| § 6 THE ART OF TAROT DIVINATION |
We come now to the final and practical part of this division of our subject, being the way to consult and obtain oracles by
means of Tarot cards. The modes of operation are rather numerous, and some of them are exceedingly involved. I set
aside those last mentioned, because persons who are versed in such questions believe that the way of simplicity is the
way of truth. I set aside also the operations which have been republished recently in that section of The Tarot of the
Bohemians which is entitled "The Divining Tarot"; it may be recommended at its proper value to readers who wish to go
further than the limits of this handbook. I offer in the first place a short process which has been used privately for many
years past in England, Scotland and Ireland. I do not think that it has been published--certainly not in connexion with
Tarot cards; I believe that it will serve all purposes, but I will add by way of variation-in the second place what used to be
known in France as the Oracles of Julia Orsini.
means of Tarot cards. The modes of operation are rather numerous, and some of them are exceedingly involved. I set
aside those last mentioned, because persons who are versed in such questions believe that the way of simplicity is the
way of truth. I set aside also the operations which have been republished recently in that section of The Tarot of the
Bohemians which is entitled "The Divining Tarot"; it may be recommended at its proper value to readers who wish to go
further than the limits of this handbook. I offer in the first place a short process which has been used privately for many
years past in England, Scotland and Ireland. I do not think that it has been published--certainly not in connexion with
Tarot cards; I believe that it will serve all purposes, but I will add by way of variation-in the second place what used to be
known in France as the Oracles of Julia Orsini.
This mode of divination is the most suitable for obtaining an answer to a definite question. The Diviner first selects a
card to represent the person or, matter about which inquiry is made. This card is called the Significator. Should he wish
to ascertain something in connexion with himself he takes the one which corresponds to his personal description. A
Knight should be chosen as the Significator if the subject of inquiry is a man of forty years old and upward; a King
should be chosen for any male who is under that age a Queen for a woman who is over forty years and a Page for any
female of less age.
The four Court Cards in Wands represent very fair people, with yellow or auburn hair, fair complexion and blue eyes.
The Court Cards in Cups signify people with light brown or dull fair hair and grey or blue eyes. Those in Swords stand
for people having hazel or grey eyes, dark brown hair and dull complexion. Lastly, the Court Cards in Pentacles are
referred to persons with very dark brown or black hair, dark eyes and sallow or swarthy complexions. These allocations
are subject, however, to the following reserve, which will prevent them being taken too conventionally. You can be
guided on occasion by the known temperament of a person; one who is exceedingly dark may be very energetic, and
would be better represented by a Sword card than a Pentacle. On the other hand, a very fair subject who is indolent and
lethargic should be referred to Cups rather than to Wands.
If it is more convenient for the purpose of a divination to take as the Significator the matter about which inquiry is to be
made, that Trump or small card should be selected which has a meaning corresponding to the matter. Let it be
supposed that the question is: Will a lawsuit be necessary? In this case, take the Trump No. 11, or justice, as the
Significator. This has reference to legal affairs. But if the question is: Shall I be successful in my lawsuit? one of the
Court Cards must be chosen as the Significator. Subsequently, consecutive divinations may be performed to ascertain
the course of the process itself and its result to each of the parties concerned.
Having selected the Significator, place it on the table, face upwards. Then shuffle and cut the rest of the pack three
times, keeping the faces of the cards downwards.
Turn up the top or FIRST CARD of the pack; cover the Significator with it, and say: This covers him. This card gives the
influence which is affecting the person or matter of inquiry generally, the atmosphere of it in which the other currents
work.
Turn up the SECOND CARD and lay it across the FIRST, saying: This crosses him. It shews the nature of the obstacles
in the matter. If it is a favourable card, the opposing forces will not be serious, or it may indicate that something good in
itself will not be productive of good in the particular connexion.
Turn up the THIRD CARD; place it above the Significator, and say: This crowns him. It represents (a) the Querent's aim
or ideal in the matter; (b) the best that can be achieved under the circumstances, but that which has not yet been made
actual.
Turn up the FOURTH CARD; place it below the Significator, and say: This is beneath him. It shews the foundation or
basis of the matter, that which has already passed into actuality and which the Significator has made his own.
Turn up the FIFTH CARD; place it on the side of the Significator from which he is looking, and say: This is behind him. It
gives the influence that is just passed, or is now passing away.
N.B.--If the Significator is a Trump or any small card that cannot be said to face either way, the Diviner must decide
before beginning the operation which side he will take it as facing.
Turn up the SIXTH CARD; place it on the side that the Significator is facing, and say: This is before him. It shews the
influence that is coming into action and will operate in the near future.
The cards are now disposed in the form of a cross, the Significator--covered by the First Card--being in the centre.
The next four cards are turned up in succession and placed one above the other in a line, on the right hand side of the
cross.
The first of these, or the SEVENTH CARD of the operation, signifies himself--that is, the Significator--whether person or
thing-and shews its position or attitude in the circumstances.
The EIGHTH CARD signifies his house, that is, his environment and the tendencies at work therein which have an effect
on the matter--for instance, his position in life, the influence of immediate friends, and so forth.
The NINTH CARD gives his hopes or fears in the matter.
The TENTH is what will come, the final result, the culmination which is brought about by the influences shewn by the
other cards that have been turned up in the divination.
It is on this card that the Diviner should especially concentrate his intuitive faculties and his memory in respect of the
official divinatory meanings attached thereto. It should embody whatsoever you may have divined from the other cards
on the table, including the Significator itself and concerning him or it, not excepting such lights upon higher significance
as might fall like sparks from heaven if the card which serves for the oracle, the card for reading, should happen to be a
Trump Major.
The operation is now completed; but should it happen that the last card is of a dubious nature, from which no final
decision can be drawn, or which does not appear to indicate the ultimate conclusion of the affair, it may be well to repeat
the operation, taking in this case the Tenth Card as the Significator, instead of the one previously used. The pack must
be again shuffled and cut three times and the first ten cards laid out as before. By this a more detailed account of "What
will come" may be obtained.
If in any divination the Tenth Card should be a Court Card, it shews that the subject of the divination falls ultimately into
the hands of a person represented by that card, and its end depends mainly on him. In this event also it is useful to take
the Court Card in question as the Significator in a fresh operation, and discover what is the nature of his influence in the
matter and to what issue he will bring it.
Great facility may be obtained by this method in a comparatively short time, allowance being always made for the gifts of
the operator-that is to say, his faculty of insight, latent or developed-and it has the special advantage of being free from
all complications.
card to represent the person or, matter about which inquiry is made. This card is called the Significator. Should he wish
to ascertain something in connexion with himself he takes the one which corresponds to his personal description. A
Knight should be chosen as the Significator if the subject of inquiry is a man of forty years old and upward; a King
should be chosen for any male who is under that age a Queen for a woman who is over forty years and a Page for any
female of less age.
The four Court Cards in Wands represent very fair people, with yellow or auburn hair, fair complexion and blue eyes.
The Court Cards in Cups signify people with light brown or dull fair hair and grey or blue eyes. Those in Swords stand
for people having hazel or grey eyes, dark brown hair and dull complexion. Lastly, the Court Cards in Pentacles are
referred to persons with very dark brown or black hair, dark eyes and sallow or swarthy complexions. These allocations
are subject, however, to the following reserve, which will prevent them being taken too conventionally. You can be
guided on occasion by the known temperament of a person; one who is exceedingly dark may be very energetic, and
would be better represented by a Sword card than a Pentacle. On the other hand, a very fair subject who is indolent and
lethargic should be referred to Cups rather than to Wands.
If it is more convenient for the purpose of a divination to take as the Significator the matter about which inquiry is to be
made, that Trump or small card should be selected which has a meaning corresponding to the matter. Let it be
supposed that the question is: Will a lawsuit be necessary? In this case, take the Trump No. 11, or justice, as the
Significator. This has reference to legal affairs. But if the question is: Shall I be successful in my lawsuit? one of the
Court Cards must be chosen as the Significator. Subsequently, consecutive divinations may be performed to ascertain
the course of the process itself and its result to each of the parties concerned.
Having selected the Significator, place it on the table, face upwards. Then shuffle and cut the rest of the pack three
times, keeping the faces of the cards downwards.
Turn up the top or FIRST CARD of the pack; cover the Significator with it, and say: This covers him. This card gives the
influence which is affecting the person or matter of inquiry generally, the atmosphere of it in which the other currents
work.
Turn up the SECOND CARD and lay it across the FIRST, saying: This crosses him. It shews the nature of the obstacles
in the matter. If it is a favourable card, the opposing forces will not be serious, or it may indicate that something good in
itself will not be productive of good in the particular connexion.
Turn up the THIRD CARD; place it above the Significator, and say: This crowns him. It represents (a) the Querent's aim
or ideal in the matter; (b) the best that can be achieved under the circumstances, but that which has not yet been made
actual.
Turn up the FOURTH CARD; place it below the Significator, and say: This is beneath him. It shews the foundation or
basis of the matter, that which has already passed into actuality and which the Significator has made his own.
Turn up the FIFTH CARD; place it on the side of the Significator from which he is looking, and say: This is behind him. It
gives the influence that is just passed, or is now passing away.
N.B.--If the Significator is a Trump or any small card that cannot be said to face either way, the Diviner must decide
before beginning the operation which side he will take it as facing.
Turn up the SIXTH CARD; place it on the side that the Significator is facing, and say: This is before him. It shews the
influence that is coming into action and will operate in the near future.
The cards are now disposed in the form of a cross, the Significator--covered by the First Card--being in the centre.
The next four cards are turned up in succession and placed one above the other in a line, on the right hand side of the
cross.
The first of these, or the SEVENTH CARD of the operation, signifies himself--that is, the Significator--whether person or
thing-and shews its position or attitude in the circumstances.
The EIGHTH CARD signifies his house, that is, his environment and the tendencies at work therein which have an effect
on the matter--for instance, his position in life, the influence of immediate friends, and so forth.
The NINTH CARD gives his hopes or fears in the matter.
The TENTH is what will come, the final result, the culmination which is brought about by the influences shewn by the
other cards that have been turned up in the divination.
It is on this card that the Diviner should especially concentrate his intuitive faculties and his memory in respect of the
official divinatory meanings attached thereto. It should embody whatsoever you may have divined from the other cards
on the table, including the Significator itself and concerning him or it, not excepting such lights upon higher significance
as might fall like sparks from heaven if the card which serves for the oracle, the card for reading, should happen to be a
Trump Major.
The operation is now completed; but should it happen that the last card is of a dubious nature, from which no final
decision can be drawn, or which does not appear to indicate the ultimate conclusion of the affair, it may be well to repeat
the operation, taking in this case the Tenth Card as the Significator, instead of the one previously used. The pack must
be again shuffled and cut three times and the first ten cards laid out as before. By this a more detailed account of "What
will come" may be obtained.
If in any divination the Tenth Card should be a Court Card, it shews that the subject of the divination falls ultimately into
the hands of a person represented by that card, and its end depends mainly on him. In this event also it is useful to take
the Court Card in question as the Significator in a fresh operation, and discover what is the nature of his influence in the
matter and to what issue he will bring it.
Great facility may be obtained by this method in a comparatively short time, allowance being always made for the gifts of
the operator-that is to say, his faculty of insight, latent or developed-and it has the special advantage of being free from
all complications.
I here append a diagram of the cards as laid out in this mode of
divination. The Significator is here facing to the left.
The Significator.
1. That covers him
2. What crosses him.
3. What crowns him.
4. What is beneath him.
5. What is behind him.
6. What is before him.
7. Himself.
8. His house.
9. His hopes or fears.
10. What will come.
divination. The Significator is here facing to the left.
The Significator.
1. That covers him
2. What crosses him.
3. What crowns him.
4. What is beneath him.
5. What is behind him.
6. What is before him.
7. Himself.
8. His house.
9. His hopes or fears.
10. What will come.
| § 8 AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF READING THE TAROT CARDS |
Shuffle the entire pack and turn some of the cards round, so as to invert their tops.
Let them be cut by the Querent with his left hand.
Deal out the first forty-two cards in six packets of seven cards each, face upwards, so that the first seven cards form the
first packet, the following seven the second, and so on-as in the following diagram:--
Let them be cut by the Querent with his left hand.
Deal out the first forty-two cards in six packets of seven cards each, face upwards, so that the first seven cards form the
first packet, the following seven the second, and so on-as in the following diagram:--
Take the top card of each packet, shuffle them and lay out from right to left, making a line of seven cards.
Then take up the two next cards from each packet, shuffle and lay them out in two lines under the first line.
Take up the remaining twenty-one cards of the packets, shuffle and lay them out in three lines below the others.
You will thus have six horizontal lines of seven cards each, arranged after the following manner.
Then take up the two next cards from each packet, shuffle and lay them out in two lines under the first line.
Take up the remaining twenty-one cards of the packets, shuffle and lay them out in three lines below the others.
You will thus have six horizontal lines of seven cards each, arranged after the following manner.
In this method, the Querent--if of the male sex--is represented by the Magician, and if female by the High Priestess; but
the card, in either case, is not taken from the pack until the forty-two cards have been laid out, as above directed. If the
required card is not found among those placed upon the table, it must be sought among the remaining thirty-six cards,
which have not been dealt, and should be placed a little distance to the right of the first horizontal line. On the other
hand, if it is among them, it is also taken out, placed as stated, and a card is drawn haphazard from the thirty-six cards
undealt to fill the vacant position, so that there are still forty-two cards laid out on the table.
The cards are then read in succession, from right to left throughout, beginning at card No. 1 of the top line, the last to
be read being that on the extreme left, or No. 7, of the bottom line.
This method is recommended when no definite question is asked-that is, when the Querent wishes to learn generally
concerning the course of his life and destiny. If he wishes to know what may befall within a certain time, this time should
be clearly specified before the cards are shuffled.
With further reference to the reading, it should be remembered that the cards must be interpreted relatively to the
subject, which means that all official and conventional meanings of the cards may and should be adapted to harmonize
with the conditions of this particular case in question--the position, time of life and sex of the Querent, or person for
whom the consultation is made.
Thus, the Fool may indicate the whole range of mental phases between mere excitement and madness, but the
particular phase in each divination must be judged by considering the general trend of the cards, and in this naturally
the intuitive faculty plays an important part.
It is well, at the beginning of a reading, to run through the cards quickly, so that the mind may receive a general
impression of the subject-the trend of the destiny--and afterwards to start again--reading them one by one and
interpreting in detail.
It should be remembered that the Trumps represent more powerful and compelling forces--by the Tarot
hypothesis--than are referable to the small cards.
The value of intuitive and clairvoyant faculties is of course assumed in divination. Where these are naturally present or
have been developed by the Diviner, the fortuitous arrangement of cards forms a link between his mind and the
atmosphere of the subject of divination, and then the rest is simple. Where intuition fails, or is absent, concentration,
intellectual observation and deduction must be used to the fullest extent to obtain a satisfactory result. But intuition,
even if apparently dormant, may be cultivated by practice in these divinatory processes. If in doubt as to the exact
meaning of a card in a particular connexion, the Diviner is recommended, by those who are versed in the matter, to
place his hand on it, try to refrain from thinking of what it ought to be, and note the impressions that arise in his mind. At
the beginning this will probably resolve itself into mere guessing and may prove incorrect, but it becomes possible with
practice to distinguish between a guess of the conscious mind and an impression arising from the mind which is
sub-conscious.
It is not within my province to offer either theoretical or practical suggestions on this subject, in which I have no part, but
the following additamenta have been contributed by one who has more titles to speak than all the cartomancists of
Europe, if they could shuffle with a single pair of hands and divine with one tongue.
the card, in either case, is not taken from the pack until the forty-two cards have been laid out, as above directed. If the
required card is not found among those placed upon the table, it must be sought among the remaining thirty-six cards,
which have not been dealt, and should be placed a little distance to the right of the first horizontal line. On the other
hand, if it is among them, it is also taken out, placed as stated, and a card is drawn haphazard from the thirty-six cards
undealt to fill the vacant position, so that there are still forty-two cards laid out on the table.
The cards are then read in succession, from right to left throughout, beginning at card No. 1 of the top line, the last to
be read being that on the extreme left, or No. 7, of the bottom line.
This method is recommended when no definite question is asked-that is, when the Querent wishes to learn generally
concerning the course of his life and destiny. If he wishes to know what may befall within a certain time, this time should
be clearly specified before the cards are shuffled.
With further reference to the reading, it should be remembered that the cards must be interpreted relatively to the
subject, which means that all official and conventional meanings of the cards may and should be adapted to harmonize
with the conditions of this particular case in question--the position, time of life and sex of the Querent, or person for
whom the consultation is made.
Thus, the Fool may indicate the whole range of mental phases between mere excitement and madness, but the
particular phase in each divination must be judged by considering the general trend of the cards, and in this naturally
the intuitive faculty plays an important part.
It is well, at the beginning of a reading, to run through the cards quickly, so that the mind may receive a general
impression of the subject-the trend of the destiny--and afterwards to start again--reading them one by one and
interpreting in detail.
It should be remembered that the Trumps represent more powerful and compelling forces--by the Tarot
hypothesis--than are referable to the small cards.
The value of intuitive and clairvoyant faculties is of course assumed in divination. Where these are naturally present or
have been developed by the Diviner, the fortuitous arrangement of cards forms a link between his mind and the
atmosphere of the subject of divination, and then the rest is simple. Where intuition fails, or is absent, concentration,
intellectual observation and deduction must be used to the fullest extent to obtain a satisfactory result. But intuition,
even if apparently dormant, may be cultivated by practice in these divinatory processes. If in doubt as to the exact
meaning of a card in a particular connexion, the Diviner is recommended, by those who are versed in the matter, to
place his hand on it, try to refrain from thinking of what it ought to be, and note the impressions that arise in his mind. At
the beginning this will probably resolve itself into mere guessing and may prove incorrect, but it becomes possible with
practice to distinguish between a guess of the conscious mind and an impression arising from the mind which is
sub-conscious.
It is not within my province to offer either theoretical or practical suggestions on this subject, in which I have no part, but
the following additamenta have been contributed by one who has more titles to speak than all the cartomancists of
Europe, if they could shuffle with a single pair of hands and divine with one tongue.
| NOTES ON THE PRACTICE OF DIVINATION |
1. Before beginning the operation, formulate your question definitely, and repeat it aloud.
2. Make your mind as blank as possible while shuffling the cards.
3. Put out of the mind personal bias and preconceived ideas as far as possible, or your judgment will be tinctured
thereby.
4. On this account it is more easy to divine correctly for a stranger than for yourself or a friend.
2. Make your mind as blank as possible while shuffling the cards.
3. Put out of the mind personal bias and preconceived ideas as far as possible, or your judgment will be tinctured
thereby.
4. On this account it is more easy to divine correctly for a stranger than for yourself or a friend.
| § 9 THE METHOD OF READING BY MEANS OF THIRTY-FIVE CARDS |
When the reading is over, according to the scheme set forth in the last method, it may happen-as in the previous
case-that something remains doubtful, or it may be desired to carry the question further, which is done as follows:--
Take up the undealt cards which remain over, not having been used in the first operation with 42 cards. The latter are
set aside in a heap, with the Querent, face upwards, on the top. The thirty-five cards, being shuffled and cut as before,
are divided by dealing into six packets thus:--
Packet I consists of the first SEVEN CARDS
Packet II consists of the SIX CARDS next following in order; Packet III consists of the FIVE CARDS following; Packet IV
contains the next FOUR CARDS; Packet V contains Two CARDS; and Packet VI contains the last ELEVEN CARDS. The
arrangement will then be as follows:--
case-that something remains doubtful, or it may be desired to carry the question further, which is done as follows:--
Take up the undealt cards which remain over, not having been used in the first operation with 42 cards. The latter are
set aside in a heap, with the Querent, face upwards, on the top. The thirty-five cards, being shuffled and cut as before,
are divided by dealing into six packets thus:--
Packet I consists of the first SEVEN CARDS
Packet II consists of the SIX CARDS next following in order; Packet III consists of the FIVE CARDS following; Packet IV
contains the next FOUR CARDS; Packet V contains Two CARDS; and Packet VI contains the last ELEVEN CARDS. The
arrangement will then be as follows:--
Take up these packets successively; deal out the cards which they contain in six lines, which will be necessarily of
unequal length.
THE FIRST LINE stands for the house, the environment and so forth.
THE SECOND LINE stands for the person or subject of the divination.
THE THIRD LINE stands for what is passing outside, events, persons, etc.
THE FOURTH LINE stands for a surprise, the unexpected, etc.
THE FIFTH LINE stands for consolation, and may moderate all that is unfavourable in the preceding lines.
THE SIXTH LINE is that which must be consulted to elucidate the enigmatic oracles of the others; apart from them it has
no importance.
These cards should all be read from left to right, beginning with the uppermost line.
It should be stated in conclusion as to this divinatory part that there is no method of interpreting Tarot cards which is not
applicable to ordinary playing-cards, but the additional court cards, and above all the Trumps Major, are held to
increase the elements and values of the oracles.
And now in conclusion as to the whole matter, I have left for these last words--as if by way of epilogue--one further and
final point. It is the sense in which I regard the Trumps Major as containing Secret Doctrine. I do not here mean that I am
acquainted with orders and fraternities in which such doctrine reposes and is there found to be part of higher Tarot
knowledge. I do not mean that such doctrine, being so preserved and transmitted, can be constructed as imbedded
independently in the Trumps Major. I do not mean that it is something apart from the Tarot. Associations exist which
have special knowledge of both kinds; some of it is deduced from the Tarot and some of it is apart therefrom; in either
case, it is the same in the root-matter. But there are also things in reserve which are not in orders or societies, but are
transmitted after another manner. Apart from all inheritance of this kind, let any one who is a mystic consider separately
and in combination the Magician, the Fool, the High Priestess, the Hierophant, the Empress, the Emperor, the Hanged
Man and the Tower. Let him then consider the card called the Last Judgment. They contain the legend of the soul. The
other Trumps Major are the details and--as one might say--the accidents. Perhaps such a person will begin to
understand what lies far behind these symbols, by whomsoever first invented and however preserved. If he does, he will
see also why I have concerned myself with the subject, even at the risk of writing about divination by cards.
unequal length.
THE FIRST LINE stands for the house, the environment and so forth.
THE SECOND LINE stands for the person or subject of the divination.
THE THIRD LINE stands for what is passing outside, events, persons, etc.
THE FOURTH LINE stands for a surprise, the unexpected, etc.
THE FIFTH LINE stands for consolation, and may moderate all that is unfavourable in the preceding lines.
THE SIXTH LINE is that which must be consulted to elucidate the enigmatic oracles of the others; apart from them it has
no importance.
These cards should all be read from left to right, beginning with the uppermost line.
It should be stated in conclusion as to this divinatory part that there is no method of interpreting Tarot cards which is not
applicable to ordinary playing-cards, but the additional court cards, and above all the Trumps Major, are held to
increase the elements and values of the oracles.
And now in conclusion as to the whole matter, I have left for these last words--as if by way of epilogue--one further and
final point. It is the sense in which I regard the Trumps Major as containing Secret Doctrine. I do not here mean that I am
acquainted with orders and fraternities in which such doctrine reposes and is there found to be part of higher Tarot
knowledge. I do not mean that such doctrine, being so preserved and transmitted, can be constructed as imbedded
independently in the Trumps Major. I do not mean that it is something apart from the Tarot. Associations exist which
have special knowledge of both kinds; some of it is deduced from the Tarot and some of it is apart therefrom; in either
case, it is the same in the root-matter. But there are also things in reserve which are not in orders or societies, but are
transmitted after another manner. Apart from all inheritance of this kind, let any one who is a mystic consider separately
and in combination the Magician, the Fool, the High Priestess, the Hierophant, the Empress, the Emperor, the Hanged
Man and the Tower. Let him then consider the card called the Last Judgment. They contain the legend of the soul. The
other Trumps Major are the details and--as one might say--the accidents. Perhaps such a person will begin to
understand what lies far behind these symbols, by whomsoever first invented and however preserved. If he does, he will
see also why I have concerned myself with the subject, even at the risk of writing about divination by cards.
| § 7 AN ANCIENT CELTIC METHOD OF DIVINATION |
Take up the first packet; lay out the cards on the table in a row, from right to left; place the cards of the second packet
upon them and then the packets which remain. You will thus have seven new packets of six cards each, arranged as
follows--
upon them and then the packets which remain. You will thus have seven new packets of six cards each, arranged as
follows--
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The Pictorial Key To The Tarot: The Art Of Tarot Divination