The Golden Dawn's attributions...
by Jean-Michel David
The Golden Dawn's system of understanding Tarot's Atouts
(Major Arcana) is through a specific positioning of these
upon the Tree of Life (and of these, the Kircher version
of the Tree), each card placed on a connecting 'path' between
two Sefirot (or emanations). This, together with the quality,
elemental, planetary, or astrological associations they
assign to each Sephirah being linked by the path, and to
the Atouts. Thus, for example, the Chariot, which they
position on the path from Binah to Geburah, will, by associative
necessity, be understood as Saturn (attributed to Binah)
acting through Cancer (by letter correspondence, attributed
to the Chariot) upon Mars (Geburah).
At first sight, much of the attributions appear complex.
Yet, there is a very simple systematic attribution at play.
With each of the Sefirot, the planetary attribution is
of the seven traditional planets, in their relative order
of apparent movement (the Ptolemaic order): Saturn, Jupiter,
Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, and Moon, each in turn relatively
faster in movement than its precedent, and correspondingly
¹closer' to the Earth realm.
Below the Moon are the four elements, or effectively
the matrix out of which the Earth manifests. Above and
prior to Saturn are the two highest Sefirot, the Primum
Mobile (or First Mover), and the eighth sphere of the zodiac.
The individual cards are each attributed a letter from
the Hebrew alphabet, though it is worth noting that they
place the traditionally unnumbered Fool as heading the
series, and interchange the position of Justice and Strength,
and this latter for simple astrologically significant image
correlation. In that order, the Hebrew letters are assigned,
each of which having a long established elemental and zodiacal
attribution, which is then simply applied to the Atout
in question (the only exception is that the planetary correlations
are varied in more ancient Kabalistic texts, leaving the
Golden Dawn to attribute their own preference without feeling
they are in conflict with tradition).
To more fully appreciate the correlated system of the
Golden Dawn, meditation needs to take place on each of
the cards. Each card, or rather, the symbolic representation
of each card, needs to be held in the mind's eye, together
with the three energies flowing and intermingling. For
example, when seeking to understand their system, it would
be pointless to think of the effects of Saturn acting through
Cancer upon Mars without simultaneously having the Chariot
in mind.
Strictly speaking, it is not the card that is directly
associated with Cancer. Rather, as mentioned above, it
is the correlated letter. The card links and intermingles
the energies provided by the letter and the two Sephiroth
connected by the 'path' upon which it is placed, and thus
partakes of, in the case of the Chariot (VII), of the energies
of Saturn, Cancer, and Mars. The Chariot (VII) is therefore
to be understood as Saturn acting through Cancer on Mars.
In other words, constriction acting through the tribal
family onto will. More simply still, the Chariot (VII)
needs to have a focus, or a focussed will, by means of
the group having constricted or narrowed its direction.
Without going into great detail, let us see what this
method brings to the understanding of each card. Remember
that Kether is regarded as the Primum Mobile, or that which
gives the urge or impetus to action, and Hockmah the sphere
of the zodiac, or, the powers of cosmogony, creation on
a cosmic scale. The zodiac here also provides limitations
in a similar way that a blueprint provides limitations
for the creation of a structure.
The Fool
The Primum Mobile acting through Air upon the sphere
of the Zodiac. (Alef)
is the unspoken letter in the Mind of God.
The initial impulse becoming conscious in order for the
map of creation to occur. In order for the sphere of the
zodiac to become manifest, thought has to take place (Air),
and that which allows thought to occur is the first impulse.
On a human level, the Fool allows his movements to be guided
by his primal spiritual instincts, the primal spiritual
energy within him and each of us. Allowing himself such
movement, through reflection he becomes conscious of the
same, and thereby acts in accordance with Divine Will (as
exemplified, or shown to us, by the Zodiac).
The Magician
The Primum Mobile acting through Mercury upon the
sphere of Saturn. (Bet)
is the letter with which the creative act can take place
(Genesis begins with 'Bereshith'). The place for creation,
the symbolic house (one of the meanings attributed to
Beth) needs to be established prior to the residence
of the creation.
The initial impulse here becomes purposefully conscious
(Mercury) in order that constriction and hence (lower)
creation may later occur. In order that the creative act
be possible, constriction and focus will need to occur.
The Magician (I) is shown in the pre-creative poise, allowing
the Divine Will (emanating from the Primum Mobile) to reach
the Magician's thoughts and narrow his focus. On a human
level, the same needs to occur prior to any creative act.
Namely, the Magician needs to have an initial urge, intellectualised
(and maybe even communicated), and extraneous matters put
aside (Saturn), in order for the focus to be there.
The High Priestess
The Primum Mobile acting through the Moon on the Sun. (Gimel)
is the camel, the ship of the desert, which can cross
vast distances with no (spiritual) waters externally
available nor required.
The initial impulse here acts on the responsive emotive/intuitional
level on the sphere of identity: The initial impulse of
the Word of God (Primum Mobile) becoming manifest through
his Love (Moon) for his creation. On a human level, one
needs to allow the Primum Mobile, the Divine Spark, the
still-small-voice within, to inspire us to find our true
Selves.
The Empress
The sphere of the zodiac acting through Venus on Saturn. (Daleth)
is the door through which the divine plan can engrave
itself on the vast emptiness of space.
The Divine plan acts through beauty upon the constricted
or focussed space. The Divine Will, in order for the birth
of its own plan to take place, flows through organised
beauty on a space carved out for its purpose upon Binah.
On a human level, new ideas or items can only occur once
their plan is allowed to be organised (Mercury) and permitted
to manifest in a constricted way - even human birth must
allow the foetus (first manifestation of the plan of the
adult) to be structured and organised in beauty (Venus),
and then pass through the constricted canal of birth, and
die to the old (Saturn), in order to be later manifested
into the physical as a fully grown human being.
The Emperor
The sphere of the zodiac acting through Aries on the
Sun. (Heh)
is the window through which the inner (microcosmic Adam)
may perceive the plan of the greater (macrocosmic Divine).
The divine plan acts (Aries) directly on the inner aspects
(Sun) of the creation. In other words, the Self is directly
urged to act in accordance with the Divine plan, in order
for the latter to be fulfilled. On a human level, in order
for the person to become master of him- or herself, s/he
must allow the Divine plan to guide his impulses to action,
and through this discover both himself and his role or
purpose.
The Hierophant
The sphere of the zodiac acting through Taurus on
Jupiter. (Vav)
is the hook or pin on or through which one's faith expands
- in other words, we do not function in a vacuum, but
pin our thoughts and beliefs on the structural framework
brought to us by our social milieu.
The divine plan is unfolded with persistence and practical
benefits to the Self of each created being. The home (Taurus)
of each Being (Sun), or his country, religion, &c.,
is the means through which one may become acquainted (educated:
Hierophant) in some aspect of the divine plan. On a human
level, it points that each self must operate within a tradition
in order to achieve the heights of spirituality which will
permit him to reach direct knowledge (gnosis) of the divine
plan.
The Lovers
Saturn acting through Gemini upon the Sun. (Zain)
is the sword of discrimination and the sword wielded
by the hand of the faithful and zealous.
The sphere of containment (Binah) - containing the plan
now ready to manifest - is adapting itself (Gemini) to
the requirements or needs of the created self (Sun). The
Divine, being omnipotent, limits and constricts himself
in order that he adapt to the requirements of each of the
Inner Selves of his creation. On a human level, we must
ourselves make choices (Lovers), and thereby limit our
actions, in order that we adapt ourselves to the requirements
of our own higher or true selves.
The Chariot
Saturn acting through Cancer on Mars. (Heth)
is the enclosure which allows us to focus our will to
the Divine realm.
The constricted (Saturn) or narrowed (ie, more defined)
plan acts through the tribe (Cancer) in order that they
have a focus and direction (Mars). The tribe may become
victorious despite overwhelming odds if it acts in accordance
with the divine will narrowed to its intentions for the
tribe. On a human level, one needs to narrow or define
the will of the tribe in order that there be direction
and movement - leadership can only occur if the focus of
the individual is in accordance with the focus of the tribe
or family.
Strength (traditionally numbered XI )
Jupiter acting through Leo upon Mars. (Teth)
is the snake which tempts our lower passions to guide
our will and actions.
The expansive force of love acts in order that each of
us manifests itself within its confines. On a human level,
we need to expand our generosity and sense of self in order
that we act with directed compassion and love. The danger
lies in that the expanded expression focuses on the lower
passions, rather than acknowledging these without allowing
them to dominate.
The Hermit
Jupiter acting through Virgo upon the Sun. (Yod)
contains within its hand the potential to create.
Through the wisdom of expanded thought, acting through
service and organised industriousness, the inner self may
become illuminated. God aims to reveal himself through
the expanded wise actions of the industrious individual » ¹God
helps those who help themselves', and ¹By their fruits
ye shall know them' to be children of Abel or children
of Cain. On a human level, the person who seeks to reach
his or her true inner self needs to expand his/her awareness
through highly structured study and higher aspirations.
The Wheel of Fortune
Jupiter acting through Jupiter upon Venus. (Kaf)
is the fist which, when its inner potential strength
is expanded by directed and broadened motion, can change
the direction of events for good or ill.
When the expansive aspirations of the self (microcosm)
are acting in conjunction with the expansive energies of
the macrocosm, beauty, harmony, and hence also happiness,
results. When, however, the two are not in accord, the
results may be disruptive. The Divine will strive to expand
the macrocosmic forces in order that the Divine will become
manifest (Jupiter of Hesed). It is up to the individual
to expand (microcosmic Jupiter) his or her own focus and
acts so that harmony between them results.
Justice (traditionally numbered VIII)
Mars acting through Libra upon the Sun. (Lamed)
is the goad which pulls our acts in towards the needs
of the inner self.
The focussed will of the Divine acts with justice towards
the inner self of each of us. On a human level, we need
to allow our higher selves to act in accordance with the
ordinances of the will of what is Just.
The Hanged Man
Mars acting through Water upon Mercury. (Mem)
is the Water of baptism that enables the intellect to
focus upon the needs of the spiritual dimensions.
Divine Will (Mars) purifies with baptismal Waters in
order that the former may communicate more readily and
easily. On a human level, initiation can only take place
once the purification rite has been undergone. Only then
can we think and communicate with the Higher Will.
Death
The Sun acting through Scorpio upon Venus. (Nun)
is the fish, symbol of Christ dying and resurrecting ï in
Death (XIII) is the Victorious (Netzah) Self (Sun).
The Self, through its many emotionally intense deaths
and resurrections, becomes victorious in beauty, and beautiful
in the victories it overcomes. On a Divine level, the expressions
of the Divine incarnation need to die to that realm in
order that death be vanquished.
Temperance
The Sun acting through Sagittarius upon the Moon. (Samech)
is the prop through which the Self (Sun) can enthusiastically
(Sagittarius) reflect (Moon) itself.
The Self (Sun) can, through its enthusiasm and deeper
understanding (Sagittarius) reflect (Moon) itself on the
Foundation (Yesod) from which the world will be built.
When the Self correctly mixes (XIV) the elements, it reflects
the higher will onto the lower spheres. On a human level,
any action of significance (Sagittarius) must be allowed
to be guided by the inner Self (Sun) in order that a correct
balance be achieved, and reflected in one's own psychological
make-up - The depths of the unconscious (Moon) need to
be in agreement with the proposed movement (Sagittarius)
in order that they truly move.
The Devil
The Sun acting through Capricorn upon Mercury. (Ayin)
is the eye which allows one to see beneath the surface
structure. It is also the eye which imprisons us to focus
on the surface structure.
The Self (Sun), acting through established social structures
(Capricorn), gives rise to communication (Mercury) about
the same. These communications tend to focus the attention
of the self evermore on the structures, rather than on
their essence, giving rise to binding within them. What
needs to occur is for the Self to burst through in order
that communication of the Truth enables us to penetrate
to the essence of the structures, and their binding effects
removed, or utilised in order to reach the intended heights.
The Tower
Venus acting through Mars upon Mercury. (Peh)
is the mouth, organ of speech, which can, with word alone,
have the power of destroying any human creation.
When Beauty (Venus) acts through the force of power and
war or destruction (Mars), in order that higher beauty
be achieved, redundant structures are demolished, and new
forms can be established (Mercury) with beauty's (Venus)
guidance and the Will (Mars). The danger lies in the Will
being used to destroy what it considers of insufficient
harmony (Venus), communicating only that which needs modification,
rather than focussing also on that which has intrinsic
worth. As long as the transformation leads from Victory
to Glory, the changes are justifiable - When, on the other
hand, glory is perceived merely in victory, than that victory
is short-lived, and the higher forces and the direction
of action will ensure that it shall be destroyed.
The Star
Venus acting through Aquarius upon the Moon. (Tzaddi)
is the fish-hook that plunges itself into the depths
of the unconscious (Moon) in order that beauty and order
(Venus) be recovered for the greater whole - the world,
or humanity (Aquarius).
When order and beauty act through humanitarian principles,
the very depths of the affective-emotive side is touched.
Conversely, in order that the world be truly modified,
each individual's unconscious must be touched by the beauty
of the proposed change. The Divine, likewise, reveals itself
broadly (ie, to many people: Aquarius) with beauty, victorious
majesty, and elegance, to the still small voice within
the depths of one's own unconscious.
The Moon
Venus acting through Pisces upon the four elements. (Qoph)
is the ear that immerses itself to the harmony of the
spheres, thereby causing the cerebellum to respond in
tune and empathically.
Beauty (Venus), through empathetic attunement and immersion
with the elements, creates order and manifestation. In
order for the manifestation of any particular to occur,
one must allow the creative ordering to reshape the elements
at hand.
The Sun
Mercury acting through the Sun upon the Moon. (Resh)
is the head of the individual allowed to first (e) understand
and analyse the deeper aspect of his or her own Self
through reflection.
When the urge to communicate and integrate (Mercury)
the Self (Sun) are permitted and encouraged to be guided
by the Self, the deeper aspects of one's own unconscious
and the direction of one's deeper urges - the urge to integration
between various aspects of ourselves (XVIIII) - are reflected
(Moon). The unity (Mercury) of the Divine separates itself
in order that its reflection (Moon) permits attunement
(Moon) to its Self-expression (Sun-Mercury).
Judgement
Mercury acting through Fire upon the four elements. (Shin)
is the (wisdom) tooth which allows (mental) chewing of
the spiritual dimensions of the (physical) aspects (four
elements) of the manifestation.
In order that the elements return to their source, the
Divine communicates (Mercury) its spiritual (Fire) purpose
to each aspect of the four-fold elements, that they each
rise above their level of mundane manifestation. On a human
level, it points out that one must rise above the mundane
level (XX) by seeking spiritual (Fire) communication (Mercury)
within the body (four elements), that any transgressions
of the Divine Will (Fire) be transcended and integrated
(Mercury).
The World
The Moon acting through Saturn upon the four elements. (Tau)
is the cross upon which each of the four elements are
pinned in order that, through their death and resurrection,
their higher purposes and meaning be reflected.
In order that manifestation be understood, one must work
empathetically with each element by first constricting
and narrowing (Saturn) its manifestation (four elements).
Once this deeper level of understanding is achieved, however,
the four elements are re-integrated at a higher level,
reflecting the new depth achieved. This permits a crystallisation
(Saturn) and structural understanding of the four elements,
integrated with intuitional (Moon) understanding and emotional
responsiveness and responsibility.
Originally written in the early 1990s as a 'Flying Scroll'
or 'Z-document', and here presented with minor alterations
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