Section 2

THE LESSER ARCANA
Othenvisc, the Four Suits of Tarot Cards, will now be described according to their respective classes by the pictures to each belonging, and a harmony of their meanings will be provided from all sources.
Such are the intimations of the Lesser Arcana in respect of divinatory art, the veridic nature of which seems to depend on an alternative that it may be serviceable to express briefly. The records of the art are ex hypothesi the records of findings in the past based upon experience ; as such, they are a guide to memory, and those who can master the elements may — still ex hyphothesi — give interpretations on their basis. It is an official and auto- matic working. On the other hand, those who have gifts of intuition, of second sight, of clairvoyance — call it as we choose and may — will supplement the experience of the past by the find- ings of their own faculty, and will speak of that which they have seen in the pretexts of the oracles. It remains to give, also briefly, the divinatory significance allocated by the same art to the Tnmips Major.
90
ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
KING o^ AVAND3
THE SUIT OF WANDS. KING.
The physical and emotional nature to which this card is attrib- uted is dark, ardent, lithe, animated, impassioned, noble. The King uplifts a flowering wand, and wears, like his three corre- spondences in the remaining suits, what is called a cap of main- tenance beneath his crown. He connects with the symbol of the lion, which is emblazoned on the back of his throne. Divinatory Meanings: Dark man, friendly, countryman, generally married, honest and conscientious. The card always signifies honesty, and may mean news concerning an unexpected heritage to fall in before very long. Reversed: Good, but severe ; austere, yet tolerant.
OUTSR METHOD OF THE ORACLES.
91
QUEEN oyWAM PS .
WANDS. QUEEN.
The Wands ihroue^hoiit this suit are ahvays in leaf, as it is a suit of hfe and animation. Emotionally and otherwise, the Queen's personality corresponds to that of the King, hut is more magnetic. Divinatory Meanings: A dark woman, country- woman, friendly, chaste, loving, honorahle. If the card beside her signifies a man, she is well disposed towards him ; if a woman, she is interested in the Querent. Also, love of money, or a cer- tain success in business. Reversed: Good, economical, obliging, serviceable. Signifies also — but in certain positions and in the neighborhood of other cards tending in such directions — opposi- tion, jealousy, even deceit and infidelity.
92 ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
KNIGHToV WANDS.
WANDS. KNIGHT.
He is shown as if upon a journey, armed with a short wand, and although mailed is not on a warlike errand. He is passing mounds or pyramids. The motion of the horse is a key to the character of its rider, and suggests the precipitate mood, or things connected therewith. Divine tory Meanings: Departure, absence, flight, emigration. A dark young man, friendly. Change of residence. Reversed: Rupture"^, division, interruption, discord.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES.
93
PAGE oV AVANPS.
WANDS. PAGE.
In a scene similar lo the former, a )oung- man stands in the act of proclamation. He is unknown but faithful, and his tidings are strange. Divinatory Meanings: Dark young man, faithful, a lover, an envoy, a postman. Beside a man, he will bear favorable testimony concerning him. A dangerous rival, if followed by the Page of Cups. Has the chief qualities of his suit. He may signify family intelligence. Rcz'crscd: Anecdotes, announce- ments, evil news. Also indecision and the instability which accompanies it.
94
ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
WANDS. TEN.
A man oppressed by the weight of the ten staves which he is carrying. Divinatory Meanings: A card of many significances, and some of the readings cannot be harmonized. I set aside that which connects it with honor and good faith. The chief mean- ing is oppression simply, but it is also fortune, gain, any kind of success, and then it is the oppression of these things. It is also a card of false-seeming, disguise, perfidy. The place which the fig- ure is approaching may sufl-'er from the rods that he carries. Suc- cess is stultified if the Nine of Swords follows, and if it is a ques- tion of a lawsuit, there will be certain loss. Rez'ersed: Contrarieties, difficulties, intrigues, and their analogies.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES.
95
WANDS. NINE.
The figure leans upon his staff and has an expectant look, as if awaiting an enemy. Behind are eight other staves — erect, in orderly disposition, like a palisade. Divinalory Meanings: The card signifies strength in opposition. H attacked, the person will meet an onslaught boldly ; and his build shows that he may prove a formidable antagonist. With this main significance there are all its possible adjuncts — delay, suspension, adjournment. Reversed: Obstacles, adversity, calamity.
96
ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
WANDS. EIGHT.
The card represents motion through the immovable — a flight of wands through an open country; but they draw to the term of their course. That Mdiich they signifiy is at hand ; it m.ay be even on the threshold. Divinatory Meanings: Activity in under- takings, the path of such activity, swiftness, as that of an express messenger; great haste, great hope, speed towards an end which promises assured felicity ; generally, that which is on the move ; also the arrows of love. Reversed: Arrows of jealousy, internal dispute, stingings of conscience, quarrels ; and domestic disputes for persons who are married.
OUTER :\IETHOD OF THE ORACLES.
97
WANDS. SEVEN.
A young man on a craggy eminence brandishing a staff ; six other staves are raised towards him from below. DivimUory Meanings: It is a card of valor, for, on the surface, six are attack- ing one, who has, however, the vantage position. On the intel- lectual plane, it signifies discussion, wordy strife; in business — negotiations, war of trade, barter, competition. It is further a card of success, for the combatant is on the top and his enemies may be unable to reach him. Rrt'crscd: Perplexity, embarrass- ments, anxiety. It is also a caution against indecision.
98
ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
WANDS. SIX.
A laurelled horseman bears one staff adorned with a laurel crown ; footmen with staves are at his side. Divinatory Mean- ings: The card has been so designed that it can cover several sig- nifications; on the surface, it is a victor triumphing, but it is also great news, such as might be carried in state • by the King's courier ; it is expectation crowned with its own desire, the crown of hope, and so forth. Bteversed: Apprehension, fear, as of a victorious enemy at the gate; treachery, disloyalty, as of ,gates being opened to the enemy ; also indefinite delay.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES. 99
WANDS. FIVE.
A posse of youths, who arc brandishing staves, as if in sport or strife. It is mimic warfare, and hereto correspond the Diviiia- iory Meanings: Imitation, as, for example, sham tight, but also the strenuous competition and struggle of the search after riches and fortune. In this sense it connects with the battle of life. Hence some attributions say that it is a card of gold. gain, opu- lence. Reversed: Litigation, disputes, trickery, contradiction.
100
ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
WANDS. FOUR.
From the four great staves planted in the foreground there Is a great garland suspended ; two female figures uplift nosegays ; at their side is a bridge over a moat, leading to an old manorial house. Divinatory Meanings: They are for once almost on the surface — country life, haven of refuge, a species of domestic harvest-home, repose, concord, harmony, prosperity, peace, and the perfected work of these. Reversed: The meaning remains unaltered; it is prosperity, increase, felicity, beauty, embellish- ment.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES.
101
WANDS. THREE.
A calm, stately personage, with his back turned, looking from a cliff's edge at ships passing over the sea. 'JMTee staves are planted in the ground, and he leans slightly on one of them. Divinatory Meanings: He symbolizes established strength, enter- prise, effort, trade, commerce, discovery; those are his ships, bearing his merchandise, which are sailing over the sea. The card also signifies able co-operation in business, as if the success- ful merchant prince were looking from his side towards yours with a view to help you. Reversed: The end of troubles, sus- pension or cessation of adversity, toil and disappointment.
102 ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
WANDS. TWO.
A tall man looks from a battlemented roof over sea and shore ; he holds a globe in his right hand, while a staff in his left rests on the battlement ; another is fixed in a ring. The Rose and Cross and Lily should be noticed on the left side. Divinatory Mean- ings: Between the alternative readings there is no marriage pos- sible; on the one hand, riches, fortune, magnificence; on the other, physical suft"ering, disease, chagrin, sadness, mortification. The design gives one suggestion ; here is a lord overlooking his dominion and alternately contemplating a globe ; it looks like the malady, the mortification, the sadness of Alexander amidst the grandeur of this world's wealth. Reversed: Surprise, wonder, enchantment, emotion, trouble, fear.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES. 103
WANDS. ACE.
A hand issuing from a cloud grasps a stout wand or club. Diz'inatory Meanings: Creation, invention, enterprise, the powers which result in these ; principle, beginning, source ; birth, family, origin, and in a sense the virility which is behind them ; the start- ing point of enterprises.; according to another account, money, fortune, inheritance. Reversed: Fall, decadence, ruin, perdition, to perish ; also a certain clouded joy.
104 ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
THE SUIT OF CUPS. KING.
He holds a short scepter in his left hand and a great cup in his right ; his throne is set upon the sea ; on one side a ship is riding and on the other a dolphin is leaping. The implicit is that the Sign of the Cup naturally refers to water, which appears in all the court cards. Divinatory Meanings: Fair man, man of busi- ness, law, or divinity ; responsible, disposed to oblige the Querent ; also equity, art and science, including those who profess science, law and art; creative intelligence. Reversed: Dishonest, double- dealing man ; roguery, exaction, injustice, vice, scandal, pillage, considerable loss.
OUTER METHOD OE THE ORACLES.
105
CUPS. QUEEN.
rjcautiful, fair, dreamy — as one who sees visions in a cup. This is, however, only one of her aspects; she sees, but she also acts, and her activity feeds her dream. Divinatory Meanings: Good, fair woman ; honest, devoted woman, who will do service to the Querent; loving intelligence, and hence the gift of vision; success, happiness, pleasure ; also wisdom, virtue ; a perfect spouse and a good mother. Rci'crscd: The accounts vary; good woman ; otherwise, distinguished woman but one not to be trusted ; perverse woman ; vice, dishonor, depravity.
106 ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
CUPS. KNIGHT.
Graceful, but not warlike ; riding quietly, wearing a winged helmet, referring to those higher graces of the imagination which sometimes characterize this card. He too is a dreamer, but the images of the side of sense haunt him in his vision. Divinatory Meanings: Arrival, approach — sometimes that of a messenger ; advances, proposition, demeanor, invitation, incitement. - Re- versed: Trickery, artifice, subtlety, swindling, duplicity, fraud.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES.
107
CUPS. PAGE.
A fair, pleasing, somewhat effeminate page, of studious and intent aspect, contemplates a fish rising from a cup to look at him. It is the pictures of the mind taking form. Divinatory Mean- ings: Fair young man, one impelled to render service and with whom the Querent will be connected : a studious youth ; news, message ; application, reflection, meditation ; also these things directed to business. Reversed: Taste, inclination, attachment, seduction, deception, artifice.
108
ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
CUPS. TEN.
Appearance of Cups in a rainbow ; it is contemplated in wonder and ecstasy by a man and woman below, evidently husband and wife. His right arm is about her; his left is raised upward; she raises her right arm. The two children dancing near them have not observed the prodigy but are happy after their own manner. There is a home-scene beyond. Divinatory Meanings: Content- ment, repose of the entire heart ; the perfection of that state ; also perfection of human love and friendship ; if with several picture- cards, a person who is taking charge of the Querent's interests; also the town, village or country inhabited by the Querent. Reversed: Repose of the false heart, indignation, violence.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES. 109
CUPS. NINE.
A goodly personage has feasted to his heart's content, and abundant refreshment of wine is on the arched counter behind him, seeming to indicate that the future is also assured. The picture offers the material side only, but there are other aspects. Dk'inatory Meanings: Concord, contentment, physical hicn-ctrc : also victory, success, advantage; satisfaction for the Querent or person for whom the consultation is made. Reversed: Truth, loyalty, liberty; but the readings vary and include mistakes' imperfections, etc.
110
ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
CUPS. EIGHT.
A man of dejected aspect is deserting the cups of his felicity, enterprise, undertaking or previous concern. Divinatory Mean- ings: The card speaks for itself on the surface, but other readings are entirely antithetical — giving joy, mildness, timidity, honor, modesty. In practice, it is usually found that the card shows the decline of a matter, or that a matter which has been thought to be important is really of slight consequence — either for good or evil. Reversed: Great joy, happiness, feasting.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES.
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CUPS. SEVEN.
Strange chalices of vision, but the images are more especialH those of the fantastic spirit. Divinatory Meanings: Fairy favors, images of reflection, sentiment, imagination, things seen m the glass of contemplation; some attainment in these degrees, but nothing permanent or substantial is suggested. Reversed: Desire, will, determination, project.
112
ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
CUPS. SIX.
Children in an old garden, their cups filled with flowers. Divinatory Meanings: A card of the past and of memories, lock- ing back, as — for example — on childhood; happiness, enjoyment, but coming rather from the past; things that have vanished. Another reading reverses this, giving new relations, new knowl- edge, new environment, and then the children are disporting-in an unfamiliar precinct. Reversed: The future, renewal, that which will come to pass presently.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES. 113
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CUPS. FIVE.
A dark, cloaked figure, looking sideways at three prone cups ; two others stand upright behind him ; a bridge is in the back- grotind, leading to a small keep or holding. Divinatory Mean- ings: It is a card of loss, but something remains over ; three have been taken, but two are left ; it is a card of inheritance, patri- mony, transmission, but not corresponding to expectations ; with some interpreters it is a card of marriage, but not without bitter- ness or frustration. Reversed: Xews, alliances, affinity, consan- guinity, ancestr}% return, false projects.
114 ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
CUPS. FOUR.
A young man is seated under a tree and contemplates three cups set on the grass before hhn; an arm issuing from a cloud offers him another cup. His expression notwithstanding is one of discontent with his environment. Divinatory Meanings: Weariness, disgust, aversion, imaginary vexations, as if the wine of this world had caused satiety only ; another wine, as if a fairy gift, is now offered the wastrel, but he sees no consolation therein. This is also a card of blended pleasure. Reversed: Novelty, presage, new instruction, new relations.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES.
115
CUPS. THREE.
IMaiflens in a garden-ground with cups uplifted, as if pledging one another. Divinatory Meanings: The conclusion of any matter in plenty, perfection and merriment; happy issue, victory, fultilment, solace, healing. Reversed: Expedition, dispatch, achievement, end. It signifies also the side of excess in physical enjoyment, and the pleasures of the senses.
116
ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
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CUPS. TWO.
A youth and maiden are pledging one another, and above their cups rises the Caduceus of Hemies, between the great wings of which there appears a hon's head. It is a variant of a sign which is found in a few old examples of this card. Some curious emblematical meanings are attached to it, but they do not con- cern us in this place. Divinatory Meanings: Love, passion, friendship, affinity, union, concord, sympathy, the inter-relation of the sexes, and — as a suggestion apart from all offices of divi- nation— that desire which is not in Nature, but by which Nature is sanctified.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES.
117
CUPS. ACE.
The waters are beneath, and thereon are water-lilies ; the hand issues from the cloud, holding in its palm the cup, from which four streams are pouring; a Jove, bearing in its bill a cross- marked Host, descends to place the Wafer in the Cup; the dew of water is falling on all sides. It is an intimation of that which may lie behind the Lesser Arcana. Divinatory Meanings: House of the true heart, joy. content, abode, "nourishment, abundance, fertility: Holy Table, fclicily hereof. Reversed: House of the false heart, mutation, instability, revolution.
118 ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
THE SUIT OF SWORDS. KING.
He sits in judgment, holding the unsheathed sign of his suit. He recalls, of course, the conventional Symbol of Justice in the Trumps Major, and he may represent this virtue, but he is rather the power of life and death, in virtue of his office. Dwinatory Meanings: Whatsoever arises out of the idea of judgment and all its connections — power, command, authority, mihtant intelligence, law, offices of the crown, and so forth. Reversed: Cruelty, perversity, barbarity, perfidy, evil intention.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES.
119
SWORDS. QUEEN.
Her right hand raises the weapon vertically and the hilt rests on an arm of her royal chair ; the left hand is extended, the arm raised; her countenance is severe but chastened; it suggests famiharity with sorrow. It does not represent mercy, and, her sword notwithstanding, she is scarcely a symbol of power. Divinatory Meanings: Widowhood, female sadness and embar- rassment, absence, sterility, mourning, privation, separation. Re- versed: Malice, bigotry, artifice, prudery, bale, deceit.
120
ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
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SWORDS. KNIGHT.
He is riding in full course, as if scattering his enemies. In the design he is really a proto-typical hero of romantic chivalry. He might almost be Galahad, whose sword is swift and sure because he is clean of heart. Divinatory Meanings: Skill, bravery, capacity, defense, address, enmity, wrath, war, destruction, oppo- sition, resistance, ruin. There is therefore a sense in which "the card signifies death, but it carries this meaning only in its prox- imity to other cards of fatality. Reversed: Imprudence, inca- pacity, extravagance.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES.
121
SWORDS. PAGE.
A lithe, active figure holds a sword upright in both hands, while in the act of swift walking. He is passing over rugged land, and about his way the clouds are collocated wildly. He is alert and lithe, looking this way and that, as if an expected enemy might appear at any moment. Divinatory Meanings: Authority, over- seeing, secret service, vigilance, spying, examination, and the qualities thereto belonging. Reversed: More evil side of these qualities ; what is unforeseen, unprepared state ; sickness is also intimated.
122
ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
. SWORDS. TEN.
A prostrate figure, pierced by all the swords belonging to the card. Divinatory Meanings: Whatsoever is intimated by the design; also pain, affliction, tears, sadness, desolation. It is not especially a card of violent death. Reversed: Advantage, profit, success, favor, but none of these are permanent ; also power and authority.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES.
123
SWORDS. NINE.
One seated on her couch in lamentation, with the swords over her. She is as one who knows no sorrow which is like unto hers. It is a card of utter desolation. Divinatory Meanings: Death, failure, miscarriage, delay, deception, disappointment, despair. Reversed: Imprisonment, suspicion, doubt, reasonable fear, shame.
124
ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
SWORDS. EIGHT.
A woman, bound and hoodwinked, wuth the swords of the card about her. Yet it is rather a card of temporary durance than of irretrievable bondage. Divinatory Meanings: Bad news, violent chagrin, crisis, censure, power in trammels, conflict, calumny ; also sickness. Reversed: Disquiet, difficulty, opposition, acci- dent, treachery ; what is unforeseen ; fatality.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES. 125
SWORDS. SEVEN.
A man in the act of carrying away five swords rapidly ; the two others of the card remain stuck in the ground. A camp is close at hand. Divinatory Meanings: Design, attempt, wish, hope, confidence; also quarrelling, a plan that may fail, annoy- ance. The design is uncertain in its import, because the signifi- cations are widely at variance with each other. Reversed: Good advice, counsel, instruction, slander, babbling.
126 ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
SWORDS. SIX.
A ferryman carrying passengers in his punt to the further shore. The course is smooth, and seeing that the freight is Hght, it may be noted that the work is not beyond his strength. Divinatory Meanings: Journey by water, route, way, envoy, commissionary, expedient. Reversed: Declaration, confession, pubHcity ; one ac- count says that it is a proposal of love.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES. 127
SWORDS. FIVE.
A disdainful man looks after two retreating and dejected figures. Their swords lie upon the ground. He carries two others on his left shoulder, and a third sword is in his right hand, point to earth. He is the master in possession of the field. Divinatory Meanings: Degradation, destruction, revocation, in- famy, dishonor, loss, with the variants and analogues of these. Reversed: The same; burial and obsequies.
128
ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
SWORDS. FOUR.
The effigy of a knight in the attitude of prayer, ,at full length upon his tomb. Dkinatory Meanings: Vigilance, retreat, soli- tude, hermit's repose, exile,"tomb and coffin. It is these last that have suggested the design. Reversed: Wise administration, cir- cumspection, economy, avarice, precaution, testament.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES. 129
SWORDS. THREE.
Three swords piercing- a heart; cloud and rain behind. Divinor- tory Meanings: Removal, absence, delay, division, rupture, dis- persion, and all that the design signifies naturally, being too simple and obvious to call for specific enumeration. Reversed: Mental alienation, error, loss, distraction, disorder, confusion.
130 ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
SWORDS. TWO.
A hoodwinked female figure balances two swords upon her shoulders. Divinatory Meanings: Conformity and the equipoise which it suggests, courage, friendship, concord in a state of arms ; another reading gives tenderness, affection, intimacy. The sug- gestion of harmony and other favorable readings must be consid- ered in a qualified manner, as Swords generally are not symbolical of beneficent forces in human affairs. Reversed: Imposture, falsehood, duplicity, disloyalty. .
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES.
131
ACE o^ DWORDS
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SWORDS. ACE.
A hand issues from a cloud, grasping a sword, the point of which is encircled by a crown. Divinatory Meanings: Triumph, the excessive degree in everything, conquest, triumph of force. It is a card of great force, in love as well as in hatred. The crown may carry a much higher significance than comes usually ^yithin the sphere of fortune-telling. Reversed: The same, but the results are disastrous ; another account says — conception — childbirth, augmentation, multiplicity.
132
ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
^ THE SUIT OF PENTACLES. KING.
The face of this figure is dark, suggesting courage, and the bull's head should be noted as a recurrent symbol on the throne. The sign of this suit is represented throughout as engraved with the pentigram, typifying the correspondence of the four elements in human nature and that by which they may be governed. In old Tarot packs this suit represented money. The consensus of divinatory meanings is on the side of change, as the cards do not deal especially with questions of money. Divinatory Mean- ings: Valor, intelligence, business, mathematical gifts, and success in these paths. Reversed: Vice, weakness, perversity, peril.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES.
133
PENTACLES. QUEEN.
The face suggests that of a dark woman, whose quahties might be summed up in the idea of greatness of soul; she has also the serious cast of intehigence; she contemplates her symbol and may see worlds therein. Divinatory Meanings: Opulence, generosity, magnificence, security, liberty. Reversed: Evil, suspicion, suspense, fear, mistrust.
134
ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
PENTACLES. KNIGHT.
He rides a slow, enduring, heavy horse, to which his own aspect corresponds. He exhibits his symbol, but does not look therein. Divinatory Meanings: Utility, serviceableness, inter- est, responsibility, rectitude — all on the normal and external plane. Reversed: Inertia, idleness, repose of that kind, stag- nation ; also placidity, discouragement, carelessness.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES.
135
PENTACLES. PAGE.
A youthful figure, looking intently at the pentacle which hovers over his raised hands. He moves slowly, insensible of that which is about him. Divutatory Meanings: Application, study, schol- arship, reflection ; another reading says news, messages and the bringer thereof; also rule, management. Reversed: Prodigal- ity, dissipation, liberality, luxury, unfavorable news.
136
ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
PENTACLES. TEN.
A man and woman beneath an archway which gives entrance to a house and domain. They are accompanied by a child, who looks curiously at two dogs accosting an ancient personage seated in the foreground. The child's hand is on one of them. Divina- tory Meanings: Gain, riches; family matters, archives, extrac- tion, the abode of a family. Reversed: Chance, fatality, loss, robbery, games of hazard; sometimes gift, dowry, pension."
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES.
137
PENTACLES. NINE.
A woman, with a bird upon her wrist, stands amidst a great abundance of grape-vines in the garden of a manorial house. It is a wide domain, suggesting plenty in all things. Possibly it is her own possession and testifies to material well-being. Divinn- tory Meanings: Prudence, safety, success, accomplishment, cer- titude, discernment. Reversed: Roguery, deception, voided project, bad faith.
138
ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
PENTACLES. EIGHT.
An artist in stone at his work, which he exhibits in the form of trophies. Divinatory Meanings: Work, employment, commis- sion, craftsmanship, skill in craft and business, perhaps in the preparatory stage. Reversed: Voided ambition, vanity, cupidity, exaction, usury. It may also signify the possession of skill, in the sense of the ingenious mind turned to cunning and intrigue.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES.
139
PENTACLES. SEVEN.
A young man, leaning on his staff, looks intently at seven pentacles attached to a clump of greenery on his right ; one would say that these were his treasures and that his heart was there. Divinatory Meanings: These are exceedingly contradictory ; in the main, it is a card of money, business, barter ; but one reading gives altercation, quarrel — and another innocence, ingenuity, purgation. Reversed: Cause for anxiety regarding money which it may be proposed to lend.
140
ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
PENTACLES. SIX.
A person in the guise of a merchant weighs money in a pair of scales and distributes it to the needy and distressed. It is a tes- timony to his own success in Hf e, as well as his goodness of heart. Divinatory Meanings: Presents, gifts, gratification; another account says attention, vigilance ; now is the accepted time, pres- ent prosperity, etc. Reversed: Desire, cupidity, envy, jealousy, illusion.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES.
141
PENTACLES. FIVE.
Two mendicants in a snowstorm pass a lighted casement. Divinatory Meanings: The card foretells material trouble above all, whether in the form illustrated — that is, destitution — or oth- erwise. For some cartomancists, it is a card of love and lovers — • wife, husband, friend, mistress ; also concordance, affinities. These alternatives cannot be harmonized. Reversed: Disorder, chaos, ruin, discord, profligacy.
142 ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
PENTACLES. FOUR.
A crowned figure, having a pentacle over his crown, clasps another with hands and arms ; two pentacles are under his feet. He holds to that which he has. Divinatory Meanings: The surety of possessions, cleaving to that which one has, gift, legacy, inheritance. Reversed: Suspense, delay, opposition.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES. 143
PENTACLES. THREE.
A sculptor at his work in a monastery. Compare the design which illustrates the Eight of Pentacles. The apprentice or ama- teur therein has received his reward and is now at work in earnest. Divinatory Meanings: Metier, trade, 'skilled labor ; usu- ally, however, regarded as a card of nobility, aristocracy, renown, glory. Reversed: Mediocrity, in work and otherwise, puerility, pettiness, weakness.
144
ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.
PENTACLES. TWO.
A young man, in the act of dancing, has a pentacle in either hand, and they are joined by that endless cord which is like the number 8 reversed. Divinatory Meanings: On the one hand it is represented as a card of gaiety, recreation and its connections, which is the subject of the design; but it is read also as news and messages in writing, as obstacles, agitation, trouble, embroilment. Reversed: Enforced gaiety, simulated enjoyment, literal sense, handwriting, composition, letters of exchange.
OUTER METHOD OF THE ORACLES.
145
^CE^yPENTACLES
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PENTACLES. ACE.
A hand — issuing, as usual, from a cloud — holds up a pentacle. Divinatory Meanings: Perfect contentment, felicity, ecstasy; also speedy intelligence ; gold. Reversed: The evil side of wealth, bad intelligence; also great riches. In any case it shows prosperity, comfortable material conditions, but whether these are of advan- tage to the possessor will depend on whether the card is reversed or not.
146 ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE TAROT.