NOTES
ON THE TAROT
by Frater S.R.M.D.
In
the Tree of Life in the Tarot, each
path forms the connecting link
between two of the Sephiroth. The
King and the Queen are the correlations of the Abba and the Aima in that
suit; the Knight or Prince answers to Microprosopus, and the Knave or Princess
which was anciently a female figure, is referred to the Bride, Kallah or Malkah.
Combining,
then, the material attributions of the Sephiroth and the Path, it results that:
0. Fool=The Crown of Wisdom, the Primum Mobile
acting through the Air on the Zodiac.
1. The Juggler=The Crown of Understanding, the
beginning of material production, the Primurn Mobile acting through the
Philosophic Mercury on Saturn.
2. High Priestess=The Crown of Beauty, the
beginning of Sovereignty and Beauty, the Primum Mobile acting through the Moon
on the Sun.
3. Empress=The Wisdom of Understanding, the Union
of the powers of Origination and Production; the Sphere of the Zodiac acting
through Venus upon Saturn.
4. Emperor=The Wisdom of Sovereignty and Beauty,
and the originator of them; the Sphere of the Zodiac acting through Aries upon
the Sun, and initiating Spring.
5.
Hierophant=The Wisdom and fountain of Mercy, the Sphere of the Zodiac acting
through Taurus upon Jupiter.
6. The Lovers=The Understanding of Beauty and
Production of Beauty and Sovereignty. Saturn acting through Gemini upon Sol.
7. Chariot=Understanding acting upon Severity.
Saturn acting through Cancer upon Mars.
8. Strength=Fortitude. Mercy tempering Severity.
The Glory of Strength. Jupiter acting through Leo upon Mars.
9. Hermit=The Mercy of Beauty, the Magnificence
of Sovereignty, Jupiter acting through Virgo upon Sol.
10. Wheel of Fortune=The Mercy and Magnificence
of Victory. Jupiter acting through Jupiter direct upon Venus.
11. Justice=The Severity of Beauty and
Sovereignty. Mars acting through Libra upon Sol.
12. The Hanged Man= The Severity of Splendour.
Execution of Judgment. Mars acting through Water upon Mercury.
13. Death= The Sovereignty and result of Victory. Sol acting
through Scorpio upon Venus, or Osiris under the destroying power of Typhon afflicting
Isis.
14. Temperance=The Beauty of a firm Basis. The
Sovereignty of Fundamental Power. Sol acting through Sagittarius upon Luna.
15. The Devil= The Sovereignty and Beauty of
Material (and therefore false) splendour. Sol acting through Capricorn upon
Mercury.
16. The Tower= The Victory over Splendour. Venus
acting through Mars upon Mercury. Avenging force.
17. Star= The Victory of Fundamental Strength.
Venus acting through Aquarius upon Lima. Hope.
18. Moon= The Victory of the Material. Venus acting
through Pisces upon the Cosmic Elements, deceptive effect of the apparent power
of Material Forces.
19. Sun= The Splendour of the Material World.
Mercury acting through the Sun upon the Moon.
20. Judgment= The Splendour of the Material World. Mercury
acting through Fire upon the Cosmic Elements.
21. Universe =The Foundation of the Cosmic Elements and of
the Material World. Luna acting through Saturn upon the Elements.
