| THE
MAJOR ARCANA: THE FOOL'S JOURNEY
The
journey through the 22 major arcana cards is a passage through
the archetypal experiences of humanity and the many states
of being, as if culled from our collective unconscious. The
number 22 is significant because in numerology 22 is one of
the master numbers (as are 11 and 33). 22 is the number of
the master builder, and the journey through the 22 major aracana
cards is masterfully built on a structure of cycles. Tarot
archetypes speak as freshly today as they did in medieval
Spain, mythic Atlantis, or ancient Egypt for universal life
experiences transcend boundaries of space and time.
0.
FOOL
Our
tarot journey begins with the first major arcana card: The
freedom-loving FOOL. He represents new beginnings as he starts
his heroic quest for self knowledge. In his naive innocence,
the FOOL is very creative for he does not yet know rules or
limitations. He is the court jester, village idiot, clown,
time traveler, speaker of truth, and prodigal son. Mythologist
Joseph Campbell interpreted the FOOL as the hero with 1,000
faces. His number is 0, the empty vessel waiting to be filled.
He is ruled by the planet Uranus, the planet of revolution
and liberation.
The
Waite-Rider deck shows a youth about to step off a cliff.
He could crash downward, or instead soar to the highest heavens
because he took a creative risk and has faith. The Crowley
deck shows the FOOL with all things there for the taking.
The Hebrew letter at the bottom of the card is aleph, meaning
ox.
Divinatory
meaning of the FOOL: Now is the time to take a risk or seek
adventure because you are guided by faith, folly, or fancy.
Be open to new opportunities. But those who are uncomfortable
with change may dislike experiencing the FOOL card because
they are not used to freedom and taking creative risks with
an unknown outcome.
1.
MAGICIAN and MAGUS
Once
the FOOL takes a risk, he finds his power in the next card,
the mighty MAGICIAN. Under the MAGICIAN'S influence, all will-powered
endeavors are manifested. This is a powerful man who can work
magic and heal.
In
the Waite-Rider deck, the MAGICIAN holds a wand in his upraised
hand. The wand is a conductor of energy from heaven to earth.
On the MAGICIAN'S table are symbols of the four elements:
the wand of fire, the cup of water, the sword of air, and
the pentacle of earth. All four magical tools can be picked
up and used as needed.
The
MAGICIAN is called the MAGUS in the Crowley deck. The plural
form of the word magus is magi. The three wise men, or magi
(magicians), visited the Christ child at his humble birth
in a manger. They brought the gifts of frankincense which
is sacred to the sun, myrrh which is sacred to the moon, and
gold which is the alchemist's metal. The Crowley deck MAGUS
is depicted having a breakthrough of power and perception.
The wings on his feet and the caduceus on his head are symbols
of Mercury (Greek Hermes), the messenger who connects humanity
with the divine. The Hebrew letter on the bottom of the MAGUS
card is beth, meaning house.
Divinatory
meaning of the MAGICIAN and MAGUS: You are completely in your
power and can manifest your goals. You are experiencing magical
strength and can actualize your desires through your own creativity
and will.
NOTE:
The smaller-sized Crowley Thoth Tarot deck includes one MAGICIAN
and two MAGUS cards. Select only one MAGUS 1 card for your
tarot readings. The two extra cards may be used as book marks
or altar objects.
2.
PRIESTESS
The
MAGICIAN cannot be fully realized without his anima (female
half), the mystic PRIESTESS. The MAGICIAN has outer magical
tools, but the PRIESTESS possesses inner magical tools. She
is ruled by the Moon and represents the eternal feminine.
She is the psychic healer who knows the great women's mysteries
of birth, life, and death. She embodies wisdom, serene knowledge,
intuitive judgement, and common sense.
In
the Waite-Rider deck, the PRIESTESS is enthroned with the
moon and water at her feet. The moon and water are feminine
symbols of the ever-changing lunar cycles linked to tides
and menstrual fluid. She wears the crown of the goddesses
Isis and Hathor. The PRIESTESS sits in the middle of the Kabbalistic
pillars of female and male. On the black pillar to her right
is the letter "B" for Binah, the Mother, the receptive principle.
Black is the color of night and the womb, the deep mystery
far within. The white pillar on the PRIESTESS' left is inscribed
with the letter "J" for Jehovah, a male god. He represents
the protective father and the masculine principle of expansion.
Behind the PRIESTESS is a garden of pomegranates and palms,
symbolic of female and male genitalia. In her lap is scroll
which reads tora, which are the first five books of Moses,
the "Old Testament" of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
and Deuteronomy. Tora is an anagram for taro (the cards) and
rota, the ever-revolving wheel.
The
Crowley Thoth deck PRIESTESS is veiled and very cosmic looking.
She weaves light energy that is magnified by crystals. She
has the huntress' bow of the goddess Artemis (Roman Diana).
Crystals are at her feet, as is the self-sustained camel who
carries within the nurturing waters. The Hebrew letter on
the bottom of the PRIESTESS card is gimel, meaning camel.
Divinatory
meaning of the PRIESTESS: This card indicates strong destiny,
as if your affairs are in safely in the lap of the Goddess.
You are empowered to open to your feminine receptive nature.
Record your dreams and flow with the sensitivity and wisdom
of your intuition. This is an opportunity to listen to and
trust your inner voice. You are safe.
3.
EMPRESS
The
feminine so exhaulted brings us to the EMPRESS enthroned.
She represents the full cornucopia of an abundant harvest.
She is the nurturing Earth Mother, the outer manifestation
of the inner spirit of the PRIESTESS. The EMPRESS is pregnant,
full of life, and symbolizes the fertile womb. Birth, the
amazing act of creation, is in her realm. Both the EMPRESS
and PRIESTESS are seated on thrones. Perhaps the first thrones
were birthing stools.
The
EMPRESS is ruled by the planet Venus, the goddess of love
and beauty (Greek Aphrodite). The EMPRESS is a harvest of
all that has been planted: The creative energy of the EMPRESS
satisfies the FOOL'S venturing, as the balance of the MAGICIAN'S
masculine energy and the PRIESTESS' feminine energy combine
to create the child/harvest of the EMPRESS.
The
Venus symbol is enclosed in a heart on the Waite-Rider image.
The crowned EMPRESS sits before a background of lush vegetation
and a gently curving river. The Venus symbol decorates her
heart-shaped shield. In the Crowley deck, the enthroned EMPRESS
is shown with the fertility symbols of the crescent moon and
a swan with cygnets. The Hebrew letter on the bottom of the
EMPRESS card is daleth, meaning door.
Divinatory
meaning of the EMPRESS: Your energies are balanced and harmonious.
You will be fortunate and secure with material matters such
as finding a job or a place to live. The EMPRESS is ruled
by Venus so adorn yourself with jewelry and your finest clothing.
4.
EMPEROR
All
seems blessed on the journey through the archetypes, but
then the fiery EMPEROR appears to command the garden. He
represents power and domination. The EMPEROR is a pioneer,
leader, and explorer. He is a warrior who has the strength
to go forth and succeed. He is a man of action. In imperial
China, the EMPEROR'S symbol was the Dragon that represented
masculine yang energy. (The EMPRESS' symbol was the Phoenix
that represented female yin energy.) EMPERORS throughout
history, from Caesar to Napoleon, possess the traits of
absolute power, dogmatic authority, and iron will; which
if not properly handled can become corrupt.
When
successfully channeled, the EMPEROR can be a dynamic, strong,
focused, and incisive catalyst for change and creation.
Yet he often wants things his way only and can be intolerance,
even ruthless, if others do not agree with his methods.
Or he quickly loses interest and does not complete what
was enthusiastically initiated.
The
EMPEROR is ruled by the astrology sign Aries, so rams surround
his throne in both the Waite-Rider and Crowley Thoth decks.
The EMPEROR is portrayed holding the scepter of masculine
energy in his right hand and the orb of feminine energy
in his left hand. Therefore he does possess the power of
balanced action. The Hebrew letter on the bottom of the
card is tzddi, meaning fish hook.
Divinatory
meaning of the EMPEROR: There is potential for much growth
and movement, and to start projects with fiery passion,
leadership, power, and enthusiasm. Goals must be aggressively
pursued. This is not a time for passive inactivity. Be aware
to not inflict your will on others and insist they do as
you decree. Don't tell them what to do, insisting that it
is for their own good.
5.
HIEROPHANT
The
EMPEROR has conquered and is trying to control. But he is
too inpatient to rule in an organized manner. Aries as the
EMPEROR cannot finish what he begins, hence the stern HIEROPHANT
appears to create laws to maintain peace and order. His
authoritative rulership can be hierarchical, one-dimensional,
patriarchal and repressive.
When
the HIEROPHANT appears in your tarot reading, there will
be structure and order in the land, such as rigid societal
rules that dictate one must work from nine to five and that
children must attend school from nine to three so they are
socialized to work from nine to five. The HIEROPHANT'S system
cannot be changed, for it is ruled by Taurus, a fixed earth
sign, and is inflexible. The HIEROPHANT'S positive attribute
is that he can be a teacher, father figure, or spiritual
authority on religious issues. He can bring codes of conduct
that offer structure, security, and harmony Still, his word
is law. This card appears when one must follow an organized
structure or ritual, such as a school curriculum, the military,
or the experiences of women in the corporate world.
The
Waite-Rider deck shows a religious figure, a Pope, with
two priests below him. The Crowley deck shows the HIEROPHANT
figure surrounded by the four elements in the fixed astrology
signs in the four corners of the card. The lion represents
Leo, fixed fire. The eagle represents Scorpio, fixed water.
The human head represents Aquarius, fixed air. In the left
corner the fixed earth Taurus bull is shown again. The Hebrew
letter at the bottom of the card is vav, meaning nail.
Divinatory
meaning of the HIEROPHANT: Accept your niche within his
structure, conform, learn from the discipline, and plan
it to your advantage. If the rigidity is too unbearable,
you may choose to rebel and leave. (In the rare instance,
this card may indicate the stern yet loving patriarch. Still,
his word is law.)
6.
LOVERS
The
next archetype on the journey, the blissful LOVERS, balances
and unites the extremes of the freedom-loving energies of
the first four cards (FOOL, MAGICIAN, PRIESTESS, and EMPRESS)
and the dominating energies of the last two cards (EMPEROR
and HIEROPHANT).
The
LOVERS is a blending of male and female and is ruled by
the androgynous astrology sign Gemini the twins. This tarot
card illustrates the sacred marriage of dark and light within
one's own being; Synthesis of the subjective knowing inner
self and the outer active observing self. Part of the LOVER'S
mystery is the exhilaration and passion of falling in love.
On a spiritual level, it is the marriage of duality.
Both
decks show a couple joined in happy union. This union is
blessed by an angel in the Waite-Rider deck and by a god-like
figure in the Crowley Thoth deck. The Crowley deck also
indicates light and dark adults and children, and the red
lion and white eagle of alchemy. Blindfolded Cupid (Greek
Eros), the son of Venus, is posed to shoot his arrow of
love. The Hebrew letter on the bottom of the LOVERS card
is zain, meaning sword.
Divinatory
meaning of the LOVERS: More than the concept of finding
a Lover, this card is also the alchemical blend within yourself
whereby you feel in love with the world, and more importantly
in love with yourself. Such positive and good esteem leaves
one open to experiencing healthy, loving relationships.
Also indicated is the ability to freely express emotions
and to trust your feelings.
7.
CHARIOT
After
the balancing of the previous LOVERS card, the focused CHARIOT
emerges to act independently. The CHARIOTeer is drawn forward
on a strong solid path. He travels with a sense of purpose,
discipline, and direction in life. The CHARIOT'S armor is
not to keep people out, but is instead a protective shield.
Ancient Mediterranean images of CHARIOTeers show strong
youths enjoying their games and races. The Greek goddess
Athena (Roman Minerva) is often depicted in her CHARIOT.
This card is ruled by the astrology sign Cancer, cardinal
(moving) water. In the Waite-Rider deck, the CHARIOT is
pulled by two sphinxes, one light and one dark.
In
the Crowley Thoth deck, the CHARIOT is pulled by four sphinxes
representing the four elements; therefore it is a balanced
path. The crab on the Crowley CHARIOT's crown symbolizes
Cancer. The Hebrew letter on the bottom of the CHARIOT is
cheth meaning fence.
Divinatory
meaning of the CHARIOT: Your path is clear and focused.
Energies are harnessed, progress is made, and goals can
be attained. You are a triumphant, victorious, and successful
winner. You can cover much ground. | 
