Crystal Treasures Online
Tarot
This page is compliments of Cato and stems from the Knowledge of the Hermetic Golden Dawn with ideas and natures confined to pathworking and Tarot.
This work may be reproduced or distributed freely for Non commercial use providing credit is given to the Author Cato.
Major Arcana (Trumps)
The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards numbered 0-21 and usually bear a Title as do most court cards. Below you will find the number and the title along with the Hebrew letter and Element, Planet or Zodiac sign associated with the card. below that you will find its path on the Tree of Life coresponding with the Element, Planet or Zodiac Sign relating to the sephera on the Tree. An example of this is The fool- primum mobile(kether) acting through Air (element etc.assigned path) upon the Zodiac(chokmah) so The Fool and Air connect Kether and Chokmah. Below that you will find the meaning of the card with reversed meanings following an Asterisk however I personally find reversed cards suspect because like all things the opposite is contained within itself and is manifest as a result of its environment (the other cards around or next to it, or position in the spread) I personally dont read a card as being reversed unless it is between 2 upright cards or is next to any card opposite its nature.
0. The Fool - Aleph - Air
Primum Mobile acting through Air upon the Zodiac
Wisdom held in check by innocence. Ideas, thoughts, Spirituality. Seed of Unlimited Potential *Folly and bad decisions.
1. The Magician - Beth - Mercury
Primum Mobile acting through Mercury upon Saturn
Originality, skill, adaptability, wisdom. * Weakness of will and insecurity
2. High Priestess - Gimel - Moon
Primum Mobile acting through the Moon upon the Sun
Fluctuation, change and alteration. Sound judgment and common sense. * Ignorance or lack of understanding
3. Empress - Daleth - Venus
Zodiac acting through Venus upon Saturn
Action, development and success. Beauty and happiness * Inaction or lack of interest
4. Emperor - Heh - Aries
Zodiac acting through Aries upon the Sun
Established force and energy. Ambition, War, Conquest and Power through strife and opposition. * Ineffectiveness, immaturity or lack of strength
5. Hierophant - Vau - Taurus
Zodiac acting through Taurus upon Jupiter
Wisdom, ritual, teaching. Kind and Timid * Foolish action, unorthodox. Frail and vulnerable
6. Lovers - Zayin - Gemini
Saturn acting through Gemini upon the Sun
Combination and complementary opposites. Love and harmony. Inspiration, impulse * Separation. Failure to meet requirements
.
7. Chariot - Cheth - Cancer
Saturn acting through Cancer upon Mars
Movement and voyage. Victory through perseverance. Temporary success * Unsuccessful. Last minute loss and defeat
8. Fortitude - Teth - Leo
Jupiter acting through Leo upon Mars
Control of a situation, strength and power gained or nurtured through perseverance * Weakness, pettiness, sickness. Impotent
.
9. Hermit - Yod - Virgo
Jupiter acting through Virgo upon the Sun
Seeking wisdom and council. Knowledge, inner strength * Prematurely, hastiness. Imprudent
10. Wheel of Fortune - Kaph - Jupiter
Jupiter acting through Jupiter on Venus
Good fortune, happiness. Destiny or fate * Failure, Broken cycles or sequence
11. Justice - Lamed - Libra
Mars acting through Libra upon the Sun
Balance, Justice, equality and fairness. Good intentions * Bias, bigotry and intolerant. False accusation
.
12. Hanged Man - Mem - Water
Mars acting through Water upon Mercury
Sacrifice. Punishment or involuntary loss. Suffering * Lack of sacrifice or failure to give of one’s self
13. Death - Nun - Scorpio
The Sun acting through Scorpio upon Venus
Time. Transformation. Death or involuntary change. Destruction * Stagnant and immobile
14. Temperance - Samekh - Sagittarius
The Sun acting through Sagittarius upon the Moon
Realization, temperance and moderation. Combined forces * Conflict of interest. Disunion or lack of unity through disagreement
15. Devil - Ayin - Capricorn
The Sun acting through Capricorn upon Mercury
Prison, bondage and subordination. Addiction and temptation. Material * Release, divorce. Delay or postponement
16. Blasted Tower - Peh - Mars
Venus acting through Mars upon Mercury
Sudden and disruptive change. War and fighting. Break down of old structures or beliefs * Entrapment, following or stuck in old ways
.
17. Star - Tzaddi - Aquarius
Venus acting through Aquarius upon the Moon
Hope and faith. Dreaminess. Promising outlook through opportunity. Unexpected help * Lack of expectations. Disappointment. Bad luck. Unfulfilled hopes and dreams
.
18. Moon - Qoph - Pisces
Venus acting through Pisces upon the Elements (Earth)
Change. Error, usually through deception or falsity. Being dissatisfied * Error or deception exposed before harm dome. Small petty mistakes
.
19. Sun - Resh - Sun
Mercury acting through the Sun upon the Moon
Glory, gain and riches. Being satisfied. Arrogance and vanity * Broken engagement or promise. Unhappiness and loneliness
20. Last Judgment - Shin - Fire
Mercury acting through Fire upon the Elements (Earth)
Final decision, judgment or sentence. Atonement and rejuvenation * Disappointment through delay and failure to face facts
21. Universe - Tau - Saturn
The Moon acting through Saturn upon the Elements (Earth)
Completion and perfection, recognition. Worldly *Failure to complete something started, imperfect
The Court Cards
The Court Cards are Elemental in nature and are most often used to represent people and especially the questioner. They are considered to be a part of the Minor Arcana along with the numbered pip cards. Below you will find a short description about the symbolism of the figure in the cards posture. This is traditional tarot and many decks with different themes differ on how they assign the title and nature of cards. refer to how the author of your deck has assigned the cards elementally if their postures and titlesdo not relate to these. After the title of the card you will find the Sephera and Element the cards belong to. following the description of the Title of Court is that card in each of the 4 suites and the subsequent combining of Elemental energies. The suites are Elemental as well as follows: Wands belong to Fire, Cups to Water. Air belongs to the Swords and Pentacles to Earth. Again Asterisks denote reversed meanings
Kings (Knights)
Refer to Chokmah and Elemental Fire
The male figure that is riding on the back of an animal is symbolic of the Element Fire. The animal, usually a horse, shows the sudden, quick and violent nature of Fire. That which underlies the commencement of action and force all things. It is that upon which all force and action is formed, and developed, symbolic of the Yod force of the divine name. The Father or "seed". We can also gather by the nature of the card that while its action may be swift and violent it doesn’t last long unless of course it is fed, nurtured or controlled.
Of Wands
Fire of Fire
Sudden action. Flight or departure. Generous.* Evil minded, bigoted and cruel
Of Cups
Fire of Water
Enthusiastic if aroused otherwise lazy and idle. Sensual, graceful and poetic. Could mean a proposal *Untruthful and subtle or crafty.
Of Swords
Fire of Air
Brave and courageous . Skillful and delicate. Can be dominating *Tyranny, deceitful and tricky. Lack of Judgment or caution. Separation or disagreement.
Of Pentacles
Fire of earth
Laborious and methodic. Heavy and dull but patient with Material matters and clever with material things *Stagnant, Jealous and greedy. Lack of courage.
Queens
Refer to Binah and Elemental Water
The Female Figure which is Seated represents the element Water and the letter Heh in the Divine Name. The Mother. Here is the beginning and bringing forth of action and force, just as a Mother bears children by the recognition of that part of man which is Fire. The Queen upon her throne is very steadfast, consistent and reliable, but not quick to move herself as she commissions and directs what she brings forth to essentially move for her. Usually motherly and nurturing
Of Wands
Water of Fire
Steady and yet adaptable. Sympathetic and understanding if so inclined. * Unyielding and unreasonable Revengeful and Domineering.
Of Cups
Water of water
Warm hearted and good natured. Poetic and imaginative. Great creative power * Lacks honor and consistency. Immoral
Of Swords
Water of Air
Quick yet graceful. Very perceptive and observant. Confident * Unreliable, narrow-minded and treacherous. Sly and deceitful
Of Pentacles
Water of Earth
Big- hearted and kind. Truthful. Charming and graceful. Moody tending towards melancholy. * undecided and quick to change
False sense of prosperity, falsehood.
Prince (Kings)
Refers to Tiphareth and Elemental Air
The male figure which is seated, usually in a chariot drawn behind an animal, is symbolic of Air. Air takes on the qualities of Fire and Water, so here we see that while the figure is in action (Fire) it is also tempered and more stable( a quality of Water); for the horse or whatever animal is represented can only move so fast as the chariot will allow. Here we begin to form and confine a force to a definite action as the chariot partially confines what draws it. This card represents the Vav in the Divine name, the Son, whose power comes from both the Father and Mother. Here we begin to see action or force applied to things and though still swift and violent can be or become more enduring and steadfast depending on what it is applied to.
Of Wands
Air of Fire
Strong, swift and violent. * Ill-natured and cruel. Prejudiced and intolerant Stern and forbidding
Of Cups
Air of Water
Powerful and violent. Very subtle and crafty. Artistic. Fiery outward nature yet inwardly calm. * Intensely evil and shifty in dealings. Without mercy.
Of Swords
Air of Air
Suspicion and distrust. Cautious and controlled while determined. Expresses need for caution. * harsh and sadistic. Hesitant and unreliable. Plotting and scheming
Of Pentacles
Air of Earth
Intelligent with good character. Steady and reliable. Practical application with increase and gain.* corrupt and stupid. Very material.
Princess or Page
Refers to Malkuth and Elemental Earth
The Female figure which is standing is symbolic of the element Earth. She is the Daughter, the final Heh in the Divine Name. Here we see that while she is standing firm and steadfast taking on the most qualities of water the Mother to which she shares her attributes, she is also very ready to act and defend herself if needed. Like the horse symbolic of Fire, she can move suddenly in any direction., She is Stable and enduring but yet ready to move at a moments notice. Permanent with the propensity for Violence. Mighty is the Princess, and without pity for those who oppose her.
Of Wands
Earth of Fire
Enthusiastic with a desire for power. Can be faithful but is also revengeful. * superficial and unstable. Given to gossip. Theatrical
Of Cups
Earth of Water
Sweet and gentle. Reflective and dreamy. Can be very kind. * Quick to deviate or stray. A flatterer given to selfishness.
Of Swords
Earth of Air
Dexterity and acuteness of mind and graceful movement. Vigilant and wise. *a cunning but soon exposed impostor. Frivolous
Of Pentacles
Earth of Earth
Diligent and persevering. Benevolent and kind. Careful yet courageous.* Failure to recognize fact. Wasteful and reckless. Pitiful
Wands (Fire)
Pip Cards
The pip cards are the 40 numbered cards consisting of Ten cards numbered Ace - 10 in each of the 4 suites. The pip cards relate to the deacons or decanates of the Zodiac which are planetary rulers assigned to the 30 different degrees of each sign within a circle a circle being 360 degrees divided by 12 we get 30 or 30 degrees per sign in the Heavens. Each 10 degrees of a sign is alloted a planetary ruler. This equals 36 Rulers while the Aces stand alone as the root or foundation of the elemental energy assigned to the suite. Agrippa and others refer to the deacons of the zodiac as the "faces of the signs".
Ace of Wands
Root of the Power of Fire
Strength and vigor. Bursting forth of energy. Potential for quick gains* False start or cancellation
2 of Wands
Mars in Aries. Lord of Dominion
Courage, boldness and shamelessness. Harmony of rule and justice inclined towards dominion. restlessness. * Turbulent sadness and trouble. Withdrawal of judgment or decision.
3 of Wands
Sun in Aries. Lord of Established Strength
Established force. Realization of hope and plans. Completion of Labor. Success after struggle. Pride and nobility. Wealth and Power. * Conceited, rude and obstinate. Can be treacherous.
4 of Wands
Venus in Aries. Lord of Perfected Work
Completion and success after effort. Rest after Labor. Perfection and beauty. * prone to anxiety, unsteady and unreliable. Insincere Loss of peace and tranquility.
5 of Wands
Saturn in Leo. Lord of Strife
Strife and conflict. Bold and rash. Contest and struggle. Cruelty and violence. * Trickery and/or through complexity. Overly Lustful and desirous.
6 of Wands
Jupiter in Leo. Lord of Victory
Victory after strife, struggle and contest. * Disrespectful and prideful. * Fear and apprehension usually leading to delay.
7 of Wands
Mars in Leo. Lord of Valor.
Advantage and gain leading to possible victory. Overcoming opposition.* Ignorance. Obstacles and threats. Minor victory.
8 of Wands
Mercury in Sagittarius. Lord of Swiftness.
Violent yet unenduring rush. Freedom. Love of open Air and sports. Confident and generous. * Theft and lying. Eloquent but untrustworthy. Oppressive and jealous
9 of Wands
Moon in Sagittarius. Lord of great Strength.
Tremendous power and energy. Good health and recovery great success at the expense of energy. * Victory but with a cost. Given to fondness for appearances. Delay and disaster
10 of Wands
Saturn in Sagittarius. Lord of Oppression.
Cruel, overbearing and oppressive. Excessive pressure. * Selfish and given to having ones own way by forcing it on others.
Cups (Water)
Ace of Cups
Root of the Power of Water
Great abundance and pleasure. Fertility and productivity * Alteration or erosion of circumstances.
2 of Cups
Venus in Cancer. Lord of Love
Love, passion. Union and harmony. Relationships friendships. * Disunion, Waste. Silly in matters of Love
3 of Cups
Mercury in Cancer. Lord of abundance
Plentiful bounty, good luck and success. Healing. * overabundance and excessive pleasure
4 of Cups
Moon in Cancer. Lord of Blended Pleasure
Good with the bad. Success or pleasure approaching an end. Pursuit or hunting . * Injustice and controversy sometimes
5 of Cups
Mars in Scorpio. Lord of Loss in Pleasure
Death or end of pleasure. Loss and disappointment. Malicious slander. sadness * Charity or new alliances. Hopeful outlook
6 of Cups
Sun in Scorpio. Lord of Pleasure
Commencement of gain, especially after loss. Pleasure. Past memories. * strife because of vanity or self assertion. Thanklessness
7 of Cups
Venus in Scorpio. Lord of Illusionary Success
Deception and fantasy especially in love. Wishful thinking and broken promises. Drunkenness and violence against women.
* Vanity, selfish squandering
8 of Cups
Saturn in Pisces. Lord of Abandoned Success
Short success or gain with nothing further. Nothing of lasting value. Unending Searching and journeying seeking riches or glory . * Joy and happiness
9 of Cups
Jupiter in Pisces. Lord of Material Happiness
Complete and perfect pleasure or happiness. Kind and lovable, good and generous.* Self praise and vanity. Not easily satisfied by small things. Material loss or imperfection
10 of Cups
Mars in Pisces. Lord of Perfect Success.
Permanent or lasting success and pleasure. Kind and generous. Good home. * morally and/or sexually corrupt and undisciplined.
Swords (Air)
Ace of Swords
Root of the Powers of Air
Power for either good or evil. Great determination. Strength through suffering * Self destruction and disaster
2 of Swords
Moon in Libra. Lord of Peace Restored
Pleasure after pain. Truce or making up. Inclined to repeat an act if pardoned. Sorrow and sympathy for those in trouble. Aid to the weak and oppressed. * Talkative, misrepresentation and disloyalty..
3 of Swords
Saturn in Libra. Lord of Sorrow
Sorrow and mourning.. Fighting. Separation. Mischief but honest with money.* Distraction and confusion. Anxiety and alienation
4 of Swords
Jupiter in Libra. Lord of Rest from Strife
Rest from or after war, strife or sorrow. Relaxation and ease. * not knowing when to stop or rest.
5 of Swords
Venus in Aquarius. Lord of Defeat
Failure and trouble. Grieving after gain. Unrest. Spite or hating to see peace between others. Cruel and cowardly. Thankless * Pity and sympathy easily aroused but unenduring.
6 of Swords
Mercury in Aquarius. Lord of Earned Success
Success after trouble and anxiety. Domination through labor. Conceit through Modesty. * Dead end or stalemate. Confession
7 of Swords
Moon in Aquarius. Lord of Unstable Effort
Loss by not continuing effort. Fascinated by display and given to compliments. * Spying or betrayal. Argumentative
8 of Swords
Jupiter in Gemini. Lord of Shortened Force.
To much energy applied to small insignificant things. Too much attention to detail. Great ease with some things and equal struggle with others. Impulsive and domineering * Accidents. Difficulty. Without strong feelings especially of affection.
9 of Swords
Mars in Gemini. Lord of Despair and Cruelty
Lack of pity. Wanting. Burdens . Miscarriage. Oppression by obedience. Dishonesty and slander. * Doubt and suspicion. Unselfish
10 of Swords
Sun in Gemini. Lord of Ruin
Complete disruption, failure and ruin of plans. A repeater of things and given to empty speech. Loves to disrupt the happiness of others. * Clever, cute and eloquent.
Pentacles (Earth)
Ace of Pentacles
Root of the Powers of Earth
Material gain of wealth and power but in a sense illusionary. Perfection and attainment.* Wealth without happiness. Misuse of money. Corruption.
2 of Pentacles
Jupiter in Capricorn. Lord of Harmonious Change
Discontent with fixed things. Bi-polar. Always wandering and changing jobs. Industrious but unreliable . Inconsistent with kindness. Fortunate in travel. * Inflexible and set in ways.
3 of Pentacles
Mars in Capricorn. Lord of Material Work
Clever with business and keen with money. Increase in material things. Given to seeking the impossible. * Sloppy. Lack of skill mediocre or poor quality.
4 of Pentacles
Sun in Capricorn. Lord of Earthly Power
Assured gain. Love of money. Jealous and suspicious. Orderly but discontent. * setbacks by lack of originality or initiative
5 of Pentacles
Mercury in Taurus. Lord of Material Trouble
Loss of money or position and rank. Toil and labor or Building and cultivation with little gain. * small gain through excess labor. Stern
6 of Pentacles
Moon in Taurus. Lord of Material Success
Success and gain . Rule over people but just and liberal. Rank and nobility. * may be proud and wasteful or ungrateful.
7 of Pentacles
Saturn in Taurus. Lord of Success Unfulfilled
Slight gain with no lasting benefit. Disappointment in reward for effort. Slavery. * unwise investment anxious and impatient
8 of Pentacles
Sun in Virgo. Lord of Prudence
Over careful with small things at the expense of the greater. Gain in small sums. Apprenticeship.* Industrious if prompted. hoarding
9 of Pentacles
Venus in Virgo. Lord of Material Gain
Inheritance. Accomplishment .Gain without much effort. Treasuring material goods. * Theft and dishonesty. Danger
10 of Pentacles
Mercury in Virgo. Lord of Wealth
Completion and pinnacle of success or gain with nothing beyond. Old age.. * Dullness of mind. Laziness. Burden of wealth
Ace- Refer to Kether (Primum Mobile)
Root of the Elements -
Un-manifest Potential and Initiation or initial thrust of energy
2‘s- Refer to Chokmah (Wisdom) (Zodiac as a whole)
Belong to the 1st Deacon of the Cardinal Signs
First Tangible Manifestation before materialization, original and uncontaminated
3‘s- Refer to Binah (Understanding) (Saturn)
Belong to the 2nd Deacon of Cardinal Signs
Action commenced with understanding bringing about partial stability
4‘s- Refer to Chesed (Mercy) ( Jupiter)
Belong to the last Deacon of the cardinal Signs
Solidification, materialization which is becoming fixed or settled
5‘s- Refer to Geburah (Strength) (Mars)
Belong to the 1st Deacon of the Fixed Signs
Obstacles and trials to be overcome to purify or bring forth some accomplishment or completion
6‘s- Refer to Tiphareth (Beauty or equilibrium) (Sol)
Belong to the 2nd Deacon of the Fixed Signs
Accomplishment, especially in overcoming obstacles or Trials
7‘s- Refer to Netzach (Victory) (Venus)
Belong to the Last Deacon of the Fixed Signs
Obstacles or imbalance that could lead to either success or blockage depending on the cards around them
8‘s- Refer to Hod (Splendor) (Mercury)
Belong to the 1st Deacon of the Mutable Signs
Remedy of error or partial success stemming from previous imbalance
9‘s- Refer to Yesod (Foundation) (Moon)
Belong to the 2nd Deacon of the Mutable Signs
A firm, strong foundation of good or evil depending on outcome of previous obstacles or imbalance
10‘s- Refer to Malkuth (Kingdom) (4 Elements/ Earth)
Belong to the Last Deacon of the Mutable Signs
Situation or circumstance final and determined. End of a matter and moving on.
