A friend and I have decided to do a little experiment with the German skat deck. He has applied for a job and we wanted to see if he’ll be hired.
An Experiment with the German Skat deck
According to the meanings I’ve received, the Eight of Diamonds (here the Eight of Bells) is the card of work and business, so the cards seem to be on the ball. We also have the Ten of Hearts which is a contract (a marriage/union) with the Ten of Diamonds/Bells indicating it’s a relatively well-paid full-time opportunity. The Seven of Hearts here should indicate relief and pleasantness in general. It could also mean the querent is going to have fun, but considering it comes before the contract, I incline more toward the former interpretation.
There’s that King of Spades / King of Leaves there, which puzzles me. Technically the querent is the King of Hearts. This could show that someone else gets the contract, but this would be a really weird way for the cards to communicate (“Will I get the job?” “Someone else is going to be really pleased”). It can happen that the cards say someone else gets the job, but they would show this as a negative for the querent. Also, this cannot be the boss, because two women are the boss and are looking for someone to hire.
Maybe the King of Leaves could represent the type of job. It is in the medical field. Technically, medical subjects would be indicated by the Ten of Clubs/Acorns or the King of Clubs/Acorns, however I have seen many sources that assign the meaning of doctor to the King of Leaves / Spades. It could indicate that the job is going to have to do with lots of bureaucracy and office stuff, and that would true.
(Note: this is a collection of the meanings attributed to the cards by some occultists in the past centuries. It does not reflect my own study or opinion of the cards. It is only meant as a quick comparative reference as I develop my own take.)
The Eight of Pentacles from the Builders of the Adytum (BOTA) tarot
Paul Foster Case (and Ann Davies)
The time period is the first decanate of Virgo, under the rulership of Mercury, from August 23 to September 2. Meanings: Well-Dignified: skill in the management of material affairs; industry; gain in subordinate positions through writing, clerical work or travel; gain of ready money in small sums. lll-Dignified: avarice and hoarding; penny wisdom and pound foolishness; meanness in money matters; loss through travel or writings; the Querent is likely to be in difficulties with superiors and also with inferiors; he may lose through trying to overreach somebody else. Keyword: Prudence (From the Oracle of Tarot course)
A. E. Waite
An artist in stone at his work, which he exhibits in the form of trophies. Divinatory Meanings: Work, employment, commission, craftsmanship, skill in craft and business, perhaps in the preparatory stage. Reversed: Voided ambition, vanity, cupidity, exaction, usury. It may also signify the possession of skill, in the sense of the ingenious mind turned to cunning and intrigue. (From The Pictorial Key to the Tarot)
The Eight of Pentacles from the Rider Waite Smith tarot
Aleister Crowley
The Eight of Disks is called Prudence. This card is a great deal better than the last two [Eights], because, in purely material matters, especially those relating to actual money, there is a sort of strength in doing nothing at all. The problem of every financier is, first of all, to gain time; if his resources are sufficient, he always beats the market. This is the card of “putting something away for a rainy day”.
[…]
The number Eight, Hod, is very helpful in this card, because it represents Mercury in his most spiritual aspect, and he both rules and is exalted in the sign of Virgo, which belongs to the Decan, and is governed by the Sun. It signifies intelligence lovingly applied to material matters, especially those of the agriculturalist, the artificer and the engineer.
One might suggest that this card marks the turn of the tide. The seven of Disks is in one sense the fullest possible establishment of Matter-compare Atu XV-the lowest fallen and therefore the highest exalted. These last three cards seem to prepare the explosion which will renew the whole Cycle. Note that Virgo is Yod, the secret seed of Life, and also the Virgin Earth awaiting the Phallic Plough.
The interest of this card is the interest of the common people. The rulership of the Sun in Virgo suggests also birth. The disks are arranged in the form of the geomantic figure Populus. These disks may be represented as the flowers or fruits of a great tree, its solid roots in fertile land.
In the Yi King, Sol in Virgo is represented by the 33rd Hexagram, Thun, “Big Air”. It means “retiring”; and the commentary indicates how best to make use of that manoeuvre. This is congruous enough with the essence of Virgo, the secret withdrawing of Energy into the fallow Earth. Populus, moreover, is the Moon retiring from manifestation to her conjunction with the Sun. (From The Book of Thoth)
The Eight of Disks from the Thoth tarot
Golden Dawn’s Book T
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 even, 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. They are arranged like the geomantic figure Populus:
* * * * * * * *
Above and below them are the symbols Sun and Virgo for the Decan. Over-careful in small things at the expense of great: “Penny wise and pound foolish”: gain of ready money in small sums; mean; avaricious; industrious; cultivation of land; hoarding, lacking in enterprise. Hod of HB:H (Skill: prudence: cunning). Therein rule those mighty Angels HB:AKAYH and HB:KHThAL
Etteilla
Brunette Girl Upright. This card, as far as the medicine of the spirit is concerned, means, in its natural position: Brunette Girl, Passive, Great Night. Reversed. Empty aspiration, Avarice, Usury.
Let’s move on with our look at the playing cards divided by concept. This time, we see which cards represent stability.
Ace of Hearts The Ace of Hearts, like in many systems of reading playing cards, represents the home. It is a symbol of durability and stability, since houses tend to be stable things that don’t change. Mostly, the Ace of Hearts symbolizes the house or the family, however, when describing someone’s character, for instance, it shows them to be family-oriented, looking at stabilizing their life, being rooted in traditional values, etc.
Four of Hearts The Four of Hearts usually brings agreement in all fields of life. However, the type of agreement it shows is effortless, and it resembles more a state of peace where the waters aren’t ruffled (and if they are, the waves calm down immediately). Usually this card indicates harmony, harmonious surroundings and ease.
Six of Hearts Unlike the previous two cards, the Six of Hearts, which represents such things as reconciliation, healing, etc. does often imply the presence of some disturbing factors (though not necessarily. We need to look at the spread as a whole), but it shows that these disturbing factors, such as a break-up or a disagreement, can and probably will be overcome, returning the situation to its previous stability.
Ten of Hearts The Ten of Hearts is one of the most powerful in the deck, as it is often capable of diminishing the negative impact of negative cards. Since it is symbolic of paradise, heaven or ultimate attainment of one’s happiness, it hints at a situation either being stable (and happy) or becoming stable (and happy). When it is followed by very negative cards, though, it can show this paradise being lost. In fact, it is sometimes a bad sign when we find the Ten of Hearts at the beginning of the spread without other strong cards, because it shows that the best is already in the past.
Three of Clubs The Three of Clubs brings union and unity. It causes situations or people to become locked in place, usually by signing contracts, celebrating a marriage of making a commitment to each other or doing things together. Sometimes it can show that a situation perseveres (it remains married to us).
Six of Clubs A somewhat obnoxious card, the Six of Clubs isn’t tragic, but it brings disturbance. It shows situations that have lost their momentum, and problems that we thought we had overcome reemerging. It shows a sort of static discontent with no disruption in sight, either for good or bad, unless other cards clearly show it.
Nine of Clubs This is the card of distance, either in terms of miles or in terms of time. As such, it lengthens out the timeframe, but unlike the Six, the Nine of Clubs has no negative undertones, except in the sense that often we want all the good in the world to happen to us quickly, and this card stalls us for some time. However, it can also make a good situation last longer.
Four of Diamonds Unlike the Four of Hearts, which shows effortless stability and agreement, the Four of Diamonds represents agreement following either tensions or negotiations. Thus it represents all things to do with bureaucracy and the government that seek to regulate life and make it more stable within the borders of a country.
Ten of Diamonds Of the Ten of Diamonds we can say something similar to the Ten of Hearts, except that the success promised by Diamonds tends to be more material, and doesn’t necessarily imply happiness. However, it does represent situations that have developmed to their utmost in a positive sense and have reached their aim.
Five of Spades Being the card of prison, the Five of Spades symbolizes constraints, blockages and the need to make great sacrifices. As such, it means that the person (symbolized by the central pip, hemmed in by the four other pips at the corners) cannot move and is bound to a situation. Usually this is in a negative sense. Even when surrounded by positive cards, thus showing a positive commitment, it still indicates a certain sense of being stifled.
Six of Spades The Six of Spades is the card of illness, and it shows all situations that are ill, broken, suffering, etc. In itself it is not the most tragic card in the suit, but it represents a state of suffering stillness, which may be overcome or lead to disruption, depending on the cards that follow this one.
The great thing about occultism being my life but not my job is that I get to do whatever I please. Well, right now it pleases me to talk about this deck, somehow.
Fortune-telling with Piquet cards or Skat cards. Like the video and subscribe
I won’t buy it, because there’s really no point in me owning it, but I’m going to post a personal translation of the meanings found on the cards, just as a comparison to the other systems I posted. Note: in German the descriptions rhyme (sort of). Since poetry is not among my many, many gifts, I’m not even going to try it in English. We’ll wait for the next Lord Byron to stumble upon this blog and give it a go. However, I will leave in bold type the words that are in bold in German, where possible.
The fact that some of the meanings coincide with the ones I posted, which I know to be traditional because I trust the sources, tells me that this Oracle of the Silver Mirror isn’t something someone just pulled out of his heinie, but they probably at least did some reaserch or had access to someone who could read skat cards. Still, I don’t want to exaggerate the importance of this deck: it is just a little bit of Skat trivia, in the long tradition of card fortune-telling as a parlor game.
The Silberspiegel Orakel is a fortune-telling deck about which very little is known. A source online says it’s from the 50s. Considering the old-fashioned language and the pre-reform orthography it might as well be true.
Silberspiegel Orakel (Oracle of the Silver Mirror)
A♥️ Soon an event will involve the house. It appears as though it is something good! K♥️ The King of Hearts is your reflection in the mirror, or “He” who envelops you in his love Q♥️ The Queen of Hearts is your reflection in the mirror, or “She” who envelops you in her love. J♥️ The Jack of Hearts can be your son or your daughter, or just a child, broadly speaking. 10♥️ You can expect much love, much joy. The world becomes your enchanted garden. 9♥️ Kisses and love-making await you. Don’t lose your head, whether in December or in May. (This sounds much cuter in the original) 8♥️ A bit of good news is headed your way. It could also be an invitation. 7♥️ Everything turns out for the best and is cause for joy, as shown here in this card.
A♠️ Taxes, the courthouse or the government await you. Don’t pull a long face! K♠️ There is a wealthy man (around you). He could be your father, who loves you very much Q♠️ A well-meaning woman coddles you. She could be your mother, who protects you and takes care of you. J♠️ The postilion brings you a letter or message with much excitement. He’s almost here! 10♠️ You are planning a long journey, toward new horizons (shores) and harbors. 9♠️ A positive change in your personal situation. That’s a certain thing. 8♠️ An unexpected gift will bring you much joy, perhaps tomorrow, maybe even today. 7♠️ You can expect a visit, with flowers from the most beautiful garden.
A♦️ An important letter or a merry celebration, perhaps a marriage or something from the stork’s nest. K♦️ A blond man will propose to you. He may also be a relative (!!!) Q♦️ You will go out with a blonde woman. If she’s a relative, forget about her (!!!) J♦️ This is the big, big luck. Cut yourself a nice slice of it. 10♦️ You manage to accomplish something great, everything brings you success and lots of money. 9♦️ You may expect a bit of money. This is what the cards clearly show. 8♦️ You’ll have golden rings to wear. Maybe you’ll celebrate an engagement or a marriage. 7♦️ A small journey will restore you. Have a good journey and some fun!
A♣️ Affliction and a doctor are in your home, but a cheerful disposition can drive the devil out. K♣️ An older man is around you. Maybe a father-in-law, maybe a public official. Q♣️ An older woman is by your side. If she’s your mother-in-law, do as she says. J♣️ A false person wants to charm you. Be careful, and you will charm the snake! 10♣️ Luck, affluence and a long life are gifted to you as treasures. 9♣️ Something will soon become certain. Now ask yourself what it may be. 8♣️ Aggravations are coming to your house. Someone may exploit your good will. 7♣️ Tears, loss and fights threaten you. You will overcome them with a merry disposition.
Spreads
In the LWB, two spreads are described. One is the classic große Tafel, the grand tableau of 8×4, where one reads the lines that intersect the querent’s card.
The other is a cross spread (once again), where the person’s significator is taken out, the cards fanned out and fifteen cards chosen: covering him (“Was dich deckt!”, i.e., “what covers you”), to his right (“Was dich schreckt!” i.e., “What scares you/shocks you”), below him (“Was du mit Füßen trittst”, i.e., “What you tread on with your feet”), to his left (“Was dir gewiß ist”, i.e., “what you hold for certain”) and above (“Was du im Kopfe trägst”, i.e, “What you have in your head”). The “what shocks you” position on the right is probably the opposite of the “what you hold for certain” position on the left. It probably indicates something the person doesn’t expect.
The general tone of the LWB is very cautious and markedly negative toward divination, which reinforces the hypothesis that the deck originates from before the late 60s or early 70s. The reader is constantly encouraged to practice it only as a game with family members and not to practice professionally.
In the latest reading I presented, an interesting phenomenon occurred. At some point during the reading, two cards came up that seemed very negative, but which actually had nothing to do with the reading in itself. Instead, they simply acted as some form of punctuation. This happens especially with simple methods like the one I used, called ‘alla zdoura’ (literally, ‘method of the housewife’, or ‘like the housewives do it’ in dialect), where we start with a very limited number of cards, usually one, two or three, and then we keep adding them without following a specific layout.
In this type of reading, if the cards need to signal that we are changing topics and moving on to a new one, they may use cards or combinations that show an ending (sometimes even just the Death card). Of course, I had a huge deal of luck in this reading, because it came up clear. It isn’t always like that. Often, these combinations look really bad, but if we look around we see that they feel out of place.
In playing cards, the same can happen when the Four of Spades and Five of Spades, or the Ace of Spades, or the Five of Diamonds come up. Usually, in these situations, it pays to zoom out of the reading and catch the general flow of it: it will become apparent, generally, whether these cards are part of the reading or if they act as punctuation.
I am also experiencing a similar phenomenon while experimenting with the Bolognese tarot. For instance, in the first few lines of a thirteen- card spread, it may happen that the Angel and Death cards come up together, and then the cards seem to discuss other topics. In this case, the cards seem to be answering the question positively and quickly, only to introduce new discussions. At other times, the Queen of Coins comes up to say “and that’s the truth about it, period.” or the Justice card, to say “and that ok the way it is.” Of course, I need to experiment a little more, especially to see if apparently negative combinations can act in the same way.
(Note: this is a collection of the meanings attributed to the cards by some occultists in the past centuries. It does not reflect my own study or opinion of the cards. It is only meant as a quick comparative reference as I develop my own take.)
The Eight of Cups from the Builders of the Adytum (BOTA) tarot deck
Paul Foster Case (and Ann Davies)
The time period is the first decanate of Pisces, February 19 to February 28, ruled by Jupiter and Neptune. Well-Dignified: renunciation of material success for something higher; interest in psychic and spiritual things; strong emotions; charity and helpfulness; love of travel and of scientific investigation. Ill-Dignified: momentary success, but nothing lasting; the person to whom the card applies is overimpressionable, erratic and unsteady in his emotions; meaningless change of mood; purposeless journeying; querulous disposition. Keyword: Instability (From the Oracle of Tarot course)
A. E. Waite
A man of dejected aspect is deserting the cups of his felicity, enterprise, undertaking or previous concern. Divinatory Meanings: The card speaks for itself on the surface, but other readings are entirely antithetical–giving joy, mildness, timidity, honour, modesty. In practice, it is usually found that the card shews the decline of a matter, or that a matter which has been thought to be important is really of slight consequence–either for good or evil. Reversed: Great joy, happiness, feasting. (From The Pictorial Key to the Tarot)
The Eight of Cups from the Rider Waite Smith tarot
Aleister Crowley
The Eight of Cups is called Indolence. This card is the very apex of unpleasantness. It is ruled by the planet Saturn; time, sorrow, have descended upon pleasure, and there is no strength in the element of water which can react against it. This card is not exactly “the morning after the night before”; but it is very nearly that. The difference is that the “night before” has not happened! This card represents a party for which all preparations have been made; but the host has forgotten to invite the guests; or, the caterers have not delivered the good cheer. There is this difference, though, that it is in some way or other the host’s own fault. The party that he planned was just a little bit above his capacity; perhaps he lost heart at the last moment.
[…]
The Eight, Hod, in the suit of Water, governs this card. It shows the influence of Mercury, but this is overpowered by the reference of the card to Saturn in Pisces. Pisces is calm but stagnant water; and Saturn deadens it completely. Water appears no longer as the Sea but as pools; and there is no florescence in this card as there was in the last. The Lotuses droop for lack of sun and rain, and the soil is poison to them; only two of the stems show blossoms at all. The cups are shallow, old and broken. They are arranged in three rows; of these the upper row of three is quite empty. Water trickles from the two flowers into the two central cups, and they drip into the two lowest without filling them. The background of the card shows pools, or lagoons, in very extensive country, incapable of cultivation; only disease and miasmatic poison can flourish in those vast Bad Lands.
The water is dark and muddy. On the horizon is a pallid, yellowish light, weighed down by leaden clouds of indigo. Compare with the last card; it represents the opposite and complementary error. The one is the Garden of Kundry, the other the Palace of Klingsor. In the psychopathology of The Path, this card is the German Measles of Christian Mysticism. (From The Book of Thoth)
The Eight of Cups from the Thoth Tarot deck
Golden Dawn’s Book T
A WHITE Radiating Angelic Hand, holding a group of stems of lotuses or waterlilies. There are only two flowers shown, which bend over the two central cups, pouring into them a white water which fills them and runs over into the three lowest, which later are not yet filled. The three uppermost are quite empty.
U U U U U U U U
At the top and bottom of the card are symbols Saturn and Pisces.
Temporary success, but without further results. Thing thrown aside as soon as gained. Not lasting, even in the matter in hand. Indolence in success. Journeying from place to place. Misery and repining without cause. Seeking after riches. Instability. Hod of HB:H (Success abandoned; decline of interest). The Angels ruling are HB:VVLYH and HB:YLHYH.
Etteilla
Blonde girl Upright. This card, as far as the medicine of the spirit is concerned, means, in its natural position: Blonde Girl, Honest Girl, Practical Girl, Honor, Modesty, Restraint, Timidity, Fear, Apprehension, Sweetness, Attraction. Reversed. Satisfaction, Happiness, Contentment, Gaiety, Joy, Cheerfulness, Enjoyment, Fun, Celebration. – Apology, Reparation, Discompense. – Public Joy, Spectacle, Arrangement, Recollection, Preparations, Arrangements.
A couple of years ago I published a series of three articles on the Skat deck. This is not a system I use, merely one that has been kindly passed down to me, together with the premission to translate it. I came into contact with another reader, who also kindly accepted to share her system, which she learned from a friend some years back. This is another German system, which is recognizable in that Spades tend to be neutral and Clubs negative. There are also many similarities with the previous system I published, which is not surprising since the various systems tend to be regional, and both readers come from the same region ( the Südpfalz). Still, there are some interesting differences. What follows is my translation of the meanings, combinations and reading method. Thanks to Anke for this method.
Hearts
Ace – The Home King – The Man (Herzensmann, the man of my heart) Queen – The Woman (Herzensfrau, the woman of my heart) Jack – Thoughts, Projects, Hopes, Positive Feelings/Thoughts (gute Gesinnung) Ten – Great Joy, Wish Fulfillment, Wedding Bells (Hochzeitsglocken) Nine – Joy, Love, Sympathy, Affection / Inclination (Zuneigung) Eight – A Relationship, Harmony, Accord / Deal, Reconciliation Seven – Fun, Entertainment (Fröhlichkeit, Spaß)
Spades
Ace – Office (Amt), understood as official things, Bureaucracy, Documents, Laws, Lawsuits, etc. King – A friend or relative, Can be an office worker Queen – A friend, relative or office worker (Büroangestellte) Jack – Message, Contacts Ten – Journey, A long period of time, The Long Road (auf dem langen Weg), An important change (Umbruch) Nine – Uncertainty, Uncertain timeframe, Jealousy, Unwarranted turmoil, at the end of a sequence it improves the situation (the worry is unwarranted) Eight – A short timeframe, Also the card of society (Gesellschaftskarte) Seven – Very short timeframe, Discussions and Talks, The Short Road (auf dem kurzen Weg)
Diamonds
Ace – Letter, Invitation or Gift King – A Man of position, Respected (angesehener Mann), Someone who counts Queen – A woman of position, Respected, Who counts Jack – The Jack of Good Luck (Glücksbube) Ten – Big Money Nine – Success, Ambition, Idealism Eight – Work, Also buying and selling, Business (Geschäftskarte) Seven – Small Money, A child
Clubs
Ace – Shock (Schreck), Fear, Fright, Suffering or Loss King – A lonely man, Older or inimical, Father-in-law Queen – A lonely woman, Older or inimical, Mother-in-law Jack – The Jack of Bad Luck (Pechbube), Bad/evil ideas / feelings / disposition (böse Gesinnung) Ten – Great sorrow, Illness Nine – Falseness, Antipathy (Abneigung), Dislike Eight – Arguments, Fights, The need to fight, Obstacles Seven – Tears
Some Combinations
Ace of Hearts – Ace of Spades – Ten of Hearts = Wedding Ace of Spades – Ten of Clubs – King of Clubs = Hospital stay Any Queen – Seven of Diamonds – Ten of Clubs = Pregnancy (apparently pregnancy is seen as a sickness) Ace of Clubs – Ace of Spades – Evil card (especially the Jack of Clubs) = death Ace of Spades – Eight of Clubs – King of Clubs = Court case Ten of Spades – Person card = Someone who comes from afar (but can also be someone who is away)
Spreads
There are two phases to a general reading. The first is a cross spread not unlike the one I use. Lay out the querent’s card (King or Queen of Hearts), but with some slight variations. Let’s say you are reading for a woman:
4
9
14
2
7
12
QH
3
8
13
1
6
11
5
10
15
The positions’ meanings are quite similar, although the order of laying out the cards differs: above are the thoughts, underneath the problems or what she has command over, behind is the past, in front is the next future. The second stage is as follows:
3
8
13
4
9
14
QH
1
6
11
2
7
12
5
10
15
This second spread is called the Rundum Blick, literally the comprehensive view or all-around view. The cards covering the Queen are supposed to be the most important ones, while the others all cover the future, with those to the left being a bit closer than the ones to the right, unless the Ten of Spades (the long time card) is present, in which case it can change the timeframe.
I didn’t receive any instructions on how to read the cards for answering specific questions, which is not surprising, since many folk methods of divination were simply meant to talk generally about what was ahead. Still, I am quite sure you can devise your own strategy.
(Note: this is a collection of the meanings attributed to the cards by some occultists in the past centuries. It does not reflect my own study or opinion of the cards. It is only meant as a quick comparative reference as I develop my own take.)
The Eight of Wands from the Builders of the Adytum (BOTA) Tarot deck
Paul Foster Case (and Ann Davies)
As the first decanate of Sagittarius, the Eight of Wands is the time period of November 22 to December 1, ruled by Jupiter, suggesting a combination of the powers of Mercury and Jupiter together with the zodiacal attributions of the sign Sagittarius and its natural 9th house. Well-Dignified: aspiration; foresight; rapid expression of force, but quickly expended; the acceleration of anything in which the querent is interested; generosity; confidence ; freedom. Ill-Dignified: violence; warfare; rapacity; insolence; theft or robbery. These are suggested by some of the evil meanings connected with Hermes or Mercury associated with misuse of human intellect. Keyword: Swiftness (From the Oracle of Tarot course)
A. E. Waite
The card represents motion through the immovable-a flight of wands through an open country; but they draw to the term of their course. That which they signify is at hand; it may be even on the threshold. Divinatory Meanings: Activity in undertakings, the path of such activity, swiftness, as that of an express messenger; great haste, great hope, speed towards an end which promises assured felicity; generally, that which is on the move; also the arrows of love. Reversed: Arrows of jealousy, internal dispute, stingings of conscience, quarrels; and domestic disputes for persons who are married. (From The Pictorial Key to the Tarot)
The Eight of Wands from the Rider Waite Smith tarot
Aleister Crowley
The Eight of Wands is called Swiftness, as one might expect from its attribution to Mercury and Sagittarius. This is an etherealization of the idea of fire; all gross elements have disappeared.
[…]
The remaining three cards of the suit belong to Sagittarius, which represents the subtilizing of the Fiery energy; and Mercury rules the card, thus bringing down from Chokmah the message of the original Will.
The card also refers to Hod, splendour, in the suit of Fire, whence it refers to the phenomena of speech, light, electricity. The pictorial representation of the card shows the Light-wands turned into electrical rays, sustaining or even constituting Matter by their vibrating energy. Above this restored universe shines the rainbow; the division of pure light, which deals with maxima, into the seven colours of the spectrum, which exhibit interplay and correlation.
This card, therefore, represents energy of high velocity, such as furnishes the master-key to modern mathematical physics. It will be noted that there are no flames; they have all been taken up into the wands to turn them into rays. On the other hand, the electric energy has created intelligible geometrical form. (From The Book of Thoth)
The Eight of Wands from the Thoth Tarot
Golden Dawn’s Book T
FOUR White Radiating Angelic Hands (two proceeding from each side) issuant from clouds; clasped in two pairs in the centre with the grip of the First Order. They hold eight wands, crossed four with four. Flames issue from the point of junction. Surmounting the small wands with flames issuing down them, and placed in the centre at the top and bottom of the card respectively, are the symbols of Mercury and Sagittarius for the Decan.
Too much force applied too suddenly. Very rapid rush, but quickly passed and expended. Violent, but not lasting. Swiftness, rapidity, courage, boldness, confidence, freedom, warfare, violence; love of open air, field-sports, gardens and meadows. Generous, subtle, eloquent, yet somewhat untrustworthy; rapacious, insolent, oppressive. Theft and robbery. According to dignity.
Hod of HB:Y (Hasty communications and messages; swiftness). Therein rule the Angels HB:NThHYH and HB:HAAYH.
Etteilla
Countryside Upright. This card, as far as its medicine is concerned, means, in its natural position: Countryside, Field, Plain, Agriculture, Cultivation, Landed Property, Immovable Property, Farm, Homestead, Garden, Orchard, Prairie, Forest, Grove, Foliage, Pleasure, Amusement, Leisure, Pastime, Recreation, Enjoyment, Peace, Calm, Tranquility, Innocence, Country Life. – Forest, Valley, Mountain, Battlefield. Reversed. Inner dispute, Examination, Reasoning, Incomprehension. – Regret, Remorse, Repentance, Inner turmoil, Irresolution, Uncertainty, Indecision, Inconceivable, Incomprehensible, Doubt, Scruple, Fearful consciousness.
Pretty much every card in the Vera Sibilla has some connection with spirituality and occultism, especially when that’s the topic of the question. However, some cards are more pronounced in the kind of indications they give. The unfortunate thing about this sort of topics is that people tend to use them as a substitute for real life. So, for instance, once someone wrote that the Queen of Clubs can indicate a psychic vampire, and then everyone started reading that card primarily as that for a while (becuase, of course, you are such a wonderful person that everyone wants to leech off of your energy). In reality, unless the question is about spiritual or occult topics, such interpretations are best kept rare, and even then, the surrounding cards need to be kept in mind.
Ace of Hearts – The Conversation (Conversazione)
This is not an especially esoteric or spiritual card, but I’ll talk about it to show how easy it can be to expand a card’s regular meaning to cover those topics. The Conversation card is about words and people meeting or living together. In a spiritual or esoteric reading it can therefore indicate prayers (communion with the divine), exorcisms or spells (the spiritual or esoteric use of words). It can also indicate a group of people operating a ritual or praying together.
Four of Hearts – Love (Amore)
Again, not an especially esoteric card, but it is one of the possible cards indicating the soul (winged, heart-related). It can also indicate that one has the otherworldly tendency to attract certain types of happenings into their life. This has nothing to do with the law of attraction, but merely a statement of the fact that certain people simply tend to end up in specific situations.
Seven of Hearts – The Scholar (Letterato)
The Scholar is connected with the constructive use of the mind. It can therefore indicate plans, including esoteric plans, mostly tending to be good ones. It can also show the divine plan, providence etc.
Eight of Hearts – Hope (Speranza)
The Hope card is the main significator of faith, though not necessarily religious faith. It is heavily indicative of our psychic connection with the divine. It is also involved in those situations where the person has prophetic dreams, psychic powers and all those abilities witches on WitchTok pretend to have but really don’t. Reversed, it can indicate atheism (lack of hope in the divine) or, with very evil cards, it can indicate negative faith systems, such as satanism (we’re talking O9A, not the coastal post-crowleyan, occult-flavored performance art that passes itself off as satansim).
Nine of Hearts – Faithfulness (Fedeltà)
The Faithfulness card is one of great protection and support, whether from worldly friends or from otherworldly ones. As such, it can indicate angels (the Messenger is another possible card for angels, but in a more neutral sense). More commonly, it can indicate devotion to a belief system.
King of Hearts – The Gentleman (Gran Signore)
Obviously, God is the esoteric and spiritual gentleman par excellence, and this is usually what this card can represent. It indicates great protection from the divine (the female counterpart would be the Maiden for the Virgin Mary, or the Girlfriend for a female saint or goddess).
Two of Clubs – The Peacock (Pavone)
The Peacock is one of the cards we look for in sequences about magic and spirituality. When upright, it represents the god-power which unfolds at its own pace, like the peacock’s tail, creating opportunity for marvel and salvation. Esoterically, it shows magic in a neutral to positive sense. It represents oaths and religious vows. Reversed, it is the card of the devil (the one who was doomed by his pride), demons and dark magic.
Three of Clubs Reversed – The Journey (Viaggio)
When reversed, the Journey has a specific connection with white magic in its ability to interrupt any negative trend, harmonizing us with our path in life.
Five of Clubs – Fortune (Fortuna)
In itself the Five of Clubs is the card of destiny, of one’s path through life, whether good or bad. It can represent protection, though not necessarily divine, from magical forces. It can be present when a magical attack is aimed at modifying a person’s natural destiny.
Four of Diamonds – Falsehood (Falsità)
The Falsehood card is the card of negativity in all contexts. Esoterically, it shows negativity in the person’s aura and/or the evil eye, but it usually doesn’t represent heavy black magic.
Six of Diamonds – Thought (Pensiero)
Our thought is where past, present and future coincide and gather in the form of memories, plans and inclinations. It can give us hint as to the person’s inner life, their religious beliefs, their inner and esoteric talent, etc. Reversed, in addition to indicating negative thoughts, it can have a connection with subonsciousness and the powers that are buried within it, or with thought-forms and spirits.
Three of Spades – The Widower (Vedovo)
The Widower is one of the primary culprits we look for when discussing rituals, whether religious or magical. This is especially true when the card is reversed. It is also the card of graveyards and graveyard magic, and it can indicate sects (mostly in a negative sense).
Five of Spades – Death (Morte)
The Death card is always very incisive. It can talk about the person’s aura being out of wack, and it is one of the possible cards representing the summoning of dark forces, especially when reversed.
Eight of Spades – Desperation and Jealousy (Disperato per Gelosia)
The Eight of Spades is strongly connected with magical attacks, whether upright or reversed. It is indicative of demonic presences or dealing with dark forces in a negative sence. Being the card of envy, it can indicate the ill will of the dark magician. Spiritually, it can herald a crisis of faith or beliefs, either leading to loss of faith or to conversion.
Nine of Spades – The Prison (Prigione)
On a positive note, it can indicate the taking of religious vows (which bind us). More commonly it indicates feelings of guilt or feeling limited. Magically it represents the creation of magical bonds.
Ten of Spades – The Soldier (Militare)
Another strongly esoteric card, the Soldier is the card of the night, and therefore of the occult (which means that which is hidden). Because it is the card of attacks, esoterically it can show the tackling of the problem, or more commonly the psychic attack.
King of Spades – The Priest (Sacerdote)
Just like the two Enemies, the Priest can represent a magician. However, it usually signifies the magus in a more neutral and high sense, unless the card is reversed. Spiritually it can indicate spiritual institutions and religions, but also divine justice.
