Kabbalistic Symbology of Tarot Cards

Tarot cards serve as powerful tools for divination and self-discovery. Beneath the vibrant images and enigmatic symbols lies a vast array of Kabbalistic wisdom, adding depth and nuance to the art of tarot reading. In this article, we explore the profound relationship between tarot cards and Kabbalistic symbology, unraveling the secrets that connect the microcosm of the cards to the macrocosm of the Kabbalah. I will also give you some tips on how to get started with the cards if they are new to you.

Understanding Tarot Cards:

Major Arcana

Minor Arcana

Before delving into the Kabbalistic aspects, it's essential to grasp the fundamental structure of tarot cards. A standard tarot deck consists of 78 cards, divided into two main categories: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana comprises 22 cards, each representing significant life events and archetypal energies. Meanwhile, the Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards, categorized into four suits—Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles—each corresponding to different aspects of daily life.

Kabbalistic Symbology:

Tree of Life

The Kabbalah, an ancient mystical system of esotericism, provides a profound framework for understanding the symbolic language embedded in my mystical alchemy tarot cards. The Tree of Life, a central concept in Kabbalistic philosophy, serves as a map to comprehend the interconnectedness of the divine and the material realms. This sacred tree is divided into ten spheres, known as Sephiroth, which are connected by 22 paths, coinciding with the 22 cards of the Major Arcana. You will see which path each of the cards in my tarot pack corresponds with at the bottom right hand of the major arcana cards.

Correspondences Between Tarot and Kabbalah:

The Fool's Journey: The Fool's Journey through the Major Arcana mirrors the soul's ascent through the Sephiroth on the Tree of Life. Starting as an innocent wanderer (The Fool), the journey unfolds through various experiences and archetypal encounters until reaching enlightenment (The World).

The Four Suits: Each suit in the Minor Arcana corresponds to one of the four worlds in Kabbalah: Atziluth (Fire/Wands), Briah (Water/Cups), Yetzirah (Air/Swords), and Assiah (Earth/Pentacles). These associations deepen the understanding of the elemental forces at play in each suit. These 4 worlds, suits, and elements correspond to the Tetragrammaton YHVH. As do the court cards (Princess, Prince, Queen, King). These cards represent different aspects of the human experience and the divine attributes.

Numerology: Numerology is a shared language between tarot and Kabbalah. The numbers assigned to each card hold significance, aligning with the mystical meanings associated with the Sephiroth and paths on the Tree of Life.

Practical Tips for Reading Tarot with Kabbalistic Insight:

Meditation and Visualization: Before a reading, engage in meditative practices to connect with your higher self and if you are doing a reading about your spiritual path also focus on the energies of the Tree of Life. Visualize the Sephiroth and paths as you shuffle the cards, inviting a deeper connection to the Kabbalistic symbology. Or if you seek the answer to a question can focus on that question as you shuffle.

When you are ready you can then spread the cards out on a table face down using your left hand.

When using your left hand draw a card, or if you are doing a spread draw as many cards as you need. A basic spread is 2 cards, the 1st one represents the past situation, the 2nd the present, and the 3rd the future. But you can find much more in-depth spreads by searching online, or you can indeed create your own. Always remember that this is your journey and you have the freedom to use the cards in whatever way works best for you.

Study Correspondences: If you familiarize yourself with the correspondences between the tarot cards and the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. Understanding these connections will enhance the depth and accuracy of your readings. But not just Kabbalistic correspondences, look into the chakras, the elements, astrology, and anything else that interests you. You can get very in-depth once you start to make your own table of correspondences.

You can use the cards in conjunction with scrying the aethyrs and keeping records to help you on your path to illumination. I cover how to scry the aethyrs in my Secrets of the Serpent Bloodline book.

On my own tarot cards, I will break down what each thing on the card means, 

Major Arcana cards have at the top the name of the card and the card number in Roman numerals. At the bottom, we have the card planetary association, the Hebrew letter it corresponds with, and its path number on the Tree of Life.

Minor Arcana cards have their name at the top and at the bottom, they have a descriptive word that is the overall meaning of that card.

The court cards and the Aces just have their name, they are special cards that represent people or strong emanations within their element.

So

By merging the ancient wisdom of the Kabbalah with the intuitive art of tarot reading, practitioners can unlock profound insights and spiritual guidance. The symbiotic relationship between tarot cards and Kabbalistic principles adds a layer of depth to this mystical journey, inviting seekers to explore the interconnected realms of the divine and the human psyche.

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