Tree of Life:Tarot

(Revision as of 16:38, 16 Oct 2004)

On the Tree of Life of the Qabalah, every Sephiroth and Path is represent by cards from the Tarot (tar-oh). The conventional 78-card 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 "face" cards (usually a variation on kings, queens, princes, and princesses).

On the Tree, the Sephirot are represented by the various suits of the Minor Arcana, and the 22 Paths are attributed to the Major Arcana or Atu.

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 Hebrew Letters (The Paths)

11 Path of Aleph—

Atu: The Fool (0)
The Court Cards of the Tarot, with the Spheres
- Wands: The Prince of the Chariot of Fire. Rules 20° Cancer to 20° Virgo, including most of Leo Minor. (#)
- Cups: The Prince of the Chariot of the Waters. 20° Libra to 20° Scorpio (#)
- Swords: The Prince of the Chariot of Air. 20° Capricorn to 20° Aquarius (#)
- Disks: The Prince of the Chariot of Earth. 20° Aries to 20° Taurus (#)

11 Path of Aleph—The Fool (Atu 0)
- The Court Cards of the Tarot, with the Spheres:
  - Wands: The Prince of the Chariot of Fire. Rules 20° Cancer to 20° Virgo, including most of Leo Minor. (#)
  - Cups: The Prince of the Chariot of the Waters. 20° Libra to 20° Scorpio (#)
  - Swords: The Prince of the Chariot of Air. 20° Capricorn to 20° Aquarius (#)
  - Disks: The Prince of the Chariot of Earth. 20° Aries to 20° Taurus (#)

12 (Beth, "House")

13 (Gimel, "Camel")

14 (Daleth, "Door")

15 (Hé, "Window")

16 (Vau, "Nail")

17 (Zain, "Sword")

18 (Cheth, "Fence")

19 (Teth, "Serpent")

20 (Yod, "Hand")

21 (Kaph, "Palm")

22 (Lamed, "Ox Goad")

23 (Mem, "Water")

24 (Nun, "Fish")

25 (Samekh, "Prop")

26 (Ayin, "Eye")

27 (Pé, "Mouth")

28 (Tzaddi, "Fish-Hook")

29 (Qoph, "Back of Head")

30 (Resh, "Head")

31 (Shin, "Tooth")

32 (Tau, "Tau")

32-bis (32-bis)

31-bis (31-bis)

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