The Red Color on Cushions, and Roses– Color of passion, life and love. Venus.
Heart with Ankh – Love of Life.
White on gown – Purity of intent.
The Pearls and Roses – These are all symbols of the planet Venus.
Ankhs – Symbol of Life.
The Empress – Mother Nature.
Her Crown – Venus; symbolizes the use of all elements to create Life, including spirit.
Her Scepter – Represents the use of the natural elements to create form.
4 THE EMPEROR - The Lord of Structure and Law
Astrological Sign – Aries
Planet Ruled By – Mars
Element – Fire
Hebrew Letter – ה Heh – Window
Kabbalistic Alignment – Because it represents an astrological sign and a Hebrew letter meaning “sight”, it is considered a “simple” letter. It connects Chokmah to Tiphareth on the tree of life. It is the fifteenth path of constituting intelligence.
Path color on tree of life – Scarlet
Sound or tonal – C Natural
The Emperor represents law and structure. It deals with wisdom of the spirit and is considered the father-creator of all life.
4 THE EMPEROR
The Orange Background – The color of life and creativity. It is also the color alignment for the card on the Tree of Life.
The Yellow Background – Use of intelligent thought.
The Gray Throne – Structure backed by wisdom.
The Four Ram’s Heads on Throne – Four is the number of structure. Rams Heads – Aries.
The Emperor – The judge of stern father figure. The male God image in the physical world.
This Beard – Wisdom.
The Red on His Outfit –The red of life’s blood and element of Fire.
His Crown – Shows he has great pride and respect for who he is. Symbolizing rulership.
The Scepter – The joining together of universal forces; it is the symbol and power.
The World in His Hands – Dominion.
The Red Ram’s Skin on His Shoulder – The vision to create and the will to go forward.
His Armored Boots – Protection as he steps forward.
The Rocky Peaks – The pinnacles of success. It also represents learning the hard way.
5 THE HIEROPHANT - The Keeper of Tradition and Belief
Astrological Sign – Taurus
Planet Ruled By – Venus
Element – Earth
Hebrew Letter – ו Vav – Nail
Kabbalistic Alignment – Because it represents an astrological sign and a Hebrew letter meaning “hearing”, it is considered a “simple” letter. It connects Chesed to Chokmah on the tree of life. It is the sixteenth path of eternal intelligence.
Path color on tree of life – Red-Orange
Sound or tonal – C Sharp
The Hierophant represents teaching, religion and tradition. By listening within, he has the ability to heal
5. THE HIEROPHANT
The Gray Throne and Pillars – The spiritual basis or background in which reality is built. Integration of spirit.
The Hierophant- Was once called the Pope or Pappas card in other decks. Meaning: The teacher of tradition; the spiritual priest or advisor.
His Hand- Raised upright in benediction. Fingers 3 up and 2 down – Bridge between the earth and heaven.
The Cross Scepter – Symbolizing power in all worlds.
His Crown – Represents the world of the senses and the world of meaning. His status in this world as a spiritual leader. Triple crown of popes. 3 Prongs- connects spirit to the earth.
Ear Coverings – Inner listening.
White and Red Gown – Purity and passion Blue at neck - connection to spirit.
3 Colors on His Gown – Represents his place in the three worlds.
White shoes – Shoes of the Fisherman and crosses representing the elements.
The Crosses – The four elements of creation and its spiritual heart or core. There are three on his clothing; two on his shoes; the number of mankind and creation.
The Two Gold Keys and the Rock – Foundation of belief and the keys of the church. They unlock the doors to the universe. Four earth designs on rock – firmness and structure.
The Two Figures Before the Hierophant –Initiates to belief. Polarity and spiritual perspective.
Their Gowns – The Rose – The love of Truth and the acceptance of suffering. The Lily –The purity of spirit.
The Yellow Suspenders on Each Initiate – Supporting faith and belief.
6 THE LOVERS - The Choice between the Sacred and Profane
Astrological Sign – Gemini
Planet Ruled By – Mercury
Element – Air
Hebrew Letter – ז Zain – Sword
Kabbalistic Alignment – Because it represents an astrological sign and a Hebrew letter meaning “smell”, it is considered a “simple” letter. It is between Binah and Tiphareth and is considered the seventeenth path of disposing intelligence.
Path Color on Tree of Life – Orange
Sound or Tonal – D Natural
The Lovers represent divine love and deals with duality and manifestation. It is the choice between the sacred or profane.
6 THE LOVERS
The Sun – The use of thought to create matter.
The Clouds – The stuff dreams are made of.
The Mountain Peak – The ability to conquer Life’s experiences. Peaks of pleasure.
The Archangel (red wings) blessing the couple – Raphael (God Heals).
Purple robe – Mystery.
The Green Landscape – Fertility.
The Pool – The Waters of Life; Birth.
The Lovers – Two halves of a Whole. Naked Male-Female figures revealing passive-aggressive, dark-light, etc.
Tree of Fire – Male sexuality; creativity and Spirit.
Tree of Knowledge with Snake – Temptation. Choice between sacred or profane.
Fruit – Fertility.
7 THE CHARIOT - The Grail Quest
Astrological Sign – Cancer the Crab
Planet Ruled By – The Moon
Element – Water
Hebrew Letter – ח Cheth – Fence
Kabbalistic Alignment – Because it represents an astrological sign and a Hebrew letter meaning “speech”, it is considered a “simple” letter. It is between Geburah and Binah and is considered the eighteenth path of intelligence.
Path Color on Tree of Life – Red-Orange
Sound or Tonal – C Sharp
The Chariot represents the quest for the divine self or experience. It deals with controlling one’s movement and going forward to find your heart’s desire.
7 THE CHARIOT
The Yellow Sky – Thought.
The Buildings – Structures built by man. Red crowns on buildings – crowned with passion for life.
The Wall – Boundaries.
The field around him – Fertile ground.
The Chariot – A vehicle of movement. A quest.
The Pillars on the Chariot - Reason and logic
The cube – Structure and logic.
Wheels – Changes and movement.
Blanket of Stars – The endless possibilities.
The Shield with Dreidel Symbol on Wagon Board – A top that spins through awareness; Movement.
Circle with Wings on Wagon board –Winged Victory.
Sphinx – Positive (white) and Negative (black) forces that control the direction of Life.
The Charioteer – Mankind in search for the answers.
Laurel wreath – Victory.
Eight pointed Star Crown – Authority.
Crescent Moon on each Shoulder – Waxing and waning of the moon. Moon is Cancer’s symbol.
Armor – Protection on His Journey.
Square Around His Neck – Structure and logic.
Belt and Hieroglyph – The map of conscientious.
Staff –
Manifestation of Will.
8 STRENGTH - The Courage of Convictions
Astrological Sign – Leo
Planet Ruled By – The Sun
Element – Fire
Hebrew Letter – ט Teth - Snake
Kabbalistic Alignment – Because it represents an astrological sign and a Hebrew letter meaning “taste”, is considered a “simple” letter. It is between Chesed and Geburah and is considered the nineteenth path of intelligence.
Path Color on Tree of Life – Yellow-Green
Sound or Tonal – E-Natural
Strength represents the light or fire in the darkness. It is considered the universal “will” or life force of all things.
8 STRENGTH
The Yellow Background – Solar; mental thought.
The Blue Mountains – Spirit made manifest.
The Trees and Grass – Fertility.
The Lion – The animal kingdom; the astrological sign Leo; brute strength and passion; strong will.
The Female Figure – Mother Nature.
Infinity Symbol – All things come back to the source.
The Crown and belt of roses – Victory in strength.
The Cloth Wrapped Around Her Body – Beginnings that are pure.
Her Hand Reaching Towards the Lion – Lack of fear and the ability to communicate; The connection between all of life.
9 THE HERMIT - The Light Within
Astrological Sign – Virgo
Planet Ruled By – Mercury
Element – Earth
Hebrew Letter – י Yod – Hand or Open Palm
Kabbalistic Alignment – Because it represents an astrological sign and a Hebrew letter meaning “sexual love”, it is considered a “simple” letter. It is between Tiphareth and Chesed and is considered the twentieth path of intelligence.
Path Color on Tree of Life – Greenish-Yellow
Sound or Tonal – F-Natural
The Hermit represents the beginnings of direct contact with the Divine. It deals with purity of belief. The word “hermit” means “desert”. The card represents the “vessel” or “hand” of God.
9 THE HERMIT
The Gray Background – Integration of thought to create structure.
The Hermit’s Cloak – The manifestation and balance of dark and light.
His Beard – Age and experience.
The Staff – The measure of a person through their lifetime through the use of knowledge.
The White Mountain Peaks – Power not of this world.
Six Pointed Star – Macrocosm and the Microcosm. Energy of heaven joining with the energy created on earth.
The Lamp – Knowledge.
10 THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE - The Path of Life
Astrological Alignment – None
Planet Ruled By – Jupiter
Element – None
Hebrew Letter – כ Kaph – Fist
Kabbalistic Alignment – It is considered a “double” letter meaning Riches or Poverty. It is between Chesed and Netzach and is the twenty-first path of intelligence.
Path Color on the Tree of Life – Violet
Sound or Tonal – A Sharp
The Wheel of Fortune represents fate or fortune and the cycle of existence of things occurring on the earthly plane.
10 – THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE
The Clouds – Illusion and Fantasy.
Books in the Four Figures Hands – Knowledge.
The Four Figures in the Corners – The characters carved on the Ark of the Covenant that contained the Ten Commandments.
The Man – Mental Thought.
Element – Air.
Astrological Sign – Aquarius.
Direction – East.
The Lion – Spirit.
Element – Fire.
Astrological Sign – Leo.
Direction – South.
The Eagle – Emotional.
Element – Water.
Astrological Sign – Scorpio.
Direction – West.
The Bull – Physical.
Element – Earth.
Astrological Sign – Taurus.
Direction – North.
The symbols with each character - Represent the elements:
Sword – Air.
Cup – Water.
Burning Wand – Fire.
Pentacles – Earth.
The Blue Sky and Color of Sphinx – Spirit.
The Sphinx – Asks the riddle of time and Man.
The Sword in Its Hand – Penetration of truth; the cutting away of bondage; release.
The Jackal - Hermanubis. Two Egyptian gods blended together. Half Hermes, Half Anubis. Outer self and inner awareness
The Serpent – Kundalini energy
The Outer Hub of the Wheel – Truth
The Square Glyphs – Beginnings of the Structure
The Anagram –
TARO – The Road or Path taken in Life.
ROTA – Wheel
TORA – The Law
ORAT – To speak of Truth
The First Layer of the Wheel – The dark colored Hebrew letters:
Yod Heh Vav Heh – The high name of God; Yahweh
The Hebrew spelling of the word “Taro” or Tarot.
The alchemy symbols – Represent the major chemical elements of life on earth. They are:
Mercury (T), Sulfur (A), Salt (R) and Water (O).
11 JUSTICE - The Karmic Balance
Astrological Sign – Libra – The Scales
Planet Ruled By – Venus
Element – Air
Hebrew Letter – ל Lamed – Ox Goad
Kabbalistic Alignment – Because it represents an astrological sign and a Hebrew letter meaning “work’, it is considered a “simple” letter. It is between Tiphareth and Geburah and is considered the twenty-second path of intelligence.
Path Color on Tree of Life – Emerald Green
Sound or Tonal – F-Sharp
Justice represents the belief of God’s law or judgment. It is considered the card of “karma” and its symbolism relates to “the weighing of the heart” in ancient Egyptian beliefs.
11 JUSTICE
The Yellow Background – Mental thought.
The Gray Structure – Integration of structure and beliefs.
The Curtains and Back of Throne – Inner mysteries; secrets.
Throne – The foundation of the Law.
The Woman Figure – Astraia, the Greek Goddess of justice.
Crown – Authority.
Square with red and green jewel on Crown and Cape - Structure of justice.
Her Red and Green Clothing – Checks and balances – Green; Life’s action – Red. The colors representing the planet Venus.
The Scales – The weighing of the heart; Balance; The astrological symbol for Libra.
The Sword – The mind; Penetration through a situation. Truth has more than one side.
His Hands - As above, so below.
12 THE HANGED MAN - The Great Sacrifice
Astrological Sign – None
Planet Ruled By – Uranus
Element – Water
Hebrew Letter – מ Mem – Water
Kabbalistic Alignment – It is a “Mother” letter representing the element of water. It connects Hod to Geburah and is the Twenty-third path that stabilizes intelligence.
Path Color on the Tree of Life – Deep Blue
Sound or Tonal – G Sharp
The Hanged Man represents the path to enlightenment through sacrifice.
12 THE HANGED MAN
The Gray Sky – Darkness and Light merging. Integration of mind and spirit.
The Tree Frame from Which the Man Hangs – Represents the fertile framework or foundation of structural beginnings. This framework forms the Greek letter “Tau” and represents the “doorway”.
The Hanged Man – His arms are bound; his eyes, to new experiences. He will sacrifice himself in order to receive his spiritual awakening.
Halo – Th
e light of spiritual realization through sacrifice.
His Blue Shirt – Represents the ability to communicate with both physical and spiritual planes.
The Red leggings – The fire of the spirit brought to the physical world. Kundalini energy.
His Pose – This represents strong Jupiter (Fate) and Uranian (Truth) energy.
Yellow shoes – Moving forward with thought and intent.
His Bound Foot – Suspension.
13 DEATH - The Transition of Existence
Astrological Sign - Scorpio – The Scorpion
Planet Ruled By – Pluto and Mars
Element – Water
Hebrew Letter – נ Nun – Fish
Kabbalistic Alignment – Because it represents an astrological sign and a Hebrew letter meaning “movement”, it is considered a “simple” letter. It is between Tiphareth and Netzach and is considered the twenty-fourth path of intelligence.
Path Color on Tree of Life – Green-Blue
Sound or Tonal – G-Natural
Death represents the beginnings of manifestation through transformation. It is considered a surrender of will to the higher cause.
13 DEATH
The Angel – Azrael, angel of death.
Death Mask- Hide death, making it obscure.
His Black Armor and White Horse – Light and darkness; represents the transition from one reality to another.
Phoenix Feather Drooped – death and then rebirth.
Banner – Life’s connection to death.
White rose – Spirit. Ten petals – completion.
Staff – Regeneration.
The dead on the field – It makes no difference who you are in life, death takes all.
The River – The water of life; embryonic fluid.
Boat on River – Life eternal.
Towers – A place of departure.