By Gary Meister
A person can spend a lifetime studying the Tarot, and still never know all there is to know. But – you don’t have to spend a lifetime before you can start doing meaningful Tarot card readings for yourself and your friends and relatives. You don’t even have to memorize all the meanings in the Little White Book (LWB) that comes with each new deck of Tarot cards. All you really need to know to get started is one meaning for each card and know it well. This series of articles will show you an easy way to do that, with Numerology.
But, this series isn’t only for beginners. I didn’t learn this system until I had received two Tarot Master Certificates from two different sources, and after nearly 30 years of Tarot study. And, along with some other systems, I use it to this day. So – if you are a newcomer to Tarot, this might make your learning curve a little faster. If you’re a veteran reader, this could be a new technique to add to your arsenal.
A Brief Review:
Up to this point, we have learned the meanings of 56 cards, approximately 72% of the 78 card Tarot deck. There are 22 cards and nine basic meanings left. You've come a long way in a relatively short time. Here's what we have learned so far:
0 ~ is for unlimited potential in the situation indicated by the Element of the card drawn.
1 ~ indicates the beginning of action in or on the indicated Element.
2 ~ cooperation with either another person or the forces of the Universe. Of course, according to the Element of the card.
3 ~ creativity begins, expansion of a project indicated by the Element.
4 ~ it’s time to reason things out, to be practical . . . With what? You know; check the Element.
5 ~ changes are coming about; accept them. Don’t let them become crisis situations. Again, check the Element.
6 ~ things have settled down now (in the area the Element suggests), and peace and harmony prevail for awhile (at least until we have another lesson to learn).
7 ~ you have learned from the mistakes you’ve made in this area (the Element) and find success as the result of this learning.
8 ~ a successful completion of a project relating to the card’s element. Your careful planning and preparation is paying off at this time.
9 ~ the end of a cycle of life, ending up (usually) higher on the spiral than you had begun.
10 ~ last time we began getting into double-digit numbers and how we combine those numbers to make a new, combined and stronger meaning to the original numbers. The number 10 combines the #1's action and new beginnings with #0's unlimited potential, bringing the new cycle into a higher octave than the one before.
11 ~ brings the personal need for creative action to double its strength because of the two #1s. And, 1+1=2, so this intensified action will be much more successful through cooperation with other people and/or Universal Law.
Before I move on to 12 and 13, I want to point out that, in this system, the Court cards are treated basically as numbers. The figure, Page, Knight, Queen, etc. may indicate some other people coming into the mix somehow, as messengers or wise counselors, but the real message is in the numbers.
Again, you are certainly free to use your own number meanings if you like them better than mine. Mine work well for me. If you choose different ones, they will work better for you.
And, continue with your practice of talking about the card meaning, expanding it, giving it more depth for the client.
Now: Number twelve...
Twelve combines the active energy of 1 with the cooperative energy of 2 and, because 1+2=3, it adds the creative energy of 3. So, we have a three-part meaning here. For a key phrase, we might say, creative, cooperative beginnings.
If you should happen to draw the 12 card, The Hanged Man, (the element is spirit) your reading might say something in the order of, “It looks like a new spiritual beginning for you; you may become more creative in your spiritual outlook and find that cooperation with other spiritual seekers and the Universe will help hasten your spiritual growth.” Or something to that effect.
You’re the reader; what would you say?
(A quick reminder: Pages and Knights represent those who bring news of some kind. Queens and kings represent older people (over 30 or so) who bring us wise counsel.)
So, if you should draw the draw the Knight of Pentacles (element, Earth), your message might be, “It appears that you may hear news of a new beginning in your financial or professional life. You will find that creative thought and cooperation with others will further this new beginning.”
What would your message be? Remember, you’re the reader here.
Number 13 . . . #1, Active new beginnings, team up with #3, Creativity, Expansion. And, since 1+3=4, we need to add the elements of Reason and Practicality.
What might your message be if you drew the King of Cups (element, Water)? You’re the reader; think about it. Say it out loud and see how it feels to you. When it feels comfortable, be sure to write it in your Tarot Notebook and say it aloud as you do.
Now—how about if you should draw Key 13, Death? On this one, I feel the need to help you a bit. The Death card does NOT mean someone is going to die. It ALWAYS means an end to some established thing in ones life to make room for a new beginning. So... with that in mind, how would you read this card using the principles of numerology we are studying here? You’ll find it is not much different than the regular meaning; it is just somewhat expanded.
Think about it—say it aloud—and, when it feels good, write it in your Tarot Notebook while saying it aloud again.
Okay, we have expended the Primary Number Tables by four new key words or phrases, and brought the number of card meanings you know up to 66. There are only 78 cards in the Tarot deck. You have only 12 meanings left to learn!
Here are the Primary Tables as they stand right now:
Secrets of Tarot Numerology Tables
Table of Elements:
Major Arcana = Spirit = spiritual growth
Pentacles = Earth = finances, money, material things
Swords = Air = thoughts, ideas, attitudes
Wands = Fire = imagination, creativity, intuition
Water = Cups = love, relationships, the emotions
Primary Number Tables
0. Infinite potential
1. Action, Beginnings
2. Cooperation, Coming Together
3. Creativity, Expansion
4. Reason, Practicality
5. Changes, sometimes crises
6. Peace, Harmony
7. Success, Learning From One’s Mistakes
8. Success Through Hard Work
9. End Of A Cycle Of Life
10. Completion, Perfection, Endings Leading To New Beginnings.
11. Extreme Creative Action On Important New Beginnings
12. Creative, Cooperative Beginnings
13. Active New Beginnings, Creativity, Expansion, With Reason And Practicality
See ya next month... :o)
Bright Blessings ~ Gary Meister, CTM