Tag Archives: Sun

Tarot Encyclopedia – The Eight of Pentacles or Coins

(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.

MQS

Tarot Encyclopedia – The Six of Cups

(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 Six of Cups from the Builders of the Adytum (BOTA) tarot deck

Paul Foster Case (and Ann Davies)

Time period is the second decanate of Scorpio, from November 1 to November 10 under the combined influences of Jupiter and Neptune.
Well-Dignified: the meanings in specific divinations are based on the influence of Neptune and Jupiter in Scorpio combined with its natural 8th house; deep emotions, ardor, enthusiasm, generosity; money through marriage or business partner, or by inheritance; the beginning of steady gain in business or pleasure, but beginning only; peculiar circumstances.
lll-Dignified: deceit in reference to partner’s money; loss of inheritance through some sort of swindle; danger of death on water, or through poisons or anesthetics; some reversal of fortune.
Keyword: Betterment
(From the Oracle of Tarot course)

A. E. Waite

Children in an old garden, their cups filled with flowers. Divinatory Meanings: A card of the past and of memories, looking back, as–for example–on childhood; happiness, enjoyment, but coming rather from the past; things that have vanished. Another reading reverses this, giving new relations, new knowledge, new environment, and then the children are disporting in an unfamiliar precinct. Reversed: The future, renewal, that which will come to pass presently.
(From The Pictorial Key to the Tarot)

Aleister Crowley

The Six of Cups is called Pleasure. This pleasure is a kind of pleasure which is completely harmonized. The zodiacal sign governing the card being Scorpio, pleasure is here rooted in its most convenient soil. This is pre-eminently a fertile card; it is one of the best in the pack.

[…]

This card shows the influence of the number Six, Tiphareth, in the suit of Water. This influence is fortified by that of the Sun, who also represents the Six. The whole image is that of the influence of the Sun on Water. His fierce, but balanced power operates that type of putrefaction-he is in the Sign of Scorpio-which is the basis of all fertility, all life.

The lotus stems are grouped in an elaborate dancing movement. From their blossoms water gushes into the Cups, but they are not yet full to overflowing, as they are in the corresponding card below; the Nine.

Pleasure, in the title of this card, must be understood in its highest sense: it implies well-being, harmony of natural forces without effort or strain, ease, satisfaction. Foreign to the idea of the card is the gratification of natural or artificial desires. Yet it does represent emphatically the fulfilment of the sexual Will, as shown by the ruling Sephira, planet, element, and sign.

In the Yi King, Sol in Scorpio is represented by the 20th Hexagram, Kwan, which is also “Big Earth”, being the Earth Trigram with doubled lines. Kwan means “manifesting”, but also “contemplating”. The Kwan refers directly to an High Priest, ceremonially purified, about to present his offerings. The idea of Pleasure-Putrefaction as a Sacrament is therefore implicit in this Hexagram as in this card; while the comments on the separate lines by the Duke of Chau indicate the analytical value of this Eucharist. It is one of the master-keys to the Gate of Initiation. To realize and to enjoy this fully it is necessary to know, to understand, and to experience, the Secret of the Ninth Degree of the O.T.O.
(From The Book of Thoth)

A fairytale-like AI-generated illustration for the Six of Cups

Golden Dawn’s Book T

AN Angelic Hand, as before, holds a group of stems of water-lilies or lotuses, from which six flowers bend, one over each cup. From these flowers a white glistening water flows into the cups as from a fountain, but they are not yet full.
Above and below are Sun and Scorpio referring to the Decan.

Commencement of steady increase, gain and pleasure; but commencement only.
Also affront, detection, knowledge, and in some instances contention and strife arising from unwarranted self-assertion and vanity. Sometimes thankless and presumptuous; sometimes amiable and patient. According to dignity as usual.
Tiphareth of HB:H (Beginning of wish, happiness, success, or enjoyment).
Therein rule HB:NLKAL and HB:YYYAL

Etteilla

Past.
Upright. This card, as far as the medicine of the spirit is concerned, means, in its natural position: the Past, Formerly, Withered, Formerly. – Formerly, Anteriorly, Of Yore, Once. – Old age, Decrepitude, Antiquity.
Reversed. Upcoming, Future. – What comes next, Afterwards, Posteriorly, Further. – Regeneration, Resurrection. – Reproduction, Renewal, Reiteration.

MQS

Tarot Encyclopedia – The Four of Pentacles Or Coins

(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 Four of Pentacles from the Builders of the Adytum (BOTA) Tarot deck

Paul Foster Case (and Ann Davies)

The time period is the third decanate of Capricorn, under the rulership of Mercury, January 10 to 19.
Well-Dignified: opportunities for public service; an acute, sharp, penetrating, tactful temperament; economy in the arrangement of material affairs; activity in money matters.
Ill-Dignified: dangers to reputation; troubles through changes not carefully considered; desire for money, but unwisdom in its management; the Querent will meet with sharp criticism.
Keyword: Management.
(From the Oracle of Tarot course)

A. E. Waite

A crowned figure, having a pentacle over his crown, clasps another with hands and arms; two pentacles are under his feet. He holds to that which he has. Divinatory Meanings: The surety of possessions, cleaving to that which one has, gift, legacy, inheritance. Reversed: Suspense, delay, opposition.
(From The Pictorial Key to the Tarot)

Aleister Crowley

As to the Disks, the heaviness of the symbol rather outweighs any considerations of its weakness. The card is called Power. It is the power which dominates and stabilizes everything, but manages its affairs more by negotiation, by pacific methods, than by any assertion of itself. It is Law, the Constitution, with no aggressive element.

[…]

The Four, Chesed, shows the establishment of the Universe in three dimensions, that is, below the Abyss. The generating idea is exhibited in its full material sense. The card is ruled by the Sun in Capricornus, the Sign in which he is reborn. The disks are very large and solid; the suggestion of the card is that of a fortress. This represents Law and Order, maintained by constant authority and vigilance. The disks themselves are square; revolution is very opposite to the card; and they contain the signs of the Four Elements. For all that, they revolve; defence is valid only when violently active. So far as it appears stationary, it is the “dead centre” of the engineer; and Capricornus is the point at which the Sun “turns again Northward”. The background is of deep azure, flecked yellow, suggesting a moat; but beyond this is a pattern of green and indigo to represent the guarded fields whose security is assured by the fortress.

In the Yi King, Sol in Capricornus is represented by the Second Hexagram, Khwan, which is the Female Principle. Compare the English word Queen, Anglo-Saxon Cwen, old Mercian Kwoen. Cognate are Icelandic Kvan, Gothic Kwens, woman. The Indo-Germanic type is g (w)eni and the Sanskrit root GwEN. Note also Cwm, coombe, and agnate words, meaning an enclosed valley, usually with water running from it. Womb—possibly a softened form?

Compare also the innumerable words, derived from the root Gas, Which imply an enclosed and fortified space. Case, castle, chest, cyst, chaste, incest and so on.

The primary radicle in all this class of words is the guttural. Observe the Hebrew attributions: Gimel, the moon; Cheth, Cancer, the house of the moon; Kaph, the Wheel; Qoph, the Moon, XVIII, Guttur, the throat. Sounds so made suggest the other throat; one is the channel of respiration and nutrition, the other of reproduction and elimination.
(From The Book of Thoth)

A Crowley-esque AI-generated illustration for the Four of Pentacles

Golden Dawn’s Book T

A HAND holding a branch of a rose tree, but without flowers or buds, save that in the centre is one fully blown white rose. Pentacles are disposed as on the points of a square; a rose in its centre. Symbols Sun and Capricorn above and below to represent the Decan.
Assured material gain: success, rank, dominion, earthy power, completed but leading to nothing beyond. Prejudicial, covetous, suspicious, careful and orderly, but discontented. Little enterprise or originality. According to dignity as usual.
Chesed of HB:H (Gain of money or influence: a present).
Herein do HB:KVQYH and HB:MNDAL bear rule

Etteilla

Benefit
Upright. This blade, as far as the medicine of the spirit is concerned, means, in its natural position: Present, Gift, Generosity, Beneficence, Liberality, Strenna, Grace, Offering, Giving, Gratification, Service. – White color, Lunar medicine, Stone to white.
Reversed. Enclosure, Circuit, Circumvolution, Circumscription, Circumference, Circle, Circulation. – Intercept, Obstruction, Engorgement, Hoarding, Cloister, Monastery, Convent. – Stop, Fixed, Determined, Definite, Extremity, Boundaries, Limits, Terms, End, Barrier, Dividing wall, Wall, Hedge, Wall. – Obstacles, Bars, Impediment, Suspension, Delay, Opposition.

MQS

Tarot Encyclopedia – The Three of Wands

(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 Three of Wands from the Builders of the Adytum (BOTA) tarot deck

Paul Foster Case (and Ann Davies)

In Tarot divination the key ideas related to the Three of Wands are: mental energy, leadership, ambition, determination. It is a card related to the realization of hopes and of success after struggle.
Well-Dignified: it stands for courage, persistence, pride and nobility.
Ill-Dignified: it represents conceit, arrogance, insolence.
Keyword: Established strength.
(From the Oracle of Tarot course)

A. E. Waite

A calm, stately personage, with his back turned, looking from a cliff’s edge at ships passing over the sea. Three staves are planted in the ground, and he leans slightly on one of them. Divinatory Meanings: He symbolizes established strength, enterprise, effort, trade, commerce, discovery; those are his ships, bearing his merchandise, which are sailing over the sea. The card also signifies able co-operation in business, as if the successful merchant prince were looking from his side towards yours with a view to help you. Reversed: The end of troubles, suspension or cessation of adversity, toil and disappointment.
(From The Pictorial Key to the Tarot)

A beautifully essential AI-generated illustration for the Three of Wands

Aleister Crowley

The Three of Wands is […] the Lord of Virtue. The idea of will and dominion has become interpreted in Character.

[…]

This card refers to Binah in the suit of Fire, and so represents the establishment of primeval Energy. The Will has been transmitted to the Mother, who conceives, prepares, and gives birth to, its manifestation.

It refers to the Sun in Aries, the Sign in which he is exalted.

The meaning is harmonious, for this is the beginning of Spring. For this reason one sees the wand taking the form of the Lotus in blossom. The Sun has enkindled the Great Mother.

In the Yi King, Sol in Aries is represented by the 11th hexagram, Thai; its meaning is identical with the above description.
(From The Book of Thoth)

Golden Dawn’s Book T

A WHITE Radiating Angelic Hand, as before, issuing from clouds and grasping three wands in the centre (two crossed, the third upright). Flames issue from the point of junction. Above and below are the symbols Sun and Aries.
Established force, strength, realization of hope. Completion of labour. Success after struggle. Pride, nobility, wealth, power, conceit. Rude self-assumption and insolence. Generosity, obstinacy, etc.
Binah of HB:Y (Pride, arrogance, self-assertion).
Herein rule the Angels HB:HHShYH and HB:a’aMMYH.

Etteilla

Enterprise
Upright. This card, as far as the medicine of the spirit is concerned, means, in its natural position: Enterprise, Undertake, Begin. – Usurp, Seize. – Boldness, Temerity, Fierceness. – Imprudence, Undertaking, Bold, – Committed, Embarrassed. Bewildered. – Paralyzed, Effort, Experiment, Attempt.
Reversed. Interruption of misfortune, torment, sorrow or toil. – End, Cessation, Interruption, Pause, Rest, Influence, Intermediary, Intermittence.

MQS

A collection of meanings for the Three of Wands

Fortuna Minor / Lesser Fortune (Geomancy Figures)

Name of the Figure: Fortuna Minor (Lesser Fortune); sometimes called Exiting or Outgoing Help
Element: Earth
Planet: Sun (setting)
Sign: Taurus
Quality: Exiting
Fortune: Bad (but in practice mostly good)

Fortuna Minor is the opposite of Fortuna Major in many ways. From an elemental standpoint, it has exactly the opposite configuration. Whereas Major has one point in the passive elements (Water and Earth) and two points in the active ones (Fire and Air), Minor has one in the active elements and two in the passive ones. If we take one point to indicate that the element is manifest or activated, then Fortuna Minor plays its hand very differently from Fortuna Major. Wheras the latter represents calm, focused, long-term action, Fortuna Minor may indicate a quick onrush of energy which is immediately expended.

Illustration of the geomantic figure Fortuna Minor, Lesser Fortune

In some old manuscripts there are indications that Fortuna Minor may have been considered a bad figure. However, when the same manuscripts indicate the effects of the figure in the various houses, they give it as mostly good. I believe this is due to the fact that, being the opposite of the more regal Fortuna Major, Fortuna Minor was considered negative, but being a figure of the Sun, it was still good enough to have a positive effect.

In general, its effect is very quick, and often manifests in the form of an unexpected chance that needs to be taken as it arises, or it will disperse quickly. Being a figure of the setting Sun, Minor may further indicate the last chance one has to make things right, but this needs to make sense within the contest of the question. In general, Minor is more positive than Major when you need something done quickly. However, it can show that the situation may either deteriorate or need constant upkeep in the long run.

Fortuna Minor retains many of the basic qualities of its sibling, being connected with money, gold, courage, nobility, etc. However, these qualities are understandably of lesser value. Also, the adjective “minor” may on occasion indicate that the result will be satisfying, but not wholly satisfying. Maybe some sacrifices will need to be made. Again, this needs to be checked against the whole chart.

Common Keywords: unexpected help, a stroke of luck, a chance to be taken, quick results but possibly unstable in the long run, the last chance, money, health, nobility, moderate satisfaction, etc.

Fortuna Minor in the Geomantic Houses (these are only examples. Use context to guide your interpretation)

HousePossible Meanings
FirstGood person, honorable, active, healthy, lucky, noble
SecondGain, A sum of money (not big), Quick wealth, Objects, Possessions of good value
ThirdGood relationship with siblings and neighbors, partly true rumors, Good for short trips
FourthA small inheritance, Discovering hidden treasures, Good relationship with the father, buildings, etc.
FifthGood luck in matters of art, gain through it, Helping children or help from one’s children, Good relationship with them, Joy, Celebration
SixthQuick recovery from illness, toil won’t be in vain, Small vexations from servants
SeventhA chance meeting with someone, gain through acquaintances, Protection from theft, Marriage
EighthGain through the spouse or partnership, help getting out of a fear-inducing situation, Honorable death
NinthQuick return from journey, Change of place, Good faith, Mostly good science and knowledge
TenthNoble people, Employment, Good chance, Good relationship with the mother
EleventhMoney from the government, Opportunity, Help from friends
TwelfthQuick return to freedom for the prisoner, safety from hexes and magic, Loss of honor
ThirteenthHonor, Good faith, Past chance
FourteenthLack of honor, Lack of chances, Chance in the future, Future good luck
FifteenthQuick good outcome, Fame, Honor, Gain
Possible meanings of Fortuna Minor in the various Geomantic Houses. Note that this is not meant to be exhaustive, and it only serves to jog your interpretive muscles

MQS

Fortuna Major / Greater Fortune (Geomancy Figures)

Name of the Figure: Fortuna Major (Greater Fortune); sometimes called Arriving or Incoming Help
Element: Earth
Planet: Sun (rising)
Sign: Aquarius
Quality: Entering
Fortune: Good

Fortuna Major is the Greater Fortune of the geomantic figures. It has a plethora of symbolic attributes that may be useful to someone looking to use geomancy as a framework for magic, but as far as divination goes, it is relatively straightforward in its meaning. From a strictly symbolic standpoint, it may be said to represent a river flowing between two mountains while the Sun rises. Whether this is the case or not, it represents a peculiar form of fortune that is not blind luck.

Illustration of the geomantic figure Fortuna Major, Greater Fortune

If we accept preliminarily the symbolic depiction and also the common view that one point means the element in the figure is active, then Fortuna Major is formed by activating the passive elements (Earth and Water) and by keeping the active elements (Fire and Air) passive. Metaphorically, the water flowing and cutting its own path through life by moisturizing the earth can be taken to show the type of fortune that Fortuna Major indicates: the hard-won one.

All, or at least most traditional sources agree that Fortuna Major is a slow figure, promising success but also delay. This can be good or bad depending on what the querent needs. For instance, it can be slightly worrying for illness, and someone in prison is probably looking at a longer sentence, but the figure remains broadly good. It is a symbol of fortitude. In good things, while it may show delay, it also promises stability.

In general, Fortuna Major promises success through effort, Nothing will be handed to the querent for free, but at the same time, the fact that this figure shows up indicates that the querent has the potential to achieve what he wants. It also has the general attributions of the Sun, signifying gold, renewal and similar.

Common Keywords: success through effort, perseverance, constancy, stability for good or ill, renewal, gold, some delay, great satisfaction, triumph

Fortuna Major in the Geomantic Houses (these are only examples. Use context to guide your interpretation)

HousePossible Meanings
FirstOf great stature, resilient, kingly, a nobleman, steadfast, long life, health, honorable, well-known, accomplished
SecondWealth, accumulation, riches, fortune
ThirdWell-being of siblings, good for short trips, True rumors
FourthGood in stable things, inheritance, good for parents and for the father
FifthFriendship, good grace, talent, success of a mediator
SixthGain through small animals and servants, slow recovery
Seventhlasting union, honorable partner
EighthWealth through partners of all kinds, long life, honorable death,
NinthGood science or skill, Long travel, Honor and success through travel, Piety, Faith
TenthKings, honorable people, achieving honors, promotion
EleventhGood friends, Achievement of hope, help from government
TwelfthLong prison sentence, freedom from occult enemies, gain through large animals
ThirteenthSuccess in the past or present, stamina, power, ability to achieve what one wishes
FourteenthSuccess in the future, Still need for a lot of work
FifteenthSuccess, Accomplishment of most things through effort
Possible meanings of Fortuna Major in the various Geomantic Houses. Note that this is not meant to be exhaustive, and it only serves to jog your interpretive muscles

MQS

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