Ten

The Major Arcana

The Trionfi Cards of the Renaissance

The fifteenth-century Renaissance artists who created the tarot added a fifth suit of trump cards (trionfi) to the traditional playing card deck that originally came to Europe via Mamluk, Egypt. This additional suit of trumps, now called the major arcana (“greater secrets”) consists of twenty-two allegorical images inspired by Greek and Roman mythology and the Bible. Many tarot readers view the sequence of trump cards as a series of moral lessons the Fool must master on his journey to salvation. Occultists often refer to the cards as “keys” because of a 1781 speculation by Antoine Court de Gébelin that each major arcana card represents a key to the ancient magical wisdom of the Egyptian god Thoth, whose mysteries are encoded in the symbolism of the cards.

After the French conquered Milan and the Piedmont of Italy in 1499, they brought the game of tarot to the Marseille region of France as one of the spoils of war. Tarot became popular in southern France, and the playing card industry of Marseille grew into a thriving business. Perhaps for reasons of manufacturing, French card makers settled on a standardized design and a specific number and sequence of cards in their tarot decks. This pattern became known as the Tarot of Marseille and established the norm for what is considered a tarot deck today.

In card games, the sequence of the trump cards is crucial because the cards of higher rank trump those of lower rank. The images on the cards and the cards’ relative importance with respect to one another no doubt reflected the cultural, political, and religious climate in which they were created. Many books about tarot, however, minimize the role played by Christian symbolism and moral teachings in the development of the tarot.

To illustrate this point, let’s trace the Fool’s journey through the major arcana, as if the Fool were an initiate to Christianity who needed to learn how to achieve salvation through the teachings of the medieval church. In early tarot decks, the Fool is unnumbered. He is often shown as a madman, vagabond, or beggar; he stands completely apart from the sequence of trumps in the tarot deck. In the tarot games of northern Italy, the Fool was regarded as an “excuse card” as “playing the Fool” excused the player from following suit or playing a trump card on a particular trick. Metaphorically, the Fool functions as an outsider looking in; he gives the player an excuse for not following the established rules of the game.

The Christian Influence on the Major Arcana

Trump 1: The Juggler (Magician) is the trump of the lowest rank. Traditionally he is a street magician, trickster, or mountebank. Through sleight of hand with cups and balls he can swindle visitors out of their hard-earned money. The priests of ancient Egypt who turned their rods into serpents during Moses’s confrontation with the Pharaoh are a typical embodiment of this archetypal image. The cheap tricks of the Egyptian priests were no match for the might of Yahweh, whose power could part the Red Sea and destroy the Pharaoh’s army under its waters. The trickster magician is the least potent trump of the lot.

Trump 2: The Female Pope (High Priestess) is one step above the street magician but still a trickster. Modeled after the legendary Pope Joan, this brilliant woman disguised herself as a man so she could assume the papacy. In patriarchal Europe, God was unequivocally of masculine gender and His spokesperson on Earth could never legitimately be a lowly female. Sadly, Pope Joan came to a bitter end. After being outed as a woman, a pious Christian mob bound her feet to a horse’s tail and dragged her through the streets of Rome, stoning her to death along the way. How dare a woman trick the populace by pretending to be the Holy Father!

Trump 3: The Empress. Unlike the Female Pope, the Empress was a legitimate female authority in sixteenth-century Europe. Being female, however, she ranked toward the bottom of the heap. Much of her authority was due to her status as wife of the male Emperor.

Trump 4: The Emperor is the ultimate secular authority in the tarot, but he ranks only fourth in the order of trumps. Apparently an even higher authority exists on the way to salvation.

Trump 5: The Pope (Hierophant) outranks the Emperor because the Holy Father (a man, of course) forms the bridge between humanity and the deity. He is the patriarchal God’s spokesman on Earth with divine authority to appoint a secular ruler to serve as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

Trump 6: The Lover(s). Even higher than the Pope’s canonical authority is the power of love, the greatest of the church’s three theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. According to I Corinthians 13:13, the greatest of these virtues is love. This card is also an allusion to the Pharisees testing Jesus about his knowledge of Jewish law:

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:36–40, KJV).

Trump 7: The Chariot depicts an ancient image of a rational charioteer controlling the competing forces of two horses, one white (will) and the other black (appetite). The thirteenth-ccentury theologian Thomas Aquinas viewed this ancient image of a charioteer controling the black and white horses as a metaphor for the virtue of Prudence. Aquinas learned from Aristotle that there are four cardinal virtues upon which all others depend: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance, in that order. The virtues depicted on the trump cards of the Tarot of Marseille follow the same order as specified by Aquinas in his writings: the Chariot (Prudence, trump 7), Justice (trump 8), Strength (Fortitude, trump 11), and Temperance (trump 14). A virtuous life characterized by Prudence (the Charioteer) trumps even the power of love.

Trump 8: Justice is often exchanged for Strength in modern decks. Here the Tarot of Marseille follows the order of cardinal virtues set down by Thomas Aquinas in his Summa Theologica. The Justice card reminds us that everyone is subject to the Law.

Trump 9: The Hermit. Despite living a life characterized by Love, Prudence, and Justice, we may need to get away for a while to ponder who we are, where we are going, and how to put our lives in perspective. Prayer and meditation are powerful practices that rank ninth in the order of trump cards.

Trump 10: The Wheel of Fortune. No matter how virtuous or hardworking we are, sometimes bad things just happen and there is nothing we can do about it.

Trump 11: Strength (Fortitude, often exchanged for Justice in modern decks). Here the tarot is again following the order of cardinal virtues laid out by Thomas Aquinas. We must cultivate the virtue of Fortitude to deal successfully with the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune (trump 10, the Wheel of Fortune).

Trump 12: The Hanged Man. Despite our most valiant efforts (trump 11, Fortitude), life can throw us for a loop and leave us feeling suspended and at the mercy of fate. We may have no choice but to adopt a new perspective as we accept our fate, just as Jesus accepted his destiny of hanging on a cross to save humankind.

Trump 13: Death. One might think that death trumps all, but in the tarot Death ranks only thirteenth out of twenty-one in its ability to overpower other cards. Jesus demonstrated that he could defeat death by rising from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion.

Trump 14: Temperance. Here again the tarot follows the order of cardinal virtues laid down by Thomas Aquinas. The angel of Temperance is mixing water and wine, just as a Catholic priest does during the sacrifice of the Mass. The sacrificial wine symbolizes the divine nature of Christ; and the water, his human nature. In Christian lore, Jesus was a perfect blending of God and Man. By overcoming Death (trump 13), Christ offered humanity eternal life. These accomplishments were certain to make the Devil (trump 15) quite unhappy.

Trump 15: The Devil. The Prince of Darkness is upset by the words of the New Testament: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, KJV). Satan will do whatever he can to lure people away from the righteous path, often appealing to their pride and ambition as can be seen in the next trump, the Tower.

Trump 16: The Tower. The biblical Tower of Babel was an outgrowth of the pride and ambition of humans who wanted to build a structure that reached the heavens. By building such a tower, they hoped to claim dominion over God’s creation. Clearly Satan (trump 15) must have prompted humans to display such arrogance. The Old Testament deity was not pleased with such human arrogance. As Genesis 11:9 explains, at Babel “the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth” (King James Bible).

Trump 17: The Star. Hope of salvation is embodied in the Star of Bethlehem, the celestial body announcing the impending birth of Jesus. The tarot Star out-trumps the machinations of Satan (trump 15) and the human arrogance and swift retribution of the Old Testament deity (trump 16). The Star is the first glimmer of hope for humanity, the new religion of Christianity that will show the way to eternal life in the Spirit.

Trump 18: The Moon. The moon, whose cycles parallel the menstrual periods of the human female, is a profound maternal symbol. From a Christian perspective, the moon symbolizes the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary and the gestation of Jesus in her womb. In many religious paintings, Mary is depicted standing on a crescent moon—a symbol of fertility, maternity and protection of the newborn infant.

Trump 19: The Sun. In the history of mythology, Jesus is one in a long line of sun gods who die only to be reborn a short time later. In the Christian version of this myth, Jesus dies on the cross on a Friday and rises from the dead three days later on Easter morning, a sun day.

Trump 20: The Last Judgment. At the end of time, Jesus returns to judge all souls, determining whether they are fit to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven (trump 21) or else condemned to spend eternity with the Devil (trump 15). The difference between these two cards, 21 minus 15, is 6, the number of the trump card of Love.

Trump 21: The World. This highest-ranking trump card represents the final destination: the New Jerusalem, Salvation, Paradise Regained, Life Eternal, the Pearly Gates. The Fool has finally made it to the Promised Land.

How to Use the Associations for the Seventy-Eight Cards

In this and the following chapters, each tarot card is discussed in detail in the form of a list of associations for each card. These associations are grouped under the following headings, not all of which appear for every card.

Key: The occultists who developed the modern tarot regarded each card, especially the major arcana, as “keys” to unlock doors to esoteric knowledge. Presumably these mysterious truths were encoded in the tarot symbols by none other than the Egyptian god Thoth.

Astrology: The tarot shares much symbolism with astrology. Both tarot and astrology, for example, use the four elements of antiquity (Fire, Air, Water, and Earth). The Golden Dawn associated the major arcana with the planets and the signs of the zodiac. They also paired the numbered pip cards with the thirty-six decans of the zodiac. For readers familiar with astrology, these correlations add an extra dimension to tarot reading.

Timing: Some readers use the cards to time their predictions. Temporal associations, rooted in astrology, can be helpful in judging when future events might occur.

Numerology and Number Symbolism: The numbers on each card are important symbols in their own right. Number symbolism can be traced back to the ideas of Pythagoras in ancient Greece. The Golden Dawn connected the numbers on the cards with the Sephiroth of the kabbalistic Tree of Life, and these numerical associations became the basis for many of the modern meanings of the minor arcana.

Hebrew Letter: Associating the letters of the Hebrew alphabet with the kabbalistic Tree of Life and with other occult systems dates back at least to the sixteenth century. 29 Occultists, such as Eliphas Levi and the members of the Golden Dawn, used these associations to develop interpretations for the cards. The meanings of Hebrew letters used in this text are based on the research of the Ancient Hebrew Research Center and shed further light on the associations between symbolism of the Hebrew alphabet and the corresponding major arcana cards. 30

Myths/Archetypes: Carl Jung beleived that mythology and literature owe their power to stir the human soul to the embodiment of certain archetypal patterns and images that have universal significance. Many modern readers find the tarot cards to be manifestations of these potent archetypes.

Etteilla: This name is the pseudonym of Jean-Baptiste Alliette (1738–1791), the French occultist who first popularized tarot divination to a wide audience (1785). Etteilla’s card meanings became the standard method for interpreting the cards throughout Europe in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. 31

Mathers: Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers was a British occultist and founding member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, whose tarot delineations have powerfully influenced tarot interpretation in the English-speaking world since the end of the nineteenth century. Mathers’s book, The Tarot, was first published in London in 1888 and had a profound impact on future generations of tarot readers. The meanings listed here are quoted from Mathers’s 1888 text. 32

Waite: Arthur Edward Waite, with Pamela Colman Smith, developed the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck, the most popular tarot in the English-speaking world since its debut in 1909. Waite’s delineations became a standard for interpreting the tarot in the twentieth century. Because of Waite’s overwhelming influence on the practice of tarot in the English-speaking world, his delineations (now in the public domain) are quoted verbatim from The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (London, UK: W. Rider, 1911, reproduced by Citadel Press, Secaucus, NJ, with an introduction by Gertrude Moakley, 1959). 33

Crowley and Golden Dawn: Aleister Crowley was a British occultist who broke with the Golden Dawn but continued to develop his own interpretations, which closely followed the Golden Dawn’s occult teachings. With Lady Frieda Harris, Crowley published the Thoth Tarot, one of the most influential esoteric decks of the later part of the twentieth century.34

Keywords (+): These “positive” keywords reflect some of the fruitful and constructive uses of the energies symbolized by the card.

Keywords (-): These “negative” keywords reflect some of the challenging and potentially harmful uses of the energies symbolized by the card.

Upright Card: This section briefly describes a typical meaning of the upright card. It should be used only as a suggestion of possible meanings. With continued practice and experience, you will come to assign your own meanings and develop a richer personal understanding of the cards.

Reversed Card: This section describes a possible interpretation of the inverted card. Reversed card meanings should not be taken literally, as each card has a core meaning that remains valid regardless of its upright or reversed orientation. Some readers prefer to use only upright cards.

0. The Fool: The Idealistic Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Key 0: The Fool (traditionally not numbered, but labeled 0 in some modern decks)

Astrology: The element Air (the planet Uranus in some modern decks)

Numerology: 4 (Emperor) ~ 1 + 3 (Death) ~ 2 + 2 (The Fool)

Hebrew letter: 35 Aleph (an ox head; a Hebrew word meaning strength, power, chief, leader; also, to learn, teach, guide; to team up and plow—the ox was used for plowing).

Myths/Archetypes: The Court Jester. Perceval. Puer aeternus. The Innocent. The Orphan. The Seeker. The Idealist. The Wanderer. The Novice. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

Mathers (1888): The Foolish Man. Folly, expiation, wavering; (R) hesitation, instability, trouble arising therefrom.

Waite (1911): Folly, mania, extravagance, intoxication, delirium, frenzy, bewrayment [betrayal]; (R) negligence, absence, distribution, carelessness, apathy, nullity, vanity.

Golden Dawn: A foolish person in the material affairs of everyday life in which folly, stupidity, instability, and eccentricity occur due to the Fool’s high level of idealism.

Keywords (+): Opening up to new possibilities, idealism, a leap of faith, a fresh start, opportunities for growth, childlike wonder, trust, innocence, enthusiasm, curiosity, inexperience, initiation, an unexpected opening, embarking on an exciting journey, experimentation, freedom to explore, a spiritual quest, opening your mind to new learning, taking a risk, living in the now, not following the established rules of the game.

Keywords (-): Folly, madness, stupidity, an unrealistic attitude, confusion, immaturity, eccentricity, insecurity, silliness, gullibility, foolishness, infatuation, intoxication, frenzy, needless risk, irresponsibility, uncertainty, premature action, muddleheadedness, questionable advice, recklessness, a pointless enterprise, foolish abandonment of material goods; a jester, madman, drifter, beggar; “fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”

The Fool Upright

When upright, the Fool suggests a leap of faith and a desire to explore the unknown with a “beginner’s mind.” The Fool has a basic trust that things will turn out well in the end, but he has not yet acquired the ability to navigate his way skillfully through the practical affairs of everyday life. He is starting out on a new and exciting journey in which he will encounter marvelous adventures and seek spiritual growth. When this card appears in a reading, it is important to keep your wits about you as you take risks and explore the unknown. At the same time, this card cautions you to avoid foolish idealism and not undertake mundane projects unless you are well prepared for handling any pragmatic aspects.

The Fool Reversed

At some point during childhood, most kids hear their parents remonstrate: “If all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you jump too?” When reversed, the Fool cautions against unrealistic planning, naiveté, gullibility, irresponsibility, immaturity, premature action, and foolish risk-taking. The inverted Fool displays poor judgment and a lack of basic trust. Be sure to look before you leap or you may go off half-cocked on a pointless enterprise. Consider the consequences before engaging in impulsive or risky behavior. Especially avoid excessive use of drugs or alcohol.

1. The Magician: As Above, So Below

Key 1: The Magician (Juggler)

Hebrew letter: Beyt or Beth (the floor plan of a tent; a Hebrew word meaning tent, house, dwelling, household, family, sanctuary, the temple or house of the Lord; also, the prepositions “in” and “within”).

Astrology: Mercury, messenger of the gods (Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo).

Element: Air

Numerology: 1 (Magician) = 1 + 0 (Wheel of Fortune) = 1 + 9 (The Sun)

Myths/Archetypes: Thoth. Hermes Trismegistus. Merlin. Faust. The Magus. The Juggler. The Con Artist.

Mathers (1888): The Juggler. Will, willpower, dexterity; (R) will applied to evil ends, weakness of will, cunning, knavishness.

Waite (1911): Skill, diplomacy, address, subtlety; sickness, pain, loss, disaster, snares of enemies; self-confidence, will; the querent if male; (R) physician, magus, mental disease, disgrace, disquiet.

Golden Dawn: Craft, cunning, skill, adaptability, magic, occult wisdom (these meanings are derived from the Roman god Mercury and his resemblance to the gods Thoth of Egypt and Hermes of Greece).

Keywords (+): Skill, mastery, cleverness, intelligence, cunning, expertise, initiative, impetus, self-confidence, determination, purpose, assertiveness, focused intent, dexterity, ability to juggle, strength of will, striving for power, transforming ideas into realities, control of natural forces, ability to manipulate the physical world; “as above, so below.”

Keywords (-): Trickery, illusion, parlor tricks, deceit, sleight of hand, hesitancy, impotence, lack of confidence, confusion of purpose, the ill use of one’s skills; a trickster, con artist, mountebank, stage magician, quack doctor, sleight of hand artist, swindler, thief.

The Magician Upright

When upright, the Magician symbolizes a person of great willpower who has mastered the knowledge, and skills needed to achieve his goals. As depicted in Llewellyn’s Classic Tarot, the Magician can access the cosmos above and the earth below as he juggles the four elements to manifest his desires. Ruled by the planet Mercury, the Magician is a gifted communicator of intense mental focus who can translate ideas into effective action. Themes related to the Magician have to do with directing one’s will and focusing one’s consciousness to manipulate physical reality.

The Magician Reversed

When reversed, the Magician may be using his willpower, knowledge and skills for less than honorable purposes. An ill-dignified Magician may be engaged in deception, manipulation, or the misuse of power. He may be weak-willed or lacking in confidence and thus fail to use his communication skills in a productive manner. When the Magician appears reversed in a reading, it is wise to explore what is preventing you from maintaining the mental focus that will enable you to act like a magician in your life.

2. The High Priestess: Guardian of Secret Wisdom

Key II: The High Priestess (Female Pope)

Astrology: the Moon (ruler of the Water sign Cancer, the Crab)

Element: Water

Numerology: 2 (High Priestess) ~ 1 + 1 (Justice or Strength) ~ 2 + 0 (Judgment)

Hebrew letter: Gamal or Gimel (foot, or camel; a Hebrew word meaning to come together at a drinking hole, to walk to the watering place, to deal, to recompense)

Myths/Archetypes: Persephone. Cassandra. Pope Joan. The Virgin Mary. Sor Juana. Matris Spirituale. The Oracle at Delphi. Gestation in the womb.

Mathers (1888): Science, wisdom, knowledge, education; (R) Conceit, ignorance, unskillfulness, superficial knowledge.

Waite (1911): Secrets, mystery, the future as yet unrevealed; the woman who interests the querent if male; the querent herself if female; silence, tenacity; mystery, wisdom, science; (R) passion, moral or physical ardor, conceit, surface knowledge.

Golden Dawn: Change, fluctuation, alteration (meanings derived from the shifting phases of the watery moon).

Keywords (+): Secrets, the future not yet known, the revelation of hidden matters, spiritual wisdom, occult knowledge, intuitive awareness, lunar consciousness, one’s inner voice, sacred space, listening to one’s dreams, extraordinary knowing, lifting the veil, walking to the watering hole, seeing beneath the surface, the seed of an idea, mystery, fluctuation, psychic intuition, piercing the veil of the unconscious; a woman who interests the querent.

Keywords (-): Superficial knowledge, escape into fantasy, inconstancy, daydreaming, inaccurate hunches, the spilling of secrets, suppressing one’s true feelings, ignoring one’s intuition, not heeding one’s inner voice.

The High Priestess Upright

When upright, the High Priestess represents feminine intuition and empathic sensitivity. She gives you access to hidden knowledge (symbolized by the body of water on the card), and she encourages balanced judgment through intuitive awareness. Now is the time to quiet your mind and open yourself to the inner wisdom that lies within. Pay special attention to your dreams and intuitive hunches. In this way, you can gain access to something unrevealed or not yet known about your future plans. In the words of Einstein: “But there is no logical way to the discovery of these elemental laws. There is only the way of intuition, which is helped by a feeling for the order lying behind the appearance, and this Einfühlung is developed by experience.” 36

The High Priestess Reversed

When reversed, the High Priestess warns that important information may be hidden or otherwise obscured from view. Perhaps you feel somehow blocked in accessing your intuition, or you may be choosing to ignore important gut feelings. You can’t quite find your way to the watering hole. Some aspect of the future as yet unrevealed may cause a delay or a change in plans.

3. The Empress: Fertile Goddess of the Birth Canal

Key III: The Empress

Astrology: Venus, goddess of love and beauty. (Venus rules Taurus and Libra)

Element: Earth

Numerology: 3 (Em-press) ~ 1 + 2 (Hanged Man) ~ 2 + 1 (The World)

Hebrew letter: Daleth (a tent door, a pathway; a Hebrew word meaning to move, hang, dangle, draw water; also an entrance, doorway, or a back-and-forth movement). Daleth symbolizes the birth canal, that is, the doorway through which the fetus emerges as a separate entity in need of maternal care and protection.

Myths/Archetypes: Demeter. Mother Nature. The Earth Goddess. The Great Mother. The Caregiver. Gaia. Mary Magdalene. Queen of Queens. The Garden of Eden.

Mathers (1888): Action, plan, undertaking, movement in a matter, initiative.

Waite (1911): Fruitfulness, action, initiative, length of days; the unknown, clandestine; also difficulty, doubt, ignorance; (R) light, truth, the unraveling of involved matters, public rejoicings; according to another reading, vacillation.

Golden Dawn: Luxury, beauty, pleasure, happiness, success; with negative cards, indulgence, dissipation (meanings derived from Venus, goddess of love and sensual pleasures).

Keywords (+): Fertility, pregnancy, marriage, motherhood, the desire to have children, material abundance, luxury, sensuality, attraction, physical comfort, gestation, the womb, childbirth, the birth canal, nurturing, growth, feminine power, love of nature, enjoyment of sex, a fertile imagination, productivity, bearing fruit, protecting the environment, enjoyment of the outdoors.

Keywords (-): Overindulgence, temptation, sex without love, avarice, infertility, indolence, withholding affection, refusal to cultivate one’s garden, miscarriage, menopause, unwanted pregnancy, delay in fulfilling a desire, deciding not to have children, failure to care for one’s offspring, squandering natural resources.

The Empress Upright

When upright, the Empress symbolizes fertility, pregnancy, motherhood, sensuality and creative imagination. This card may herald an impending marriage, the desire to have children, or the birth of a child. You are entering a period of productivity and abundance, often in the form of offspring of either the body or the mind. You are capable of great productivity as you assist the passage of your creative ideas through their birth canal. Support and nurturing are available. It is important to exercise proper care of the body at this time.

The Empress Reversed

When reversed, the Empress suggests that you may be failing to care for the natural resources that have been entrusted to you. Perhaps you have been neglecting your body or squandering the abundance in your life. Alternatively, you may be going through a period of infertility, either literally or figuratively, in which it seems difficult to produce any type of offspring of either the physical or mental variety. A creative idea may be stuck in its birth canal. The Empress is connected with marriage, and the reversed card may signify difficulty with wedding plans or a delay in starting a family.

4. The Emperor: Ultimate Secular Authority

Key IV: The Emperor

Astrology: Aries, the Ram (a Fire sign ruled by Mars)

Dates of Aries: 21 March–20 April (tropical); 14 April–13 May (sidereal)

Element: Fire

Numerology: 4 (Emperor) ~ 1 + 3 (Death) ~ 2 + 2 (The Fool)

Hebrew letter: He or Hey (a man with his arms erect; a Hebrew word meaning to look, reveal, to behold a great sight, “Lo and behold!” Also the article the, and a breath or sigh). Aleister Crowley paired the Emperor with the Hebrew letter Tzaddi, a letter the Golden Dawn associated with XVII, the Star.

Myths/Archetypes: The Great Father. The Ruler. The King of Kings. Zeus. Yahweh. Ouranos. Priapus. George Washington. Head of State.

Mathers (1888): Realization, effect, development; (R) Stoppage, check, immature, unripe.

Waite (1911): Stability, power, protection, realization; a great person; aid, reason, conviction; also authority and will; (R) benevolence, compassion, credit; also confusion to enemies, obstruction, immaturity.

Golden Dawn: Ambition, domination, victory, conquest, strife, war (meanings derived from the pioneering sign Aries, which is ruled by Mars, the god of war).

Keywords (+): Authority, splendor, power, awe, ambition, leadership, order, control, dominion, logic, reason, objectivity, visibility, setting limits, potency, forcefulness, courage, self-confidence, discipline, responsibility, majesty, impressiveness, maturity, protection, realization, will, decisiveness, life force, fathering, masculine power, the phallus, stability, structure, realism, firm foundations, taking charge, ability to get things done.

Keywords (-): Domination, arrogance, inflexibility, conventionality, butting heads, wimpishness, impotence, lack of confidence, immaturity, lack of reason or excessive rationality, indecision, disorder, loss, lack of structure, male infertility, abuse of power, vanity, inability to get things done, failure to take charge when you need to.

The Emperor Upright

Hail to the chief! When upright, the Emperor represents a person of authority, will, planning, organization, analysis, strategic thinking and phallic masculinity. Lo and behold! The Emperor is the Father Archetype, the Lord and Master who knows how to get things done. A powerful leader, he takes charge, puts things in order, and protects those in his domain. He rules with his mind rather than with his heart. The Emperor appears in a reading to remind you to step up to the plate, be true to your principles, and use your power to structure your life to accomplish what must be done. You need to set clear goals and establish firm limits so that you can provide stability and get the job done.

The Emperor Reversed

When reversed, the Emperor suggests that in some way you may have been remiss in fulfilling your role as a leader, organizer, or person in charge. Perhaps you have been pussyfooting around or, at the other end of the spectrum, acting in a dictatorial manner. Don’t be a wimp; it’s time to act your age and put your life in order. You need to analyze the situation, establish boundaries and limits, and develop a plan so that you do what needs to be done. President Harry S. Truman kept a sign on his desk that said “The buck stops here!” to remind him that the president has final authority to make decisions but also ultimate responsibility for their consequences.

5. The Hierophant: Bridge Connecting Humanity with the Divine

Key V: The Hierophant (Pope, High Priest)

Astrology: Taurus, the Bull (an Earth sign ruled by Venus)

Dates of Taurus: 21 April–21 May (tropical); 14 May–14 June (sidereal)

Element: Earth

Numerology: 5 (Hierophant) = 1 + 4 (Temperance)

Hebrew letter: Vau, Vav, or Waw (a tent peg; a Hebrew word meaning to hook, add, fasten or secure something to prevent it from slipping; the hook, peg, or nail that is used to secure the curtains of the tabernacle). The Hierophant often “fastens” people together in matrimony.

Myths/Archetypes: The prophet Moses. Pontifex Maximus. Hierophant. High Priest. The deity’s spokesperson. The Holy of Holies (which housed the Ark of the Covenant and the Ten Commandments). Emily Post. The Wizard of Oz.

Mathers (1888): Mercy, beneficence, kindness, goodness; (R) Over-kindness, weakness, foolish exercise of generosity.

Waite (1911): Marriage, alliance, captivity, servitude; by another account, mercy and goodness; inspiration; the man to whom the querent has recourse; (R) society, good understanding, concord, over-kindness, weakness.

Golden Dawn: Divine wisdom, teaching, explanation.

Keywords (+): Traditional values, wise teaching, the ultimate religious authority, spiritual guidance, helpful advice, divine revelation, good counsel, the Ten Commandments, learning, teaching, formal education, instruction, mentoring, listening to a higher authority, kindness, sacred rites, church ceremonies, the sacrament of matrimony, established organizations, conventional social norms, conforming to orthodoxy, conservative views, mediation with the divine, seeking information, caring for the soul.

Keywords (-): Intolerance, rigidity, inflexibility, arrogance, dogmatism, conformity, oppressive religious doctrines, rigid orthodoxy, religious fundamentalism, perverse spirituality, misguided advice, following the letter rather than the spirit of the law, foolish generosity.

The Hierophant Upright

When upright, the High Priest is a wise, spiritually oriented guide to whom the querent has recourse. This person may be a kindly teacher, a mentor, or a spiritual adviser, not infrequently connected with a religious or academic setting. One role of the Hierophant is to perform sacred rites that pass traditional wisdom on to the next generation. The High Priest often officiates at ceremonies such as weddings, baptisms, bar mitzvahs, funerals, and the like. Because this priestly figure has authority to unite (“hook”) couples in matrimony, this card can be a harbinger of marriage. In any case, when the Hierophant appears in a reading, you are likely to be dealing with the traditional values of your family, culture, or religion.

The Hierophant Reversed

When reversed, the High Priest warns that you may be taking a rigidly dogmatic stance dictated by traditional values. There is a tendency to follow the letter rather than the spirit of the law. Such extreme rigidity with its unthinking appeal to traditional authority is often adopted to subjugate others and deny them basic human rights. The inverted Hierophant is reminiscent of the words of Karl Marx that religion is the opium of the people. Marx went on to explain that his view of religion as an opiate “disillusions man, so that he will think, act, and fashion his reality like a man who has discarded his illusions and regained his senses, so that he will move around himself as his own true Sun.” 37 Are you taking advice from the man behind the curtain of the Wizard of Oz?

6. The Lovers: Choosing How to Plow Your Fields

Key VI: The Lovers

Astrology: Gemini, the Twins (an Air sign ruled by Mercury)

Dates of Gemini: 22 May–21 June (tropical); 15 June–15 July (sidereal)

Element: Air

Numerology: 6 (Lovers) = 1 + 5 (Devil)

Hebrew letter: Zayin or Zain (a plow, mattock, hoe, or sharp weapon; a Hebrew word meaning harvest, crop, food, nourish, cut or sever as with a sword). Plowing a field to produce a harvest is a metaphor for the sexual intercourse of a couple to produce offspring.

Myths/Archetypes: Adam and Eve. Eros and Psyche. Cupid’s arrow. Abelard and Heloise. Romeo and Juliet. Dante and Beatrice. The Lover. Don Juan. Casanova.

Mathers (1888): Wise dispositions, proof, trials surmounted; (R) unwise plans, failure when put to the test.

Waite (1911): Love, attraction, beauty, trials overcome; (R) failure, foolish designs; another account speaks of marriage frustrated and contrarieties of all kinds.

Golden Dawn: Inspiration passively received rather than actively pursued (as in the Hermit card), action arising from inspiration, sometimes mediumistic inspirations.

Keywords (+): An important decision or the need to choose, devotion, harmony, relatedness, friendship, reciprocity, commitment, true love, romance, enchantment, knowledge of good and evil, inseminating one’s fields, judicious use of one’s plow, sexual union.

Keywords (-): Indecision, bad choices, doubt, temptation, lack of commitment, seduction, infidelity, betrayal, disappointments in love, injudicious use of one’s plow, failure to cultivate one’s fields properly, eating the forbidden fruit, being hoist with one’s own petard; “idle hands are the devil’s workshop.”

The Lovers Upright

When upright, the Lovers card represents an important choice that will significantly influence the course of one’s life. This choice may have to do with a romantic relationship or a decision to marry and have children. The associated Hebrew letter Zayin conjures up the image of plowing a field and cultivating it wisely to ensure a good harvest. The decisions you make now will have long-term consequences, so it is imperative to think things through, get sound advice, and choose wisely. The association of the card with the sign Gemini suggests love between individuals that can endure for an eternity.

The Lovers Reversed

When reversed, the Lovers card suggests that you may be rushing into a decision without careful consideration. Perhaps you have been swept off your feet by a new relationship and cannot think clearly. Love is blind, and Cupid’s arrows may tempt you to sow wild oats without considering the consequences. Are you behaving like a farmer who has not properly plowed his fields or adequately cultivated his crops? Without careful preparation, there cannot be a good harvest. With due deliberation, you can avoid hard times.

7. The Chariot: Reason Tames Appetite and Will

Key VII: The Chariot

Astrology: Cancer, the Crab (a Water sign ruled by the Moon). In the Waite-Smith tarot, a flowing river separates the canopied chariot from the walled city behind.

Dates of Cancer: 21 June–22 July (tropical); 16 July–17 August (sidereal)

Element: Water

Numerology: 7 (Chariot) = 1 + 6 (The Tower)

Hebrew letter: Chet, Cheth, or Heth (a protective fence, a tent wall; a Hebrew word meaning a separation, boundary, dividing wall, stacked stones, outside, half, or string). The crab of the sign Cancer has a well-defined protective shell (Chet).

Myths/Archetypes: Hecate. Auriga virtutem. Cancer, the sign of the crab. Plato’s chariot as an analogy for the three-part human soul (reason, will, appetite). The NASCAR driver.

Mathers (1888): Triumph, victory, overcoming obstacles; (R) Overthrown, conquered by obstacles at the last moment.

Waite (1911): Succor, providence; also war, triumph, presumption, vengeance, trouble; (R) riot, quarrel, dispute, litigation, defeat.

Golden Dawn: Triumph, victory, good health, success (though sometimes not enduring success).

Keywords (+): Strength of purpose, taking the reins, establishing clear boundaries, maintaining protective walls, travel, prudence, determination, controlling opposing forces, triumph over obstacles in your path, having a clear direction, setting out on a quest, staying focused on your goal, relying on inner resources, mastery, a journey, a car or other vehicle, respecting your own limits, a hard shell, the straight and narrow path.

Keywords (-): Lack of direction, loss of control, frustrating obstacles, aimless wandering, spinning one’s wheels, letting go of the reins, poor boundaries, unawareness of one’s limits, absence of a protective shell, inability to stay on course, being pulled in many directions.

The Chariot Upright

When upright, the Chariot urges you to master the situation in the midst of changing circumstances. You must take the reins of the chariot on which you travel through life. Inside the protective shell of your personality, you have the necessary resources to accomplish your goals. Success will depend on your ability to use reason to strike a balance between your ambitions and your appetites, which may be pulling you in different directions. It is important to set clear boundaries and to respect your own limits. Now is a time to think clearly, take control, and assume direction of your life. Often the Chariot appears when you are planning a trip or are about to embark on a significant journey, be it literal or metaphorical.

The Chariot Reversed

When reversed, the Chariot warns that you may be allowing yourself to wander aimlessly rather than assuming control of the direction of your life. You may be feeling vulnerable and at the mercy of outside forces. Your many ambitions and your desire for various pleasures may be pulling you away from your preferred path. Pay attention to establishing clear boundaries and knowing your own limits. Don’t let go of the reins of your personal chariot. Now is a time to focus on what you value most and to organize your life course so that you can arrive at your most cherished destination. If the Chariot refers to a vehicle or a literal journey, your trip may be delayed or run into difficulties.

8/11. Strength: Courage and Animal Passion

Key VIII: Strength (Fortitude, Lust). This card is numbered XI in traditional Marseille decks.

Astrology: Leo, the Lion (a Fire sign ruled by the Sun)

Dates of Leo: 23 July–23 August; 18 August–16 September (sidereal)

Element: Fire

Numerology: 8 (Strength, or Justice) = 1 + 7 (The Star)

Hebrew letter: Teth or Theth (a clay or wicker basket; a Hebrew word meaning to surround, contain, store, catch, intertwine, coil, knot together, interweave; also mud or clay, and a snake or serpent). The coiling serpent is suggestive of the intertwining of bodies in sexual intercourse. The Hebrew letter Teth (basket) and this card’s association with human lust bring to mind the nursery rhyme, “A-tisket a-tasket, a green and yellow basket, I wrote a letter to my love and on the way I dropped it … a little boy he picked it up and put it in his pocket.”

Myths/Archetypes: The Hero. Joan of Arc. The Dragon Slayer. The Satyr. Hercules and the Nemean Lion. David and Goliath. Samson and Delilah. Kundalini.

Mathers (1888): Power, might, force, strength, fortitude; (R) the abuse of power, overbearingness, want of fortitude.

Waite (1911): Power, energy, action, courage, magnanimity; also complete success and honors; (R) despotism, abuse of power, weakness, discord, sometimes even disgrace.

Golden Dawn: Fortitude, strength, courage.

Keywords (+): Courage, bravery, passion, heroism, self-esteem, fortitude, mettle, true grit, vitality, moral fiber, strength in the face of adversity, wildness, lust, libido, burning desire, sexual instincts, powerful emotions, kundalini, taming the beast within, suppression of inordinate fear, the curbing of recklessness.

Keywords (-): Lack of courage, abuse of power, unbridled lust, perverse sexuality, satyriasis, nymphomania, addiction, repression of instinctual desires, inability to cope with powerful emotions, cowardice, self-aggrandizement.

Strength Upright

When upright, the Strength/Lust card suggests a need to face a situation with courage, determination, and fortitude, much as Hercules did when he confronted the Nemean Lion. Your animal passions are stirring and may conflict with your “civilized” self. You are feeling lustily powerful and thoroughly enjoy the use of your body. Health improves, and your energy increases. Issues related to sexuality come up for review. The connection of the Strength card with the sign Leo and with the Sun suggests that this may be a time of compassionate self-examination, which can lead to enlightenment. Leo is known for its warmth, generosity, and lusty enjoyment of life.

Strength Reversed

When reversed, Strength implies that you may need to muster the courage to confront your difficulties. Perhaps you are feeling fearful or hopeless in the face of powerful instinctual desires you imagine are beyond your control. On the other hand, you may have gone overboard in trying to win admiration for how attractive or sexually adept you are, causing others to experience you as domineering, vain, self-aggrandizing, or controlling.

9. The Hermit: The Search for Meaning

Key IX: The Hermit

Astrology: Virgo, the Virgin (an Earth sign ruled by Mercury)

Dates of Virgo: 23 August–23 September; 17 September–16 October (sidereal)

Element: Earth

Numerology: 9 (The Hermit) = 1 + 8 (The Moon)

Hebrew letter: Yud or Yod (an arm and closed hand; a Hebrew word meaning to do a deed, make, work, throw, or worship; a closed fist holding something). Notice the Hermit’s arm and closed fist holding the lantern on the card.

Myths/Archetypes: The Wise Old Man. The Sage. The Philosopher. Buddha. Jedi Master Yoda (whose name contains the Hebrew letter Yod).

Mathers (1888): Prudence, caution, deliberation; (R) over-prudence, timorousness, fear.

Waite (1911): Prudence, circumspection; also and especially treason, dissimulation, roguery, corruption; (R) concealment, disguise, policy, fear, unreasoned caution.

Golden Dawn: Active pursuit of divine inspiration and wisdom from above.

Keywords (+): Introspection, meditation, spiritual retreat, careful attention, solitude, prudence, maturity, self-possession, the wisdom of experience, watchfulness, circumspection, discernment, perspective, patient pursuit of knowledge, quiet contemplation, spiritual illumination, philosophical insight, the search for meaning, the power of Now, replenishment of the soul.

Keywords (-): Imprudence, excessive caution, lack of wisdom, narcissism, timidity, social isolation, alienation, withdrawal, loneliness, failure to learn from experience, cutting oneself off from the support of others.

The Hermit Upright

When upright, the Hermit indicates a need to spend time far from the madding crowd. Now is a time to collect your thoughts and regroup your forces. A period of solitude and contemplation is in order. In this modern age of technology, someone quipped that meditation provides the answers you can’t find on Google. You have been through a lot, and the time has come to wait and watch. An attitude of patient circumspection will allow you to put matters in perspective and learn from your experience. You might consider reading Eckhardt Tolle’s book The Power of Now.

The Hermit Reversed

When reversed, the Hermit suggests that you are caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life and unable to see clearly where you are headed. Consider taking some time off and allowing yourself space to meditate and get back on track. A great philosopher once commented that the unexamined life is not worth living. There is a lot of wisdom to be gleaned from your experience if only you take the time to do so. A little distance is what you need to put matters in perspective.

10. The Wheel of Fortune: A Time to Every Purpose under Heaven

Key X: The Wheel of Fortune (Dame Fortune)

Astrology: Jupiter, the greater benefic. (Jupiter rules Sagittarius and Pisces)

Numerology: 1 (Magician) = 1 + 0 (Wheel of Fortune) = 1 + 9 (The Sun)

Element: Fire

Hebrew letter: Kaph (the open palm of a hand; a Hebrew word meaning to open, bend, allow, tame, or to submit to another’s will; also, hollow or outstretched to receive something). Palm readers claim to read our fortune in the open palm of the hand. This card suggests that we may have no choice but to stretch ourselves out and submit to the turns of the wheel of fortune.

Myths/Archetypes: Lady Luck. Dame Fortune. The three Norns. The Fates of Greek mythology. The Soothsayer. The fickle finger of fate.

Mathers (1888): Good fortune, success, unexpected luck; (R) ill-fortune, failure, unexpected ill-luck.

Waite (1911): Destiny, fortune, success, elevation, luck, felicity; (R) increase, abundance, superfluity.

Golden Dawn: Good luck, happiness, sometimes intoxication with success.

Keywords (+): Good luck, destiny, opportunities for advancement, an upward trend, seizing the moment, remaining open to opportunity, natural cycles, a turn for the better, seizing the moment, twists of fate, Lady Luck, the slings and arrows of fortune, time will tell, the acceptance of one’s fate.

Keywords (-): Bad luck, a downward cycle, misfortune, a turn for the worse, fateful events, impermanence, procrastination, not seizing the moment, having no choice but to submit, feeling powerless to affect circumstances, the fickle finger of fate.

The Wheel of Fortune Upright

When upright, the Wheel of Fortune reminds us that our good fortune is often the result of twists of fate rather than our own doing. Now is a time to enjoy your good luck because it can change just as rapidly tomorrow. If things are going well now, be sure to make the best of it and put something aside for a rainy day. For the time being, destiny is smiling upon you. Seize the moment because an opportunity that presents itself today may not remain available tomorrow. Contemplate the lyrics of the Pete Seeger song “Turn, Turn, Turn,” which sets the biblical words to music: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, KJV).

The Wheel of Fortune Reversed

When reversed, the Wheel of Fortune cautions that your good luck can’t last forever. What goes up must come down. Each season gives way to the next, and you need to be prepared for the possibility of a rainy day. Although our fate is largely what we make it, unexpected things can happen that are outside of our control. Keep in mind the words of Brutus:

There is a tide in the affairs of men.
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
(William Shakespeare,
Julius Caesar, Act 4, Scene 3, 1599)

11/8. Justice: The Lawfulness of the Universe

Key XI: Justice. This card is numbered VIII in the traditional Marseille deck.

Astrology: Libra, the Scales (ruled by the planet Venus)

Dates of Libra: 23 September–22 October (tropical); 17 October–15 November (sidereal)

Numerology: 2 (High Priestess) = 1 + 1 (Justice or Strength) = 2 + 0 (Judgment)

Element: Air

Hebrew letter: Lamed (an ox goad, or a shepherd’s staff that guides the herd; a Hebrew word meaning to teach, learn, yoke, bind, control, defend, protect; to/toward; also a scholar, an authority, or a leader of the flock). The virtue of Justice is like a shepherd’s staff that directs the human race toward just and lawful behavior.

Myths/Archetypes: The Scales of Justice. Karma. The Egyptian goddess Ma’at who weighed souls against a feature to determine if they were worthy of paradise. King Solomon. The Code of Hammurabi. Moses receiving the Ten Commandments.

Mathers (1888): Equilibrium, balance, justice; (R) bigotry, want of balance, abuse of justice, over-severity, inequality, bias.

Waite (1911): Equity, rightness, probity, executive; triumph of the deserving side in law; (R) law in all its departments, legal complications, bigotry, bias, excessive severity.

Golden Dawn: Justice, balance, legal proceedings, legal trials, courts of law.

Keywords (+): Justice, equality, human rights, law and order, fairness, truth, lawfulness, just behavior, balance, impartiality, tolerance, reasonable decisions, courts, legal matters, accepting responsibility, correcting imbalances, respect for the law, morality, ethics, karma, actions and consequences, the right way, just deserts of one’s actions.

Keywords (-): Injustice, bias, inequality, unfair treatment, partiality, favoritism, bigotry, intolerance, hypocrisy, unreasonableness, undue influence, irresponsibility, immorality, unethical behavior, legal entanglements, an adverse ruling by a court, abuse of the legal system, refusal to accept responsibility for one’s actions.

Justice Upright

When upright, the Justice card suggests that your current situation hinges on matters of equilibrium, balance, fair treatment, and justice. If you are involved in a legal matter, it will be judged impartially and is likely to be decided in your favor (but only if you are in the right). If you are in the wrong, the same impartiality applies and you will be held accountable. In any decision you take now, it is essential to be honest and judicious in weighing the pros and cons. In the words of the Bible: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7, KJV).

Justice Reversed

When reversed, the Justice card can mean that your situation involves injustice, unfairness, bias, or partiality. Matters may feel out of balance or tilted against you. Legal proceedings are likely to cause difficulties. Dishonesty may characterize your dealings with others. If the goddess Ma’at were to weigh your soul against a feather right now, would she find you worthy of entering into paradise?

12. The Hanged Man: Adopting a Fresh Perspective

Key XII: The Hanged Man (The Traitor)

Astrology: Water (Neptune in some modern decks)

Numerology: 3 (Empress) = 1 + 2 (Hanged Man) = 2 + 1 (The World)

Element: Water

Hebrew letter: Mem (waves of water; a Hebrew word meaning water, liquid, blood, the ocean, a large body of water, chaos, and fear of mighty forces such as the sea). Your image reflected in the surface of a lake appears to be upside down with respect to your upright position.

Myths/Archetypes: Jesus. Buddha. Odin. Cuauhtémoc. The Martyr. The Sacrificial Lamb. Benedict Arnold. The Traitor.

Mathers (1888): Self-sacrifice, sacrifice, devotion, bound; (R) selfishness, unbound, partial sacrifice.

Waite (1911): Wisdom, circumspection, discernment, trials, sacrifice, intuition, divination, prophecy; (R) selfishness, the crowd, the body politic.

Golden Dawn: Involuntary sacrifice, suffering, loss, punishment.

Keywords (+): Sacrifice for the greater good, a state of suspension; waiting, surrender, devotion, altruism, serenity, faith, visionary thinking, release, going with the flow, letting go, feeling like you are on hold, redemption through sacrifice, adopting a unique perspective, doing something out of the ordinary, a spiritual viewpoint, a novel way to view a situation, loving kindness, compassion, evenly suspended attention.

Keywords (-): Selfishness, egotism, betrayal, stagnation, reversal, delay, self-pity, clinging, rigid thinking, self-deception, treason, playing the victim, foolish martyrdom, helplessness, unease, disillusionment, hangups, conformity.

The Hanged Man Upright

When upright, the Hanged Man looks like an image reflected in the surface of a body of water, suggesting that what we perceive with our senses is but a reflection of a deeper reality. To understand what is really real, we may need to adopt a new perspective. If your life feels like it’s on hold or in a state of suspension, it’s time to adopt a spiritual perspective and pursue the greater good. We sometimes need to make sacrifices and let go of something we value to achieve a greater good. In any case, when the Hanged Man appears in a reading, you are likely to be viewing or doing something out of the ordinary in a way that sets you apart from the more accepted approach of those around you.

The Hanged Man Reversed

When reversed, the Hanged Man suggests that you may be clinging too tightly to an illusion preventing you from gaining a clearer perspective. Refusal to make a necessary sacrifice can result in further loss and suffering. Playing the martyr will not be productive. In Renaissance Italy, hanging someone upside down was a punishment reserved for traitors. After betraying Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec emperor, the Spanish conquistador Cortés killed the Aztec warrior by hanging him upside-down in a Christ-like pose, as is vividly depicted in the mural by Diego Rivera entitled “Exploitation of Mexico by Spanish Conquistadors.”

13. Death: A New Chapter Begins

Key XIII: Death

Astrology: Scorpio, the Scorpion (a Water sign ruled by Mars and Pluto)

Dates of Scorpio: 23 October–22 November (tropical); 16 November–15 December (sidereal)

Element: Water

Numerology: 4 (Emperor) = 1 + 3 (Death) = 2 + 2 (The Fool)

Hebrew letter: Nun (a sprouting seed; a Hebrew word meaning to propagate, bear offspring, perpetuate life, continue on to a new generation, increase; also posterity, a son or an heir). The pictograph of Nun resembles a human sperm. In Aramaic, the word nun means fish, a symbol important to Christianity. This card reminds us that death is part of the natural process of engendering new life.

Myths/Archetypes: Osiris. Dionysus. The Angel of Death. The Eleusinian Mysteries. The phoenix myth. Transfiguration. Easter. The Resurrection.

Mathers (1888): Death, change, transformation, alteration for the worse; (R) death just escaped, partial change, alteration for the better.

Waite (1911): The end, mortality, destruction, corruption; also, for a man, the loss of a benefactor; for a woman, many contrarieties; for a maid, failure of marriage prospects; (R) inertia, sleep, lethargy, petrifaction, somnambulism; hope destroyed.

Golden Dawn: Involuntary change (as opposed to voluntary change indicated by the Moon trump), transformation, sometimes death.

Keywords (+): Transition, transformation, a sprouting seed, major change, endings, renewal, a necessary change, propagation, a sprouting seed, new growth, the closing of a chapter, shutting a door, entering a new stage of existence, liberation, release, metamorphosis, transfiguration, moving on, the need to let go, an inevitable ending, the natural cycle of life and death, courage to face the unknown.

Keywords (-): Refusal to let go, stagnation, decay, procrastination, failing to sprout, clinging unproductively to the past, resisting necessary change, fear of the unknown.

Death Upright

When upright, the Death trump signals a period of significant change and transformation. A new seed is sprouting in your life. One chapter is ending and another beginning. This necessary process should not be denied or avoided. The major theme of this card is “out with the old to make way for the new.” Have courage to face the unknown because new life awaits you. Keep in mind the biblical admonition: “Except a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone: but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit” (John 12:24, KJV).

Death Reversed

When reversed, the Death card suggests that you may be avoiding necessary change and transition. Clinging to the past is not productive in the long run. Aspects of your life that are stagnant or outworn must be discarded so that new growth can take place. Are you creating conditions inimical to the sprouting of new seeds in your life? If so, now is the time to summon the courage to face the unknown.

14. Temperance: Artful Blending and Reconciliation

Key XIV: Temperance (Art)

Astrology: Sagittarius, the centaur archer (a Fire sign ruled by Jupiter)

Dates of Sagittarius: 22 November–21 December (tropical); 16 December–14 January (sidereal).

Numerology: 5 (Hierophant) = 1 + 4 (Temperance)

Element: Fire

Hebrew letter: Samech or Samekh (a sharp thorn, or a hand on a staff; a Hebrew word meaning a protective shield, a support or foundation; also to pierce, hold up, sustain, prop, lean upon, grab, hate, or protect). Samekh also refers to the ritual laying-on of hands in animal sacrifice and in the ordination (consecration) of priests.

Myths/Archetypes: The Centaur. The Alchemist. The Hermaphrodite. The Transsexual. The Creator. The Artist. The Healer. The Inventor. Hegel’s dialectic.

Mathers (1888): Combination, conformation, uniting; (R) ill-advised combinations, disunion, clashing interests.

Waite (1911): Economy, moderation, frugality, management, accommodation; (R) things connected with churches, religions, sects, the priesthood, sometimes even the priest who will marry the querent; also disunion, unfortunate combinations, competing interests.

Golden Dawn: Combined forces, action, material realization.

Keywords (+): Temperance, moderation, consecration, self-control, right proportion, healing, ability to cope, reconciliation of competing impulses, balancing different needs, discretion, mutual respect, composure, tempering, proportionality, right mixture, proper measure, resolution, union of opposites, harmonizing conflicting viewpoints, balancing contrary forces, artful combination, the golden mean, the middle way, creative resolution, artful blending of contrarieties, ability to negotiate.

Keywords (-): Immoderation, conflict, incompatibility, excess, imbalance, impatience, going to extremes, lack of self-control, indecision, clashing interests, inconsiderate demands, inability to reconcile opposing forces, irreconcilable differences, all or nothing thinking; “it’s my way or the highway.”

Temperance Upright

When upright, the Temperance trump suggests that you are dealing with a situation involving the reconciliation of opposites within yourself. Like the alchemists of old, you are trying to convert a base metal into gold. You are called upon to act with moderation and exercise the virtue of temperance. With persistent effort you will be able to blend competing forces harmoniously to create something of greater value. The Renaissance artists who created this image were no doubt inspired by the mixing of water and wine in the Catholic Mass during which the priest prays: “Through the mystery of this water and wine, may we partake in the divine nature of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity.”

Temperance Reversed

When reversed, the Temperance card implies that you are having difficulty finding a golden mean. Confronted by contradictory impulses, you feel at a loss about how to strike an artful balance. You are tempted to go to extremes rather than seek a middle ground of reconciliation. Ponder the words of the philosopher: “Moderation in all things, including moderation.” As Abraham Lincoln cautioned, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

15. The Devil: A Twisted View of the World

Key XV: The Devil (the god Pan)

Astrology: Capricorn, the Mountain or Sea Goat (an Earth sign ruled by Saturn)

Dates of Capricorn: 21 December–19 January (tropical); 14 January–12 February (sidereal)

Element: Earth

Numerology: 6 (Lovers) = 1 + 5 (Devil)

Hebrew letters: Ayin (an eye; a Hebrew word meaning to see, watch, experience, know; also primeval light, shade, a spring or fountain, as an eye producing purifying tears in response to pain or grief). In the Bible, Lucifer’s name means “bringer of light.” The letter Ghah is also associated with the Devil card. According to Jeff Benner, the twenty-third letter of the ancient Hebrew alphabet, Ghah (“a twisted rope”), was absorbed into the modern letter Ayin. 38 Ghah means “twisted,” “dark,” or “wicked,” and refers to goats because of their twisted horns. In modern slang, “horny” has come to mean lustful or sexually preoccupied. Perhaps the combination Ayin Ghah associated with this card suggests adopting a twisted view of the world. Coincidentally, Capricorn—the goat of astrology—is assigned to the Devil trump.

Myths/Archetypes: Pan, the sex-crazed goat-legged god of the shepherds. Bacchanalia. Adam and Eve. Baphomet. Cernunnos. Lucifer. Faust. King Midas. Alexander the Great. Beelzebub, Lord of the Flies. The religiously obsessed suicide bomber.

Mathers (1888): Fatality for good; (R) fatality for evil.

Waite (1911): Ravage, violence, vehemence, extraordinary efforts, force, fatality; that which is predestined but is not for this reason evil; (R) evil fatality, weakness, pettiness, blindness.

Golden Dawn: Materialism, obsession, material force, material temptation (the qualities of obsession and carnal temptation are enhanced by the presence of the Lovers trump).

Keywords (+): Loosening the ties that bind, breaking free of rigid morality, enjoyable material attachments, making healthy choices, having fun, enjoying sex, confronting temptation, delighting in what gives you pleasure, adopting a spiritual perspective, confronting one’s inner demons, casting off the chains of religious dogmatism, leading the life that you desire, intense devotion to a worldly ambition.

Keywords (-): Bondage, obsession, entrapment, material temptation, oppression, imbalance, dishonesty, twisted thinking, ignorance, rigid morality, enslavement to religion, confining beliefs, codependency, addiction, self-deception, excessive materialism, unhealthy attachments, lust for power, overindulgence, wild abandon, horniness, sexual perversion, wickedness, secret scheming, going to extremes, self-imposed restrictions, religious fanaticism, no way out, fear of the unknown, one’s shadow self.

The Devil Upright

When upright, the Devil suggests that you have an opportunity to pursue activities that provide intense pleasure and satisfaction. This card often appears when we are contemplating a project requiring an almost obsessional devotion to achieve a material ambition. The Devil cautions us to maintain balance in our lives as we eagerly pursue this goal and not to allow excessive attachment to material temptations to lead us astray.

Unfortunately, the Devil card has become linked to views of dour theologians who believe that bodily pleasure is sinful in the eyes of the deity who ironically created the human body with all its capacity for enjoyment. The Devil card teaches us that seeking pleasure in life is perfectly acceptable, so long as it is done with moderation (which is why Temperance, card XIV, precedes card XV, the Devil). When this card appears in a reading, it’s time to lighten up and delight in activities that you may have avoided because of a rigid sense of obligation or morality. The Devil whispers in your ear: “If it feels good, do it.” Thus, if there is a cherished worldly ambition you have held back from pursing, now is the time to go for it. The Devil simply cautions you to maintain a spiritual perspective so that you can avoid becoming ensnared by your material ambitions and adopt a twisted view of the world. Along these lines, a recent survey of a thousand parents in the UK found that despite the popular notion that money, professional success, and material possessions are essential for a happy life, 95 percent of them stated that the key to happiness lies in “spending quality family time together.” 39

The Devil Reversed

When reversed, the Devil card suggests that you may have gone too far in pursuing pleasures and sensual delights. Imbalance and extremes of behavior may be causing difficulties. Obsessive devotion to any type of materialistic goal or corporeal pleasure is a form of bondage and entrapment. Sometimes things that feel good aren’t good for us. An important feature of the image on the Devil trump is that the chains are easily removed once you realize they are present. Otherwise you end up echoing the words of Oscar Wilde: “I can resist anything except temptation.”

16. The Tower: Sudden Enlightenment

Key XVI: The Tower

Astrology: Mars, the god of wars, bloodshed, destruction. (Mars rules Aries and Scorpio)

Numerology: 7 (Chariot) = 1 + 6 (The Tower)

Element: Fire

Hebrew letter: Pey or Pe (an open mouth; a Hebrew word meaning mouth, word, vocalization, speech, or the edge of something; also, to speak, blow, or scatter).

Myths/Archetypes: The Tower of Babel. Thor, the Norse god of lightning. Zeus of the thunderbolt. Buddha under the Bodhi Tree. Hades abducting Persephone.

Mathers (1888): Ruin, disruption, over-throw, loss, bankruptcy; (R) these in a more or less partial degree.

Waite (1911): Misery, distress, indigence, adversity, calamity, disgrace, deception, ruin. It is a card in particular of unforeseen catastrophe; (R) according to one account, the same in a lesser degree; also oppression, imprisonment, tyranny.

Golden Dawn: Courage, ambition, fighting, war (attributes of the planet Mars); when accompanied by stressful cards, destruction, ruin, danger, defeat.

Keywords (+): A bolt from the blue, a sudden revelation, abrupt changes, unexpected news that seizes your attention, disruption, overthrow, upheaval, forced change, a call to action, unanticipated events, sudden enlightenment, liberation from limiting structures, purgation, an opportunity for new growth, purification, the need to act before it is too late.

Keywords (-): Sudden upset, breakdown, crisis, ruin, catastrophe, shock, disturbing news, overthrow, destruction, elimination, trauma, defeat, distressing change, being left speechless.

Tower Upright

When upright, the Tower suggests that you need to critically evaluate the structures that are confining you or limiting your life. If you don’t do so voluntarily, the universe will find a way to force change upon you. Longstanding routines that have been hindering your progress need to be abandoned. Unanticipated changes may at first appear traumatic but in the long run can open the door to renewal. There’s an old adage that says every crisis presents an opportunity. Unexpected and sometimes drastic alterations in one’s life course are often accompanied by sudden and profound insights into the nature of one’s reality and belief system. Concretely, such events may include separation, divorce, job loss, school failure, financial setbacks, an upsetting medical diagnosis, and so on.

Tower Reversed

When reversed, the Tower implies that you may be avoiding necessary change or failing to learn from a traumatic situation. We cannot avoid the fact that bad things happen to good people, but we can take advantage of the opportunity to grow in wisdom from whatever we experience in our lives. Consider the parable of the house built on sand: “ … a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand, and the rain descends, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon the house and it fell: and great was the fall of it” (Matthew 7:26–27, KJV). In what ways have you built your house on sand?

17. The Star: A Glimmer of Hope

Key XVII: The Star

Astrology: Aquarius, the Water Bearer (an Air sign ruled by Saturn and Uranus)

Dates of Aquarius: 20 January–17 February (tropical); 13 February–13 March (sidereal)

Element: Air

Hebrew letter: Tsadhe, Tsade, Tzaddi, or Tsadiq (a trail leading to a destination, or a figure lying on its side; a Hebrew word meaning a stronghold built on the side of a mountain; also a journey, desire, need; to chase, hunt, catch, or capture; just or righteous). The Star of Bethlehem provided a trail that led the Magi to the birthplace of Jesus. The Hebrew letter is also said to resemble a fishing hook. Aleister Crowley pairs the Star with the letter He, which the Golden Dawn, in contrast, associates with the Emperor.

Myths/Archetypes: The Star of Bethlehem. The Fairy Godmother. The Egyptian sky goddess Nuit (aka Nut, Neuth, Newet). Aquarius, the Water Bearer.

Mathers (1888): Hope, expectation, bright promises; (R) hopes not fulfilled, expectations disappointed or fulfilled in a minor degree.

Waite (1911): Loss, theft, privation, abandonment; another reading say: hope and bright prospects; (R) arrogance, haughtiness, impotence.

Golden Dawn: Faith, hope, help coming from unexpected sources; when ill-dignified, false hopes, dreaminess.

Keywords (+): Hope, support, bright prospects, a guiding light, a trail leading to a destination, faith in a better future, inspiration, clarity, peace, tranquility, the possibility of improvement, opportunity for renewal, following a righteous path, the light at the end of the tunnel.

Keywords (-): Loss of hope, pessimism, expectations not met, neglected opportunities, lack of trust in the future, refusal to accept helpful guidance.

The Star Upright

When upright, the Star trump offers hope and support after the disruption of the Tower card. You are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. You have located a trail leading to your destination. There is a promise of peace and tranquility if you continue on your current path. Help may materialize from unexpected sources. You can proceed with faith that the future holds brighter prospects. As Marcus Tullius Cicero said some two thousand years ago, “Where there is life, there is hope.”

The Star Reversed

When reversed, the Star card suggests that you are not feeling hopeful about a positive outcome. You may be suffering a crisis of faith or feeling beset by doubts that things will not work out in the end. Now is a time to assess your situation realistically and banish any false hopes or expectations based on illusion. Are you able to see the glass only as being half empty? Are you unable to recognize the guiding trail beneath your feet? Keep in mind the moral of Aesop’s fable: the gods help those who help themselves.

18. The Moon: Things That Go Bump in the Night

Key XVIII: The Moon

Astrology: Pisces, the Fishes (a Water sign ruled by Jupiter and Neptune)

Dates of Pisces: 18 February–19 March (tropical); 14 March–13 April (sidereal)

Element: Water

Numerology: 9 (The Hermit) = 1 + 8 (The Moon)

Hebrew letter: Quph or Qoph (the sun on the horizon; a Hebrew word meaning the sun, revolution, a compass, circuit, cycle, circular motion, going around, behind, the back of the head, horizon, a revolution of the sun, time, or to condense). The moon is known for its dark side (back of the head) hidden from our earthly viewpoint and for its phases that resonate with natural cycles on earth.

Myths/Archetypes: The Moon Goddess. Hecate, gatekeeper between the worlds and the Queen of the Night. Diana, goddess of the moon, birthing, and the hunt.

Mathers (1888): Twilight, deception, error; (R) fluctuation, slight deceptions, trifling mistakes.

Waite (1911): Hidden enemies, danger, calumny, darkness, terror, deception, occult forces, error; (R) instability, inconstancy, silence, lesser degrees of deception and error.

Golden Dawn: Voluntary change (as opposed to the involuntary change of the Death card), dissatisfaction; when ill-dignified the Moon may signify deception, error, falsehood.

Keywords (+): Illusion, mystery, haziness, unseen influences, intuitive knowledge, things are not what they seem; voluntary change, phases, cycles, dreams, imagination, psychic awareness, unconscious knowledge, introspection, gut instincts, the menstrual cycle, facing one’s fears.

Keywords (-): Confusion, deception, error, disillusionment, lack of clarity, unreality, nebulous thinking, apprehension, fearing the worst, misunderstanding, darkness, loneliness, bad dreams, depression, insecurity, hidden enemies, ambiguity, instability, intoxication, substance abuse, the dark side, fluctuating circumstances, failure to keep promises, concerns about women’s health; things that go bump in the night.

The Moon Upright

When upright, the Moon suggests that circumstances may be elusive, unclear, confusing, fluctuating, or unsteady at this time. The Moon has a dark side, always hidden from human view. Individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol can cause problems. Important information may have been misunderstood or may not yet be within your grasp. Unseen influences may be at work, and matters are likely to look different in the light of day. You may be in one phase of a cycle, and only with the passage of time will the next phase reveal itself. Don’t jump to conclusions or act on impulse. Be sure you have accurate and verifiable information before making a major decision.

The Moon Reversed

When reversed, the Moon can indicate that you are about to emerge from a period of confusion or uncertainty. Many readers regard the inverted Moon card as posing milder problems than the card upright. Sometimes the reversed Moon appears when a female querent is facing gynecological difficulties.

19. The Sun: A Ray of Sunshine

Key XIX: The Sun

Astrology: the Sun (ruler of the Fire sign Leo)

Element: Fire

Hebrew letter: Resh (a man’s head; a Hebrew word meaning a person, chief, leader, head, captain, that which comes first, summit, top, or beginning). The sun comes first in our solar system; without the sun’s rays we would not exist. The Hebrew letter Resh is associated with the sun and refers to a man’s head facing you. In contrast, the Hebrew letter Qoph associated with the moon refers to the back of the head.

Numerology: 1 (Magician) = 1 + 0 (Wheel of Fortune) = 1 + 9 (the Sun)

Myths/Archetypes: The Egyptian god Amun-Ra. The Sun god. Apollo. Logos.

Mathers (1888): Happiness, contentment, joy; (R) these in a minor degree.

Waite (1911): Material happiness, fortunate marriage, contentment; (R) the same in a lesser sense.

Golden Dawn: Gain, riches, honor, glory, arrogance, display, vanity (the latter connotations apply only when the Sun is accompanied by negative cards).

Keywords (+): Success, attainment, optimism, illumination, joy, ovation, recognition, vitality, achievement, good health, sunshine, healing, positive energy, youthful vigor, warmth, happiness, contentment, clear vision, consciousness, daylight, the bright side, brilliance, exultation, clarity, radiance, lucidity, transparency, enlightenment, childlike delight, justice tempered with mercy; “a good deed in a weary world.”

Keywords (-): A lesser degree of the above; also pride, smugness, vanity, egotism, arrogance, unrealistic ambitions, megalomania, delayed success, lack of appreciation.

The Sun Upright

When upright, the Sun is a positive card that typically symbolizes a period of success, achievement, recognition, warmth, happiness, popularity, and contentment. Health improves and personal relationships prosper. Work situations and new ventures go well. Because of the Sun’s connection with Leo and the fifth house of the natural zodiac, modern astrologers believe that this card can also signify romance, marriage, creative self-expression, the birth of children, or other matters related to offspring. Now is a time of clarity, illumination, and enlightenment. Ponder the words of the bard: “How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world” (William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, 1600).

The Sun Reversed

When reversed, the Sun is still a positive card but presumably to a lesser degree. It may be that something is blocking you from fully experiencing the joy and clarity that is possible at this time. Perhaps your inflated ego is getting in the way; excessive pride is one of the faults of the sign Leo. You may not get the standing ovation you were hoping for.

20. Judgment: What Goes Around, Comes Around

Key XX: Judgment (Aeon)

Astrology: Fire (Pluto in some modern decks). Both the element Fire and the dwarf planet Pluto are associated with purgation, renewal, and purification.

Element: Fire

Numerology: 2 (High Priestess) = 1 + 1 (Justice or Strength) = 2 + 0 (Judgment)

Hebrew letter: Shin or Sin (the two front teeth, ivory; a Hebrew word meaning tooth, sharp; also to sharpen, press, eat, consume, destroy, to sharpen a blade, to say sharp words, to sharpen one’s mind; two of something, both, second). The letter Shin’s appearance in the lex talionis probably accounts for its association with the Last Judgment: “ … an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth … ”

Myths/Archetypes: The Last Judgment. The Angel of Resurrection. The Avenging Angel. The phoenix rising from its ashes. Persephone being rescued from the underworld. The Tooth Fairy.

Mathers (1888): Renewal, result, determination of a matter; (R) postponement of result, delay, a matter reopened later.

Waite (1911): Change of position, renewal, outcome; another account specifies total loss though lawsuit; (R) weakness, pusillanimity, simplicity; also deliberation, decision, sentence.

Golden Dawn: A judgment, sentence, final decision.

Keywords (+): A calling, awakening from slumber, a new era, judging and being judged, re-assessment, judgment day, reanimation, someone clamoring for your attention, stepping into a new life, a final reckoning, rebirth, resurrection, renewal, a last chance, release from the underworld, being reenergized, rising from the dead, forgiveness, entering another phase of existence, rising from one’s ashes, rescue, starting anew, a clean slate.

Keywords (-): Sentencing, not heeding a call, self-recrimination, worry, regret, delay, shame, remorse, stagnation, isolation, bad karma, condemnation, vengeance, a negative judgment, clinging to old ways, remaining stuck in the past, postponing a matter until it’s too late, an unsatisfactory ending, failure to rise from one’s ashes; an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

Judgment Upright

When upright, the Judgment card’s trumpet awakens you to a new phase of existence. Perhaps you are entering a period of rebirth and transformation that will require you to make an important decision. Having heard the call, are you ready to make the necessary changes and set out on the path of rejuvenation and renewal? Redemption requires the acceptance of responsibility for past behavior and a commitment to do things better next time.

Judgment Reversed

When reversed, the Judgment card suggests that you may not be heeding the call to wake up and change the direction of your life. If you reject this opportunity to become reanimated, you may end up stagnating and feel stuck in a rut. Perhaps your reluctance is due to fear of change, a sense of regret, or feelings of self-recrimination. Ponder the biblical verse: “Except a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone: but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit” (John 12:24, King James 2000 Version).

21. The World: Paradise Regained

Key XXI: The World (the Universe)

Astrology: Saturn, the outermost visible planet. (Saturn rules Capricorn and Aquarius.) The four figures surrounding the central wreath in this card represent the four fixed signs of the zodiac: Taurus the bull, Leo the lion, Scorpio the scorpion and eagle, Aquarius the water bearer.

Element: Earth

Numerology: 3 (Empress) = 1 + 2 (Hanged Man) = 2 + 1 (the World)

Hebrew letter: Tav, Tau, or Taw (two sticks laid out in the shape of an X or the sign of a cross to mark a location; a Hebrew word meaning a cross, sign, scribble, limit, mark, signal, boundary, monument, covenant, or signature). This card marks the end of the Fool’s journey: X marks the spot. The sign of the cross is also an important symbol in Christianity. A cross divides space into four quarters, symbolic of the four elements and the four fixed signs of the zodiac, which are depicted on the World card.

Myths/Archetypes: The Second Coming. The New Jerusalem. The Garden of Eden. Paradise Regained. The Sign of the Cross.

Mathers (1888): Completion, good reward; (R) evil reward, or recompense.

Waite (1911): Assured success, recompense, voyage, route, emigration, flight, change of place; (R) inertia, fixity, stagnation, permanence.

Golden Dawn: Synthesis, world, kingdom; the matter inquired about, hence what the World signifies will depend largely on the accompanying cards.

Keywords (+): Culmination, wholeness, completion, the end of the road, “X marks the spot,” a successful outcome, fulfillment, reward, promotion, opportunity, a clearly defined goal, a trip, one’s destiny, going for the gold, reaching one’s destination, knowing your limits, paradise regained, a journey to a desired location, return to the Source.

Keywords (-): Lack of commitment, failure to pursue one’s dream, aimlessness, stagnation, not establishing a goal, an unattainable ambition, weak boundaries, paradise lost.

I, who e’re while the happy Garden sung
By one man’s disobedience lost, now sing
Recovered Paradise to all mankind,
By one man’s firm obedience fully tried
Through all temptation, and the Tempter foiled
In all his wiles, defeated and repulsed,
And Eden raised in the vast Wilderness.
(John Milton, Paradise Regained, 1671)

The World Upright

When upright, the World card highlights an important goal or destination in your life. You may be approaching the completion of a significant ambition or perhaps you are about to embark on a journey to achieve a cherished desire. In any case, you are dealing with a major stage in your development, and you will need all the resources at your disposal to bring matters to a successful conclusion. Just as Saturn, the last planet visible to the naked eye, marks the outermost visible boundary of the solar system, the World trump marks the end of the Fool’s journey toward enlightenment. Arriving at this card is a sign of completion, enlightenment, and success. You are returning to the Garden of Eden.

The World Reversed

When reversed, the World card suggests that you are somehow hindered or delayed in your journey toward an important destination. Perhaps you are unaware of your own limits and have failed to set realistic goals. You need to examine and confront what is holding you back so that you can resume your forward movement. Will your current attitude or behavior result in expulsion from the Garden of Eden?

[contents]

29. Helen Farley, A Cultural History of Tarot: From Entertainment to Esotericism (London: I.B. Tauris, 2009), 114.

30. The website of this center is at www.ancient-hebrew.org/3_al.html.

31. The keywords presented here are my translation of a representative sample from Etteilla’s Dictionnaire synonymique du Livre de Thot (Paris, 1791) and l’Astrologie du Livre de Thot (Paris, 1785) published by Guy Trédaniel, editor, with commentary by Jacques Halbronn (Paris, 1990).

32. Mather’s public domain text is available as a Kindle e-book from Amazon Digital Services (ASIN: B004IE9Z14) and online at sacred-texts.com: http://www.sacred-texts.com/tarot/mathers/.

33. Waite’s The Pictorial Key to the Tarot is in the public domain and available as a Kindle eBook from Amazon Digital Services (ASIN: B00L18UZG4).

34. The meanings presented here are a paraphrase of a representative sample of keywords from Crowley’s The Book of Thoth (San Francisco: Weiser Books, 2008) and Regardie’s The Golden Dawn, 6th ed. (St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1989).

35. The meanings of Hebrew letters are based on the research of the Ancient Hebrew Research Center at www.ancient-hebrew.org/3_al.html, accessed 10 November 2014.

36. Albert Einstein, “Preface” to Max Planck’s Where is Science Going?, translated and edited by George Murphy (London: George Allen & Unwin, Ltd., 1933).

37. “Karl Marx—A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right” in the Deutsch-Französische Jahrbücher, published in Paris on 7 and 10 of February, 1844. Source: www.age-of-the-sage.org/quotations/marx_opium_people.html

38. Jeff A. Benner, “Ghah,” Ancient Hebrew Research Center, www.ancient-hebrew.org/3_ghah.html, accessed 17 November 2014.

39. Deni Kirkova, “What’s the Ultimate Modern Luxury?” in Daily Mail, 21 May 2013, www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2328597/Spending-quality-time-family-beats-material-possessions-holidays-new-happiness-poll.html, accessed 10 May 2015.