ein TaroLsignifiesmore : : . r ' . . , ' . ; y g y 6 l 6 t,
Frvn o/ Swonos -rr :rdo stands victorious in battle, proudly holdIn: up three swords,while two defeatedwarriors
I -\\DS ::.:lish
huge wands in combat:
:"-::k away.Their swords lie in front of the victor. jn :.r seemsinvincible. They have no choicebut to
::.: ,,
s:render their weapons to him. This card offers
:- -: is important to note that no
t:: message,'Swallow your pride and acceptyour
nor do the men seemto be
k:-.tations,then move onwards and upwards.'The
.:-:
.-- .'-h other. The Wands repre-
F--": of Swords carries a warning about both vic-
*- :-.re they are crossed,implyinq
t:ri'and defeat:there is dangerin deceitihat may
::,-.ess is blocked.Thiscard sue-
c::-tribute to defeat,and dangerin the arroganceof
-- - :. and lo.'e and indicatespeth:----.-inaes,or short-termcommuni-
s;::ess. The birds connectthe cardwith the elementair and the thinking
-. .*-hich, once overcome, can :--:: lerm it seems as if nothinq
ar.i acknowledgelimitations before proceedingin a new direction.
Five is the number of : :----$-e\er,
F*:-:tion, which means it is necessaryto evaluate a situation carefully
Frvn o/ PnNracLES Two beggarsshelter outside a church. They don't seemto notice the light in the window abovetheir
i*-L PS
heads,for they are bowed down in sorrow. This is
::--: i bends
the reverseofthe good fortune so often found in
1-',nne2f --- "ir----
the suit of Pentacles,There may be strain or anxi-
::. behind -.,:-:h has
ety over money,a warning that temporary financial
:':
l:mainS
'..nbolof :,.::iti. and I'.. bridge .r :.-- - l-t
L^^^ rIUyL,
difficulties lie ahead.This could be deeper than just a lack of money,for the beggarsseemalso to have lost spiritual direction, as is symbolized by :: lnability to gain comfort within the church. The card advises that :nlion should be paid to detail- financial,emotionalor spiritual - and it -a:rs that without due caresomethingimportant or valuable may be lost. --63-
E t er t i s t
Exercises for Part One *: The Mafor Arcana e{-
Whenyou feel peacefuland a
r it closely.Keep looking at the 1 y,: rvhen you closeyour eyes.\o
* -ndow frame. Vsualize yours( e-:ngsidethe Magician.Picturehi
Now that you have completedthe first section,here is an opportunity to
--"iabric of his robes;notice the q
get to know your cards more deeply.This first exerciseis all about
= table;smelltheperfumefrom \ow imaginethat you are hclr
ting to know the Fool.Extract The Fool card from your pack and study I
carefully.Look closelyat his clothing,at what he is doing,at the at phere of the card and all the other details that strike you. Write your first reactionsand impressions.Now;try to identifywith the Fool: put yourself in his position - after all, you too are at the beginning a journey into the new and exciting world of Tarot.The Fool is a to take a leap off the edgeof a precipiceinto the unknown, strange
r-::stions and allow him to ansr sa-"--.. Talk for as long as you likr !r{.gician farewell,make sure rot
bing back out of the wjndor "in. The closing down is an im1
tory that lies below him.lmagine the feelings and thoughts that
= ready,open your eyesand *ri ,--te)'our feelings and thouqht, ;
be flashingthrough his mind,as he standspoisedon the edge.
l" personalrecordyoucanbuilc
his feelings be similar to those going through your mind as you
--ir e with your cards.It mas se :i-h, but if youpersevere,rhi< 3
on your journey into the Tarot?You may be nervous, as is the Fool,
hke him you standto gaingreaterbenefitas a resultof daringto take this challenge. Now think about the following questions and either write down make a recording of your initial reactions. Howwould you describeyourself asyou embark on your journey?
:rany different thoughtsanJ
card,It is the best way to get :er meaningof the cards. \--rw, in your own time, relxat t :'na cardsthat we ve looked at
i =:tortbut it is extremelysort
What doyou hope to gain? What doyou have in commonwith the Fool? Now you can tackle a
'guided
fantasy' exercise.First, and most
tantly,make sure you will not be dlsturbed. Set asideenough time to
aloneand relax fully. Turn the telephoneoff and makeyourselfco able. Sit or lie down, whichever allows you to relax the most, and severaldeep breaths.Relax every muscle in your body as completely you can.Close your eyesand clearyour mind; try to free yourself of day'seventsand the week'sworries. - 64-.
*: The Min
:::ough all the Minor Arcana r i-- associatethe essenceor feeli
:vrsonal experience.For insta
&t first time you fell in lor e. l i home?Note whatever com(
-ch card andiot down;'our ir r. :lowwill reward you richlvu -(
Exercises for Part One
';rrt One (:-
Whenyou feel peacefuland at ease,takeThe Magician card and look a: it closely.Keep looking at the picture until you can seein your mind's :.. g'hen you closeyour eyes.Now try to imaginethe card surround as a .-:rdow frame. Msualize yourself climbing through it and standing i--nqside the Magician.Picturehim as a real-lifefigure. Seethe soft folds
- ::.-m your pack and studyit
---:rbric of his robes;notice the glinting of the gold and metal objectson : s table;smell the perfume from the rosesand lilies in his garden. \ow imaginethat you are holding a conversationwith him, Ask him
i : =t he is doing, at the atmos. , -::t strike you.Write do*'n
:-:stions and allow him to answer,paying close attention to what he --. '. T)lk for as long as you like, but when you feel ready to bid the
::-. r.- identifywith the Fool;
\1,qician farewell,make sure you'close the fantasy down'properly by :--rbing back out of the window and imagining the image as a card
,--: hereis an opportunity to --:-.1exerciseis all about get-
- ---,-are al the beginningo[ : :. Tarot.The Fool is about .:,- ::re unknown, strangeterri.:-:s and thoughts that might
':'in. The closing down is an important part of the exercise..Whenyou i:= ready,open your eyesand write down or record your talk with him.
:-. :-.ised on the edge.Would
\ --teyour feelings and thoughts about the meetingwith care.The more --: .i personalrecord you can build up, the better rapport you can expect
-'-iir \our mind as you start .r :--r\-ous,as is the Fool, but
:-- :]avewith your cards.lt may seemawkward at first, and you may feel ::'--lish,but if you persevere,this exerciseof the imaginaLionwill conjure
,. . :esult of daring to take up
-r many different thoughts and associationsfor you personally with =,:h card.lt is the best way to get in tune with your pack and with the
--:-. ;nd either write down or
:-per meaningof the cards. \ow, in your own time,repeatboth exerciseswith all the other Major .a,:.anacardsthat weVe looked at so far,As with any study,it takestime
- .:'ibark on your journey? . ---l/ :, --1,
r:l effort but it is extremelyworthwhilewhen done properly,
*:
The Minor Arcana c=<'
i,::-,>e.First, and most impor-
e-,-throush all the Minor Arcana cardsthatwe have looked at so far,and
: -<-t asideenough time to be
r-.' to associatethe essenceor feeling of each card with something from r'--jr personalexperience.For instance,doesa particular card remind you
:- ,rd makeyourself comfort: -. :,- relax the most, and take -:- -.-rurbody as completely as : :- -: trv to free yourself of the
;r :le first time you fell in love, had your heart broken, lost your job, home? Note whatever comes to mind for you personally, as you fir*--".-ed s': jr- eachcard and jot down your immediatereaction.The hard work you 6,-: in nowwill reward you richlywhen you start to conduct readings. --65--
PAR *:
N{\ r
T_
1:,_
_i TL -- - : '.|-l
lne
-
\r
\\
--
"r- 1 11lf
- , €-
,
l \ ' { T \ -\ .\ \
f vtI_
.-. -T1-
-
T'
r ---
T-
It--_
t_
PART TWO ',: MAJOR CARDS *' Justice Temperance Strength The Hermit The Wheel of Fortune The HangedMan
a6
':,r.,,.',t:t,,: l,
.:a,::.r.It, 1 r: Ii.
*: MINOR CARDS *The Sixes The Sevens The Eights The Nines The Tens
-67-
TlreNi-r; I
The Next Phasein the Fool'sJourney ow let us continuewith thenext stageof theFools journey.He has receivedthe benefits of his educationwith his teacher(the
TheFool'sencounter with theoutsideworld
Magician),his worldly parents (the Empress and the Emperor) and his celestialparents (the High Priestessand the Hierophant);he has learned lessonsin love and war (the Lovers and the Chariot); and is now readyto 'school attend the of life' and facethe worldly trials of adulthood,(Justice Temperance,Strength and Prudence or the Hermit), also known as the Fortuua: fates spinninq wheel;
four moral lessons of life. Halfway through his life (the Wheel oi Fortune) the Fool experiencessomeform of loss or crisis.This evokesin him a need to sacrificeand change(the Hanged Man).
turninq inwar&to meetone's 6te
Cronus: fime'
patience; prudence; meditation
{
Ins: balanced hear!; =ixiure of teelings; :-Tperation
-68-
TheNext Phssein the Fool'sJourney .T
-i .l.rUIIle/ Tr
I
: _-r r. s lourney. ne has ; _ - : . I: I S t. e a cI n e r (t .rl n e
Odin: the Fool must descend into the underworld;
TheFool'sencounter triththeoutside world
M
- . . _ -L t r r P c r o ra/n o n r s !'. n h ^-^-l
^ ^ f ,
L'
--: -:ll r;he has learned :, ' "nJ is now readytc I
1.1
1 tr
. :. : -lultnOOO, UUStlce.
I
:, : :lso known as the :
Fortuna: fate'sspinning
.r (the Wheel oi
:: -:-
wheel; turning inwards to meetone'sfate
_1
sacrifice; turning point in the conscious/ unconscious
W
at'
Lr0nus:
lih^.
lt
--;fi;.---
l
Cyrene/Heracles: fortitude;
lr-----T;!l
qms.l3l ^"."_':-. lt "'wll #;;.i ll :-;;,"; l[;."flEJl 'rLu'Lal'Iu"lffii
courage; strugglewith primitive instincts
Four moral lessons
ins:
balanced lt
hearr;ll
-* -
=
l++l
ll
ll'fWill ll dffi:lj
1l
jl ili,ff'11.,
cooperarionlffi@]
'-69-
t\rnene:
impartiai resolve;
,,,'li1l,, il#ryJl o*,i;o
ieJll
'
JusrICE
o
an: The Hierophant card-r.d
me-:hathangsbetweenthcm rqnrij.n owl, the bird of *-isjo
:mn:-n the dark. Justice is an ir
--:l sheholds in her rieht
* rolizes the truth, while tl ,rm-' -tminine, and standfor ba
w:'-: equilibrium and harm..n r-:e may be connected*jt :-.
f:L L,
-:rc figure on the Jusli:e :o' Eoddessof the Greek.
t capacityand,althoueh :-:ht battlesusingthe app *:: torce.This card,in con
^',-nusing brain not bras-
, i.nt intelligence,and she ' --us expeditions and pn -"e u.ho were prudent eno
.-lted enormously and reh
\l1th tells of a contestL
;:-. in which eachhad to pr
:-<,nd.As a prize, a qreati
.: 1--'ds on Olympus qath
. . be of most use to tlr . ris offering, strikine o1 he Fool must now attend the'school of justice',the first of the car nal virtues. The fiqure on this card is pictured seatedbetween tr pillars wearing a red robe, a green cloak and a yellow headdress.Red i the colour of the planet Mars, the god of war, and green is the colour
the planetVenus,the goddessof love;thus the coloursof the figure clothes combine to symbolize the harmony inherent in the balancinR opposites.The yellow of her headdresssignifies thought and comm cation.The pillars,which are reminiscentof thoseon The High Priest -70-
;trang the first horsetha
= .uitably impressed anJ I - rroduce anythinq th:t :r- .r-henAthene came trr
--:tts kind, theylookede -:-:lrmedthe assemblrrt . : - , t a n do i l w o u l dn c u n .:rJ shelter,but, mostim
JusLice .-. j The Hierophant cards,depict the eternal opposites,and the purple .-. that hangs betweenthem is the colour ofwisdom.On a shorterpillar :-.> m owl, the bird of wisdom, known for its clearvision and ability to -:: in the dark. iustice is an imposing figure, staring straight ahead.The :-;.,-rdshe holds in her right hand, the hand of action,is masculine and ,., :rboiizes the truth, while the scalesheld in the left hand of creativity ,:. :eminine,and stand for balance.The zodiacalsign of Libra, associated ..r equilibrium and harmony,usesthe scalesas its symbol. The card of " --.:ice may be connectedwith the element of air, and the pov/er of the --- .llect. The figure on the Justicecard may be connectedwith Athene, the o... qoddessof the Greeks. She used the power of the intellect to its ::- .st capacityand,although essentiallya warrior goddess,she preferred :: ::ht battles using the application of intellect and strategy,rather than :,r - :e force.This card,in contrastto The Chariot, shows that battles can using brain not brawn, Athene was veneratedas the goddessof :il: '.:.-Jn rr -lent intelligence,and shewas a protector of heroes,guiding many on p:,.:-i.-'usexpeditions and providing them with the necessaryadvice. l:---'e who were prudent enough to listen to, and heed,her wise advice hr- ::jted enormously and returned from their questsunscathed. \lvth tells of a contest between Athene and Poseidon,god of the :.i, in which eachhad to produce an object that would be precious to ;: iind. As a prize, a great city would be named after the winner. The
:. -: qodson Olympus gatheredaroundto judgewhich gift would ulti :--.-be of most use to the human race.Poseidonsteppedforward to ' ::i.e', the first of the cardi -: --redseatedbetweentrro , -, .,ellow headdress.Red is : .lJ qreenis the colour of -r- colours of the figures -:-::rent in the balancingof -,--. thought and commu
n.. his offering, striking open the ground with his powerful trident. n- )prang the first horsethat the gods and men had ever seen.The gods :: - 'uitably impressedand beganto mutter that they doubted Athene *- , produce anythins that could match such a wonderful creature. r - ,*-henAthene came forward modestly holding an olive tree, the .,, :: its kind, they looked even more doubtful. However,Athene qui, :---ormedthe assemblyof the olive's many virtues, pointing out that -:-:1tand oil would nourish man's body, its wood could be used for
.' ,rd shelter,but, mostimportantlyof all,lts leafwas an emblemof -71-
Justice peace,which man needsfar more than war,which the horse symbolizes.
'TEu
In the end,the gods deemedpeaceto be the most precious gift, so Athene dulywon the contestand the cityof Athens was namedin her honour. Justiceteachesthe Fool to discriminate,to make dispassionateevaluetions and to make impersonaldecisions.At this stageof his journey,he must learn to solve his problems impartially: to weigh up, to balanceand then to make rational ludgements.Justiceis fundamentally a human conception centring on fairness and reason.Nature, however,is not fair, ns is it reasonable,at least according to man's interpretation of the Even so,man at his best strives to be fair and to usejustice in an attempt
to establishequilibriumas a guidingprincipleof his world and on hi society.Although hls ideal may seemhopelesslynaive because can never be tamedby man,justice is neverthelessone of the most conceptionsof the human spirit.
In areading,Justice stands for theneedtoweighthingsup,tofind fair andrationalsolutions,t'or reason andthoughtto ouerride emotions, although at timeslusticemightneedto betempered with merc), aswewill seein thenextcard,Temperance.In short,itstands mind. for theneedforahalanced
:re Fool has learned the r :ncounter with Justice;he :-:ed heart. He meets the -e.l in white robeswith a g,
:-. chest,lnthe sky behindi.
=: :iom a golden cup into a : :re other in the water. -\ r :rcunlain peaks,betu eenu -72-
:\'ri;h the horse symbolizes'
" TnupERANCE
o
-:st preciousgift' so Athene ; -r'rs namedin her honour. evalual-- nake disPassionate i ::ri-; stageof his journeY,he ;: i: s-eighup, to balanceand ::rJamentally a human con,! i:e. however,is not fair, nor -: .iterPretation of the word. :: :l usejustice in an attemPt :::-e of his world and on his n --ssls naive becausenature :::-ie ss one of the most noble
, r.'argh thingsup,tofind fair emotions, to override c';.girt s r ; tenperedwith merc), iL stands r.;,t;t. In short, ;ti nind.
he Fool has learned the value of a balanced mind through his encounterwith Justice;he now needs to complement this with a rced heart. He meets the rainbow-winged angel of Temperance, -d in white robes with a golden triangle containedwithin a square
:'. chest.lnthe sky behindis a shimmeringrainbow.The angelpours .: trom a golden cup into a silver one, and standswith one foot on I the other in the water. A road leads away from the pool towards -:- mountain peaks,betweenwhichthe sun is rising. -73-
kmperance
The angel'srobes are white to express his purity, while the triangle symbolizesthe spirit's ability to rise from within the squaredenoting the physical body,The wings of Temperancehint at his supernaturalqualitr. and he pours the water of feeling from the golden cup, symbolizing consciousness,into the silver one,which stands for the unconscious,thu: showing the need for a constant flow between the two.lf water doesn't flow, it stagnates, as do feelingsif they don't exchangethrough communication.cold is the metal of the sun, and is therefore connectedwith the masculineprinciple, whlle silver is the metal of the moon and the feminine, thus the flow of water between the two signifies the mixing an,J blending of the opposites.The placementof the angel'sfeet echoesthls. as earth and water are associatedwith the conscious and unconscious respectively,The road leading to the mountains representsboth balance between opposites and a route for the Fool to follow The rising sun offers new hope in the task of resolving opposites,whicharerepresented by the twin peaks.The rainbow in the sky reflectsin the angel'swings as a symbol of promise and hope,expressedin folklore as the'pot of gold at the end of the rainbow'or in children's songs as a land beyond the rainbowwhere dreamscometrue. In Greek myth, Iris was the messengergoddessof the rainbow,rr.ho served both Zeus and Hera, The rainbow acts as a bridge between heavenand earth,whlch Iris used to reachearth from olympus. she *'s equally at easeon earth,in the sky or even in the depth of Hades,where she would cheerfully descendto carry messages.ltwas said that the u*sually unfriendly underworld would open up at her feet when she arrir ed sent by Zeus,to fill her cup at the waters of the River Styx, from whi.h the immortals drank to preservetheir immortality. Iris was a kind and compassionategoddesswhose gentlewillingness to help everyonema,Je her belovedof gods and men alike. 'temperance' The word means moderation and a lack of ext Temperanceis one of the cardinalvirtues, and the pouring from one c to anothermaybe seento depict the custom of mixinqwaterwithwine moderatethe effect of the alcohol. It may also allude to the Chri communion ceremonyduring which water is mixed with wine; the r*at
+
1 /
+
--. man is mixed with the I :,nkind.
The Fool needs to learn i - :rportions,the opposite>--: i--J sorrow; the waters pcurt
::tresent thesedifferent feti;r -uid is poured shows the tc
: :rpered with mercy,and Trir r- i forgivenessand take_s int ---,njust the faclual circum.r - :.1 of Temperancestrir r> : : - i-eelingequivalent of o h.t
In a reading,Temperan infriendships and partrt andrelationship s bt t au in theblendingtogt carddenottstl
Temperance
: -:it\, while the triangle : -:,, stluaredenotinglhe
r[ man is mixed with the blood of Christ. which he shed to redeem nankind,
: :,s supernaturalquahty, -::, .up, symbolizingcon-
:roportions, the oppositesof successand failure, growth and decay,joy
---: ihe unconscious,thus
.nd sorrow; the waters poured by the angel from one cup to the other
- -1-3frvo.If water doesn't
:rpresent thesedifferent feelings and emotions.The carewith which the
:::lqe through communi:. ,-ie connectedwith the
-lquid is poured shows the benefit of moderation.Justicemay need to be
The Fool needs to learn from Temperancehow to mix, in their due
::mperedwith mercy,and Temperanceoffers the qualities of compassion
--- -re moon and the femi.-:nitjes the mixing and
,nd forgivenessand takes into account the feelings in situations rather
:- "nqel's feet echoesthis, :-.:ious and unconscious . ::presents both balance
,nqel of Temperancestrives for a senseof emotional calm and serenity,
,,- --.llow,The rising sun :::..\\ hich arerepresented :.' : in rheangelswings as -i-:re as the'pot of gold at ,. , land beyondthe rain-
:ran just the factual circumstances,as Justicemay be inclined to do. The -:e feeling equivalent ofwhat the mind knows as Justice.
In a reading,Temperance standsfor theneedfor cooperation infriendshipsandpartnerships.It signifiessuccessful marriages thatis required andrelaLionships of thecompromise because Temperance in thehlending of opposites.The together heart. carddenotes theneedfor a balanced
::.-.s of the rainbowwho :.':,< as a bridge between .: -:rm Olympus. Shewas :::. Jepth of Hades,where =. i1*-as saidthat the usu-:: ieet when she arrived. :, i.ir-er Styx, from which --,--rr.Iris was a kind and -:>s tJ help everyonemade :- ,rl
a lack of extremes.
. :,-' pouring from one cuP :: -rinq waterwith wine to .: 'llude to the Christian -' -r-J u'ith wine; the water *75-
' STRENGTH
o
'Jorned with a wreath of ro-s ;,-aist.Although she is standins
::te very picture of femininitr. ir ',;ll.sof an enormouslion. Once a
;nion of opposites;the maiden.u .rd femininity, and the lion, a ,cl;
-:linity. The card also alludes to ',1n representing the masculin.. -i:rlphur uniting with the gracetu ;'.terX passive principle of phil<
:::=seelementscan transform into l:e combination of red rosesant
i:-l feminine in a harmonious ble ,:r: she is trying to tame him. ;
l,r"r er,is submitting to her rrill. Tl r- r-mpression of a firm commanJ.
Greek myth tells of a time u-b --:ene, L a hand-maidento the rnc
h-*Jed with a fierce lion. Cr-ren c:;:med with her courageand fcr rn'-' - he spirited her off to a para, - peaceever afterwards. Some n ::ad a city named after her. Srr
:;qiing with the Nemean lion. ::ls and arrows. He finallv re; he Fool has gainedexperiencein thought and feeling;nowhe m develop the capacity to control, discipline and weigh up these ments within himself. He learns these lessons throueh the card Strength,which shows a woman holding open the jaws of a lion,
Turotcardsdepict strength as a strugglebetweena man and a although in Renaissanceart the virtues were often portrayed as fi sometimesdressedreadyfor the battle againstvice.
The carddepictsa beautifulmaidenin a flowingwhite robe,her -76-
.i-J in stranglingthe beast.He I is a cloak of protection,rr-hich
--";iairy talesand myths tell oi a
r.=:ting with a wild animal rl h - i by the hero before it can L,ec
-:ese myths are usefulu-hen
--rrd offers. The lion stand_ :::. although they should not Lt
:r -ontrolled.A child doesn'rl
SLrength
;Jorned with a wreath of roses and lilies, while garlands entwine her -.iaist.Although she is standing in a peacefulgreen meadow appearing .1e very picture of femininity, incongruously she is holding open the '.r.-s of an enormouslion. Once again,this imageryshows the blend and -rion of opposites;the maiden,whose white dressrepresentsthe moon ,rd femininity, and the lion, a solaranimal,symbolizing the sun and mas-'rlinity. The card also alludes to alchemicalimagery,with the powerful --rn representing the masculine,fiery, active principle of Philosophlc Srlphur uniting with the graceful maidenwho representsthe feminine, -.,'-atery, passive principle of Philosophic Mercury. The union between ::eseelementscan transform into the higher elementsof gold and silver. . ne combination of red roses and white lilies representsthe masculine .rd feminine in a harmonious blend, The maiden is not trying to kill the --:n; she is trying to tame him, and the lion, symbol of strength and is submitting to her will, There is no evidenceof brutal force,only ;,;'r.,.er, .: impressionof a firm command,which the lion obeys, Greek myth tells of a time when Apollo, the sun god, encountered .--'"-rene, a hand-maidento the moon goddessArtemis, struggling bare-,nded with a fierce lion, Cyrene won her fight, and Apollo was so ::"rmed with her courageand fortitude, as well as her feminine beauty, .:,t he spirited her off to a paradiseland where she enjoyed harmony ; -J peaceever aflerwards.Some myths say he took her to Libya, where -
had a city named after her. Some decks show the image of Heracles
,;:-rqgling with the Nemean lion, which he tried in vain to kill with ,-.,'rrds and arrows, He finally resortedto a bare-handedfight and suc: -:led in strangling the beast.He kept the lion's skin, however,and wore rs a cloak of protection,which rendered him invulnerable. A great
,- .- leeling;now he must ':- j u'eigh up these ele-
:,nv fairy tales and myths tell of a hero'sjourney or quest that involves
- - r h r o u g ht h e c a r d o [
i reeting with a wild animal who is helpful, but who must first be
-:: iarvsof a lion, Some -;.' .n a man and a lion.
:.:ed by the hero beforeit can becomea travelling companion.
--.r portrayedas female.
:----. card offers. The lion stands for instinctive desires and wishes, ' :'ch, although they should not be denied or repressed,sometimesneed
_:,. 1-'_r \\rhiterobe,her hair
fhese myths are useful when looking at the psychological lessons
:-- re controlled. A child doesn't have this senseof self-control from -77-
Strength
'Tn
birth; it is somethingthat is acquiredduring the developmentof the
sonality.A child needsto learnthat its not alwaysappropriateto do we please, andwe musttherefore, This is acquiresomeselldiscipline. the sameasdenyingthe impulsealtogether. Heraclesstruggleswith lion and kills it, but then wears its skin as protection.The beast must be acknowledsedand intesratedfor it to be of use.This card r sents the strength and endurance necessaryto achieve selFcontrol suggeststhat obstaclescan be overcomethrough willpower, resulting a senseof mastery.Leo is the zodiacalsign that representsindivid and selFmastery, and usesthe lion as its emblem.
In a reading,this cardshows courage anddeterminaLion. , strengLh It offersthepossibilityof achieving self-awareness andconviction. is theneedfor disciplineandself-control. Oneof its chiefmessages It represents thepotenLial of integration andindiuiduation.
iter the colour and r-ibr: .l
..rr
uPon rne greystltlnes
: :rost lacklustre colours t - -':nferedthus far,Lhisd..'t
- :e imageis of an old m,n
,"' rooded cloak. Onlv his
:,rs-d.He has a long s-hite I rr-sterious figure, stanli -78-
:-- ':1 .lopment of the prer:'.:-.': appropriateto do a>
' THu Hnnurr o
: -.---:lscipline.This is not i=:,:-.s struggleswith the --:-,:rrn. The beastwithin :. -.: use.This card repre:-- .;hier.e selFcontrol.It :: .r illp6*er, resultinqin .: ::lresents individualitr:.
i ; . : . i r r Jd e t e r m i n a t i o n . r ; , 1 i s ia n dc o n u i c t i o n ;:'.:rri nnd self-control. ";':,iind,ivi duation.
the colour and vibrancy of the previous cards,the Fool comes {fter I \ upon the grey stillnessof the Hermit. Although this card displays i::: most lacklustre colours of any of the Major Arcana the Fbol has u,--runteredthus far,this doesn'tmeaniLis dull or symbolic of stagnation. rhe imageis of an old man whose headis bowed down, shrouded in a s:.'' hooded cloak. only his hands and a tiny portion of his face are r:-:csed. He has a long white beard and holds a staff in his left hand.He u " mysterious figure, standing alone against a grey horizon. Even the
TheHermit
earth'snatural richness seemsto have desertedhim: all that can be seen of the landscapeis a stony path and parchedgrey earth.At the man'sfeet is a small brown snake that accompanieshim on his journey.The onlv thing that offers him light and warmth is his lanrern,which he holds in his right hand and which emanatesa warm,golden glow, The Hermit's white beard symbolizes age and maturity; he look down carefully to seewhere he is going, an action that suggestswisdom
:}om the busy outside worlJ in neans freeing our minds of thr
spacefor our thoughts to cle.r ,nd the inevitability of old aEe :arl of lhe naturalcyclesbr ...i
-low from birth to blossomto rn
and experience.Unlike the Fool,who doesn't look where he is going a*i
:round. Although we mat al Jronus myth tells us that no m;
he walks off the cliff, the Hermit is clearly concerned about his progress: he keeps his eyes lowered and holds out his lantern to light his o-a.-"
:.mewill eventuallyclaim us alj.
using his staff for support. The snakeis a symbol of transformationas it
, -l.le,one of man'sgreatestfear_
sheds its skin of youth and grows a new one in old age,His lantern
: -rt to face this fact is often unrr
denotes the hght he uses to illuminate his inner world, which, as be
=;metime,however,by facine th -:-git, and once it is really acceF
grows older,he learnsto appreciate. This card can be connectedin Greek myth with Cronus. Cronus, cr Saturn to the Romans,was the god who ruled the Golden Age of ManHe dreadedlosing his power and did not want to give up hts rulership of this specialtime.He had beenwarned by an oraclethat he would be ot
thrown by his children,so in an attemptto preventthis he swallos-al each of his offspring at birth. Eventually,his wife Rhea,utterly exa
Another of the soberinqle_s
:.l not wish to grow old and re :-"liy during his enforced _rl :t:ame content to let time tai
---lden Age to return. Accept: ;:. the messageslearned br- rhe ;.-re Hermit.
ated at producing children for her husband to dispose of in rhi* unfriendly manner,tricked Cronus into swallowing a stonewrapped in swaddling clothes.The real baby boy,Zeus,washidden away and grerv
manhoodin secrecy. On reachingadulthood,he appearedto his disguised as a cup-bearerand gave him a potion to drink that ca Cronus to vomit, bringing up his swallowed children. They then hel their brother and redeemerwaqe a war againsttheir murderous f and finally overthrew him as had been foreseen.Zeus banishedCron to live in the Isles of the Blessed,wherehe ruled peacefully as the go,1 time and old age,The Latin version of the story ends by adding thatCronus waits patiently enough,the Golden Age will one day return. The imase of The Hermit. with its starkness and lack of imagery,comes as a surprise after the vibrancy of the previous car However,the card clearly indicates that the time is ripe for withdrar -80-
In a reading,The Hermit rryr ,neditation, theneed for patim out quietly, Adegreeof solit awishfor tempora
TheHermit :.-'. :rim: all that can be seen : .:= ' earth.At the mans feet :,:r --r his iourney,The onlv i -;:i-rn, rvhich he holds in :---.'=nqlow. ,:. "nd maturity; he look "::-:n that suggestswisdom :- : -:--k
he is going a> "r.here ::--.rned abouthis progress: :---. -,ntern to light his o-an: .:::ri of transformationas it ,-' - 'n old age.His lantern , -::er u.orld,which, as he , -: .r ith Cronus,Cronus,or -, :re Golden Age of Manr. . --{ir-e up his rulership ci ::,:ie that he would be or-er' :::\-ent this he swallou-oj . -.r,-e Rhea,utterly exasper,:-: to dispose of in this
::--m the busy outside world in order to enter the quiet inner one. This ::-ins freeing our minds of the external hrrly-brriy Lo allow time and ;:'ce for our thoughts to crear.The Hermit teachesthe ressonof time, ;' I the inevitability of old age.Time and change must be acceptedas : ':t of the natural cycles by which man lives, for they involve constant i--.. from brrth to blossomto fruit, and the return of the seedback to the ::,-und. Although we may all wish to halt the ageing process,the -:onus myth tells us that no matterhow hard we try.i. .urrrrotsucceed; :-::rewill eventuallyclaim us all. -\nother of the soberinglessonsthe Hermit has to teachis that of soli_ :*ie, one of man'sgreatestfears.The truth is that we are alr always alone, : 't to face this fact is often uncomfortabre and even frightening. At the ;ne time,however,by facing the truth we arewell on ti. -ay to accept-:-: it, and once it is really acceptedit stops being so frightening. cronus :-i not wish to grow old and refused to accept his rimitatiorrr,"b.r,..,.rr:'-'llrl during his enforced soritary exile, he found inner peace and :'::.ame content to let time take its course, serenely waiting for the ---iden Age to return. Acceptance,patience and inner understanding i:= the messageslearned by the Fool through his encounter with the * -=eHermit.
,--:-ring a stonewrappedin .. ridden away and grewto ..i :-: appearedto his father :,,-.---nto drink that caused ::-lJren, They then helped :-.- their murderous father .:::. -eus banishedCronus
In a read.ing,The Hermit represents a timefor soulsearching and meditation, theneed patience and an opportunity for to workthings out quietly.Adegreeof solitudeis oftenrequired and ,ought,onld awisht'ortemporarywithdrawal permitted. is
- - - peacefullyas the god of :,-:-, ends by adding that, if :,i: u il1 one day return. -<:--.s and lack of detaile,J i::r of the previous cardi :,:t
is ripe for withdrawal
'-81 -
- ll l c \ \ , : i r
' TuE WHEEI oF FonruNr .
---.;oiour of wisdom,but herblini: :.:rable.Thefour pointsstandfcr ti :.i::h and the four cardinalsignsci --.:ricorn respectively. Eachof tht
-: -.: a different position; an eager\-_
:r-.-rng,'lwill rule.'ln his eagernes :.;:i to seewhere he has come flcrn
r-_-gsits in a position of power air,1
*r:-.he doesn't seethe falline man L n= lescendshe says,'lhr,r. ruleo. :n::-tathhim. The figure at the bcttc *'. ..'l amwithout rule,'andlooks "t ihe goddessFortuna was, in Rl
cr ;;k; however,whenrepresente.: h- :apriciousnessof life, Her Greek ---"that governedthe prosperitr-,-i
i; rhought to be an irresistibiecq_-neideathat thereis a naturalrrli
lhe blindfoldedwomans,vmbc. ! rheel r '. rccr u offate r ldlc a and, lo, a accordins ccordlnq tto o h h:r : -:11.The figureson the w-heelr: ,:hieving it, the losing it and th. 1,. u'hich again is a reflection ,-:
he Fool now reachesthe turning point in his journey.He is at ooint where he realizesthat there is more to life. and to hi than the external world of relationship,careerand status.He gltn this during his time with the Hermit, and now, as the Wheel of
:.'. and death.This is further echr i ::ll,waning and old. -^,though in medieval times it n-.: ..ra for everything that went lr-l
--urlives in a more consciou::r - r e i s a p a r a d o x i c a I i m aogfes t , :
., hich is hidden from his con_<;
turns, he realizesthat there is a whole new world beneath the s
:ub of the wheel,like the blini
that he has not yet visited.
-.ih the externalor conscious:.r
The imaseon the card shows a blindfolded woman turning a u' the compasspoints of whlch are four figures.The woman wears D - 82-
.:-f outer rim. Fate is the circull .. :he centre.The hub enablest:r
-
]i
TheWheelof Fortune
tonTuNE
o
-:-.:colour ofwisdom,but her blindfold shows that her actions areunpre- :table.The four points stand for the four elementsof fire,water,air and :,:th and the four cardinal signs of the zodiac,Aries, Cancer,Libra and --,pricorn respectively.Each of the figures attachedto the wheel repre-.rt a different position; an eageryoungman looks up as he is on the rise .,'.-ing,'lwill rule.'ln his eagerness to rise to the top he does not look . .:k to seewhere he has come from. At the top of the wheel a crowned . rg sits in a position of power and might saying,'l rule,'From where he - ,. he doesn't seethe falling man besidehm. This man is anxious. As -.. Jescendshe says,'I have ruled,'but he only seesaheadthe beggar .,:reath him, The figure at the bottom wears rags and has no shoes.He -,' s,'l amwithout rule,'andlooks at the ground. The goddessFortuna was, in Roman mythology, the personification . - uck; however,whenrepresentedasveiled or blindfolded, she denoted , :apriciousnessof life, Her Greek equivalentwas Tyche,the presiding -: -r lhat governedthe prosperity of a city and its fate or destiny.Destiny ,' .. thought to be an irresistiblepower that determinedthe future,based ;, :he ideathat thereis a naturalorderor patternto the universe. The blindfolded woman symbolizesthe goddessFortuna who turns - . -*-heelof fate and, accordingto her random turns, man'sfortunes rise " - tall. The figures on the wheel represenlthe rising towards success, - : r.hieving it, the losing it and the stateof being without any success - . -, which again is a reflection of the cycle of life: blossom,fruition, : - -..'' and death.This is further echoedby the phasesof the moon: wax' . ull,waning and old. *,lrhough in medievaltimes it was fashionableto blame the goddess
., :-.his journeY.He is at t: : . to h[e,and to him=.
rna for everything that went wrong in life, these days we tend to
-
-rneis a paradoxicalimageof stability and change.The true self of a
. e glimP; . n d s t a t u sH -.sthe Wheel of Fortu
:rld beneaththe sur:
our lives in a more conscious and responsibleway, The Wheel of m - o h;ch is hidden from his consciousmind,very often remainsat the :i
d
,l
..'manfurnlngawner'
l he woman wears Pur:
rub of the wheel, like the blind goddess,The hub remains stable, - -rghthe external or conscioussituations change,as reflectedby the
m " .:rg outer rim. Fate is the circumferenceof the wheel, and the true . lhe centre.The hub enablesthe rim to turn and thus controls all -83-
TheWheel of Fortune that comes its way. Each man is responsible for his own destiny, and although circumstancesare determined,as are the four points of the greatwheel, it is eachman who turns his own wheel to whichever point
' THr H,
his true self dictates.Fate does not seekyou out. So,when joy or sorrotcomes into your life, it isn't that happiness or misfortune has befallen you, but rather that you have turned to face it. Often, the fear of takine such a responsibility upon our ov/n shoulders causesus to blame fate for the courseour lives take.ln reality,wearepresentedwith choicesand situations,and what we do with them is on our own account.This is the difficult lessonthe Fool learns from the Wheel of Fortune, and he mug now take responsibility for his own life and fate.
thaLt in a spread,itsignifies When TheWeel of Fortuneappears or thot is to bemade, of importance is starting,a decision newchapter ofyourown mlte)ou areau)ate a newrun of luckis commencing.The thingswillappear. clearer plweroverlourdestiny,the
t this point, the Fool start explore the realms of hi -:e figure suspendedfrom a
;,..-n-offbranchesapiece. He :::ked behlndto florman rn ::re of his stockingsis reJ .:h him, and despitehis pcr . :roundhis head. -84-
r - : :--i -.\ n deStinr-. an: : . . , -: -. .*u- r ro"o- i-n" "t so f t h . ', - :. to ri hichever poir: -
- - t'hen
' TuE HeNcEo MaN .
iov or qorrc\\'
-: :-,-srortunehas befaller. .: .--ien,the fear of takin: : --- . : lit'S us lo blametit= : : - - : t e d w i t h c h o i c e sa n i r-.in account.This is the :- Fortune,and he mu-*
s-''',,tJ,itsignifiesthat a i':-i is to bemade,or that --...iri awareofyour otn ';-':i-.rlill appear.
this point, the Fool startshis descentinto the underworld to fit -l' r explore the realmsof his unconsciousmind. He confronts a -qe figure suspendedfrom a rod that is supported by two treeswith -'wn-off branchesapiece.He is hanging from one leg,with the other rcked behind to form an inverted triangre.He wears a green shirt, , a - , ,.ne of his stockings is red and the other one white. A pool lies h *-.:th him, and despite his perilous position, his face i, cul.i: a halo g. : drourd his head. -85-
TheHangedMan
r, hich exists outside.This r --.qicaldevelopment,the pr
The inverted triangle is an imageof the descentof hlgher to lower. and the twelve branch stumpsrepresentthe twelve signsof the zodiac, of the suggestingthat the sun has run its coursethrough the seasons yearand is readylo enterthe last phase.The man hangsfrom his ankle. the last sign of the zodiac,and the part of the body attributedto Pisces, the sign of purification andsacrifice.The halo symbolizesthe light thar must shinein the darknessof the underworld.The HangedMan'sgreer shirt is a symbolof healing,andhis red andwhite stockingsdenote1ns. His handsarefirmly held behnd his sion andpurity in equalmeasures.
:;nnot be inflicted by other :ircumstancesmay contribu -rng says,it is as if the con_ a new and fruitful life in thr
back,showing that he is in no position to move.
; u'ays an inevitable fear tha
The essentialmeaning of this card is one of sacrifice:the voluntalv surrendering of something in order to gain something of greatvalue-
:: Hades is contemplated.T. :-rst and willingness to take -: must take a risk and dare t
the Titancreatedmankindbut sufferedd Greekmyth,Prometheus
irips with the unconscious
:clof his consciousegobt s -:rnerworld. It seemsthat th
ful torture in punishmenl for stealing fire to give to his belo. creations.Prometheus'punishmentwas dire: he was stretchedon an mountain-side where an eagle ate his llver by day,only to have it back againeach night. Prometheussacrificedhimself so that man sharein divine fire.
In Teutonicmyth, the god Odin volunteeredhis own sacrifice b;nine nights,'hesaysin an old poem,'wounded rejuvenation.'For ov/n spear,consecratedto Odin, myself to myself, I remained ha from the tree,shakenby the wind, from the mighty treewhose roots know not.'The tree mentionedwas the ashYggdrasil,the world tree,
Odin per bywounding himselfand hangingfrom its branches, magicalrite for the purpose of rebirth and rejuvenation.As he hunq thosenine lonely days and nights,he waited in vain for someoneto him food or drink. However, as he hung he looked about carefully what lay beneath him and noticed some runes - characterscarvod stone,which have magicalmeaningsand powers.Hemanaged,with considerableeffort, to pick one up and was immediately released
the treeby its magic.He was filled anewwith youth andvigour, was accomplished. his resurrectionandreiuvenation The Fool has reached the point in his journey at which know what lies within him becomesas important as,if not more so than-86-
In a reading,The Hangc standing.It also suggc althoughit is worthrcma
orderto ga
T h e H a n g e dM a n
---:.nt of higher to lower. -...-,.esignsof the zodiac.
,. rich exists outside.This card representsthe turning point in psycho-
:-:,--,qhthe seasonsof the :,,r hangs from his ankle.
;:ips with the unconsciousforceswithin him, He needsto sacrificecon:::1 of his consciousego by surrenderingto the unknown territory of his
-,.: siqn of the zodiac,an,i : .-,'mbolizesthe light that
,-rer world.lt seemsthat this can only be done by consciouschoice;it
--:ical development,the point at which the individual must come to
-,rnot be inflicted by others or by the outside world, although external
- - :: HangedMan s green ...:--:: stockingsdenotePa-*
:-::umstances may contribute to the Fool wanting to look within. As
,:. iirmly held behind his -:
r rew and fruitful life in the unconscious.Jung points out that there is
- .:crifice: the voluntarv :::.thing of greatvalue.ln
.,. Hades is contemplated.The Fool started his iourney with a senseof -:ust and willingness to take a risk no matterwhat, and now,once again, :-: must take a risk and dare to make that inner journey.
,- -<1ndbut suffered dread: :,- give to his beloved :- rf,> strelchedon an icv -. -'., o.ly to have it gro*. :-nself so that man could hls own sacrificeand ,--- poem,'woundedby mt
.::l
-rg says,il is as if the consciousmind volunteers to die in order to bear ,-rr-aysan inevitable fear that ariseswhenever the notion of taking a trip
In a reading,The HangedMan indicaLes a timeofgreaterunderstanding,Italsosugeststhata sacrifice will haveto bemade, it is worthrememb although eringthatthisactionwill be takenin ordertogainsomeLhing of morevalue.
-..tli, I remainedhangin* --: :t \- treewhose roots men =: -iasil, the world tree,ani ':.:-:hes,Odin performeda - . -aation.As he hung i.-r :,- ,in for someoneto bring . -:,-ked about carefully at :--s - characterscarved on ',:. He managed,withsome ::.nediately releasedfrom :, . -.ulh and vigour, and ;c
-87-
THn Srxns
ray bring present or future req:
sLaris madc stx-pointed andharmony.The Sw is thenumberof equilibrium Lheotherpoints onepointsup towardsthespiritorheauens; of twoLriangles: them. balance between downtowardsthebodyor earth.Thissymbolizes
ind doesn'tpay enough attenlion
Srx of WeNos
:ruld mean that the seekerlir-s tr
Srx or
lhis card presenls an interestinq --:reharmonyof the Six and the Sr ::ten represent difficulty. A iern:
A man on horseback is crowned with a laurd
:rople across the water to a dt<
wreath symbolizing successand triumph, Another
-:terestingto note that the water o
wreath is attachedto his wand and a crowd folloqr
'rJe of the boat is rough; wher"r.
him in admiration,applauding and congratulating him.This card is one of achievement,fulfilmentof
:.:.1m. This indicates a move atar I :*-o-ardsmore peaceful times.lt ca
hopes and wishes in one's career,and a senseof
furney, a move to a more pleasin
great satisfaction.Acclaim is received from others'
:ut it could alsobe a journevo[ an
and public recognition awardedfor success.ltcan
Tirls card can denote releaseof t *rain, so that a senseof harmonr r
mean promotion after good work, or reward fa effort expended in a good cause.
Srx or l Srx or Cups An old dwarf and a little girl are busy arranging flowers in six cups. The child is a symbol of the future, and the dwarf signifies the past,yet they work togetherin the present.Theyput the flowers, which representmemories,into the cups,denoting feelings.Behind the pair stands a thatchedcottage with a quaint garden and old-fashionedwishing well, conveying nostalgic thoughts of home, family and childhood memories.The Six of Cups can indicate a meetingwith an old friend or childhood
The numLe a merchan ute his bou setofscals the poor.Th combine to cardthat su or that the theirs.Ther ous friend
; be put on a stable footinq. T
acquaintance;an old lover may reappearor a love affair may be revir
:rer's position is prosperoushe
and pasteff Somethingwith rootsin the pastmaybe reconsidered,
:s turn to receivewill come arc
--88-
The Sixes
ra,v bring present or future rewards,In some circumstances,this card
ES
-,.uld mean that the seekerlives too much in the past,or is too nostalgic
starismade -','.;si*poinLed , '. : , l r c a u e n s ; o L thhee r p o i n t s ' - - : : - .L , d l a n c e b e L w t heeem n. ,
,nd doesn'l pay enough attention to presentand future potentials.
Srx op Swonrs - hls card presentsan interesting combination of .:reharmonyof the Six and the Swords,which so
;DS
::ten representdifficulty. A ferryman carriestwo
:5 -s .rowned with a laurel j '.-:->s and triumph,Another
::ople across the water to a distant shore. It is
- s ...and and a crowd folloo
-.Je of the boat is rough; whereas on the left it is
: :,-. -rJingand congratulating . - - .:hie.'ement,fulfilment of
:.1m.This indicatesa move away from difficulties
: . . . : i a a r e e ra,n d a s e n s eo i
- lrney, a move to a more pleasingenvironment;
- - -:,n is receivedfrom others. --:. ,'*-ardedfor success.It can
: ;t it could alsobe a journey of an internal nature.
:.: arod work, or reward for
rteresting Lonote that the water on the right-hand
.--'o-ards more peaceful times.It can mean a literal
- nis card can denote releaseof tension and anxiety after a period of .:ain,so that a senseof harmony may prevail once again.
:: --I cause.
Srx or PENracrEs ri
The number of harmony is shown in this card by a merchant carefully weighing out gold to distrib, ute his bounty fairly among the needy.He uses a set of scalesto ensurea just distribution of alms to the poor,The number Six and the suit of Pentacles combine to produce material benefit. This is a card that suggeststhat money owing will be paid, or that the seekerwill receivewhat is rightfully theirs, There may be financial help from a generous friend or employer, so that material affairs '
\ e aflair may be revir e.t.
: - ,,-rrsidered,and past effort-r
: -,-,'be put on a stable footing. There is also the suggestionthat if the .: ier'S position is prosperoushe should sharehis fortune with others, ,: :-iSturn to receivewill comearound soon enough. --89-
THE SnvENs
:.esin the clouds'.Tht is a pF
of cycles. is thenumberofwisdomandrelatesLothecompletion Seuen sevenvices sevenvirtues, planetsin astrology, Thereareseuen personal day,theBibletellsus,Godrestei" deadlysins.OntheseuenLh andseven e. etionof a phas InherenLin thisnumberis a sense of compl
:ie. But without a decision.noL
.ld choices seeminnumeraL'
:--nfusionis an abundancer-ri
Srr-r -1 man makes a sly escape::r
SEvnN op WaNos Six wands rise up to attack a young man, q fights bravely. One attribute of the Seven is
.:ruggling out a bundle oi st r :t leaving unnoticed and hL. t : -rietconfidence.This card Je
-:: prudenceand evasionin .-r
purpose and valour, both of which are a depicted here.The figure endures an internal
The number Sevenfor crr :-',-e.
tle with his own creativeforces.He wearsno or cloak,for such protection won't help in the
--plomacyand charm are neel'
-:mbines with the airy Ssor.l
:.-herthan director aggressiv
tle of ideas.This card may suggest a changein profession.There could be stiff
::',planationscould be danqero
tion in business,but perseveranceand cou
:::m a dishonestact;at bestit m
-:.e beendone in secret,an.i r
will win in the end. Streneth and determi are neededto achievegoals,and are availableif sought.The card also nifies knowledge and includes skills in teaching,lecturingand writinq-
SEvrs
AvounE
SEvENor Cups
establr
cles thet
Fantasticvisions arise out of sevencups floating in the clouds above a daydreamingfigure: the cas'
other L
tle of security,the snake for sexuality,the dragon
pletion :
representing strength, the jewels signifying
that ther
wealth, the laurel wreath of success,the dove of
ment ol ;
the spirit or the draped figure representing the
aPPear_t
true self.He doesn't seemto knowwhat to choose,
whatlril
but a careful, considereddecision must be made;
r"n'" be a choice between der;
otherwise his dreams and ideas will remain'cas-
ur-;:stingin somethingless ,e-r
-90-
pentacn
TheSeuens
:\S - . . . . . 1. r : ^ , , ^ t - - . - l ^ . ' . : r L t t t l y t ( L t u ruI J ( ) L I E > .
.
a- -i:.ill rirtues,seuenuices , : : i . , ' l ; t e l l su s , C o dr e s t e d . . : : '-.:"..iionof a phase
\DS
:-rs in the clouds'.This is a phasewhen the imaginationworks overtime .nd choices seeminnumerable; to chooseone direction seemsimpossi:le. But without a decision,nothing will be achieved.Accompanying the :lnfusion is an abundanceof creativeand artistic talent and energy.
SnvENor Swonos -\ man makes a sly escapefrom a military camp, smugglingout a bundle of swords.He appearsto - leaving unnoticed and his expressionis one of
: ,::,-k a young man, who :,:-: j[e of the Sevenis deep
:uiet confidence.This card denotesthe necessity :-.r prudenceand evasionin order to gain an oblec-
:,-:h of which are aptlv :'-:: endures an internal bat--.. -:rces.He wears no boots
:-r-e.The number Sevenfor completion of a phase ,cmbines with the airy Swords and suggeststhat tiplomacy and charm are neededin this situation,
r::_,,-nrvon't help in the bat: - - > u 5 5 c 5 L d^ D^":cessF.rl trL - ---:t
:-:therthan direct or aggressivetactics.Adeed may
T:-,re could be stiff competi
:-rr.ebeen done in secret,and exposure or candid :-rplanationscould be dangerous.At its worst,this card indicatesa flight
: :::Se\€ranCe and COuraSe
:rom a dishonestact;at bestit means'discretionis the betterpart of valour'.
S :-rqth and determination ' -- .ought.The card alsosiq-
SrvEN or PnNTACLES
:-: :. lecturing and writing.
Ayoung farmer standsbetweentwo fields.One is -P)
t
--:--Ilg
--.-
:,l)-
l:r 1-ttt _:-.,1q - _ , - L-r tl -,: --i
:he
----* - i -.
_-:
JC.
::, ::s-
establishedand cultivated and contains six pentacles that stand for the fruits of past labour; the other is uncultivated and aboveit hovers a single pentaclerepresentingfuture potentials.The com. pletion of a cycle indicated by the Seven means that there could be a pause during the development of an enterpriseor business;the young man appearsto be assessing what he has achieved,and whatwill need to be done in the next phase.There
:ar- be a choice between devoting energy to the tried and tested,and -:-',estingin somethinglesssecurebut possibly more exciting, -91
-
THE ErcHrs Eightis Lhenumberof regeneration andbalance of opposing forces.It suggests thedeathof theold,evilorwrongandmakes wayfor theneu', pureandjust.ThenumberEightis thewiseshedding of old concepts, habitsandwaysof thinkingas theybecome inappropriate,
seekermust abandon it and : -..rmbre, it marks a necessarrt
,te with the combination o[t_h
Ercn
-\woman stands bound and :ppearsto be a marsh.Eiqht ;,
Ercnr op WaNos EICHT oJ WANDS
Afigure shootseightwands from a huge bow
:r form a barrier,and behind ir . castle built on bare rock.
they fly freely through the sky.Their flight in
---cking card shows a situab ::stricts, yet the constrainls r
many directions indicates the numerous possi
-rre'sown fear and indecisior
ties available.The Wands signify creativity imagination,and the castleon the hill suggests
:ound, her hands are onlv lr :--uld easily free herself if she
goal. The salamanderis a reminder of the
i:t as a prison but there is pler
nature of the Wands. Eight is the number of re!
:'rtween them if she could bui
eration and, combined with the Whnds, denotes
;-:hough there are problens tr .-ire,a sign will cometo shos-t
timefor activity andnew beginnings.ltmarks end of a period of delayor stagnation,and ind a time for initiative and action.This is a busy and exciting time,when runs accordingto plan, There may be travel and interestingcareer
ErcHr
An app
ErcHr or Cups
his oorl
about hi A man walks through an arch of full, neatly
pla;ed t
stacked cups. He heads for a barren mountain
element
without looking back.The carewith which he has
the'tale
collected and arrangedthe cups shows his previ
of the nr
ous concern,but now he is ready to discard them.
turning
Thewaning moon symbolizesthe end of a phase,lt
throueh
is time to leavethe past behind through disappointment or disillusion.While much has beeninvested
ment in :-r stages.Hard work and pra
in a situation or relationshlp,it isn't right, so the
;:ing a new and profitable ca
-92-
The Eights ..:ker must abandon it and searchfor what is. Although the image is :.:nbre, it marks a necessarytransition towards a new life, as is appropri: i'!'5ilrsJUfrr5.rr
,:. rvith the combination of the number Eight and the suit of Cups,
-i .!,tr'.lorthe net;. , .i^lJ .^...-.--1, ; r ' l L , ft l L U t t L ( y 1 5 ,
Ercnr or Swonos
'r't'oPriate ;',^ '
,:. *'oman stands bound and blmdfolded in what ::pears to be a marsh.Eight swords surround her : --rcrm a barrier,and behmd in the distancestands , :astle built on bare rocks. This rather dismalT1.n.1,. .-r-,'. I nelr lll$flt
IIl
rr
:: :lumerous poSSiL'iii
. -:nif;- creativity anJ --: the hill suggestsa :-:rinder of the fien -- re number of regen. ' : . - W a n d s , d e n o t e=s
:. -rnings.It marksthe
:.:king card shows a situation that binds and --::lricts, yet the conslraints result from the fig-:-s own fear and indecision. Althoush she is :,--und,her hands are only loosely tied and she :,-i.rldeasily free herself if she dared.The swords .:t as a prison but there is plenty of spaceto move ,.tween them if she could build up the courage.This card suggeststhat -,ihough there are problems to be overcomeand important decisions to -:\e , z sign will cometo show the way.The paralysiswill not last forever,
, i : . . r t i o n ,a n d i n d i c a t s
-r-:1tingtime,when litr .---->t i ng career move.i-
Ercnr or PSNTACLES An apprenticecraftsmancarvesout pentacleson his work bench.He seemsh"ppy and enthusiastic about his work, the fruits of which areproudly displayed behind him. A mouse,symbol of the earth element,hides under the table.This is known as the'talent'card,which,when alliedwith the energy of the number Eight, can indicatethe possibility of turning a talent into a profession,or moneyearned through such a skill. There is possible employment in a skilled field although mattersare in the -:lr-stages.Hard work and practicalideasform the stablebasisfor estab:ring a new and profitable careerboth in emotionaland financial terms. -93-
THe NrNss In thenumber Nine, all thepowerof theIowernumbers is combined, soLhattogether theyform afoundation for theultimatecompletion in thenumberTin.
NrNn or WaNos
:ompletionin theTen.Thisis kn :limentof a desireof paramoun , specialtimein life thatis not pu
Nrxr
-\ sleeplesswoman sits up in be :-rnds, seemingly in despair.\r
:minously over her head,and b,u
The Nine of Wands shows strengthin
:: the air element,decoratethe p
The fighting figure has a bandagearound his
:: the bed.Her bedspreadis deco
which symbolizes an injury, perhaps to his
--: the astrological air signs C, {quarius, interspersedwith reJ
ative ideasas this is the suit ofWands,yet he fi on.He is readyto defend thatwhich he holds vere. The Nine reinforces the Dower of the
-:nflict betweenheadand heart-l '-:.it the seekersenses impending . *-crdsdon't actuallytouch the .,
Wands in a bid not to give up in hard times.
r;v be unfounded,lt is possibletl
card denotes power and determination and
;. --nLobe madeor situationto fic
and the passionhe feels encourageshim to
gests that even if you feel defeated,there is enough strength to pull through to the end.It alsorepresentsendura and resolve,and suggestsvictory through courageand fortitude.
Nrxs or
A beautiti
NrNn op Cups
flourishins
dance anJ The Nine of Cups signifies a state of emotional
gloved han
and physical blfus. A couple embrace beside a table laden with fine food and drink. In the dis-
lect and i backqroun
tance a fountain represents the overflowing of
gests that I
emotion. The scene suggestspleasureon all sen-
led her crop
sual levels;malerialneedsarewell provided for, as
card often ,
is symbolized by the opulent surroundings, and
comfort ant
the loving couple demonstratethat the feelings are satisfied.The power of the number Nine brings
.n that the person is literallv n ': :f onewho is at peacewithin ;
the emotional suit of Cups to a peak before the final
r--nanionship.Material benetjt_
-94-
The Nines
:rmpletion in the Ten,This is known as the'wish'card, signifying the ful:-imentof a desireof paramountimportance.lt denotesa unique moment,
:S r
'
1'
: ' ' ' ' . , t t 1 D ( Ir ssc 0 m o l n, )t - ,
' specialtime in life that is not part of the mundane or everydayexperience.
;''.,'.,i tirnaLecompletion
Nrr.TEop Swonos
DS
r sleeplesswoman sits up in bed,her head in her :,nds, seemingly in despair,Nine swords hang :ninously over her head,and butterflies,symbols
::----r'sstrength in reserre"
,-:the air element,decoratethe panel at the bottom
, :.ndage aroundhis head.
:: the bed.Her bedspreadis decoratedwith motifs :: the astrological air signs Gemini, Libra and
---'rrr-,perhaps to his cres -.t ofWands,yet he fights , - .:rarrvhich he holds dear. ,-. .rcourages him to perse-
--,quarius,interspersedwith red hearts,showing a - --rflict betweenheadand heart,This card suggests
::-. the power of the fiero
::,t the seekersensesimpending doom,but as the '-.''crdsdon't actuallytouch the woman,thesefears
:- : up in hard times.This : - :etermination and sug-
:.'r-be unfounded.lt is possiblethat although theremay be a difficult deci :, rn to be madeor situation to face,the fearis far worse than the ourcome.
there is still :-=, Cefeated, : .,.-. represenlsendurance -.:,:. and fortitude.
i
NTNE oE, PENTACLES A beautifully dressedwoman stands alone in a flourishing vineyard,a symbol of the earth'sabun. dance and generosity.A hunting bird on her gloved hand indicates both her far+eachingintel. lect and controlled thoughts. A castle in the background denotesmaterialwell.being,and suggests that her hard work and perseverancehave led her crops to grow and she can now benefit, This card often signifies a solitary pleasurein physical comfort and materialsuccess, although this doesn't u --n that the person is literally without relationships.It is more suggesL-": :f onewho is at peacewithin and so feelscontentedwithout constant ,c::,ranionship. Material benefits are promisedand appreciated, ._95--
THE TENs
is short-lived.lnthis card, :-eceived. The imageconjure
Themeaning of theTenis perfecLion throughcompletion.The Oneof is placednextto theZeroof spiriL,soLhecycleis thenreadyto beginning oi returnLoOneagain.The Tenin theIvlinorArcanashowstheheight in theCupsandPentacles,but happiness trialsin theSwordsandWandr
:hatthis hasbeenearnedth
TE
-\ figure lies face down in :{e is pierced in the back
TENor WeNos
:rpears to be dead.BeyrcndtJ
::e dawn is breaking.The L,
A man is shown carrying an impossibly hear
*.: body is a symbol of resu
burden of ten wands borne in a very awkq
- -recard obviously siqnif-i
and uncomfortable fashion. The strain
:::er to a relationship,iob. !irnce, or even a falseq-av ol
almost more than he can bear yet he plods denotes a weight that must soon be lifted, or
. =- a ring o[ truth and ile :f-rqs about an inevitable r
problem that is soon to be solved. However,
-* n heralds the promise .-l
oppression is often selfimposed and the
r:,'.':air; the ground is cleara ;u ::ie rising sun slowl,vbrinr
towards the town in the distance. This
himselfcould do muchin orderto relievehis The burden may be physical,mental or em or a combination of all three.However,it is within his power to do
Trs
thing to lighten the strain.
watch their two children play contentedly.Behind
A rich perh;p his knr lor-ali life. Hr.
them stands a comfortablehouse,a symbol of sta-
the gar
bility and security, while the blooming garden
stabiht
denotes fertility, The distant river is an image of
proprrt
the constant flow of feelings.This is the ultimate
tions,ar
that the Cups can offer in the way of love; huppy
famiir.r
:.,
TENor Cups
. P E N IACLES
F! ,6
a-,' gj
Ayoung couple hold each other tenderly as they
family life is depicted,suggestinglasting contentment in contrast to the ecstasyof the Nine,which --96-
-= FAI
::-.lly. settledway of lite is : -rrablecircumstance_. a
The Tens
) i : . , t p l e t i o n . T hO e n eo f
-' short'lived. In this card, plenty of love is available to be offered and :-;eived' The imageconjuresup a feeling of gratitude,yetthereis a sense :-:;t this has beenearnedthrough effort rather than luck.
: - :,rtc),cle is thenreads* tt !,'-,;ir,r showstheheight oi '.,'. ; ilteSwordsandWands-
-*, figure lies face down in a desolatemarshland. ::= is pierced in the back by ten swords and i:rears to be dead.Beyondthe calm lake,however,
)S '.'-:-gan impossibly hear-v :,--:ne in a very awkward ,:::.rn. The strain seerm :.:
TENor Swonos
bear yet he plods on
,ie distance. This card :-:st soon be lifted, or e -- :e solved. However. -:'-:rposed and the
,:. --rderto relievehis
::,. ilawn is breaking.The butterfly hovering over ::. body is a symbol of resurrectionand new life. l::. card obviously signifies an ending; it could :::.r to a relalionship, job, or particularcircum:[:].e, or even a falseway of seeinga situation,It -'. a ring of truth and clarity of vision, which ::-:.]gs about an inevitable death,while the new '''.",n heralds the promise of rebirth. This grim,looking card has a posi:-,: air; the ground is clearedfor something new as the increasinglight ;i:ie rising sun slowly brings back hope.
TEN op PENracrEs PINIACLIS
\- +A":
A richly robed elderly gentleman,a grandfather perhaps,isseatedin the foregroundwith a child on his knee. Accompanied by his daughter and his loyal dog,theold man symbolizesrraditionalfamily life. His castleand estatelook well establishedand the gardenis flourishing,which alldenotefinancial stability and firm foundations.This card suggesm property acquiredfor the founding of new genera_ tions,and traditionsto be passeddown throueh the
family,with a feeling of continuity and security. A ; ':ially settledway of life is indicated,and selling or buying properry
:' ' --'urable circumstances alsocomesundertheinfluenc.
oitirr, iurd,
Err
Exercises for Part Two
blank. Perhapsyou activelv r -.r sometimes,even more pu
R.atherthan just passingtho:
*: The Maior Arcana e(' At this stage,to familiarize yourself with the cards you have recently met, I suggestthat you continue along the samelines as describedin
for PartOne (seepages64-5).Thesetasksarevital for f Exercises the core of your understanding of the Tarot images.Use the'guided tasy' exercisesoutlined previously for studying Justice,Tempera
Strength,TheHermit,TheWheelof FortuneandThe HangedMan'
try to ascertain exactly s-ha
:ncomfortable. Once you ha *and them better.We tend
-rnderstandingis often a kev
With regard to the colot :.rds, take thosethat you har
:lrn, searching for clues tr :rlours: reds,yellows and on
and discoveries as you continue your journey through the Tarot.W down,drawor paint howeach card strikesyou,whatyou notice in parti
.i:rd mauves for the waterr ( ;-rv Swords; greens,gol& ar -tnt clues for the Wands ar ::r the Cups, fish,waterfalL.
ular, and what impression or feeling you are left with after encounterwith each card. If you wish, find piecesof music [o
:,itterflies and birds; for the -ie mice and rabbits.If vou a
with the card or think of scentsthat evoke each card.For instance,
i:out what you would chanq :ii or two colours that retlec
describedbefore,prepareforyour exerciseand then take careful note the associationsevoked by each image,Record your feelings,thoug
the smellof freshlycut grasswith the summery mightassociate or the herb sagewith the ageing Hermit. Feel free to play around q' This is an opportunity to let your imagination such associations, Pav soecial attention to the colouring of each card. Do the appeal to you? If you are considering colouring your own deck,
plenty of time to considerwhich colours work best for you and I' Think about the associationsyou have with different colours and struct your o\^/ncolour code.If you are going to designyour ov/n schemefor your deck,this will be very useful as a starting poinl.
+: The Minor Arcana e3' Usins the Minor Arcana cards that you have met in Part Two, thin-k description for each card that reminds you of a particular situ feeling and note which cards stand out most noticeably and whr'also interesting and revealingto think about why somecards leare '-98-
i:: meaningof the elementil
l::ent,the regularityof the su
Exercises f or Part Two
PsrLTwo lIJSll?
e=<"
:: :::e cards you have recentlv ::,- -;amelines as describedin ::=-.:tasks arevital for formi
::: -mages. Use the'guided .: :jr-ing Justice,Tempera :-:= and The HangedMan., ,- ,rJ then take careful note R.=,:rd vour feelinqs,thoug
:::-r- throush the Throt.\li s -,-:.r,*'hat you notice in -,-,-r are left with after ::
:ieces of music to associ
'.; ll ith the summeryEm :::1 tree to play around qi
:-ank, Perhapsyou actively dislike them,feel scaredor repelledby them; --: sometimes,even more puzzling, feel bored or disinterestedin them. R.atherthan just passingthosecardsover,pay extra attentionto them and ::\- to ascertainexactly what it is about them that you find difficult or rcomfortable.once you have discoveredthis you will be able to under. ':and them better.wb tend to dislike what we cannot understand.so -nderstandingis often a key io liking. with regard to the colour schemeand symbol code for the Minor :=rds,take thosethat you have studied so far and go through eachone in ::rn' searching for clues to the elements and connecting with the :--lours:reds,yellowsand orangesfor the fierywands; soft blues,pinks :.:d mauves for the watery Cups; ice blues, greys and purples for the ;-:r- $wsvcl5;greens,golds and browns for the earthy pentacles.The ele, :-:nt clues for the wands are the salamanders,sunflowers and flames; ::: the cups, fish, waterfalls,streamsand rivers; for the swords, clouds, : -rtterfliesand birds; for the Pentacles,fruit, foliage and small animals -ie mice and rabbits.lf you are planning to colour your own deck,think ;.:out what you would changecolourwise, bearing in mind that having :re or two colours that reflect eachsuit uniformlymakes it easierto keep --:::meaning of the elementin mind. If you make eachcard uniquelv dif:.rent,theregularityof the suit maybe lost.
:s -.,-rrkbestfor you and u.-,-,-::different colours and c --,:-: to designyour own c .--'-.-as a startingpoint.
\:aana
c=<'
::,-. : met in Part Two.think of .--* --f a particular situation :.,-st noticeablyand why.lt :,,----s-hy somecards leavet
YY
PART THREE .*9S4r{
'>: MAJOR CARDS *Death The Devil The Tower The Star The Moon The Sun Judgement TheWorld
*: MINOR CARDS *' .I-l
r ne T-r ra8es
Tl
.
rz
1
I he Knights
The Queens .r-l
T7.
r ne NlnSs
TLrL;s
The LastPhaseof the Fool'sJourney
Triumphant achievewent
h.last phaseof the Fool'sjourneybrings forth his time in the underTf JL world, following his worldly trials. He has been taught about life in the world through Justice,Temperance,Strength,the Hermit and the Wheel of Fortune - which led him to examine his inner world through his encounterswith the Hanged Man. The Fool must age,and through
StM:'hazl guidesthe F of theunla towardssr andrejurin
ageinghe realizesthat there is more to life than worldly matters.In order to find his inner self he must changeand transform (Death)and enterthe underworld to discoverwhat is at the heart of his inner crisis (the Dertl;This involves a struggle with darkness (the Tower),which must be demolishedby the light of truth. His searchfor meaningleadshim on to
Apollo: splendourand I triumph; warmth: lI i light; l: perception anddirectness M
t--_
find hope (the Star),endure confusion and doubt (the Moon) and gain optimism (the Sun). His victory over darkness results in rebirth (Judgement)and triumph (theWorld).
P.;':rl
I - i i I : i =!
;
:t
i
- I
House o[Hades: Dvine lishtnins; h*ro*in"g otflell:
rebornof divine tire
:i z1 5
:
- ro2-
The Lqst Phaseof ths Fool'sJourney
:h- Fool'sJourney
ir----------j kiumphant achievement
1 ::-ris tbrth his time in the under-
l-.wi.,lll I r'"'ll
Streneth,the Hermit and the
[',**nl]
: ::.-,rine his inner world throueh StMichael/Hermes: guides the Fool out of the underworld
-- -:- :han rvorldly matters.Inorder ,:r - ,:.nsforn (Death)and enterthe
towards success and rejuvination
:: - =:: .-f his inner crisis (the Derdg .:,--i,. the Tower),which must be >:::-l ior meaningleadshim on to
r. '\pollo: splendourand triumph; warmth: tI light; perception anddirectness I I
_t
.'!r{u,s\r I t|'.'......'_l
II
lltl
i",-ll tI ll*'",iI
tkMdl
-. -_t
lnsuN
T.
completion and reward
I
LL
:- -:,, Fool must age,and throueh
:- .rl
Success;
atLainment; symbol of goals achieved;
ll ,ll
-. -. -i. has been taught about lile ':,:.
HermapLtoditus:
It------ll I tl
doubt (the Moon) and gain
:-^--: iarkness results in rebirth
z !
Artemis/ Demeter/ Hecate:
I
l;ll
sleep; unconscious;
It""', n*isl Lbl;m#1
uncertainly; fluctuation; change
Staroflsis: hope;inspiration; reawakening; poolof memory replenishedby stargoddess
3 I
z
House ofITades: Divine lightning; harrowing of Hell; rebornof divinefire
Pan: purging of worldly identifications; facing own shadow and darkness Hades: the Fool must die to be reborn;
z
stripping of all pretensions
.-103--
DEerH
ice him. Only the small chili ; rosy in welcome.Children tenJ
:hey are more acceptingof it a,< rn early development.Wegrc-'-l
The sceneillustratesthe net
:c us all, no matter how rich. hr -;oung we may be. Death is un noved by the wealth symboii:: :ishop.The hourglasssignilir=
,s everything on earth has its ,:r --.usedto gatherin a harvest.n-,-reachliving thing.
The rising sun over the hori:
,o:welcome after the long dark r
::ound is a harbinger of death.
.:ound is a symbol of transtrrn --,.udand returns to the rir er i -:,dle and coffin, for life and i.
iivx, which flows throuqh tir, -::th, but which can also tr ,rl
:-:irth and immortality.It coui: *'-:rristiansouls had to cross tc rr In myth, the souls of the ie
-;,-dIS being sure to pay a coin t
:---: make the transition and ."'t, now the Fool must die. The Death card shows a skeletonon A"d I \ black horse,carryinga scythe and an hourglass.Hewearsa r.-hj headdressmade of the death shroud that was once the swaddline c
r. -ng and the dead. Psvchc' :ich must be properly experic
ir--'rrnerto move on after the tr--
of blrth.In the distancea river can be seenwith a tiny boat crossingh
-\ccording to the myrh of D ::r limb,threwhim into a;ul
one bank to another.
:- . his skeleton.This,in m.rn
Death rides over all people;it is oblivious of rank or position.A
x,:.:pensto the mind and heart
lies outstretched;a bishop holds out his hand as if in prayeria maideni
:--,:qed Man is the first step r,a:,.-
a white dressbegsfor mercy,asif shefeelstooyoung,too unpreparoJ '-104--
Deatlt
facehim. Only the small child appearsunperturbed, even holding out a posy in welcome.Children tend not to fear changeas much as adults do; they are more acceptingof it as so many transilions are made so quickly in earlydewelopment.Wegrorvmore rigid aswe growolder.
*-l =
The sceneillustrates the need to face death at somestage,as it comes :o us all, no matter how rich, how powerful, how holy, how beautiful or \-oung we may be. Death is unimpressedby worldly status and is not noved by the wealth symbolized by the king, or even the holinessof the .bishop. The hourglasssignifies the fact that time will run out eventually, -iseverything on earth has its ovrn time,for life and for death.The scythe is usedto gatherin a harvest,which Death will do at the appropriatetime :or eachliving thing. The rising sun over the horizon symbolizesa new day and a new life, ;o welcome after the long dark night of death.The raven pecking at the
ffit ) ,e'I
'#
..ryI
iround is a harbinger of death,as are the poppies.The river in the back:round is a symbol of transformationas the water evaporates,turns into --loudand returns to the river as rain. The little boat is an imageof both -radle and coffin, for life and death are inseparable.The river may be the -it;-x, which flows through the underworld filled with the waters of ieath, but which can also be transformed into the life-giving waters of ::birth and immortahty.lt could also representthe River Jordan,which -hristian souls had to crossto reachthe PromisedLand. In myth, the souls of the dead had to cross the Styx river by boat, .-n.aysbeing sure to pay a coin to the boatman.If they didn't, they would ::t make the transition and would remain ghosts,trapped between the
shows a skeleton on a . : : rrqlass.He wears a white :i --r.e the swaddling cloth :,:i
-'.ing and the dead. Psychologically the coin represents mourning, ;" rich must be properly experienced after a death,in order to allow the _.rurner to move on afler the loss,whateverform it might take. According to the myth of Dionysus, the jealousTitans tore him limb
-::, " tiny boat crossingfrom
::--m limb, threw him into a cauldron and boiled away his flesh,leaving
--.,-i.ank or position.Akinq - - ,. 1i in Prayer;a maidenin
:-:rpens to the mind and heart of the Fool as he confronts Death. The
:-,,-\ oung,too unpreParedto
:-rsents to surrender his consciousnessand makes the iourney into
::iv his skeleton,This, in mythical terms,figuratively representswhat -.nged Man is the first step towards the Fool's illumination when he
-r05-
Desth
Hades.Deathstripshim bareof all ht pretensions beforehe is led naked into thepresence of the underworlddeities.
TH:
The Death card symbolizeschange,theend of the old and the blrth of the new Life, both human and in nature, consists of constant cycles of death and renewal,as the Fool first learnedwith the Empress.Each age of man has its phase,and eachphasemust end when it is lived out. After all,what parentswould wish their children not to progressthrough adolescenceinto adulthood?It is the natural development,both physicalhand psychologically,inthe life of man.Death simplymarks the transition stages.Treesshed their leavesin autumn in order to preparefor the neq' growth in spring. The skeletonis like the bare tree,stripped of leavesto allow for new spring buds. It representsthe falling away of old outgrorr feeling and thought under the influence of Death; everything is tried and tested and, if something is found to have outlived its usefulness,l must be discarded.Death can mean the end of things in many &fferen ways. For instance,Death could appearin the spreadof someoneaborr
to be married,for it would signify the end of their singlelife, or in spreadof someoneabout to be divorced, as a symbol of the end of marriage.Leaving school,leavinghome,leaving a job,leaving a countrr all thesethings and more could be indicated by the appearanceof but none of these signify a physical death, nor are they unpleasant.The Death card in the Tarot is connectedwith transf tion and change rather than the death of the body. Feelings,emot thoughts and values many undergo a transformation under the enceof Death, as the cycles that govern them end.
ln a reading, thiscardheraldstheinevitable endingof something,but with thepromiseof a newbeginning.The pain that is sufferedundcr theet'fect of Deathis relatedto thewillingnessor unwillingness of theseeker to surrender to theineuitability of change.
he Fool's journey is becomi companions are stern. da
i:-:ndly andhelpful asrhefigurr :;i now been strippedof all t"o rukedandtremblingto meettheI The portrayalof the Der-il til l:-: darkness of thetop halfoi th
s::und that enhancesthe cent --106-
- -: - he is led naked
THu Duvrr
--,.-:indthe birth oi :,-rstant cyclesof Frp.ess. Each age : .-.rl.-edout.After ,-:::ss through adc::: Doth physicallr :,:xs the transition ::::'Iare for the ne.t ::,:ped of leavest.' , . oi old outgrosr . . -rr thing is trie.l il :- its usefulness. :. -r many different - --: someoneabcut .- -:le life, or in tlt '- --: the end of the: : ,:'r-ing a countr"c ::.f,rance of Deali ':- lheY necessarlr :=- n ith transfor
:: s,.nething,but '.: s;L.fiered undtr ,-.,r:..;illingness " ::;hange.
he Fool'sjourney is becoming increasinglydlfficult. His travelling companions are stern, daunting characters,nowhere near as
-:.=ndlyandhelpful asthe figureshe met at the outsetof his travels.He --:-. .ow beenstrippedof all worldly pretensionsby Death,and is led -,ied andtremblingto meetthe Devil himself. rhe portrayal of the Devil figure is as interesting as it is menacing. l,-,. darknessof the top half of the card draws the eyeto the black backl: ---rnd that enhances the central figure, The Devil, whose torso is
-ro7-
TheDeuil
halfhuman,half,goat,sits upon a cube.He has bat wings,horns and a tail,but humanhands.He is holdinghis right handup,while pointinqe blazingtorchdown to a nakedcouplebelowwith his left hand.The cou-. ple sit in similarpositionsand arechainedby their necksto the block though their handsareunbound.The man andwomanhavesproutedlittle hornsand tails,just like the Devil s,which symbolizesthat theyharc allowedthemselvesto becomehis disciples.His flaming torch touches theirtailsto inflametheir basedesires, Although theyarechainedto the Devil s cube,which is a symbol of the materialworld, they could, in f lift the chains from their necks to set themselves free. However, they arc chainedto the Devil by their thoughts aswell as by their fear.ln order
positive or negative.The D natureis accepted,manv inh
sciously to prevent normal In other words, the'devil' in r
io termswith him and put h In Jungian terms,the De
:syche we wouJdratheriqnc
:ne elsebut neverin ourseh --.r'nhis shadow side,he sr il
,ion for himself and, in tur -\cceptancewill take the pla
escapehis bondagethey must radicallyalter their rhinking; they m think for themselvesand not allow sreedor lust to overwhelm
.-l humans are composedoi
They are slumped in despair and seem too lazy or apathetic to want change.TheDevil has them in his grasp.
:m to becomefullyhuman a
The image of the Devil with horns, hooves and tail originatesu Pan,the goat-godof untamed nature and sexuality.Hermes fathered with the nymph Droype, but he was born so hairy and ugly that
motherran awayfrom him in fright.Hermestook him up to Olympus amusethe other gods,but once they had had their fun mocking him, banished him to rule the pasturesand woods of Arcadia, deeming
too ugly to live with them in beautifulOlympus.He lived happilv Arcadia and was worshipped by the Greeks as a life-giving fertility r abundant and procreative.He representednatural energy in its c and disorderedstate.Pan personified the primitive, instinctual urges man, particularly those of a sexual nature.However,with the advent Christianity, Pan was banished to hell in the form of the devil as knowhim today.Naturalimpulse and instinctwas then frowned upon evil, and man becameashamedto acknowledeehis connectionswith physical and sexual side of his nature, as it was associatedwith the The Devil teachesthe Fool to recognizeand acceptall aspectsoi nature,both dark and light. He representsthe blockageof repressed and feelings which, once removed,can releasea great deal of energy.Energy in itself is neutral; it is how it's channelled that --108-
.:iadow,positive and neqatir
In a reading,The Dri. inhibitionsthathind
growth andprogressi up in repression tlu
apparenta
TheDevil
r: \\-ings,horns and a : rp,while pointinga i:r,.left hand.The cou=:: necksto the blocL. :::.n have sproutedliti-:ciizesthat they hare fl"ming torch touches r:\- are chainedto the :li, they could, in fact, r... However, they are :r-iheir fear.In order to i: ihlnking; they must ,t tr overwhelm t ::
"pathetic
to want
positive or negative.The Devil points out that if neither aspectof our nature is accepted,many inhibitions and phobias can accumulateuncon, ..-iously to prevent normal growth and developmentof the personality. in otherwords, the'devil'in eachof us must be facedbeforewe can come :--rtermswith him and put his energyto good use. In Jungian terms,the Devil representsthe 'shadow',that part of our :syche we would rather ignore,the tiresomebit we prefer to seein every--neelsebut never in ourselves.However,if the Fool is able to acceptand --..,'nhis shadow side,he will be more able to feel toleranceand compas;:on for himself and, in turn, will be able to feel this towards others. -\cceptancewill take the place of blame,as he begins to understandthat "'l humans are composedof a combination of good and evil, light and sradow positive and negative,and it is this understanding that enables :.m to becomefullyhuman and accepthis human limitations and failings.
r j tail originateswith ; i{ermes fathered Pan
.-:r and ugly that :-r up to Olympus ::: mockinghim, -\::adia, deeming
In a reading,TheDevil's messuge is that if thoseblocksand inhib iti ons that hinder d euelop men t can be r emoued,gr eat growth and progressis possible.There is muchenergytied up in repression that could he betterutilized. Out of apparentevil,muchgoodcancome.'
-..He lived happilyi -:-qiving fertility :nergy in its ,-:..nstinctual urges .--:.n-ith the advent r:: oi the devil as ::::n frowned upon s :.-nnectionswith t -r:.,ted with the besti
of ::.pt all aspects s':e ofrepressed ::eat deal of positi
.::nelledthat makes '-109-
TnE Townn
forked lightning has bloor as cracks appeardown the of imminent collapse.
As a man-madeimage
stancesthat restrict interna we live that governs bodr.
three windows. The edifice ventions that bind and ccn
reflectsthe restrictive naru
the height of their postion The falling man and woma
elementsare visible in the iightning; air - the storm c :llustratesthe shatterineof
Jown of falsevalues and b,r
Through his encounters
:.r recognizehis own inner, dte number of possibiliris
:lis pretensions,the Der-il h -re Tower that encased ins
'ails of falsebeliefs and ph
-:*htning penetratesthe ur :,rk forces.The fork oflisl
::11 open and breaks do'tl t SomeTarot speculatorsb he Fool nowfaces the lightning-struck Tower,thepoint atwhich must split hell open and releasehimself from the darknessof underworld. For the first time on his journey,he encountersa card that centres on a man-madeskucture. The card shows a tall bu standing in a stormy seawith waves lashing its base.There are three row windows at the top from which two figures fall, A man and woman hurtle down to the raging sea,their facescontorted with fear
they plunge headlonginto the unknown. A violent storm is -lto-
:r the biblical storyof the Tc :-cendants attempted to ::stroying the world by iloc -:levcould climb up to hear
, -:n failed because,in pun ::nmanded that each oi tl o-eich resultedin chaos.an-
However, according to F :-:i: La Maison Dieu, .* hic
TheTower
R
rcrked lightning has blown the roof right off,leaving flames in its wake rs cracks appeardown the sidesof the building.lt is evidently in danger --,fimminent collapse, As a man-madeimage, the Tower representsthe external circumstancesthat restrict internal development.ltis often the societyin which 'r'e live that governs body, soul and mlnd, which are symbolized by the :hreewindows. The edifice of the Tower itself representsthe social coni'entions that bind and constrict.The narrownessof the three windows :eflectsthe restrictive nature of the purely material,rational world while :re height of their position suggeststhe possibility of high attainment. lhe falllng man and woman representunreconciled opposites.The four .iements are visible in the imagery: earth - the Tower itself; fire - the :qhtning; air - the storm clouds; water - the stormy sea.This imagery .-iustratesthe shatteringof the Fool s worldly illusions, and the breaking ,c.vn of falsevalues and beliefs. Through his encounterswith Death and the Devil,the Fool has come : recognizehis own inner conflicts,discovering also that he has an infi :-iie number of possibilities at his command.Death has stripped hlm of :-rspretensions,the Devil has revealedthe extent of his power and now :e Tower that encasedinsincere phllosophies must be shattered.The ..:ils of falsebeliefs and phoneyvalues must be torn down as the divine -ihtning penetratesthe underworld of the unconscious to dispel the -,rk forces.The fork of lightning is the flash of illumination that splits . .llopen and breaksdown existing forms to makewayfor the new SomeTarot speculatorsbelievethat the imageryfor this card originates . the biblical story of the Tower of Babel.Babelwas the tower that Noah's
'rich : - -'- :r, thepolnl at wr
,=scendantsattempted to construct. They were angry with God for
- -:rm the darknessof :.: -ncounters a card im"
,:stroying the world byflood and so decidedto build a tower so high that
,::i shows a tall build; : rlse. There arelhreen
:,,n failed because,in punishment for their supreme arrogance,God
: -:res fall. A man an,j '.: '- :ontortedwith lear -- -,iclent storm is raq
:.-r-could climb up to heavenand confront the Almighty, Naturally, the ---nmanded that each of the men should speak a different language, -.:rich resultedin chaos,and the building of the towerwas abandoned. F{owever,according to Paul Huson, some old French packs use the ' -: La Maison Dieu. which translates as The House of God. Huson - llt
-.
The Tower
suggeststhat the word'Dieu'may in fact have been a corruption of tle original word,'Diefel', which meansDevil. So, the Tower,far from being
Tr
the House of God, may actually be the House of the Devil or, in other words, hell. The Fool must escapefrom hell and the onlyway he can do this is through the blast of divine enlightenment.This perspectivetiesin better with the idea of Dionysus being conceivedin the darknessof the underworld and born again as Iacchusgod of light. The Tower signifies a time of reckoning; it is the moment that the Fool must sort out for himself what is risht for him and abandonoever is not truly his own. It is often the casethat for many yearswe lir e we have been taught, even though what may have suited those qtaught us might not actually be right for us. There comes a time sour needs,thoughts and ideasneed to be tested,evaluatedand ultimat owned. The conflicts inherent in our behaviour when we attempt sLructureour lives by convention are symbolizedby the Tower,a narr constraining structure,while the hghtning representsthe flash of r that causesus to changeideasand live our chosenway.
In alayout,thiscarddenoLes thenecessary downof existitg breaking andnewwaysareindicated: formsto makeway for Lhenew,Freshlife rigidor imprisoning structures needto betorndownandreplaced. Thiscardstandsfor thedefeatot'falsevaluesqnd thetriumph of Lrueones.
t last,the time for reneg-alt the shining promise of th
:'_-ping spirits.Finallyhe refurr
-:'unteredwhen he beganhis b - he meetsthe lovely Star m;
I beautiful girl is pouring rr at j:r :o replerush replenishit, it, and the the other otherc.
:. flow of water from the pit - IT2_
:'. : rien a corruPtion of the :: ::r: Tower,far from beinq
THn Sren
--. ri the Devil or, in other ,: : the only way he can dc tiesin :l-r:. This persPective -:- .-.J in the darknessof th. --
'-ht
.: -. is the moment that tht - --: nim and abandonwhat:-,: :or manyyearswe live a-. -:,-.' ha..e suited those 'r"h--. - rere comesa time when ,-- - -r-aluatedand ultimateiv .. -,'Jr when we attemPttc '-- .--l by the Tower,a narro\r" ::'::-:,.enlsthe flash of visicn :-- ::-n way,
':',:iking
down of existirtg -; )t.u-wa)sareindicaLed; .:qt down and replaced' . . ' . t s a n dt h et r i u m P h
I l|\
t last,the time for renewal is nigh. After the sombre underworld, the shining promise of the Star refreshesand renews the Fool's
c--,,-ping spirits. Finally he returns to the colourful imageslike thosehe ,s- :,-unteredwhen he beganhis travels.A feeling of releasecomesupon ffi.,* ,s he meets the lovely Star maiden. -\ beautiful girl is pouring water from two pitchers,one into the pool , :o replenishlt, and the other over the dry earth as if to refresh it. The :,:r- f-low of water from the pitcher onto the land divides into five
-tt3-
TheStar
streams.Inthe backgrounda bird perchesin a treeand a butterfly A lareestarencircledby sevensmallerstarsshinessoftlv tersoverhead. t of the maidenrepresents in the milky dawn sky.The nakedness unveiled; she has no need of protective garmentsfor she has nothinq Fearand nothing to hide. She is young; she is a symbol of renewal.
pool shekneelsbesidemight be the Poolof Memory,which,although was situated in the twilisht realm of the underworld, had its
The of memory. replenished andrefreshedby Mnemosyne, goddess may drink from thesewaters so as not to forget his experiencewhile i
:narting the movemen[ of ::ariners use the starsto se
;e wish upon a star,our dr All men need a goal, a
-rth, and belief that our I ::eams can come true. \\lt =""entuallywe lose the qtll t *-rateverit may be; it dor:
lasting life, is the ibis of immortality,the sacredbird of Thoth, Egyptiangod of all arts.The bird is a symbolof the soul'sabilityto ri
--nhodoxway, but if we lac :-'ng, we lose the hope a -.-. ithout the inspirationoit >.,r provides that bit oi m. **res of stress and douh. f n'ien times are difficult, a
to high levelsof emotionaland spiritual consciousness.Thebutterflvis
-urt which guides us throu
theunderworld. The five streamsof water stand for the five senses:smell,taste, sound and sight. The bird sitting in the evergreentree,a symbol of
symbol of transformationand resurrection.The largecentral starhas nectionswith the Star of Bethlehem.which heraldednewlife and The sevenstars surrounding it stand for eachof the sevenancient
Together the starsaddup to eight,whichis the numberof rebirthand baptisminto new and everlastinglife. with the Starof Isis.who The TarotStarhasalsobeenconnected the greatmothergoddessof Egypt.During the dry seasonin Egypt, land becameparched and barren.Even the great River Nile,which
relied upon for food and water,would shrink dramatically.The feared starvation until the longed-for Star of Isis appearedin the heralding the coming of the rains.Then the great river would be
ishedand life restoredto the deadlands.The peopleof Egypt rej and were filled with awe and sratitude for the'masic of Isis'. Stars have always been an emblem of hope and promise, and seen
a light to steerby.ln Greekmyth,when Pandoraopenedthe for box,terriblespitesflew out and infestedthe earth,The only thing did not fly away,but stayedto comfort Pandora in her time of af
was Hope.The ThreeWise Men followed the bright starto Bet hopingto find the Messiah;astrologers gainknowledgeand insight -
114
*
ln a reading,TheSttr,
f ortune,op timism,hop ofpurposeand the rcna
a positiueattita
The Star
:.. rnd a butterflY flut' -.,. :r slarsshinessoftl' :,,, -'.n rePresentstruth . -:r shehas nothing tc l.ht . . - - h o lo f r e n e w a T although it .' --,--,-..r.hich, -.:,'rrld, had its waters - - - : i m e m o r Y . T h eF o c ' : r\Periencewhile ir smell,taste,touch' ::r-->ts: ::- -ree,a sYmboiof eve:::-: bird of Thoth, th. - --. ioul's abilltYto ri=< ' *.re ss.The butterflYis ' ,..:te centralstarhasccr', . ..J new life and ho;t ' :-- ser-enancientPlanet-'" ,.-'.lberof rebirth and ci ^= Starofisis,whos;s
-rarting the movement of the heavenly bodies through the skies, and :ariners use the starsto set their ships'courses.Even songstell us that if ..e wish upon a star,our dreamswill cometrue. All men need a goal, an aim towards which to strive. We all need .ith, and belief that our hopes and wishes will be fulfilled, that our -:iams can come true, Without this hope, our lives lack meaning and -'.'entuallywe lose the will to continue,The Star is symbolic of our faith, ,.'rateverit may be; it does not have to be religious or spiritual in an ::hodoxway,but if we lack a senseof purposeor a meaningin somerrng, we lose the hope and without that we lose the point in life. '.:.-ithout the inspiration of the Star,life becomesdull and lacklustre.The :,=r provides that bit of magic that spurs us on and keeps us going in .res of stressand doubt, The faith that things can improve is essential ' ren limes are difficult, and the image of the Star reflects that inner . rt which guides us through the darkness.
In a reading,The Starsendsahapplrnessage ofpromise, good and1o1.Itsugestsinspiration, a sense fortune,optimism,hope ofpurposeand therenewalof ltfe'sforceandenergy.It promises a positiveattitudeandencourages imagination.
-':1-seasonin EgYPt,tht . Rir-erNile,which me:: ,:.-naticallY,The PeoPi: - ;fpearedin Ine sKl'i - riverwould be rePltr- -rpie of EgYPtrejoiceJ
-- , ri. of Isis'. and seen3s r -rtf Promise, --:' cpenedthe forbiddo : - .'r her time of afflictii -. ::iEht starto Bethlehe --oledge and insight - 1 1 5_ -
THn MooN
:elateto, only the faceoi th. l .urbs its waters,whiletrr6131
.t the Moon. A slim rx.inJrr e t w o m o u n t a i np e a k si n t : :
The crab, connected to C \foon, is symbolicof innern:: :,-nsciousness. The crab migh
, iult hfe,still managfnqto -,,
:::ognize the lack of logic in r ,-:ss,we often try to push hin
- .. e do this, he neverthele_,s : ',':guefears and unacknor-lej
,:: crab,that is, our fears,tc ; ,--:rus and be faced.The porl ir - -.,r1of Forgetfulness,which-it
:":k world of Hades.We m"u*::pleasantor discomfortinE t: :.-ir- reminds us of them b,. ;:.mals in the image,the doE i o[souls to the i;r " --:ld,guides These animals are sacrei
*:,:hantment and the infernal r,
:-.s of the crossroadsand rr-a: t
i,i:rne. One of her Htles u.as e fo--rt cemetries. Hoverinq arn_ the Fool'sjourney reachesits final stages,he realizesthat there 7\s L \ still much to learn.After the dark sequenceof cardsin the unJ
: -: leaving,aswelI asenterir. *. r her two ghostly hount
world, he experienceda brief but glorious respitewith the Star,onl"
xe,, -:ii sorcery and magic, she : F::.cphone from the underrrc
discover that the next card, The Moon, is another sombre-lookinsc
[*,-:eter eachspring.
At first glance,this card seemssimilar to The Star,but on closer nation it is not as calm as it appears.The landscapewith the pool in foresround is much like that of The Star; after all, it is still the cou imagination,However,in The Moon card there is no human figurc -t16-
- ire idea of dogs and uoir=s ;a- suggestingmadnessor ]u
:*o pillars, suggestingconr : : . . W h i t e l i l i e sa n dr o r . , * . .
TheMoon
: -late to, only the face of the Moon. A crab crawling out of the pool dis--rbsits waters,while two animals,a dog and a wolf, appearto be baying ,. the Moon. A slim winding road leads between twin pillars towards r-: lwo mountain peaksin the distance. The crab, connected to Cancer the astrological sign ruled by the I . 1:on,is symbolic of innermost fears forcing their way to the surfaceof :nsciousness.The crab might representchlldhood fears reappearingin -'ult life, still managingto causefear and anxiety even though we may - -rgnize the lack of logic in this. As the crab crawls up into conscious-)s,we often try to push hm back down in the unconscious.However, . . e do this, he neverthelesscontinues to exist there,still giving rise to -.tue fears and unacknowledgedanxieties until such time as we allow '..: crab,that is, our fears,to come right out of the pool of the uncon: --rus and be faced.The pool in The Moon has been associaledwith the , - rl of Forgetfulness,which lies to the left of the Pool of Memory in the -,:k world of Hades.We may want to forget that which gives rises to ---pleasantor discomforting feelings or memories,but the crab periodi,,-.r- reminds us of them by struggling out of the water. The other .,--malsin the image,the dog and wolf, are both creaturesof the under:rld,guidesof soulsto the land of the dead. These animals are sacred to Hecate, goddess of the dark moon, - :hantment and the infernal regions.Hecatewas the triple-headedgod::.s of the crossroadsandwas thought to appearwhenthe ebonymoon : - le . One of her titles was Queen of Ghosts, as she was believed to -.rnt cemetries.Hovering among the graves,she would prevent harm 'r he realizesthat there; :r:e of cardsin the und:: -- .,rith the Star,onlt :r rer sombre-lookingo:-: S:ar,but on closerexa:
: -:lf t 5ulrrurf,-ruu^rrr6
.:.pe with the Pool in t lt is still the countrr: is no human figure:
: --:r leaving,aswell as entering,the spirit world, Shewas often depicted '" ,5 her two ghostly hounds. Although Hecate was often associated ;. .:h sorcery and magic, she also did good deeds such as rescuing ::::ephone from the underworld and restoring her to her moiher - '::retereachspring. The idea of dogs and wolves baying at the full moon is a powerful -:ie suggestingmadnessor lunacy.The road,however,leadsbetween -: irvo pillars, suggestingconnection between conscious and uncon.. . rs.White lilies and rosesgrow by the poolside,both lunar flowers.
-n7-
The Moon
her threefaces:nerr-The Moon shinesdown upon the scene,revealing full and old,which correspondto the threefacesofwoman:virgin,mother and hag.Mythically, eachface can be comparedto a goddess:for the nes-
TH
moon, Artemis the virgin moon goddess,or Persephonevirgin goddes-' of the underworld; Demeter,the earth-mothergoddessof the full moon, and Hecate,witch-enchantressgoddessfor the dark face of the moon. The three facesrevealthe three aspectsof femininity: the virgin who is full of potenrialwaiting to be fulfilled; the mother whose potential is fulfilled; and the hag,whosepotential has shrivelled up or beenwasted. The Moon is the mistressof the night, the womb to which men return each night to resl,sleepand dream.The Moon was once thought oi a-t home of the dead,for it was believed that the souls of the dying woul.'i leave their bodies and be drawn up to the moon where they would be kept safeuntil the time was ripe for rebirth. The Moon was thus seena; both the womb that brings forth new life, and the tomb to which all lte eventually returns. The Moon rules the waxing and waning rhythms C hfe, of tides and all natural cycles.The Moon also symbolizes feelinss and emotions that are by nature volatile, nebulous and uncertain. Sbe rules the realm of unconscious thought, dream and fantasy,and as tbe High Priestesssignified the wisdom of the unconscious revealedin e controlled way, the Moon symbolizes the unconscious in its un dictable and uncontrolled aspects.These aspects,whenmadeconsc can be transformed into wisdom. If the unconscious and conscic minds can function togetherharmoniously,the result is a well-integrat personality.
nce again,after darknesstn,
Moonusuallypointsto a phaseoftluctuationand [n a reading,The andevenillusion.Itcanalso uncerLaintl oftenindicates change.It canbefoundthroughdreams Loproblems that soluLions suggesL thanlogicandreason, andintuitionsraLher
welcome image after the ni ;rlpped in red banners is ridinE ,
l=rth rode but this timeit is u-h_r : -,oentingsuccess,forms a boun j; '.:h sunflowers,heliotrope an.j :r
-:. Fool cannothelp but responJ :--= tresh-facedfriendly chtld o h.-ll8-
:::: :.\ ealingher three faces:neo-. : :: -'-es of woman:virgin, mother
THE SuN
:-,': 'red to a goddess:for the neu:-i! --r Persephonevirgin goddess ::rr:irer goddessof the full moon: '. :,-r the dark face of the moon-. :- :emininity: the virgin who is ::-. inotherwhose Potentialis fuls::-. elledup or beenwasted. ::- :ae r.-ombto which men return ::= \[con was once thought of as ::,,: ihe souls of the dYing would -- ::r- moon where theYwould be :-::r. The Moon was thus seenas ---.. "nd the tomb to which all lite 11-i.-:ring and waning rhYthms of -- \loon also symbolizes feelings ,:--.. nebulous and uncertain. She ::--. jream and fantasY,and as the -: :he unconscious revealedin a ;:j -le unconscious in its unPre.:.- "spects,whenmadeconsciout' t ,:-- unconscious and conscious --:s-.. [he result is a well-integratol
nce again,after darknessthere is hght. The Sun is a cheerful and
offluctuationand n:-
welcomeimage after the misty uncertainty of the Moon. A child -.1rappedin red banners is riding a powerful horse,the samehorse that
t, :.;nhefoundthroughdreams l..gicandreason. 1r.r'1
leath rode but this time it is white to symbolize life. A laurel hedge,rep::senting success,forms a boundary to the fertile garden,which is rich '.,.ith sunflowers,heliotrope and orangetrees,all solar flowers and fruit. - he Fool cannot help but respond with feelings of ioy and optimism at :re fresh-facedfriendly child who greetshim in the imaqe of the Sun.
-
I I
tn LJ
+
The Sun
The fact that a child, rather than an adult figure, is depictedpoints to the chance that the Fool has to revert to a childlike state again so he .rt restart his inner or spiritual growth. White is the colour of life and purity of spirit, and red is the colour of desireand energy.The red cloak that the child is wrapped in may be symbolic of all the cloaks worn bv the figures in the earlierTrumps,castoff and given to the child lo wearin triumph; their lessonshave been learned so they have no further need of them.The dazzlingmidday sun shines bright,with its rays both straigh and wav;{,indicating the dual nature of The Sun card,positive and
tive.The denselaurelhedgerepresents the formationof the Fools pa* life and his limitations.ltstandsfor all he haslearnedand experienced
Sun is form. The Sun,like tl form, structure,expression an
qreatadvanlage,there arecircr It can be a mistake,for exampl
ings in accordancewith logic. dry out water and earth.The st
a desert.Water and earth. on r-olatileelementsof air and tire.
in the personality to achiere I rvith reverence and caution. ht sourceof life and strength.
so far; the pattern of experience,which has becomea solid foundati from which he can now proceed. The Sun has manymythical associations,themost obvious one the sun god Helios,whosejob it was to drive the chariot carrying the
acrossthe skiesbringinglight andheatto the earth.Another di of thenight.Apollos shrine of Heliosis Apollo,born of Leto,goddess Delphiwas sacredto all goddesses Apollo's twin sister of darkness. Artemis,thegoddess of theMoon,andtogethertheyruleddayand twelve hours each.Apollowas alsoan archer,likehis sister,and his arrows could both heal sicknessand causesudden death to those
ran foul of him,Hewasoftendepictedwithhis famouslyre asthegod music,poetry and song.He was a god of form,shapingelusiveaspects the psycheinto artisticexpressions that aredurableandpermanent. The Sun symbolizesthe masculinecapacityto impart form and ture. His influence gives form to the formless,shape to the The Sun god presides over the arts as well as over the activity of intellect, and man's rational capacity to impose order and coherence the fluctuating moods of his experience.The Sun is a card of which,while it lasts,is a time for vigorous activity and clear
In this respect, the Sun complements the Moon, for if the Moon sents the unconscious in its murky darkness,the Sun is conscio
in all its bright lucidity.lf the Moon signifiesthe feelingnature,the so standsfor the capacityfor thought.And asthe Moon is formless, -r20-
In a spread,thiscardreyrc
The Sun standsfor succcs It seemsto hrighten tlu -all
of optim
The Sun
: -:: is depictedPoints to the -,---
Sun is form. The Sun, like the Moon, has its negative aspects.While
-:: :uJ energy.The red cloak :--- :, all the cloaksworn bs : .--.rn to the child to wear in
It can be a mistake,for example,to attempt to structure and regulatefeel-
' ::,-' har.eno further needof : - .r ith its raYsboth straight
.r desert.Water and earth, on the other hand, can drown or bury the
= -i -in card,posiiive and nega= -::mation of the Foois Pa*
in the personality to achieve balance,If the Fool approachesthe Sun
::.- learned and exPeriencoJ :s :e.ome a solid foundation
sourceof life and strensth.
'-r -te most obvious one beinq .'. :::e chariot carrYingthe sun -:-. :arth. Another dimension ,--:re night.APollos shrineat qas r-..s. -\Pollo's twin sister
torm, structure, expression and articulation are things that can prove a qreatadvantage,there are circumstanceswhen they can be taken too far. lngs in accordancewith logic. Air and fire, the masculineelements,can Jry out water and earth.The sun can ripen fruit but it can also laywaste r-olatileelementsof air and fire.The elementsmust co-existin nature and s-ith reverenceand caution,he can richly benefit from this benevolent
energy anda source of strength. In a spread,this cardrepresents TheSunstandsfor success,prosperity,happiness andtruefriends, IL seems it, addinga sense to brightenall thecardssurrounding of opLimism andgoodcheer,
:.-r:r theYruleddaYandn :-.:. iike his sister,and his fierv
s. .'.rddendeathto those'* :- ::i; famous lYre as the god ,-:-:. shaPingelusive asPects :. --rrable and Permanent' :,:-lr- lo imPartform and st
::,-.ss,shaPeto the shaPe .'"-,-as overthe activitYof : --.-seorder and coherence - le Sun is a card of daYlie :-. ,-tir-ily and clear perce :- \loon, for if the Moon ----=sthe feehngnature,the : ,. :he Moon is formiess,so -I2I-
JuocEMENT
horizon. The imageis one of jcr
on the white banner signiii th: the reconciliationof opposites. r
tral crossingpoint of the ts-o hn
that have been separateor >epa important symbolic detail,Ther
their garmentsofworldliness in I to be rising from their grar es: *
climb out. The darkness of the underworld, life without initiatir
tual rebirth; thev died in order r.to acquirethe new life to rvhich t
The angel blowing rhe truml as a guide of souls and whose rrt
Judgement.Michael was one .-f
guide the planets,his own sp,e. tull circle and brings us back
Vercury, the guide of souls,o h--
his lourney under the guise of th rvho started the Fool on his i-.
accompaniedhim on his descen umphantly towards the liqht. an
facets;he is the messengerof t}e dealingsbetween men and the E
neys and in his role as trickter hinder. However,in his role a,; p_ udgementis the penultimate stageof the Fool s journey.He has almoc l[ '/ reached his goal with only this and the final card, The World, to
..'orld god, guiding the souls c[ r the dead back to life. Accordtri
encounter.The Judgement card depicts an angel appearing from the clouds,a halo of golden curls around his youthful face.He is blowing a
Tanlalosdecidedto cook his oo-r:
mighty trumpet from which hangs a white banner emblazonedwith a red cross,Three naked figures of a man, woman and child arise from
as a joke, it was Hermes rvho re; and restoredhim to life. Hermes a
their coffins, their arms outstretched.Their coffins float in a dark sear
Theseus and Heracles,who tcu world, and it was Hermes o-ho
which becomesincreasinglylighter and calmer as it stretchesout to the
underworld in searchof his s lre.
-t22-
ludgemenL horizon. The imageis one of joy and release.The points of the red cross on the white banner signify that the way to spiritual ascenlis through the reconciliationof opposites,which then form a higher unity. The central crossingpoint of the two lines shows a joining togetherof all things that have been separateor separated,The naked figures illustrate more important symbolic detail.They are naked becausethey have thrown off their garmentsof worldliness in favour of spirituality.The figures apPear to be rising from their graves:the coffins are oPen and they are free to :limb out. The darkness of the sea and the tombs representsthe dark underworld,life without initiation. The figures have undergone a spiriiual rebirth; they died in order to find themselvesand they arenow ready io acquirethe new life to whlch they are being summoned, The angel blowing the trumpet could be St Michael,who functions :s a guide of souls and whose trumpet is due to sound out on the Day of udgement.Michael was one of the seven archangelswho was said to :uide the planets,his own specialplanet being Mercury. This takes us :ull circle and brings us back to Hermes, known to the Romans as \lercury, the guide of souls,whom the Fool first met at the beginning of ris journey under the guise of the Magician.lndeed it was the Magician '.r-ho started the Fool on his journey, led him unseen along the way, .ccompanied him on his descentinto darkness and now leads him trirmphantly towards the light, and his goal.Hermes is a god with many -acets;he is the messengerof the gods,especiallyto Zeus, and arranges lealings between men and the gods.He is a guide to men on their jour-
: '-rurney'Hehas a
reys and in his role as trickster he could guide and mislead;help and rlnder. However, in his role as psychopomp he acts as a powerful under',.orld god, guiding the souls of the dead to Hades but also summoning
:-', ;ard, The World,
:he dead back to life. According to myth, when the unpleasant King Tantalosdecidedto cook his own son and servehim to the gods at a feast
::-::i iace.He is blowing 'i:-rer emblazonedwith
- a joke, it was Hermes who reassembledthe unfortunate young man ,nd restoredhim to life. Hermes alsofreed a number of heroes,including
::-,r and child arise fr .----rnsf-loatin a dark
Theseus and Heracles,who found themselves trapped in the under..orld, and it was Hermes who guided Orpheus in and out of the
:: .: it stretchesout to
-inderworld in searchof his wife. Eurvdice,
-r23*
ludgement As its image suggests,judgement is a card of summing-up,of balanc-
Tr
ing accounts and it is through this card that the Fools progress is evaluated and assessed.Judgement may symbolize what, in Eastern thought, is called karma, the principle whereby man's actions produce their appropriate reward or punishment. In Western tradition, this is summed up by the phrase'as you sow so shall you reap'.]udgement reflects a processof sel[appraisal,an honest and sincereattempt to come to terms with oneself and whatever resolutions one has found for inner conflict.lt necessitates removing the veils through which man generalhperceives hhself and either over-estimatesor under-estimateshis effortr After all, excessivemodestyor self+ecriminationis just as erroneous:rs excessiveegotism or complacency.Judgement stressesthe need to evaluateoneselfand one'saccomplishmentsat their true worth and though nc condemn thosewho puff themselvesup,we should also condemn those who, for whatever reason,sell themselvesshort. The card of Judgemed marks the completion of the karmic cycle, in which reward or penahies are conferredin accordancewith one'strue worth.
In a reading,theJudgement cardsignifiesthefinal setLlement of a matter,a'cleanslate',paying offold debtsanda preparedness t'or a newbeginning.It indicates that thingswhichhave Iainf allow will cometo life,andrewardfor pasLefforLwillfinally be forthcoming.Itis a timefor rejoicingandrenewal.
t last,the Foo] arrir-esat t \ cardin the MajorTrum -:g figurefloatingjn a wreatl r ; and in eachhand.The fieure {
.-:ldcrown,The four.orn.r-t. ;rd a man. TheWorld dancer's purple s i*J it is drapedin such orr., " -
1),1
-
THE Wonro
: . --rming-uP,of balan:: -- Fool's Progress-r :- ':: rvhat, in Easterr: actionsProduc. . ,r--,..1s . ---:rn tradition,this L' ,- -r.ru reaP'.JudSement : r-:taereattemPtto come : -. has found for inner 1.; .r hich man generall' :, ..:i-estimateshis effort-o, - -. iust as erroneousa-i .:::]sesthe needto evalu:'--. q-orth and though o= - :-i alsocondemntho:: , he card of Judgement '".---hrewardor Penaltis :--:-
:r.::..ualseLtlement of :,'..1t1PrcParedness for -',." "": i; Ita,-e Iainf allow :,-'; ir-ili finallybe ta .;itLlt'enewal,
I
A
t last,the Fool arrivesat The World, the final and mostcomplex \ cardin the Major tumps. The enigmaticimageportraysa danc-
:-q figure floating jn a wreath of laurel tied with red ribbons, carrying a -",,:ndin each hand. The figure is draped in a purple sash and wears a ::id crown. The four corners of the imagereveal a bull, a lion, an eagle, ,--l a man. TheWorld dancer'spurple sashis the colour ofwisdom and divinity ,-l it is draped in such a way as to concealsexual gender,for this figure
- r25-
TheWorld
representsa hermaphrodite,a symbol of unity between the sexes.The two wands indicate the duality the Fool has encounteredso many times along his route,and nowboth arecontainedwithin thewreath.There has been a constant emphasis on two halves forming a whole, pairs and oppositescombining to becomeone.The wreath of laurel is a symbol oi victory, successand triumph, while the red ribbons stand for the joy of achievement. The crown denotes authority and power. The four cr* tures at eachcorner stand for the fixed signs of the zodiac and reflect the four seasons and elements: Bull, Taurus, Spring, Earth; Lion, leo" Summer,Fire; Eagle,Scorpio,Autumn,Water; Man, Aquarius,Winter, Air. The World dancer representsthe blending and unification of the opposites to createharmony and balance.The life work of the alchemiss
Realizationof the World s from time immemorial.Junq
the Self; Christianfty c"ll, ii Hindu and Thoist tradition: aspire.It involves the ultima
as unity,harmony and balan
averageindividual is indeal can be offered and occasior
izesa connectionwith the sr common denominatorbetqtems of philosophical thouel
was to blend all four elements to create a perfect fifth, the quintessencc.
the moment of completion; anotherwhole journey.The r
The oval shapeof the wreath echoesboth the figure zero,symboli'ittt
centralfigure, the foetus,qail
all beginnings and endings,and the womb from which all life emerges.
cessionof tumps maybegin
Hermaphroditus, in Greek myth, was born to Hermes and Aphrodite,his namebeing composedfrom both of theirs.Oneversion the myth suggestshe was born dual sexed,while in another Aphrodite gave him to the nymphs who lived in the forests of Ida so they might raisehim.When he reachedthe ageof fifteen, he q
noticedand desiredby the nymph Salmaciswho ruled the part lake he decided to swim in. At first Hermaphroditus refused advancesbeing somewhat shy and modest,and only when he
he was alone,did he dareplungeinto the lake.However,Salmacis poppedup besidehim in the waters,kissingand embracinghim. more he struggled,the tighter she held on to him, and shecried out to gods beggingthem never to allowhim to be separatedfrom her.The heard her prayer and mergedtheir bodies togetherand from then on were as one,neither man nor woman,and yet at the sametime,both. TheWorld card symbolizes completion by showing onenesswith and nature,It representsan establishmentof oneselfin one'sright in relation to the cosmos and as an expressionof internal and e harmony.The individual is now at one with nature and the world; is a senseof satisfaction and achievement at finding one s rightful -
126-
In readings,thiscard sho of life ; it suggests succcs It is the realizationof a
the momentof satisfu For this tnoma
TheWorId
:, -.' Setweenthe sexes'The , :- :luntered so manYtime' ;.' :iin thewreath.Thereha' ---::1ng a whole, Pairs and :.,:i of laurel is a sYmboiof . r. r rrrns standfor the joYof '. ':.] four creaPower. The -. :: the zodiacand reflect the , Spring, Earth; Lion, Lec' ,:.: : \ Ian, Aquarius, Winter' : --rq and unification of the :. -1fe.r.ork of the alchemists
:,:: :.t fifth, the quintessence- : : I-i q u r ez e r o s' y mbolizine -.::r * hich all life emerges' :..-:: born to Hermes and
: : ,-:h of theirs'One version of i- - \\ hile in another version' -- ..l in the forests of Mount ::=i the ageof fifteen, he ozs ;,--' l.-ho ruied the Particular -.:maPhroditus refused her
Realizationof the World is the objective to which mystics have aspired irom time immemorial.Jung calls it the Realizationof the Archetype of lhe Self; Christianity calls it Beatitude;it is the supremegoal in Buddhist, Hindu and Thoist traditions as well as the goal to which the cabalists :spire.lt involves the ultimate integration of self and the cosmosas well :s unity, harmony and balance.Whetherit is a viable expectationfor the :\ eragelndividual is indeed questionablebut, certainly,intimations of it .an be offered and occasionallyeven achieved.The World card symbol,-es a connectionwith the greatmystic traditions that have constituted a :ommon denominator between all the world's great religions and sys:ems of philosophical thought from ancient times to the presentday.At ihe moment of completion and perfection, all that remains is to start ,nother whole journey.The oval wreath symbolizes the womb, and the :entral figure, the foetus,waiting to be born again as the Fool, so the pro:essionof tumps may begin again.
of onephaseor sLage thiscardshowsthecompleLion In readings, andtriumphentachievemenL, success,harmony of life;it suggests prizeorgoal,andimplies It is therealizationof a sought'after and ioythat suchafeatbrings' themomentof satist'action is atyourfeet. Forthismoment,theWorld
'.- ,nd onlY when he thoueht = -'.u of internal and external ,"--::nature and the world: there
-t27-
TH
name,v \ \ z.".*..Lli.,3::::,T:;", Arcana Court cards.The Court cards act as a link or bridge betrx'een VVrl. the Major and Minor and areoften consideredto be quite complicatedtc interpret becausethey can symbolize a number of different things. For example,they could symbolize a particular type of Personentering the seeker'slife; they could representan aspectof the seeker'sown personal-
Traditionally, thePagesart kt children,because theysymbr.li : personality that is just begrnn usuallyassociatedwith thcL,tq As with thepip cards,theL,"
the suit an,it
ity or they could indicate an actual event,This does obviously make it a bit difficult to decide how to read the Court cards,as there are no harJand-fastrules.Practiceand experiencewill certainly help a greatdeal,a' well as lookmg at the overall layout of the cards and the seekers ques. tion or situation. As always, the more personal the feelings and responsesto each card are,the easierit will becometo know how to interpret it in eachparticular case. Somepeoplefind that linking the Court cardswith astrologicalsisns can give a deeper understanding of each figure's personality.My oul personalastrologicalassociationsare that the Pagesreflect the essenceof the astrologicalelements themselves- Fire, Water, Air and Earth; tlc Knights reflect the mutable signs of the zodiac - Sagittarius, Pisces. Gemini and Mrgo; the Queens reflect the fixed signs - Leo, Scorpi+ Aquarius and Thurus; and the Kings reflect the cardinal signs - Ariei
Pacr -\ number of symbols recur tl
Wands,one of which is the ,i1; :reature believed to live in ti
Cthers are the sunflower, a _r -ind little flames,which stani stemsof all the wands.The pa*r
rroudly holding his wand ::r :and, the side of action.He lo--Ir eorizon and although he stan -rat action and movementrr-ii
.,rns decoratehis tunic and a -: he representsa child or vounr ; ith a quick, intuitive, enthu_ri.
Cancer,Libra and Capricorn.
,bout the Pagesis their potenti: :--r creativepossibilities,tho- sr
.ubstantial; after all, it onlr- take :.:ding,if the seekeris tryinq t--; ::ism within him-or herseh-,tht ::presenting an event,the Paqt -:{s, a yearningfor growth anj - lportunity to achievethis.
-r28-
THn Pacns ::. \linor Arcana, nam ,' , link or bridge bet'*-een : : r re quite comPlicated r.:: --f different things. Fcr -.:. o[ - rPersonenterinq thc :- ::-. seeker'sown pe : :--es obviousiy make it e :,:Js, as there are no har -::'-nlv helP a greatdeal"as
as ofLenrepresented thePages areknownasmessengers, Ti'aditionally, of the or an aspect something embryonic thel symbolize :hildren,because t'ersonality that i sju st beginningto develop,If theyindicate an euent,it i s ..su ally asso ciated with the beginning of something new and undeveIoped. through is reflected of thePage As wiLhLhepip cards,thehasicenergy of thaLsuit, Lhesuitandtheelement
Pecr of WeNos
q -,::s andthe seeker's r.:::Jnal the feelings and :,:,-ne to knowhow to intc
-\ number of symbols recur through the suit of -.\-ands, that fiery one of which is the salamander, -:eature believed to live in the flames of fire.
:,::s s ith astrologicalsiqns i -:. s personality,My om . i':es reflect the essence
Ithers are the sunflower, a solar plant, the sun .l:rd iittle flames,which stand like buds on the .::ms of all the wands.The Pageof Wands stands :roudly holding his wand firmly in his right :"nd, the side of action.He looks out over the vast
:,r.J signs - Leo, Scor
:--.rizon and although he stands still, it is clear .:at action and movementwill soon follow. Tiny ::ns decoratehis tunic and a salamanderis engravedon his breastplate. -- he representsa child or young person in a spread,it may be someone ; ith a quick, intuitive, enthusiasticpersonality.A key point to remember ,:out the Pagesis their potential.A fiery Pagerepresentsthe potential ::r creativepossibilities,those small ideasthat may grow into something .:bstantial; after all, it only takes a spark to ignite a massiveblaze.In a ::"ding,if the seekeris trying to developqualitiesof enthusiasmand opti' :-sm within him-or herself,this card can be a helpful one.ln terms of ::lresenting an event,the Pagemay be a bearerof good news, glad tid-:-ls, a yearning for growth and a desire for knowledge,along with the ::portunity to achievethis.
*r29-
The Pages
PecEof Curs
tiny butterflies.It is clear tlu Pageof Swords represenls a
The decorative imagery and themes that run
what ruthless character,clerr
through the suit of Cups are fish, mermaids and
for others.The Pageof S.xort ate things with logic rather tl
water,The fish is a symbol of creative imagination and the element of water representsthe feelins and the depth of the unconscious mind. The colours of the Pageof Cups are soft pink and blue" reflecting the sweet and gentle characteristicof this card. The Pageof Cups is a young man s.earing a pink tunic embroidered with tiny blue fisL
strong will, yet who is cold a children, and in this cardq e r
as a means of communicatiur Swords stands for the young
a thirst for knowledge and n one who enjoys gossipor sprr
He is holding a golden cup with great care and tenderness,watching as a fish emergesfrom it cautiously,symboh'ing the birth of creativeimaginationand newlife.The landscapeis greenand fertile and the youth stands near a pool, indicating the elementof wata
Pacr Indications of nature's bountv
If the Pagein a spreadis indicative of a young person,he stands for a
tlat run through the earthvsu
sitive,kind-natured type with shong artistic or even psychic talents.The
Pagethese are shown bv the tields and the rabbit, symLnl.:
Pageof Cups mayindicate thesequalities,albeit in embryo,in the
He maybring newsof a birth,perhapsthe birth of a child or of new ings and attitudes. For example,if a seekerhad been hurt and was afraid to trust emotionally,this card could indicate the fragile new beginn in starting to trust again.
PacEof Swonos Airy imagesdominate the suit of Swords: clouds, birds and butterflies.Blue,grey and purple are the
cver the furrows. The greens suit reflect the colours o[ r
impressiono[ this image is or The Pageof Pentaclesstan*
holding a pentacle firmlv qjt :ther Pagesshow a senseot m
ready to act,while this paee s iuce fruit in its own time. Thl
colours thal recur in this suit. The Pageof Swords
Dossessionsor material goods.s respectssuch things, and takes
stands on guard, as if ready to defend himself
osets.He representsone q.ho i:
againstattack.He brandisheshis sword high over
liligent, though perhapsrather
htu head; there are clouds in the sky though not
:c developa senseof materialr-
storm clouds, and birds fly high above them. He wears a blue tunic decoratedwith butterflies,and
:usiness venture even on a srr! :he Pageof Pentaclesmay sisnil
even the sleevesof his boots are appliqu6d with
;tarting from the bottom but rri
-130-
The Pages
tiny butterflies.It is clear that this card reflects the elementof air.If the FS
Pageof Swords representsa young person,he could stand for a some-
and themes that run J -.:s are fish, mermaids and , - ::l of creativeimagination.
what ruthless character,clever and intelligent but lacking in compassion tbr others.The Pageof Swords isn't necessarilymalicious but may evalu-
;'-:::r rePresentsthe feelings ::-: unconscious mind, The
strong will, yet who is cold and calculating.All the Pagescan represent
: - ;ps are soft pink and blutof ,:-l sentlecharacteristic
as a meansof communication and learning.In its best light the Pageof
:- - -tps is a Young man wear::---lered with tinY blue fisL
a thirst for knowledge and mental stimulation. At worst, he stands for
.i::i'
.up with great care anJ ::. it cautiouslY,sYmbolizine :. The landscaPeis greenand - ---:'tinq the elementof water'
atethings with logic rather than feeling.He may indicate one who has a children,and in this cardwe may seehow children use gossipand chatter Swords standsfor the young mind stirring and expanding,and indicates onewho enjoys gossipor spreadingrumours.
.i.:
PecE of PENTecLES Indicationsof nature'sbounty arethe main themes
::-: :e rson,he standsfor a sen:-: :: er-enpsychic talents.The
lhat run through the earthysuit of Pentacles.lnthe
,-:.ir in embrYo,in the seeker - _-::h of a child or of new feel-
:ields and the rabbit, symbol of fertility, bounding
been hurt and was afraiJ :-: tle fragilenew beginninrs
: :.i
Pagethese are shown by the new growth in the ;rr.erthe furrows, The greens and browns of the suit reflect the colours of nature; the overall -mpressionof this image is one of calm patience. fhe Page of Pentaclesstands still and straight, rolding a pentacle firmly with both hands. The --therPagesshow a senseof movement;they look
r-rRDS
:eady to act,while this Pageseemscontent to wait for the earth to pro:uce fruit in its own time. This suit is associatedprimarily with earthly :rrssessionsor materialgoods,so this Pageindicatesa young personwho ::spects such things, and takesgood careof his worldly belongings and ,.sets,He representsone who is prudenl and cautious,hard-working and :iligent, though perhapsrather solemn sometimes.Ifthe seekeris trying --.developa senseof materialvalue or worlh, or perhapswishes to start a :usinessventure even on a small scale,this is a good card.As an event, ,re Pageof Pentaclesmay signify an opportunity to make money,usually ':arting from the bottom but with plenty of promisefor the future. -131-
THs KNrcHrs
and deliberatelyalongsidea ,
andaction.The We nowcomeLotheKnights,symholsof movement thanthePagtsKnightsstandforyouth,althoughtheyaremoreadvanced skyorfield Loreath searching throughdesert,lcedn, Theyarea\l seekers, themutablesignsthe Knightsrepresent theirchosen goal Astrologically,
the water element.His horse: with fish as is his tunic, denc helmet is winged to repre*se
tions. He is connected srith water sign of the zodiac.lihe
*ould be a refined,artistic"h:
Kxrcnr of WeNos A handsomeknight on a fine steedgallops across desert-liketerrain. He wears a cloak embroideral with suns,symbolizing the warmth of fire, and his horse's harness is trimmed with
salamanderl
denoting the fiery element.The single red feaths stands for truth, The distant pyramids stand fcr
quite possibly an idealist or s fection. The Knight of Cr known as the lover,or the on
much like the Arthurian Km truth, beauty and love,and no 'in love with love'and his h;E rll respects, althoughhe is cnr :n event,it may be a proporr{ t Jr even a rival in love.
knowledge and ancient wisdom. The Knight of Wands has an air of purpose and confiden,r
about him, as he holds his Wand, symbolof ative energy, up high. He is connected sitl
mutablefire sign.Thisyoungmanhassplendidideasanil Sagittarius,the a fine senseof adventure:hewould makea generousandwarmfriendor lover, although he is inclined to be unpredictable and hasty in ment.He has a good senseof fun. However,on a more seriousnote,he a seeker of meaning and higher purpose, as in astrology Sagittari stands for higher learning and interests of a philosophical or spiri nature.If he stands for an event,it is usually a changeof residencecr Iong journey, possibly even immigration. Sagittarius rules the houseof the zodiac,which is alsoconnectedwith iourneys.
KNrcnr of Curs astheKnight ofWands, The Knight of Cups,althoughashandsome ceedsin a much calmler fashion.His elesantwhite horse moves slo* -132-
Kxrc
The I'.n horte -.
wind. T of theos u i t . l nt KniehtI battle. H andtheI air elem Suord.
.iqn of Gemini. The Kniqht ct "n attractive,magneticpersona
:,on from others,although he cl :i him. Thus, there is a somerr-
:ct intentionally cruel or malii
TheKnights
,nd deliberatelyalongsidea wide river, signifying
.'.; andaction.Thc s" ;ued thanthePage . sLt'orfield Loreatl'" signs' . , ' i t h em u t a b l e
:he water element.His horse'sharnessis decorated '.vith fish as is his tunic, denoting feelings,and his :elmet is winged to representhis spiritual aspira:ions. He is connected with Pisces,the mutable r-atersign of the zodiac.If he standsfor a person,it . ould be a refined,artistic,high-principled youth, :,uite possibly an idealist or someoneseekingper:ction. The Knight of Cups is traditionally
r
inown as the lover,or the one who offers, and he,
---.- steedgalioPsacross ,:: :. cloak embroidereJ .- 'r..'imlh of fire,and ht ;,I
*ilh
salamanders'
-. ,:e singlered feather .:. lr-ramids stand for - ..-m.The Knight of --::l)e and confidence - -- , \ , n J . s y m b o lo t c r e :-:: iS connected with ::- rj) splendid ideasand - : --- and warm friend or .,r-: :nd hastYin judge: l--l:- seriousnote,heis
:uch like the Arthurian Knights of the Round Table,is on a quest for .:uth, beauty and love,and nothing will deterhim from this search.He is .n love with love'and his high principles encouragehim to aim high m -.-lrespects,although he is often disappointedas a result.If he standsfor ,r event,it may be a proposalof marriage,a proposition in the field of art, rr even a rival in love,
KNrcHr of Swonos The Knight of Swords dashesacrossthe card,his horse's legs outstretched,its mane flying in the wind. The emphasisis on speed;the swift action of the wind is pictured often in the imageryof this suit.ln the background,the trees are bent and the
.- -.stroiogYSagittarius :- - :'rPhical or sPiritual
Knight leansback in his seat,his sword poisedfor
: -.-;lqe of residenceor a :-. ,':ius rules the ninih
and the harnesswith butterflies as symbols of the
-,:--.:urneys.
Swords can be connected with the mutable air
battle.His horse'sblanket is decoratedwith birds air element.In astrological terms, the Knight of .ign of Cemini. The Knight of Swords is a curious mixture, for he has ,n attractive,magneticpersonality and easily draws attention and aff.ec.
:)
:ion from others,although he often has lessneed of them than they have
, :-' KnightofWands,Pro' ,
.rl
, : horse moves slowly
,.f him, Thus, there is a somewhatruthless streak in him, although he is rot intentionally cruel or malicious,He has a brilliant mind and good
- rl3 -
TheKnights
businessjudgement,and tends to get on well in his career.Gemini is the sign known for teaching,lecturing,communicatingand educationin geleral,as it is ruled by Mercury, the trickster,A person representedby thit card would be someonewho is full of intellectual flexibility and curiov ity, is interested in everything, is volatile and changeableyet is also easilr bored.As an event,the Knight of Swords may representa situation that
Tr
(ju'lr,: Inlayouts,the or part for actualpeople to indicateeuentsin quit s o m e t i mdeos . T h ej o u
gets started swiftly amid great excitement but dies down almost as quickly, often leaving a certain amount of chaosin its wake.The Knieht of Swords is known for stirring things up but disappearingbefore the difficulties can be pinned on him.
ar
KNrcHr of PENTacLES
A noble-looking woman. pr upon a fine throne decorat
The Knight of Pentaclesis noticeablydifferen from the other three Knights in that his horse andhb standsquite still.The Knight of Pentacles sturdy farm horse are depicted in a freshlv ploughedfield, quietly contemplatingtheir surroundings.Oak leavesdecoratehis saddleblankc which connectsthe imagewith tbe and harness, earthelement.This is a peacefulimageand this Knieht is a calm, qentle fellow with infinite
the love of life; shecan succe
patienceand tolerance.He is reliable and tr
time and energyto vigorou
thy and will carry out a task to completion,no matter how long it mey take. He always reacheshis goal becausehe never gives up and always sets his sights on achievablerewards.The Knight of Pentaclesplods on without frenzy or excitement,but his plodding wins him the reward. Fh is connectedwith the astrologicalsign of Mrgo, and the mutable earth
ders and golden lions, s-u fire sign.She holds the.,nan
hand, the side of acHon,an left hand, the side of creari
culine and the sunfloq.er is displays the balance beto-ee
sits a cat,denoting her tradit hearth and home.The euee
several projects in progress from the energy she puts in
always help her friends enth
liercely as any lioness.Her t after by others.
is kind to animalsand children, element.The Knight of Pentacles loves all things pertaining to nature. He indicates just such a
but utterly reliable.Others often seekhim out for unadventurous, qualitiesof perseveranceand capacityfor honesthardwork.As an e\ he stands for the eventual positive outcome of a situation that draggedon for a long while, or which has appearedfruitless.
-
12/t
-.
at
The Queen of Cups is a r enQueen of Wands. The dream throne floating in the sea.The
THn QuEENs
::':ic I et is aisoea-tilY ,::..:t a situation th'il :,.. Jo.,..n almost as
Inlayouts,the theotherCourtcards,canbe taken Queens,like theytendnot personality,but for actualpeopleorpartsof theseeker's to indicateeuentsin quitethesameway as thePages andKnightscan sometimes do.Thefour Queensareconnectedwith thefourfixed signsof thezodiac.
. ,-: *'ake.The KniEh 1
=,:taring
.
.l
betore tnc
QuEEN of WeNos -\ noble-lookingwoman, proud and tall, is seated ES
upon a fine throne decoratedwith fiery salaman-
'. r:ticeably differeu i:-:s in that his horsc and his r: :i Pentacles
ders and golden lions, symbol of Leo, the fixed
l=:.:ted
in a freshlv
iire sign.She holds the wand of power in her right hand, the side of action, and a sunflower in her left hand, the side of creativity.The wand is mas;uline and the sunflower is feminine; this figure Jisplays the balancebetween the two. At her feet
,-:,:: his saddleblanka .:-' lhe imagewith the :r':tful image and this
sits a cat,denoting her traditional role as queen of
,- -.ilo... with infinite
ihe love of life; she can successfullyrun a home and family but still finds
hearth and home.The Queen of Wands is full of time and energy to vigorously pursue her own interests.She can have
:,,iter how iong it mav ".-:: ih-es up and alwaYs i:: :- PentaclesPlods on
severalprojects in progress at one time yet never lets anything detract
;",':::shim the reward'He :- 'rJ the mutable earth ::-:-'i. and children, and
:lercely as any lioness.Her tirelessversatility is a quality often sought
::.:- seekhim out for his
:rom the energy she puts into her home life. She is well liked and will :lways help her friends enthusiasticallybut, if crossed,she will fight as ,fter by others,
QuEENof Curs
s::,rJ.vork.As an . --: : situation that
lhe Queen of Cups is a very different queen indeed to the vibrant fiery ]ueen of Wands, The dreamy,fey Queen of Cups sits upon an elegant
:,::: iiuitless'
::rronefloatins in the sea.The throne is madeout of shells and decorated
-r35-
TheQueens with mermaidsand dolphins, Her flowing silverv
through widowhood, dtrr
dress melts into the water. The ocean is a symbol
but believes she wili Lirr
of the depths of the feeling world over which she
pain with courageand ra strongwill and determin
presides.She gazesinto her golden cup as though in a trance.The Queen of Cups is connectedwith the fixed water sign Scorpio.She is queen of emo tions and symbolizesa personwho has reacheda degree of understanding of her own emotional
ties life may put in her rr wait patiently for better ti
to bearsuffering with stlr loss and sorrow,
depth. She is comfortable in the realm of feelings. fantasy and imagination and is sensitive and creative. The Queen of Cups is often the object of love, attractins admiration for her qualities of gentlenessand inner calm,yetshe alsohas a certain air of containednessso common with fixed signs,which makes her quite fascinating.She is often highly artistic and creative,evenmystical or prophetic. However, she is so deeply involved in her inner world that it makes relationshipsof an everydayor mundane nature strangelv difficult for her.The Queen of Cups representsa senseof being in touch with her feeling world, so when this card appearsin a reading it mav meanthat the seekerneedsto pay attention to their inner world, too.
QuEENof Swonrs The Queen of Swords is a more austerefigure, seatedupright on a stene throne carved with an
ar
Th tor q-it
tlrt tlsr t-i.r
piir rs{ t-ec rlai
preparedto work hard tc to the five senses,such a
spirit,
excellent music and h-ir things,she is abie to ter!
Decorative butterflies also appear as symbols of
accepts responsibilitv gla
the elementair. Her cloak is made up of blue sky and clouds and she holds her sword upright as a
Queen may represent r-fl ing hard and tirelesslrrrr i
symbol of justice and truth. A single bird flies
or employer,becauseshe i.
high n a darkening sky, signifying the woman's
nify help of a practicalnah
angel whose
wings
represent the
ability to think clearly and take a higher view of things.In astrology,this Queen is connectedwith Aquarius, the mutable air sign.Traditionally,the Queen of Swords represents a woman who has experienced sorrow or who may be alone -136-
TheQueens
::,: -..Her flowing silr-erv ,: -:re oceanis a sYmbcl 11;-..-orldover which she :-: :llden cuP as thoueh - '* -rpsis connected'x'ith :: -- She is queen of em.:.:::.1nt--ho has reacheda . :- her own emotionai -- . rhe realmof feelines. . ,:-: is sensitiveand cre.: ::l of love, attracting -,:--: ralm,Yetshe alsoha= : r-J signs,whichmake-* mYsti.: ,rJ creative,even -.--- .J in her inner worl'l jane nature strangeh: --:-. : i-nse of beingin touch : -::s in a readingit mav -::-: innerworld,too.
through widowhood, divorce or separation,She may have loved and lost, but believesshe will live to love again,and in the meantimebears her pain with courageand resignation.The Queen of Swords is a symbol of strong will and determination,a person who can bearwhatever difficulties life may put in her way. Her dignity is admirable as is her abihty to wait patiently for better times to come.Acquiring this Queen'squalities to bearsuffering with strength can be supportive and helpful in times of loss and sorrow
QuEEN of PENTecLES The Queen of Pentaclessits contentedly and com' fortably in a fertile garden,her throne decorated with bulls'heads,connectingthis card with the fixed earth sign of Thurus.The garden is full of flowers, including roses,which are the sacred flower of Venus, goddessof beauty and the ruling planet of Taurus.The Queen'scloak is madeof red roses,and a rabbit, symbol of fertility, sits by her feet.The Queen of Pentaclesis practical and materialistic. She loves the good things in life and is
iD: ollflEN
a/SWORI)S
preparedto work hard to get them, particularly those things that appeal to the five senses,such as good food, fine clothing, lovely fragrances, excellent music and beautiful surroundings. Having acquired these things, she is able to feel a senseof contentment and satisfaction.She accepts responsibility gladly and is fair and wise in business.This Queen may representsomeonerich who accumulatedwealth by working hard and tirelesslyfor materialgain.She can indicate a helpful friend or employer,becauseshe is generouswith her good fortune and may signify help of a practicalnature,
-.: Queenot >words rePre-
a^
I
|
I
--- rr who may De alone -t37-
THE KrNcs
fullv behind him. His robo water and he seems someo
TheKings,aspartnersto theC)ueens, standfor masculine energ,i, andauthoritywithintheirown suits.They aredynamicand actirt andcorrespond to thecardinalsignsin astrology.
unlike the Queen, who mert without effort. Astrologicallr
nected with Cancer, the card
tiny crab, a symbol of Cancer. is the masterof emotionsand h
quickly, but there is somethrn
KrNc of WeNos
Cups that suggestshe is not ti
The King of Wandsleansforwardsrestlessll-;
his watery element.The marul
looks set for action. As a fiery king, his
of the King of Cups is corr:"--
and robes are adorned with salamanders
not totally at easein the realm.
lions,andthe armrestsaregoldenrams,symbol
found in the helping professic
Aries, the cardinal fire sisn of the zodiac.
cine or psychology, because o
King ofWands is the masterofwit and charm.
feelmg world even though it dc
is warm and generous with
to pay lip-service to feelinqs n
a good sense
humour and a strong likmg for fun. He can
King of Cups appears in a s
suade anyone to do anything because he is s
seeker'spersonality,suggestinq
amusingandoptimistic;heis the archetypal
touch with his feelings.
manwho could sell the proverbial ice to the eskimos.TheKing ofWandr is full of new ideas and has an abundanceof vision and foresieht.His
hunchesalwaysseemto pay off and he will happilymakeinstant sions, even on major matters.However, he dishkes detail and gets easily
Krxc
realitiesof life. He has total trust in his world of ideas and intuition; he
The Krn sword til ple cloa
cheerfully rides on the crest of the waves of successand any failures are
is carr-et
simply forgotten or dismissedas unimportant.
ment air.
irritated if his enthusiasmis challengedor curbed by the practicalitiesa
the car&
KrNcof Curs
Like ma
The King of Cups sitson a thronein slightlytroubledseas. A fish,s1nbol of creativeimagination,leapsjoyfully out of the waves in the distance,but the goldenfish aroundthe King s neck seemsan emptr token comparedto the lively fish of imaginationprancingaboutplar-
barbaric
-138-
truth an
enjovs a
birds abovehim signify ht dr equality.The King of Su'or,I. is
The Kings
fully behind him. His robes do not touch the water and he seems somewhat uncomfortable, ; _ . - : . i ; i l i i l t c r l'), n.
;-'..: ;nri attirt
unlike the Queen, who merges into the waves without effort. Astrologically, this card is connected with Cancer, the cardinal water sign. A tiny crab, a symbol of Cancer,sits besidehim. He is the masterof emotionsand his mood can change quickly, but there is something about the King of Cups that suggestshe is not fully connectedwith
r-.: i-. restlesslt: lre
his watery element.The masculinecardinalenergy
r; ring. his thrcne
of the King of Cups is conscious,active and intellectual and is therefore
;,;,=manders arul
not totally at easein the realmsof deep emotion.This King is often to be
l-t- rrms, s;-mbol d
found in the helping professions,traditionally in the church,law medi-
.-- rhe zodiac. The :r" -l and charm.He
cine or psychology,becauseof his desire to be united with his inner
' sctod sense 'rf
to pay lip-service to feelings rather than fully experiencing them. If the
--: :un. He can per-
King of Cups appears in a spread,it may represent an aspect of the
I :r.ause he is so
seeker'spersonality,suggestingthat it is time for him or her to get truly in
t. ,r;hety-pal sale;
touch with his feelings.
feelingworld even though it doesn't always comeeasilyto him. He tends
f :: Kinq of\fr/ands . .-i ;:;\e
tbresight.His instantde'j-
KrNc of Swonos
::.-- .nd gets easilv
The King of Swords stares straight ahead,his
r::racticalities cr
sword tilted to the right, the sideof action.His pur-
is ,nJ intuition; he
ple cloak is the colour of wisdom, and his throne
ir-' ;n\-failures are
is carved with butterflies, the symbol of the element air. The King of Swords is connectedwith the cardinal air sign of Libra, the sign of balance. Like many Librans, the King of Swords loves truth and justice, and deplores uncivilized and
,.. .:as.A fish,s1-m::: \\-avesin the
barbaric behaviour. It is a card and sign that enjoys and values harmony and beauty.The two
:{ ,i-ems an emptl-
birds above him signify his duality of vision as he prizes fairness and
.:-:-ng about plav-
equality.The King of Swords is one who rules with justice,and has firm -139-
TheKings
Exer
moral convictions; he is deeply committed,both in friendship and in enmity. He is not easily swayed by pleas for mercy or compassion,unlike the King of Cups who is more likely to be soft heartedand sympathetic The King of Swords judges harshly but with scrupulous fairness and from a logical standpoint.He is often found in positions of authority and is a much-respectedand occasionallyfearedfigure. He can be suspicious 'strong, silent type'. His qualities of strength of and over-cautious,the
Now that you hare i
character,a senseof fairnessand justice,arehighly commendableas long
pack, finish off the r Arcana cardsusing e
as theycan be temperedwith compassionand empathy.
and Two.Youwill,t}r
eachcard in turn: Tht
KrNc of PENTacLES The King of Pentaclessits on a lavish throne wear-
Judgementand The \ ing with the imaqeor
of this exerciseis tc a
bunches of grapes
pay full attention to e
symbolizing the earth's sweetness and bounty.
as the Fool, havine f
Mnes coveredin ripe fruit stand on either side of him,while a fine castlecan be seenin the distance,
Arcana. When vou t feelings to the first e
symbolizing his earthly achievementsand status.
yourself jumpinq ofi-
He holds an orb in one hand, a symbol of material
learned?What diftcr
attainment,and a pentacle in the other, denoting
how?LetyourselIan
the earth'smagic.He is connectedwith Capricorn,
The next exerciser
irg
robes covered with
tain goat,the headsof which adorn the armrestson his throne.The Kine
ing the meaningoi th face down and pick a
of Pentaclesstands for someonewho loves riches and is determinedto
remember about the
amassas much wealth as possible.He is clever in businessmatters,a bit of a financial wizard,yet status and respectfrom the outsideworld is also
your notes againsts-h
the cardinalearth sign,whosesymbol is the moun-
a time as you can,eve
very important to him. However, he is not corrupt in his love of richs and earnsmoney through hard,patient effort, not unworthy or dishone* businessdealings.This figure is pretty straightforward; he enjoyswhat he has, and is generouswith it, gladly sharing the fruits of his labour
Nowturn to the Cour ,1
1.-
r
with others.The quality of being content with what you have is actualh-
the personalityo[ea;]
quite rare,yet this simple lesson,so hard to learn,can be taught by the
like you, and the one '
Kins of Pentacles.
sonalityor characterc
- 1 4 0-
rc:r in iriendship and
Exercises for Part.Three
c::-'' -1r COmpaSSion,
: :."rted and sym 1 s-:upuious fairness :,:s,[ionsof authoritv . -::. He can be suspici --. :-:alities of strenqth i::.t;ommendable as
*:
The Major Arcana
c=<'
Now that you have completed your detailed examination of the whole pack, finish off the guided fantasy exercises for the remaining Major Arcana cards using exactly the sameprocedure asyou did in PartsOne
.:::Ath\',
and Two,You will, therefore,be starting with Death and working through eachcard in turn: The Devil;The Tower;TheStar;The Moon;The Sun;
:LES
Judgementand The World. Take note of your feelings about each meet' ing with the imageor figure on the card.Rememberthat the crucial part of this exerciseis to allow yourself enough time to relax thoroughly and pay full attention to eachcharacteryou meet.Lastly,think about yourself as the Fool, having finally completedyour journey through the Major Arcana. When you come to The World card, compareyour notes and feelings to the first exerciseyou &d with the Fool, when you imagined yourself jumping off the precipice into the unknown' What have your learned?What difference has it made?Do you feel any different? If so, how? Let yourself answerthesequestionshonestiy and openiy' The next exerciseis one to testyour knowledge and progressin learn-
5:r rr his throne.TheKinq :-::-.> and is determinedto '-: -:: businessmatters,a bit :-:. :re outsideworld is also :::-:lt in his love of riches :---: .rnrvorthyor dishonest ::::,-r.. ard;he enjoYswhat -:-: :he fruits of his labour -:, .-.ra[ you have is actually -.,::. can be taught bY the
ing the meaningof the cards.Spreadthe whole pack out in front of you facedown and pick a cardat random.Turn it up andiot down allyou can remember about the card without checking the book. Then compare your notes againstwhat it saysin the book. Do this for as many cards a[ a time asyou can,eventually working your way through them all'
*€ The Minor Arcana e
-
1,11 -
Exercises for Part Three
PA
Perhapsyou find it useful to use the astrologicalassociations,ortry it the other way round - think of a friend or relative's zodiacal sign and then seehowit matchesup to the equivalent Court card figure.Tryto connfrt each card with someoneyou know or an aspect of yourself. If you lilreyou can make up stories around the various suits or'family'groups. U:e your knowledge and understandingof the elementto help you and compare the samefigures from each suit; for instance,seehow the energvot the Knights is revealeddifferently through the various elements.\-ou will seehow the mutability that is common to all four Knights feels dif-
ou are now readr-tit examine somesamp
ferent in eachelement.Now try this with the Queens and Kings and r-ou
emphasizeyour main obin
will gradually start to distinguish betweenthe different qualities of each
been stated,many seekers
rank and how they areexpressedin eachelement.The effort you put into getting to know the cards intimately will be extremely useful as \-ou
fused or unhappy state or situation.They may comet
ProSress. Once you feel really comfortable with each of the images,their mean-
sametime think that thev, caseit somehowinfluence
ings and messages, you are ready for the fourth and final part of the
This attitude can be rathe
study: masteringthe art of interpretation.
reflect something of the .r, minute detail, so shared ;c
The Tarot is not a fortunereader can accessuncon_i
ableto offer someguidance
voyance. Some clairvor-ant
the symbols accuratelv;thi 'read'fror that the messages
the ball but within the re preted, and of course scn
others.It is a bit like plarir notes,some people are mor
naturally and intuitivelv tl the exercisessuch as quide oped and expanded.
-
1/11 -
or trv it i:"- "ssociations, ,..'-. :odiacal sign and
PART FOUR
: :=:i tleure,T;y to conneil pr:i rfvourself. IfYou sl-:,i or'family' groups.U ::..:rt fo help You and cc :::-:-. seehow the energ\i i:: r-arious elements.lor
:-- "11tbur Knights feels
*: READINGS * are now ready to move on to the final section in which we will Vo" lL examine somesamplespreads.At tht point, it may be useful to re-
Q:eens and Kings andl-ou :. -literent qualitiesofeach r=:-:.The effort You Put into
emphasizeyour main objectiveswhen reading the Throt.As has already
a"=:rtremely useful as )'ou
situation.They may cometo you hoping for help and guidancebut at the
been stated,many seekerswill consult the Throtwhen they are in a confused or unhappy state or when they are facing a difficult decision or sametime think that they should reveal nothing to you as the reader,in
::: :i the images,their meanir:th and final part of the
caseit somehow influences the way you translate the sequenceof cards. This attitude can be rather counterproductive,for while the cards can reflect somethingof the seeker'scurrent situation,they cannot pinpoint minute detail, so shared comment and dialogue can be very profitable, The Tarot is not a fortune-telling computer; it is a method whereby the reader can accessunconscious knowledge, from which they might be able to offer someguidance,Tarotreadingis not to be confusedwith clairvoyance.Someclairvoyants do use the Tarot,but they don't always read the symbols accurately;they merely use them as a prop, in the sameway 'read'from that the messages a crystal ball, for instance,do not lie within the ball but within the reader.The Tarot images are there to be interpreted, and of course some readers are better at interpretation than others.It is a bit like playing the piano; although anyone can learn the notes,some people are more musical and can interpret the music more naturally and intuitively than others. However, by faithfully following the exercises such as guided fantasy techniques, intuition can be developed and expanded.
-r43-
Readings
How to Readthe Cards
H;;
down such value judgemenr,
situation the seekeris in and
most constructiveway to han
Let's take an example.lf Deat
t is a goodideato experimentwith differentlayoutsuntil you find the l[ JLformatthat suitsvou best.Pleasedo not think that the spreadsillu;
someonedear to them is aho
trated here are the only ones available.There are a greatmany to choose
them that this card doesnot ir
from; and, in addition,you could make up your own spreads.The term 'layout'refers to the various positions in which the cards are laid out
to look at the aspect of thenr
I L
each relating to a specific area of life, such as relationships,work
not know much about Tarot
about to reach,theend of iL. u
finances, This gives a framework within which to work, and gives the
new life, and this is to be s eic of mourning; Death could ap
readings a basic structure. The question of who shuffles the cards,the
of single life, just as easilv a-sil
readeror seeker,is anotherofpersonal preference.Somereadershand the
end of a marriage,If The Dn
deck of cards to the seekerto shuffle and then deal the cards off the top
causespanic in uninitiatoi :r opportunity that The Der-ii
of the pack.Others, myself included, prefer to do all the shuffling themselves and simply invite the seekerto select a certain number of cards from the pack,which I spread,facedown,in front of them.
thoseunconsciousblock or i: As I statedat the start of tl
Again, as a personalpreference,l use the Major and Minor Arcana
this is just my personalprefen
separatelyfor a couple of spreadsand then mix them togetherfor the final reading.l use the Minor Arcana only for the Celtic Cross reading (srr
with reversals.Try them out i working with them, alt-av-. r
pages749-52) to gain a picture of the seeker'slife in terms of career,rela-
able and that there is no'riqht
tionships and so on. Then I use the Star spread(seepages153-5), with the Major Arcana only, to go into greaterdepth and find a reflection of
can be liberating for those .*frustrating for those who 'r-an
the seeker'sinner life. If I still need more information, I then use either
exactlywhat to do,
the Horseshoe spread (seepages746-8) or the Tree of Life (seepagts
Let us now look at somesp
756-60),using the Major and Minor Arcana mixed together.Hower-er"
kindlygiven me permissiontrr
this is only my personal preference and I strongly encourageyou to experiment until you find the way that you feel works bestfor you. A useful question to put to your seekeris,'What do you want to gain from this reading?',and to yourself,'What seemsto be the best courseof action indicated by thesecards for this person at this time?'lt is worth rememberingthat seekersare often concernedthat their reading may h 'bad'or they hope it will be'good',lt is actually not possibleto equatethe Tarot with morally concrete statementslike this; the Throt cannot lar
+
1 1 / I aa
+
How to ReadtheCards
rrds
:c.vn such value judgements.What it can do is offer an overview of the situation the seekeris in and from there you must try to figure out the nost constructiveway to handle the energies,whether'difficult' or'easy'. i et s take an example.If Death comesup in a reading,a seekerwho does rot know much about Tarot may panic, assumingthat it meansthey or sJmeonedear to them is about to die. In this case,you could reassure :hem that this card doesnot hdicate physical death,and encouragethem :c look at the aspectof themselvesor their lives that has reached,or is ,bout to reach,theend of its usefulness.Deathbrings an opportunityfor new life, and this is to be welcomed,although it always requires a period :i mourning; Death could appearbefore a marriage,signifying the end :i singlelife,just as easilyas it could before a divorce,which denotesthe :nd of a marriage,If The Devil appearsin a spread- another card that :auses panic in uninitiated seekers- you could point out the positive :pportunity that The Devil presents for bringing into consciousness :hoseunconsciousblocks or inhibitions that prevent growth. As I statedat the start of this book,l don't read reversedcards but, as :his is just my personalpreference,lwould encourageyou to experiment s-ith reversals.Try them out in your own spreadsand seehow you like t-orking with them, always rememberingthat your intuition is invalu:.bleand that there is no'right'or'wrong'way. This is why learning Tarot :an be liberating for those who like to take risks and experiment, but :rustrating for thosewho want to be given prescriptions and to be told
I then use either --i Llfe (seepagrs --Eether,Hou'er-eq
:ractlywhat to do, Let us now look at somespreadsusing layouts for seekerswho have sindly given me permissionto use their readingsand casehistories.
-.--\ ou want to qain : := rhe best courseof ::--s time?'lt is worth : :r:ir readingmay be ::ssible to equatethe ::- Tarot cannot lav
-
1,lE:. -
Readings
The Five-card Horseshoe
1. Prr
The Four of Cups repres fr--------tui
ation surrounding her.Tt
)
lt---]l
cups before him. A fourt.
tffil
seemhappywith an1-oi tl depressionand confusicr offering her a greatdeai.I
choose,and although sh mind ensuredthat none o
3. Whatisnot F.xpecLed
2. Prestn The imageon the Ttra ct
balancing two hear.v sr*-o faceup to her true desirs.
as if SallyAnn is afraiJ tr was afraid to look at q-h.t 5. LongtermFuwt
l, PresentPosition
her emotions)for she knr rocks jutting abovethe uzl
tain to face.This card aptl
SallyAnn Thefirstreadingwe areexaminingkfor SallyAnn,a twenty-seuenin a shared singlewomanliving year-old flatwith anothergirl,She shefaceda dilemmainherpriontics. cameto seemefor a readingbecause orhercareer Shouldsheputherboyfriend prospects first?For sometimt underway,rather shehadbeentrling togetherownsmallbusiness shewas recently meta manwithwhom becoming unsuccessfully,buthad incr easingly involved. Shewas unsurewhether t o pu t herwork fir st, whiih to abandon the hadbeenimporLant for suchalongtime,orwhether to moretimeandenergy projectin favourof devoting business hernewrelationship. -
146-
3, What is r
The Four of Pentaclessrhas beencarefully acquir inner feelingsto be so lea
boyfriend (she didn't ree and the possibilityof letir
shaky).Shewas uncon..ir
t ion of the cardgare her rc
she wanted to keep er err-L
ing growth and der-elopm
felt so reluctant to change
T he F i v e-ca r d H o r ses h oe
rseshoe
Foun of Curs L PresenLPosition The Four of Cups representedSallyAnn s current feelings and the situ. ation surrounding her.The card shows a young man staring at three full cups before him. A fourth cup is being presentedto him, but he doesn't seemhappywith anyof them.Sally-Ann seemedto be in a similar stateof depressionand confusion despitethe fact that her situation was actually offering her a greatdeal.The Four of Cups indicatedthe lack of ability to choose,and although she had a lot of energy in potential, her state of mind ensuredthat none of it was channelledin a positive direction.
4. I:m.n'tj;at Futurt
2, PresentExpectationsTwo ofSwonos The imageon the Two of Swords shows a blindfolded woman carefully balancingtwo heavy swords.This reflectedSallyAnn's unwillingness to faceup to her true desires.The figure has her hands crossedoverher heart, as if Sally-Ann is afraid to accepther feelings for fear of being hurt. She was afraid to look at what she reallywanted or felt (thewater behind being her emotions)for she knew that it would entail making a decision (the rocksjutting abovethewaterrepresenthard facts),whlchshefelt too uncertain to face.This card aptlycaptured SallyAnns feeling of paralysis. 3. Whatis notExpected Foun of PENTACLES
en' .-rii.n,a tw enty-sev : .): Lltrother girl. She
The Four of Pentaclessymbolizes a fearof letting go of something that
''.:' 11 n1a in herprioritit s. i i r s t ?F o rs o m et i m t
inner feelings to be so fearful when consideringboth commitment to her
,:s rnrderway,raLher . ' , - i ns h e w a s b e c o m i n g
and the possibility of letting go of her business(eventhough it was rather
: ,: herworkfirst,which . . ' : ; r t o a b a n d o nt h e '.'"'.;and energyto
tion of the card gaveher food for thought. She hadn't realizedhow much
has been carefully acquired.It seemedthat SallyAnn didn't expect her boyfriend (she didn't realize how scaredshe was of losing her liberty) shaky).She was unconsciousof this aspectof the situation,and the posi shewanted to keep everything just as it was,even though it was preventing growth and developmenton both fronts. And, indeed,becauseshe felt so reluctant to change anything, it also madeit impossiblefor her to -t47-
Readings
gain or lose anything; the closedatmosphereof this card linked up with the messageof the previous two cards:nothing ventured,nothing gained.
Thr
In trying to keep everything as it was,shewas actually preventing movement,whichwas why she felt so depressedand stuck.
4. Immediate Future Frvnof Swonos The Five of Swords, in the position of short-term future influences, seemedto suggestthat it would be sensiblefor Sally-Ann to give up the present struggle,which was getting her nowhere,and to realizethat she was tackling somethingthat was too big for her.The more we talked,the clearer it becamethat her business,although dear to her heart,wasn't really financially viable. It had proved an expensive disappointment so far,and there was nothing to suggestthings would improve in the near future without a massiveinjection of time and money,neither of which Sally-Ann felt she could afford. She felt that the messageof this cardwas for her to stop fighting in vain and to try another route. This card counsels accepting limitations and acknowledging defeat,which must be done beforemoving on to somethingmore profitable and feasible.
5. Long-term Future Acn ofCurs The last card to be drawn in this spreadwas the Ace of Cups, overflo-ring with feelings,so future prospectsfor romance looked very good.It certainly seemedto implylight at the end of the tunnel for SallyAnn,and showedthat a strong loving union could provide strength and direction. The Ace of Cups indicatesdeep,positiveemotions and the beginning of somethingpromising that has the potential for joy and contentment. Iheardfrom SallyAnn ten monthslater and shetold me that shehadgiuen up her business,bought a llat withher boyfriendand had starLeda newjob Lhatshefound interesting and stimulating,The relaLionship wasworkingwell and theyweretalkingabouttheprospectof startinga family.Shesaidthatby giuingup lne thingshehadgaineda greatdeal. '-148-
?
v ll H r*
The Celtic Cross
i,
ffi
al:
lffil
::r- -rture intluen;=:
-t.ltt
t . r n i r \ La lv
ut.
IK I rMl
L.--
r:. I --- realize that s::r - ' : . . ' r e r r e t a l k e J .r : : : - - . ' I r t f h e a r t ,$ a s : - : , -' ---, .- .*troro o i n t m e n t > - '
I0. The Outcome
Whatis AboveYou
.- - -:,tro\-e in the ne.: ---: -.-'i:r:
rcilherof\ hi.: trl
,-.1 lflIS
I CafO
\\'i-i
: r:'--:..This cardcoun9. YourHopes andFears
-:- ,,. $ hich must b€ "- : ,rd ieasible.
6. Whatis BeforeYou
L PresentPosition
5. Whatis BehindYou
- - -- e rrnsoverflotr- <.d \- -erv '/ sood.It b""*'
---: -rr SallyAnn, and B. HowOthers SeeYou
i ::r-llh and direction. - rhe beginningot :-- -t -ontentment, ',:
'.., thatsh.ehad given
4. Whatis BeneathYou
.. .;.;starteda newjob -- ,,-,,,-,'u-as wTrkingwell j.,,'.,j.,. Shesaidthatby
7. WhereYou WiIl FindYourself
-
t49-
Readings
3. \4,-L,rt i-.
Christopher came Lwoboys,who Aristopherwas6 manof thirty-fiue,maniedwith for lif e. w orking s ati s ac t o an d un m arri ag e hi s ap ing unh py r e d a r eading gar ry f beensince inhis uncle's Hewasworkingasa solicitor firm,wherehehad Loleaue graduaLion.He f elt trappedtherebut alsoguiltyahoutwanting thef amilybu siness.He hadgot married ueryy oun1,to the daughterof clearearlyon thatLhemartiagewas afamilyfriend,butithadbecome direction realllwantedto change Christopher not onemadeinheaven. andprofessionally,but inlife,bothpersonally f elt torn andguilty onhiswhole abouttheeffecLiLwouldhaue family.Idid a Celtic CrossspreadusingtheMinor Arcana. KrNcsof Swonos L PresentPosiLion
This card signifies celebrati
tion or resolution is to L'e I
happinessmay be experien:
tial completion, I warned C
once the first stagew-asrea:h 4. Id'/irttt is &
The Eight of Wands is a .:.r to be up and doing somet Christophertold me he o--* this time,and as this plac"m baseof his life,it seemed an a
The King of Swordsin Christopher'spresentshoweda strongfigureof authoritywho is morallyright andjust,but mayhavelittle compassion Christopherfelt this described for otherpeople'sfeelingsand problems, his uncleperfectly,His unclewas a powerfulinfluencein Christopheri life; he was both respectedand fearedin the family and in the business afraidthathis unclewouldnot takekindlyto his world.Christopherwas he longedto be freefrom thefamwish to leavebothjob andmarriage,yet
find the courageto make a br
ily obligationsboth at homeand atwork.
However, the Knight of Pent
5. What i-;fi;]1
This card in the past positi-his past action of ploddhg
beenthinking of makinqr m
processhad finally reachei i
2. What CrossesYou Ercrir of PENracrEs
the plunge.
6. Wrdt is B
Crossing Christopher's present position was the Eight of Pentacles,the card of the apprentice,which indicated the need to start again from the bottom, using skills and talents that might develop into a careerChristopher s hobby and passionwas cooking, and he really wanted to
The Seven of Wands indic-i suggestthat if Christopher r
run a small hotel or restaurant,He was considering taking a course in cooking and hotel manaSement,witha view to starting a small business,
mination to succeed,a chan
possibly abroad.The card suggestedthat this was certainly possible,but becauseit'crossed',it would be difficult or would take a long time'
mind struggles or competirj
-150--
found it encouraginqthat tir choosing.
TheCelticCross
3. Whatis AboueYou TnnEEofCurs This card signifies celebrationand rejoicing.It suggeststhat some solution or resolution is to be found and therefore a senseof relief and happinessmay be experienced.However,as the Threes all indicate an initial completion, I warned Christopher that much work would follow once the first stagewas reached.
4. Whatis BeneathYouErc:nrof'WaNos The Eight of Wands is a card denoting action and new direction, a time to be up and doing something,the end of delay and procrastination. Christopher told me he was feeling this kind of restlessnesskeenly at this time, and as this placementindicateswhat is alreadypresent at the baseof his life, it seemedan appropriatecard to spur him into action. . -.::--ri tigur. of l::-= :rmpatsion
5. What is BehindYou KNrcsr of PENracrEs
t-: ::-ls detcribaJ ::l Jrristophers
This card in the past position seemed,in Christopher's case,to represent
i -:- :he busine;s
his past action of plodding slowly but surely to a conclusion. He had
:=-<.xindlv to his
been thinking of making a move for avery long time but could not quite
:-::cm
ihe t1m-
find the courageto make a break,either careerwiseor in his personallife, However, the Knight of Pentaclesin his past seemedto suggest that the processhad finally reacheda conclusion.Christopher felt ready to take the plunge.
--: Pentacles,the
6. What is BeforeYou SEvENof WaNos
ri .i:in from the p ,rto a career.
The Seven of Wands indicates stiff competition,but it also seemedto
r=..rivrr.antedto
suggestthat if Christopher were able to draw on his strength and deter-
^i::{
a COUTSein
. 'nall business. but r--',-possible, -::-: time,
mination to succeed,a change of profession or careerwould follow. He found il encouragingthat this card seemedto be saying that he did not mind struggles or competition, as long as it was in a field of his own choosing. -151 -
Readings
The
7. WhereYouWiIlFindYourselfFoun of WaNos This card referred to how Christopher would find himself in the future 'harand how he would feel about himself and his situation,so the card of vest home' showed the possibility of Christopher reaping the benefit of what he has worked hard to achieve.As the Wands representcreatir-e ventures,it could be that a new careerwould prove successful.
B. How OthersSeeYouTwo of Swonns The Two of Swords, the card of indecision and stalemate,represented Christopher's future environment, and how others would see him. It seemedto suggestthat while one part of his dilemmawould be solved,as indicated by the Four of Wands, another part would still lie in the balance.The Two of Swords suggests an inability to face facts becauseof the difficulties and changesthat doing so would unleash.
6. Conscious Influences and Desires
9. YourHopes andFearsTwo ofCurs The Two of Cups denotes a comfortable balance, unlike the Two of Swords, which suggeststension. It is a card of reconciliation or new beginnings in relationships.Christopher said that, more than anything, he wanted to be able to stay on good terms with his wife and children but was very uncertain about the continuation of the marriage.
I0. TheOutcome Ercnr of Curs This cardshowsa manturning his backon eightcarefullystackedcups, headingtowardsbarrenmountainsin the distance.Itcould suggestthat Christopherwould leavebehindall that he hadworkedsohardto achieve, disillusionedmaybe,but possiblyalsoableto facetherealityof his situaiion. Togainfurtherclarification,I thendid a spread usingjust for Christopher theMajor Arcanaandhechose thefollowingcards: * 152-
3. Intellectand Career
The StarSpread
M
7. TheTopof the Matter
5. Unconsdous Influence
6. Conscious and Influences Desires ,-
-:l
: - : --r.iliation or ner.,-
l------;;;;;
ffi
l
than a * - -n l v -l -h - - -i-n : . 'c
-- . '.r'lieand children .: - ::.lrriage, -
:i
W
2 . E m o t i o n sa n d Relationships
3 . I n t e l l e cat n d Career
-,:.- -rllv stackedcups. - - -..uld suggestthat :" - , -.chard to achie.'e, ::.,.-ilr of his situation. -
"
L IJv Rootof the Motter
stopherusingjust
--r53-
Readings
L. TheRootof theMatter Dnarn
5. {Jncons,iu'i
The Death card, in Christopher's present position, indicated a time for
In the position signifrinr tb
change,transformation,endings and new beginnings. Both internallv
to emerge,isThe Haneed \l
and externally,it seemednecessaryfor him to let go of the old ways and
in order to gain something
values,which were stifling and unproductive, and allow new things to
stood this card well, at he I
be born. Death in the reading indicated that the time was ripe to set this
made by him alone,The e-s
processin motion, and although it would be painful, it would neverthe-
is voluntary and made til
lessprovide a clearway for Christopher to build a new life of his own.
date,lived his life accordin
he must start makinq his co
2, EmotionsandRelationships TnE Wonro
6. Conscious In The World is a very encouragingcard to appearin the sphere of emo tions,for it indicatesa goal is reachedand a senseof wholenessachieved.
What is'wanted consciou-
Combined with card 5, The Hanged Man, it seemsto suggestthat a sacri-
it seems,Christopher s pnte
fice has to be made to allow a happy and beneficial outcome emotionalh-.
and be developed.The im.,
revealtalents hitherto une-\3. Intellectand Career TnE EupEnon
tion, and iudgement triurnpl
The Judgementis'karmic'. s Opposite the card for the feelings,which often describesrelationships,the card for the intellect usually correspondswith working life. The Emperor
7. TfuTt
shows a solid, stableinfluence,which could mean that Christopher will find the strength of characterto build a careerfor himself rather than
The appearanceof The L"-r-
relying on his family. The Emperor, after all, teachesthe Fool to be a man
would have Lo make an im;
in his own right, and this may meanhe will do the samefor Christopher.
refers to relationships,so it assessment of his marriaqea
4. TheHeart of theMatter T:rrnHnnprrr
third party involved he ooui
could indicate a new relaLio The centre of the spreadis an important position,for the whole reading seemsto revolve around it. The Hermit shows a need for inner contem-
F ollowing thi s r eading, Clm s
plation and patient sel[examination.It is a time for withdrawal and for
Francewithhis wit'eand farri
carefully thinking things through.l suggestedthat somecounselling or
in hislifebut decided ro gi:r I
psychotherapymight help Christopher to understand the complexities
his change of careerand sr iil
of his current situation,rather than rushing into changing things.
whichhadsomehow heen,tsst
-
I
LJA
--
TheStar Spread
InJluenceT:aEHaNcrn MeN 5. [Jnconscious ::: -::Jicateda time :-:--:ris. Both intern; I : -- ,-- the old .nzr-s .:-.- ",io.. nerr thinqs to 11':,;B-3Sripe to set tl'ri< -*:*.. lt ."'ould ne. . : =.. life of his or*-n-
In the position signifying thatwhich lies beneaththe surface and is about to emerge,isThe Hanged Man.He indicatesthat a sacrificemust be made in order to gain something of greatervalue. Christopher felt he understood this card well, as he knew a conscious decision would have to be madeby him alone.The essenceof The Hanged Man is that the sacrifice is voluntary and made without outside Pressure'Christopher had, to date,lived his life accordingto social and family dictatesand now knew he must start making his own decisionsif he was to gain selFrespect.
=. \\ onrl
andDesiresJuocErtrNr 6. ConsciousInfluences .: -l the sphere of ems r ,-: o'holenessachier-e':L --:-- :uQlestthat a sasi-
What is'wanted consciously'is renewal,rebirth and rejuvenation.At last, potentialwill have an opportunityto cometo light it seems,Christopher's
-.-,- utcomeemotionalh-.
and be developed,The image of the dead rising and coffins opening to revealtalents hitherto unexplored is exciting. After Death comesresurrec-
-lt.f XOn
tion, and judgement triumphantly indicates the new life and opportunities, The Judgementis'karmic',suggestingthat pastefforts will be rewarded.
s--:-tresreiationships,the Jir- { life. The Emperor ::;t Christopher will ":, ---: himself rather than :t:-. :ne Fool to be a man r: >::llefor Christopher. ::lrarrrr
7. TheTopof theMatter TnE Lovnns of The Loverscardreinforcedthe ideathat Christopher The appearance would haveto makean importantchoicefor himself.The Loversoften refersto relationships,so it seemedthat hewould haveto makea careful of his marriageanddecidewhat to do aboutit. As therewasno assessment third partyinvolvedhewould haveto makethedecisionalone.The Lovers or choicesmaderegardinghis marriage. couldindicatea newrelationship
: -,-r the whole reading " :--.C for inner contem: -:: rr-ithdrawaland for ::, sJmecounsellingor :::.:1J t he complexities ::,.nqing things.
to andmoued Followingthisreading,Christopherlefthis iob, soldeuerything madeonechange a smallhotel.He withhiswife andf amilyto manage France by chance.He another togivehismarriage inhk tifebutdecided t'eltliberated marriage, andsofelt mlreableandwillingtoworkonhis hischange ofcareer whichhad somehow beenassociaLed with his unhappiness at work' -155--
Readings
The Treeof Life
Diana,aJoungwomanin ht in themidstof changrngl Shewasunderstandahk .f howthesemaiordecisions u
fr -f*-"_ll
rM
l. 5f i/1
The first card Diana dreo-
spiritual matters.This carr
3. Dft'iculty
f--;.;--_1) --------tr
foundationswas the tiame
l
il*etl lffie'#l
lrusl 5. C\posing Matters
she felt comfortable n-i*
becausethis card is usuall
up in the position for spirit 'wealthy'in her spiritual lit
Iay at the baseofher hlt an
W
2. fu-.r
6 . Achieuement
The secondcard in the rea responsibility.This card hl
W Communication and Career
chant standing on the ramp
It suggestsa desireto qroq-
W
life. Achange or mor-er-:in
9, Unconscious Foundation
fr
r-Gr __-1')
It_..ll
11.fffl ll
10. HomeandFamill
M] -156-
to get everything sorted cul 7. Emotional klationships
promotion at work settle'i a
anxious to move on [rcnr claimedshewas more Lh;n
3.r The Ten of Cups illustratc
imageis of a huppi'couple '
The Treeof L{e
fe
Diana shewas Diana,a)oungwoman inherearlythirties, came for a readingwhen in themidst of changing herj ob andabout toget married andmoue house. andf elt anxiousto learn Shewasunderstandahly findinglifepressured asfollows, howthese majordecisions wouldturn out.Thereadingunfolded L spirituality AcnofPENracrns The first card Diana drew was the Ace of Pentacles,in the position for spiritual matters,This card suggestedthat a new beginning with firm foundations was the framework for her spiritual life to grow in.lt seemed she felt comfortable with her inner beliefs and philosophies, and, becausethis card is usually connectedwith materialwealth,yet turned up in the position for spiritual mattersit seemedto indicate that shewas 'wealthy'in her spiritual life. Diana confirmed that firm spiritual beliefs lay at the baseof her life and offered her a good deal of comfort,
2. ResponsibilityTwo of WaNos The secondcard in the readingwas the Two ofWands, in the position of responsibility.This card hints at movement and change.It shows a merchant standing on the rampartsof his castle,lookinglongingly out to sea. It suggestsa desireto grow and expand and a wish to be getting on with life . A changeor move is indicated.Diana told me how much shewanted to get everything sortedout: the purchaseof the new home finalized,her 7. Emotional fulationships
promotion atwork settledand thewedding smoothlyorganized.Shewas anxious to move on from her present position into her new life, and claimedshewas more than willing to undertakethe extra responsibility.
; Fanilt
3. DifficultT TENofCurs The Tenof Cups illustratesthe ultimateof happinessin familylife.The imageis of a huppycouplewatchingtheirchildrenplaying,and showsa -157-
Readings
Iife of promise and joy. However, it is placed in the position of difficulr*--
changejobs, this card .rarnr
so although thesegood things were availableto Diana becausethe card
self too thinly. In the card.
appearedin the reading,it also indicated that getting them may prore
oblivious of the light t1o,ri
more difficult and challenging then she currently anticipated.Her mar-
unaware that help is at hanJ
riage will prove fruitful, but she will have to work hard at it. Diana
she was in dangero[ or eri
admitted that she was so absorbedin the details of the house purchar
and possibly even financial
and wedding plans that she had not been paying much attention to the
winner of the couple and p
relationshioitself.
salary,soshe did feel under 1
resentthe need to dras'on he
4. HelpfulMaLtersJusucE 'Helpful The calming, balancing influence of justice in the position of
7, EmotionalR
Matters'seemedextremely supportive in the midst of all the changing and rearrangingthat Diana'slife was going through. justice is the card of
As the readingunfoldal. aL
logical clear thinking, and an impartial perspective could help Diana
fears and concerns. Firsth-- |
work through her tasks steadily.]ustice'sclarity of vision could help pre-
affairs represented bt the
vent things from getting out of proportion.
Swords appeared in the ;p
lier cards indicated,more ri
Knight bore any similarih t
5. OpposingMatters JuocruENr
to placethe significance.-:t
told me about her former b
the card of new life and rebirth,falling in the positionof Judgement, 'Opposing Matters',showsthatwhat is desiredand appropriate canalso be problematic. iudgementshowsthe openingup of skills and talents, which mayhaveappliedto Diana'spromotionatwork,andalthoughshe was pleasedaboutit, it nevertheless addedpressureto her alreadyfull newchallenges schedule.The offeredbyJudgement showedthatDiana's life was progressingpositively,but she neededto rememberthat anv changewould inevitablyinvolve a certainamountof stress, which she would haveto accept. 6. AchievementFwnofPENraclrs
relationshipand who remin of Swords.Although Dana her unexpectedly a couple
been pleasedto hear the ne
uneasyat his responseanJ -
trouble for her. She had b'ee
did not want him to alter her
B. Communta
The warning lrend set in m
continue in the next card. r The Five of Pentaclesis a card meaning difficultles in financial matters. 'Achievement', In the position of as Diana preparedto buy a house and -158--
image shows a figure burJ and with sreat difficultr-.lt ;
TheTreeof Lit'e changejobs,this card warned that she might be at risk of spreadingherself too thinly. In the card, two beggars stand in the snow; seemingly oblivious of the light flowing from the window above them, They are unaware that help is at hand, and Diana took this image as a warning that she was in danger of overstretchingherself and becoming emotionally and possibly even financially impoverished. She was the major breadwinner of the couple and paying the mortgagedependedlargely on her salary,so she did feel under pressure.She took the church window to representthe needto drawon her spiritualresources for strength and support.
7. EmotionalRelationshipsKNrcnr of Swonos As the readingunfolded, alongsidethe encouragingaspectsthat the earlier cards indicated,more factors began to emergeabout Diana's inner fears and concerns.Firstly, there was the worry of the financial stateof affairs represented by the Five of Pentacles,and then the Knight of Swords appearedin the sphere of relationships.I asked whether the Knight bore any similarity to her fianc6,but Diana said no. As we tried to place the significanceof the Knight of Swords in this position,Diana told me about her former boss with whom she had had a complicated ;, ::-: pcsition .-t
relationship and who reminded her of the characteristicsof the Knight
::--::iate can al--.o
of Swords.Aithough Diana had not seenhim for a while,he had phoned
'-<---. and talenl'.
her unexpectedly a couple of days before the reading and he had not
.:i
she "lthouqh -- :=: aireadvfull
been pleasedto hear the news of her forthcoming wedding, Diana felt
that Dianas
trouble for her. She had been heavily influenced by him in the past and
::.'i
:-:::-:'er that anr
uneasy at his responseand was secretly afraid that he might try to make did not want him to alter her decisionsor feelings by his disapproval,
i:::>;. o-hich she 8. Communicationand Career TENof WaNos The warning trend set in motion by the previous few cards seemedto continue in the next card,which referred to Diana's working life. The --:-.n-ial matters.
image shows a figure burdened by wands, carrying them awkwardly
: *-. . house and
and with greatdifficulty.lt seemedan appropriatemessagefor Diana not
-r59-
Readings
to take on too much workwise, and to try to spreadout her jobs in the easiestway possible.She told me that she knew she ought to delegate more at work, but found it difficult as she hated not doing everything herself,so was constantly getting caught out by having more to do than
+-zu
TI
she could reasonablycopewith. The imageof the card helped her to clarify what she was doing to herself however,and she resolved to try to changethat pattern. -
9, Unconscious Foundation Etc:nrofCurs On an unconsciouslevel,it seemedthat Diana wasn't fully awareof how much was actually changing,and while on the faceof it the changeswere positive and desired,they also brought with them a certain amount of stressand anxiety.The Eight of Cups illustrated the fact that Diana was
I
3-W
leaving behind both her single life and a familiar, stable job and travelling towards the unknown mountain of marriage and the job that awaitedher in the future. She felt it a relief to find words to articulatethe concerns,as she had previously felt that to admit any fear would mean shewas doing the wrong thing.lt helped her to allow herselfto acknowledgethat she was huppy and excited aswell as nervous and fearful.
IO. HomeandFamil,t AcE of Cups The final card in Diana s reading was the Ace of Cups. The reading seemsto have comefull circle from one Ace to another.The card shows a home life that is happy and loving and suggeststhat, through all the difficulties Diana had to encounter,she would be able Lo experience major life moves and come to grips with them, resulting in an emotionally satisfying relationship.The cards seemedto map out the pitfalls to be avoided,the difficulties to be made conscious and finally seemedto suggestthe potential for love and emotionalfulfilment.
-160-
; ( J
I
4. 1[l
*: FURTHEREXAMPLES*-
The Celtic Cross
ft "- ^---.'r-l
lF1---,'
LW
Whatis Above
ffi
9. YourHopes andFears
t@_ 6. WhaLis BeforeYou
L PresentPosition
5. Whatis BehindYou
*- -:. The readinq ::
- ::; .ard ShOlvS 8. HowOthers SeeYou
-.. .::cuqh all the . -
:
-r
evneriencc
, : ]anemotion- -'h- nitfrll. r^
, - ',iLr seemedto
4. Wh.atis BeneathYou
7. WhereYou WilI FindYourself
-161-
FurtherExamples
Emma I did thisCelticCrossreading f or Emma,agedthirtysix,whocameto seemefor aduice abouthercareer, Shewasworkingin an inuestment and although shewas bank, competent,made goodmlne)andhadgood yrospects, shewasn'tenjoying thework.Shefoundthe'cutandthrust' unappealing andwanted tofind something thatinvolvedworking closely with peopleandtheirpersonal, rotherthanfinancial,needs. Shewas consi deringr etr aining,perhaps as a t eacher, socialworker or counsellor, butwasunsureaboutthewisdomof sucha mlue.Emotionally, shefelt quitelowas an importantrelationship hadrecently ended, soshewas alsointerested in futureprospects forherpersonallife. I, Present PositionPacnof WaNls The card signifying Emma'spresentposition showedthe beginningsof new creativeor imaginativeideas,with the possibilityof opportunities arising.The Pageof Wands often indicatesnew interestsand pursuits and,in Emma'scase,it seemedto suggestthat shewas readyto follow leadson a newcareeroath. 'W'hat 2, CrossesYou TENof Swonns
3. Whatis -1
The Seven of Pentaclessuq to continue with her ettabl
thing new and untried.Ther
seemedthat she should take
4. \l'hor ir
The cardof harmonl-and Lx reading,revealingthat son Emma'srelationship.Er-enj Emmahopedit couldbc.th friendshipcouldemerqe.
5, \lftat i,.I This card seemedto srmho
towards a certain ler-elin he it she would be sarisfied.Hi than final, completion"so E
her horizons had chaneeda things that interested her *-l
The Ten of Swords crossing Emma showed that something had ended, 'crossing', but, as the position was it was still concerning her.Emma felt that it was both the relationship ending and her waning interest in her work that was causing her to seek a change of direction. The graphic
6. W'hutis ,
The card describinq the in Pagesdescribe new be,*inni
depiction of the man lying on the ground with swords in his back signi fies the end of something; however,the sun rising in the distance gives
lect, so it seemedthat Emma
the messageof new life. The card meansthat somethingis seenfor what it is trulyworth, and this could be Emma'sjob. She had thoughr rhar her
allow herself the time and s1 vulnerable and ner- i,ieas
choiceof careerwould result in a long-termcommitmentbut had become increasinglydisillusioned as,although it was materiallybeneficial,it gave
ridiculed, so Emma nea:led t
her little personalsatisfaction.
rumours,whlch could brm-, - t62-
her innermost thoughts ni*
TheCelticCross
3. Whatis AboveYou SEvnNofPnNracrEs The Sevenof Pentaclessuggestedthat Emma neededto decidewhether to continue with her establishedand successfulwork or turn to something new and untried. There were obvious pros and cons to both, and it seemedthat she should take her time to decidewhich was risht for her.
4. What is Beneath You Two of Cups The cardof harmonyandbalancein relationships was in the baseof the reading,revealingthat somesort of reconciliationcould be reachedin Emma'srelationship. Even if the romancemaynot be rekindled,which Emmahopedit couldbe,theTwoof Cups suggested that,at least,a good friendshipcouldemerge. ,=: ::e beqinninqs of
5. What is BehindYou TnnEEof WeNns
:,:-; rf opportunitie> r.r:::-
This card seemedto symbolize Emma'spast efforts in working steadily
r '".s readv to folloq-
towards a certain level in her career,thinking that when she had reached it she would be satisfied.However, Three is the number of initial, rather than final, completion,so Emma reachedthat level only to discoverthat her horizons had changedand expanded,and that therewere now other things that interestedher which she had not previously considered.
,:-:.rhing had ended :::-.ni he..E-ma felt .'.---:q interestin her
6. Whatis BeforeYouPecnofSwonns
-::- ;:n. The graphic
The card describing the immediate future is the airy Pageof Swords.
--:-: rn his back signi-
Pagesdescribenew beginnings and the Swords is the suit of the intel-
-- :he distancegives
lect, so it seemedthat Emma'sthinking was changing and she neededto
::. .: i i> seenfor what
allow herself the time and spaceto developnew ideas.Anything new is
:,: thoughtthat her
vulnerable and new ideas are often in danger of being crushed or
:=:t but had become :,. ', ,:ene[icial,it gave
ridiculed, so Emma neededto be careful about who she choseto discuss her innermost thoughts with,lt also actedas a warning againstgossipor rumours.which could brewup atwork if shewasn't careful. -163*
Furtherexamples
7. WhereYouWillFindYourselfQurENof WaNos
Th
The card signifying Emma'sfuture position is the Queen ofWands,who is sometimescalled'queenof hearth and home'.She is an active figure with enoughenergyto give to both homeand career,Sheis dynamic and creative in businessbut alsowarm heartedand generouspersonally,Emma indi catedthat itwould be her ideal to have both a family and a satisfying career.
B. How OthersSeeYouPacEof Cups The third Pagecard in the spread showed that many new possibilities were readyto open up.The Pageof Cups suggestedthat newfeelings would emergeand her heartwould slowly heal so that she could love and trust again.Thiscard brings the potentialfor birth,be it a child, a relationshipor a newwayof feeling.The appearance of so manyPagesseemedsignificant, particularly in view of the way Emma was feeling at the time of the reading.
9. YourHopes andFearsTwoofSwonos
W 6 . Consciotts Influences and Desires
The Two of Swords in this position suggestedthat Emma was fearful of remaining stuck and indecisive.This card is one of stalemateand deliberateblindnessto current circumstances. She hoped that shewould find the courageto change,but was afraid that her timid side might let her down.
IO. TheOutcome Ercllr of Curs The fears surrounding the Two of swords seemedunfounded, as the final card,the Eight of Cups, shows a figure walking away from a carefully constructed situationin searchof somethingnew.lt seemedthat Emmawould indeed find the strength to changeher direction but,with the numerous Pagesin the reading,it would take time for things to unfold,lt was clearly important to take the time as once the decisionwasmadeitwould be final, I thendid a Major Arcana rending for Emma,asfollows: -t64-
3. Intelled and Career
The StarSpread '", ::- l*' ;-:l
:
b
-- -,- ,-. : * : : * .[ h :l-::1,.-:--
l--i:aie _
;r:'t-
''
_,:
-:-i
_-r.g
:::5,
::-.1" :,1>,:-:---:-5
-- -: . . :il
--:-*.'if,
. : ::,:_,-1.1h:'
-
__:_-
7. TheTopof the Matter
_-i
-:-- - ---i;--
It
_-:-:jJLL-:.
.. ,-. -ariul
6. Conscious Influencesand Desires
cl
-- ,::i Celibtr..--:ri iind thr ,:: jler do..-n.
: ----. 3s the final
ffir
,*
tl
lffi--_]l
1ffi1
4. TheHeartof theMatter
ffil
3. Intellectand Career
2. Emotionsand Relationships
: , ,,:e tull,u*con:'- ::-Lma rvould ::- .:a numerous - - - - : . . - a sc l e a r l v -: .,.---liJ be final.
5, Unconscious Influence
L TheRootofthe Matter
-165-
Furtherexamples
7. TheRootof theMatter THn Hrcn PnrEsrnss
4. Tfu Hta
As the Root of the Matter, the High Priestessrevealspotential that is
The Heart of the Nlatter pra
unfulfilled and uncharted terrain waiting to be discovered.This card
most crucial in the spread.
suggestsa need to allow the potential to slowly emerge.Emma needed
and it must be carefullr co
to be able to trust the intuitive process that was already at work; the High Priestesssymbolizes secretwishes and dreams being revealedso
times about relationshipsh a new relationship r*.oul,i ;r
this seemed an appropriate card to start off the spread, The High
Emma'scareerdilemma.Cl
Priestesssuggestsan interest in, and a searchfor, knowledge of a com-
involve giving somethins r
plex and powerful nature, especiallywhere related to the unconscious
thing. Those were the issue
mind. It seemedthat the high-powered masculine world of banking and finance would not sit comfortably with Emma's current inner qrowth
of the reading.
5, Unconsr-irru-I r
Process.
2. Emotionsand RelationshipsTnE Foor
The Wheel of Fortune in d
that a new chapter is about The Fool, appearingin the position for emotions and relationshipissues,
she will have a ne\\- opprrl
indicatedthe need to take risks.lt seemedthe time was coming for Emma
and to make posilir-etuturr
to consider jumping off the edge of an emotional precipice.In Emma's
and marks the commencen
caseI felt it heraldeda new relationshiparriving on the scene.Shewould
is'The old order chanseth.
have to let go of her fears and seliprotective instincts and take the plunge. Having been quite badly betrayedin her previous relationship,it
6. CortscirrusIn
was clearly not going to be easy for her to trust again,but The Fool's presencegave her some enthusiasm and she was determined to try to
The shifting, mor-inq in-t-X
overcomeher fears.
mood swings connectedr*i
the more she becamea* art 3. Intellect and Career TEupEnaNcE
izedby the crab crar.-lins o
makeup her mind on a cou The position for work life was dominated by Temperance,a gentle card
dreams and intuitions shot
suggestinga time for compassionand cooperation.Itseemedthat Emma's
didn't want to chanqeher
current interest and inclination was towards helping people in emotional
inclined to wait in the Jarl
ways rather than financial ones,and that the presenceof Temperancein this position echoedthis shift. Temperancecertainly indicated a feeling
reading and The \lc'on Ea in the womb of the uil.ons
of harmonyin herworkine life.
for it to come to fruition. -l -166-
TheStar Spread
4. TheHeart of rheMatter T:nnLovEns :- :. : .l--iettial th;t -= - - .' :ril. Thi- ,.:: - -- - : i : . E m m an ee; : ,-::.,-r- at s-orkl ti:t -.r r:;nq re\ealed >c : -
-::iiJ.I
T]
T T,
I
I ne nlif.
-:':--*ledqeof a com' - .,- :re unconscious . : i .-i bankinq an.t
The Heart of the Matter position is important in that it indicateswhat is most crucial in the spread.it seemsthat an important decisionis looming and it must be carefully considered.The Lovers indicate a choice,sometimes about relationshipsbut not exclusively.lt may have transpiredthat a new relationshipwould comeinto play,but it may alsohave referred to Emma'scareerdilemma.Choices are a difficult part of life and always involve giving something up; however, they also involve gaining something. Those were the issuesthat Emma had to strugglewith at the time of the reading.
InfluenceTnn WurEr or FonruNE 5. [.Jnconscious
== F--trl
, - : - : l a li o n s h i oi s s u e > . -- -. .rmins ,.-"----') tor Emma
The Wheel of Fortune in the position of unconscious Influence shows that a new chapter is about to start in Emma'slife. As the Wheel turns, she will have a new opportunity to take more responsibility for her life and to make positive future plans.The Wheel of Fortune brings change
---rni,-e -. - - - - - ' t ' ' - - ' I n F m m a s
and marks the commencementof a newcycle.Agood motto for this card
-- ,:: s.ene,Shewould
is'The old orderchanseth.'
:-.:,-r.ts and take the ::,--us reiationship,it
6. ConsciousInfluencesand Desires TnE MooN
. ,i:-n. but The Fools ,i r:::rmined to try to
The shifting,moving influence of The Moon shows the uncertainty and mood swings connectedwith Emma'sconsciousdesires.lsuggestedthat the more she becameawareof what was beneaththe surface,as symbolizedby the crab crawling out of the pool, the easierit would be for her to
a gentlecard r,--':=r:ilCe, - -. s-:medthatEmma's ,- : :-Jple in emotional in ..:--:. oi Tbmperance .- -. 'rJlcated a feeling
makeup her mind on a courseof action,The Moon signifies a timewhen dreamsand intuitions should be taken seriously and focused on. Emma didn't want to change her life abruptly on a whim, yet nor did she feel inclined to wait in the dark. Both The High Priestessat the baseof the reading and The Moon gave a similar message:somethingwas gestating in the womb of the unconscious mind and it would take time and trust for it to come to fruition. Although the lack of clarity was frustrating, it -t67-
Furtherexamples
was a processthat Emmawould haveto endurein ordernot to rush into thewrong thing simply to avoidthe uncomfortablewait for the solution to emerge. 7. The Topof theMatter JuocenrENr The message of rebirth and renewalas a concludingcard shows that a cyclewouldbe completedandrewardswould be reapedfrom the seedsof pasteffort. At the appropriatetime,Emma'sunrevealedand unfulfilled potentialwould cometo consciousness and be brought to fruition, as portrayedby the deadrising up from their graves.Emmaneededto give herself the right time and spaceto allow the energiesof the cards to unfold graduallyand,if shedid,shewould be sureof which directionto takeand shewould be ableto seeher new life follow that lead.
Fin
N T"- that you have *r I \ cises and have looker you have learned so far ini
friends as you begin to der You can continue rnrith th
interesting results indefinfl and contrast the result ofv formed a year later. There i
sameexercise and |ou r-an
may find it useful to recorc them: a fewtemplatesfortl
When you begin readit
Tiy to put the book aside ar
the pictures and let them td
ously stuck.ln the first inst: Ifyou have followed the ex And, when doing r.rdi theywill have input into th
You are not expected to ber
seekerquestions or ior cleri So having come full cir you to continue on \-oul tl
commencethe journer all o
\A?sh.r Anl tl \till hc
And lino
--168-
:-::
:--: :-- :rS:- -:-::
Final Exercises
; : . - l: :!--: >--l-:---a
that you have worked your way through the cards and exerNToI \ cisesand have looked at the samplespreads,it is time to put what : -::l shrqs that;
you have learned so far into practice,Experiment on yourself and your
t, -:::e the teeds.-:
friends as you begin to developyour own style and method of reading.
i-=, ,:-: unfultilieJ
You can continue with the guided-fantasyexercises,which will yield
*.-:r- :r tiuition. as
interesting results indefinitely.In fact it can be fascinating to compare
::-, i.eJed to qire
and contrast the result of your first exercisewith the sameexerciseper-
:,.. :, lhe cards tc - ..::,:r Jirectiontc
formed ayear later.There is no limit to the number of times you do the
---:
--t
l:{l-
sameexerciseand you can be sure that each time will be different. You may find it useful to record your readings so that you can refer back to them: a few templatesfor this purpose areoffered overleaf. When you begin reading the cards,don't be afraid to make mistakes. Try to put the book asideand work directlywith the card imagery.Study the pictures and let them talk to you; only refer to the book if you get seriously stuck.In the first instancetry to find the interpretationsfor yourself. If you have followed the exercisesfaithfully this will not be hard. And, when doing readings,don't be afraid to involve your seeker; theywill have input into the readingand can help you to make senseof it. You arenot expectedto be clairvoyant so it doesn'tmatterifyou askyour seekerquestionsor for clarification. So having come full circle,from the Fool to the World, it is time for you to continue on your own, starting, as always,as the Fool, about to commencethe journey all over again.
W shallnot cease from exploration And theendof all ourexploring started Willbe to arriuewherewe Andknowtheplace for thefirsLtime. T.S.Errrorr, FourQuartets -169-
\
Notes on Your Own Readings Dans
.......... REnomcFoR
DATe
SrruRrroN
SrruarroN
SpnenoUsro.
SpnsnoUspo . .
Cano PosrrroNs
CRnnPosroxs
OvERarr AN,trysls
OvrnarlAr-rnsrs
NotesonYourOwn Readings
aCinqs
DnrE
......"... RsaomcFon"".
SrruanroN
SpnenoUsEo CRno PosrrtoNs
OvnnRrl ANRrvsrs
-t7r-
NotesonYourOwn Readings
Dnrr
.......... Re,tDrNG FoR
Dnre
SrruRrroN
Snu,trloN
SpRraoUsEo
SpnEaoUsro....
C,tno PosrnoNs
Ceno Posnoss
Ovnnan ANaryss
OvEnarl Ar--rttsl_.
- r72-
DnrE SrruRrroN
SpnpaoUsEo Cnno PosrrroNs
Ovnnnrr-ANRrvsrs
ReaowcFon.............
NotasonYourOwn Readings
Bi Dane
.......... RenDrNG FoR.
5ITUATION
Banzhaf,Hajo,Tarot Hnndba Banzhaf,Hajo. Tarotandtlu
2000
Cavendish,Richard.Tlu hr Court de Gebelin,Antoine. le MondeModerne,Par Decker,R.,and Dummett,I,l GeraldDuckworth & C Douglas,Alfred. 7\ e Tarot,l Encausse, Gdrard,'Papus'. I-r Gray,Eden.TheTarotRil'cd Huson,Paul.TheDeril'sHa Huson,Paul.My stieaI OfigA Kaplan,StuartR. TftcLa.
SpREaoUsro
CRnoPosnroNs
Inc.,l978 ONeill, RobertV Tcrot9r Pollack,Rachel.9ren tr,4l 1983 Tilley,Roger. PlaSingCarils, Waite,A. E.ThePvtortalK FrornRitudl Weston,Jessie. Yates.Frances,A. Thc,{rt o
OveRRrrANnrysrs
-
t-74
*
Bibliography Banzhaf ,Hajo.Tarot Handbook,USGamesSystemsInc.,I 9 9 4 of theHsro,RedWheel,/Weiser, Banzhaf ,Hajo.TarotandtheJourney 2000 1975 Richard.TheTarot,Michael Cavendish, Joseph, avec Court de Gebelin,Antoine.Le MondePrimitifAnalysAeLCompara 1781 le MondeModerne.Paris. Decker,R.,andDummett,M ,A.History of theOccultTaroL7870-7970, GeraldDuckworth& Co,Ltd,2002 Douglas,Alfred. The Tarot,PengttinBooks,I 9 7 3 Paris,1889 Encausse, G6rard,'Papu s'.LeTarotdesBohtmiens, Gray,Eden.TheTarot Reuealed,InspirationHouse,I 958 Huson,Paul.The D euil'sPicturebook,Abacus,I 97 I Books,2OO4 Huson,Paul.MysticalOriginsof theTarot,Destiny 1,US GamesSystems of Tarot:Vol. Kaplan,StuartR.TheEncyclopedia Inc.,l97B Press,I 9 8 6 O Neill, RobertY.Tarot Symbolism,Fairway Degrees of Wisdom,The AquarianPress, Pollack,Rachel,seventy-Eight 1983 Tilley,Roger. Playing Cards,O ctopusBooks,I 9 7 3 197 1 Waite,A. E.ThePictorialKeyto theTarot,Rider, Books,1957 Ritualto Romance,Anchor Weston,Jessie.From A,The Art of Memory,Routledge& KeganPaul,1966 Yates,Frances,
*r75-
About the Author is a practisinganalyticpsychotherapist. She has Juliet Sharman-Burke beenusingthe Tarotand astrologyfor overtwentyyears, andhastaught both subjectssince1983. Shehaswritten severalbookson the Tarot, including The Beginner's Guide to Tarot,TheMythic TarotWorkbook, Understanding the Throt,andMasteringthe Tarot.She is alsoco-author with Liz Greeneof the bestsellingclassicdeckTheMythic TarotandThe MythicJourney,
Acknowledgements Thanks to Rich Leigh for his invaluable encouragementwith this book and over the years; to Deb Buxton for her help in compiling and typing the correspondencecourse out of which this book grew; to my father Gerald Burke for his help in editing and to SandraWastiagewhose practical support was so much appreciated and who, sadly,did not live to see publication. And many thanks to Ian Jackson,Nick Eddison,Katie Golsby and BarbaraLevy for their ongoing help and encouragement.
. SnooEorrroNs EoorsoN EditorialDirector Ian Jackson EdiLor KatieGolsby Proofreader PeterKirkham Art Director ElainePartington Mac Designer BrazzleAtkins Production SarahRooney * t76-
\uthor .--. -: :svchotherapist.She has .':: -'...:::lr'tears, and hastaught :--:- .=-.-.ralbooks on the Tarot, : ,i:, -\Lr.tlic Tarot Workbook, ,'".: -.;"::. She is also co-author _ . . . 7I '., ..t _\) rr) . L. trLlI t., :I .UT - . .aont d T h e _ _: -,\ I
{ements
: -',,,- *ri{erTlentwith thls book :: :.-.: -:-i;ompiling and typing :- .:-s ::ck grew; to my father - -- -i,:- .ra Wastiagewhose prac' : r .. : r. sadly,did not live to see -:: ::jlson, Katie Golsby and -:--: ::fement.
