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Tarot
Gateway To Tarot:
The Tetractys Spread
by Bonnie Cehovet
Tarot Master
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Last month we took a look at numerology as one of the numerous layers of Tarot. We looked at the mundane and esoteric meanings for the numbers 1-10, and we looked at the placement of the pips on the Tree of life. This month we are going to put all of this together and apply it to a reading.
I am going to use a ten card spread called the Tetractys. 1 I chose this spread because it represents the Pythagorean concept of the cosmos. 2 The cards are laid out as follows:
The cards drawn, from the Universal Tarot deck, were:
1. Queen of Wands (13)
2. Seven of Wands (7)
3. Two of Wands (2)
4. Three of Swords (3)
5. Four of Swords (4)
6. Queen of Swords (13)
7. The Hanged Man (12)
8. Three of Cups (3)
9. Five of Cups (5)
10. The Emperor (4)
The spread we are working with, looking strictly at the numbers, would then look like this:
Am I being arbitrary in the numbering system for the court cards? somewhat, yes. However each reader decides to assign numbers to the court cards, as long as they do it consistently, there should not be a problem. For those of you that want me to add the double digit numbers together - look at what this does. It changes the energy of the number completely around - odd numbers become even, even numbers become odd. However, when looking at the energy of the cards, the Tarot world traditionally follows a system where cards that reduce to the same number carry the same energy (i.e. 2, 11, 20), so .... yes, reduce the numbers! LOL We now have:
We will not take this as an actual spread with a question, but will look at it through the eyes of the numbers. Let's do a quick overview, and then take this spread line by line, starting with the bottom line (numbers 1-4).
We have four's in all but one line, so certainly we have the energy of things being manifested here. We also have three's in all but one line, so we have the energy of expansion, growth and fertility. We have one two (the energy of duality, of joining together of opposites), and one 5 (representing the five human senses, change and the need for co-operation with others).
In the first row we see the Queen of Wands, the Seven of Wands, the Two of Wands and the Three of Swords. The numbers that we are working with are, in order, 4-7-2-3.
The Queens all carry the energy of the number four - that of manifestation and reliability. Here our Queen is affected by the energy of the number seven - that of introspection and the psychic realm. Her power is somewhat diminished by having an odd number next to her. We will not apply the Qabalistic numbering concept to the court cards or to the major arcana, as they have their own place on the Tree of Life.
The Seven of Wands carries the energy of all seven's - that of introspection, and the ability to deal with challenge However, our seven is surrounded by even numbers, so the power if this card is diminished. Through the eyes of the Qabalah, we see the number seven as representing the Sephiroth of Netzach and the sphere of Occult Intelligence. The Seven of Wands in the Qabalistic world carries the association of valor - which again I would see as being diminished because of the other cards surrounding it.
The Two of Wands carries the energy of all two's - that of duality and the coming together of opposites. This two is surrounded by odd numbers (the Seven of Wands and the Three of Swords), so its energy is diminished. Qabalistically, the two's represent the Sephiroth of Chokmah, the sphere of Wisdom and the virtue of devotion. The Two of Wands carries the Qabalistic association of dominion - which is diminished because of the cards surrounding it.
The Three of Swords carries the energy of all three's - that of completion and co-operation. The neighboring Two of Wands diminishes the energy of this card. Qabalistically, the three's represent the Sephiroth of Bina and the sphere of Understanding. The Three of swords carries the Qabalistic association of sorrow - which is diminished because of the neighboring Two of Wands.
In the second row we have the Four of Swords, the Queen of Swords and the Hanged Man. The Four of Swords carries the energy of all fours - that of manifestation and reliability. Qabalistically, the four's represent the Sephiroth of Chesed and the sphere of Mercy. The Qabalistic association of rest from strife applies to the Four of Swords - in a diminished capacity.
The Queen of Swords carries the energy of all Queens - that of the nurturing inner world, the passive and the feminine. Numerologically, they carry the energy of number four - that of manifestation. There is no Qabalistic numerological association here, as the court cards have their own place on the Tree of Life. This Queen is neutralized by having the Four of Swords (even number card) on one side and the Hanged Man (odd numbered card) on the other side.
The Hanged Man carries the energy of the number three - that of expansion, completion and co-operation. The Hanged Man is diminished by the Queen of Swords (odd numbered card) next to him. There is no Qabalistic numerological association, as the major arcana form the paths between the spheres on the Tree of Life.
In the third row we have the Three of Cups and the Five of Cups. The Three of Cups carries the energy of the three's - that of completion. The Qabalistic quality that the three's carry is that of the Sephiroth of Binah, and sphere of Understanding. Qabalistically, the Three of Cups carries the energy of abundance. The Three of Cups is strengthened by the odd number card (the Five of Cups) next to it.
The Five of Cups carries the energy of all five's - that of the five senses, the need for change and justice. The Qabalistic quality that the five's carry is that of the Sephiroth of Gevurah, and the sphere of Strength, with the virtue of courage. Qabalistically the Five of Cups carries the energy of loss in pleasure. The Five of Cups (odd number) is strengthened by the neighboring Three of Cups (another odd number).
In the fourth row we have the Emperor. As well as carrying the traditional aspects of , the Emperor carries the numerological energy of the four's - the energy of manifestation, solidity and reliability. The full force of the Emperor applies here, as no other cards affect him.
In a reading, I would start with the elemental dignities, then look at the position within the spread, the individual card meanings and then the numerological connotations. (And yes - I snuck the numerological dignities into the above interpretation. Odd numbers strengthen odd numbers, even numbers strengthen even numbers, odd numbers diminish even numbers and even numbers diminish odd numbers. An odd number on one side and an even number on the other neutralizes a card. Just my personal way of dealing with numerological dignities.)
In this reading, we see an emphasis on manifesting - bringing something into the "real world" in solid form. The interesting sequence here is passion and will (Wands) going into thought (Swords), followed by emotion (Cups) and the strength of character and will (Emperor) to make this all happen. And that strength of will does need to show up - as the energy of a prevailing number of cards in this reading is diminished!
This is my take on numbers - other readers will deal with them in other ways. I would be happy to present other interpretations of the spread that I have presented here if anyone else wants to join in!
Tarot As A Business:
This is the time of season when we are so very rushed - too many projects, too little time! Baking, cooking, shopping, cleaning ... and then there is the 9-5 to think about! So where does Tarot fit into this month as a business? In a word - it is part of what we who work in the Tarot field have to feel joyous about. It is the key to our abundance and prosperity.
Take the time to give back to the Tarot world in some way this month. Each os us has some way in which we can give thanks - whether it is discount prices, free readings, a free class or lecture - the ways that we can choose to give back are endless.
Take the time to give thanks - hold in your mind throughout the month of December the joy that you feel when working with Tarot, the wisdom that it has brought to you and the manner in which it has transformed your life. Allow this feeling to be a part of each and every thing that you do. Perhaps at the new moon you will want to set out a few cards that represent (a) what you are thankful for and (b) where you want the next year to go for you. Or you can set out a mandala made up of Tarot cards, crystals, candles and objects that represent what Tarot has brought to you. Be inventive - be joyful!
Take a few moments to fast forward into 2005. Where do you want your business to go, and how do you plan to get there? Make a list of five or more goals that you wish to accomplish in the Tarot world within the next year. Hold these thoughts, and begin to formulate how you can accomplish these goals, what actions you can take to move yourself in a new direction.
I would like to wish each and every one of my readers a Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Hanukah, Happy Kwanzaa ... or whatever your personal celebration will be this month. I do not feel comfortable with "Season's Greeting's" - too darn generic! Enjoy the food, the fun, the celebrations with family and friends ... give thanks in any and all ways for the abundance in your life. May Joy, Peace and Harmony find a permanent home in your heart.
Please feel free to contact me with thoughts about what you would like to see discussed in this column, and any Tarot related questions that you may have. I would like to see this column as being a mirror for the interests of my readers, and am open to feedback of all types.
Footnotes:
1. www.cs.utk.edu/~mclennan/BA/PT/D-tet.html#introduction This is an excellent site to visit to see exactly what this spread is, what each line stands for and how deeply a reading can go using it.
2. Place, Robert M. A Gnostic Book Of Saints. Llewellyn Worldwide. 2001. page 36.
Bibliography:
Place, Robert M. A Gnostic Book Of Saints. Llewellyn Worldwide. 2001.
www.cs.utk.edu/~mclennan/BA/PT/D-tet.html#introduction
(c) December 2003
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Bonnie Cehovet,
Tarot Master, and Reiki Master/Teacher.
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Bonnie Cehovet is a Tarot Master, professional Tarot reader and Reiki Master/Teacher.
Bonnie has been reading the Tarot professionally for over ten years. She has served in various capacities with the American Tarot Association, including Secretary and Web Assistant For Links. She is currently Certification Director and Secretary for the American Board For Tarot Certification. Bonnie is also a founding member of the World Tarot Network.
Bonnie has had her work published in the ATA newsletter, in Geraldine Amaral's "Celebrating The Tarot" print newsletter, on the World Tarot Network and other internet sites. She is editor for her own monthly newsletter "Gateway To Tarot" (Yahoo Groups).
www.tarot.thecrystalgate.
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