The Qabalah and Tarot

[Neshamah]

The Qabalah hasn't always been tied to the Tarot. Eliphas Levi was one of the first to see the similarities between the two systems (see also, Papus). Today, it is difficult to find a book on the Tarot that doesn't attempt to tie it into the Qabalah in some fashion.

This thread is for information concerning the two systems - how and where they overlap; which Tarot cards are tied to which Path (or Sephirah) on the Tree of Life; the complexities of the "Supplement" to the Thirty-Two Paths of Wisdom; and other topics that seem to deal with the two disciplines.

Love and Light, with Peace Profound,

Neshamah

[Neshamah]

The Tree I'm posting has the Tarot cards placed on the Sephiroth and the Paths attributed to them by the Western Hermetic Tradition. This isn't the only scheme for placement, but it is the most often one used.

I'll be glad to answer any questions (or comments) about this image.

Love and Light for a Peace Profound,

Neshamah

[Neshamah]

As you noticed on the Tree image I placed in the previous post that certain Tarot cards are associated with each Sephirah. For instance, for Malkuth, the cards are the 10's and the Princesses (or Pages).

I'd like to post the 10's (from each suit) for you to examine. After you've had a chance to look at them for a while see if you can "see" the energies of Malkuth in the cards (either individually or as a group).

Any impressions, comments, or questions should be posted in this thread.

Love and Light for a Peace Profound,

Neshamah

[Neshamah]

Well, let's try the Four Pages (the Rider-Waite deck uses Pages in the place of Princesses). I'll post all four of them and you can see if they tell you anything about Malkuth. If you haven't looked at the previous post, you should check it out too.

Love and Light for a Peace Profound,

Neshamah

[Naomi]

Well, I cheated and checked out a very thorough book on the subject which I studied yesterday cover to cover. ^_^

Still it's a very complex subject, and I'm really impressed!

10 of Swords:

Well the first thing I get is that this is an overwhelming number, difficult to manage, but certainly not impossible. I also get that it is representative of the physical body and how we have all of the layers of heaven above us - a heavy burden if we choose to accept this.

My relationship with the 10 of swords has changed completely. I really like the image because it reminds me of the feelings I get in my spine now through my nervous system. If you're getting pierced by intellect at that level there's nothing you can do but die and shed your skin. My current tarot deck has a beautiful Ten of Swords picture, they have no pictoral descriptions amongst the cards so I must learn the numbers and suites to go without looking in the funny highschooler book it came with.

When I see the ten of cups picture it reminds me that on the earthly plane, our only true love and fulfillment can come by embracing the higher realms and drawing them down to the earth. The contemplation of the layers up to and beyond the great void reaching to the Absolute itself brings emotional fulfillment and true love.

On 10P I notice the two white dogs, like the white fox servants of Inari. I havn't formulated an opinion of this one yet, and same with wands - I'm not sure.

Lately the page thing has bothered me alot, It never did before, I just think it seems unbalanced, though that's a personal problem I suppose, none of my decks I have ever owned have had princesses, but I think I prefer it now.

Something I notice about the page of swords is that he's holding his sword back as if he doesn't really want to fight, or perhaps he is trying to hide it. The Page of wands seems to be looking at his wand as if he isn't sure what the hell to do with it (lol) The Page of pentacles appears to be revering his pentacle like it was a gem or something. And the page of cups seems very happy with what he has, happier than all the others.