The Journey of the Tarot
Fool Around the Zodiac
Text copyright © 2013
Anthony Louis
All Rights Reserved
Edition 1.121 February 2014 <><><>
Other Books by the Author Horary Astrology Tarot Plain and Simple The Art of Forecasting with Solar
Returns
A Geomantic Tarot Spread (Kindle e-book)
The Annotated Raphael’s Mundane Astrology (Kindle e-book) Primary Directions in Astrology: A
Primer (Kindle e-book)
April 2014) <><><>
The author’s blog about astrology and tarot is at
Table of Contents
Preface
The Four Worlds of the Kabbalah The Tree of Life
Tarot Associations to the Tree of Life
Tarot Cards and the Decans of the Zodiac
Pip Cards 2 through 10 Court Cards and Decans Summary of Golden Dawn Associations of the Court Cards The Major Arcana around the Zodiac Wheel
The Planets and the Major Arcana Case Example: Interpreting a Birth Chart
A Golden Dawn Journey through the Thirty-Six Decans of the Zodiac
SPRINGTIME: MARCH 21 – JUNE 20; ARIES – TAURUS – GEMINI The Fool Visits the Cardinal Fire Sign ARIES
First decan of Aries, ruled by Mars:
Two of Wands - Dominion
Second decan of Aries, ruled by the Sun: Three of Wands – Established
Strength
Third decan of Aries, ruled by Venus:
Four of Wands – Perfected Work
The Fool Visits the Fixed Earth Sign TAURUS
First decan of Taurus, ruled by Mercury: Five of Pentacles –
Material Trouble
Second decan of Taurus, ruled by the Moon: Six of Pentacles – Material
Success
Third decan of Taurus, ruled by
Unfulfilled
The Fool Visits the Mutable Air Sign GEMINI
First decan of Gemini, ruled by
Jupiter: Eight of Swords – Shortened
Force
Second decan of Gemini, ruled by Mars: Nine of Swords – Despair and
Cruelty
Third decan of Gemini, ruled by the Sun: Ten of Swords - Ruin
SUMMER: JUNE 21 – SEPTEMBER 22; CANCER – LEO - VIRGO
The Fool Visits the Cardinal Water Sign CANCER
First decan of Cancer, ruled by Venus:
Two of Cups - Love
Second decan of Cancer, ruled by Mercury: Three of Cups - Abundance Third decan of Cancer, ruled by the Moon: Four of Cups – Blended
Pleasure
The Fool Visits the Fixed Fire Sign LEO
First decan of Leo, ruled by Saturn:
Five of Wands - Strife
Second decan of Leo, ruled by Jupiter: Six of Wands - Victory Third decan of Leo, ruled by Mars:
Seven of Wands– Valor
The Fool Visits the Mutable Earth Sign VIRGO
First decan of Virgo, ruled by the Sun:
Eight of Pentacles - Prudence
Second decan of Virgo, ruled by Venus: Nine of Pentacles – Material
Gain
Third decan of Virgo, ruled by Mercury: Ten of Pentacles - Wealth FALL: SEPTEMBER 23 –
DECEMBER 21; LIBRA – SCORPIO - SAGITTARIUS
The Fool Visits the Cardinal Air Sign LIBRA
First decan of Libra, ruled by the Moon: Two of Swords – Peace
Restored
Second decan of Libra, ruled by Saturn: Three of Swords - Sorrow Third decan of Libra, ruled by
Jupiter: Four of Swords – Rest from
Strife
The Fool Visits the Fixed Water Sign SCORPIO
First decan of Scorpio, ruled by Mars: Five of Cups – Loss in
Pleasure
Second decan of Scorpio, ruled by the Sun: Six of Cups - Pleasure
Third decan of Scorpio, ruled by Venus: Seven of Cups – Illusionary
Success
SAGITTARIUS
First decan of Sagittarius, ruled by Mercury: Eight of Wands– Swiftness Second decan of Sagittarius, ruled by the Moon: Nine of Wands – Great
Strength
Third decan of Sagittarius, ruled by Saturn: Ten of Wands - Oppression WINTER: DECEMBER 22 – MARCH 20; CAPRICORN – AQUARIUS – PISCES
The Fool Visits the Cardinal Earth Sign CAPRICORN
First decan of Capricorn, ruled by Jupiter: Two of Pentacles –
Harmonious Change
Second decan of Capricorn, ruled by Mars: Three of Pentacles – Material
Works
Third decan of Capricorn, ruled by the Sun: Four of Pentacles – Earthly
power
The Fool Visits the Fixed Air Sign AQUARIUS
First decan of Aquarius, ruled by Venus: Five of Swords - Defeat Second decan of Aquarius, ruled by Mercury: Six of Swords – Earned
Success
Third decan of Aquarius, ruled by the Moon: Seven of Swords – Unstable
Effort
The Fool Visits the Mutable Water Sign PISCES
First decan of Pisces, ruled by Saturn:
Eight of Cups – Abandoned Success
Second decan of Pisces, ruled by Jupiter: Nine of Cups – Material
Happiness
Third decan of Pisces, ruled by Mars:
Preface
The longest journey is the journey inward, for he who has chosen his destiny has started upon his quest for the source of his being.[1]
Dag Hammarskjöld Tarot authors often speak of the Fool’s journey through the Major Arcana on his travel toward enlightenment. In this scenario the trump cards represent archetypal forces, or spiritual
principles, that the Fool must confront and master during his sojourn on earth. My own experience has been that the Minor Arcana are no less profound than the Majors and that the Minors also include important lessons to be learned. By the same token, the Major Arcana often relate to mundane
uncommon for the Chariot to appear in a reading about the family car, for Justice to show up when a legal issue is at hand, or for the World card to pop up when a trip abroad is in the offing. This e-book focuses on the Fool’s journey through the twelve signs of the zodiac. The text was originally
intended to be included in my book Tarot Beyond the Basics, but the editors at Llewellyn felt it was far too long to be included as a book chapter so I decided to publish it as a separate e-book.
We will begin with the Fool’s journey through Aries at the eastern horizon, corresponding to the onset of spring and work our way through each of the twelve astrological signs. During our trip we will pass through the four quadrants of the horoscope and their corresponding seasons. On this voyage we will visit the thirty-six decans and
their associated pip cards. We’ll also meet many court cards and tarot trumps along the way. The map for this voyage was given to us by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
Figure 1: The Natural Zodiac with 0o Aries rising and Decan Rulers in
Chaldean order (Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon).
Tracing the Fool’s journey will deepen your understanding of the Golden
Dawn tarot delineations, which are the basis of many modern tarot decks. In addition, the Golden Dawn attributions can be applied directly to your birth chart to give a deeper understanding of the placements in your natal
horoscope.
Each planet in the birth chart resides in a region of the zodiac associated with a particular court card which can act as the planet’s mentor or guide. The location of each planet is also connected with one of the pip cards between 2 and 10 and with one of the Major Arcana. The major cards can be
used to reveal which spiritual lessons the individual needs to confront, using the energy of that planet. The pip cards usually relate to mundane matters and the events or ordinary life.
Readers should be forewarned that the Golden Dawn attempted to force the tarot into the mold of its astrological and Kabbalistic correspondences, with varying degrees of success. Sometimes the astrological symbolism closely matches the meaning of the card, like a hand fitting a custom-made glove. Other times, making sense of the astrological symbolism in light of the Golden Dawn assignations is like asking O.J. Simpson to put on a shrunken leather glove.
Many modern tarot decks are strongly influenced by the teachings of the Golden Dawn. Decks that are highly compatible with the approach outlined here include the Crowley-Harris Thoth
Tarot deck and Godfrey Dowson’s Hermetic Tarot deck. Lee Bursten’s Zodiac Tarot deck also follows the approach taken here, with some minor modifications. The Golden Dawn
assigned the element Fire to its Knights and the element Air to its
Princes/Kings. Some modern decks reverse this assignment, attributing Fire to the Kings and Air to the Knights.
The Four Worlds of the
Kabbalah
The Golden Dawn view of the tarot is strongly influenced by the Kabbalah, a Jewish tradition of mystical
interpretation of the Bible. The Kabbalah speaks of four “worlds,” consisting of ten “sephirot” each. The sephirot are “emanations” through which the deity reveals itself and creates the universe, including all its physical and metaphysical realms. The energy flows from the deity into the universe via a pattern called the Tree of Life.
The Golden Dawn paired the forty sephirot (4 worlds times 10 sephirot = 40) with the tarot’s forty pip cards, that is, with the Ace through Ten of each suit. Each of the four worlds is paired with one of the Hebrew letters in the name of the deity: Yod – Heh – Vau –
Heh. The Golden Dawn used the Kabbalistic associations to form links between the tarot cards and specific elements, suits, classes of court cards, and family relationships:
Yod: Fire (spiritual, life-giving, inspiring); Atziluth, the World of Emanation (divine intent); the suit of Wands; tarot Knights; the father. First Heh: Water (emotional, instinctive, nurturing); Briyah, the World of Creation (wisdom, understanding); the suit of Cups; tarot Queens; the mother.
Vau: Air (analyzing, arguing, making connections); Yetzirah, the World of Formation (angelic); the suit of Swords; the tarot
Princes/Kings; the son.
Heh (final): Earth (material, bodily, tangible); Assiah, the World of Action (physical reality); the suit of
Disks/Pentacles; tarot
The Tree of Life
The divine spark originates with the deity and flows through the ten emanations (sephirot) of the Tree of Life, as depicted in the following diagram.
Figure 2: Kabbalistic Tree of Life with the names of the Sephirot and
paths in Hebrew.[2]
Tarot Associations to the Tree
of Life
ONE (1): Kether, Crown, the
Primum Mobile (the divine spark), the Tarot Aces.
TWO (2): Chokmah,
Wisdom (the Zodiac), Tarot Knights and the cardinal Pips numbered “2” (initiation, fertilization, gestation, fruitfulness).
THREE (3): Binah,
Understanding (the planet Saturn), Tarot Queens and cardinal Pips numbered “3” (putting into action).
(the planet Jupiter), the Tarot cardinal Pips numbered “4” (realization, manifestation, completion, the rule of law).
FIVE (5): Geburah,
Severity, Strength (the planet Mars), the Tarot fixed Pips numbered “5” (conflict, struggle, strife, upset, disruption, stress).
SIX (6): Tiphareth, Beauty,
Balance (the Sun), the Tarot Princes/Kings and the fixed Pips numbered “6”
(achieving, accomplishing, carrying out).
SEVEN (7): Netzach,
Victory (the planet Venus), the Tarot fixed Pips numbered “7” (a transcendent force, a potential result; like a
capable ruler).
EIGHT (8): Hod, Glory,
Splendor (the planet
Mercury), the Tarot mutable Pips numbered “8” (isolated success, not integrated with an overarching goal).
NINE (9): Yesod, Foundation
(the Moon), the Tarot mutable Pips numbered “9” (firmly established power;
crystallization of energy; illusion; giver of form).
TEN (10): Malkuth,
Kingdom, Material Reality (the Four Elements), the Tarot Princesses/Pages and the mutable Pips numbered “10” (stability, the end result).
Tarot Cards and the
Decans of the Zodiac
Aces and Pages have no zodiacal attribution: The only cards which the Fool will not encounter on this journey are the Aces and Princesses/Pages of each suit. The four Aces are related to Kether (divine intent) on the Tree of Life. The Aces represent pure
potential. As Crowley puts it, Aces symbolize the “roots” of the four elements.
The Golden Dawn does not assign the Aces to decans because decans
represent the concrete manifestations of the elements in each of the signs of the zodiac. The four Aces “form a link between the small cards [Pips] and the Princesses [Pages], who rule the
Heavens around the North Pole.”[3]
Like the Aces, the Princesses or Pages have no zodiacal attribution.
Instead, the Aces and Princesses are linked to the element Earth and to the Kabbalistic World “Assiah” of
Pip Cards 2 through 10
In an analogy with the three decans in each zodiac sign, the Golden Dawn divided the tarot’s pip cards numbered 2 through 10 into three groups: (2, 3, 4), (5, 6, 7) and (8, 9, 10).
Cardinal Pips: The pip cards numbered 2, 3 and 4 of each suit are considered “cardinal” because they begin their suits, just as the cardinal signs initiate the seasons. Being “cardinal” suggests a desire to lead, to begin new ventures and to create something new, “whether it’s exploring uncharted geography, staring a family, beginning a
partnership, or founding a business.”[5] Thus, the cards numbered 2, 3 and 4 represent the initial stages of action of the energy of the suit, just as the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn)
initiate their respective seasons of the year.
Fixed Pips: The pip cards
numbered 5, 6 and 7 of each suit are considered “fixed” because they fall in the middle of their suits, just as the fixed signs comprise the middle of each season.
Symbolically, fixed signs and fixed tarot cards consolidate and organize the new enterprises begun by the cardinal initiators. “Fixed” implies seeking stability, order and
endurance and resisting change. Thus, the cards numbered 5, 6 and 7 represent the stabilizing middle stages of action of the energy of the suit, just as the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) stabilize and bring to a peak their respective seasons of the year.
Mutable Pips: The pip cards numbered 8, 9 and 10 of each suit
are considered “mutable” because they bring the numbered cards of their suits to an end, just as the mutable signs end each season and make way for the next. Mutability suggests flexibility, transition, change and adaptation as it closes out the old and ushers in the new. Thus, the cards numbered 8, 9 and 10 represent the transitional ending stages of action of the energy of the suit, just as the mutable signs
(Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) wind down and bring to a close their respective seasons of the year.
Figure 3: Golden Dawn Attributions of Pip Cards to Decans (0o Leo
rising).
Note that the above diagram differs from the standard ‘Aries rising’ horoscope used in modern astrology. The Golden Dawn began their system at mid-summer with the first decan of Leo, the location of the royal star Cor Leonis (the Heart of the Lion), in Hellenistic times. According to Israel Regardie, “the beginning of the
decanates is from the Royal King Star of the Heart of the Lion, the great star Cor Leonis, and therefore is the first decanate that of Saturn in Leo.”[6] In the Chaldean order of visible planets, Saturn comes first because it is the first visible planet one encounters upon entering our solar system from the realm of the fixed stars.
Also note in this diagram that Mars rules two consecutive decans at the passage from Pisces into Aries, which is the transition from winter into spring in the northern hemisphere. Referring to the seven visible planets of antiquity and the fiery planet Mars, Israel
Regardie explains:
“There being 36 Decanates and only seven Planets, it follows that one of the latter must rule over one more
decanate than the others. This is the Planet Mars which is allotted the last decan of Pisces and first of Aries, because the long cold of the winter requires a great energy to overcome it and initiate spring.”[7]
Court Cards and Decans
The court cards follow a patternsimilar to that of the pips, with a slight phase shift. The Kings (Princes),
Queens, and Knights are each allotted thirty degrees – the width of one zodiac sign. The Queens, Princes and Knights are placed around the zodiac according to the seasons of the year in the northern hemisphere. In your birth chart each planet or point will reside in a region governed by one of these court cards.
Figure 4: Court Cards and Quarters of the Year, 20o Pisces rising. The
Queens give birth to the four seasons.
The Watery Queens: The four Queens, being “watery” motherly cards, give birth to the four seasons signaled by the four cardinal signs of the zodiac. All births require a period of gestation, which occurs during the last decan (the final 10 degrees) of the preceding mutable sign. The Queens’ “waters break” at the cardinal points of the year and thus they govern the first two decans (the first twenty degrees) of each cardinal sign.
Fiery Wands: The Queen of Wands gives birth to spring on March 21st of each year in the tropical zodiac, after having gestated the unborn season of spring during the
transitional final decan of mutable Pisces (March 11 - 21), the end of winter.
Watery Cups: The Queen of Cups gives birth to summer on June 22nd and governs the last decan of
mutable Gemini and the first two decans of cardinal Cancer.
Airy Swords: The Queen of Swords gives birth to autumn on September 23rd and governs the last decan of mutable Virgo and the first two decans of cardinal Libra.
Earthy Pentacles: The Queen of Pentacles gives birth to winter on December 22ndand governs the last decan of mutable Sagittarius and the first two decans of cardinal
Capricorn.
The Airy Kings/Princes: Having given birth to the four seasons at the cardinal points of the year and having
nurtured the seasons through their early stages of growth, the watery Queens turn over the care of their seasonal offspring to the four Kings. The Princes/Kings are charged with the ordering and consolidation of the four seasons at the peak of their
development. The airy Kings
(Crowley’s Princes) begin their task during the final decan of the cardinal signs and continue their work during the first two decans of the fixed signs of each quadrant. According to the British astrologer C.E.O. Carter, “all fixed signs have a power-seeking propensity.”[8]
Pentacles: Thus, The Prince/King of practical earthy Pentacles
governs the last decan of cardinal Aries and the first two decans of the fixed Earth sign Taurus.
Wands: The Prince/King of creative fiery Wands governs the
last decan of cardinal Cancer and the first two decans of the fixed Fire sign Leo.
Cups: The Prince/King of compassionate watery Cups governs the last decan of cardinal Libra and the first two decans of the fixed Water sign Scorpio.
Swords: The Prince/King of
analytical airy Swords governs the last decan of cardinal Capricorn and the first two decans of the fixed Air sign Aquarius.
The Fiery Knights: Having
administrated the four seasons at the peak of their development, the Kings turn their care over to the fiery,
impetuous Knights whose are charged with the transition from one season to the next. Thus, the Knights rule the last decan of a fixed sign and the first two decans of the subsequent mutable sign.
According to Carter, “the mutable factor introduces flexibility and a power of adaptation.”[9]
Swords: The Knight of airy Swords, who is in charge of the movement from spring toward summer, governs the last decan of fixed Taurus and the first two decans of the mutable Air sign Gemini. Summertime will not truly begin until the Queen of Cups gives birth to summer at the very end of Gemini, which occurs at the summer solstice.
Pentacles: The Knight of earthy Pentacles, who is charged with the transition from summer to autumn, governs the last decan of fixed Leo and the first two decans of the mutable Earth sign Virgo. Autumn will not truly begin until the Queen of Swords gives birth for the Fall at the very end of Virgo, which occurs
at the autumnal equinox.
Wands: The Knight of fiery Wands, who oversees the movement from autumn to winter, governs the last decan of fixed Scorpio and the first two decans of the mutable Fire sign Sagittarius. Wintertime will not truly begin until the Queen of Pentacles gives birth to winter at the very end of Sagittarius, which occurs at the winter solstice.
Cups: Finally, the Knight of watery Cups, who is in charge of the
transition from winter to spring, governs the final decan of fixed Aquarius and the first two decans of the mutable Water sign Pisces.
Springtime will not truly begin until the Queen of Wands gives birth to spring at the very end of Pisces, which occurs at the vernal equinox.
Summary of Golden Dawn
Associations of the Court
Cards
Princes (Kings) are assigned to the
element Air and to the final decan of the Cardinal Signs and first two decans of the Fixed Signs (Taurus, Leo,
Scorpio, Aquarius). Thus, Kings preside over the consolidation and peak of each season.
Queens are assigned to the element
Water and to the final decan of the Mutable Signs and first two decans of the Cardinal Signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn). Thus, Queens preside over the gestation and birth of each season.
Knights are assigned to the element
Fire and to the final decan of the Fixed Signs and first two decans of the
Mutable Signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces). Thus, Knight
preside over the ending of each season and its transition to the next one.
The Golden Dawn did not assign Aces and Pages (Princesses) to the zodiac. Instead, the Princesses were attributed to the element Earth and to four
quadrants of the heavens around the North Pole. Thus, the assignment of Pages is related to the earth’s
typography rather than the zodiac circle.
Figure 5: A sixteenth century woodcut. The first column shows the
the three Water signs; the third column, the three Fire signs; and the
fourth column, the three Earth signs. The Golden Dawn paired Kings/Princes with Air, Queens with
Water, Knights with Fire, and Princesses/Pages with Earth.
The Major Arcana around the
Zodiac Wheel
Just as each King, Queen and Knight governs three consecutive decans of the zodiac, so too are the Major Arcana cards associated with three consecutive decans. Because each zodiac sign is paired with one of the Major Arcana, the three decans in question all belong to the same sign. The following diagram illustrates these correlations.
Figure 6: Major Arcana and the Signs of the Zodiac (As = 0o Aries
The Planets and the
Major Arcana
Classical astrology makes use of the seven visible planets of antiquity. Each of these planets is associated directly with one of the Major Arcana and is linked indirectly, through sign
rulerships, with additional Major Arcana cards. The following section outlines these connections in a ‘mind-map’ format.
The Sun (ruler of Leo) → the Sun
Leo → Strength (VIII or XI).
The Moon (ruler of Cancer) → the
High Priestess (II).
Cancer → The Chariot (VII).
Mercury (ruler of Gemini and Virgo) → the Magician (I).
Gemini → The Lovers (VI). Virgo → The Hermit (IX).
Venus (ruler of Taurus and Libra) → the Empress (III).
Taurus → The Hierophant (V). Libra → Justice (XI or VIII).
Mars (ruler of Aries and Scorpio) → the Tower (XVI).
Aries → The Emperor (IV). Scorpio → Death (XIII).
Jupiter (ruler of Sagittarius and Pisces) → the Wheel of Fortune (X).
Sagittarius → Temperance (XIV). Pisces → The Moon card (XVIII).
Saturn (ruler of Capricorn and Aquarius) → the World card (XXI).
Capricorn → The Devil (XV). Aquarius → The Star (XVII).
Three Major Arcana have no planetary assignments:
The Fool (0) → the element Air. Modern astrologers often assign the Fool to Uranus.
The Hanged Man (XII) → the element Water. Modern astrologers often assign the Hanged Man to Neptune.
Judgment (XX) → the element
Fire. Modern astrologers often assign Judgment to Pluto.
Case Example:
Interpreting a Birth
Chart
To illustrate how to use tarot to illuminate factors in a birth chart, I chose an example of a celebrity familiar to most Americans. The talk show host Bill O’Reilly is known for his aggressive interview style.
O’Reilly even described himself as a “thug” in an interview on 60 Minutes:
Interviewer: “The neighbors keep saying, ‘We thought he’d be in prison,’”
O’Reilly: “Ain’t America great. I was a little thug, and now I’m being paid millions of dollars for being a big thug.
…
sometimes I have to be mean. It’s like a parent or a teacher.Sometimes for the good of
everybody you have to be a little bit strong, a little bit
confrontational.”
[10]
Bill O’Reilly was born on September 10, 1949 in New York City. His time of birth is not publicly available, so I cast a chart for sunrise on the day and at the location of his birth. Here is his astrological chart with solar sign houses.
Figure 7: Bill O'Reilly, 10 September 1949, sunrise, NYC.
We are interested in what Mr.
O’Reilly’s chart can tell us about his communication style. The planet Mercury, messenger of the gods, governs our way of thinking and communicating. The 3rd House of the
natal horoscope has to do with how we express our ideas.
In his birth chart Mr. O’Reilly’s Mercury lies in the middle decan of Libra, the Scales of Justice. With his Mercury in Libra, we might expect his way of communicating to be “fair and balanced.” With Mercury in the Saturn decan of Libra we might expect him to be conservative in his thinking and willing to study topics in depth. Each planet in the birth chart lies in a region of the zodiac to which are
assigned a Major Arcanum, a Court card, and a Pip card. The major cards show which ideals and lessons the planet must deal with. The court cards reveal the type of approach the planet will take. The pip cards suggest the areas of life or types of situations that will be experienced in the process. Residing in Libra, Mercury strives for Justice. This is not to say that Mr. O’Reilly achieves his goal, merely that Justice is an ideal toward which he aspires in his thought and speech. Lying in the middle decan of Libra, his Mercury comes under the influence of the Queen of Swords. Like the Queen of Swords, Bill O’Reilly cuts to the quick and does not tolerate fools gladly.
The pip card linked to the middle decan of Libra is the Three of Swords, a card of sorrow, disruption,
mischief making. According to the Golden Dawn, a negative side of this card is the temptation to be “deceitful in words.”
Having considered the placement of Mercury in his chart, let’s now turn our attention to his 3rd house of
communication. In his sunrise solar house chart, the 3rd house has Scorpio on the cusp and no planets contained therein. Scorpio is associated with the major card Death. Mr. O’Reilly’s interest in communicating about death is apparent in the many books he is publishing about the killing of historical personages.
Even though the 3rd house has no planetary occupants, it is ruled by Mars (traditional ruler of Scorpio) and Pluto (modern ruler of Scorpio).
Hence, these two planets influence his thinking and communication style. Mars is associated with the Tower and
Pluto with Judgment of the tarot. Furthermore, Mars and Pluto both lie in Leo (associated with Strength). Mars and Pluto lying in the first two decans of Leo bring the charismatic, assertive King of Wands into play. Mars in the first decan of Leo is linked to the Five of Wands, and Pluto in the second decan of Leo is linked to the Six of Wands.
If we wanted, we could lay out the cards indicated as a tarot spread that tells us about Mr. O’Reilly’s
communication style. It would look like this:
Justice – Queen of Swords – Three of Swords
Death
The Tower – Judgment
Strength – King of Wands – Five of Wands – Six of Wands
how an unknown person thinks and communicates his ideas, how would you interpret the spread? As an
exercise, try setting up a similar spread with your own birth chart. To do so, lay out the cards related to the
following factors in your natal chart: The placement of Mercury. The sign on the cusp of the 3rd house.
The planetary ruler(s) of the 3rd house.
The placements of the rulers of the 3rd house.
A similar process can be carried out for the other planets and houses of the horoscope. If you don’t have a copy of your birth chart, several online sites will calculate one at no cost. Two such sites are http://alabe.com/freechart/ and http://www.astro.com/.
A Golden Dawn Journey
through the Thirty-Six
Decans of the Zodiac
The dates given below are for both the tropical and sidereal zodiacs. The tropical zodiac is commonly used in the English-speaking West, and the sidereal zodiac is used by Vedic
astrologers in India. The Golden Dawn used the sidereal zodiac, so I thought it important to include it here. The
astrological New Year begins at zero degrees of Aries, which occurs on March 21st in the West but currently on April 14th in India.
Our journey begins on the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. Aries is just rising in the natural
are included for the pip cards. These delineations are merely suggestions based on my own assemblage of key words associated with the cards. In delineating the pip cards, the Golden Dawn paid particular attention to the zodiac sign, the planet ruling the decan and the numerological correspondence with the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. The reader should put together his or her own delineations, for these will be more personal and thus more useful. Now let us look at each sign and its individual decans.
SPRINGTIME: MARCH
21 – JUNE 20; ARIES –
TAURUS – GEMINI
The Fool Visits the
Cardinal Fire Sign
ARIES
Dates: March 21 – April 20 (tropical); April 14 – May 14 (sidereal).
Sign Ruler: Mars.
Major Arcanum: The Emperor (IV).
Exalted: the Sun.
Debilitated: Venus (in detriment), Saturn (in fall).
Court Cards: Queen of Wands (decans 1 & 2); King of Pentacles (decan 3).
Pip Cards:
First Decan: 2 of Wands. Mars/Aries.
Second Decan: 3 of Wands. Sun/Aries.
Third Decan: 4 of Wands. Venus/Aries.
First Stop: ARIES (cardinal pips 2, 3, 4).
Zodiac Sign: Aries is a cardinal Fire sign related to self-interest, initiative, enterprise and dominion. Aries is a
warrior who likes to accept
challenges, pioneer, start new projects and look after his own best interests, usually with great energy and
enthusiasm. When Aries cards appear in a reading, it is wise to consider how well you are caring for yourself,
pursuing your goals and facing the challenges of life.
Planetary Sign Ruler: The entire sign Aries is ruled by fiery Mars – the assertive, self-oriented, masculine, sexy, impassioned, commanding, active, impatient and enterprising god of war.
Major Arcana Associations: The Golden Dawn assigns Aries to the Emperor and Mars to the Lightning-struck Tower. Hence, issues of authority, leadership, command,
dominion, organization, insight, pride, upheaval and sudden revelation form a backdrop for understanding the pip
cards of this sign. Because the Sun is exalted in Aries, the Sun trump lies in the background, reinforcing themes of dominion, good health, prominence, admiration, leadership, vitality, radiance and success.
First decan of Aries, ruled by
Mars: Two of Wands
-Dominion
On the Tree of Life the number “2” corresponds to Chokmah (Wisdom) and has at its disposal the potential of the entire zodiac, so that it can “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:22). Thus, “2” symbolizes initiation, fertilization, gestation and fecundity. The first decan of all cardinal signs represents the period immediately after the cardinal Queen gives birth to the new season. Aries is the sign of
beginnings. Spring has sprung, and the Fire energy depicted in the suit of Wands is starting to grow and develop. If the suit of Wands were a plant, the Ace of Wands would be its roots. In this first decan these early fiery shoots would be pushing up through the
begin or a new challenge to pursue. The double dose of Mars in this decan, together with the exalted Sun, suggests a self-confident and intrepid individual who feels able to face any challenge and emerge victorious. Mars also means that the Lightning-struck Tower is lurking in the background; but fortunately the exalted Sun and Aries, as the Emperor, have the skills to keep the potential disruption of the Tower under control. In the Waite-Smith deck the male figure on the card is looking toward the ocean of the last decan of Pisces, also ruled by the lively Queen of Wands.
Possible Keyword Delineation: Assert yourself (Queen of Wands) and use your personal initiative (Mars) to renew (Aries) aspects of your life in need of refreshing.
Second decan of Aries, ruled
by the Sun: Three of Wands –
Established Strength
On the Tree of Life the number “3” corresponds to Binah (Understanding; awareness of the necessity of endings and death; putting the matters of the “2” into action) and the planet Saturn
(establishing structure; security, boundaries, systems, organization, time, discipline, setbacks, heaviness, hardship, loss, death, lessons to be learned). Crowley calls this card “Virtue.”
The golden Sun is exalted in Aries and is able to express its nature in an
unencumbered way. In this decan the Sun-king of the solar system joins forces with the Emperor of the tarot, two bastions of established strength. Add the war-god Mars to the mix and the strength indicated by this
combination is undisputed. These three powerful masculine leaders (Sun, Mars, Emperor) are brimming with strength and confidence. They know how to initiate a project, take the lead, exercise authority, win the battle and make a goal a reality. The fiery Queen of Wands, who resides here, gets turned on by their masculine prowess. In the Waite-Smith deck the male figure on the card looks toward the ocean of the last decan of Pisces, which the Queen of Wands also rules.
Possible Keyword Delineation: Take the initiative (Aries) and the time you need to establish structures (Saturn) that will enable you to express your individuality (Sun) and bring your creative ideas to fruition (Binah).
Third decan of Aries, ruled by
Venus: Four of Wands –
Perfected Work
On the Tree of Life the number “4” corresponds to Chesed (Mercy;
completion, realization, establishment, settling, or coming to terms with the actions taken in the “3” of the suit) and the planet Jupiter (good fortune,
benevolence, protection, wealth, expansion, excess, growth, adventure, risk-taking, the future).
Mars rules the entire sign Aries and Venus rules the third decan of the sign of the Ram. Whenever sensual Venus and virile Mars get together, sexual excitement is in the air. Venus is at a disadvantage here because she is in the sign of her detriment, which gives Mars the upper hand. Nonetheless, Aries is the sign of springtime, so love is in the air and Mars is likely to ask
Venus to bed with him and begin a life together. After all, they are traversing the realm of The Prince/King of
Pentacles who values tangible results, hard work, stability, material security and solid foundations. In addition, the number “4” urges tangible
manifestation of the energies of the suit. The exaltation of the radiant Sun in Aries suggests that Mars and Venus will stage a public ceremony to
display their shared happiness to the world. Crowley calls this card “Completion.”
Possible Keyword Delineation:
Having taken the initiative (Aries) to pursue your heart’s desire (Venus), you can now to realize your wishes (Chesed) in a happy manner (Jupiter), especially with regard to establishing a solid foundation for material
The Fool Visits the Fixed
Earth Sign TAURUS
Dates: April 21 – May 21 (tropical); May 15 – June 14 (sidereal).
Sign Ruler: Venus.
Major Arcanum: The Hierophant (V).
Exalted: the Moon.
Court Cards: King of Pentacles (decans 1 & 2); Knight of Swords (decan 3).
Pip Cards:
First Decan: 5 of Pentacles. Mercury/Taurus.
Second Decan: 6 of Pentacles. Moon/Taurus.
Third Decan: 7 of Pentacles. Saturn/Taurus.
Second Stop: TAURUS (fixed pips 5, 6, 7).
Zodiac Sign: Taurus is a fixed Earth sign related to our resources, values,
money, possessions, financial stability, tangible goods and our ability to
secure the finer things in life. Taurus loves physical pleasures such as good food, drink, sex, massage and other luxuries. When Taurus cards appear in a reading, it is wise to consider how well you have established a secure and stable life structure in which your physical and material needs can be met.
Planetary Sign Ruler: The entire sign Taurus is ruled by Venus, the ultra-feminine goddess of sensual pleasure, material comfort, beauty, relationships and love.
Major Arcana Associations: The Golden Dawn assigns Taurus to the Hierophant who presided over the Eleusinian mysteries and Venus to the Empress. Hence, issues of tradition, conservatism, wise counsel, spiritual guidance, organized religion, fertility,
fecundity, mothering, child rearing, as well as the tribulations of Demeter form a backdrop for understanding the pip cards of this sign. Because the silvery Moon is exalted in Taurus, the High Priestess adds her secret
knowledge and intuitive awareness to the mix. Venus also rules the sign Libra, associated with the Justice trump, so that issues of balance,
fairness, equilibrium and justice form part of the background of the related pip cards.
First decan of Taurus, ruled by
Mercury: Five of Pentacles –
Material Trouble
On the Tree of Life the number “5” corresponds to Geburah (Severity; conflict, struggle; the disruption of the realization of the actions in the “4”) and the planet Mars (initiative, war, strife, discord, combat, bloodshed, energetic activity and unadulterated self-interest). Most likely the
Renaissance artists who created the tarot also had in mind the five wounds of Christ. Crowley calls this card “Worry.”
The Five of Pentacles is sometimes called the “poverty” card, but at first glance it not obvious how the Mercury decan of luxuriant Taurus gets
associated with material trouble. Taurus, after all, is known for its love of luxury, bodily comforts and the good
things in life. Venus, the ruler of Taurus, has a penchant for jewelry, adornments and sensual pleasure. The Golden Dawn appears to have used primarily the Tree of Life in
interpreting this card, but let’s see if there is also an astrological
explanation.
Youthful Mercury is considered a “neutral” planet because, like a chameleon, he takes on the nature of any celestial influence he makes contact with. Without any astrological dignity of his own in Taurus, Mercury takes on the sign’s penchant for self-indulgence. Venus, the ruler of Taurus, doesn’t help matters any because, as the tarot’s Empress, she wants to nurture and pamper her wonderful male child. Mercury grows up expecting to be taken care of and to never have to work for anything. Along comes The Prince/King of
Pentacles, who esteems the work ethic and the Hierophant whose function is to pass along traditional, conservative spiritual wisdom. These two sober gentlemen combine forces to teach Mercury a lesson: unless he learns to work for what he values, he will end up materially impoverished and spiritually bankrupt. This lesson is consistent with the number “5” and Geburah on the Tree of Life, especially in Taurus where Mars is in detriment. Compare the controversial stance of politician Newt Gingrich, a modern conservative King of Pentacles, who urges putting ghetto children to work as janitors in their schools:
“The kids would actually do work; they'd have cash; they'd have pride in the schools. They'd begin the process of rising."[11]
Possible Keyword Delineation: Your concrete mind (Mercury) focuses on
material comforts (Taurus) in conflict (Mars) with higher spiritual values (the Hierophant). As a result, you experience struggle and material hardship (Geburah).
Second decan of Taurus, ruled
by the Moon: Six of Pentacles
– Material Success
On the Tree of Life the number “6” corresponds to Tiphareth (Beauty; harmony, accomplishment and
achievements spurred by the disruption of the “5”) and the Sun (selfhood,
power, majesty, honor, vitality, fun, creativity, self-expression, pride, confidence, exuberance, generosity, achievement). Crowley calls this card “Success.”
The pragmatic, wealth-oriented King of Pentacles governs this decan of Taurus, a sign ruled by Venus, the Lesser Benefic. Being exalted in
Taurus, the Moon is at her best. Taurus itself is a sign of luxury, growth,
physical comfort, placidity and practical accomplishment. As the Hierophant of the tarot, Taurus
espouses the spiritual value of sustained effort aimed at producing tangible results. As the High Priestess of the tarot, the Moon shares with us the secret to achieving material success.
Possible Keyword Delineation: Your sense of self (Sun) includes a desire to care for (Moon) and provide for the material comfort (Taurus) of others in a calm and patient manner.
Third decan of Taurus, ruled
by Saturn: Seven of Pentacles –
Success Unfulfilled
On the Tree of Life the number “7” corresponds to Netzach (Victory; a potential result; a transcendent force; a powerful crown in need of a capable and worthy monarch) and the planet Venus (love, affection, harmony, conciliation, beauty, pleasure, self-indulgence, material benefits, good fortune). Crowley calls this card “Failure.”
Saturn, a traditionally malefic planet, is known as the Great Taskmaster – the great heavy of the zodiac. Saturn’s metal is dull and weighty lead.
Wherever Saturn appears, he usually indicates delays, abandonment,
deprivation, dissatisfaction, burdens, setbacks, austerity, frustration,
lessons to be learned, a sense of loss and just plain hard work. There is no free lunch: “as ye sow, so shall ye reap.” Saturn tends to feel out of place in Taurus, the land of Venus, because he values austerity, discipline,
frugality, seriousness and keeping one’s nose to the grindstone. Venus, on the other hand, likes to party, feel good, go shopping, look nice, enjoy sensual pleasures, and make love. Perhaps in this decan, Saturn in his role of Great Teacher and Taurus, as the Hierophant, are giving Venus a bit of wise counsel that life is not just a bowl of cherries. If Venus wants to mature into an Empress, she must put in the necessary toil to reach her goal. The impatient Knight of Swords, who resides here, is uncomfortable with the slowness of Saturn and needs to learn a similar lesson. Venus, for her part, is not quite ready to take her eye off the
cute guy she met in the workplace. Possible Keyword Delineation: If you pursue long-term goals with sufficient self-discipline (Saturn) while
avoiding sloth and self-indulgence (Venus), you can emerge victorious (Netzach) in securing material comfort (Taurus).
The Fool Visits the
Mutable Air Sign
GEMINI
Dates: May 22 – June 21 (tropical); June 15 – July 15 (sidereal).
Sign Ruler: Mercury.
Major Arcanum: The Lovers (VI). Exalted: n/a
Debilitated: Jupiter (in detriment). Court Cards: Knight of Swords (decans 1 & 2); Queen of Cups
(decan 3). Pip Cards:
First Decan: 8 of Swords. Jupiter/Gemini.
Second Decan: 9 of Swords. Mars/Gemini.
Third Decan: 10 of Swords. Sun/Gemini.
Third Stop: GEMINI (mutable pips 8, 9, 10).
Zodiac Sign: Gemini is a mutable Air sign related to communication,
transit, movement, agility, versatility, diversity, variety, ideas, thoughts and mental pursuits. When Gemini cards appear in a reading, it is wise to consider how well you communicate and focus your thinking rather than scattering your energies and getting bogged down in nagging worries or pointless distractions.
Planetary Sign Ruler: The entire sign Gemini is ruled by clever Mercury, the trickster messenger of the gods and the patron of merchants and thieves.
Major Arcana Associations: The Golden Dawn assigns Gemini to the Lovers trump and Mercury to the Magician. Hence, issues of choice, making decisions, falling in love and skillfully using of one’s talents and intelligence form a backdrop for understanding the pip cards of this mutable Air sign.
First decan of Gemini, ruled by
Jupiter: Eight of Swords –
Shortened Force
On the Tree of Life the number “8” corresponds to Hod (Glory; isolated success not integrated with an
overarching goal) and the planet Mercury (concrete mind, travel,
communication, expression, curiosity, learning, logic, analysis, thinking, worry, restlessness, agility, speed, variety and diversity). Crowley calls this card “Interference.”
Gemini, the sign of the Twins, is noted for wanting to move in several
directions at once, thus scattering its energies. Many of the traditional images of the Lovers card depict a young man struggling to decide which way to go. The trigger-happy Knight of Swords, who resides in the decan, is often abrupt, impatient and insensitive
as he rushes off, half-cocked, on some crusade. Jupiter is normally future-oriented, but a Jupiter in detriment tends to focus on what could possibly go wrong. An afflicted Jupiter acts immoderately to amplify the Sword Knight’s impetuous propensity and also Gemini’s penchant for scattered
thinking. As a result, the Knight gets trapped in a multitude of thoughts; and, instead of heading one-pointedly
toward a goal, he experiences the effects of shortened force.
Possible Keyword Delineation: You feel hindered by an expansion (Jupiter in detriment) of a variety (Gemini) of worrisome thoughts
(Mercury) that are not integrated into a clear life-goal (Hod).
Second decan of Gemini, ruled
by Mars: Nine of Swords –
Despair and Cruelty
On the Tree of Life the number “9” corresponds to Yesod (the Foundation; firmly established power; illusion; giver of form) and the Moon (maternal instincts, habit patterns, emotions, gut feelings, nurturing, inconstancy,
dependency, home, family, tribe,
inheritance, the past). Crowley simply calls this card “Cruelty.”
Many of the comments about the first decan of Gemini also apply to this decan. Instead of Jupiter augmenting the scattered thinking of Gemini and the impetuous behavior of the Knight of Swords, in this decan the self-assured war god Mars adds a combative tinge. The impulsive Knight still wants to rush off in pursuit of some crusading ambition, but now hostility and
aggression are in the air. Mars
manifests here as the disruptive Tower of the tarot and the thoughts that flood the Knight’s mind act like cruel
weapons that give him no peace. Possible Keyword Delineation:
Aggressive or hurtful thoughts (Mars) afflict the mind (Gemini) and take an emotional toll (Moon); but your worries are largely based on illusion (Yesod).
Third decan of Gemini, ruled
by the Sun: Ten of Swords
-Ruin
On the Tree of Life the number “10” corresponds to Malkuth (The Kingdom with its four elements) and represents stability and the end result of the progression of the suit.
The Golden Dawn called the Ten of Swords the “Lord of Ruin” and gave it a strongly negative connotation (e.g., complete disruption, failure, ruin of all plans, disdain, insolence,
impertinence, etc.). In contrast, people born with the Sun in Gemini are
generally curious, versatile, talkative, sociable and fond of making
connections and being on-the-go. Mercury, although cold and dry when in isolation, is considered “neutral,” meaning that it takes on the nature of other planets that it meets. In Gemini’s
third decan, ruled by the hot dry Sun, dryness predominates and produces an inhospitable environment for the
watery Queen of Cups who dwells there. The sensitive Queen of Cups can’t survive for long here; she gets desiccated by the powerful Sun and eventually shrivels up.
The image of the shriveled Queen of Cups reminds us of the myth of Icarus who flew too close to the sun and fell to his death because the melting wax could no longer hold together his man-made wings. In Gemini is slowing down and comes to a full stop as the decan ends at the summer solstice. At the boundary between Gemini and Cancer the Sun will be at its closest and hottest with respect to the earth’s northern hemisphere and thus at its most destructive.
Crowley noted that the “ten” cards represent the energy of the suit taken to
an extreme. In this case the cutting, embattled nature of Swords is revealed in the disruptive nature of thinking (the element Air) gone wild. Picatrix views this decan as one of inattention, distraction, gaming, empty chatter and idleness – all negative traits of
Gemini. The French occultist Etteilla, who wrote well before the Golden Dawn, viewed the Ten of Swords as a card of tears, sadness, lamentation and desolation.
Possible Keyword Delineation: You may have been feeling the heat of the approaching summer solstice when the blazing Sun will come to a standstill. The destructive thinking (Gemini) of the previous two cards (the 8 and 9 of Swords) now reaches a powerful and parching (Sun) climax (Malkuth).
SUMMER: JUNE 21 –
SEPTEMBER 22;
CANCER – LEO
-VIRGO
The Fool Visits the
Cardinal Water Sign
CANCER
Dates: June 22 – July 22 (tropical); July 16 – August 16 (sidereal). Sign Ruler: the Moon.
Major Arcanum: The Chariot (VII).
Exalted: Jupiter.
Debilitated: Saturn (in detriment), Mars (in fall).
(decans 1 & 2); King of Wands (decan 3).
Pip Cards:
First Decan: 2 of Cups. Venus/Cancer.
Second Decan: 3 of Cups. Mercury/Cancer.
Third Decan: 4 of Cups. Moon/Cancer.
Fourth Stop: CANCER (cardinal pips 2, 3, 4).
Zodiac Sign: Cancer is a cardinal Water sign related to home, family, the tribe, mothering, dependency,
nurturing, protection, tenacity, sensitivity, early emotional
experiences and taking care of those you love. When Cancer cards appear in a reading, it is wise to consider how well you have connected emotionally and met the needs of those in your care without fostering excessive
dependency.
Planetary Sign Ruler: The entire sign Cancer is ruled by the Moon, the
virgin-mother-crone goddess of
emotions, nurturing, family, home and intuition.
Major Arcana Associations: The Golden Dawn assigns Cancer to the Chariot trump and the Moon to the
High Priestess. Hence, issues of prudently directing our inner life and attending to our intuitions form a backdrop for understanding the pip cards of this sign. Because Jupiter is exalted in Cancer, the Wheel of
Fortune also plays a role, bringing up issues of chance, luck, fate and good fortune.
First decan of Cancer, ruled
by Venus: Two of Cups - Love
On the Tree of Life the number “2” corresponds to Chokmah (Wisdom) and has at its disposal the potential of the entire zodiac, so that it can “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:22). Thus, “2” symbolizes initiation, fertilization, gestation and fecundity. The first decan of the cardinal signs represents the period immediately after the cardinal Queen gives birth to the new season. Summer has just begun and the Water energy depicted in the suit of Cups is starting to grow and develop. If the suit of Cups were a plant, the Ace of Cups would be its roots. In this first decan these early watery shoots would be pushing up through the ground, wondering where they can find love and emotional security. Venus, the goddess of loveand the Moon, ruler of Cancer, are the two quintessential feminine planets of the zodiac. Venus values close intimate relationships and the Moon esteems motherhood, compassion and nurturing. When Venus and the Moon join forces, their primary motivation is to love and be loved, to start a family and to
nurture those whom they love.
Possible Keyword Delineation: You have the opportunity to initiate a fruitful (Chokmah) love relationship (Venus) that will provide emotional security (Cancer).
Second decan of Cancer, ruled
by Mercury: Three of Cups
-Abundance
On the Tree of Life the number “3” corresponds to Binah (Understanding; awareness of the necessity of endings and death; putting the matters of the “2” into action) and the planet Saturn
(establishing structure; security, boundaries, systems, organization, time, discipline, setbacks, heaviness, hardship, loss, death, lessons to be learned).
The emotionally responsive Queen of Cups resides in this decan. She gets along famously with Cancer’s ruling planet, the Moon, because they both focus on nurturing, mothering, feeding, caring, enjoying human relationships and sharing good times. Mercury, of course, takes on the characteristics of whomever he meets and doesn’t mind
playing the role of the carefree child who gets all the attention he could ever want from these two doting women. Thus, Mercury finds himself presiding over a decan where life is truly a bowl of cherries. The overall image here is one of abundant pleasure, joy,
kindness, hospitality, food, drink, affection and general merriment: “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow …” Possible Keyword Delineation: You want to tell others (Mercury) about your good fortune (Jupiter exalted) in structuring (Binah) an emotionally secure (Cancer) and loving
Third decan of Cancer, ruled
by the Moon: Four of Cups –
Blended Pleasure
On the Tree of Life the number “4” corresponds to Chesed (Mercy;
completion, realization, establishment, settling, or coming to terms with the actions taken in the “3” of the suit) and the planet Jupiter (good fortune,
benevolence, protection, wealth, expansion, excess, growth, adventure, risk-taking, orientation toward the future).
The Moon rules the entire sign Cancer and also governs its third decan, which makes Luna extremely powerful in this realm where The Prince/King of
Wands resides. The nurturing Moon wants to take care of the fiery king’s every need. The Prince/King of Wands, of course, is a surrogate for the Sun, chief of the solar system and ruler of
the next sign, Leo. To sweeten the pie, Jupiter is exalted in Cancer and more than willing to confer good fortune. Crowley calls this decan one of “Luxury.” The Golden Dawn
acknowledges the success and pleasure associated with this decan but notes that they are approaching their limit. The pleasure of this decan is thus “blended” because the next stop after this pleasant final ten degrees of Cancer is in Leo, whose first decan is governed by austere Saturn, reminding us that all good things must come to an end.
Possible Keyword Delineation: Being overly (Jupiter) protected, nurtured and pampered (Cancer) can foster dependency (Moon) that limits your self-sufficiency, freedom to seek adventure and creative self-expression (King of Wands).
The Fool Visits the Fixed
Fire Sign LEO
Dates: July 23 – August 23
(tropical); August 17 – September 16 (sidereal).
Sign Ruler: the Sun.
Major Arcanum: Strength (VIII). Exalted: n/a
Debilitated: Saturn (in detriment). Court Cards: King of Wands (decans 1 & 2); Knight of
Pentacles (decan 3).
Pip Cards:
First Decan: 5 of Wands. Saturn/Leo.
Second Decan: 6 of Wands. Jupiter/Leo.
Third Decan: 7 of Wands. Mars/Leo.
Fifth Stop: LEO (fixed pips 5, 6, 7).
Zodiac Sign: Leo is a fixed Fire sign related to courage, leadership,
generosity, honor, prominence, fun, drama, creativity, vitality,
risk-taking, generativity, offspring,
confidence, pride and selfhood. When Leo cards appear in a reading, it is wise to consider how well you have displayed leadership and creatively generated something that expresses your true self, without becoming excessively proud or arrogant.
Planetary Sign Ruler: The entire sign Leo is ruled by the fiery Sun, the
fatherly life-giver Sun-king of the solar system.
Major Arcana Associations: The Golden Dawn assigns Leo to the Strength card and the Sun to the Sun trump. Hence, issues of strength, fortitude, authority, creativity,
prominence, radiance and leadership form a backdrop for understanding the pip cards of this sign.
First decan of Leo, ruled by
Saturn: Five of Wands - Strife
On the Tree of Life the number “5” corresponds to Geburah (Severity; conflict, struggle; the disruption of the realization of the actions in the “4”) and the planet Mars (initiative, war, strife, discord, combat, bloodshed, energetic activity and unadulterated self-interest).Saturn is a traditionally malefic planet known as the Great Taskmaster, Father Time, or the Grim Reaper – the great heavy of the zodiac. Saturn’s metal is dull weighty lead. Wherever Saturn appears, he usually indicates delays, abandonment, deprivation,
dissatisfaction, burdens, setbacks, austerity, frustration, confrontation with harsh reality, lessons to be
learned, a sense of loss and just plain hard work. There is no free lunch; as
you sow, so shall you reap. In this decan, cold Saturn tends to feel out of place in the realm of the fiery Sun because Saturn (cold and dry) wants to contract, freeze, congeal, darken and extinguish vitality whereas the Sun (hot and dry) wants to expand, heat, thaw, illuminate and promote life. Clearly these two planets are at odds but because Saturn is in his detriment in Leo, the Sun has the upper hand.
The Sun and Saturn, however, share the quality of dryness, which corresponds to the tense interaction depicted in the Waite-Smith Five of Wands.
Individuals with Saturn in Leo often experience a fear that they will not be sufficiently loved or admired and they feel inhibited about giving free rein to their creative self-expression. They may hide such inhibitions under the mask of competitiveness as suggested by mock battle in the Waite-Smith Five
of Wands. The Prince/King of Wands, whose realm this is, may feel blocked by Saturn and thus need to struggle to express his natural enterprise, daring, creativity, enthusiasm and ambition. Possible Keyword Delineation: You may be engaged in a struggle
(Geburah) to assert yourself (Mars) and you may feel inhibited (Saturn) about creatively expressing your inner self (Leo).