The Enchanted Initiate
A Journal of Traditional Symbolism, Hermeticism & the Occult Sciences

Realm of Tarot Cards and Cosmic Entities

The Interconnected Web of Divination: Unpacking the Mystical Realm of Tarot Cards and Cosmic Entities

Treatise & Commentary
Sources Consulted:A. E. Thierens, The General Book of the Tarot (1930) · Arthur Edward Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1910)
Key XXI — The World: The cosmic synthesis surrounded by the Tetramorph (Lion, Bull, Eagle, and Angel).
Key XXI — The World: The cosmic synthesis surrounded by the Tetramorph (Lion, Bull, Eagle, and Angel).Pamela Colman Smith & Arthur Edward Waite, Rider & Son, London (1909)

The world of Tarot cards and divination practices is a complex and manifold realm, inhabited by traditional doctrines and concepts that intersect and influence one another. By examining the interplay between these figures and symbols, we gain insight into the deeper spiritual and philosophical underpinnings of this esoteric tradition.

§ I

The Tarot Cards: A Gateway to the Mystical Realm

The Tarot cards, comprising both the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana, serve as a fundamental tool for divination and entertainment within the Gypsy and traveler communities. These cards are not merely inanimate objects but rather vessels for the Intelligences, which guide the divination process and imbue the cards with symbolic and metaphysical significance. The arrangement and reading of the cards, particularly in the context of the card figure, facilitate the derivation of meaningful answers and insights, demonstrating the sympathy of entertainment, spiritual inquiry, and divination.

§ II

Intelligences: The Cosmic Entities Guiding Divination

The Intelligences, or cosmic entities, play a central part in the divination process, influencing the outcomes and providing deeper insights. These entities are believed to possess an underlying force or spirit that guides the diviner, affirming the role of acknowledging and integrating their presence in the practice. The Intelligences' involvement in the divination process demonstrates the notion of cosmic consciousness, where the entities are conscious of their duty and responsibility in guiding the diviner.

§ III

The Pars Fortunae: Fortune and Luck in Divination

The concept of Pars Fortunae, tied to the symbolic meanings of the Tarot cards, introduces the notion of fortune and luck in the divination process. This highlights the complex interplay between chance, fate, and free will, where the cards serve as a tool for navigating the intricacies of destiny.

§ IV

Karmic Conditions: The Interplay of Cosmic Forces

The synthesis of karmic conditions, indicated by the cards in the figure laid by the diviner, demonstrates the dynamic interplay of cosmic forces influencing the divination process. This concept emphasizes the idea that the cards reflect the cosmic consciousness of the Intelligences, aligning the diviner with the underlying forces shaping their reality.

§ V

The Astrological Method: A Tool for Deciphering Karma

The astrological method, employed in conjunction with the card figure, serves as a means for deciphering the consultant's karma. This approach demonstrates the significance of celestial influences on human affairs, highlighting the intricate relationships between the macrocosm and microcosm.

§ VI

The Lesser and Greater Arcana: Dual Aspects of the Tarot

The distinction between the Lesser and Greater Arcana highlights the dual aspects of the Tarot cards, with the Lesser Arcana representing the more mundane, practical aspects, while the Greater Arcana embodies the more spiritual, symbolic dimensions. The card figure's inclusion of cards from both Arcana demonstrates the sympathy of these aspects in the divination process.

§ VII

Gringonneur and Mantegna: Historical Figures in Tarot

The historical figures of Gringonneur and Mantegna, associated with the production and design of Tarot cards, highlight the human aspect of this esoteric tradition. Their involvement in the creation and dissemination of Tarot decks demonstrates the significance of human creativity and innovation in shaping the esoteric domain of divination.

⁂

Bibliographia & Fontes

Primary Source Books Used in This Article

The doctrines, historical citations, and symbolic correspondences synthesized in this article are drawn from the following primary works and chapters:

  1. I.A. E. Thierens, The General Book of the Tarot
    1930

    Containing the Astrological Key to the Esoteric Tradition of the Greater and Lesser Arcana (Intro. by A. E. Waite)

  2. II.Arthur Edward Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot
    1910

    Being Fragments of a Secret Tradition under the Veil of Divination

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The Tarot of the Bohemians (Papus / Gérard Encausse)

The absolute key to occult science: the classic nineteenth-century treatise uniting the twenty-two Major Arcana with Kabbalistic Hebrew letters, tetragrammaton progressions, and astrological synthesis.

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