The Latin Tarot Key: The Pythagorean Letter-Number Origins of the Trumps
From Tarotpedia
[edit] THE LATIN TAROT KEY: The Pythagorean Letter-Number Origins of the Trumps
[edit] Author
Todd O'Brien
[edit] Publication details
ISBN To be added
[edit] Date of Publication
2008 (Online Chapter: July 7, 2007)
[edit] Publisher
Tarocchi Books
[edit] THE LATIN NAMES OF THE TRUMPS
"The Tarot speaks in the language of symbols, the language of the unconscious, and when approached in the right manner it may open doors into the hidden reaches of the soul." Alfred Douglas
During the mid-fifteenth century, the first Tarot decks began to appear in the royal courts of Renaissance Italy. By definition, a Tarot deck is a traditional set of playing cards to which a fifth suit, known as the Trumps, has been added. The Trumps consist of twenty-two cards which depict symbolic images and were originally both unnumbered and unnamed. The oldest and most complete Tarot deck is the Visconti-Sforza set which was created around 1450 AD. Within the span of one hundred years, however, the original meanings of the Trumps were obscured. In 1550 AD, the Italian poet Flavio Alberti Lollio wrote that the symbolic images of the Trumps were no longer understood. Shortly after, a French deck created by Catalin Geoffroy numbered the Trumps from zero to twenty-one. In the nineteenth century, the Trumps were first connected to the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Therefore, it appears that the traditional numbering sequence of the Trumps and their connection to the Hebrew alphabet were both established after the original meanings were lost.
There are various systems of symbolic correspondences which have been developed for the Hebrew letters, Greek letters, Nordic runes, and Celtic oghams. Curiously, a similar system was never created for the Latin alphabet. According to the Swedish scholar Sigurd Agrell, however, the twenty-two Trumps were originally linked to the Latin letters. He maintained that each Trump originally had a Latin name and the initial letter of each name corresponded to a letter of the Latin alphabet. Although the Latin alphabet has twenty-three letters, there are no Latin words that begin with the letter ‘Y’, as it was used only for the transliteration of Greek words. Therefore, by removing the letter ‘Y’, the Latin alphabet was reduced to twenty-two letters which corresponded to the number of Trumps. Below are the twenty-two Latin names of the Trumps alongside their corresponding modern names.
LATIN NAMES OF TRUMPS WITH CORRESPONDING MODERN NAMES
1. Apis...........................Fool
2. Bacatus-Typhon.............Magician
3. Caeles-Isis..........High Priestess
4. Diana.......................Empress
5. Eon.........................Emperor
6. Flamen..................High Priest
7. Gaudium......................Lovers
8. Hamaxa......................Chariot
9. Justitia....................Justice
10. Kronos......................Hermit
11. Libera............Wheel of Fortune
12. Magnitudo.................Strength
13. Noxa....................Hanged Man
14. Orcus........................Death
15. Pluvia..................Temperance
16. Quirinus.....................Devil
17. Ruina........................Tower
18. Stellae.......................Star
19. Trina.........................Moon
20. Victor-Unus....................Sun
21. Xiphias...................Judgment
22. Zodiacus..................Universe
THE PYTHAGOREAN LETTER-NUMBER ORIGINS OF THE TRUMPS
“The Tarot is Symbolism; it speaks no other language and offers no other signs. Given the true meaning of its emblems, they become a kind of alphabet which is capable of indefinite combinations and makes true sense in all. On the highest plane it offers a Key to the Mysteries, in a manner which is not arbitrary and has not been read in.” A.E. Waite
According to the Romans, the divinatory goddess Carmenta fashioned the Latin letters from the Greek letters. Similarly, scholars maintain that the Latin alphabet was derived from the Greek alphabet through the Etruscans. Therefore, Agrell concluded that the creators of the Tarot adopted the symbolic meanings of the Greek letters for the Latin letters. Below are the twenty-two Latin names of the Trumps alongside the symbolic meanings of the twenty-four letters of the Greek alphabet.
LATIN NAMES OF TRUMPS WITH SYMBOLIC MEANINGS OF THE GREEK LETTERS
1. Apis (Fool)...........................Bull (Alpha)
2. Bacatus-Typhon (Magician).............Adversary/Duality (Beta)
3. Caeles-Isis (High Priestess)..........Divine (Gamma)
4. Diana (Empress).......................Four Elements (Delta)
5. Eon (Emperor).........................Æther/Quintessence (Epsilon)
6. Flamen (High Priest)..................Sacrifice (Zeta)
7. Gaudium (Lovers)......................Joy/Love (Eta)
8. Hamaxa (Chariot)......................Crystal Heaven/Eighth Sphere (Theta)
9. Justitia (Justice)....................Destiny/Ananke (Iota)
10. Kronos (Hermit)......................Time/Kronos (Kappa)
11. Libera (Wheel of Fortune)............Plant Growth (Lambda)
12. Magnitudo (Strength).................Trees (Mu)
13. Noxa (Hanged Man)....................Moon/Hekate (Nu)
14. Orcus (Death)........................Stars (Xi)
15. Pluvia (Temperance)..................Sun (Omicron)
16. Quirinus (Devil).....................Solar Halo (Pi)
17. Ruina (Tower)........................Feminine Creative (Rho)
18. Stellae (Star).......................Psychopomp (Sigma)
19. Trina (Moon).........................Human Being (Tau)
20. Victor-Unus (Sun)....................Water/Flow (Ypsilon)
21. Xiphias (Judgment)...................Phallus (Phi)
22. Zodiacus (Universe)..................Cosmos (Chi)
23. --- .................................Heavenly Light (Psi)
24. --- .................................Abundance (Omega)
I have determined that the creators of the Tarot exchanged the symbolic meanings for exactly five pairs of Latin letters. Moon/Hekate was more equivalent to the nineteenth Latin letter (Trina) and conversely, Human Being was the best match for the thirteenth Latin letter (Noxa). Therefore, Moon/Hekate was switched with Human Being. In addition, Sun was exchanged with Water/Flow, Stars was switched with Psychopomp, Solar Halo was exchanged with Phallus, and Sacrifice was switched with Heavenly Light. Finally, the symbolic meanings of Sacrifice (Psi) and Abundance (Omega) were unused, since they were specifically utilized with a twenty-four letter alphabet. Below are the Latin names of the Trumps with the revised sequence of symbolic meanings.
LATIN NAMES OF THE TRUMPS WITH REVISED SYMBOLIC MEANINGS
1. Apis (Fool)..........................Bull (Alpha)
2. Bacatus-Typhon (Magician)............Adversary/Duality (Beta)
3. Caeles-Isis (High Priestess).........Divine (Gamma)
4. Diana (Empress)......................Four Elements (Delta)
5. Eon (Emperor)........................Æther/Quintessence (Epsilon)
6. Flamen (High Priest).................Heavenly Light (Psi)
7. Gaudium (Lovers).....................Joy/Love (Eta)
8. Hamaxa (Chariot).....................Crystal Heaven/Eighth Sphere (Theta)
9. Justitia (Justice)...................Destiny/Ananke (Iota)
10. Kronos (Hermit).....................Time/Kronos (Kappa)
11. Libera (Wheel of Fortune)...........Plant Growth (Lambda)
12. Magnitudo (Strength)................Trees (Mu)
13. Noxa (Hanged Man)...................Human Being (Tau)
14. Orcus (Death).......................Psychopomp (Sigma)
15. Pluvia (Temperance).................Water/Flow (Ypsilon)
16. Quirinus (Devil)....................Phallus (Phi)
17. Ruina (Tower).......................Feminine Creative (Rho)
18. Stellae (Star)......................Stars (Xi)
19. Trina (Moon)........................Moon/Hekate (Nu)
20. Victor-Unus (Sun)...................Sun (Omicron)
21. Xiphias (Judgment)..................Solar Halo (Pi)
22. Zodiacus (Universe) ................Cosmos (Chi)
Since the sixth century BC, the Greeks utilized the letters of the alphabet to represent numbers. They developed three different types of letter-number systems: the Herodianic, the Milesian, and the ordinal. Building upon the theory proposed by Agrell, it is my contention that the creators of the Tarot incorporated the Greek ordinal letter-number system with the Latin alphabet. This means that the Trumps originally corresponded to the numbers 1-22. In addition, the word ‘Trump’ is derived from ‘triumph’ which means “to succeed”, “to be successful” and “succession”. Accordingly, the Trumps represent the succession of numbers: 1, 2, 3, etcetera. Each number “triumphs” over the preceding number. Furthermore, the Pythagoreans maintained the only truly universal language was mathematics. Therefore, they regarded Number as Divine. The various divinities of different mythologies were understood by the Pythagorean mind as *symbols* which ultimately reflected the essences and qualities of different numbers. I propose that this is the true foundation upon which the Tarot rests. What is more, Pythagoras established an academy in Croton, Italy during the sixth century BC. Nearly two thousand years later, the Renaissance first blossomed in Italy after the rediscovery of mystical knowledge and philosophical texts from the ancient world. In addition, it was during this exact time and place, Renaissance Italy, that the Tarot first emerged. Furthermore, it makes perfect sense that the Tarot, which originally appeared in Italy, would be connected with the Latin alphabet!
THE KEY TO THE TRUMPS
“The Tarot is a monumental and singular work, simple and strong as the architecture of the pyramids, and in consequence, as durable: it is a book which is the sum of all the sciences and whose infinite permutations are capable of solving all problems; a book which informs by making one think; it is perhaps the greatest masterpiece of the human mind, and certainly one of the most beautiful things handed down by Antiquity.” Eliphas Levi
It is important to note that although the Trumps depict symbolic images which correspond to various gods and goddesses, these representations were to be properly interpreted as Pythagorean symbols which represented the mystical essences of Number. That is, the Latin letter-numbers do not symbolize gods and goddesses – it is the other way around - the gods and goddesses symbolize Latin letter-numbers. Pythagoras was renowned as a brilliant mathematician who founded the Greek philosophical tradition as well as an enlightened mystic who composed poetry under the name Orpheus. Accordingly, the Trumps represent the union of number and letter. In addition, the twenty-two Trumps incorporated the visual shapes of the letters into their symbolic meanings, forming a type of "Latin hieroglyphs." After applying these symbolic correspondences to the Visconti-Sforza Tarot, the oldest and most complete deck, the original meanings of the Trumps are finally revealed!
[edit] Trump A
1. APIS ~ The Latin name of the first Trump is Apis which corresponds to the letter ‘A’, the number 1, and the symbolic meaning of ‘bull’. Originally, the letter ‘A’ formed the head of a bull as the modern letter is an upside-down version of its Phoenician counterpart. During the Bronze Age, the bull was the most important resource of the agricultural communities which flourished throughout the Fertile Crescent. Consequently, it was placed at the beginning of the original zodiac invented by the the Babylonian magi, the first astronomers. Similar to other alphabets, the bull was the initial “letter” in the heavenly zodiac. In ancient Egypt, the most important bull god was Apis and he was worshipped as the physical manifestation of the fertility god Osiris. In addition, Apis was an epithet of Osiris who was also known as the ‘Bull of the Underworld’. In the XVIIIth Dynasty, the Egyptian priests of Memphis united the sacrificial bull god Apis and the resurrected god Osiris into one deity known as Asar-Hapi who was frequently depicted with the head of a bull. During the Hellenistic period, he became the Supreme God of Alexandria and was more commonly known by the Greek form of his name: Serapis. As with Osiris, Serapis was also known by the epithet Apis. He was the ultimate One God who symbolized the unifying principle of the number 1. In addition, Serapis personified the union of spirit and matter. He assimilated several other Greek gods such as Hades, Zeus, Dionysus, Helios, and Asclepius. The title ‘Pantheus’ was added to his name, thus identifying him as “Serapis the All-God.” He was frequently depicted in human form with a ruddy complexion. Serapis was associated with grain and was often shown with sheaves of corn emerging from a basket-shaped headdress. In addition, he was sometimes portrayed with a seven-rayed crown symbolizing spiritual illumination. In the Visconti-Sforza image, these two symbols are merged and Serapis is depicted with seven corn sheaves rising from the top of his head. He also holds a nilometer, an instrument used to measure the level of the flooding Nile. Furthermore, he was depicted wearing the cloak of a beggar which corresponded to the rough smock worn by first-time initiates seeking enlightenment in the Mysteries.
[edit] Trump B
2. BACATVS-TYPHON ~ The Latin name of the second Trump is Bacatus-Typhon which corresponds to the letter ‘B’, the number 2, and the symbolic meaning of ‘duality’ and ‘adversary’. The letter ‘B’ symbolizes both division and duality as it is divided into two parts, the lower half forming a reflection or shadow of the upper half. Similarly, the number 2 symbolizes twins and polarity. This corresponds to the Egyptian god Set, the brother of Osiris who represented his “shadow” or dark twin. Osiris and Set symbolized the eternal struggle between the waxing sun and the waning sun, light and darkness, order and chaos, moisture and dryness, spirit and matter. Set murdered Osiris and scattered the pieces of his body across Egypt which symbolized the division of unity. In addition, the physical realm was considered to be a reflection or shadow of the spiritual realm. Since Osiris was the ruler of the spiritual realm, therefore, Set was the ruler the physical world which made him the Lord of Illusion. Accordingly, the Visconti-Sforza image depicted him as a Magician. Furthermore, he is wearing red clothing, as Set was known as the ‘Red One’ due to his adversarial nature. Set was identified with the monstrous Typhon who commanded the revolt against the Olympians. He was the largest dragon ever born and symbolized chaos, rebellion, and anarchy. The Latin word 'bacatus' means “set with pearls” or simply “pearl” as dragons were the guardians of magic pearls.
[edit] Trump C
3. CAELES-ISIS ~ The Latin name of the third Trump is Caeles-Isis (Latin: Heavenly Isis) which corresponds to the letter ‘C’, the number 3, and the symbolic meaning of ‘divine’. The letter ‘C’ forms the shape of a waning crescent, the third visible phase of the moon. Since ancient times, the number 3 has been regarded as sacred because the heavenly moon has three visible phases: waxing, full, and waning. Similarly, Isis was the greatest triple goddess of Egypt who ruled heaven, earth, and the underworld. In addition, she formed a divine trinity with her husband Osiris and their son Horus. In the Visconti-Sforza image, she was depicted wearing a triple crown and holding a book. Known as the Goddess of the Words of Power, Isis was credited with the invention of hieroglyphic and demotic writing along with the god Thoth. When Osiris was murdered, she reassembled the pieces of his body and gave them to the funerary god Anubis to wrap in mummy bandages. With her knowledge of the Words of Power, she resurrected him and then conceived their son Horus. The murder of Osiris by Set and his resurrection by Isis perfectly embodied the ancient poetic Theme: the struggle between the God of the Waxing Year and the God of the Waning Year for the love of the Threefold Goddess. Isis was identified with the Greek goddess Demeter. Her name means 'Grain Mother' and she originally formed a trinity with Kore, the Virgin, and Persephone, the Crone. This triad of goddesses also represented the green ear of corn, the ripe ear of corn, and the harvested ear of corn. Over time, Kore and Persephone were merged into one goddess. Furthermore, Demeter and Kore founded the Eleusinian Mysteries which celebrated the cycles of nature which annually restored fertility to the earth. Similarly, the Mysteries of Isis and Osiris celebrated the yearly flooding of the Nile which brought fertility to the land.
[edit] Trump D
4. DIANA ~ The Latin name of the fourth Trump is Diana which corresponds to the letter ‘D’, the number 4, and the symbolic meaning of ‘four elements’. The letter ‘D’ forms the shape of a quarter moon. Similar to the number 3, the number 4 was also a lunar number. It corresponded to the four lunar phases, when the ‘invisible’ new moon was added to the three visible phases. According to Plutarch, the moon governed the four elemental bodies: fire, air, water, and earth. In addition, the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet was 'delta' which formed a triangle, the exact same shape used for the symbols of the four elements. Diana was known as the Queen of Heaven and she governed the cycles of life, fertility, time, and nature. All generation and destruction are the result of her perpetual motion and continual rearrangement of the four elementary bodies. Her name was derived from Diviana which means ‘Shining One’. She was the Lunar Creatress who formed the universe and all living creatures. She was also the Lunar Destroyer who shot arrows which caused sudden death, plague, and pestilence. Diana was identified with Artemis of Ephesus, the Great Goddess who nourished all life with her many breasts. In addition, Artemis was known as the Maiden of the Silver Bow which also corresponds to the shape of the letter 'D'. The Visconti-Sforza image depicted her wearing green gloves which symbolized her fertility aspect. In addition, she was shown holding a shield which signified her role as a protectress of animals.
[edit] Trump E
5. EON ~ The Latin name of the fifth Trump is Eon which corresponds to the letter ‘E’, the number 5, and the symbolic meaning of ‘æther’ or ‘quintessence’. The letter ‘E’ forms the shape of three rays of light and when the letter is rotated upwards it forms the ancient symbol for the Divine Fire, the fifth element. Also, the letter 'E' was inscribed upon the shrine at Delphi which was sacred to the solar god Apollo. According to the Greeks, the sun and the stars were composed of pure æther, the everlasting, spiritual element which resided within the four material elements. The Latin name Eon is another form of Æon, the Mithraic deity of Infinite Time who personified the quintessence. The chariot of Æon was pulled by four horses: Fire, Air, Water, and Earth. Æon was an androgynous deity possessing both male and female characteristics. In the Visconti-Sforza image, this is signified by the scepter and orb. In the Mysteries of Mithras, he was frequently depicted with the head of a lion, four wings, and encircled by a serpent seven times. The lion head symbolized his divine sovereignty, the four wings represented the seasons, and the serpent signified the movement of the seven heavenly spheres. Æon was also known as Zurvan Arkana which means “Boundless Time". According to the Persians, the twins Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu emerged from him and became the Ruler of Heaven and the Ruler of the Abyss respectively.
[edit] Trump F
6. FLAMEN ~ The Latin name of the sixth Trump is Flamen which corresponds to the letter ‘F’, the number 6, and the symbolic meaning of ‘heavenly light’ and ‘lightning’. The letter ‘F’ forms the shape of the 'sky axe' wielded by storm gods and it was a symbol for lightning. The number 6 corresponded to the sixth heaven which was ruled by Jupiter, the Lord of Olympus. His name was derived from Dyaus Pater which meant ‘Heavenly Father’ and he was associated with wind, storms, lightning, and fertility. His lightning bolts represented the heavens impregnating the earth. Another symbol for the lightning bolt was the six-pronged 'vajra', a staff with a trident at each end. In the Eleusinian Mysteries, the storm god Zeus, identified with Jupiter, was embodied by the high priest. He enacted the sacred marriage with the high priestess who personified the mother goddess Demeter. The sacred marriage, or hieros gamos, was symbolized by a six-pointed star or hexagram. According to the Greeks, Zeus sired numerous offspring with various goddesses and mortal women. He begat Kore with Demeter; he sired the Seasons and Astraea with Ananke; he fathered Dionysus with Semele; he begat Heracles with Alcmene; he sired Perseus with Danae; and in the form of a serpent, he fathered the savior god Zagreus-Dionysus with Kore. In addition, the Latin word 'flamen' means both “wind” and “priest” as the high priest was the personification of the sky god. Furthermore, Zeus was identified with the Egyptian god Ammon, the father of deities and humankind. Ammon was known as 'the Hidden One' and he personified the unseen creative power of the universe which permeated all things, both animate and inanimate. He was also the mysterious force behind the wind. Consequently, he was depicted with blue skin and wearing a lofty double-plumed crown.
[edit] Trump G
7. GAVDIVM ~ The Latin name of the seventh Trump is Gaudium which corresponds to the letter ‘G’, the number 7, and the symbolic meaning of ‘joy’ and ‘love’. The letter ‘G’ represented the union male and female, a line entering into a circle. This symbolized both the sacred marriage and the principle of Love. The number 7 corresponded to the seven spheres of heaven. According to the Orphics, black-winged Night laid a silver egg from which Eros was the first to emerge, since none of the other gods and goddesses could have been conceived prior to the creation of Love. After his birth, he set the seven heavens in motion which produced the harmonious Music of the Spheres. According to the Greeks, Eros fell in love with the mortal Psyche who represented the soul. Eros visited her every night, but he concealed his divinity from her. One night, Psyche attempted to view him while he slept and accidentally scalded his flesh with a drop of lamp oil. Upon awakening, Eros realized his identity had been discovered and he quickly fled from her. She searched in vain for him and ended up accidentally falling asleep in the Underworld. Finally, the Soul was awakened by the kiss of Love and the couple were married in Heaven. In the Visconti-Sforza image, a blindfolded Eros is depicted throwing his golden-tipped arrows at a couple which signified that true love is blind. The Latin word ‘gaudium’ means “joy” as well as “source of joy” which corresponds to the principle of Love. Eros was identified with the Roman god Amor.
[edit] Trump H
8. HAMAXA ~ The Latin name of the eighth Trump is Hamaxa (Latin: chariot) which corresponds to the letter ‘H’, the number 8, and the symbolic meaning of ‘crystal sphere’. The letter ‘H’ forms the shape of a fence or barrier. The number 8 corresponded to the eighth heaven which was envisioned as a crystal sphere or heavenly veil which formed a barrier between the spiritual realm and the physical realm. The stars were points where the divine light of heaven shined through the veil. Minerva was the goddess of wisdom who wove the Veil of the Universe. She was also responsible for taming the horse and designing the chariot which featured a blue star-strewn canopy supported by four columns, a perfect representation of the vault of heaven, the heavenly veil. Minerva was identified with the Greek goddess Athena. According to the Greeks, her mother Metis was swallowed by Zeus because he feared the pregnant goddess would give birth to a son more powerful than himself. When Athena was born, she emerged from the head of Zeus fully grown and equipped with a helmet, spear, and shield. She was a renowned war goddess and she never suffered a single loss on the battlefield. The Visconti-Sforza image correctly features a female seated upon a chariot drawn by horses. Athena was identified with the Egyptian sky goddess Neith, one of the most ancient goddesses of Egypt. She was the personification of the feminine creative principle and symbolized the spirit behind the heavenly veil.
[edit] Trump I
9. IVSTITIA ~ The Latin name of the ninth Trump is Justitia which corresponds to the letter ‘I’, the number 9, and the symbolic meaning of ‘fate’ and ‘destiny’. The letter ‘I’ forms the shape of an axis or spindle. This was the Spindle of Necessity, personified by the goddess Ananke, upon which the spheres of heaven revolved. Ananke guided the universe and she was considered to be the most powerful of all the gods and goddesses. She possessed the Scales of Balance which determined truth and justice. She was also the virgin mother of the Three Fates: Clotho the spinner, Lachesis the measurer, and Atropos the cutter. They controlled the birth, life, and death of all deities and mortals. Ananke was also a goddess of prophecy and she established the Oracle of Delphi. The number 9 was particularly revered as it represented the divine three magnified three times. Also, the number 9 corresponded to the central point upon which the seven heavens revolved within the eighth sphere, the crystal heaven. The Visconti-Sforza image depicts a knight riding a horse in the background. This corresponds to the Knights Templar, as the number 9 was sacred to their Order. The Latin word Justitia means “Justice” and was an epithet of Ananke. She was identified with the Egyptian goddess Maat who judged the souls of the deceased before Osiris in the Hall of Judgment. If the heart was heavier than a feather from her headdress, then the soul was devoured by the Eater of the Dead. Therefore, the feather of Maat symbolized Truth.
[edit] Trump K
10. KRONOS ~ The Latin name of the tenth Trump is Kronos which corresponds to the letter ‘K’, the number 10, and the symbolic meaning of ‘time’. The letter ‘K’ closely resembles the glyph for Kronos, the god of Time. The number 10 represents completion and a return to unity. To the Pythagoreans, it was the most sacred of all the digits. It was a triangular number which corresponded to the Past, Present, and Future, the three aspects of Time. Also, the number 10 was formed with a straight line and a circle, as Time is both linear and cyclic. The Greek god Kronos was the personification of Time and he was associated with agriculture and harvests. Through Time, everything is completed, all pain is healed, and enlightenment is attained. According to the Greeks, Kronos swallowed his offspring in fear of a prophecy that one of his sons would overthrow him. This signified that all things are consumed by Time. In addition, he was the ruler of the Golden Age, a period when humankind lived like deities. Kronos was identified with the Roman god Saturn. The seven-day festival of Saturnalia was held during the week of the winter solstice which marked the completion of the year. During this winter celebration, gifts were exchanged and social conventions were temporarily abolished in honor of the Golden Age. Kronos was also identified with the Orphic god Chronos. Interestingly, the number 10 corresponds to the Roman numeral ‘X’ and the Greek spelling of Chronos also starts with the letter ‘X’.
[edit] Trump L
11. LIBERA ~ The Latin name of the eleventh Trump is Libera which corresponds to the letter ‘L’, the number 11, and the symbolic meaning of ‘plant growth’. The letter ‘L’ was formed by rotating the Greek letter 'lambda' which was utilized as a geometric tool for illustrating the principles of the progression and was also a symbol for the Golden Ratio. Among other things, the Golden Ratio demonstrated the mathematical progression of the growth rate of plants. Libera was identified with the Greek goddess Kore, the daughter of Demeter. During her seasonal journey to the Underworld, she was responsible for turning the Wheel of the Year. Upon her return, the plants blossomed with new life and the earth became green once again. Demeter and Kore founded the Eleusinian Mysteries where sacred rites were performed for over two thousand years. In the Visconti-Sforza image, there are four men surrounding the wheel which symbolize the division of the year into four seasons. In addition, the animal ears and tails of varying lengths represent the progressive stages of plant growth. The number 11 signifies the twins one and one, Demeter and Kore, mother and daughter. It also corresponds to the eleven labors Heracles completed before he was initiated into the Outer Mysteries of Eleusis which were sacred to Kore. Furthermore, she was connected with the goddesses Ker, Q’re, Car, Carman, and Carmenta. Interestingly, Carmenta (Latin: mind of Car) was a divinatory goddess who formed the Latin alphabet from the Greek alphabet. Therefore, Libera is the only Trump with writing upon it which corresponds to a Latin alphabet wheel.
[edit] Trump M
12. MAGNITVDO ~ The Latin name of the twelfth Trump is Magnitudo (Latin: strength) which corresponds to the letter ‘M’, the number 12, and the symbolic meaning of ‘trees’. The letter ‘M’ forms the shape of the twin mountaintops. According to the Sumerians, the sun was born from the twin peaks of Mashu, the tree-covered mountain where the demigod Gilgamesh journeyed to obtain immortality. During his heroic trek, Gilgamesh defeated the Bull of Heaven, killed a lion, and wore its golden pelt. He was identified with the Greek hero Heracles who became immortal by nursing from the breasts of Hera. In addition, he slew the Nemean lion, wore its impenetrable pelt, and captured the Cretan Bull. The number 12 corresponds to the Twelve Labors of Heracles. This symbolized the journey of the sun through the twelve signs of the zodiac. Known as the ‘Green Zeus’, Heracles was originally an agricultural god and was closely associated with trees. He carried an oak club which could bring about rain by pounding it within a hollow oak trunk and by swirling an oak branch in a pool. Every spring, he brought fertility to the land by performing a ‘greenwood marriage’ with the Queen of the Woods, thus identifying him as the King of the Woods. The clubs that Heracles used to defeat both the Lion of Cithaeron and the Nemean Lion were cut from wild-olive trees. In his eleventh labor, he obtained the golden fruit from Hera’s apple-tree in the Garden of the Hesperides. Also, Heracles planted the wild-olive tree in the Sacred Grove at Olympia. According to Irish tradition, the Ogham tree alphabet was invented by the lion-skinned Ogma Sun-face, also known as Heracles Ogmius. Furthermore, Heracles was the greatest of heroes and he personified the vast strength of trees, the largest and most powerful of all living things.
[edit] Trump N
13. NOXA ~ The Latin name of the thirteenth Trump is Noxa which corresponds to the letter ‘N’, the number 13, and the symbolic meaning of ‘human being’. The letter ‘N’ symbolizes birth, death, and resurrection as it rises, falls, and then rises again. The number 13 corresponds to Dionysus, the thirteenth Olympian. Pregnant with the child of Zeus, Persephone gave birth to Zagreus, the bull form of Dionysus. Furious with Zeus, Hera ordered the Titans to slaughter his infant child. They entranced the divine newborn with his reflection in a mirror and seized him. The monsters tore Zagreus-Dionysus into pieces and gorged upon his flesh. Athena managed to rescue his heart and brought it before Zeus. In order to resurrect his son, he swallowed his heart and then impregnated the mortal Semele while disguised as a human. Consequently, Dionysus was known as the ‘Child of the Double-Door’. Enraged with the Titans, Zeus incinerated them with lightning bolts and from their ashes he created human beings. According to the Orphics, this corresponded to the higher and lower nature of humankind. The physical body was attributed to the Titans and the soul was attributed to Dionysus. Interestingly, Plato maintained that the soul resided upside-down within the body. As the god of wine, Dionysus was associated with spiritual bliss, ecstasy, madness, and altered states of consciousness. Disguised as a human being, he wandered the world teaching the art of viniculture. Also, Dionysus revealed to his initiates the mysteries of fermentation which symbolized the transformation of the material into the divine. According to Plutarch, he was referred to as the god with the ‘Bull-Foot’. It appears that in the Dionysian Mysteries he was the sacred king who was ritually lamed by dislocating his hip. In ancient times, the sacred king reigned for a fixed period of time and then was sacrificed at the end of his term. Therefore, he was ritually lamed to prevent any attempt at escape. As the sacred king had to limp on his toes, the raised heel of the injured leg gave the appearance of a hoof, or ‘bull-foot’. In addition, he was often depicted crimson-stained and images of him were hung on trees and wooden poles. Similarly, the sacred king was frequently sacrificed upon a tree and his blood fertilized the earth. Furthermore, the name Dio-Nysus can be translated as ‘The Lame God’. The Visconti-Sforza image depicts him hanging upside-down from a door-shaped gallows, suspended by his left ankle, one leg crosses over the other, and with several streams of blood flowing down his torso. Dionysus was identified with the dying and resurrected god Attis. The Latin word 'noxa' means “injury” or “harm” which refers to the ritual laming of the sacred king.
[edit] Trump O
14. ORCVS ~ The Latin name of the fourteenth Trump is Orcus which corresponds to the letter ‘O’, the number 14, and the symbolic meaning of ‘psychopomp’. The letter ‘O’ symbolizes both the new moon and the full moon. Similarly, the number 14 represents to the number of nights between new and full moons. Initiations into the Outer Mysteries were performed during the full moon and initiations into the Inner Mysteries were performed during the new moon. During these ceremonies, the initiate symbolically died and was escorted by the Lord of the Dead through the seven spheres to the Underworld. Then the initiate was guided back through the seven spheres and was symbolically resurrected. This corresponded to the number 14, the double seven. Orcus was an epithet of Dis Pater, the Roman and Celtic ruler of the underworld. As a chthonic god, he was associated with underground deposits of gemstones and precious metals. Dis Pater was sometimes depicted with the head of a wolf. Canines such as wolves, jackals, and dogs were all eaters of the dead and carried the deceased piecemeal to the netherworld. They also howled at the moon and possessed the ability to see ghosts. Dis Pater was equivalent to the jackal-headed god Anubis, the Egyptian psychopomp. He guided souls through the Underworld and brought them before Osiris in the Hall of Judgment. As a funerary god, Anubis was depicted wearing a ribbon which indicated his role in embalming and mummification. Accordingly, he reassembled the fourteen pieces of Osiris and assisted Isis with his resurrection. In addition, Anubis was known as Ruler of the Bows which referred to the bows that he used to arm the Ennead against the enemies of Egypt. In the Visconti-Sforza image, the skeletal Lord of the Dead wears a ribbon upon his head and holds a bow and arrow. The Greeks united Anubis and Hermes into one deity known as Hermanubis. Hermes was the messenger of the gods who traveled freely between the upper world and the lower world. He was associated with mystical wisdom, scientific knowledge, and spiritual illumination. Furthermore, Hermes was the psychopomp who guided souls to the realm of the dead. Known as 'the Good Shepherd', he was sometimes depicted with the head of a dog. Similarly, Anubis was identified with Sirius, the Dog-Star.
[edit] Trump P
15. PLVVIA ~ The Latin name of the fifteenth Trump is Pluvia (Latin: rain) which corresponds to the letter ‘P’, the number 15, and the symbolic meaning of ‘water’ and ‘flow’. The letter ‘P’ forms the shape of a chalice pouring out water upon the earth. This corresponds to the Mithraic goddess Anahita who was known as the Mother of the Waters and was associated with the celestial spring that flowed from the starry vault into the rivers of the earth. She was frequently depicted holding a vase filled with water. The number 15 corresponds to the full moon which occurs on the fifteenth day of the lunar cycle and generates high tides. In addition, the full moon symbolizes the roundness of a pregnant belly and represents the Mother phase of the Threefold Goddess. Anahita was identified with the goddess Cybele who was known as the “Great Mother”. Cybele was worshipped on the wooded mountain peaks where no axe had ever felled a tree. According to the Greeks, the name Cybele means “she of the hair”. Accordingly, the Visconti-Sforza image depicts a woman with exceptionally long, golden blonde hair. The Greek form of her name was most likely derived from 'Kubaba', which means “hollow vessel”, “vase”, and “cave”. Interestingly, of the six ideograms for the name Kubaba, half feature one vase and the other half feature two vases. In Rome, the annual celebration of the Mysteries of Cybele and Attis commenced on the fifteenth day of March. In addition, the Sybilline Oracles were closely connected with worship of the Great Mother. A sybil was a prophetess and the term was a Latinized form of Cybele. In fact, the worship of Cybele was originally introduced to Rome after consulting the Sibylline Books in response to the brutal attacks of Hannibal. Over time, the Sibylline Books were expanded to fifteen in number and the priests who were allowed to interpret them were also increased to fifteen, known as the quindecimvir.
[edit] Trump Q
16. QVIRINVS ~ The Latin name of the sixteenth Trump is Quirinus which corresponds to the letter ‘Q’, the number 16, and the symbolic meaning of ‘phallus’ and ‘male generative principle’. The letter ‘Q’ represents a phallus and it forms the shape of the spear-and-shield symbol of Mars after being rotated upwards to a more erect position. Quirinus was an epithet of Mars, the Roman god of war and agriculture. On the battlefield, he was always accompanied by his two sons Phobos, the god of fear, and Deimos, the god of terror. Although he was known as the Spear God, he was far more successful in love than in war. Mars was identified with Silvanus, the Roman god of forests and protector of fields. He was the companion of Rhea Silvia, a priestess of Vesta. She gave birth to the twins Romulus and Remus who became the founders of Rome. Another form of Silvanus was the Greek satyr Pan. He was a woodland deity and served as the guardian of herds and flocks. As a phallic god, Pan was the embodiment of the masculine procreative energy. He seduced numerous nymphs and coupled with all of the Dionysian Maenads. Pan was the personification of all the aspects of nature and his death brought fertility to the earth. The original Visconti-Sforza image is missing, however, it likely depicted a satyr or goat-legged god. The number 16 represents the multiplication of matter, the four material elements magnified four times. Also, it symbolizes increase and carnal generation, as the original couple, multiplied by two, multiplied by two, multiplied by two, equals sixteen.
[edit] Trump R
17. RVINA ~ The Latin name of the seventeenth Trump is Ruina (Latin: fall) which corresponds to the letter ‘R’, the number 17, and the symbolic meaning of ‘feminine creative' and ‘womb’. The letter ‘R’ signifies a pregnant belly supported by two legs. Without any male intervention, the mother goddess Juno became pregnant with the smith god Vulcan. Despite being male, he symbolized the feminine creative energy, the very antithesis of his brother Mars. Vulcan was the personification of the divine fire that sparkled within the stars, smoldered within depths of the earth, imbued plants with fruitfulness, animated all living creatures, and blasted forth from the clouds as lightning. As a smith god, he had a magical connection with the feminine energies of the earth and was closely associated with volcanoes. Vulcan crafted jewelry, thunderbolts, palaces, temples, and even mechanical women made of gold, all with the most exquisite workmanship. Known to the Pythagoreans as "the barrier", the number 17 corresponded to diatonic musical scale which was based upon the 8:9 interval, seventeen divided into eight and nine. In addition, Pythagoras conceived the seven notes of the diatonic scale while passing by the forge of a smith. Furthermore, Osiris was trapped inside a coffin by Set and cast into the sea on the seventeenth day of the month Athyr. This symbolized the descent of spirit into matter. Similarly, Vulcan was cast down to earth and fell through the seven heavens which corresponded to the seven notes of the diatonic scale. Interestingly, architects and craftspersons who utilized the principles of sacred geometry regarded their works as “frozen music”. Not only did Vulcan symbolize the feminine creative, he was also the creator of the first female, Pandora, who enabled humankind to procreate. Similar to other sacred kings, Vulcan was lame and walked with the assistance of golden leg braces. He was identified with the ancient Egyptian god Ptah. Originally, Ptah was an androgynous deity who represented the union of the god Nun with the goddess Naunet. He was the sculptor of humankind, architect of the earth, and creator of the heavenly vault. Like Vulcan, Ptah was associated with smiths, architects, craftspersons, and jewelry-makers. He was frequently depicted standing upon a pedestal which represented the mound of creation, the forge of the Divine Smith, the pregnant belly of the earth. The Visconti-Sforza image is missing, however, it probably depicted an individual falling from either a tower or an obelisk struck by lightning.
[edit] Trump S
18. STELLAE ~ The Latin name of the eighteenth Trump is Stellae (Latin: star) which corresponds to the letter ‘S’, the number 18, and the symbolic meaning of ‘stars’. The letter ‘S’ corresponds to the serpentine motion made by planets during their retrograde cycles. The number 18 corresponds to the retrograde cycle of the planet Venus which occurs every eighteen months. According to the Romans, Venus was the goddess of love, sensual desire, and fertility. She emerged nude from the sea and was gently wafted ashore by the West Wind while riding upon a scallop shell. Her beauty was unsurpassed and flowers sprang from the ground she walked upon. Each spring, she ritually bathed in the sea which restored both her maidenhood and the virginity of the earth. She also possessed a magic girdle which had irresistible powers of seduction. The fairest of the fair, she was identified with the brightest ‘star’ in the night sky, the planet Venus. As the morning star, she was the goddess of war and hunting. As the evening star, she was the goddess of love and sensuality. Her emblems were the eight-rayed star and the mystical pentagram because every eight years the planet Venus undergoes exactly five retrograde cycles forming a five-pointed star upon the circle of the zodiac. Venus was identified with the Babylonian fertility goddess Ishtar. When her lover Tammuz died, Ishtar descended to the netherworld to rescue him. Upon her arrival, the Queen of the Underworld imprisoned Ishtar and inflicted every disease upon her. Further complicating matters, her prolonged absence from the earth caused plants to become fruitless and animals to become infertile. Ultimately, in order to prevent a worldwide famine, it was determined that Tammuz would spend one half of the year in the upper world and one half of the year in the lower world. Finally, Ishtar was released from the Underworld and she restored fertility to the earth once again.
[edit] Trump T
19. TRINA ~ The Latin name of the nineteenth Trump is Trina (Latin: triple or threefold) which corresponds to the letter ‘T’, the number 19, and the symbolic meaning of ‘moon’ and ‘Hekate’. The letter ‘T’ forms the shape of a crossroads or intersection. The number 19 corresponds to the Metonic cycle, a period of nineteen years when the solar and lunar calendars synchronize with one another. Hekate was an ancient moon goddess and she governed the aspects of birth, life, and death. She also possessed the power of conferring upon or withholding from mortals any object they desired. One of her epithets was Hekate Trevia which meant ‘Hekate of the Three Ways’. She was worshipped at the intersection of three roads, always by torch-light. She was frequently depicted with three heads, three bodies, and three pairs of arms. In her Crone aspect, Hekate was known as the Queen of the Ghostworld and she presided over the arts of magic, divination, and necromancy. She was accompanied by a pack of dogs, as canines are nocturnal animals and are associated with death. Hekate was identified with the Egyptian goddess Heket, the divine midwife. She was also associated with the lunar goddesses Artemis and Selene who represented the Virgin and Mother aspects of the moon respectively. The Visconti-Sforza image depicts her holding a waning crescent moon in her right hand, symbolizing the Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess. In addition, she is holding a cord that emerges from under the folds of her dress with her left hand. This signifies the umbilical cord which she cuts in her role as a midwife-goddess.
[edit] Trump V
20. VICTOR-VNVS ~ The Latin name of the twentieth Trump is Victor-Unus which corresponds to the letter ‘V’, the number 20, and the symbolic meaning of ‘sun’. The letter ‘V’ forms the shape of twin radii. This corresponds to the downward movement of the setting sun and the upward movement of the rising sun. In ancient Egypt, this symbolized the solar god Horus, the Divine Sun of Isis. He was known as 'Horus of the Two Horizons' which signified the setting and rising sun. Similarly, the twin aspects of the sun corresponded to Horus the Elder and Horus the Younger. In addition, the hieroglyph for Horus was represented by a falcon. This hieroglyph also corresponded to the number 10, as Horus was the tenth god added to the original Ennead. Accordingly, the number 20 represents the double 10, the setting and rising sun, Horus the Elder and Horus the Younger. The Egyptian form of his name was 'Heru' which was associated with the word for ‘face’. Consequently, he was known as the ‘Face of Heaven’ and he dazzled everyone who gazed upon him. Furthermore, he symbolized the celestial falcon and one of his epithets was 'the Golden Horus’. The Egyptian word for gold was 'nebu' which was represented by a hieroglyph depicting a beaded necklace. Accordingly, the Visconti-Sforza image depicts him holding the 'Face of Heaven' and wearing a beaded necklace. Horus was identified with the Greek god Apollo, the twin brother of the moon goddess Artemis. He ruled over prophecy, medicine, science, poetry, and music. The Oracle of Delphi was sacred to Apollo and two proverbs attributed to him were inscribed upon it: ‘Know Thyself’ and ‘Nothing in Excess’. The Latin word 'victor-unus' means "victorious one" which corresponded to the conquest of the solar god over the dragon or serpent. Horus vanquished Set-Typhon and avenged his father. Similarly, Apollo slew the serpent Python and avenged his mother.
[edit] Trump X
21. XIPHIAS ~ The Latin name of the twenty-first Trump is Xiphias (Latin: sword-shaped) which corresponds to the letter ‘X’, the number 21, and the symbolic meaning of ‘solar halo’ and ‘enlightenment’. The letter ‘X’ forms the shape of a cross of light. This corresponded to Mithras, the god of light who illuminated the sun, moon, and stars. According to the Persians, he was miraculously born from a rock. This represented the light which emanated from the vault of heaven. As the creator of the world, Mithras sacrificed the heavenly bull with his sword and brought forth all of creation from its blood. This symbolized the sunlight of the spring equinox, which was originally in the zodiacal sign of Taurus, annually creating new life on earth. The number 21 was particularly revered as it represented the triple seven of perfection, the sacred seven multiplied by the divine three. Regarding the number 7, the name Mithras has seven letters and he was frequently depicted with seven stars upon his cloak which symbolized the spheres of heaven. In addition, the Mysteries of Mithras had seven degrees of initiation. Regarding the number 3, Mithras formed a trinity with the two torchbearers Cautes and Cautopates. He was also the mediator, or third principle, between Ahura Mazda, the Ruler of Heaven, and Angra Mainyu, the Ruler of the Abyss. The Visconti-Sforza image depicted him emerging from the heavens and holding a sword. This represented the power of light to vanquish darkness and separate truth from falsehood. In addition, the sword corresponded to the Bridge of Requiter upon which Mithras judged the souls of the dead. For virtuous souls, the bridge transformed into a broad path and allowed them to enter Heaven. For wicked souls, the bridge became razor-thin and plunged them into the Abyss. Furthermore, the Visconti-Sforza image depicted him with two angels each blowing a trumpet which formed the letter ‘X’.
[edit] Trump Z
22. ZODIACVS ~ The Latin name of the twenty-second Trump is Zodiacus (Latin: zodiac) which corresponds to the letter ‘Z’, the number 22, and the symbolic meaning of ‘cosmos’. The letter ‘Z’ is formed by two parallel lines which correspond to the twins Castor and Pollux who symbolized the northern and southern hemispheres of the sky respectively. The two parallel lines are connected by a diagonal line which represents the zodiac. The number 22 corresponds to the circumference of a circle when the diameter equals the sacred number 7, as the ratio of pi was approximated as 22/7. Consequently, the number 22 was associated with the circle of the zodiac. In addition, the number 22 symbolized double twins, two and two. This corresponded to the twin brothers Castor and Pollux and their twin sisters Clytemnestra and Helen. According to the Greeks, Zeus seduced the mortal Leda in the form of a swan and two sets of twins were born: first Castor and Clytemnestra, then Pollux and Helen. The two brothers were known as the Dioscuri which means ‘Sons of Zeus’ and both wore egg-shell helmets formed from the World Egg. Castor was the mortal brother and was renowned as a horseman. Pollux was the immortal brother and was legendary as a boxer. They assisted warriors in battle and protected sailors at sea. When Castor was killed, the grief-stricken Pollux demanded his own death from the gods. Zeus told him he could reside in Olympus alone for eternity or alternate days between heaven and earth with his beloved brother. Selflessly, Pollux chose to take turns in heaven with Castor and Zeus granted his request. In their honor, Zeus placed the constellation Gemini upon the zodiac, the Heavenly Twins. The egg-shell caps of the Dioscuri represented the two hemispheres of the heavenly zodiac. In the upper hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs when the sun stops at its highest point in the sky and began to decline. This was known as the Gate of Men and it represented the portal where the soul descended from heaven into a mortal body. In the lower hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs when the sun stops at its lowest point in the sky and began to rise again. This was known as the Gate of the Gods and it represented the portal where the immortal soul ascended to heaven. The Heavenly Twins were the personification of the two opposite, yet complimentary, forces upon which the foundation of the entire universe was created.
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