(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.)
Paul Foster Case (and Ann Davies)
The Four of Wands is associated with the third decanate of Aries, the time period April 10 to April 19, ruled by Jupiter.
Well-Dignified: this card signifies success through personal merit, good
social standing, influential friends, the perfection of something built
up after labor, benefit through travel, shipping and business with foreign countries.
lll-Dignified: loss in the same things, or in consequence of unpreparedness or by hasty action.
Keyword: Perfected work.
(From the Oracle of Tarot course)
A. E. Waite
From the four great staves planted in the foreground there is a great garland suspended; two female figures uplift nosegays; at their side is a bridge over a moat, leading to an old manorial house. Divinatory Meanings: They are for once almost on the surface–country life, haven of refuge, a species of domestic harvest-home, repose, concord, harmony, prosperity, peace, and the perfected work of these. Reversed: The meaning remains unaltered; it is prosperity, increase, felicity, beauty, embellishment.
(From The Pictorial Key to the Tarot)
Aleister Crowley
In the Wand suit, the card is called Completion. The manifestation promised by Binah has now taken place. This number must be very solid, because it is the actual dominating influence on all the following cards. Chesed, Jupiter-Ammon, the Father, the first below the Abyss, is the highest idea which can be understood in an intellectual way, and that is why the Sephira is attributed to Jupiter, who is the Demiurge.
[…]
This card refers to Chesed in the suit of Fire. Being below the Abyss, it is the Lord of all manifested active Power. The original Will of the Two has been transmitted through the Three, and is now built up into a solid system:-Order, Law, Government. It is also referred to Venus in Aries, which indicates that one cannot establish one’s work without tact and gentleness.
The wands are headed by the Ram, sacred to Chesed, the Father-god Amoun-Ra, as also to Aries; but at the other end of the wands are the Doves of Venus.
In the symbol, the ends of the wands touch a circle, showing the completion and limitation of the original work. It is within this circle that the flames (four double, as if to assert the balance) of the Energy are seen to play, and there is no intention to increase the scope of the original Will. But this limitation bears in itself the seeds of disorder.
(From The Book of Thoth)
Golden Dawn’s Book T
TWO White Radiating Angelic Hands, as before, issuing from clouds right and left of the card and clasped in the centre with the grip of the First Order, holding four wands or torches crossed. Flames issue from the point of junction. Above and below are two small flaming wands, with the symbols of Venus and Aries representing the Decan.
Perfection or completion of a thing built up with trouble and labour. Rest after labour, subtlety, cleverness, beauty, mirth, success in completion. Reasoning faculty, conclusions drawn from previous knowledge. Unreadiness, unreliable and unsteady through over-anxiety and hurriedness of action. Graceful in manner, at times insincere, etc.
Chesed of HB:Y (Settlement, arrangement, completion).
Herein are HB:NNAAL and HB:NYThHL Angelic rulers
Etteilla
Company
Upright. This card, as far as the medicine of the spirit is concerned, in its natural position means: Society, Association, Assembly, Relation, Confederation, Alliance, Union, Gathering, Circle, Community, Assembling, Multitude, Mass, Crowd, Troop, Band, Company, Cohort, Army. – Convocation, Accompaniment, Mixing, Mixture, League, Amalgamation. – Contract, Convention, Covenant, Treaty.
Reversed. Prosperity, Increase, Accretion, Advancement, Success, Succeeding, Fortune, Blossoming, Happiness. – Beauty, Beautification.
MQS
