by Brian Clark
Swords, the suit associated with air, follow Pentacles. Air represents the principle of both separation and relationship. The objective of air is to separate from the object to be able to see it, to become conscious of it. When air feels separate from the object, it is more inclined to move toward that object. In this way, the element helps develop and support consciousness, allowing a relationship to develop with the object and to become a part-ner to the other. Air is the element of relationship, however, it is also the element of mental discrimination and separation. Therefore, its polar tendency is to remain disconnected or disengaged. Air’s other-ness is followed by water, which is the element of merging, union, and knowing
Water, an element of fusion or bonding, is the natural extension of air and is associated with Cups, the final suit in Celestial Tarot. Its function is to dissolve boundaries to permit union. The lack of separateness and fusion leads to the unconscious, the territory often evoked by water. In union and merger this element bonds and loves and obliterates differences. Water is the last element before the cycle begins again in fire. A spark of imagination or vision emerges out of water and the cycle of life and energy commences again. Because they are archetypal energies, elements have both bright and dark sides, which can be underdeveloped or overcompensated in our lives. It is important to be alert to both the light and shadow aspects of each element when examining a spread.
VI. The 36 Constellations of the Minor Arcana
Celestial Tarot employs the astronomical constellations known to the ancients. In the 2nd Century c.e., Ptolemy catalogued 48 constellations. Twelve of these constellations bordered the ecliptic and represent the zodiac, while the other 36 are extra-zodiacal, illuminating the southern and northern skies.
All of these ancient constellations are represented in the Minor Arcana cards except three: Equuleus (the Colt,) Triangulum (the Triangle,) and Corona Australis (the Southern Crown.) The minor constellations of Equuleus, Triangulum, and Corona Australis have been replaced by Coma (Berenices’ Hair, which in antiquity was part of Leo), Crucis (the Southern Cross that was part of Centaurus,) and Al Risha (the binary fixed star in the zodiacal constellation of Pisces.)
The constellations and their corresponding tarot cards have been listed and tabled at the beginning of each suit section, with their history and mythology described for each card. Each Minor Arcana card is animated by the potent history, mythology, and symbolism that the ancients projected onto the constellations, endowing the tarot with new meaning.
The three charts below identify Ptolemy’s original categorization of the 48 constellations, as he knew them in the 2nd century, and the corresponding Celestial Tarot cards.
THE ZODIACAL:
CONSTELLATIONS
Constellation
Translation
Celestial Tarot
1. Aries
Ram
The Emperor
2. Taurus
Bull
The Hierophant
3. Gemini
Twins
The Lovers
4. Cancer
Crab
The Chariot
5. Leo
Lion
Strength
6. Virgo
Virgin
The Hermit
7. Libra
Scales
Justice
8. Scorpio
Scorpion
Death
9. Sagittarius
Archer
Temperance
10. Capricorn
Sea-Goat
The Devil
11. Aquarius
Water-Bearer
The Star
12. Pisces
Fish
The Moon
THE NORTHERN CONSTELLATIONS
Constellation
Translation
Celestial Tarot
13. Andromeda
Andromeda
9 of Cups
14. Aquila
Eagle
2 of Pentacles
15. Auriga
Charioteer
6 of Pentacles
16. Boötes
Ploughman
9 of Pentacles
17. Cassiopeia
Cassiopeia
Ace of Wands
18. Cepheus
Cepheus
8 of Cups
19. Corona Borealis
Northern Crown
3 of Swords
20. Cygnus
Bird, Swan
6 of Swords
21. Delphinus
Dolphin
3 of Pentacles
22. Draco
Dragon
9 of Wands
23. Equuleus
Colt
not represented
24. Hercules
Man Kneeling
6 of Cups
25. Lyra
Lyre
7 of Wands
26. Pegasus
Pegasus, Horse
5 of Swords
27. Perseus
Perseus, the Hero
3 of Wands
28. Sagitta
Arrow
Ace of Pentacles
29. Serpens
Serpent
4 of Cups
30. Serpentarius
Ophiuchus
5 of Cups
31. Triangulum
Triangle
not represented
32. Ursa Major
Great Bear
2 of Cups
33. Ursa Minor
Little Bear
Ace of Cups
THE SOUTHERN CONSTELLATIONS
Constellation
Translation
Celestial Tarot
34. Ara
Censer, Altar
8 of Wands
35. Argo
Ship
3 of Cups
36. Canis Major
Great Dog
8 of Swords
37. Canis Minor
Little Dog
9 of Swords
38. Centaurus
Centaur
8 of Pentacles
39. Cetus
Whale
2 of Wands
40. Corona Australis
Southern Crown
not represented
41. Corvus
Crow
6 of Wands
42. Crater
Bowl
5 of Wands
43. Eridanus
River
5 of Pentacles
44. Hydra
Water-Snake
4 of Wands
45. Lepus
Hare
7 of Swords
46. Lupus
Wild Beast
2 of Swords
47. Orion
Orion
4 of Pentacles
48. Pisces Australis
Southern Fish
4 of Swords
VII. The 36 Decans of the Minor Arcana
The first nine cards of each suit are divided into decans. Decans are 10-degree arcs that divide the zodiac into 36 equal divisions. The first decan refers to the first ten degrees of the sign, the second decan is the next ten degrees of the sign, and the third decan is the last ten degrees of the sign. Each of the 36 cards, including the Ace to Nine of each suit, is associated with one decan.
Decans were commonly used reference points in classical astrology. Today, they are used in sun sign columns and for differentiating transits and progressions moving through different spheres of the zodiac. In modern astrology, there are generally two systems of decans in use, the Chaldean System, which uses the classical planets only, and the Oriental System.
Celestial Tarot follows the Oriental System, which is preferred by modern astrologers. In this system, the first decan of each sign is sub-ruled by the ruler of that sign; the second decan is ruled by the ruling planet of the next sign in that element; the third decan is ruled by the ruling planet of the successive sign in that element. Modern astrologers use both classical and modern planets in this rulership. Therefore, in this system the Fire signs (Wands) have three sub-rulers of the decans: Mars, Sun, and Jupiter. The Earth signs (Pentacles) decan rulers are Venus, Mercury, and Saturn. The Air (Swords) decan rulers are Mercury, Venus, and Uranus. The Water signs (Cups) have the Moon, Pluto, and Neptune ruling the decans. The decan rulers in the Oriental system would be as follows: (see Chart I, page 265 for key to Astrological Symbols used.)
The Oriental System
of Decan Rulerships
(Tap on the table to view the enlarged image)
In Celestial Tarot, the sign that initiates each suit is the cardinal sign. The first three cards of each suit are cardinal, the next three are fixed, and the last three are mutable. Therefore, the Ace, two and three of each suit are represented by the first, second, and third decan of the cardinal sign of that element. The four, five, and six of each suit are represented by the first, second, and third decan of the fixed sign of that element. The seventh, eighth, and ninth card of each suit are represented by the first, second, and third decan of the mutable sign of that element. The sign associated with that decan and its ruler are illustrated on each card, giving an astrological combination specific to that card.
In addition, each suit contains three trinities. This combination is also reminiscent of the lunar cycle. The first phase or Ace, two, and three, represent the Crescent Moon, the beginning stage of the cycle when everything is new and potential. The second trinity of cards, the four, five and six, is akin to the Full Moon when the process is at its peak and challenges and revelations are taking pace. The final three cards, the seven, eight, and nine, represent the dark of the Moon when the wisdom of the cycle is internalized and integrated.
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