Archive for November, 2010

The World – Major Arcana number 21 – connects Yesod and Malkuth, two of the lowest Sephirots on the Middle Pillar of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. By looking at the most important aspects of Yesod (Foundation) and Malkuth (Kingdom or “the realm of our manifested world”) we can intuitively grasp the significance of this Tarot Card as a symbol of this connecting path on the Tree of life.

The World Tarot Card is associated with planet Saturn and also with the Hebrew letter Tav (Tau).

The Symbolism of Major Arcana 21

This card depicts a young female figure, encircled by a giant laurel wreath. The laurel represents the Disk of Eternity, but also has been considered as a symbol of Victory and Protection. The female – some sources say Anima – is standing there liberated from the shackles of matter. She represents the so-called Virgin of Eternity. In addition, there can be seen four heads in the four corners of this Major Arcana: – they represent the four fixed astrological signs: – Aquarius, represented by the Cherub in the upper left position, followed ( in a clockwise direction) by Scorpio, represented by the Eagle, Leo (the Lion) and Taurus (the Bull).

Can we think about another Tarot card where these four mythical creatures are present? Yes, we can! It is the Wheel of Fortune where we meet again these mythical figures. They stand for the four elements, or for instance, they may also represent the four sides of the world. This tells us that these two Tarot Cards (The World and The Wheel of Fortune) are indeed deeply connected to each other (see here).

The infinity symbol is also present at the top and bottom ends of the laurel (red ribbons). The two batons in the hands of the female figure are symbols of balance, but some interpretations denote them as scrolls of knowledge.

Spiritual Meanings of The World Tarot

The Self has reached the true state of Unity, the unique state of psychic wholeness. I am that I am – a liberated Soul. The end is a new beginning. Yin and Yang merged in one whole.

This Major Arcana Card can be understood as representing the perfection of the Universe (Universe here interpreted as both the microcosm – the individual human being as well as the macrocosm) at the end of its cycle – at that point when it realizes its Divine nature. Furthermore it indicates the state of our inner being, where it reflects itself in the consciousness of the Divine in the moment of self realization.

This card has more than one message on the macrocosmic side. For example, it can denote the restored world when the laws of manifestation have reached the highest degree of natural perfection. Another interpretation speaks of the past, referring to the day when all was declared to be good, when the morning stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for joy.

Meaning in Tarot Readings

Prognosis: synthesis, the end of some endeavor, persistence in one’s stubbornness, hardships, crystallization of things, successful completion, the end of the cycle of destiny, mature spirit, triumph, honor, integrity, travel, symbol of spiritual wholeness, fetus within the mother’s womb, symbol of the newborn infant ready to step into life.

In the reversed, the Major arcana XXI is thought to essentially retain all meanings, but to a lesser intensity. If we think about it, what could change if a circle (or elliptic object – the laurel wreath – for that matter) is turned upside down. Nothing really. On the other hand, every successful end, the completion of a certain stage in one’s life is followed by a certain pause, sense of void, and even inertia and stagnation. The more traditional interpretation of the World reversed indicate obstacles, failures, distractions and despair.

Some of the keywords of this Tarot card are Suffering, Distress, Trouble, Tears, and Confrontation.

The element of Three of Swords Card is air. Air means reason, but also instability and mental clearness.

The potential of this card from the Minor Arcana subset of Tarot is determined by its number. In this case, potential number 3 signifies determination, intensity and pride.

The frequency of Three of Swords Card is seen in the influence of Saturn. Saturn, again, promotes intensity, so persons born in the astrological sign of Libra, and especially those born in the second decade (from 03 to 12 October) whose personal Tarot Card 3 of Swords actually is, will possess strong intensity in their character.

This Tarot Card is relatively simple to describe. In the Pamela-A Deck, there can be seen 3 swords piercing a heart. In the background, we observe clouds and rain pouring from the cloudy sky.

Personality aspects of this card

Persons of this particular card will be strong and stable personalities, reliable, serious and constructive workers. They would have no conflicts in their personality, except probably the ones coming from their overly pronounced intensity.

Positive aspects: understanding of the problems that other people face; passionate desire to help alleviate other people’s sufferings; enterprising and tireless workers with well defined priorities. They never stay idle, they are vital, resistant and above all human.

Negative aspects: fanatically convinced in their theory of progress; they exclude every other opinion; can become destructive and bring great trouble upon themselves and their surroundings. People born in this period of the year (10.03-10.12) are not responsive to criticism, advice and other people’s ideas. Because of their insensitivity and blindness to the opinion of others, they will be often faced with additional, unnecessary suffering.

Persons of 3 of Swords character will achieve balance provided that they are able to develop wit, laughter and sense of humor. This in turn will alleviate their Saturnian intensity. The exaggerated seriousness of this Tarot Card, if not tamed, can ultimately lead to actions against ones own benefits, preventing the “engine” from running efficiently. Remember the legend where Saturn was eating his own children, destroying the very things he was trying to create.

Divinatory aspects

In tarot readings, Three of Swords can mean trouble and suffering, but also keeping promises in material transactions. The potential compromise has failed and now we are faced with turbulent times, above all on the mental level. Creativity and imagination is being challenged by the three swords of different ideas. The greater the positive side the more pronounced the negative. Other divinatory meanings will include the following keywords: sorrow, pain, suffering, absence, waiting, partitioning, and scattering. It is not difficult to see why – just look at the heart with the piercing swords for a couple of moments. The pain is likely not physical, but it can easily descend, depending on the other conditions, to the physical world as well, in which case this card may indicate physical pain.

Three of Swords Reversed

Some interpretations of the reversed 3 of Swords give positive connotations: the swords have been removed from the heart and now the period of healing of the emotional wounds may approach. Other interpretations suggest chaos and disasters, even madness and illness.