by Sasha Graham
Eucharist—Christian rite where consecrated bread and wine are consumed in honor of Jesus and his Last Supper. Seen on the Ace of Cups in the symbol of dove, wafer, and cup.
Exoteric—Information that is intended for public consumption. In relation to the RWS deck, exoteric is the oppositional reference to the secret canon of tarot in the Golden Dawn’s Book T.
Fecundity—Fertility.
Geburah—The fifth Sephira on the Tree of Life, meaning “strength.” Associated with all tarot fives.
Golden Dawn—Influential magical group springing from the nineteenth century who contributed to modern occultism. Arthur Waite and Pamela Colman Smith were both members.
Hero’s Journey—A term coined by Joseph Campbell referring to the cross-cultural pattern of mythology and storytelling sharing common elements worldwide.
Hod—The eighth Sephira on the Tree of Life, meaning “splendor.” Associated with all tarot eights.
Holy Table—An altar.
Initiation—A ritual created to bring individuals into a secret group.
Kabbalah (also Qabalah)—Ancient Jewish mystical system describing the operation of the universe in relation to divine manifestation. The Tree of Life is used to express divine nature. Tarot scholars associate the tarot with the tree as a way of understanding both.
Kabbalistic Attribution—The Hebrew letter assigned to each major arcana.
Kether—The first Sephira on the Tree of Life, meaning “crown,” and associated with all tarot aces.
Key—Cards. In relation to the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, the individual cards are often referred to as keys.
Lemniscate—Sideways eight reflecting the yin and yang of never ending life; also the Martinistic symbol of Christ.
Lotus Flowers—Symbol used by Golden Dawn and a myriad of cultures; in a broad sense they symbolize rebirth.
Major Arcana—The first twenty-two cards of the tarot deck, numbered 0–21. Also called trump cards.
Malkuth—The tenth and final Sephira on the Tree of Life, meaning “kingdom.” Associated with all tarot tens.
Metaphysical—Related to a reality beyond what is perceptible to the senses.
Middle Pillar—The integrating pillar on the Tree of Life, composed of Sephiroth 1, 6, 9, and 10.
Minor Arcana—Aces through tens and all court cards of the tarot deck. Often called pip cards or minors.
Narrative—The arc or events in a story. As related to tarot, the cards reflect a narrative for the reader.
Netzach—The seventh Sephira on the Tree of Life, meaning “victory.” Associated with all tarot sevens.
Numerology—Knowledge of the occult significance of numbers. Relating to tarot, each card carries a number that can be used for further interpretation.
Nymphs—Feminine spirits of the natural world. These mini goddesses and minor deities sprang from lakes, springs, seas, rivers, and waterfalls.
Occult—Secret. Relating to or dealing with supernatural phenomena. Something hidden from view.
Operative Masonry—Freemasons who are active, working, professional Masonic builders.
Ouroboros—Symbol of a snake or salamander eating its own tail as a symbol of infinity and the never-ending circle of life.
Pentacles—Tarot suit relating to the element of earth and reflecting material items, people, and money.
Pillar of Mercy—The right pillar of the Tree of Life; comprised of Sephiroth 2, 4, and 7.
Pillar of Severity—The left pillar of the Tree of Life; comprised of Sephiroth 3, 5, and 8.
Prana—The Sanskrit word describing the vital universal life force of all things. The term is used often in yoga, Hindu philosophy, and martial arts.
Pranayama Breath—Intentional breathing focused on controlling and extending the yogi’s breath, which is considered the universal life force. The practice is believed to open energetic pathways, purify the mind, and contain numerous holistic, emotional, and physical benefits.
Profane—Of the normal world and secular rather than spiritual.
Psychic—Manner of gaining knowledge through something other than direct communication.
Querent—An old-fashioned term for a person who visits and receives a reading from a tarot reader.
Reversals—Tarot cards that appear in a spread upside down. It is up to the reader to assign additional meaning to a reversal if they choose.
Rota—Latin word meaning “wheel.” Found on the Wheel of Fortune card.
Sacred—Defined space that is holy or supernatural.
Scrim—Piece of gauze or fabric used in theater as a painted backdrop. Each of Pamela’s stage cards reflects a scrim.
Sepher Yetzirah—Ancient text explaining the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.
Sephiroth—The ten circles of Divinity on the Tree of Life.
Serpent-Cincture—The symbol of a serpent or snake devouring its own tail, as in the belt of the Magician card. Conventional symbol of eternity. See also “Ouroboros.”
Shadow Self—Phrase and idea created by Jung, meaning the part of the human psyche where we bury our deepest desires, fears, talents, and issues we are unable to bring to the surface, acknowledge, and accept. Often associated with the Moon card and what lingers beneath the surface of the water pools inside the tarot.
Significator—Card purposefully chosen to represent the person the reading is for or the situation the reading pertains to.
Speculative Masonry—Freemasonry for men who are not professional Masonic builders.
Stage Card—Thirteen tarot cards designed by Pamela Colman Smith that are drawn on a stage.
Subconscious—The part of consciousness that the individual is not aware of.
Supernal Triad—The top triad of the Tree of Life, the first three Sephiroth forming a trinity and locking in the godhead.
Supernatural—An occurrence or things relating to an order of existence beyond the visible universe.
Swords—Tarot suit relating to the element of air and reflecting the qualities of the mind, thoughts, and calculation.
Synchronicity—The experience of two or more events appearing to be meaningfully related.
Tattva Tradition—The Golden Dawn used tattva symbols and invocations to work with as they rose through initiatory grades.
Tetragrammaton—The fourfold expression of the Hebrew deity and God, containing the Hebrew letters Yod Heh Vau Heh.
Tetramorph—Four creatures found in the four corners of the Wheel of Fortune and World cards. This is a cross-cultural symbol reflecting four directions in space and divine dominion. Tarot’s tetramorph is based on the four biblical tetramorphs found in the first chapter of Ezekiel who have the heads of a man, lion, ox, and eagle.
Timing—Using the tarot cards to predict the date or time of a future event.
Tiphareth—The sixth Sephira on the Tree of Life, meaning “beauty.” Associated with all tarot sixes.
Tora—Scroll on the High Priestess’s lap. Also appears on the Wheel of Fortune card.
Tree of Life—Representation of the nature of divinity and reality via ten circles and pathways looking like a tree.
Trump Card—Slang for a major arcana card numbered 0 to 21. Each ascending card carries a higher or greater power over the last.
Undine—From the Latin word under, meaning wave or water. A European tradition of the spirits who inhabit the element of water.
Visualization—Using a tarot card or other image in the mind’s eye and exploring it through the creative imagination.
Wand—The tarot symbol depicting the element of fire. In other, earlier decks, called a staff or stick.
Yesod—The ninth Sephira on the Tree of Life, meaning “foundation.” Associates with all tarot nines.
Yoga—A broad group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices developed in India.
[contents]
Thank You
Deep gratitude to the following:
To the librarians of the Berg Collection of English and American Literature, the New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations, thank you for the peace and quiet of your sequestered wooden rooms and allowing me to convene with Stoker, Yeats, Waite, and Pamela.
To Rebecca Zins, my editor, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are amazing. I love working with you. To Mary Greer, thank you for your enthusiasm and for your lifetime pursuit of the tarot that profoundly touches each and every one of us. Barbara Moore, you are the reason this book came to light—for the lessons and eloquence, spoken and unspoken, you continue to shower upon all of us; and thank you for believing in me. Stuart Kaplan, for sharing your story, wisdom, and collection; it was a true honor. Thank you. Lynn Sparrow, a true delight, for your support and enthusiasm, thank you. Susan Wands, beguiling, beautiful creature and steadfast friend whose kindness, giving, and care knows no bounds. Thank you for holding Pamela up for all the world to see. Forever your “Ducks.” Wald and Ruth Ann Amberstone. I could not have written this book without the foundational understanding of the Tree of Life you gave me at the Tarot School. After all these years, I still look to the cards and hear your voices in my head. Thank you for being my teachers.
Deep gratitude for sub rosa undercurrents who thread silken strands of meaning through a person’s life. These connective threads, like spider’s silk, thin and invisible, often lie unseen until a roving path of sunlight illuminates it. They become dazzling strings of possibility if only for a few moments. Time is oppositional. It doesn’t erase; it enriches. For this wellspring of creativity, healing, and possibility, I am eternally grateful. Thank you.
Thank you to my supernatural woodland muse, Autumn Marie, who keeps a golden toe dipped in each world. Thank you for the tarot of the body and showing me how movement speaks, heals, and often communicates on a deeper level than words. Bill and Isabella, my two pillars, a boyishly handsome husband and a gorgeous, beautiful girl. I love our trinity of a family and each of you so much. Endless thank yous for bearing with me while writing this book. I promise you both: fiction next.
[contents]
image credits
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credit information
Rider-Waite Tarot Deck®, also known as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902 USA. Copyright ©1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. Further reproduction prohibited. The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck® is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
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Marseille Tarot used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Shadowscapes Tarot by Barbara Moore and Stephanie Pui-Mun Law used by permission of Llewellyn.
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Steampunk Tarot by Barbara Moore and Aly Fell used by permission of Llewellyn.
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Photo of Arthur Edward Waite, London, January 13, 1921, from the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 29, 2018. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47db-b7b1-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
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Photo of Arthur E. Waite from Strange Houses of Sleep, 1906. The Internet Archive. Accessed May 30, 2018. https://archive.org/details/strangehousesofs00waitrich
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Photo of Pamela Colman Smith from Babel Hathitrust Digital Library. “The Delineator, Vol 80, Pamela Colman Smith, She Believes in Fairies, November 1912.” Accessed May 30, 2018. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=iau.31858046092171;view=1up;seq=308
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Photo of Stuart R. Kaplan courtesy of Stuart R. Kaplan. Image is not for reproduction.
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From Book of Friendly Giants by Pamela Colman Smith. Reproduced from the library of Stuart R. Kaplan.
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Reading Room of the British Library. Wood Engraving, 1859. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Online Catalogue. Accessed May 30, 2018. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2007682650/
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W. B. Yeats drawing by Pamela Colman Smith from Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library Digital Collections. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/33ee7390-45ca-0133-a62c-00505686a51c
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Toy theater photograph from The University of Michigan. “Brush and Pencil: An Illustrated Magazine of the Arts of Today, Volume 6, Issue 3, P. 135, 1900.” Google Digitized. Accessed May 30, 2018. https://books.google.com/books?id=2ge1PI33O9cC&pg =PA143&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=3#v=onepage&q&f=false
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Fool image from Eunice Fuller, The Book of Friendly Giants, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. New York: The Century Company, 1914. Courtesy of Stuart R. Kaplan.
Ellen Terry and her dog photo courtesy of the private collection of Geraldine Beskin, owner of Atlantis Bookshop in Bloomsbury, London.
Tarot of Marseille image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Visconti Tarot image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Visconti Tarot image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Tarot of Marseille image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Emperor image from Eunice Fuller, The Book of Friendly Giants, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. New York: The Century Company, 1914. Courtesy of Stuart R. Kaplan.
Visconti Tarot image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Tarot of Marseille image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Tarot of Marseille image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Chariot image from Eunice Fuller, The Book of Friendly Giants, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. New York: The Century Company, 1914. Courtesy of Stuart R. Kaplan.
Tarot of Marseille image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Tarot of Marseille image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Hermit image from Eunice Fuller, The Book of Friendly Giants, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. New York: The Century Company, 1914. Courtesy of Stuart R. Kaplan.
Visconti Tarot image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Visconti Tarot image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Tarot of Marseille image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Visconti Tarot image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Death image from Eunice Fuller, The Book of Friendly Giants, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. New York: The Century Company, 1914. Courtesy of Stuart R. Kaplan.
Visconti Tarot image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
Tarot of Marseille image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Lévi’s Devil from the Internet Archive, “Transcendental Magic, its Doctrine and Ritual.” Éliphas, Lévi. 1896. Accessed May 30, 2018. https://archive.org/details/transcendentalma00leviuoft
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Tarot of Marseille image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Tarot of Marseille image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Moon tower illustration from the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Art & Architecture Collection, The New York Public Library. “From a drawing by Pamela Colman Smith.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 6, 2018. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/6666c040-6a6d-0135-0fd6-0b924b53236c
Tarot of Marseille image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Tarot of Marseille image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Tarot of Marseille image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Tarot of Marseille image used by permission of Lo Scarabeo.
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Ellen Terry photo from Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library. “Ellen Terry in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 13, 2018. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47de-963d-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99