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Tarot 101

Week 1:

History of Cartomancy

Three Levels of Consciousness

The Spiritual Journey of the Major Arcana

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“The highest purpose of Tarot is a system of self-initiation or enlightenment. It is a map to the realms of spiritual bliss. It is a record of man’s relationship with the cosmos. In short, it is a textbook of occult teachings.”

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- Gerald and Betty Schueler, The Enochian Tarot

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Cartomancy

“Divination via cards”

  • Tarot decks, oracle decks, fortune decks, Lenormand, and Kipper are all other branches of cartomancy.
  • Fortune decks, Lenormand, and Kipper typically are object-focused (The Horse, The Tree, The Turtle ect.)
  • Oracle decks typically have a drawn-out message that is detailed on the card itself or in a companion book. There is no structure to Oracle decks.
  • Tarot are structured, typically using the RWS as a model, and always 78 cards

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Tarocco Bolognese

(Italy, 1442)

5th cent. tarocchini is played in Italy, France, and Austria.

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Visconti

(Italy, 1460)

5th cent. tarocchini is played in Italy, France, and Austria.

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Tarot de Marseilles (France, 1709)

Cartomancy (divining w/ cards) first recorded in late 1700s with Tarot de Marseilles

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Rider-Waite-Smith or RWS Deck

(London, 1909)

Rider Company, publisher

A.E. Waite, author

Pamela Coleman Smith, artist

  • First to contain illustrated pips
  • First to use Egyptian imagery
  • First to use Hebrew letters
  • Still used today

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Yang

(Masculine)

Yin

(Feminine)

Duality

(Individuality and Contrast)

Conscious

Action

Sun

Order

Authoritarianism

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Unconscious

Reflection

Moon

Chaos

Decadence

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Non-Duality

(Wholeness and Oneness)

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Ouroboros

“Eat and be eaten!”

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Boaz

Jachin

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Yoni/Lingam

Female/Male

Anger/Joy

Mastery of emotions

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A gatekeeper!

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Pamela’s Signature on every card!

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Hebrew letters י-ה-ו-ה or YHWH meaning “Yahweh”

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“Rota” = Wheel, Latin

“Tora” = Law, Hebrew

“Tarot” = Wheel of Law

Chaioth Ha Qadesh

(Ezekiel’s Cherubim)

Four angles which guard heaven in Ezekiel’s vision.

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A winged man, lion, bull and an eagle = 4 Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

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The towers!

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Hebrew letters י-ה-ו-ה or YHWH meaning “Yahweh”

Yellow Iris

Passion and/or Greek Goddess Iris, messenger of the gods.

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Oh how far we’ve fallen!

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Again!

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Next week!

Week 2:

  • Elements
  • Numerology
  • Minor Arcana 1-5
  • Creating sacred space for a reading