The new complete book of tarot

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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,

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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 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. .

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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,,.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

. - : 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-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-.

-:.: 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

::.: ,,--: 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. - 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=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 = -';. 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:::-