The Act of Manifestation
Page 1
A Small Introduction and Thanks
What is this system? It is a system made up of numbers and symbols with a blend of psychological interpretations. It is taught through sight, sound and color. The Tarot is a system that can help you develop the use of your natural intuition. Intuition is viable as an evolutionary part of human survival through the use of our five senses. We know that we are naturally drawn to patterns and the order of the universe. The more information we are able to absorb, the more we comprehend. We look towards our future and question. As you study, you will find it will be easier to understand another person’s card layout and explain it to them. You will soon become both teacher and student. This training will also bring you to a greater understanding of your own personal perspective as well. You will see things differently and with more clarity.
Over many years, I have taught classes and workshops. I’ve enjoyed doing talk radio over a TV spot. This is my second tarot book; third, if you count a small book in a video I did. Tarot is a great counseling tool. It is informative and can help you hone up your natural intuitive abilities. This is not about “crossing someone’s palm with silver” or becoming someone others would fear. Take the time to study it. It can be used as a viable working system. It’s interesting and fun.
I would like to express my appreciation to all of you for bearing with me. Thanks also to my friend and computer wizard Joshua Bohen. His helping hand was there when I needed to understand more about computer graphics and page set up. He worked many hours. I would also like to acknowledge Herbert Britt, James Bush, Andrew Erickson and Adam Balevic for the editing, reading and publishing advice. Thanks, guys!
This book is the compilation of thirty years of personal study.
Table of Contents
Part I. Learning to Read the Tarot
A Little Piece of History
To Begin
The Elements
The Color Connection
Numerology and the Tarot Cards
Astrology in the Tarot
Meaning of the Four Suits
Meanings of the High Arcana
The Part Intuition Plays
Intuitive Meditation
The Beginning Layout
Part II Advanced Studies
Tarot and the Tree of Life
Breakdown of the High Arcana
Technical Astrology
Sample of Tarot Card Groupings
Other Card Layouts
A Little Piece of History
With the creation of printing around the 7th century and paper around the 9th, China produced some of the first playing cards used for entertainment. They were a set of domino - like cards and seemed to have brought great enjoyment. With the advancement of the Silk Road, the concept of cards spread through the Middle East and from there, to Europe.
During the 14th century, Charles VI of France commissioned a painter to create three card decks for him. Some of these are still in existence though they seemed more like portrait cards than gaming cards. By the 15th century, the use of card decks exploded across Europe. In Italy, people were playing a card game called Tarocchi that became all the rage. Looking very much like a modern tarot deck, these cards were used to take “tricks” from an opponent. It was so popular that the deck is still available today. In France, the French people played a game with a set of cards called Tarot or Triumphs. The deck had 78 cards with 22 of them used as trumps.
In the 18 century, a card deck was created and used only for divination. The Ettellia Tarot deck was published in 1788. Jean-Baptiste Alliette, otherwise known as Ettellia, created the deck in order to divine the power of inner sight. It was during his time that astrology and the elements were also added into the system. By the late 19th century, occultist Eliphas Levi wrote of the use of the tarot in connection with westernized Kabbalah and Pythagorean numerology.
Known occultists, Aleister Crowley and S. L. Macgregor Mathers studied Levi’s works. They added further mystical connotations to the subject. Crowley and Lady Freda Harris went on to create the infamous Thoth deck, which was published many years after their deaths in 1977. In 1978, Robert Wang, a student of Israel Regardie, published The Golden Dawn Tarot.
Regardie was a member of the esoteric group the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Crowley and Mathers once were members as well and the information Regardie gave to Wang was said to have been the teachings of Mathers. Wangs' deck was published only after Mathers’ death. It had been used privately for years by initiates of the order. The deck adds Hebrew letter alignments. Both the Thoth and The Golden Dawn decks are still in publication today.
In the early 20th century, Arthur E. Waite and illustrator Pamela Coleman Smith published a deck that has become one of the most popular tarot decks used by professional readers today: the Rider-Waite Deck. This is the deck I am using for this book.
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To Begin….
Creating something with intent or purpose gives it power.
A tarot deck, by definition, consists of seventy- eight cards. They are broken into two sections or “books.” In tarot card traditions, each “book” is called the arcane or Arcana; The word meaning mysteries or hidden truths.
The first book, or high mysteries, is a special set numbered 0-21. The high mysteries are called the Major Arcana and interact with the higher spiritual aspect in a person’s life. These cards represent mankind on its spiritual journey across the universe towards knowledge.
The second set, consisting of the lower or mundane mysteries are called the Minor Arcana. These are the 56 cards that are broken down to four trump suits with ten pips each and a family unit. These relate to a person’s day to day life. Each family unit normally breaks down to a father (King), mother (Queen), son (Knight or Prince or Prodigal) and child or baby (Page or Princess). The card titles, of course, depend on which deck you are using. I use the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck which can be bought at any local metaphysical shop or through US Games System.
This book is my approach to the breakdown of deck’s system through my years of study.
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The four trump suits can represent an element, a direction, a season, a time or an angelic presence. They can be considered masculine or feminine. The suits connect to astrology and numerology as well. The chart on the next page can give you a better understanding.
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There are four types of trumps in this deck. They are called:
Cups, Wands, Pentacles and Swords.
The Four Elements
(From left to right: Earth, Fire, Air and Water)
The Elements: What Do They Mean?
Cups- Water
Wands – Fire
Pentacles – Earth
Swords – Air
Cups-Element of Water
It is the element in the tarot that represents feelings; emotions and intuition. Water meditation: The element of Water is constant in its movement. There is flux and flow. There is birth and rebirth. It can also wash away things in its wake.
Wands- Element of Fire
It is the element in the tarot that represents leadership; the sexual (male), creative and spiritual.
Fire meditation: The element of Fire rushes forward. It crackles and burns. It transposes and transforms. It becomes the light within the darkness.
Pentacles- Element of Earth
It is the element in the tarot that represents strength; the sexual (female); it is also structure and physical abundance.
Earth meditation: The element of Earth moves forward with strength and weighted force. Rich and fertile, it layers itself to solid form. It becomes the foundation of reality.
Swords- The Element of Air
> It is the element in the tarot that represents intellect; quick movement and stress.
Air meditation: The element of air blows forward. It brings forth thoughts and ideas. It penetrates; seeking truth. It becomes the imagination.
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The Color Connection
The colors on each tarot card have a meaning. Here are some of the interpretations of the color scale that is used:
Red – Passion, courage, vitality, fiery, anger
Orange – Life force, energy, activity, social, warmth
Yellow – Intelligence, creativity, optimistic
Green – Fertile, growth, healing, prosperity
Light Blue – Compassion, serenity, inspiration
Blue or dark blue – Insight, loyalty, focus
Indigo – Intuition, stability
Purple – Spirit, wisdom, power, imagination
Gray – Integration, mysticism
White – Purity, innocence, light, revealing
Black - Authoritative, powerful, darkness, hidden
Brown – Earthy, grounded, secure, material gain
You can see how colors are important. Each color also has a vibration or tone. I have included these in the High Arcana breakdown towards the end of the book. Color and tone can open up a cognitive pathway for path working meditation. This occurs by aligning vibration pitch with the chakra color in the body.
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Numerology and the Tarot Cards
Numbers have always carried a significant vibration and meaning. Traditional numerology charts are set up one through nine with the alphabet placed underneath each number. A multi- digit number is added together to become a single digit. Example: 10=1+0=1.
The pips in the Minor Arcana are numbered one through ten. The ten is a completion number which flips to become a new beginning (10=1+0=1). The one becomes a new beginning after something is completed (ten).
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
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The first pip in the tarot deck is called an Ace. Traditionally, the ace is a new beginning and the root or base of the power of the element it represents.
Examples: Ace of Cups = the root of the power of Water; Ace of Wands – the root of the power of fire; Ace of Pentacles – The root of the power of Earth; Ace of Swords – the root of the power of Air
Let’s take a look at the number system. It is one of the things you need to remember when you are doing a card reading.
Number 1 or Ace - This number means new beginnings through thoughts or ideas. One is the number of individuality as well as the self or ego. One is the number of the male God. Astrologically, 1 is the number of the Sun.
Number 2 - Two is the number of love and relationships. It can also represent balance and polarity. Feminine and lunar influenced. Two is the number of the Moon.
Number 3 - Three is the number of change. It also represents cycles beginning and ending and movement. It is the trinity; the family unit (Father, Mother, Child). It is also the number of time. Three is the number of the planet Mercury.
Number 4 - This number means structure and form. Traditionally, four is the number of the earth. It is considered the “first or beginning foundation” number. Four is the number of Venus and the Earth.
Number 5 - Five is the number of chaos as well as creation. The number is considered the number of mankind and relates to man’s five senses. Five is also a number of social interaction and sexuality. Five is the number of Mars.
Number 6 - Six is the number of the heart, home and family. It is the center of the life force and is considered the most balanced of all the numbers. In astrology, six is the number of Jupiter.
Number 7 - Considered to be one of the most sacred of numbers. Number seven represents the manifestation of things through intelligent thought. A seven number usually indicates that a person should step back and analyze the situation.
Number 8 - The number eight can be compared to the infinity symbol upright. It is a number of business and risks; even gambling. Swift changes bring about a completion of a situation.
Number 9 – Number nine is the number of Initiation and intuition. 3x3=9. This means cycles and changes occurring in layers bring about evolution. It is also a number that represents service to mankind and public works.
Number 10 – In the tarot, it is the number of completed perfection. In numerology, it does not exist on the graft unless it becomes 1+0=1. As it builds up in strength (from 1 to 10), this is considered a “second generation” card. Ten is an expanded family number. It is like reaching the top and then flipping over to start anew. The number one is the beginning and the number ten is the completion. Example: 10 of Pentacles- family wealth or property; 10 of Wands- a family that has moved around a lot or has been uprooted or separated; 10 of Swords- family endings or history of family abuse; 10 of Cups- rebuilding of the emotion home; emotional fulfillment.
*** It is important to have a grasp of this number system.
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The Numbers and the Planetary System:
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ASTROLOGY IN THE TAROT
There are many ways in which astrology plays a part in our daily lives. Though the signs represent an aligned set of stars in the sky, the astrological alignments themselves represent a psychological pattern of the people born during these times.
By giving you a breakdown on the background of how these signs are represented, perhaps you can see how astrologers are able to correctly fit the personality pattern to people born on a certain birth date.
Let’s start by looking first at the planets:
The Planets
The Sun, Moon, and planets are the inner mysteries that align with the astrological and element signs in the cards. Perhaps by defining what they represent, it can help you understand the Tarot as well as some basic astrology.
The Sun – The ego; Life Force. This is your pride or star quality. Extrovert. Deals with realization and intelligence. The outward self. Symbolizes the father or god aspect.
The Moon – This is the hidden side of the self. It represents emotions and perceptions, Instincts, moods, hidden or psychic abilities are lunar influenced. Fears. Birth. Mother or goddess influenced. Cycles or tides.
Mercury – Logic, communication, travel; the written word. Selflessness and dexterity; messages. The mind and its workings.
Venus–Love, sexual desire; abundance. Comfort and beauty. The desire to be stable. Pleasure. The female sexual self.
Mars – War and aggression; stress. Power and early identity. Sexual passion; anger, independence. The male sexual self.
Jupiter – Faith, beliefs, values, ethics. The search for truth. Philosophy. Religion. Reaching for the highest goal.
Saturn – Discipline; limitations. Authority; instincts and drive; ambitions; learning through experience. Reality.
Uranus – Quest for freedom; original beliefs or ideas. Humanitarian causes. Changes occurring quickly. Needing to understand truth.
Neptune – Mysticism the use of imagination; fantasy. Universal love and beauty. Saviors or victims. Escapism; quest for oneness.
Pluto – Transformation. Sexual drive. Abrupt endings. Self-mastery. Dark or intense urges. Power. Compulsions.
The Astrological Signs
The Earth – This is the Pentacle suit in the Rider-Waite Tarot
. The Earth signs are:
Taurus – The Bull
Capricorn – The Goat
Virgo – The Virgin
These signs are stubborn, willful, earthy, practical and structured. They like to work with money and physical things.
The Air – This is the Sword suit in our deck. The Air signs are:
Gemini – The Twins
Aquarius – The Water Bearer
Libra – The Scales
These signs are intelligent, analytical and standoffish. They look for the fine details in things. They express and communicate.
The Fire – This is the Wands suit in the Rider-Waite deck. These are:
Aries – The Ram
Leo – The Lion
Sagittarius – The Archer
These signs are creative, sexual, hardworking and faithful to family and friends. Traditional and strong-willed, they sometimes have a hard time letting go of the past.
The Water – This represents the cups suit. These are:
Pisces – The Fish
Cancer – The Crab
Scorpio – The Scorpion
These signs are nurturing, care giving, intuitive and dreamy. They can be very intense and secret. Fantasy is strong in this suit.
Now we can put the two aspects together. Each minor arcane card has an astrological as well as a planetary attribute.