The Man represents the creator, the one who undertakes the enterprises; the woman characterizes love; the young man, conflict, struggle, rivalry, hatred; the child symbolizes the absolute neuter, the second He, which varies according to circumstances, money, which addresses itself to all, and applies itself to all, universal transition. Man, Woman, Young Man, Child, are therefore the same symbols applied to the family as the four great principles applied to humanity, and to know them in one case is to know them in the other.
To sum up all this, we may say that the first element represents the positive, the second the negative, the third the opposition between the two; finally, the last the absolute neuter; and these elements are symbolized by the four figures of each of the minor arcana.
But even as the cards are divided into two colours, red and black, so humanity is divided into dark and fair.
The eight figures of the Sceptres and Swords therefore
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1. Commencement |
of Commencement. |
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2. Opposition |
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3. Equilibrium |
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4. Commencement |
of Opposition. |
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5. Opposition |
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6. Equilibrium |
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7. Commencement |
of Equilibrium. |
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8. Opposition |
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9. Equilibrium |
10. Undetermined: The card which follows will explain it.
Thus the three words, Commencement, Opposition, Equilibrium, the synonyms of Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis, or of Brahma, Siva, Vishnu, etc., suffice for the explanation of all the minor arcana of the Tarot. We need only add the words love, hatred, enterprise or fortune to each of the series, and we can define the meaning of every card without wearying the memory. This we will now do.
SCEPTRES.
Creation. Enterprise. Agriculture.
KING. The King of Sceptres symbolizes a dark man, a friend. He generally represents a married man, the father of a family.
QUEEN. A dark woman, a friend. Represents a serious woman, a very good counsellor, often the mother of a family.
KNIGHT. A dark young man, a friend.
KNAVE. A dark child, a friend. Also represents a message from a near relation.
ACE OF SCEPTRES. Commencement of an Enterprise.
TWO. Opposition to the commencement of the Enterprise.
The Enterprise is commenced when an unexpected obstacle suddenly prevents its execution.
THREE. Realization of the commencement of the Enterprise.
The basis of the work is now definitely established, and the undertaking can be fearlessly continued.
FOUR. Obstacles to the Enterprise.
Nothing can be accomplished without obstacles. We therefore now find them appearing, and must prepare ourselves to overcome them.
FIVE. Opposition to the obstacles. Victory after surmounting them.
Preservation. Love. Instruction.
Knowing the meaning of one series, we know à priori the significations of the three others. We shall however give them in order to facilitate the work.
KING OF CUPS. A fair man, a friend. This card also represents a barrister, judge, or ecclesiastic. It symbolizes a Bachelor.
QUEEN OF CUPS. A fair woman, a friend. The woman loved. The Mistress.
KNIGHT OF CUPS. A young fair man, a friend. The young man loved. The Lover.
KNAVE OF CUPS. A fair child. A messenger. Birth.
ACE OF CUPS. Commencement of a love affair.
Two. Opposition to this commencement. Unimportant obstacles raised by one of the lovers.
THREE. Realization of this commencement. The love is mutual.
FOUR. Serious obstacles to the love. They arise from other persons, not from the lovers.
FIVE. Opposition to the obstacles. Victory over the obstacles after a struggle.
Transformation. Hatred. War.
KING OF SWORDS. A dark, bad man. He is a soldier, a powerful enemy, who must be distrusted.
QUEEN OF SWORDS. A dark wicked woman. The card also indicates her actions, gossip and calumnies.
KNIGHT. A young, dark man, an enemy. He is also a spy.
KNAVE. A child, an enemy. Bad news. Delay.
The figures generally indicate opposition raised outside the house.
ACE OF SWORDS. Commencement of enmity.
Two. Opposition to this commencement. The enmity does not last.
THREE. Realization of the enmity. Hatred.
FOUR. Opposition to the hatred. Success against the enemy.
FIVE. Opposition to this opposition. The enemy triumphs at the moment one fancies the victory is secured.
SIX. Equilibrium of the opposition. The enemy is rendered powerless at last.
SEVEN. Success assured to the enemy.
Development. Money. Trade.
KING OF PENTACLES. A fair man, inimical or indifferent.
QUEEN OF PENTACLES. A fair woman, indifferent, or inimical.
KNIGHT. A young, fair man. A stranger. An arrival.
KNAVE. A fair child. A messenger. A letter.
The figures of the Pentacles are inverse to those of the Sceptres and Cups, and indicate all that comes from outside, from the country or abroad.
ACE OF PENTACLES. Commencement of fortune. Inheritance. Gifts. Economy, etc., etc.
Two. Opposition to this commencement. Difficulty in well establishing the first landmarks of good fortune.
THREE. Realization of this commencement of fortune. A small sum.
FOUR. Opposition of fortune. Loss of money.
FIVE. Opposition to this opposition. A success coming which will balance the low.
Six. Realization of the opposition. Ruin.
SEVEN. Success assured. A large fortune.
EIGHT. Partial success. Great loss of money at the moment apparently of definitely securing the fortune.