It symbolizes invoked as contrasted with natural force; for it is the invocation of the sword. Raised upward, it invokes the divine crown of spiritual brightness. But reversed it is the invocation of demoniac force, and becomes a fearfully evil symbol. It represents, therefore, very great power for good or evil, but invoked. And it also represents whirling force and strength through trouble. It is the affirmation of justice, upholding divine authority; and it may become the sword of wrath, punishment, and affliction.
IV. The Root of the Powers of Earth: Ace of Pentacles
A white radiant angelic hand, holding a branch of a rose tree, whereon is a large pentacle formed of five concentric circles. The innermost circle is white, charged with a red Greek cross. From this white centre twelve rays, also white, issue. These terminate at the circumference, making the whole something like an astrological figure of the heavens.
It is surmounted by a small circle, above which is a large Maltese Cross, and with two white wings; four roses and two buds are shewn. The hand issueth from the clouds as in the other three cases. It representeth materiality in all senses, good and evil, and is therefore in a sense illusionary. It shows material gain, labour, power, wealth, etc.
The Sixteen Court or Royal Cards
The Four Kings
The four kings or figures mounted on steeds represent the Yod forces of the name in each suit, the radix, father, and commencement of material forces. A force in which all the others are implied and of which they form the development and completion. A force swift and violent in action, but whose effect soon passes away, and therefore symbolized by a figure on a steed riding swiftly, and clothed in complete armour.
Therefore is the knowledge of the scale of the king so necessary for the commencement of all magical working.
The Four Queens
Are seated upon thrones, representing the forces of Heh of the name in each suit, the mother, and bringer forth of material force, a force which develops, and realizes the force of the king. A force steady and unshaken, but not rapid, though enduring. It is therefore symbolized by a figure seated upon a throne but also clothed in armour.
The Four Princes
These princes are figures seated in chariots, and thus borne forward. They represent the Vau forces of the name in each suit; the mighty son of the king and the queen, who realizes the influence of both scales of force. A prince, the son of a king and queen, yet a prince of princes, and a king of kings. An emperor, whose effect is at once rapid (though not so swift as that of a king) and enduring (though not as steadfast as that of a queen). It is therefore symbolized by a figure borne in a chariot, and clothed with armour. Yet is his power illusionary, unless set in motion by his father and mother.
The Four Princesses
Are the knaves of the tarot pack. The four princesses or figures of amazons standing firmly by themselves, neither riding upon horses, nor seated upon thrones, nor borne on chariots. They represent the forces of Heh final of the name in each suit, completing the influences of the other scales. The mighty and potent daughter of a king and queen: a princess powerful and terrible. A queen of queens, an empress, whose effect combines those of the king, queen, and prince. At once violent and permanent, she is therefore symbolized by a figure standing firmly by itself, only partially draped and having but little armour. Yet her power existeth not save by reason of the others, and then indeed it is mighty and terrible materially, and is the throne of the forces of the spirit. Woe unto whomsoever shall make war upon her when thus established!
The Sphere of Influence of the Court Cards of the Tarot Pack
The princesses rule over the four parts of the celestial heavens which lie around the north pole, and above the respective Kerubic signs of the zodiac, and they form the thrones of the powers of the four aces.
The twelve cards—four kings, four queens, and four princes—rule the dominions of the celestial heavens between the realm of the four princesses and the zodiac, as is hereafter shewn. And they, as it were, link together the signs.
WANDS
V. The Lord of the Flame and the Lightning, King of the Spirits of Fire: Knight of Wands
A winged warrior riding upon a black horse with flaming mane and tail. The horse itself is not winged. The rider wears a winged helmet (like an old Scandinavian and Gaulish helmet) with a royal crown. A corselet of scale mail and buskins of the same, and a flowing scarlet mantle. Above his helmet, upon his cuirass, and on his shoulder pieces and buskins he bears, as a crest, a winged black horse’s head. He grasps a club with flaming ends, somewhat similar to that in the symbol of the Ace of Wands, but not so heavy, and also the sigil of his scale is shewn. Beneath the rushing feet of his steed are waving flames of fire.
He is active, generous, fierce, sudden, and impetuous. If ill-dignified he is evil-minded, cruel, bigoted, brutal. He rules the celestial heavens from above the twentieth degree of Scorpio to the first two decans of Sagittarius and this includes a part of the constellation Hercules (who also carries a club).
Fire of fire. King of the Salamanders.
VI. Queen of the Thrones of Flame: Queen of Wands
A crowned queen with long red-golden hair, seated upon a throne, with steady flames beneath. She wears a corselet and buskins of scale mail, which latter her robe discloses. Her arms are almost bare. On cuirass and buskins are leopards’ heads winged. The same symbol surmounteth her crown. At her side is a couchant leopard on which her hands rest. She bears a long wand with a very heavy conical head. The face is beautiful and resolute.
Adaptability, steady force applied to an object. Steady rule; great attractive power, power of command, yet liked notwithstanding. Kind and generous when not opposed. If ill-dignified: obstinate, revengeful, domineering, tyrannical and apt to turn suddenly against another without a cause. She rules the heavens from above the last decan of Pisces to above the twentieth degree of Aries, including a part of Andromeda.
Water of fire. Queen of the Salamanders or Salamandrines.
VII. The Prince of the Chariot of Fire: King of Wands
A kingly figure with a golden winged crown, seated on a chariot. He has large white wings. One wheel of his chariot is shewn. He wears corselet and buskin of scale armour, decorated with winged lions’ heads, which symbol also surmounts his crown. His chariot is drawn by a lion. His arms are bare, save for the shoulder pieces of the corselet, and he bears a torch or fire wand, somewhat similar to that of the Zelator Adeptus Minor. Beneath the chariot are flames, some waved, some salient.
Swift, strong, hasty, rather violent, yet just and generous, noble and scorning meanness. If ill-dignified: cruel intolerant, prejudiced, and ill-natured. He rules the heavens from above the last decan of Cancer to the second decan of Leo. Hence he includes most of Leo Minor.
Air of fire. Prince and Emperor of Salamanders.
VIII. Princess of the Shining Flame, the Rose of the Palace of Fire:
Knave of Wands
A very strong and beautiful woman, with flowing red-golden hair, attired like an amazon. Her shoulders, arms, bosom, and knees are bare. She wears a short kilt, reaching to the knees. Round her waist is a broad belt of scale mail, narrow at the side, broad in the front and back, and having a winged tiger’s head in front. She wears a Corinthian shaped helmet, and crown, with a long plume. It also is surmounted by a tiger’s head, and the same symbol forms the buckle of her scale-mail buskins.
A mantle lined with tiger’s skin falls back from her shoulders. Her right hand rests on a small golden or brazen altar, ornamented with rams’ heads, and with flames of fire leaping from it. Her left hand leans on a long and heavy club, swelling at the lower end, where the sigil is placed. It has flames of fire leaping from it the whole way down, but the flames are ascending. This club or torch is much longer than that carried by the king or queen. Beneath her firmly placed feet are leaping flames of fire.
Brilliance, courage, beauty, force, sudden in anger or love, desire of power, enthusiasm, revenge. Ill-dignified:
superficial, theatrical, cruel, unstable, domineering. She rules the heavens over one quadrant of the portion round the North Pole.
Earth of fire. Princess and Empress of the Salamanders. Throne of the Ace of Wands.
CUPS
IX. Lord of the Waves and the Waters, King of the Hosts of the Sea:
Knight of Cups
A beautiful youthful winged warrior, with flying hair, riding upon a white horse, which latter is not winged. His general equipment is similar to that of the Knight of Wands, but upon his helmet, cuirass, and buskins is a peacock with opened wings. He holds a cup in his hand, bearing the sigil of the scale. Beneath his horse’s feet is the sea. From the cup issues a crab.
Graceful, poetic, Venusian, indolent, but enthusiastic if roused. Ill-dignified, he is sensual, idle, and untruthful. He rules the heavens from above twentieth degree of Aquarius to twentieth degree of Pisces including the greater part of Pegasus.
Fire of water. King of Undines and of Nymphs.
X. Queen of the Thrones of the Waters: Queen of Cups
A very beautiful fair woman like a crowned queen, seated upon a throne, beneath which is flowing water, wherein lotuses are seen. Her general dress is similar to that of the Queen of Wands, but upon her crown, cuirass, and buskins is seen an ibis with opened wings, and beside her is the same bird, whereon her hand rests. She holds a cup, wherefrom a crayfish issues. Her face is dreamy. She holds a lotus in the hand upon the ibis.
She is imaginative, poetic, kind, yet not willing to take much trouble for another. Coquettish, good-natured, underneath a dreamy appearance. Imagination stronger than feeling. Very much affected by other influences, and therefore more dependent upon good or ill-dignity than upon most other symbols. She rules from twentieth degree of Gemini to twentieth degree of Cancer.
Water of water. Queen of Nymphs and Undines.
XI. Prince of the Chariot of the Waters: King of Cups
A winged kingly figure with a winged crown, seated in a chariot drawn by an eagle. On the wheel is the symbol of a scorpion. The eagle is borne as a crest upon his crown, cuirass, and buskins. General attire like King of Wands. Beneath his chariot is the calm and stagnant water of a lake. His scale armour resembles feathers more than scales. He holds in one hand a lotus and the other a cup, charged with the sigil of his scale. A serpent issues from the cup, and has its head tending down to the waters of the lake.
He is subtle, violent, crafty, and artistic. A fierce nature with calm exterior. Powerful for good or evil, but more attracted by the evil, if allied with apparent power or wisdom. If ill-dignified, he is intensely evil and merciless. He rules from twentieth degree of Libra to twentieth degree of Scorpio.
Air of water. Prince and Emperor of Nymphs and Undines.
XII. Princess of the Waters and Lotus of the Palace of the Floods:
Knave of Cups
A beautiful amazon-like figure, softer in nature than the Princess of Wands. Her attire is similar. She stands on a sea with foaming spray. Away to her right is a dolphin. She wears as a crest on her helmet, belt, and buskins, a swan with opening wings. She bears in one hand a lotus and in the other an open cup from which a turtle issues. Her mantle is lined with swansdown and is of thin floating material.
Sweetness, poetry, gentleness, and kindness. Imagination, dreamy, at times indolent, yet courageous if roused. Ill-dignified, she is selfish and luxurious. She rules a quadrant of the heavens around Kether.
Earth of water. Princess and Empress of Nymphs and Undines. Throne of the Ace of Cups.
SWORDS
XIII. Lord of the Winds and Breezes, King of the Spirit of Air:
Knight of Swords
A winged warrior with crowned and winged helmet, mounted upon a brown steed, his general equipment is as that of the Knight of Wands, but he wears as a crest a winged six-pointed star, similar to those represented on the heads of Castor and Pollux, the Dioscuri, the Twins—Gemini (a part of which constellation is included in his rule). He holds a drawn sword with the sigil of his scale upon its pommel. Beneath his horse’s feet are dark, driving stratus clouds.
He is active, clever, subtle, fierce, delicate, courageous, skillful, but inclined to domineer. Also to overvalue small things, unless well-dignified. Ill-dignified: deceitful, tyrannical, and crafty. Rules from twentieth degree of Taurus to twentieth degree of Gemini.
Fire of air. King of Sylphs and Sylphides.
XIV. Queen of the Thrones of Air: Queen of Swords
A graceful woman with curly waving hair, like a queen seated upon a throne, and crowned. Beneath the throne are grey cumulus clouds. Her general attire is similar to that of the Queen of Wands. But she wears as a crest a winged child’s head (like the head of an infantile kerub, seen sculptured on tombs). A drawn sword in one hand, and in the other a large bearded newly severed head of a man.
Intensely perceptive, keen observation, subtle, quick, confident, often perseveringly accurate in superficial things, graceful, fond of dancing and balancing. Ill-dignified: cruel, sly, deceitful, unreliable, though with a good exterior. Rules from twentieth degree of Virgo to twentieth degree of Libra.
Water of air. Queen of the Sylphs and Sylphides.
XV. Prince of the Chariots of the Winds: King of Swords
A winged king with a winged crown, seated in a chariot drawn by arch fays, archons, or arch fairies, represented as winged youths very slightly draped, with butterfly wings, heads encircled with a fillet with pentagrams thereon, and holding wands surmounted by pentagram-shaped stars. The same butterfly wings are on their feet and fillet. General equipment is that of the King of Wands, but he bears as a crest a winged angelic head with a pentagram on the brow. Beneath the chariot are grey rain clouds or nimbi. His hair long and waving in serpentine whirls, and whorl figures compose the scales of his armour. A drawn sword in one hand, a sickle in the other. With the sword he rules, with the sickle he slays.
Full of ideas and thoughts and designs, distrustful, suspicious, firm in friendship and enmity, careful, slow, over-cautious. Symbolizes Alpha and Omega, the giver of death, who slays as fast as he creates. Ill-dignified: harsh, malicious, plotting, obstinate, yet hesitating and unreliable. Ruler from twentieth degree of Capricorn to twentieth degree of Aquarius.
Air of air. Prince and Emperor of Sylphs and Sylphides.
XVI. Princess of the Rushing Winds, Lotus of the Palace of Air:
Knave of Swords
An amazon figure with waving hair, slighter than the Rose of the Palace of Fire (Knave of Wands). Her attire is similar. The feet seem springy, giving the idea of swiftness. Weight changing from one foot to another and body swinging round. She resembles a mixture of Minerva and Diana; her mantle resembles the Aegis of Minerva. She wears as a crest the head of Medusa with serpent hair. She holds a sword in one hand and the other rests upon a small silver altar with grey smoke (no fire) ascending from it. Beneath her feet are white cirrus clouds.
Wisdom, strength, acuteness, subtleness in material things, grace, and dexterity. If ill-dignified, she is frivolous and cunning. She rules a quadrant of the heavens around Kether.
Earth of air. Princess and Empress of the Sylphs and Sylphides. Throne of the Ace of Swords.
PENTACLES
XVII. Lord of the Wide and Fertile Land, King of the Spirits of Earth:
Knight of Pentacles
A dark winged warrior with winged and crowned helmet, mounted on a light brown horse. Equipment as of the Knight of Wands. The winged head of a stag or antelope as a crest. Beneath the horse’s feet is fertile land with ripened corn. In one hand he bears a sceptre surmounted with a hexagram, in the other a pentacle like a Zelator Adeptus Minor’s.
Unless very well dignified, he is heavy, dull, and material. Laborious, clever, and patient in material matters. If ill-dignified he is avaricious, grasping, dull, jealous, not very courageous, unless assisted by other symbols. Rules from above twentieth degree of Leo to twentieth degree of Virgo.
Fire of earth. King of t
he Gnomes.
XVIII. Queen of the Thrones of Earth: Queen of Pentacles
A woman of beautiful face with dark hair, seated upon a throne, beneath which is dark, sandy earth. One side of her face is dark, the other light, and her symbolism is best represented in profile. Her attire is similar to that of the Queen of Wands. But she bears a winged goat’s head as a crest. A goat is by her side. In one hand she bears a sceptre surmounted by a cube and in the other an orb of gold.
She is impetuous, kind, timid, rather charming, great-hearted, intelligent, melancholy, truthful, yet of many moods. Ill-dignified, she is undecided, capricious, foolish, changeable. Rules from twentieth degree of Sagittarius to twentieth degree of Capricorn.
Water of earth. Queen of Gnomes.
XIX. Prince of the Chariot of Earth: King of Pentacles
A winged kingly figure seated in a chariot drawn by a bull. He bears as a crest the symbol of the head of a winged bull. Beneath the chariot is land with many flowers. In one hand he bears an orb of gold held downwards, and in the other a sceptre surmounted by an orb and cross.
Increase of matter, increase of good and evil; solidifies, practically applies things, steady, reliable. If ill-dignified: animal, material, stupid. In either slow to anger, but furious if roused. Rules from twentieth degree of Aries to twentieth degree of Taurus.
Air of earth, Prince and Emperor of the Gnomes.
XX. Princess of the Echoing Hills, Rose of the Palace of Earth:
Knave of Pentacles
A strong and beautiful amazon figure with red-brown hair, standing on grass and flowers. A grove of trees near her. Her form suggests Hera, Ceres, and Proserpine. She bears a winged ram’s head as a crest, and wears a mantle of sheep’s skin. In one hand she carries a sceptre with a circular disc, in the other a pentacle similar to that of the Ace of Pentacles.
She is generous, kind, diligent, benevolent, careful, courageous, preserving, pitiful. If ill-dignified, she is wasteful and prodigal. Rules over one quadrant of the heavens around the North Pole of the ecliptic.
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