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Tarot - αTω

partaking of the tree of knowledge

∞∞∞

... the woof and warp of all thought and all research is symbols, and the life of thought and science is the life inherent in symbols

…

C. S. Peirce "The Ethics of Terminology", CP 2.220

. ∴ .

Tarot as spiritual tool

To those familiar with Tarot, it may seem a little odd that I selected the above stone carving of Adam and Eve at the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil as my entry point.

I was reminded of the adage that a little knowledge is dangerous. In some ways, Tarot can be like that, in that one can presume to know far more about oneself, or about others, or about tarot itself, than is really the case. And with this 'knowledge' presume to cause or seek to effect a result or change that may not lead to the better.

If there is something about Tarot that is fantastic, is that is leads ever more deeply into the realm of symbolism. A symbol, and especially a sacred symbol, is one that always points to beyond itself, and yet also binds itself to that to which it points. It therefore has, to be sure, a literal meaning that is as real as its allegorical, its pure symbolic, and its spiritual referents.

The five 'suits' of Tarot

I'm increasingly unsure how to best describe the structure of a deck. As I try, however, to describe it in ways that break current caricatures, I shall here describe it as a deck having five suits: the suit of 22 Atouts or Iconic imagery; the suit of Batons; of Cups; of Deniers (or coins); and of Epees (or swords), these last four suits each containing ten pips and four court cards.

The twenty-two Atouts

Here I shall simply list them in the Marseille-style order, calling to mind that early decks had neither number nor title. In the Marseille-style, the thirteenth card still normally carries no title (not even 'la carte sans nom'), and the Fou or Mat carries no number (neither zero nor twenty-two as some have added).

It should also be pointed out that various attempts have been made to present different orderings of these cards.

Personally, I prefer the traditional order. It has an inner vibrancy and quality that remains unmatched.

VIIII Ermit VIII Justice VII Chariot VI Lovers V Pape IIII Empereur III Imperatris II Papess I Bateleur

X Roue de Fortune

XVIIII Soleil XVIII Lune XVI Maison Dieu XV Diable XIIII Temperance XIII XII Hanged Man XI La Force

XX Jujement

Fool Mat Fou XXI Monde

Atouts from the Payen Marseille-style deck

Ordering of Atouts

In the above presentation, the twenty-two Atouts are presented simply sequentially - in this case from right-to-left. Due to the last card being traditionally un-numbered, some designers and publishers have, to be sure, added a number there (usually either a zero or XXII). Personally, I prefer it remaining not only un-numbered, but also its location as the final in the series.

If we briefly look at the sequence as presented, let us take note of a few features.

Firstly, there is a progression from I-VIIII, then the X visually asks us to 'turn around' and repeat this series as the 'other side' of the first, from XI-XVIIII. In that sense, XI becomes the inner quality of I, XII of II, etc..

At the conclusion of this, XX calls us back out again to the light of day, to emerge as an accomplished human being in its highest form (XXI), often presenting itself to the world as though a Fool.

Petroglyphs and Tarot

An aspect that is being slowly developed on this site is the relationship between petroglyphs from especially late mediæval religious houses and Atouts depictions. This work has been put on hold a little as we develop Tarotpedia.

At this stage, only rather brief pages have been included, all related to XVI - Maison Dieu.

Tarot Resources

In making the following recommendations, I am aware that there are numerous alternatives that may be listed. What I strive to present, however, is a limit of three suggestions for reading and site links, and one forum. Each of these will undoubtedly also provide further avenues for further research.

These are, of course, simply a reflection of both personal preference, and what I consider provides a solid resource. The Forum listed also allows for various questions and alternatives to be investigated.