Tree of Life:Tarot
(Revision as of 21:03, 15 Apr 2005)
Categories: Tarot | Tree of Life
Part of the Tree of Life series
| T H E T R E E O F L I F E |
The Tree of Life includes |
- Columns from Liber 777:
- XIV—"General Attribution of Tarot"
- LXXI-LXXIV—"The Court Cards of the Tarot, with the Spheres of their Celestial Dominion (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pantacles)
- CLXXIX—"Numbers printed on the Tarot Trumps"
- CLXXX—"Title of Tarot Trumps"
- CLXXXI—"Correct Design of Tarot Trumps"
- CXXIX-CXXXII—"Pairs of Angels ruling (Wands, Cups, Swords, Coins)"
- Columns from Liber 777:
Within the western magical tradition, the Tree of Life is used as a kind of conceptual filing cabinet within the larger system of the Qabalah, the use of which was central to the mystical teachings of Aleister Crowley. Each sephera ("Emination") and path is assigned various ideas, such as astrological planets and signs, cards of the Tarot, and the classical elements. Many of these correspondances were gathered together in Crowley's book Liber 777, which is used for these listings.
The conventional 78-card Tarot deck is structured into two distinct parts—the 22 cards of the Major Arcana (also called the Trumps or the Atu) and the Minor Arcana, which are composed of four suits (often a variation of cups, swords, wands, and disks). Each suit has ten numbered cards and four "court" cards (usually a variation on kings, queens, princes, and princesses).
| Table of contents |
The Ten Sephiroth
1 Kether—The 4 Aces
The Aces are representitive of the four basic elements: Water (Cups), Air (Swords), Fire (Wands), Earth (Disks). However, the elements are not yet manifested in material form...they are in a state of raw potential.
- Titles & Attributions:
- Ace of Wands: The Root of the Powers of Fire
- Ace of Cups: The Root of the Powers of Water
- Ace of Swords: The Root of the Powers of Air
- Ace of Discs: The Root of the Powers of Earth
2 Chokmah—The 4 Twos, also the Kings
The elements are now defined in their purest, most harmonious form.
- Titles & Attributions:
- Two of Wands: The Lord of Dominion (Mars in Aries)
- Two of Cups: The Lord of Love (Virgo in Cancer)
- Two of Swords: Peace (Luna in Libra)
- Two of Discs: Change (Jupiter in Capricorn)
3 Binah—The 4 Threes, also Queens
Things are in motion, but not yet realized.
- Titles & Attributions:
- Three of Wands: Virtue (Sol in Aries)
- Three of Cups: Abundance (Mercury in Cancer)
- Three of Swords: Sorrow (Saturn in Libra)
- Three of Discs: Works (Mars in Capricorn)
4 Chesed—The 4 Fours
Here we have the first manifestation, so the Fours are representitive of materialization and solidification. They are symbolized by the Rule of Law, so that there is stability, but in a constrained manner.
- Titles & Attributions:
- Four of Wands: Completion (Venus in Aries)
- Four of Cups: Luxury (Luna in Cancer)
- Four of Swords: Truce (Jupiter in Libra)
- Four of Discs: Power (Sol in Capricorn
5 Geburah—The 4 Fives
The locked system of the Fours has now become upset. The truce has been broken and there is great motion and instability.
- Titles & Attributions:
- Five of Wands: Strife (Saturn in Leo)
- Five of Cups: Disappointment (Mars in Scorpio)
- Five of Swords: Defeat (Venus in Aquarius)
- Five of Discs: Worry (Mercury in Taurus)
6 Tiphareth—The 4 Sixes, also Princes
The four Sixes are representative of their respective elements at their practical best. These cards are symbolized by the ideas of balance and harmony.
- Titles & Attributions:
- Six of Wands: Victory (Jupiter in Leo)
- Six of Cups: Pleasure (Sol in Scorpio)
- Six of Swords: Science (Murcury in Aquarius)
- Six of Discs: Success (Luna in Taurus)
7 Netzach—The 4 Sevens
The energy of the elements are now weak and unbalanced. The illusary world of Venus is in play here. This is the realm of the base emotions.
- Titles & Attributions:
- Seven of Wands: Valour (Mars in Leo)
- Seven of Cups: Debauch (Venus in Scorpio)
- Seven of Swords: Futility (Luna in Aquarius)
- Seven of Discs: Failure (Saturn in Taurus)
8 Hod—The 4 Eights
The Eights are ruled by Mercury, and so are airy and fleeting. Practical thoughtfulness is active, but on a lower, "real-world" level.
- Titles & Attributions:
- Eight of Wands: Swiftness (Mercury in Sagittarius)
- Eight of Cups: Indolence (Saturn in Pisces)
- Eight of Swords: Interference (Jupiter in Gemini)
- Eight of Discs: Prudence (Sol in Virgo)
9 Yesod—The 4 Nines
The general rule of the Nines is "change is stability." Although the Nines are cards of pleasure, it is the pleasure of illusion, since they are ruled by the faint light of Luna.
- Titles & Attributions:
- Nine of Wands: Strength (Luna in Sagittarius)
- Nine of Cups: Happiness (Jupiter in Pisces)
- Nine of Swords: Cruelty (Mars in Gemini)
- Nine of Discs: Gain (Venus in Virgo
10 Malkuth—The 4 Tens, also Princesses
Finally all things come to an end. The elements have exhausted their energy. However, being the end, it is also the place preceding new beginnings.
- Titles & Attributions:
- Ten of Wands: Oppression (Saturn in Sagittarius)
- Ten of Cups: Satiety (Mars in Pisces)
- Ten of Swords: Ruin (Sol in Gemini)
- Ten of Discs: Wealth (Mercury in Virgo)
The 22 Paths
11 Aleph—The Fool (Atu 0)
Title: The Spirit of Αιθηρ ("Ayther")
- The Court Cards of the Tarot, with the Spheres:
- Prince of Wands: The Prince of the Chariot of Fire. (Rules 20° Cancer to 20° Virgo, including most of Leo Minor.)
- Prince of Cups: The Prince of the Chariot of the Waters. (20° Libra to 20° Scorpio.)
- Prince of Swords: The Prince of the Chariot of Air. (20° Capricorn to 20° Aquarius.)
- Prince of Disks: The Prince of the Chariot of Earth. (20° Aries to 20° Taurus.)
12 Beth—The Magus (Atu I)
Title: The Magus of Power
13 Gimel—The Priestess (Atu II)
Title: The Priestess of the Silver Star
14 Daleth—The Empress (Atu III)
Title: The Daughter of the Mighty Ones
15 Hé—The Emperor (Atu IV)
Title: The Son of the Morning, chief among the Mighty
16 Vau—The Hierophant (Atu V)
Title: The Magus of the Eternal
17 Zain—The Lovers (Atu VI)
Title: The Children of the Voice: the Oracle of the Mighty Gods.
18 Cheth—The Chariot (Atu VII)
Title: The Child of the Powers of the Waters: the Lord of the Triumph of Light
19 Teth—Adjustment (Atu VIII)
Title: The Daughter of the Flaming Sword
20 Yod—The Hermit (Atu IX)
Title: The Prophet of the Eternal, the Magus of the Voice of Power
21 Kaph—Fortune (Atu X)
Title: The Lord of the Forces of Life
22 Lamed—Lust (Atu XI)
Title: The Daughter of the Lords of Truth. The Ruler of the Balance.
23 Mem—The Hanged Man (Atu XII)
Title: The Spirit of the Mighty Waters
- The Court Cards of the Tarot, with the Spheres:
- Queen of Wands: The Queen of the Thrones of Flame. (20° Pisces to 20° Aries, including part of Andromeda.)
- Queen of Cups: The Queen of the Thrones of the Waters. (20°Gemini to 20° Cancer.)
- Queen of Swords: The Queen of the Thrones of Air. (20° Virgo to 20° Libra.)
- Queen of Disks: The Queen of the Thrones of the Earth. (20° Sagittarius to 20° Capricorn.)
24 Nun—Death (Atu XIII)
Title: The Child of the Great Transformers. The Lord of the Gate of Death.
25 Samekh—Art (Atu XIV)
Title: The Daughter of the Reconcilers, the Bringer-Forth of Life
26 Ayin—The Devil (Atu XV)
Title: The Lord of the Gates of Matter. The Child of the Forces of Time.
27 Pé—The Tower (Atu XVI)
Title: The Lord of the Hosts of the Mighty
28 Tzaddi—The Star (Atu XVII)
Title: The Daughter of the Firmament. The Dweller between the Waters.
29 Qoph—The Moon (Atu XVIII)
Title: The Ruler of Flux and Reflux. The Child of the Sons of the Mighty.
30 Resh—The Sun (Atu XIX)
Title: The Lord of the Fire of the World
31 Shin—The Aeon (Atu XX)
Title: The Spirit of the Primal Fire
- The Court Cards of the Tarot, with the Spheres:
- King of Wands: The Lord of the Flame and the Lightning. The King of the Spirits of Fire. (Rules 20° Scorpio to 20° Sagittarius, including part of Hercules.)
- King of Cups: The Lord of the Waves and the Waters. The King of the Hosts of the Sea. (20° Aquarius to 20° Pisces, including most of Pegasus)
- King of Swords: The Lord of the Winds and the Breezes. The King of the Spirits of Air. (20° Taurus to 20° Gemini)
- King of Disks: The Lord of the Wide and Fertile Land. The King of the Spirits of Earth. (20° Leo to 20° Virgo.)
32 Tau—The Universe (Atu XXI)
Title: The Great One of the Night of Time
32-bis 32-bis—The Queens
- The Court Cards of the Tarot, with the Spheres:
- Princess of Wands: The Princess of the Shining Flame. The Rose of the Palace of Fire. (Rules one Quadrant of Heavens round N. Pole.)
- Princess of Cups: The Princess of the Waters. The Rose of the Palace of the Floods. (Rules another Quadrant.)
- Princess of Swords: The Princess of the Rushing Winds. The Lotus of the Palace of Air. (Rules a 3rd Quadrant.)
- Princess of Disks: The Princess of the Echoing Hills. The Lotus of the Palace of the Earth. (Rules a 4th Quadrant of the Heavens about Kether.)
31-bis 31-bis—All 22 Atu
- The Court Cards of the Tarot, with the Spheres:
- Ace of Wands: The Root of the Powers of Fire
- Ace of Cups: The Root of the Powers of Water
- Ace of Swords: The Root of the Powers of Air
- Ace of Disks: The Root of the Powers of Water
Correct Design of Tarot Trumps
The Elements
- 11 Aleph (Air): A bearded Ancient seen in profile
- 23 Mem (Water): The figure of an hanged or crucified man
- 31 Shin (Fire): Israfel blowing the Last Trumpet. The dead arising from their tombs
- 32-bis (Earth): —
- 31-bis (Spirit): —
The Planets
- 12 Beth (Mercury): A fair youth with winged helment and heels, equipped as a Magician, displays his art
- 13 Gimel (Luna): A crowned priestess sits before the veil of Isis between the Pillars of Seth
- 14 Daleth (Venus): Crowned with stars, a winged goddess stands upon the moon
- 21 Kaph (Jupiter): A wheel of six shafts, whereon revolve the Triad of Hermanubis, Sphinx, and Typhon
- 27 Pé (Mars): A tower struck by forked lightning
- 30 Resh (Sol): The Sun
- 32 Tau (Saturn): Should contain a demonstration of the Quadrature of the Circle
The Zodiac
- 15 Hé (Aries): A flame-clad god bearing equivalent symbols
- 16 Vau (Taurus): Between the Pillars sits an Ancient
- 17 Zain (Gemini): A prophet, young, and in the Sign of Osiris Risen
- 18 Cheth (Cancer): A young and holy king under the starry canopy
- 19 Teth (Leo): A smiling woman holds the open jaws of a fierce and powerful lion
- 20 Yod (Virgo): Wrapped in a cloke and cowl, an Ancient walketh, bearing a lamp and staff
- 22 Lamed (Libra): A conventional figure of Justice with scales and balances
- 24 Nun (Scorpio): Lord of the Gate of Death. A skeleton with a scythe mowing men. The scythe handle is a Tau.
- 25 Samekh (Sagittarius): The figure of Diana huntress
- 26 Ayin (Capricorn): The figure of Pan or Priapus
- 28 Tzaddi (Aquarius): The figure of a water-nymph disporting herself
- 29 Qoph (Pisces): The waning moon
Pairs of Angels ruling the Suits
Wands |
Cups |
Swords |
Coins |
|
| *1 Kether: | — | — | — | — |
| *2 Chokmah: | רניאל והואל | חבויה איעאל | מבהאל יזלאל | ושריה לכבאל |
| *3 Binah: | עממיה החשיה | יבמיה ראהאל | הקמיה הריאל | להחיה יחויה |
| *4 Chesed: | wands | cups | swords | coins |
| *5 Geburah: | wands | cups | swords | coins |
| *6 Tiphareth: | wands | cups | swords | coins |
| *7 Netzach: | wands | cups | swords | coins |
| *8 Hod: | wands | cups | swords | coins |
| *9 Yesod: | wands | cups | swords | coins |
| *10 Malkuth: | wands | cups | swords | ההעיה לאויה |
See also
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