Numerology and Tarot by Nicole

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Numerology and Tarot

One of the oldest applications of numerology has to do with the
design of Tarot card. The numbers on Tarot cards are enormously
significant when it comes to interpreting the meaning of a card
reading. Tarot cards are specifically numbered and the images on
the cards reverberate to those images to convey meaning to the
reader who then analyzes such matters as relationships, the future,
motivations and options.

Traditionally there are 56 minor Arcana cards -- the Ace through
Ten, plus the four Helper Cards. Many tarot readers maintain that
56 was a number chosen on purpose as esoterically it symbolizes God
(or the force of the creation principle.) This idea comes from
pagan and Celtic beliefs that the number 56 corresponded to the
Celtic sun God.

The reason there are fourteen minor Arcana cards is because this
Celtic Sun God also had fourteen rays of light shooting out from
his head in the four directions. This is also where the common
card layout known as the Celtic Cross comes from. The fourteen
cards consist of the cards Ace through to Ten plus the Four Helper
Cards also known as the King, Queen, Knight and Page.

Each number in each suit has historically represented a particular aspect
of human consciousness or experience. In each of the Element suits,
the Ones contain many of the same properties; the Twos are similar,
as are the Threes, and so on through the rest of the deck. The
Minor Arcana does not usually have imagery so the reader relies a
lot on knowing about numerology to make relationships between the
cards in a spread.

When the science of numerology is applied to the tarot cards, the
number, which governs the card, gives deeper insight into the
hidden meaning of the card.

The relationship of numerology is actually an enormous topic in
itself but here is an idea of how the Tarot Cards in the minor
Arcana relate to the numbers One through to Nine. The meanings
stay basically the same no matter what suit the cards are in -
Cups, Swords, Wands or Coins.

Below is the key words that are traditionally used by Tarot card
readers to read a card when it comes up in a spread. This
particular list is adapted from the well known universal meanings
for numbered cards from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck.

One: Creation, originality, independence, courage, progress,
ambition, positiveness, will power, leadership, pioneering,
activity, force, raw energy.

Two: Love, service, gentleness, harmony, adaptability, charm,
diplomacy, friendliness, rhythm, music, receptivity, cooperation,
consideration for others, will, purpose, initial understanding.

Three: Artistic expression, joy of living, freedom from worry,
optimism, inspiration, talent, imagination, good taste,
sociability, friendliness, kindness, conception, beginning
manifestation.

Four: Practicality, service, patience, exactitude, organization,
application, devotion, patriotism, conservatism, pragmatism,
dignity, economy, trust, worthiness, endurance, loyalty,
production, mastery.

Five: Freedom, progress, versatility, understanding, variety,
adaptability, mental curiosity, life experience, cleverness,
non-attachment, sociability, change, discord, travel, adventure,
companionability, surrender, release.

Six: Love, harmony, home, responsibility, adjustment, musical
talent, sympathy, understanding, domesticity, guardianship,
stability, poise, protection, healing, firmness, balance, idealism,
conscientiousness, justice, burden-fearing, service to All,
solution, exaltation, seeing.

Seven: Mental analysis, technicality, introspection, peace, poise,
scientific research, spirituality, faith, trust, stoicism,
refinement, wisdom, silence, "theories and fundamentals," feeling,
deepening, mystery.

Eight: Power, authority, success, material freedom, judgment,
discrimination, executive ability, organization, leadership,
management, practicality, thoroughness, dependability,
self-reliance, control, the power to succeed, repose,
consideration, retreat, ripening.

Nine: Universal love, sisterhood, brotherhood, charity, compassion,
the Higher Law, artistic genius, selfless service, philanthropy,
humanitarianism, magnetism, sympathy, understanding, romance,
generosity, breadth of viewpoint, understanding before or beyond
words, strengthening.

What is quite interesting is that you can also use these values to
numerologically get a reading from a deck of plain tarot cards.