The following section explores the numbers found in the court cards and their associated meanings. Although this section is short, do not discount the effectiveness of laying groundwork for your readings with the simplicity of connecting to the numbers. Using plants as a metaphor, we explore the numbers as a journey unfolding from seed (Aces) to plant (twos through nines), to flower (tens), to seed again. Tuning into the relationality of numbers on a path opens the door for deeper understanding and insights. When you are giving a reading, it is helpful to note which numbers and in what quanitiy appear in a reading as related to their corresponding suits or elements. You may also observe the connection between the numbers and major arcana cards as a way to set groundwork for the reading. For example, if several sevens appear in a reading, we know that aspects of the querent’s question is shifting, changing, or may be difficult due to the nature of sevens in the tarot system. Comparing this to the Chariot, the number seven of the major arcana, we add the understanding of an energy that is movement, change, forward direction, and a shift from one cycle of seven into the next. If you find several same suit cards but different numbers in a reading, it shows the person is working on one area primarily in their life and are at different developmental levels. Start by practicing your study with one card at a time. Use the numerology ideas presented here and then spend time meditating on your own connection to the numbers to discover more insights.
Aces: The Seed
Aces are the first card of each suit in the tarot and act as a doorway or gateway into the next level of growth and understanding. They are powerful cards and, unlike the rest of the minor arcana, are considered and equal in strength and potency to the major arcana. Within an ace contains all the wisdom and knowledge, gain and loss, power and lessons of an entire suit. Like a seed which contains all the information to grow an entire tree, the ace contains all the information of an entire suit. For example, within the Ace of Disks or Pentacles is contained every disk card from two to ten as well as how it relates to financial issues of gain and loss, material wealth, and its relation to other aspects of our lives in addition to the building up and taking down of structure and form. When all of these are combined together in an ace card, it symbolizes a profound opportunity that is arriving for growth and understanding on the next level.
Aces are a new beginning. It is as if we stepped up and into the next round, or the next act of a play. One act has finished, we have learned and completed those lessons and are ready for the next. Aces come with the awareness that a doorway is opening, but it is ultimately up to us to say yes to that opportunity and move forward.
The ace is huge seed of potent potential. When we receive an ace in our readings, we know that a new opportunity awaits us. This could be a new job offer, a new friendship, a new avenue for learning. In the Waite-Smith deck, the aces are shown as offerings—outstretched hands bear the associated suit symbols. When an Ace appears, it is up to us to take a hold of the opportunity and choose to move forward. When more than one ace appears in a reading, it is a particularly strong indication that a big change is coming that will involve opportunities for growth and learning.
Twos: The Dance
Twos follow the ace, the one. Like the plant that often sprouts into two single leaves, the twos sprout from one. Two enter into duality; here we begin the dance of reflection between self and other. This relationship may appear in the form of ideas sprouting, connections with others, or a need to resolve something with someone else. Because twos are still close to the beginning of the journey, they carry with them the energy of the one, which is embedded in dreamtime. We see this dance in the High Priestess card, in which she has one foot firmly placed in this world and the other in dreamtime, or the world of spirit. In the minor arcana, the twos signify the energy of movement, juggling, dancing, reflecting, seeking an answer, and receiving a message. This card can be negative or positive; it depends more on the surrounding cards.
Threes: Growth
Threes move into the energy of dynamic growth. The sprout of the plant begins to pour more energy into moving upward, toward the sun, toward light. This kind of growth may be physical, as in the Disks, or spiritual growth, as in the Wands or Swords. In most desks, all the threes appear positive and harmonious in general, except for the three of Swords which is one of the most negative and difficult cards of the deck. This reminds us that growth may happen through pain and struggle at times, not simply the wealth of growing money or relationships. Threes are the energy of the third party and the duality is opened up to bring a perspective that allows room for movement, creativity, plans, and deepening connections. The Empress is a three and is shown growing a field of plants, the hint of a child within her, illuminating the serene wisdom and growing beauty of the mother archetype.
Fours: Foundation
From the dynamic growth of the threes we settle into the firm foundation of four. Fours are square and like the foundation of a house, or the sides of a container, they offer structure and a firm base. The four of the Emperor is connected to the father or masculine energy of building, setting structure and rules into place to contain the growth so that it has form and direction. Fours solidify and are also the number of elements/suits found in the deck. When fours are positive, they indicate stability and grounding; when they are negative, they indicate stifled growth and inflexibility. Four also connects to the four directions—east, south west, and north—and thus orient us to our place in life and anchors us firmly in the center of the directional compass.
Fives: Adjustment
After the stability of the fours, we move into the dynamic shifting and changing of the fives. Foundations only last so long before they begin to wear and crumble, inviting change and growth to a situation. Adjustments are needed as unresolved shadow issues are forced to the surface to be integrated and healed in a situation. All the fives are difficult cards in the minors, indicating the tension, loss, and disappointment faced through various struggles and obstacles. Associated with the Hierophant, we are asked to confront what is holding us back from connecting to our spiritual selves. These are complicated cards, but they also offer us a tender and vulnerable look at a situation and what needs to be purified, let go of, changed, and cleared away.
Sixes: Balance
Following the difficult and challenging aspects of the fives, we come into a sense of balance, harmony, and vitality with the sixes. Here, healing and equilibrium are restored after the storm; there is a sense of calm and beauty. Often sixes indicate restoration and sometimes the need to travel or move, as in the case with the wands and swords, that the energy of travel will help to clear, restore, and provide needed nourishment in the situation. Six is connected to the energy of the Lovers and can indicate a blossoming of the heart, connection, joy, and renewal in our lives. Sixes include the four directions as well as above and below, bringing us into a connected awareness of our human selves between earth and sky.
Sevens: Reflection
Sevens are a turning point in the progression; here the energies of the suit begin to reach a maturation level as seen in our relationships, projects, careers, and so on. Sevens indicate a time to rest and reflect, to see what is no longer serving and make clear decisions about how to move forward guided more strongly by our intuition and heart and less from our rational logistical mind. If we haven’t done our work in the fives, the sevens will encourage us to let go or release that which is no longer serving us after we take time and space to reflect. The number seven is connected to the Chariot, which moves forward with energy and vitality but is also guided by the divine forces of will. We must be in alignment to move quickly and surely, and the sevens invite us to find that guidance within.
Eights: Effort
After a pause and some reflection, the eights follow to provide us with the nurturing energy to work, create, stabilize, and heal old wounds and patterns. The energy of the wands and disks is fruitful and restorative, bringing in energy and support for our projects, health, and career. The swords and cups show old wounds rising to the surface but offer the opportunity for healing and transforming the pain for healing these fully, allowing the pain and suffering of our own trauma to be turned into power and love. Connected to both Strength and Justice, eights offer a course-corrective view to bring us relief from the past by transmuting our personal pain and poison into beauty and medicine. Very often our gifts are closely associated with what has hurt us, and the eights provide the stable ground to anchor these into in our lives.
Nines: Integration
Three threes coming together creates the power of nine, the energy of integration. Here the different aspects of ourselves unite holistically offering a deeper view and understanding on the path. In the disks and cups, this is a number of fruition, right effort, flowering, connection, and abundance. In the wands and swords, nines are an intense challenge to grow, change, and move through our pain with even more surrender than the eights. Connected to the Hermit, the nines are an opportunity for incredible soul growth whether that comes in the form of bliss and beauty or pain and burden. Although these seem disparate, the highs and lows of our life are often deeply connected and provide the intricate lessons of soul growth and wisdom.
Tens: Completion
Here, the cycle of the suit comes to completion and one phase ends before the next cycle begins. This is akin to the flowering of a tree in which the beautiful offerings of the flowers are also the precursor to fruits and seeds. Only in the short life and death of the flower can we make way for new buds and growth on the tree. The offering of fruit to the earth and its decay brings the seed into the darkness of beginning the cycle anew. Ten is the Wheel of Fortune, which indicates the turning of the path and the influence of destiny on our journey. Here we have the opportunity to fully surrender, release what no longer serves while also celebrating what has been accomplished, learned, and shared.
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