Tarot – Closer to an Understanding
I’ve been tooling around with an introductory tarot book for a while, which I may never finish. I’ve decided to start posting it in bits and pieces. This is all very outer-rim kind of stuff, but I think some people will be interested.
A tarot deck is meant to be a “map” of the universe, with each card representing some aspect of reality. Every deck does this a little bit differently, but most follow Zoroaster’s model of primal elements, popularized by Aristotle.. That is, with few exceptions everything can be understood through the primal elements air, fire, water, and earth. Along those lines, a tarot deck has 4 Suites, one for each element, and another group of cards called Trumps (or sometimes Major Arcana) to represent forces and concepts that can’t be defined by the 4 elements.
The key to understanding tarot lies in understanding the elements the cards represent and how they interact with one another.
A typical tarot deck uses a concept called the Naples Arrangement to further break down the forces and concepts in a standard numeric format. The Naples Arrangement is a numeric way of viewing the universe, starting with the idea of “I AM”. It’s typically written as follows:
1. The Point: Positive yet indefinable.
2. The Point: Distinguishable from 1 other.
3. The Point: Defined by relation to 2 others.
The Abyss–between Ideal and Actual.
4. The Point: Defined by 3 co-ordinates: Matter.
5. Motion (time)—He’, the Womb; for only through Motion and in Time can events occur.
6. The Point: now self-conscious, because able to define itself in terms of above.
7. The Point’s Idea of Bliss (Ananda).
8. The Point’s Idea of Thought (Chit).
9. The Point’s Idea of Being (Sat).
10. The Point’s Idea of Itself fulfilled in its complement, as determined by 7, 8 and 9.
Another way it’s often written is like this:
0 – Time, the idea that there can be an event, and events may have an order to them.
1 – Space, the idea that there can be a direction or definition of a thing.
2 – Angle, The idea a comparison can be made between two things. Measurements and comparisons can be made.
3 – Matter, The idea that something can be “real”, or viewed from multiple angles.
4 – Gravity, The idea that a Thing can have a predefined motion or tendency without apparent outside forces effecting it. The predefined motions or tendencies of things can effect each other.
5 – Motion, Things are actually moving along and doing things. Actual events are happening and can be observed.
6 – Charge, Positive and negative electric Charge, Magnetism, radiation, light.
7 – Resonance, Note at which the entity vibrates in the electromagnetic spectrum. Fate, harmony, and bliss. The idea or desire of fulfilling a purpose in the grand scheme of things.
8 – Measurement, Conscious thought and observation, actual comparisons between things or events.
9 – Existence, Actual being or existence in consideration of 6, 7, and 8. How a thing will manifest when allowed to maintain it’s charge, running along it’s predetermined course of actions in an effort to “realize” itself.
That all might be a little confusing, but that’s okay. It’s easier to understand when you bring the cards into it and start thinking about how these numbers might relate to forces, concepts, and events.
Applied to the Cards
Each of the numbers of cards in a suite represent that element manifesting in a particular way.
| Number | Aspect of Element |
| 1 | The pure, Platonic idea of the element. Represents idealism, a thing striving to “become” or “exist”. A child-like innocence or purity. Air – Freedom Fire – Creation Water – Happiness Earth – Stability |
| 2 | The forces of the element in ideal opposition or comparison to something else. Represents a striving for distinction or individuality. The idea of names or qualities used to distinguish one thing from another. A primitive concept of “right and wrong” or “good and bad” that doesn’t actually represent value judgments. Rather, represents something more like wanting “good vs. bad” or “hot vs. cold” to exist. A craving for some sort of distinction or comparison to be realized. |
| 3 | The ideal existence of the element and what it represents when compared to the “grand scheme of things”. Sort of like “what I want to be when I grow up” or “in a perfect world, things would be like…” or “I dream someday blank will happen” Can represent idealistic plans or goals, ideal outcomes, and ideal totality of a situation. Lacks reality, and overlooks the actual path to that idealistic result or existence. This is more about daydreaming or “what if’s” than any actual actions, plans, or events. |
| 4 | An actual instance of the element in reality, observable from many viewpoints, just existing or happening without a particular intent or goal. This can mean the element is present in a situation, while multiple view points exist about how it’s effecting things, what it’s doing, or why. The important thing here is none of the viewpoints are totally accurate. Observations about the intent or goals of the element are kind of pointless, because it’s just existing/happening. It probably doesn’t have an intention or goal, or if it does the intentions really have nothing to do with the observer. When these forces are present people tend to assume many false things, assign ideas or pass blame, or mistake these things as a bigger influence than they truly are. An example might be the weather. Weather is happening, everyone has a different opinion about it, and the weather has no actual goal or intent. The fact that weather is happening has nothing to do with the people observing the weather. |
| 5 | An actual event taking place because things are running their natural course. If this thing is happening it’s more because nobody is taking actions to drive or influence the outcome. These represent opportunities for action to change how a course of events will turn out. This can also be an indicator of how a force or event will manifest if no action is taken. |
| 6 | An actual event or object that is aware of itself, has goals and intentions. If representing a person, this is often a person who actively represents the ideals of the element within the context of the other cards. If representing an object, this is an object which has been intentionally placed into the situation by someone who did it for a reason. If this represents an event, it is an event actively and intentionally put into motion. Observations about the intent may be useful, and could have value judgments like good or bad, positive or negative, etc. |
| 7 | An actual person, event, or object where the element is seeking to prove itself and show it’s force. These cards are more about intention, and often relate to outcomes much different from expectations. In general, these cards relate to decisions made or actions taken from a place of passion or emotion without thinking about the consequences. These are about the desire to prove one’s worth, fulfill dreams, feel accomplished, make a point, or win an argument often without any consideration for how that goal is achieved or whether it’s really a good or right thing to do. These cards often represent circumstances where there will be a clear winner or loser. Examples could include: Someone who starts a fight to feel superior. Someone who overindulges to feel better. Someone who creates a bad situation to feel like a martyr. |
| 8 | An actual person, event, or object where the element is thinking about it’s best future. This represents more of a calculated, planned approach to achieving happiness or an ideal result. These cards can also represent overthinking or failing to act because of perceived risks. This is where the element has decided what it’s goals are and is striving to accomplish them in the safest, most calculated and planned way it can. |
| 9 | The person or event is carrying out a set of actions or decisions where an appropriate amount of thought and emotion are the driving force. This is where someone is doing something because they genuinely care about the result and have planned accordingly to achieve it. If this card represents a person, this is someone who can’t easily be changed from their course of actions. They’re committed, body and soul to what they’re doing and convincing them to do something else is nearly impossible. If this card represents an event or prevailing circumstance, it’s usually happening because there are committed people invested in making sure the event or circumstance moves forward to completion. They have likely planned for interference or distractions, and trying to change or stop what’s in motion is often dangerous or pointless. The phrase “lead, follow, or get out of the way” heavily applies to these cards. |
| 10 | The element is manifesting as a person who has already achieved their goals to the best of their ability. They are no longer striving to fulfill themselves. This does not mean they have actually achieved what they wanted, but from outside appearances it may seem like they have achieved exactly what they wanted to. If the person has any goals or ambitions, they’re about maintaining their present situation. Their emotions and thoughts keep them locked in the situation they’re in, and nothing will change until their thoughts or emotions change. These cards are not necessarily good or bad. Generally, they represent someone who feels their journey or adventure is over, and they “like” where they are right now. Status quo. |
| Page / Princess | A specific person, usually effeminate in gender or behavior, who strongly represents the ideals and emotional goals and yearnings of the element. This person is often passive in their approach or in more of a supporting role, cheering others on or championing their ideas and feelings. They are usually very influential in a situation, without actual direct involvement, because others listen to what they are saying. They are reactive and responsive, and influence situations more through expressing their emotions and ideas than direct involvement. Their mindset is often more about ideas and emotions than actual outcomes or how to achieve them. |
| Prince | A specific person, usually masculine, who strongly represents the logical, practical views and attitudes of the element. This person is often direct in their approach and highly visible as an active participant or contributor. They are usually very influential in a situation because others see they are “getting things done” and are perceived to have experience. They are very much an “actions are louder than words” kind of person. They are typically proactive and hard to reach through emotional appeals or arguments. Their version of “right or wrong” is more about “this is the right way to achieve our goal” and less about “our goal is the right thing to do”. |
| Queen | An institution or body of people who strongly represent the ideals, emotional goals, and yearnings of the element. The body or institution behaves in much the same way as the Page/Princess, except they are usually involved in a less personal way. Whereas the Page/Princess may personally speak with someone or get involved in a situation, the Queen is more about broadcasting the ideals and goals, perhaps through media, entertainment, legal structures, or otherwise broader public action that isn’t aimed at one person specifically. They probably have some kind of support structure where people can petition for their help. If the Queen becomes involved directly, they are the same as the Princess except with much more resources, a wider audience, and more backers. |
| Knight/King | An institution or body of people who strongly represent direct action and standards about how to achieve or measure the goals of their element. The body of institution behaves about the same as the Prince, except they’re usually not involved in a personal way. Whereas the Prince may be directly involved in doing the work or teaching an apprentice, the Knight is more about establishing recognized standards and defining ways to measure results. They probably operate some kind of standards board or training institution. If the Knight becomes involved directly they are the same as the Prince, except with much more resources. |
The Elements
The four Platonic elements air, fire, water, and earth are represented by the four suits in a deck. Not every deck is designed this way, but most of them are.
| Element | Traditional Suite (Hoyle’s Book of Games) | Tarot Suite |
| Air | Spades | Swords |
| Fire | Clubs | Wands/Staves |
| Water | Hearts | Cups |
| Earth | Diamonds | Disks/Coins |
Understanding the concepts attributed to each Element, the suite which represents it, and the numeric associations of the cards will enable you to use a standard deck of playing cards for basic tarot reading.
A Brief Note about Gender
Gender is often used in tarot to refer to the type of action or viewpoints a particular element or card may represent. It is not necessarily referring to “gender identity” or sexuality in any way. Some may feel the tarot projects stereotypes, and they are not wrong. However, it’s important to understand the tarot is a reflection of human culture and outlooks about the universe. For the tarot to function properly it must provide an inclusive view of one’s reality and environment, including the things one does not agree with or wishes were not true.
In the context of tarot, masculine means an energy which tends to be:
- Force projecting in an observable and active way
- Proactive rather than reactive
- A driving or motive force, which directly causes observable results
- Presents power through conscious, intentional motion and action
Feminine energy tends to be:
- Force receptive in an observable way.
- Reacts to other forces, rather than acting on other forces
- A driven force, put into motion by external events
- Presents power through stillness or inertia, resistance to action
Air (Swords)
Freedom and lack of restriction. Abstract ideas, invention, travel, whimsy, pondering, flights of fantasy.
Intellectual discourse and discussion, often focused more on ideals than reality.
Allegories, metaphors, and comparisons. Comedy, jokes, and wit. Communication and persuasion.
The observable motive force. Water and earth are swept and moved by Air. Air blows and spreads Fire. Truly, it is Fire pushing the Air to do these things, but this is not always immediately obvious.
Air slowly mocks the rigid restrictions of earth. Air will always, eventually find a way around the restrictions and walls created by Earth. Air spreads seeds to new places and carries water over and around the walls of Earth.
Fire (Wands/Staves)
Passion, drive, creativity. Burning desire. A longing to burn brightly as a beacon.
Spirited, strong-willed action and debate. Energy. Consumption. Destroying to create.
The prime motive force. Air moves because of the heat from the sun. Air moves the water. The water erodes the earth. Once in motion fire is only stopped when it has extinguished all fuel, or through the consequences of it’s own actions (causing another element to put it out). Fire cannot spread without Air or polluted water, and has nothing to fuel it without Earth.
Without Fire no other element takes action.
Water (Cups)
Longing for happiness and comfort. Deep emotions and appreciation for art.
Bearer of messages and feelings. Water cannot be harmed by other forces, it will always reform. Destroying water purifies it, cleansing it of all impurity.
When stagnant and left to lie, water will not move until forced to do so. As stagnation persists the water becomes polluted, dark and murky, a bearer of disease and sickness.
Water will take up as much space as it’s allowed to.
Once in motion water cannot stop itself.
Water provides inertia and comfort to Air, giving it something to do.
To Fire, Water may seem like anathema as it can extinguish the fire. However, in the right proportions Fire and Water combine to create steam, amplifying force and purifying the water.
Earth passively controls Water, both by constricting where it may flow and the force with which it can move. Water slowly erodes Earth, reducing friction and boundaries, in it’s ultimate journey to rest peacefully and happy.
Earth (Disks/Coins)
Longing for stability and defined systems. Protection from disorder and chaos. Creation and enforcement of rigid standards, rules, and systems. Laws and regulations to create a sense of predictability and safety.
A place for things to grow or reach maturity, often at the expense of the “fertile ground”.
A keeper of things and measure of ages. Silent observation and record keeping. Earth is immobile and solid, only moved or changed through great effort and force. It is rigid and stable.
When left to it’s own devices earth ages and decays, creating fertile ground for new life and ideas.
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