Advanced Tarot

This is advanced material for those familiar with at least a basic knowledge of Tarot. Here, I'm mostly concerned with the development of  intuitive insight into the meanings contained in a Tarot reading and the use of the Tarot as a meditative path.

The Esoteric Hermetic/Cabalistic Attributions

Current research shows that the tarot originated in northern Italy early in the 15th century (ca. 1420). Many believe that it had a much earlier and more mystical source, in any case, the Tarot has evolved into a powerful tool for insight and the development of intuition.

The Tarot of Marseille (fr. mahr/say), which seems to me to be the source of the modern Hermetic rather than the Italian decks, may date as early as 1672. There is a theory that the Tarot may have been imported into Italy from France prior to 1420.

Over the centuries, the Tarot has gathered an ever deepening set of metaphysical/philosophical/psychological attributions from many traditions (this includes Qabalistic, Magicial, astrological, numerological and various occult systems).  Tarot provide a profound guide to metaphysical study and a rich framework in which the glyphs/attributions may inspire the awakening of intuitive insight.

The Esoteric Hermetic/Cabalistic Attributions

I am most interested in the hermetic/esoteric attributions for the Tarot and the use of  the Tarot as a tool for experiencing of the wisdom and spirit of the Kabbalah. Pathworking is a powerful method and one of the best ways to become deeply connected with the Tarot.

My introduction to tarot was through the brilliant composer John Cage (1912-1992) , a ultramodern, new age thinker and Zen Buddhist. As a teenager, I studied music composition with him. We talked more about philosophy, Zen and the I-Ching in our lessons than music composition.

Cage often carried a well-worn copy of Wilhelm's "The I Ching or Book of Changes", and showed me how to toss the coins to derive a reading from the I Ching. (Cage used this method to create some of his compositions by "chance")  Cage also introduced me to mushroom collecting and Irish whiskey.

4'33" (Four minutes, thirty-three seconds) is Cage's most famous composition. Showing the influence of Zen (and post-modern philosophy), the composition has no music (only silence) for it's duration. During the performance there is actually no silence, since there is the sound of the auditorium's environment.

Silence was the name of John Cage's first book.

As a result of this introduction (and my interest in Zen), I did a deep study of the I-Ching, and in the process I learned that correspondences to the I-Ching had been made in the Thoth Tarot deck, and I found the Tarot as interesting as the I-Ching. That also lead to the study of Kabbalah, mythology, Jung, Symbolism, Ancient History, etc. etc.

I was a Buddhist Monk for 2 year, I completed long retreats in India, Nepal and Japan. Soon after, I spend more than a year studying/researching Tarot history.

Tarot has been very enriching. I'd love it if just for the artwork and history, and my mystical nature found it a powerful tool for my journey.


The Major and Minor Arcanas and the Court Cards

Major Arcana (22  Cards; Numbered 0 - 21) represent archetypical energies in life. The Principles, the "Why" behind events.

Minor Arcana (40 Cards; 4 Suites of 10 cards each) represent mundane (though not less import than the Majors) energies in life. The "What" of events.

Court Cards (16 Cards; 4 Suites of 4 cards each) often represent personality traits or specific people in the querent's life;  may represent relationships or the environmental energies in life (types of life experiences).  The "Who" or "Personal side" of events. 

Definitions:

Occult Tarot - decks that have attributed deeper, esoteric meanings to each of the cards. These attributions are usually from magical (magick), hermetic, mythological, religious (especially the ancients; Egyptian, Roman and the Qabalistic) and/or occult philosophical sources.

Querent ("one who queries") is a person who asks a question an oracle, such as the Tarot, Astrology or the I Ching.

ALSO:

Western Yoga:  for Western minds: merging Western/Hermetic Philosophy with Tantric Yoga

Entering the Angels Way

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Last modified: December 20, 2012

Updated: May 04, 2014 01:04:05 AM