What follows is a list of Tarot meanings used in Mathers Alpha et Omega Order. Although this document is later (about 1915) it uses Westcott’s deck rather than the descriptions used by Stella Matutina, which can be found in Regardie’s Golden Dawn. I am uncertain if there is much that is unusual here, but I am making this public in case someone finds it useful.
Page 14 – Queen of Thrones of Air
(Queen of Swords or Pikes)
A graceful woman with waving curling hair like a crowned queen seated on a throne, beneath which are grey cumulus clouds – general attire similar to that of Queen of Wands but on crown cuirassed & buskins is a winged child’s head (like cherubic cherub head sculptured on tombstones etc).
In one hand holds a drawn sword, in other a large bearded head of a man newly severed.
Intensely perceptive, a keen observer, subtle, quick, candid, in many cases persevering, accurate in superficial things, fond of dancing or balancing, graceful.
Judgement, cruel, sly, deceitful & unreliable, though with good exterior.
🜂 of 🜁 she rules Celestial Heavens from above 20° Virgo to above 20° Libra – Queen of Sylphs or Sylphides or Air Spirits
Page 15 – Prince of Chariot of Winds
(King of Swords or Pikes)
A winged knightly figure with winged crown, seated in a chariot drawn by two arch-fays, archons, or Alef-fairies, represented as winged youths, very slightly draped, with butterfly wings, heads encircled by a fillet with pentagram whereon holding wands surmounted by pentagram-shaped stars; the same butterfly wings are on their feet & fillet, general equipment of figure in chariot similar to that of King of Wands, but on crown, cuirass & buskins is a winged angel’s head with pentagram on brow.
Beneath chariot are grey nimbi (clouds of nimbus). (His hair is long & waving, is serpentine whilst the same wavy symbol composes as it were the scales of his armour.)
In one hand he holds a drawn sword; in the other a sickle.
With sword he rules, with sickle he slays & destroys.
Full of ideas & designs, profoundly thoughtful, distrustful & suspicious of others, firm in friendship & enmity, careful observer, showing action, over-cautious, he symbolises beginning & ending & fruit of death, is over to destroy as fast as he builds.
Ill dignified: harsh, malicious, plotting, obstinate, yet hesitating; unreliable etc.
He rules Celestial Heavens from above 20° Taurus to above 20° Gemini – 🜂 of 🜁 Prince Emperor of Sylphs & Sylphides
Page 130/131 – Princess of Rushing Winds
(Lotus of Palace of Air / Knave of Swords or Pikes)
An amazon figure with waving hair, but slighter than Princess of Wands, attire similar. Feet are springy – giving idea of swiftness, weight changing from one foot to the other, a body moving forward.
She resembles a statue of Minerva or Diana. Her mantle resembles the Aegis of the former. On helmet and buskins is winged head of Medusa with serpent hair. She holds a sword in one hand & other rests on a small silver altar, with grey smoke, not fire, ascending therefrom. Beneath her feet are white cirrhous clouds.
Wisdom, strength, acuteness, subtlety in material things; grace & dexterity.
Ill-dignified: frivolous, cunning etc.
She rules one quadrant of Celestial Heavens surrounding N. Pole of Ecliptic, as hereafter shewn.
🜂 of 🜁 – Princess & Empress of Sylphs & Sylphides, Throne of Ace of Swords.
Page 131 – Lord of the Wide & Fertile Land
(Knight of Discs or Pentacles / King of Spirits of Earth)
A dark winged Warrior, with winged & crested helmet, mounted on high brown horse. Armour similar to Knight of Wands. On his cuirass, helmet & buskins a winged stag’s head (or antelope’s head). Beneath horse’s feet is fertile land with ripe corn re.
In one hand he bears a sceptre surmounted by a hexagram. In other a pentacle similar somewhat to the lesser magical implement of the Z.A.M., charged with a hexagram.
Unless very well dignified he is heavy, dull & material, laborious, clever & patient in material things etc.
Ill-dignified: avaricious, grasping, dull, jealous; not very courageous unless assisted by other symbols.
He rules Celestial Heavens from above 20° Leo to above 20° Virgo.
🜂 of 🜃 – King of Gnomes or Earth-Spirits.
Page 132 – Queen of Thrones of Earth
(Queen of Discs or Pentacles)
A woman with beautiful face & dark hair seated on a throne beneath which is dark stony earth. One side of her face is light, other dark, this symbolising being represented by a sphinx.
Attire similar to that of Queen of Wands. On crown, cuirass & buskins is a winged goat’s head, a goat is at her side.
In one hand she bears a sceptre surmounted by a cube.
Impression, kind, timid, rather charming, great-hearted, intelligent, rather melancholy, fruitful yet of many moods.
Ill dignified = undecided, capricious, changeable, foolish.
She rules Celestial Heavens from above 20° Sagittarius to above 20° Capricorn.
🜃 of 🜁 – Queen of Gnomes or Earth Spirits
Page 133 – Prince of Chariot of Earth
(King of Discs or Pentacles)
A winged knightly figure, seated in a chariot drawn by the Bull, a winged Bull’s head surmounts his crown and is on his breastplate & buskins. Beneath his chariot is flowering land.
In one hand he bears an orb of gold turned downward; in other a sceptre surmounted by an orb and cross.
Increase of matter. Increases good or evil. Solidifies & practically applies things.
Steady, reliable.
If ill-dignified – selfish, animal, material, stupid.
In any case, slow to anger, but furious if roused!
He rules Celestial Heavens from above 20° Aries to above 20° Taurus.
🜃 of 🜂 – Prince & Emperor of Gnomes or Earth Spirits
Page 134 – Princess of Echoing Hills, Rose of Palace of Earth
(Knave of Discs or Pentacles)
A strong beautiful Amazon figure with rich brown hair, standing on grass & flowers. A grove of trees shown – some sequoias of older, lines of Proserpine.
On helmet, belt & buskins, a winged ram’s head; a sheep-skin mantle. In one hand Sceptre with circular end bearing Sigil of her scale; in other Pentacle similar to Ace of Pentacles.
Generous, kind, diligent, benevolent, careful, courageous, persevering, patient.
Ill dignified = wasteful & prodigal.
She rules one quadrant of Celestial Heavens around the N. Pole as hereafter described.
🜃 of 🜃 – Princess or Empress of Gnomes or Earth Spirits,
Throne of Ace of Pentacles
Page 135 – Smaller Cards of Suits Answering to Decans
Honour | Symbol | Hair & Complexion
Here’s the content broken down:
| Honour | Symbol | Hair & Complexion |
| King of Wands | Black Horse, Waving Flames | Fair, red gold hair. Eyes grey or light. |
| Queen of Wands | Leopard, Solar Flames | Bright corp. Reddish hair. Brown eyes. |
| Prince of Wands | Lion, Wand radiant flames | Yellow hair. Blue-grey eyes. |
| King of Cups | White horse, Peacock, Crab, Sea Lion | Fair hair, blue eyes. |
| Queen of Cups | Iris – crayfish river | Golden brown hair. |
| Prince of Cups | Eagle, Serpent, Scorpion (like ostrich cock) | Brown hair. Grey or brown eyes. |
| Princess of Cups | Swan, Dolphin, Shells | Brown hair. Blue or brown eyes. |
| King of Swords | Brown horse, Winged St. Michael Crown | Dark brown hair. Eyes dark. |
| Queen of Swords | Winged Cherub-head, Angelic child’s crown | Lt brown hair. Grey eyes. |
| Prince of Swords | Angel heads with butterfly wings | Dark hair & eyes. |
| Princess of Swords | Medusa head, Cirrus clouds, Silver altar + smoke | Lt brown hair. Blue eyes. |
| King of Pentacles | Lt brown horse, Slag Rope (by goat) | Dark hair & eyes. |
| Queen of Pentacles | Goat, Barley land | do. (same) |
| Prince of Pentacles | Bull, Flowering land | Dark brown hair. |
| Princess of Pentacles | Ram, Grove of trees, forest flowers | Rich brown hair. |
(It is to be remembered that above descriptions of hair & complexion are not absolute.)
The following descriptions of Smaller Cards of the 4 Suits — 36 in number — answering unto the 36 Decans.
Commencing from sign ♈︎, the control decanates of the signs follow the order of the days of the week:
| Card | Sign | Title | Planet |
| 3 of Wands | ♈︎ | Established Strength | ☉ Sun |
| 6 of Pentacles | ♉︎ | Material Success | ☽ Moon |
| 9 of Swords | ♊︎ | Despair & Cruelty | ♂ Mars |
| 3 of Cups | ♋︎ | Abundance | ☿ Mercury |
| 6 of Wands | ♌︎ | Victory | ♃ Jupiter |
| 9 of Pentacles | ♍︎ | Material Gain | ♀ Venus |
| 3 of Swords | ♎︎ | Sorrow | ♄ Saturn |
| 6 of Cups | ♏︎ | Pleasure | ♯ (possibly Sun) |
| 9 of Wands | ♐︎ | Great Strength | ☉ Sun |
| 3 of Pentacles | ♑︎ | Material Works | ♂ Mars |
| 6 of Swords | ♒︎ | Earned Success | ☿ Mercury |
| 9 of Cups | ♓︎ | Material Happiness | ♃ Jupiter |
“Being the four threes, sixes & nines of wands, cups, swords, and pentacles”
The first to third decanates of each sign follow the same order: Sunday beginning in the 1st decanate of ♈︎, ending the 3rd decanate of ♓︎.
Page 137 – Planetary Governors of Decanates and Tarot Cards
The Planets govern respectively decanates with the following titles:
☉ (Sun):
- Rulership – 5 of Wands
- Strife – 3 of Swords
- Oppression – 10 of Wands
- Abundant Success – 9 of Cups
- Success multiplied – 7 of Pentacles
Or in 6, ♀, ☽, ♃, ♄ – 2 Wands & 1 of each of other suits
♃ (Jupiter):
- Victory – 6 of Wands
- Rest from Strife – 4 of Swords
- Harmonious Change – 2 of Pentacles
- Material Happiness – 9 of Cups
- Shortened Force – 8 of Swords
Or in ♈︎, ♊︎, ♌︎, ♐︎, ♒︎ – 2 Swords & 1 of each of other suits
♂ (Mars):
- Valour – 7 of Wands
- Loss in Pleasure – 5 of Cups
- Material Works – 3 of Pentacles
- Perfected Success – 10 of Cups
- Dominion – 2 of Wands
- Despair & Cruelty – 9 of Swords
Or in ♈︎, ♊︎, ♌︎, ♐︎, ♒︎, ♓︎ – 2 Wands & Cups, 1 of each of other suits
(It is to be remembered that above descriptions of hair & complexion are not absolute.) ← (Note: from previous page, not this one but appears at the bottom.)
Page 136
The follow descriptions of Smaller Cards of the 4 Suits — 36 in number — answering unto the 36 Decans.
Commencing from sign ♈︎, the control decanates of the Signs follow the order of the days of the week.
| Card | Sign | Title | Planet |
| 3 of Wands | ♈︎ | Established Strength | ☉ |
| 6 of Pentacles | ♉︎ | Material Success | ☽ |
| 9 of Swords | ♊︎ | Despair & Cruelty | ♂ |
| 3 of Cups | ♋︎ | Abundance | ☿ |
| 6 of Wands | ♌︎ | Victory | ♃ |
| 9 of Pentacles | ♍︎ | Material Gain | ♀ |
| 3 of Swords | ♎︎ | Sorrow | ♄ |
| 6 of Cups | ♏︎ | Pleasure | ☉ |
| 9 of Wands | ♐︎ | Great Strength | ☉ |
| 3 of Pentacles | ♑︎ | Material Works | ♂ |
| 6 of Swords | ♒︎ | Earned Success | ☿ |
| 9 of Cups | ♓︎ | Material Happiness | ♃ |
Being the four threes, sixes & nines of wands, cups, swords & pentacles.
The first to 3rd decanates of each sign follow the same order: Sunday beginning in the 1st decanate of ♈︎, ending the 3rd decanate at ♓︎.
Page 137
The Planets govern respectively Decanates with the following titles.
☉ (Sun):
- R. Strife – 5 of Wands
- ☽ Sorrow – 3 of Swords
- ☿ Oppression – 10 of Wands
- ♀ Abundant Success – 8 of Cups
- ♂ Success multiplied – 7 of Pentacles
or in ♃, ♀, ☽, ☿, ♄ – 2 Wands & 1 of each of other suits
♃ (Jupiter):
- R. Victory – 6 of Wands
- ☽ Rest from Strife – 4 of Swords
- ☿ Harmonious Change – 2 of Pentacles
- ♀ Material Happiness – 9 of Cups
- ☿ Shortened Force – 8 of Swords
or in ♈︎, ♊︎, ♌︎, ♐︎, ♒︎ – 2 Swords & 1 of each of other suits
♂ (Mars):
- R. Valour – 7 of Wands
- ☽ Loss in pleasure – 5 of Cups
- ☿ Material Works – 3 of Pentacles
- ♀ Perfected Success – 10 of Cups
- ♄ Dominion – 2 of Wands
- ☿ Despair & Cruelty – 9 of Swords
or in ♈︎, ♊︎, ♌︎, ♐︎, ♒︎, ♓︎ – 2 Wands & Cups, one of each of other suits
Page 138
☉ (Sun)
- ♍ Prudence – 8 Pentacles
- ♎ Pleasure – 6 Cups
- ♑ Earthly Power – 4 Pentacles
- ♈ Lord of Established Strength – 3 Wands
- ♊ Ruin – 10 Swords
or in ♍ ♎ ♑ ♈ ♊ ; 2 Pentacles, one of each of the other suits
♀ (Venus)
- ♍ Material Gain – 9 Pentacles
- ♓ Happiness, Success – 7 Cups
- ♎ Despair – 5 Swords
- ♑ Perfected Work – 4 Wands
- ♋ Love – 2 Cups
or in ♍ ♓ ♎ ♑ ♋ ; 2 Cups, one of each of other suits
☿ (Mercury)
- ♍ Wealth – 10 Pentacles
- ♐ Swiftness – 8 Wands
- ♒ Earned Success – 6 Swords
- ♑ Material Trouble – 5 Pentacles
- ♋ Abundance – 3 Cups
or in ♍ ♐ ♒ ♑ ♋ ; 2 Pentacles, one of each of the other suits
Page 139
♄ (Saturn)
- ♎ Peace Restored – 2 Swords
- ♐ Great Strength – 9 Wands
- ♒ Unstable Effort – 7 Swords
- ♉ Material Success – 6 Pentacles
- ♋ Blended Pleasure – 4 Cups
or in ♎ ♐ ♒ ♉ ♋ ; 2 Swords, one of each of the other suits
Text Block Below:
There being 36 Decanates & 7 Planets, it follows that one of the latter must rule over one more decanate than the others. This is the planet of ☉, to whom the last decanate of ♓︎ & the first of ♈︎, following each other in order, are allotted; because the long cold of the winter requires a force of great energy to overcome it & initiate the spring.
And the beginning of the decanates is from the “rising star,” or “Heart of the Lion,” ♌︎ and therefore is the first decanated that of ♌︎ in ♈︎.
Page 140
The following the general meanings of the 4 Deuces, Threes, Fours, Fives, Sixes, Sevens, Eights, Nines & Tens
classed under & related respectively to the Sephiroth Chokmah, Binah, Chesed, Geburah, Tiphereth, Netzach, Hod, Yesod, & Malkuth.
The 4 Aces
Generally show the idea of the powers of the thing & Qi or Ruach just coming together; initiating the force, but before the Prince & Princess are thoroughly brought into action.
Initiatory or promontory of a thing.
The 4 Threes
Generally represent realisation of action by the Prince being produced; the central symbol on each card.
Action definitely commenced for good or evil.
The 4 Fours
Generally show perfection, realisation, completion — making a matter settled and fixed.
Page 141
The 4 Fives
Generally show opposition, strife, struggle, war, obstacles to the thing in hand.
Ultimate success or failure is otherwise shewn.
The 4 Sixes
Generally show definite accomplishment, and carrying out of a matter.
The 4 Sevens
Generally show a force which transcends the material plane, and like a crown which indeed is powerful but requires one capable of governing it.
The sevens therefore shew possible result, which is dependent on the action then taken.
They depend much on the symbols accompanying them.
The 4 Eights
Generally show solitary success; i.e. success of the matter for the time being, but not leading to much result apart from the thing itself.
Page 142
The 4 Nines
Generally shew very great fundamental force in all things. Tremendous re-centring power, because they rest on such a firm basis.
Powerful effect for good or evil.
The 4 Tens
Generally shew fixed, culminating, completed force for good or evil.
The matter thoroughly & definitely determined.
Similar to the force of the Nines, but culminating it & carrying it out.
These are the meanings of the most general sense. Here follow the more particular descriptions & meanings.
(The meanings given in parentheses are those given in Part II of extract in Opening of the Key.)
Page 143 — 21. The Lord of Strife
(5 of Wands or Torches)
Two white radiating bar ends (like hands of angels) issuing from clouds right & left of the centre of the card.
They are clasped together as in the grip of the 5° = 6° Order of the G.D., & hold at the same time by their centres 5 Wands or Torches similar in shape to the Lesser Magical Implement of the related Adept.
4 of the Wands cross each other, but the 5th is upright in the centre.
Flames leap from the point of junction.
Above the central wand is the symbol of Saturn and below that of Leo, representing the Decanate.
Violent strife and contest, boldness, rashness, cruelty, violence, lust & desire, prodigality & generosity; the whole depending on whether it is well or ill dignified.
The Decanates are always modified by the other symbols with which they are in contact.
Sephirah of 5 – (Geburah = Instability & Fighting)
This Decanate hath its beginning from the King Star or Heart of the Lion & hath the two angels of:
Schimnampaholospasch, Nelebahel & Yeyeziel (נלבהא, ייזיאל)
Page 144 — 22. The Lord of Victory (6 of Wands or Torches)
Two white radiating hands (as in the case of 5 of Wands) clasping with the grip of the 5° Order. 6 Wands crossed 3 with 3. Flames issue from the point of junction.
Above & below are two short Wands with flames issuing, surmounted respectively by the symbol of ♃ and ♌︎, representing the decanate.
Victory after Strife, success through energy and industry, love, pleasure gained by labour, carefulness in sovereignty, and avoiding of strife, yet victory.
Also insolence, pride of riches & success etc., the whole depending on the dignity.
Sephirah of 6.
Therein rule the angels of the Shemhamphorash:
Nelchael (נלךאל) and Yeyalel (ייאלאל) (“Gain”)
Page 145 — 23. The Lord of Valour (7 of Wands or Torches)
Two radiating hands (as before) clasping by the centres, with grip of First Order. 6 Wands 3 by 3, but a 3rd hand issuing from a cloud at lower part of card, holds by the lower end an upright Wand, which passes between the others.
Flames leap from point of junction.
Above & below the central Wand we have the symbols of ♂ and ♌︎, representing the Decanate.
Possible victory, depending on the energy & courage therein exercised.
Valour, opposition, difficulties & obstacles, yet courage to meet them.
Quarrelling, ignorance, pretence & wrangling & threatening; also of victory in small & unimportant matters & influence over subordinates, depending on the dignity as usual.
Netzach of 7.
Therein rule the angels of the Shemhamphorash:
Mikael (מיכאל) and Verchiel (ורכיאל) (“Opposition, yet courage”)
Page 146 – 24. The Lord of Prudence (8 of Pentacles)
A white radiating angelic hand emerging from a cloud & grasping a branch of a rose tree, with 8 white roses thereon, which touch only the lowermost pentacles. No roses are seen, but only leaves touch the four uppermost discs. All the Pentacles are similar to the pattern of the Ace, but without the Maltese cross & wings which surmount the latter; and they are arranged in the form of the geomantic figure Populus.
Above & below them are the symbols of ☉ and ♍, representing the Decanate.
Over careful in small things at the expense of great;
Further is commonly called “pennywise & pound foolish.”
It shows a gain of ready money in small sums rather than fortune.
Mean, avaricious, industrious, a cultivator of land;
given to storing & putting by; lacking in enterprise.
The whole varying with dignity as usual.
Hod of 8 final.
Therein rule the angels Yeyayel (יאיאיל) and Mehahel (מהאל)
(Skill, prudence, patience, authority, cunning.)
Page 147 – 25. Lord of Material Gain (9 of Discs or Pentacles)
A white radiating angelic hand as before, holding a rose branch, with 9 white roses, each of which touches a Pentacle.
The Pentacles are arranged in this manner & these are velveted on the branch as well as flowers.
☉ and ♍ above & below.
Complete realisation of material gain, great riches, inheritance, covetousness, gain & envy, possessive, covetous hoarding of goods, & sometimes theft and knavery.
The whole according to dignity.
Yesod of 17 final.
Therein rule the angels Aniel (עניאל) and Mevamayah (מהביה)
(Inheritance, much increase of money and goods.)
Page 142
The 4 Nines
Generally show very great fundamental force in all things. Tremendous re-centering power, because they rest on such a firm basis.
Powerful effect for good or evil.
The 4 Tens
Generally shew fixed, culminating, completed force for good or evil.
The matter thoroughly & definitely determined.
Similar to the force of the Nines, but culminating it & carrying it out.
These are the meanings of the most general sense. Here follow the more particular descriptions & meanings.
(The meanings given in parentheses are those given in Part II of extracts in Opening of the Key.)
Page 143 — 21. The Lord of Strife (5 of Wands or Torches)
Two white radiating bar ends (like hands of angels) issuing from clouds right & left of the centre of the card. They are clasped together as in the grip of the 5° = 6° Order of the G.D., and hold at the same time by their centres 5 Wands or Torches, similar in shape to the Lesser Magical Implement of the related Adept.
4 of the Wands cross each other, but the 5th is upright in the centre.
Flames leap from the point of junction.
Above the central wand is the symbol of ♄ (Saturn) and below that of ♌ (Leo) representing the Decanate.
Violent strife and contest, boldness, rashness, cruelty, violence, lust & desire, prodigality & generosity;
the whole depending on whether it is well or ill dignified.
The Decanates are always modified by the other symbols with which they are in contact.
Geburah of ♌ (Instability & Fighting)
This Decanate hath its beginning from the King Star or Heart of the Lion & hath the two angels of the Shemhamphorash:
Schimnampaholospasch, Nelebahel & Yeyeziel (נלבהאל, ייזיאל)
Page 150 – 28. The Lord of Sorrow (3 of Swords or Pikes)
Three white radiating angelic hands issuing from clouds & holding 3 Swords upright (as if the central sword had struck apart the two others which were crossed in preceding symbol).
The central sword cuts asunder the Rose of 5 petals (which in the former symbol graced the junction of the Swords).
Its petals are falling, from which rays issue from it.
Above & below also the central sword are the symbols of ♄ and ♎, referring to the Decanate.
Destruction, interruption, separation; quarrelling, sowing of discord and strife, mischief-making, sorrow, tears, yet mirth in evil pleasures;
unging? [possibly “urging”], unfaithfulness in promises, honesty in money transactions; self and accepted, yet sometimes generous;
deceitful in words and repetitions.
The whole according to dignity.
Binah of ♎.
Therein rule Rehael (רהאל) and Yeyizel (ייאיזל)
(Unhappiness, sorrow, tears.)
Page 151 – 29. The Lord of Rest from Strife (4 of Swords or Pikes)
Two white angelic radiating hands, each holding 2 swords, which form a cross in the centre.
The Rose of 5 petals with white radiations is reinstated in the point of their intersection.
Above & below, on the pommel of 2 small daggers, are the symbols of ♃ and ♎, representing the Decanate.
Rest from sorrow, yet after and through it.
Peace from and after war.
Relaxation of anxiety.
Quietness, rest, ease, and plenty, yet after struggle.
Goods of this life, abundance.
Modified by dignity as in other cases.
Chesed of ♎.
Therein rule Menadel (מנדאל) and Aniel (עניאל)
(Convalescence, recovery from sickness, change for the better.)
Page 152 — 30. The Lord of Loss in Pleasure (5 of Cups or Chalices)
A white radiating angelic hand, as before, holding lotuses or water lilies, of which the flowers are falling right & left.
Leaves only one bud, surmount them.
These lotuses stand as sent between the cups in the manner of a fountain; but no water flows therefrom, neither is there water in any of the cups, which are somewhat of the shape of the Magical Implement of the related Adept.
Above & below are the symbols of ♂ and ♏, representing the Decanate.
Death or end of pleasure.
Disappointment.
Sorrow from those things from which pleasure is expected.
Sadness, treachery, deceit, ill-will, detraction;
Charity and kindness ill-requited; all kinds of anxieties & troubles from unsuspected and unexpected sources.
Modified as usual by the dignity.
Geburah of ♏.
Therein rule Nelkhael (נלךאל) and Yeyizel (ייאיזל)
(Disappointment in love, marriage broken off, etc. Unkindness from a friend. Loss of friendship, etc.)
Page 153 — 31. The Lord of Pleasure (6 of Cups or Chalices)
An angelic hand as before holds a group of stems of Lotuses or Water-lilies from which 6 flowers bend, one over each cup.
From these flowers a white glistening water flows into the cups as from a fountain, but they are not yet full.
Above & below are the symbols of ☉ and ♏, referring to the Decanate.
Commencement of steady increase, gain & pleasure;
but commencement only.
Also affront, detection, knowledge, in some instances, contention & strife arising from inward and self-caused vanity.
Sometimes thankless and presumptuous.
Sometimes amiable & patient.
According to dignity as usual.
Tiphereth of ♏.
Therein rule Pahaliah (פהליה) and Nelkhael (נלךאל)
(Beginning of wish, happiness, success or enjoyment.)
Page 154 — 32. The Lord of Illusionary Success (7 of Cups or Chalices)
The 7 Cups are thus arranged:
CopyEdit
☋ ☋ ☋
☋ ☋ ☋
☋
A hand as usual holds lotus stems which arise from the central lower cup.
The hand is above this cup & below the middle one.
With the exception of the central lower cup, each is overshadowed by a lotus flower, but no water falls from them into any of the cups, which are all quite empty.
Above & below are the symbols of the Decanate: ♃ and ♏.
Possible victory, but neutralised by the supineness of the person.
Illusionary success.
Deception in the moment of apparent victory.
Lying.
Errors.
Promises unfulfilled.
Drunkenness, wrath, vanity, lust, fornication, violence against women, selfish dissipation & deception in love & friendship.
Often success gained, but not followed up.
Modified by dignity.
Netzach of ♏
Therein rule Vehuel (והואל) and Daniel (דניאל)
(Hopes & promises unfulfilled, illusionary, deception, etc., slight success at outset, but want of energy to bring it through.)
Page 155 — 33. The Lord of Swiftness (8 of Wands or Torches)
Four white angelic radiating hands (two proceeding from each side) issuing from clouds, clasped in two pairs in the centre with the grip of First Order.
They hold 8 Wands crossed 4 with 4.
Flowers issue from the point of junction.
Surmounting 2 small wands with flames issuing from them, placed in the centre at the top and bottom of the card respectively.
Also the symbols of ☿ and ♐, representing the Decanate.
Too much force applied suddenly.
Very rapid rush, but quickly passed and expended.
Violent, but not lasting.
Swiftness, rapidity, courage, boldness, confidence, freedom, warfare, violence; love of open air, fields, sports, gardens and meadows.
Generous, subtle, eloquent, yet somewhat untrustworthy; rapacious, insolent, oppressive.
Theft, robbery.
According to dignity, as usual.
Hod of ♐
Therein rule Nithael (נתאל) and Mebahiah (מביהיה)
(Hasty communications and messages. Swiftness.)
Page 156 — 34. The Lord of Great Strength (9 of Wands or Torches)
Four hands, as in the previous symbol, holding 8 Wands crossed 4 by 4.
But a fifth hand at the foot of the card holds another upright which touches the point of junction of the others.
Flowers leap therefrom.
Above & below the symbols of ☽ and ♐.
Tremendous and steady force that cannot be shaken.
Tremendous strength, yet sometimes scientifically applied.
Great success, but with strife & energy.
Victory, yet usually preceded by apprehension and very fear.
Health, good recovery, yet doubt.
Sensuous, questioning & curious; fond of external appearances, untrackable, obstinate etc.
According to dignity.
Yesod of ♐
Therein rule Yirthiel (ירתיאל) and Saitel (שייתאל)
(Strength, power, health, recovery from sickness.)
Page 157 — 35. The Lord of Oppression (10 of Wands or Torches)
Four hands holding 8 Wands crossed as before, a 5th hand holding 2 Wands upright, which traverse the point of joining.
Flames issue.
Above & below ♄ & ♐.
Cruel and overbearing force, and energy applied only to material & selfish ends.
Sometimes shows failure in a matter, opposition too strong to be controlled arising from persons too great, or selfishness in the beginning.
Ill-will, levity, lying, malice & slander, envy, obstinacy, swiftness in evil, deceit.
Also sometimes self-sacrifice and disinterestedness.
Whole depending on dignity.
Malkuth of ♐
Therein rule Achaiah (אחיה) and Menadel (מנדאל)
(Cruelty, malice towards others, revenge, injustice.)
Page 158 — 36. Lord of Harmonious Change (2 of Discs or Pentacles)
2 wheels, discs or pentacles, exactly similar to the body of that of the Ace.
They are united by a green & gold serpent bound about them like a figure of 8.
It holds the tail in its mouth.
A white radiating Angelic hand grasps the centre of the whole.
No rose enters into this card.
Above & below are ♃ and ♑.
Also a revolving symbol.
The harmony of change.
Alternation of gain & loss.
Weakness & strength; ever-changing in occupation, wandering, discontented with any fixed condition of things.
Now elated with joy, now cast down with melancholy, industrious yet unreliable; fortunate, then unfortunate in managers of business, yet sometimes unaccountably foolish; alternately talkative & suspicious, kind yet wavering & inconsistent, fortunate in partnership, argumentative; the whole modified by dignity.
Chokmah of ♑ final.
Therein rule Lecabel (לקבל) and Vasariah (וסריה)
(Pleasant change, visit to friends, etc.)
Page 159 — 37. Lord of Material Works (3 of Discs or Pentacles)
A white rayed Angelic hand, as before, holding branch of a rose tree, of which 2 white rosebuds touch & surround the topmost pentacle.
The latter are arranged in a triangle thus:
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- ●
Above & below are ♇ and ♑.
Working, constructive force, building up, erection, creation, realization & increase of material things.
Gain in commercial transaction, rank, increase of substance, influence, cleverness in business, selfishness, commencement of any matter to be established later.
Narrow & prejudicial, keen in matters of gain.
The whole depends on dignity — sometimes given to seeking after impossibilities.
Binah of ♑ final.
Therein rule Keterel (כתריאל) and Hechashiah (החשיה)
(Business, paid employment, commercial transactions.)
Page 160 — 38. Lord of Earthly Power (4 of Discs or Pentacles)
A hand holding branch of Rose tree but without flowers or buds, save that in the centre is one fully blown white rose.
Four petals thus:
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- ●
○
- ●
☉ & ♑ above & below.
Assured material gain, success, dominion, earthly power completed, but leading to nothing beyond, sometimes covetous, suspicious, careful & orderly, but discontented, little enterprise or originality.
According to dignity.
Chesed of ♑ final.
Therein rule Kekaviel (ככאל) and Mundiel (מנדיאל)
(Gain of money & influence — a present).
Page 161 — 39. Lord of Defeat (5 of Swords or Spades)
Two hand Angelic hands, each holding 2 swords, but falling apart from each other, one right & one left of the card.
A third hand holds a sword upright in the centre as if it had disunited them.
The petals of the rose (which as 4 of swords had been reinstated in centre) are torn asunder & falling.
Above & below are ♀ and ♒.
Contest finished, decided against the person; anxiety, trouble, poverty, avarice, grieving after gain, laborious, unrewarding.
Loss & violence of native, malicious, slanderous, lying, spiteful, tale-bearing, a cowardly & reproachful person, hating the peace or love between others.
Cruel yet cowardly, thankless, unreliable, clever & quick in thought & speech.
Feelings of pity easily aroused but unenduring.
The whole according to dignity.
Geburah of ♒
Therein rule Cahetel (כהתאל) and Asaliah (עשאליה)
(Defeat, loss, malice, spite, slander & evil-speaking.)
- Lord of Earned Success (6 of Swords, Pikes or Spades)
Two hands as before, each holding 3 swords which cross in the centre.
Rose re-established here on ♀ and ♒ above & below, supported on points of two short daggers or swords.
Success after anxiety & trouble.
Self-esteem, beauty, conceit, but sometimes modesty therewith.
Endurance, patience, labour etc.
According to dignity.
Tiphereth of ♒.
Therein rule Leuviah (לֵאוּוִיָה) and Pahaliah (פהליה)
(Labours, work, journeys by water)
- Lord of Unstable Effort (7 of Swords, Pikes or Spades)
Two angelic radiating hands as before, each holding 3 swords.
A 3rd hand holds up a single sword in the centre.
The points of all the swords just touch each other, the central sword not altogether dividing them.
The rose of the previous symbols of this suit is held up by the same hand which holds the central sword, as if the victory were in its disposal.
Above & below are ♄ and ♒
(On the small cards the lunar decans are represented by a crescent on the back, as shown.)
Partial success, yielding when victory is within grasp, as if the last reserves of strength were used up.
Inclination to lose when on the point of gaining, through not continuing the effort.
Love of abundance, fascinated by display, given to compliments, affronts, indolence & deceit.
A spy upon others.
Inclined to betray confidences — not always intentionally.
Rather vacillating & unreliable.
According to dignity.
Netzach of ♒.
Therein rule Rehael (רהאל) and Yeiazel (יאזאל)
(Journeys by land. In character: untrustworthy)
- Lord of Abandoned Success (8 of Cups or Chalices)
A white radiating angelic hand holding a group of stems of lotuses or water lilies.
There are only two flowers shown, which bend over the two central cups, pouring into them a white water which fills them & runs over into the 3 lowest, which latter cups are not yet filled.
The 3 uppermost are quite empty.
At the top & bottom of the card are the symbols of ♓ and ♄.
Temporarily success, but without further results.
Things thrown aside, as soon as gained.
Not lasting, even in the matter in hand.
Abandoned success.
Journeying from place to place.
Misery and repining without cause.
Seeking after riches.
Instability.
Hod of ♓.
Therein rule Vavaliah (והוויה) and Yeliyel (יליאל)
(Success abandoned. Decline of interest in a thing.)
- Lord of Material Happiness (9 of Cups or Chalices)
Angelic white radiating hand issuing from a cloud, holding Lotuses or Water-lilies as usual, one flower of which overhangs each cup & from which a white water pours.
All the cups are full & running over.
Above & below are ♓ and ♃ representing the decanate.
Complete & perfected realization of pleasure & happiness.
Almost perfect.
Applause, vanity, conceit.
Much talking of self, yet kind, lovable & even self-denying nature therewith.
High-minded.
Not readily satisfied with small & limited ideas.
Much maligned, partly through too much self-assumption.
A good & generous, but sometimes foolish nature.
Modified by dignity.
Yesod of ♓.
Therein rule Saliah (סאליה) & Ariel (עריאל)
(Completed success; pleasure & happiness; wishes fulfilled.)
- Lord of Perfected Success (10 of Cups or Chalices)
Hand as usual holding bunch of Lotuses or Water lilies, whose flowers pour a white water into all the cups, which all run over.
The uppermost cup is held sideways by a hand, & pours water into the left and uppermost cups.
A single lotus flower surmounts the top cup & is the source of the water that fills it.
Above & below are ♓ and ♃ (representing the Decanate).
Permaned & lasting success & happiness, because inspired from above.
Not so sensual as No. 43 “Lord of Material Happiness”, yet almost more truly happy.
Pleasure, dissipation, debauchery, questions, peacemaking, kindness, pity, generosity, wantoness, waste etc.
According to dignity.
Malkuth of ♓.
Therein rule Yud-Lev-Yud (י.ל.י) & Vav-Shin-Ayin (ו.ש.ע)
(Matters definitely arranged in accordance with one’s wishes. Completed good fortune.)
- The Lord of Dominion (2 of Wands or Torches)
A white radiating angelic hand issuing from clouds and grasping two crossed Wands.
Flames issue from point of junction.
On two small wands above & below with flames of fire issuing therefrom, are ♄ and ♈ representing the Decanate.
Strength, domination; harmony of rule & justice.
Boldness, courage, fierceness, shamelessness, revenge, resolution; generous, proud — sometimes ambitious (refined), restless, turbulent, regal in method, yet unforgiving & obstinate (according to dignity).
Chokmah of ♄.
Therein rule He-He-Ayin (ה.ה.ע) and Zayin-Yod-Yod (ז.י.י)
(Influence over others, authority, power, dominion.)
- Lord of Established Strength (3 of Wands or Torches)
A white radiating angelic hand, as before, issuing from clouds & grasping 3 wands in the centre (2 closed & the 3rd upright).
Flames issue from the point of junction.
Above & below are the symbols of ☉ (Sun) and ♈ (Aries), representing the Decanate.
Established force, strength, realisation of hope, completion of labour.
Success after struggle.
Pride, nobility, wealth, power, conceit.
Rude self-assumption and violence.
Generosity, obstinacy etc.
According to dignity.
Binah of ☉.
Therein rule Samech-Caph-Resh (ס.כ.ר) and Heh-Vav-Vav (ה.ו.ו)
(Pride, arrogance, self-assertion, etc.)
- Lord of the Perfected Work (4 of Wands or Torches)
Two white radiating angelic hands, issuing from clouds right & left of card, & clasped in centre with grip of First Order, holding 4 Wands or Torches closed.
Flames issue from point of junction.
Above & below, on two small flaming wands, ♄ and ♈.
Perfection, or completion of a thing built up with trouble and labour.
Rest after labour.
Subtlety, cleverness, beauty, mirth, success in completion.
Reasoning faculty, conclusions drawn from previous knowledge.
Unreliableness, unsteadily through over anxiety, hollowness of acting, ungraceful manner.
At times insincere etc. (depending on dignity)
Chesed of ☉.
Therein rule Beth-Tzaddi-Aleph (ב.צ.א) and Zayin-Samekh-Tzaddi (ז.ס.צ)
(Settlement, arrangement, completory.)
- Lord of Material Trouble (5 of Discs or Pentacles)
White radiating angelic hand holding a branch of a white rose tree, but from which 5 roses are falling, leaving no buds behind.
Five pentacles similar to Ace.
♄ and ♉.
Loss of money or position. Trouble in material things.
Labour, toil, cultivation of land, building, wisdom and acuteness in earthly things.
Poverty, carefulness, kindness, sometimes money loss regained after severe toil & labour.
Unimaginative, harsh, stern, determined, obstinate etc.
Geburah of ♀ final.
Therein rule Mem-Vav-Resh (מ.ו.ר) and Samekh-Samekh-Yod (ס.ס.י)
(Loss of profession – loss of money, monetary anxiety.)
- Lord of Material Success (6 of Discs or Pentacles)
White radiating hand holds a white rose branch with white roses & buds, each of which touches a Pentacle.
Latter are thus arranged:
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◯ ◯
◯ ◯
◯ ◯
♃ and ♉.
Success & gain in material undertakings.
Power, influence, rank, nobility, rule over the people.
Fortunate, successful, liberal, just etc.
Sometimes insolent from success, prodigal and purse proud.
Tiphereth of ♀ final.
Therein rule Yod-Zayin-Lamed (י.ז.ל) and Bet-Mem-Dalet (ב.מ.ד)
(Success in material things. Prosperity in business.)
- Lord of Success Unfulfilled (7 of Discs or Pentacles)
White angelic radiating hand issuing from a cloud, holding a white rose branch. Only 5 white buds, which overhang but do not touch the 5 uppermost pentacles, but no other buds are shown & none are near or touch the 2 lowest pentacles.
Symbols: ♄ and ♉.
Promise of success unfulfilled (shown in the symbolizing of rosebuds which do not, as it were, come to anything).
Loss of apparently promising fortune. Hopes deceived and crushed.
Disappointment, misery, slavery, necessity, and baseness.
A cultivator of land, and a loser thereby. Sometimes it denotes slight & isolated gains with no fruits resulting therefrom & of no further account though promising well.
Netzach of ♀ final.
Therein rule: Zayin-Zayin-He (ז.ז.ה) and Zayin-He-He (ז.ה.ה)
(Unprofitable speculations or employments, little gain & much labour therewith.)
- Lord of Shortened Force (8 of Swords, Pikes or Spears)
Four white radiating angelic hands issuing from clouds as usual, each holding 2 swords, points uppermost; all touch at the points near top of card.
Two of the hands are at the right-hand side of lower part of card & two at left.
The Rose of the other sword symbols is again reestablished in the centre.
Symbols: ♄ and ♊.
Too much force applied to small things; too much attention to detail at expense of principal & most important points.
When ill-dignified, these qualities produce malice, pettiness, domineering qualities.
Also patience in details of study, great care in some things, counterbalanced by equal disorder in others.
Impulsive, equally fond of giving or receiving money & presents, generous, yet not prodigal, clever, acute, calculating; selfish, without very strong feelings of affection.
An admirer of wisdom, yet apt to apply it to small & unworthy things.
Hod of ♀.
Therein rule Yod-Kaph-Mem (י.כ.מ) and Yod-Zayin-Lamed (י.ז.ל)
(Narrow or restricted. Petty. A prison.)
- Lord of Despair and Cruelty (9 of Swords, Pikes or Spears)
Four hands (mounted as in preceding symbol) hold 8 swords nearly upright, but with points falling away from each other. A 5th hand holds a 9th Sword upright in the centre, as if it had disunited them or struck them asunder.
No rose at all is shown (as if it were not merely cut in pieces, but completely and definitely destroyed).
♃ and ♊
Despair, cruelty, pitilessness, malice, suffering, want, loss, misery.
Burden, oppression, labour.
Subtlety and craft, dishonesty, lying, slander.
Yet also obedience, faithfulness, patience, unselfishness, etc.
Yesod of ♀.
Therein rule: Tzadi-Tzadi-Resh (צ.צ.ר) and Samekh-Yod-Tet (ס.י.ט)
(Illness, suffering, malice, cruelty, pain).
- The Lord of Ruin (10 of Swords, Pikes or Spears)
Four hands hold 8 swords, but with points falling away from each other.
Two hands hold 2 swords crossed in centre (as if their function had disunited the others).
No rose, flower, or bud is shown.
☉ and ♊
(Almost a worse symbol than 9 of Swords.)
Undisciplined warring force, complete disruption & failure.
Ruin of all plans & projects.
Disdain.
Insolence & impatience yet mirth & folly therewith; a madcap trying to overthrow the happiness of others; a repeater of things, queer to much unprofitable speech, and of many words.
Yet clever, acute, eloquent etc.
Malkuth of ♀.
Therein rule: Peh-Samekh-Kaph (פ.ס.כ) and Dalet-Tet-Yod (ד.ט.י)
(Ruin, death, defeat, destruction.)
- The Lord of Love (2 of Cups or Chalices)
An angelic white radiating hand at lower part of card, issuing from a cloud, holds lotuses. A lotus flower rises above water which occupies lowest part of card, & rises above the hand which holds the lotus.
From this lotus flower a stem rises terminating near the top of the card in another lotus or water-lily flower from which a white water gushes like a fountain.
Crossed on the stem just beneath are two Dolphins, gold & silver, in to which the water falls, & from which it pours in full streams and fine jets of gold & silver into the two cups, which in their turn overflow, flooding the lower part of the card.
♋ and ♀
Harmony of masculine & feminine united.
Harmony, pleasure, happiness, love, dominance,
sensuality, kindness, mirth, well-being; sometimes folly, dissipation, waste & silly actions.
Chokmah of ♃
Therein rule: Zayin-Lamed-Tzadi (ז.ל.צ) and Heh-Vav-Yod-Heh (ה.ו.י.ה)
(Marriage, love, pleasure)
- The Lord of Abundance (3 of Cups or Chalices)
White radiating hand holds a group of lotuses or water-lilies from which 2 flowers rise on either side of & overhang the top cup, pouring into it the white water.
Flowers in the same way pour white water into the two lower cups.
All the cups overflow; the topmost into the two others, & those upon the lowest part of the card.
♋ and ☿
Abundance, plenty, success, pleasure, sensuality, fecundity, passive success, good luck & fortune, love, gladness, kindness, bounty.
Binah of ♃
Therein rule: Yod-Bet-Tav-Heh (י.ב.ת.ה) and Tzadi-Kaf-Tav-Gimel (צ.כ.ת.ג)
(Plenty, hospitality, eating & drinking, pleasure, dancing, new clothes, merriment)
- Lord of Blended Pleasure (4 of Cups or Chalices)
Four cups. Two uppermost overflow into two lower, which latter do not overflow.
An angelic hand holds a lotus branch from which ascends a stem bearing one flower at top of card, from which the white water issues into the two top cups.
From centre two leaves go right and left, making as it were a + between the 4 Cups. ♋ and ☽
Success, pleasure, etc. approaching an end.
A stationary period in happiness, which may or may not continue.
A does not show love or marriage so much as the previous symbols.
A is too passive a symbol to represent perfectly complete happiness.
Slightness, hunting, pursuing.
Acquisition of good by contentment & blended emotions.
Generally some drawbacks to the pleasure implied.
Chesed of ♃. Therein rule ה.ת.ר and כ.ו.מ.ת
(Received pleasure, yet some slight discomfort & anxieties therewith. Blended pleasure and success.)
It is to be noted that though the Shemhamphorash Angels are here linked with the Decanates, yet that their dominion is far more extended and important than this would at first sight seem to imply.
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