| PART III The Outer Method of the Oracles |
| § 1 Distinction between the Greater and Lesser Arcana |
In respect of their usual presentation, the bridge between the Greater and Lesser Arcana is supplied by the court
cards--King, Queen, Knight and Squire or Page; but their utter distinction from the Trumps Major is shewn by their
conventional character. Let the reader compare them with symbols like the Fool, the High Priestess, the Hierophant,
or--almost without exception--with any in the previous sequence, and he will discern my meaning. There is no
especial idea connected on the surface with the ordinary court cards; they are a bridge of conventions, which form a
transition to the simple pretexts of the counters and denaries of the numbers following. We seem to have passed
away utterly from the region of higher meanings illustrated by living pictures. There in was a period, however, when
the numbered cards were also pictures, but such devices were sporadic inventions of particular artists and were
either conventional designs of the typical or allegorical kind, distinct from what is understood by symbolism, or they
were illustrations--shall we say?--of manners, customs and periods. They were, in a word, adornments, and as such
they did nothing to raise the significance of the Lesser Arcana to the plane of the Trumps Major; moreover, such
variations are exceedingly few. This notwithstanding, there are vague rumours concerning a higher meaning in the
minor cards, but nothing has so far transpired, even within the sphere of prudence which belongs to the most occult
circles; these, it is true, have certain variants in respect of divinatory values, but I have not heard that in practice they
offer better results. Efforts like those of Papus in The Tarot ol the Bohemians are strenuous and deserving after their
own kind; be, in particular, recognizes the elements of the Divine Immanence in the Trumps Major, and he seeks to
follow them through the long series of the lesser cards, as if these represented filtrations of the World of Grace
through the World of Fortune; but he only produces -an arbitrary scheme of division which he can carry no further,
and he has recourse, of necessity, in the end to a common scheme of divination as the substitute for a title to
existence on the part of the Lesser Arcana. Now, I am practically in the same position; but I shall make no attempt
here to save the situation by drawing on the mystical properties of numbers, as he and others have attempted, I shall
recognize at once that the Trumps Major belong to the divine dealings of philosophy, but all that follows to
fortune-telling, since it has never yet been translated into another language; the course thus adopted will render to
divination, and at need even to gambling, the things that belong to this particular world of skill, and it will set apart for
their proper business those matters that are of another order. In this free introduction to the subject in hand, it is only
necessary to add that the difference between the fifty-six Lesser Arcana and ordinary playing-cards is not only
essentially slight, because the substitution of Cups for Hearts, and so forth, constitutes an accidental variation, but
because the presence of a Knight in each of the four suits was characteristic at one time of many ordinary packs,
when this personage usually replaced the Queen. In the rectified Tarot which illustrates the present handbook, all
numbered cards of the Lesser Arcana--the Aces only excepted--are furnished with figures or pictures to illustrate-but
without exhausting--the divinatory meanings attached thereto.
Some who are gifted with reflective and discerning faculties in more than the ordinary sense--I am not speaking of
clairvoyance may observe that in many of the Lesser Arcana there are vague intimations conveyed by the designs
which seem to exceed the stated divinatory values. It is desirable to avoid misconception by specifying definitely that,
except in rare instances--and then only by accident--the variations are not to be regarded as suggestions of higher
and extradivinatory symbolism. I have said that these Lesser Arcana have not been translated into a language which
transcends that of fortune telling. I should not indeed be disposed to regard them as belonging in their existing forms
to another realm than this; but the field of divinatory possibilities is inexhaustible, by the hypothesis of the art, and the
combined systems of cartomancy have indicated only the bare heads of significance attaching to the emblems in use.
When the pictures in the present case go beyond the conventional meanings they should be taken as hints of
possible developments along the same lines; and this is one of the reasons why the pictorial devices here attached to
the four denaries will prove a great help to intuition. The mere numerical powers and bare words of the meanings are
insufficient by themselves; but the pictures are like doors which open into unexpected chambers, or like a turn in the
open road with a wide prospect beyond.
cards--King, Queen, Knight and Squire or Page; but their utter distinction from the Trumps Major is shewn by their
conventional character. Let the reader compare them with symbols like the Fool, the High Priestess, the Hierophant,
or--almost without exception--with any in the previous sequence, and he will discern my meaning. There is no
especial idea connected on the surface with the ordinary court cards; they are a bridge of conventions, which form a
transition to the simple pretexts of the counters and denaries of the numbers following. We seem to have passed
away utterly from the region of higher meanings illustrated by living pictures. There in was a period, however, when
the numbered cards were also pictures, but such devices were sporadic inventions of particular artists and were
either conventional designs of the typical or allegorical kind, distinct from what is understood by symbolism, or they
were illustrations--shall we say?--of manners, customs and periods. They were, in a word, adornments, and as such
they did nothing to raise the significance of the Lesser Arcana to the plane of the Trumps Major; moreover, such
variations are exceedingly few. This notwithstanding, there are vague rumours concerning a higher meaning in the
minor cards, but nothing has so far transpired, even within the sphere of prudence which belongs to the most occult
circles; these, it is true, have certain variants in respect of divinatory values, but I have not heard that in practice they
offer better results. Efforts like those of Papus in The Tarot ol the Bohemians are strenuous and deserving after their
own kind; be, in particular, recognizes the elements of the Divine Immanence in the Trumps Major, and he seeks to
follow them through the long series of the lesser cards, as if these represented filtrations of the World of Grace
through the World of Fortune; but he only produces -an arbitrary scheme of division which he can carry no further,
and he has recourse, of necessity, in the end to a common scheme of divination as the substitute for a title to
existence on the part of the Lesser Arcana. Now, I am practically in the same position; but I shall make no attempt
here to save the situation by drawing on the mystical properties of numbers, as he and others have attempted, I shall
recognize at once that the Trumps Major belong to the divine dealings of philosophy, but all that follows to
fortune-telling, since it has never yet been translated into another language; the course thus adopted will render to
divination, and at need even to gambling, the things that belong to this particular world of skill, and it will set apart for
their proper business those matters that are of another order. In this free introduction to the subject in hand, it is only
necessary to add that the difference between the fifty-six Lesser Arcana and ordinary playing-cards is not only
essentially slight, because the substitution of Cups for Hearts, and so forth, constitutes an accidental variation, but
because the presence of a Knight in each of the four suits was characteristic at one time of many ordinary packs,
when this personage usually replaced the Queen. In the rectified Tarot which illustrates the present handbook, all
numbered cards of the Lesser Arcana--the Aces only excepted--are furnished with figures or pictures to illustrate-but
without exhausting--the divinatory meanings attached thereto.
Some who are gifted with reflective and discerning faculties in more than the ordinary sense--I am not speaking of
clairvoyance may observe that in many of the Lesser Arcana there are vague intimations conveyed by the designs
which seem to exceed the stated divinatory values. It is desirable to avoid misconception by specifying definitely that,
except in rare instances--and then only by accident--the variations are not to be regarded as suggestions of higher
and extradivinatory symbolism. I have said that these Lesser Arcana have not been translated into a language which
transcends that of fortune telling. I should not indeed be disposed to regard them as belonging in their existing forms
to another realm than this; but the field of divinatory possibilities is inexhaustible, by the hypothesis of the art, and the
combined systems of cartomancy have indicated only the bare heads of significance attaching to the emblems in use.
When the pictures in the present case go beyond the conventional meanings they should be taken as hints of
possible developments along the same lines; and this is one of the reasons why the pictorial devices here attached to
the four denaries will prove a great help to intuition. The mere numerical powers and bare words of the meanings are
insufficient by themselves; but the pictures are like doors which open into unexpected chambers, or like a turn in the
open road with a wide prospect beyond.
| § 2. THE LESSER ARCANA |
Otherwise, the Four Suits of Tarot Cards, will now be described according to their respective classes by the pictures
to each belonging, and a harmony of their meanings will be provided from all sources.
to each belonging, and a harmony of their meanings will be provided from all sources.
| THE SUIT OF WANDS King |
The physical and emotional nature to which this card is
attributed is dark, ardent, lithe, animated, impassioned, noble.
The King uplifts a flowering wand, and wears, like his three
correspondences in the remaining suits, what is called a cap of
maintenance beneath his crown. He connects with the symbol
of the lion, which is emblazoned on the back of his throne.
Divinatory Meanings: Dark man, friendly, countryman, generally
married, honest and conscientious. The card always signifies
honesty, and may mean news concerning an unexpected
heritage to fall in before very long. Reversed: Good, but
severe; austere, yet tolerant.
attributed is dark, ardent, lithe, animated, impassioned, noble.
The King uplifts a flowering wand, and wears, like his three
correspondences in the remaining suits, what is called a cap of
maintenance beneath his crown. He connects with the symbol
of the lion, which is emblazoned on the back of his throne.
Divinatory Meanings: Dark man, friendly, countryman, generally
married, honest and conscientious. The card always signifies
honesty, and may mean news concerning an unexpected
heritage to fall in before very long. Reversed: Good, but
severe; austere, yet tolerant.
| Queen |
The Wands throughout this suit are always in leaf, as it is a suit of
life and animation. Emotionally and otherwise, the Queen's
personality corresponds to that of the King, but is more magnetic.
Divinatory Meanings: A dark woman, countrywoman, friendly,
chaste, loving, honourable. If the card beside her signifies a man,
she is well disposed towards him; if a woman, she is interested in
the Querent. Also, love of money, or a certain success in
business. Reversed: Good, economical, obliging, serviceable.
Signifies also--but in certain positions and in the neighbourhood of
other cards tending in such directions--opposition, jealousy, even
deceit and infidelity.
life and animation. Emotionally and otherwise, the Queen's
personality corresponds to that of the King, but is more magnetic.
Divinatory Meanings: A dark woman, countrywoman, friendly,
chaste, loving, honourable. If the card beside her signifies a man,
she is well disposed towards him; if a woman, she is interested in
the Querent. Also, love of money, or a certain success in
business. Reversed: Good, economical, obliging, serviceable.
Signifies also--but in certain positions and in the neighbourhood of
other cards tending in such directions--opposition, jealousy, even
deceit and infidelity.
| Knight |
He is shewn as if upon a journey, armed with a short wand, and
although mailed is not on a warlike errand. He is passing mounds
or pyramids. The motion of the horse is a key to the character of
its rider, and suggests the precipitate mood, or things connected
therewith. Divinatory Meanings: Departure, absence, flight,
emigration. A dark young man, friendly. Change of residence.
Reversed: Rupture, division, interruption, discord.
although mailed is not on a warlike errand. He is passing mounds
or pyramids. The motion of the horse is a key to the character of
its rider, and suggests the precipitate mood, or things connected
therewith. Divinatory Meanings: Departure, absence, flight,
emigration. A dark young man, friendly. Change of residence.
Reversed: Rupture, division, interruption, discord.
| Page |
In a scene similar to the former, a young man stands in the act of
proclamation. He is unknown but faithful, and his tidings are
strange. Divinatory Meanings: Dark young man, faithful, a lover,
an envoy, a postman. Beside a man, he will bear favourable
testimony concerning him. A dangerous rival, if followed by the
Page of Cups. Has the chief qualities of his suit. He may signify
family intelligence. Reversed: Anecdotes, announcements, evil
news. Also indecision and the instability which accompanies it.
proclamation. He is unknown but faithful, and his tidings are
strange. Divinatory Meanings: Dark young man, faithful, a lover,
an envoy, a postman. Beside a man, he will bear favourable
testimony concerning him. A dangerous rival, if followed by the
Page of Cups. Has the chief qualities of his suit. He may signify
family intelligence. Reversed: Anecdotes, announcements, evil
news. Also indecision and the instability which accompanies it.
| Ten |
A man oppressed by the weight of the ten staves which he is
carrying. Divinatory Meanings: A card of many significances,
and some of the readings cannot be harmonized. I set aside
that which connects it with honour and good faith. The chief
meaning is oppression simply, but it is also fortune, gain, any
kind of success, and then it is the oppression of these things. It
is also a card of false-seeming, disguise, perfidy. The place
which the figure is approaching may suffer from the rods that he
carries. Success is stultified if the Nine of Swords follows, and if
it is a question of a lawsuit, there will be certain loss. Reversed:
Contrarieties, difficulties, intrigues, and their analogies.
carrying. Divinatory Meanings: A card of many significances,
and some of the readings cannot be harmonized. I set aside
that which connects it with honour and good faith. The chief
meaning is oppression simply, but it is also fortune, gain, any
kind of success, and then it is the oppression of these things. It
is also a card of false-seeming, disguise, perfidy. The place
which the figure is approaching may suffer from the rods that he
carries. Success is stultified if the Nine of Swords follows, and if
it is a question of a lawsuit, there will be certain loss. Reversed:
Contrarieties, difficulties, intrigues, and their analogies.
| Nine |
The figure leans upon his staff and has an expectant look, as if
awaiting an enemy. Behind are eight other staves--erect, in
orderly disposition, like a palisade. Divinatory Meanings: The
card signifies strength in opposition. If attacked, the person will
meet an onslaught boldly; and his build shews, that he may
prove a formidable antagonist. With this main significance there
are all its possible adjuncts--delay, suspension, adjournment.
Reversed: Obstacles, adversity, calamity.
awaiting an enemy. Behind are eight other staves--erect, in
orderly disposition, like a palisade. Divinatory Meanings: The
card signifies strength in opposition. If attacked, the person will
meet an onslaught boldly; and his build shews, that he may
prove a formidable antagonist. With this main significance there
are all its possible adjuncts--delay, suspension, adjournment.
Reversed: Obstacles, adversity, calamity.
| Eight |
The card represents motion through the immovable-a flight of
wands through an open country; but they draw to the term of
their course. That which they signify is at hand; it may be even
on the threshold. Divinatory Meanings: Activity in undertakings,
the path of such activity, swiftness, as that of an express
messenger; great haste, great hope, speed towards an end
which promises assured felicity; generally, that which is on the
move; also the arrows of love. Reversed: Arrows of jealousy,
internal dispute, stingings of conscience, quarrels; and
domestic disputes for persons who are married.
wands through an open country; but they draw to the term of
their course. That which they signify is at hand; it may be even
on the threshold. Divinatory Meanings: Activity in undertakings,
the path of such activity, swiftness, as that of an express
messenger; great haste, great hope, speed towards an end
which promises assured felicity; generally, that which is on the
move; also the arrows of love. Reversed: Arrows of jealousy,
internal dispute, stingings of conscience, quarrels; and
domestic disputes for persons who are married.
| Seven |
A young man on a craggy eminence brandishing a staff; six
other staves are raised towards him from below. Divinatory
Meanings: It is a card of valour, for, on the surface, six are
attacking one, who has, however, the vantage position. On the
intellectual plane, it signifies discussion, wordy strife; in
business--negotiations, war of trade, barter, competition. It is
further a card of success, for the combatant is on the top and
his enemies may be unable to reach him. Reversed: Perplexity,
embarrassments, anxiety. It is also a caution against indecision.
other staves are raised towards him from below. Divinatory
Meanings: It is a card of valour, for, on the surface, six are
attacking one, who has, however, the vantage position. On the
intellectual plane, it signifies discussion, wordy strife; in
business--negotiations, war of trade, barter, competition. It is
further a card of success, for the combatant is on the top and
his enemies may be unable to reach him. Reversed: Perplexity,
embarrassments, anxiety. It is also a caution against indecision.
| Six |
A laurelled horseman bears one staff adorned with a laurel
crown; footmen with staves are at his side. Divinatory
Meanings: The card has been so designed that it can cover
several significations; on the surface, it is a victor triumphing,
but it is also great news, such as might be carried in state by
the King's courier; it is expectation crowned with its own desire,
the crown of hope, and so forth. Reversed: Apprehension,
fear, as of a victorious enemy at the gate; treachery, disloyalty,
as of gates being opened to the enemy; also indefinite delay.
crown; footmen with staves are at his side. Divinatory
Meanings: The card has been so designed that it can cover
several significations; on the surface, it is a victor triumphing,
but it is also great news, such as might be carried in state by
the King's courier; it is expectation crowned with its own desire,
the crown of hope, and so forth. Reversed: Apprehension,
fear, as of a victorious enemy at the gate; treachery, disloyalty,
as of gates being opened to the enemy; also indefinite delay.
| Five |
A posse of youths, who are brandishing staves, as if in sport
or strife. It is mimic warfare, and hereto correspond the
Divinatory Meanings: Imitation, as, for example, sham fight,
but also the strenuous competition and struggle of the search
after riches and fortune. In this sense it connects with the
battle of life. Hence some attributions say that it is a card of
gold, gain, opulence. Reversed: Litigation, disputes, trickery,
contradiction.
or strife. It is mimic warfare, and hereto correspond the
Divinatory Meanings: Imitation, as, for example, sham fight,
but also the strenuous competition and struggle of the search
after riches and fortune. In this sense it connects with the
battle of life. Hence some attributions say that it is a card of
gold, gain, opulence. Reversed: Litigation, disputes, trickery,
contradiction.
| Four |
From the four great staves planted in the foreground there is
a great garland suspended; two female figures uplift
nosegays; at their side is a bridge over a moat, leading to an
old manorial house. Divinatory Meanings: They are for once
almost on the surface--country life, haven of refuge, a species
of domestic harvest-home, repose, concord, harmony,
prosperity, peace, and the perfected work of these. Reversed:
The meaning remains unaltered; it is prosperity, increase,
felicity, beauty, embellishment.
a great garland suspended; two female figures uplift
nosegays; at their side is a bridge over a moat, leading to an
old manorial house. Divinatory Meanings: They are for once
almost on the surface--country life, haven of refuge, a species
of domestic harvest-home, repose, concord, harmony,
prosperity, peace, and the perfected work of these. Reversed:
The meaning remains unaltered; it is prosperity, increase,
felicity, beauty, embellishment.
| Three |
A calm, stately personage, with his back turned, looking from a
cliff's edge at ships passing over the sea. Three staves are
planted in the ground, and he leans slightly on one of them.
Divinatory Meanings: He symbolizes established strength,
enterprise, effort, trade, commerce, discovery; those are his
ships, bearing his merchandise, which are sailing over the
sea. The card also signifies able co-operation in business, as
if the successful merchant prince were looking from his side
towards yours with a view to help you. Reversed: The end of
troubles, suspension or cessation of adversity, toil and
disappointment.
cliff's edge at ships passing over the sea. Three staves are
planted in the ground, and he leans slightly on one of them.
Divinatory Meanings: He symbolizes established strength,
enterprise, effort, trade, commerce, discovery; those are his
ships, bearing his merchandise, which are sailing over the
sea. The card also signifies able co-operation in business, as
if the successful merchant prince were looking from his side
towards yours with a view to help you. Reversed: The end of
troubles, suspension or cessation of adversity, toil and
disappointment.
| Two |
A tall man looks from a battlemented roof over sea and
shore; he holds a globe in his right hand, while a staff in his
left rests on the battlement; another is fixed in a ring. The
Rose and Cross and Lily should be noticed on the left side.
Divinatory Meanings: Between the alternative readings there
is no marriage possible; on the one hand, riches, fortune,
magnificence; on the other, physical suffering, disease,
chagrin, sadness, mortification. The design gives one
suggestion; here is a lord overlooking his dominion and
alternately contemplating a globe; it looks like the malady, the
mortification, the sadness of Alexander amidst the grandeur
of this world's wealth. Reversed: Surprise, wonder,
enchantment, emotion, trouble, fear.
shore; he holds a globe in his right hand, while a staff in his
left rests on the battlement; another is fixed in a ring. The
Rose and Cross and Lily should be noticed on the left side.
Divinatory Meanings: Between the alternative readings there
is no marriage possible; on the one hand, riches, fortune,
magnificence; on the other, physical suffering, disease,
chagrin, sadness, mortification. The design gives one
suggestion; here is a lord overlooking his dominion and
alternately contemplating a globe; it looks like the malady, the
mortification, the sadness of Alexander amidst the grandeur
of this world's wealth. Reversed: Surprise, wonder,
enchantment, emotion, trouble, fear.
| Ace |
A hand issuing from a cloud grasps a stout wand or club.
Divinatory Meanings: Creation, invention, enterprise, the
powers which result in these; principle, beginning, source;
birth, family, origin, and in a sense the virility which is behind
them; the starting point of enterprises; according to another
account, money, fortune, inheritance. Reversed: Fall,
decadence, ruin, perdition, to perish also a certain clouded
joy.
Divinatory Meanings: Creation, invention, enterprise, the
powers which result in these; principle, beginning, source;
birth, family, origin, and in a sense the virility which is behind
them; the starting point of enterprises; according to another
account, money, fortune, inheritance. Reversed: Fall,
decadence, ruin, perdition, to perish also a certain clouded
joy.
| GET YOUR OWN beautiful PDF COPY OF all 5 tarot eBOOKs NOW! ONLY $3.99 !!Instant DOWNLOAD!! after your paypal payment complete To get these ebooks USE Buy It now button Below |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Pictorial Key To The Tarot: Part 3