Earth of earth. Princess and Empress of the Gnomes. Throne of the Ace of Pentacles.
Herein are resumed the special characteristics of the four court cards of the suit:
Suit
Card
Crest
Symbols
Hair
Eyes
Wands
King
Winged black horse’s head
Black horse, waving flames. Club. Scarlet cloak.
Red-gold
Grey or
hazel
Queen
Winged leopard
Leopard. Steady flames. Wand with heavy head on end.
Red-gold
Blue or
brown
Prince or Knight
Winged
lion’s head
Wand and salient flames. Fire wand of Z.A.M.
Yellow
Blue-grey
Princess or Knave
Tiger’s head
Tiger, leaping flames. Gold altar, long club, largest at bottom.
Red-gold
Blue
Cups
King
Peacock with open wings
White horse, crab issuing from cup. Sea
Fair
Blue
Queen
Ibis
Crayfish is issuing from river.
Gold-
brown
Blue
Prince
Eagle
Scorpion. Eagle-serpent is issuing from lake.
Brown
Grey or
brown
Princess
Swan
Dolphin. Lotus. Sea with spray, turtle from cup.
Brown
Blue or
brown
Swords
King
Winged hexagram
Winged brown horse, driving clouds, drawn sword.
Dark
brown
Dark
Queen
Winged
child’s head
Head of man severed. Cumulus clouds. Drawn sword
Grey
Light
brown
Prince
Winged
angel’s head
Arch-fairies winged. Clouds. Nimbi. Drawn swords.
Dark
Dark
Princess
Medusa’s
head
Silver altar. Smoke. Cirrus clouds. Drawn sword
Light
brown
Blue
Pentacles
King
Winged
stag’s head
Light brown horse. Ripe corn land. Scepter with hexagram as Z.A.M.
Dark
Dark
Queen
Winged
goat’s head
Barren land. Face light one side only. Scepter with orb of gold.
Dark
Dark
Prince
Winged
bull’s head
Flowery land. Bull; scepter with orb and cross. Orb held downwards.
Dark
brown
Dark
Princess
Winged
ram’s head
Grass. Flowers, grove of trees. Scepter with disk. Pentacle as all.
Rich
brown
Dark
The Thirty-Six Decans
Here follow the descriptions of the smaller cards of the four suits, thirty-six in number, answering unto the thirty-six decans of the zodiac.
There being thirty-six decanates and only seven planets, it follows that one of the latter must rule over one more decanate than the others. This is the planet Mars which is allotted the last decan of Pisces and first of Aries, because the long cold of the winter requires a great energy to overcome it and initiate spring.
The beginning of the decanates is from the royal king star of the heart of the lion, the great star Cor Leonis, and therefore is the first decanate that of Saturn in Leo.
Here follow the general meanings of the small cards of the suits, as classified under the nine Sephiroth below Kether.
Chokmah:
The four deuces symbolize the powers of the king and queen, first uniting and initiating the force, but before the prince and princess are thoroughly brought into action. Therefore do they generally imply the initiation and fecundation of a thing.
Binah:
The four threes, generally, represent the realization of action owing to the prince being produced. The central symbol on each card. Action definitely commenced for good or evil.
Chesed:
The four fours. Perfection, realization, completion, making a matter settled and fixed.
Geburah:
The four fives. Opposition, strife and struggle; war, obstacle to the thing in hand. Ultimate success or failure is otherwise shown.
Tiphareth:
The four sixes. Definite accomplishment and carrying out of a matter.
Netzach:
The four sevens. Generally shows a force, transcending the material plane, and is like unto a crown which is indeed powerful but requireth one capable of wearing it. The sevens then show a possible result which is dependent on the action then taken. They depend much on the symbols that accompany them.
Hod:
The four eights. Generally show solitary success; i.e., success in the matter for the time being, but not leading to much result apart from the thing itself.
Yesod:
The four nines. Generally they show very great fundamental force. Executive power, because they rest on a firm basis, powerful for good or evil.
Malkuth:
The four tens. Generally show fixed culminated completed force, whether good or evil. The matter thoroughly and definitely determined. Similar to the force of the nines, but ultimating it and carrying it out.
These are the meanings in the most general sense. Here follow the more particular descriptions and meanings. Decan cards are always modified by the other symbols with which they are in contact.
Saturn in Leo, 1°–10°. XXI. The Lord of Strife:
5 of Wands
Two white radiant angelic hands issuing from clouds right and left of the centre of the card. They are clasped together as in the grip of the First Order, and they hold at the same time by their centres five wands, or torches, which are similar to the wand of a Zelator Adeptus Minor. Four wands cross each other, but the fifth is upright in the centre. Flames leap from the point of junction. Above the central wand is the symbol Saturn and below it that of Leo representing the decanate.
Violent strife and contest, boldness, rashness, cruelty, violence, lust and desire, prodigality and generosity, depending on whether well- or ill-dignified.
Geburah of Yod. (Quarrelling and fighting.) This decan hath its beginning from the royal star of Leo, and unto it are allotted the two great angels of the Schemhamephoresch, Vahaviah and Yelayel.4
Jupiter in Leo, 10°–20°. XXII. Lord of Victory:
6 of Wands
Two hands in grip, as in the last, holding six wands crossed, three and three, flames issuing from the point of junction. Above and below are two short wands with flames issuing from a cloud at the lower part of the card, surmounted respectively by the symbols of Jupiter and Leo, representing the decanate.
Victory after strife, success through energy and industry, love, pleasure gained by labour, carefulness, sociability and avoiding of strife, yet victory therein. Also insolence, pride of riches and success, etc. The whole depending on dignity.
Tiphareth of Yod. (Gain.) Hereunto are allotted the great angels from the Schemhamephoresch, Saitel and Olmiah.
Mars in Leo, 20°–30°. XXIII. Lord of Valour:
7 of Wands
Two hands holding by grip, as before, six wands, three crossed by three, a third hand issuing from a cloud at the lower part of the card holding an upright wand, which passes between the others. Fla
mes leap from the point of junction. Above and below the central wand are the symbols Mars and Leo, representing the decan.
Possible victory, depending upon the energy and courage exercised; valour, opposition, obstacles, difficulties, yet courage to meet them, quarrelling, ignorance, pretence, wrangling and threatening, also victory in small and unimportant things, and influence over subordinate. Depending on dignity as usual.
Netzach of Yod. (Opposition yet courage.) Herein rule the two great angels Mahashiah and Lelahel.
Sun in Virgo, 1°–10°. XXIV. Lord of Prudence:
8 of Pentacles
A white radiating angelic hand issuing from a cloud and grasping a branch of a rose tree, with four white roses thereon which touch only the four lowermost pentacles. No rosebuds seen, but only leaves touch the four uppermost disks. All the pentacles are similar to that of the Ace, but without the Maltese Cross and wings. These are arranged as the figure Populus:
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Above and below them are the symbols Sol and Virgo for the decan.
Over-careful in small things at the expense of the great. “Penny-wise and pound-foolish.” Gain of ready money in small sums. Mean, avariciousness. Industrious, cultivation of land, hoarding, lacking in enterprise.
Hod of Heh. (Skill, prudence, cunning.) There rule those mighty angels Akaiah and Kehethel.
Venus in Virgo, 10°–20°. XXV. Lord of Material Gain:
9 of Pentacles
A white radiating angelic hand as before holding a rose branch with nine white roses, each of which touches a pentacle arranged thus:
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
and there are more buds arranged on the branches as well as flowers. Venus and Virgo above and below.
Complete realization of material gain, inheritance, covetousness, treasuring of goods and sometimes theft, and knavery. All according to dignity.
Yesod of Heh. (Inheritance, much increase of goods.) Herein rule the mighty angels Hazayel and Aldiah.
Mercury in Virgo, 20°–30°. XXVI. Lord of Wealth:
10 of Pentacles
An angelic hand holding a branch by the lower extremity, whose roses touch all the pentacles. No buds however are shown. The symbols of Mercury and Virgo are above and below Pentacles thus:
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Completion of material gain and fortune, but nothing beyond. As it were, at the very pinnacle of success. Old age, slothfulness, great wealth, yet sometimes loss in part, and later heaviness, dullness of mind, yet clever and prosperous in money transactions.
Malkuth of Heh. (Riches and wealth.) Herein rule the angels Hihaayah and Laviah.
Moon in Libra, 1°–10°. XXVII. Lord of Peace Restored:
2 of Swords
Two crossed swords, like the air dagger of Zelator Adeptus Minor, each held by a white radiating angelic hand. Upon the point where the two cross is a rose of five petals, emitting white rays, and top and bottom of card are two small daggers, supporting respectively the symbols of Luna (in horizontal position) and Libra, representing the decan.
Contradictory characteristics in the same nature. Strength through suffering. Pleasure after pain. Sacrifice and trouble, yet strength arising therefrom, symbolized by the position of the rose, as though the pain itself had brought forth the beauty. Peace restored, truce, arrangement of differences, justice. Truth and untruth. Sorrow and sympathy for those in trouble, aid to the weak and oppressed, unselfishness. Also an inclination to repetition of affronts if once pardoned, of asking questions of little moment, want of tact, often doing injury when meaning well. Talkative.
Chokmah of Vav. (Quarrels made up, but still some tension in relationships. Actions sometimes selfish and sometimes unselfish.) Herein rule the great angels Yezalel and Mebahel.
Saturn in Libra, 10°–20°. XXVIII. Lord of Sorrow:
3 of Swords
Three white radiating angelic hands issuing from clouds and holding three swords upright (as if the central sword had struck apart from the two others which were crossed in the preceding symbol). The central sword cuts asunder the rose of five petals (which in the preceding symbol grew at the junction of the swords); its petals are falling, and no white rays issue from it. Above and below the central sword are the symbols of Saturn and Libra, referring to the decanate.
Disruption, interruption, separation, quarrelling, sowing of discord and strife, mischief-making, sorrow, tears, yet mirth in evil pleasures, singing, faithfulness in promises, honesty in money transactions, selfish and dissipated, yet sometimes generous, deceitful in words and repetition. The whole according to dignity.
Binah of Vau. (Unhappiness, sorrow, tears.) Therein rule the angels Harayel and Hoqmiah.
Jupiter in Libra, 20°–30°. XXIX. The Lord of Rest from Strife:
4 of Swords
The white angelic radiating hands, each holding two swords, which four cross in the centre. The rose of five petals with white radiations is reinstated on the point of intersection. Above and below, on the points of two small daggers, are the symbols of Jupiter and Libra representing the decan.
Rest from sorrow, yet after and through it. Peace from and after war. Relaxation of anxiety. Quietness, rest, ease, and plenty, yet after struggle. Goods of this life, abundance. Modified by the dignity as in the other cases.
Chesed of Vav. (Convalescence, recovery from sickness, change for the better.) Herein rule Laviah and Kelial.
Mars in Scorpio, 1°–10°. XXX Lord of Loss in Pleasure:
5 of Cups or Chalices
A white radiating angelic hand, as before, holding lotuses or water lilies of which the flowers are falling right and left. Leaves only and no buds surmount them. These lotus stems ascend between the cups in the manner of a fountain, but no water flows therefrom, neither is there water in any of the cups, which are somewhat of the shape of the magical implement of the Zelator Adeptus Minor. Above and below are the symbols of Mars and Scorpio, representing the decan.
Death or end of pleasures. Disappointment. Sorrow and loss in those things from which pleasure is expected. Sadness, deceit, treachery, ill will, detraction, charity and kindness ill-requited. All kinds of anxieties and troubles from unexpected and unsuspected sources.
Geburah of Heh. (Disappointments in love, marriage broken off, unkindness from a friend, loss of friendship.) Therein rule Livoyah and Pehilyah.
Sun in Scorpio, 10°–20°. XXXI. Lord of Pleasure:
6 of Cups
An angelic hand, as before, holds a group of stems of lotuses or water lilies from which six flowers bend, one over each cup. From these flowers a white glistening water flows into the cup as from a fountain, but they are not yet full. Above and below are the symbols of sun and Scorpio, representing the decanate.
Commencement of steady increase, gain and pleasure, but commencement only. Also affront, defective knowledge, and in some instances, contention and strife, arising from unwarranted self-assertion and vanity. Sometimes thankless and presumptuous. Sometimes amiable and patient, according to dignity.
Tiphareth of Heh. (Beginning of wish, happiness, success, or enjoyment.) Therein rule Nelokhiel and Yeyayel.
Venus in Scorpio, 20°–30°. XXXII. Lord of Illusionary Success:
7 of Cups
The seven cups are thus arranged:
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
A hand as usual holds the lotus stems which arise from the central lower cup. The hand is above this cup and below the middle one. With the exception of the central lower cup, e
ach is overhung by a lotus flower, but no water falls from them into cups which are quite empty. Above and below are the symbols of the decanate, Venus and Scorpio.
Possible victory; but neutralized by the supineness of the person. Illusionary success. Deception in the moment of apparent victory. Lying error, promises unfulfilled. Drunkenness, wrath, vanity, lust, fornication, violence against women. Selfish dissipation. Deception in love and friendship. Often success gained, but not followed up. Modified by dignity.
Netzach of Heh (Lying. Promises unfulfilled. Illusion. Error. Deception, slight success at outset, but want of energy to retain it.) Therein rules Melchel and Chahaviah.
Mercury in Sagittarius, 1°–10°. XXXIII. The Lord of Swiftness:
8 of Wands
Four white angelic hands radiating, two proceeding from each side, issuing from clouds, clasped in two pairs in the centre with the grip of First Order. They hold eight wands crossed four and four. Flames issue from the point of junction. Surmounting two small wands with flames issuing down them. Placed in the centre at top and bottom of card are the symbols of Mercury and Sagittarius, representing the decan.
Too much force applied too suddenly. Very rapid rush, but too quickly passed and expended. Violent but not lasting. Swiftness. Rapidity. Courage, boldness, confidence, freedom, warfare. Violence, love of open air, field sports, garden, meadows. Generous, subtle, eloquent, yet somewhat untrustworthy. Rapacious, insolent, oppressive. Theft and robbery, according to dignity.
The Golden Dawn Page 76