The Tarot cards interchangeably associated with 11 are Strength and Justice, both signifying the importance of balance and the decision making symbolic in the 2.

For more information on the Numerology of 11 read this article. Here’s another article you may like if you’re interested in the History of Numerology.

From the Producers of 300, The Immortals brings more Ancient Mythology to the Silver Screen on this date.

Years after the Titanomachy, the King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) declares war on humanity. He searches for the Epirus Bow, a legendary weapon created by the war god Ares (Daniel Sharman), which will allow him to free the rest of the Titans from Tartarus and take revenge on the Olympians who brought about their downfall. In accordance with ancient laws, the gods are unable to take a side in the war between Hyperion and humanity. It is left to Theseus (Henry Cavill), who was chosen by Zeus (Luke Evans) and accompanied by the priestess Phaedra (Freida Pinto) and a thief named Stavros (Stephen Dorff), to protect his homeland and save the gods. ~ Storyline From Wikipedia

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Welcome back to Tarot Notes at Symbolic Living.

We are pleased to rekindle your relationship with the symbolism of the Tarot each week. This week we’re continuing to share the three’s with the Three of Cups.

You may wish to review the Ace of Cups and the Two of Cups before proceeding.

Three of Cups

Astrological Association: Mercury in Cancer

This card signifies an overflowing of emotion (cups). Although the card does not show spilling of the cups as one would suspect in overflowing, there is a firm foundation that holds these cups.

The will yellow, the security and foundation is dominant (red) white surrounds both. The woman in red has her hand on the white, signifying receiving what is pure. the right hand liften to the yellow shows the power of security driven by the will, she in yellow reciproates with the right hand lifting her cup. The woman in white lifts her cup with her left hand, signifying she is receiving the good that comes from security and will. The woman in red has yellow shoes further signifying the close connection of security and will through action. They all appear to be dancing.

The cups create a triangle, a unity. Cups symbolizing emotion, overflow with joy.

In some decks rain is present. Rain is a sign of abundance, fertility, life force granted to the dry earth. Consider in times of drought how ecstatic people are when the rains finally arrive. This signifies gratitude for what is.

Here we see friendship, camaraderie, a shared purpose in an abundant garden. It could be prosperity, but also shows us the rewards and riches felt within, and may not be dependent on externals.

Alchemical colors - white (purification), red (refinement), yellow/gold (perfection).

This card may denote a celebration but also shows us the presence of a healing atmosphere, enjoyed sharing, positive communications.

As mentioned in the security, foundation and will brought together. The common effort and purpose brought together.

Happiness shared is never wasted.

Cheers.

Some personal considerations:

What kinds of vegetables or fruit can you make out in the image? What do they symbolize to you personally? What memories of times in your life that felt abundant.

• What do you have to be grateful for?
• Who in your life do you enjoy and celebrate with?
• Do you have a relationship that allows your views to be communicated?
• Do you have a grip on your emotions?
• Do you have a positive attitude that gives you a celebratory feeling within?

We hope you enjoy learning about Tarot at Symbolic Living with an easy to understand approach for beginners. We also hope you can find personal relations to the card symbolism and think about the imagery in new and expansive ways.

Some weeks we may talk about the cards, history and more. As we go along things will change and develop, we’ll keep it interesting for you.

You are also welcome to join the Symbolic Living Forum for further discussion in the Tarot section where each card can be discussed with members.

Tarot Notes is written by Symbolic Living. © 2011. All rights reserved.

Stay tuned for our regular installments of Tarot Notes at Symbolic Living.

Please Click the Like and Tweet Buttons below to share with your online friends and followers.

More Related

• Three of Wands Tarot Minor Arcana
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Welcome back to Tarot Notes at Symbolic Living.

We are pleased to rekindle your relationship with the symbolism of the Tarot each week. This week we’re beginning the three’s with the Three of Wands.

You may wish to review the Ace of Wands and the Two of Wands before proceeding.

Three of Wands

Exploration of the Art: Does this man look familiar to the man in the Two of Wands? Could he be the same man or a close family member.

One thing you’ll notice about this card is the color yellow is very prominent. Even the water is yellow. That is a strong sun!

The willpower, determination and ambition in this card is strongly signified by the yellow color dominance. Also dominating is the red cloak and red shoes. He’s got his feet very firmly planted on the ground.

Two staffs are secure in the ground, and he holds the third with his right (active) hand. Notice the leaves on the first two staffs, each growth is grouped with three leaves. Notice the top of the 3rd staff he is holding, it has an extra leaf growing, a fourth. What do you suppose this signifies?

Note the difference between his upper left side and upper right side of his body. How are the posture, and placement of clothes significant. His left hand is hidden, his right arm juts out with a blue shirt. Blue represents communication. Also notice the checkered black and yellow section of his cloak. Read more about the checkerboard here.

See how it moves from the large piece of yellow covering his left (receptive) hidden side. What is he willing, wishing to receive? His receptive side appears stable, while his right (active) side willingly decides what to do. His right hand does not hold the staff too firmly or too loosely, the grip appears comfortable, confident and present.

He also has a band circling his head, bringing our attention to the mind. What’s on his mind? We can not see any expression on his face. Would you guess he is confident from the other clues you see in the image?

In the gold water we see boats. Perhaps they are leaving for a voyage, or returning. There are three wands, and three ships. Is there equal return matching the effort given? Why would the water be yellow (golden) instead of blue?

Like the Two of Wands, we see the man has a high vantage point, looking down and observe a large area. Does this represent higher consciousness, knowing, status?

Anything else you notice or catches your eye?

Astrological Association: Sun in Aries

What does the Sun represent to you, and Aries? Expression, confidence, achievement, willpower, beginnings… what else?

This card is showing us the man who is doing well. This is someone who is following an inner inspiration, an urge to do well and is in a place where he can watch the actions of his decisions. He is following a purpose that has a fire burning within him of energy and desire to accomplish.

He is active, yet stable. He has positive energy, ideas, and enthusiasm. He had confidence that is broad reaching. His plans set in motion, able to think ahead and reap rewards.

He is a coordinator, or part of a larger vision, and takes his part.

Here we see trust in using energy wisely, to encompass a large capacity without wasting anything. Goals are achievable when effort and will are directed.

Questions for Self Reflection:

• Are you a visionary?
• Do you have long term goals you trust you can achieve?
• Are you ambitious?
• Where in your life did you work hard and then enjoyed the results?
• What do you see in your future – out there?
• What do you want for your life?
• Are you willing to do the work and make the decisions necessary to see a return?
• Do you do your work with integrity and honesty, deserving the positive rewards?
• Looking back at the Ace of Wands and the Two of Wands, how does this card relate?
• What accomplishments can you observe and be proud of?
• Do you have ideas that are productive and reap rewards?

We hope you enjoy learning about Tarot at Symbolic Living with an easy to understand approach for beginners. We also hope you can find personal relations to the card symbolism and think about the imagery in new and expansive ways.

Some weeks we may talk about the cards, history and more. As we go along things will change and develop, we’ll keep it interesting for you.

You are also welcome to join the Symbolic Living Forum for further discussion in the Tarot section where each card can be discussed with members.

Tarot Notes is written by Symbolic Living. © 2011. All rights reserved.

Stay tuned for our regular installments of Tarot Notes at Symbolic Living.

Please Click the Like and Tweet Buttons below to share with your online friends and followers.

More Related

• Three of Cups Tarot Minor Arcana
• Two of Pentacles Tarot Minor Arcana
• Two of Swords Tarot Minor Arcana
• Two of Cups Tarot Minor Arcana
• Two of Wands (Staffs) Tarot Minor Arcana

Welcome back to Tarot Notes

As part of our exploration in the Tarot we’re also discussing the numerological associations.

As we know, the Tarot is an archetypal guide through the use of complex, symbolic images. Embedded in the tarot is the most primordial of all archetypal beginnings, Numbers.

We’ll be getting back to the tarot cards next week after this brief introduction into the number 3.

The Trinity – The fascinating and powerful Number 3 that brings one and two together.

The MOST primal, most fundamental example of the powerful symbolism of the trinity in 3 is Mother, Father and Child. The moment of conception, creation, birth. Life! There is no symbol more powerful than life.

In numerology the number three is considered a very positive number. It is associated with the Astrological Gemini as the third sign of the Zodiac. In Feng Shui three is an auspicious number to use when planning groups of items in your space.

In physics the number three is seen as the grouping of the atom – proton, electron, and neutron.

The Triad has a special beauty and fairness beyond all numbers, primarily because it is the very first to make actual the potentialities of the Monad ~ Iamblichus

Three takes us past the limitations of duality (dyad) and through it. Thus it symbolizes union, rebirth, transformation, succession.

Three is everywhere in our world, a part of our everyday life such as:

• Beginning, Middle, End.
• Birth, Life, Death.
• Three dimensions – height, length, width.
• Light, energy, mass.

Three is balanced relationship – Where there is two, a third, unifying point exists. The third aspect present in duality, is the movement along the spectrum of polarities.

Please Note: Entire volumes of books could be written about Trinity Mythologies. Below is merely a brief taste.

The Divine Trinity revealed through Mythology

The Trinity is Universal. Nearly all cultures, religious and spiritual traditions, symbolize divinity as a holy trinity.

We see the trinity within ourselves as body, mind and spirit.

Examples of archetypal symbols in spiritual traditions

Eyptian Trinity

• Osiris – god the Father, setting sun. God of afterlife, underworld
• Isis – goddess the Great Mother, creative power
• Horus – Son, rising sun, god of the sky, symbolizing sun and moon, left and right eyes, falcon head. The well known Egyptian eye, is the Eye of Horus (Wedjat).

In the image Osiris is in the center, Horus is on the left, Isis on the right.

Also, Ra, Amun, Ptah trinity

Thrice great, Hermes Trismegistus

The Three Wise Men, recognized in Christianity is also related to the 3 stars of the Belt of Orion, which the 3 Egyptian Pyramids are modeled after. The 3 stars also point to Osiris’ star Sirius.

Hindu Trinity

The One God is symbolized by three gods, as universal forces of the universe. Each aspect containing one another. Each god also has it’s *goddess consort (female aspect) .

The Trimurti.

• Brahma – creator of the universe. *Saraswati
• Vishnu – preserver of the universe. *Lakshmi
• Shiva - destroyer of the universe. *Kali

The three gunas (fundamental attributes, modes of being)

• Sattva – Purity (Essence)
• Rajas – Activity
• Tamas – Inertia

Sumerian Trinity

• Anu - Supreme Lord of the Sky, Lord of constellations.
• Enki (Ea) – Lord of  Waters, intelligence, creation.
• Enlil – Lord of Air and Earth (King of Heaven and Earth), god of weather.

for more on Sumerian myth, we suggest Brifae, a member of the symbolic living forum.

Greek, Roman Mythology

Greek – The Three Fates known as Moraie were goddesses of destiny. They would appear three nights after the birth of a newborn to assigning it’s destiny through birth, life, and death.

Roman gods – Jupiter, Juno, Minerva

Kabbalah

The Three are One

1. Kether - Crown. Union archetype, initial spark, creation.

2. Chokmah – Wisdom. Male archetype, extended energy, force of creation.

3. Binah – Understanding. Female archetype, holder of the energy, womb.

At once the illumination exists in the trinity.

In the Tree of Life are the 3 pillars on which the sephira are placed

• Severity to the left (feminine)
• Balance in the middle
• Mercy to the right (masculine)

Pagan- Celtic, Druid Trinity

Triquetra – Maiden, Mother, Crone; Triple Goddess; Mother, Father, Child. It is used to symbolize many celtic, pagan associations.

Awen – Three rays of the sun, divine inspiration.

• Left ray, feminine force
• Central ray, balance
• Right ray, masculine force

Christian Trinity

Spiritual Trinity as One God

Father, Son, Holy Spirit

Sacred Geometry

As we see the Vesica Piscis naturally gives rise to the first geometric shape with 3 sides, an Equilateral Triangle. Note the perfection of the points.

There are three types of triangles that exist:

• equilateral – all sides equal
• isosceles – two sides equal, third is not
• scalene – no sides are equal

There are three types of angles that exist – acute, right angle, and obtuse

Freemasonry

Freemasonry has 3 degrees of initiation

1. Entered Apprentice
2. Fellow Craft
3. Master Mason

The universality of previous mentioned trinity associations of the Divine, with Sacred Geometry, the Egyptian pantheon and Kabbalah being most dominantly evident in trinity association, as well as Christianity.

On the U.S. dollar bill seal we see the pyramid symbolizing the physical world. The eye within the triangle above it, symbolizing our consciousness. What do you consciously choose to do in the physical world? Money is one example of a tool that manifests your choices in the world.

Certainly there are infinitely many more associations to the trinity, a universal part of our reality. This is not an exhaustive list by any means.

Where else do you see Three used in myth and fairytale? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below.

When drawing the simple 3 card Tarot spread, it’s usually associated to Past, Present, Future. Try looking at the 3 card spread in terms of a mythological, universal triad.

We will get into the Tarot card associations next week.

Philosophy of the Matrix

Remember the Matrix? We hope you enjoy the thought provoking video. Consider the relationship between Neo (the One) and Trinity in the The Matrix. This video can not be embedded and will take you to youtube. Enjoy!

Click here to view the embedded video.

We hope you enjoy learning about Tarot (and Numerology) at Symbolic Living with an easy to understand approach for beginners.

Some weeks we may talk about the cards, history and more. As we go along things will change and develop, we’ll keep it interesting for you.

You are also welcome to join the Symbolic Living Forum for further discussion in the Tarot section where each card can be discussed with members.

Tarot Notes is written by Symbolic Living. © 2011. All rights reserved. Reproduction Prohibited.

Stay tuned for our regular installments of Tarot Notes at Symbolic Living.

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Welcome back to Tarot Notes at Symbolic Living.

We are pleased to rekindle your relationship with the symbolism of the Tarot each week. This week we’re continuing to focus on the Two’s, with the next card, the Two of Pentacles.

If you’re new, you may want to check out the Ace of Pentacles and the Two’s for more background before continuing below.

Remember to view each card as a piece of art with reflection on the content.

What did the artist intend? What message did they wish to convey? What does each part symbolize when looking deeper to the connections?

As we explore the cards we encourage you to really look at the cards and meditate on the possibilities for the symbolism presented. We hope beginners joining us can get started seeing some of the things you may have overlooked.

Two of Pentacles

Astrological Association: Jupiter in Capricorn

In this card we see a young male in a scene of movement. He has two pentacles (disks) one in each hand. His right hand (active) above his left hand below (receptive).

He wears predominantly a reddish-orange outfit. Green, Blue and Yellow are the other main colors. What do these colors represent to you?

Notice how he too appears as on stage like other cards, with the background being a theatrical backdrop. The floor line at his feet. Differing from the other two’s, he has a foot raised so both feet are not below the line.

There is a lot of movement here. He appears juggling the disks, following the symbolic lemniscate (spiritual infinity) symbol.

Upon first glance, what do you suspect the message of this card is saying?

Remember pentacles are a symbol for earth, materialism, money.  Visit Ace of Pentacles for more on the earth element details.

The sea behind him is rolling with waves. If you review the other two’s, (wands, cups, swords) you’ll notice the backgrounds are all depicting scenery with similar rolling hills, rocks, or mountains. In each card the right hand is significant, as is the right side of the background scenery active and ascending. Also note how all four cards contain bodies of water,  with the cups card naturally containing water within the cup.

Here the water is fierce. The ships (commerce, trade, transport) are on the high sea’s, and it’s not smooth sailing.

Looking at his movement, is his left hand closer to us? The ship seen below his left hand appears larger than the ship below his right hand, is it closer or is it a larger ship? What significance might that have related to his body position?

Both his hands are upturned, indicating he is willing to accept or receive. His receptive left foot is also lifted, further showing willingness to receive and act upon what comes to him.

The colors dominating are reddish-orange with green, symbolizing earth, the root chakra, commerce, stability, security and creative impulse. He’s connected to the earth, yet not afraid to lift himself off for a moment to see another point of view.

This card shows the need for balance, the willingness and ability to take an objective point of view when there are many things we must take charge of.

How is he handling his emotions among the turbulence?

Is he stressed by having more than one thing to deal with?

As he moves, is he dancing playfully, or is he rigidly lifting his leg to counter balance the movement of the scene? Which would work better for him overall?

He may very well be balancing many unpredictable matters of the material world such as health, money, career, etc., and it’s clearly important how it connects with the spiritual side of life.

He appears to be finding a rhythm and getting in sync with what he’s confronted with. He has the yin-yang balancing act, where the center point that isn’t rigid, but willing to compromise, act and bring harmony into the equation.  Does he turn challenges into joyous purpose?

He finds his objectivity through his natural impulse to move in what appears a carefree, yet still careful, attitude.

Remember to note use of color. Yellow disks match yellow on the larger ship. He may have finances on his mind, among possibly many other material world considerations.

What other symbolism of exchange represent here? Business relationships, delegating tasks to others, transforming idea’s into concrete action. What do you think? Consider all types of exchanges from energy, communications, finances, etc.

When possible, enjoy the challenges for how they make your life move with purpose.

Also note the tall hat? Does this card bring forth any indications of the life force, spiritual/material union as a phallic symbol? What about the orange-reddish clothes as well as on the ships sails? What does that indicate to you?

Recall the previous cards in the two’s (wands, cups, swords). Remember the cards show people, which indicates the importance of relationships and so much of what we experience in life happens through connections to others.

How are the messages of the four cards related?

Questions for personal reflection:

• On a global scale, what external influences have been happening in the world recently, that show  emotional turbulence regarding the material/spiritual world?
• What about on a more personal level?
• How do you handle your emotions and choose to react to any turbulence around you?
• Do you get caught in it, and nearly drown, or do  you ride the current?
• What is your attitude towards the concerns of your life?
• Do you remain optimistic that you are able to handle what’s on your plate?
• What parts of your everyday life need more balance with your spiritual self?
• Where do you feel you need to be more responsible?
• Are you carefree or careless in your choices? Which ones?
• When you’ve got a big idea, with variables to consider, what choice will you make?
• In challenging situations do you choose to react in a way that is best for your well being?

We hope you enjoy learning about Tarot at Symbolic Living with an easy to understand approach for beginners. We also hope you can find personal relations to the card symbolism and think about the imagery in new and expansive ways.

Some weeks we may talk about the cards, history and more. As we go along things will change and develop, we’ll keep it interesting for you.

You are also welcome to join the Symbolic Living Forum for further discussion in the Tarot section where each card can be discussed with members.

Tarot Notes is written by Symbolic Living. © 2011. All rights reserved.

Stay tuned for our regular installments of Tarot Notes at Symbolic Living.

Please Click the Like and Tweet Buttons below to share with your online friends and followers.

More Related

• Three of Cups Tarot Minor Arcana
• Three of Wands Tarot Minor Arcana
• Two of Swords Tarot Minor Arcana
• Two of Cups Tarot Minor Arcana
• Two of Wands (Staffs) Tarot Minor Arcana

Welcome back to Tarot Notes at Symbolic Living.

We are pleased to rekindle your relationship with the symbolism of the Tarot each week. This week we’re continuing to focus on the Two’s, with the next card, the Two of swords.

If you’re new, you may want to check out the Ace of Swords and the Two’s for more background before continuing below.

Two of Swords

Astrological Association: Moon in Libra

This card shows complexity in duality, just as the mind often is.

The mind can be split in the decision making process. If you decide one way, you let go of the other.

In this card we see a woman seated on what appears to be a solid foundation, yet doesn’t appear it would be comfortable for long. She holds two swords which cross on both sides of her. She is blindfolded.

Her clothes are white, with her background predominantly blue with hints of yellow. In the rippling water are rocks and land in the distance below a crescent moon.

Her arms cross in front of her heart, the handles of the swords are at the level of her throat. Her mouth closed, in silence. Is she thinking before she speaks?

She sits centered, facing directly ahead, and has not made a choice to move either way.

This is another card that appears as if set upon a theater’s stage with it’s straight line above her feet, with the scenery as the backdrop. A backdrop is a rendition of reality, thus is illusory. Does it symbolize what is going on within her mind, that in fact her emotions are very present in influencing her thinking process?

Yellow denotes willpower, or using the will. What do her yellow shoes represent? Is she actively willing herself to make a choice?

What is the significance of having her back turned away from the sea? Is she trying to avoid her emotions, or not being receptive to her feelings? Is her mind overriding her feelings?

What does the crescent moon, also in yellow above her left represent in her thinking? Is the light of her mind emphasizing left brain (logical) thinking? How is the moon related to her shoes? Is her decision making process affecting or affected by her internal emotions?

We see that she is deep in thought, thinking without speaking. She is seeking balance in her decision, weighing her options with the desire for objectivity.

Here we see the swords intimating  justice. The importance of reasoning, judgment, and truth are at the heart of the symbolism.

Are the swords she holds heavy or light? Can she hold the peace for long?

The swords crossing over her heart signifies to make the decision willingly from your heart, and the scene reflects the importance of the intuition.

What external pressure is she closing herself off from? What is she blind to?

The mind is often conflicted in life with decisions. Is she possibly meditating to release the burdens of the mind and accessing a deeper place for clarity? Is she actively achieving inner tranquility? In her stillness has she achieved peace between two opposing ideas finding a common juncture she can hold?

Since the scales of justice are not present the cause of the concern itself may still not be fully clear, and must be pondered.

The decision to be made must be thought through carefully weighing the pros and cons. There is more than one side to the issue that must be considered. She is sits alone in this card. The decision is hers to make. She may also conflicting thoughts and feelings deep within about herself she may not always like to look at which she is trying to resolve and find a balance in.

Both aspects of the mind are brought together. The right brain (creative) and left brain (logical) points of view are considered.

Within the complexity of duality, is unity of the mind – symbolized by the woman between the two swords.

• What are you willing to see, and what are you blocking out of the equation?
• How are you conditioned by others, society, and outside influences to think the way do?
• Are you open or closed to other beliefs or ways of thinking?
• What dogma’s are you attached to versus what resonates with your heart?
• Can you sometimes have a “split personality” from your normal self, in different situations?
• Are you not ready to fully commit to something?
• Are you procrastinating, and avoiding looking at a problem that needs resolving?
• Where in life do you ensure you act with diplomacy and fairness or do you take a hard stance?
• Is your mind and feelings conflicted or in synch?
• Is there something you just need to sit and think about before you decide?

We hope you enjoy learning about Tarot at Symbolic Living with an easy to understand approach for beginners. We also hope you can find personal relations to the card symbolism and think about the imagery in new and expansive ways.

Some weeks we may talk about the cards, history and more. As we go along things will change and develop, we’ll keep it interesting for you.

You are also welcome to join the Symbolic Living Forum for further discussion in the Tarot section where each card can be discussed with members.

Tarot Notes is written by Symbolic Living. © 2011. All rights reserved.

Stay tuned for our regular installments of Tarot Notes at Symbolic Living.

Please Click the Like and Tweet Buttons below to share with your online friends and followers.

More Related

• Three of Cups Tarot Minor Arcana
• Three of Wands Tarot Minor Arcana
• Two of Pentacles Tarot Minor Arcana
• Two of Cups Tarot Minor Arcana
• Two of Wands (Staffs) Tarot Minor Arcana

Welcome back to Tarot Notes at Symbolic Living.

This is an exciting week. Prince William and Kate Middleton are getting married. Over 2 billion people are expected to see The Royal Wedding on April 29,2011.

30 years ago, Princess Diana and Prince Charles were married, in 1981.

Couples. How beautiful it is when two people join in union to celebrate their love for one another and share their lives growing together.

Two is a fantastic number. It is what makes the awareness of union possible.

Although the Universe is One, it is also made up of millions of parts, which is all made possible when division into two occurs.

With Two, relationships are made possible. Without the dividing principle there is no division, no judgment, no comparison, no ego, no reflection. Duality is a primordial truth essential for our very existence and through it we have the power to choose.

Within the polarity is the beginning point that gives us understanding of what we call “other” opening the doorway to choice – Free Will.

Decisions can be made, change happens, a new direction is possible, and experience becomes a part of our reality.

The nature of existence is to experience movement between union and division and reveals itself in innumerable aspects of our lives. Dusk and dawn, you and me, light and dark, big or small, rise and fall, life and death, male and female, positive and negative, love or fear, good and evil… Each existing because the other exists.

Two is at the very core of our very being. Clearly evident in our bodies are an expression of this division, mirror images on each side of the center of our bodies, is a reflection of the other. When conceived two people join, the egg and sperm unite, and division of the cells begins dividing into two, multiplying into the many trillions of cells that make our bodies.

The possibilities for creation is endless when two is brought into reality. It is the starting point of life, and drives us to continue creating, living, and loving.

With two, perception is made possible. The question can be asked and an answer given.

The tarot is an artistic expression that reveals to us the nature of our reality and our place within it. Numbers are an important part of tarot, because numbers reveal universal truths.

The division began so the one could see itself. To experience relationship is the very foundation of why we exist.

For the One to have the Other, Love is made possible. The One can love the Other, and the Other can love the One. Choosing through Free Will to re-unite is made possible.

To understand the experience of another and relatively knowing the experience of the self, compassion is born.

The principles of two is seen throughout the tarot Major and Minor Arcana, just as it is in our lives, embedded in many of the cards meanings. We will get further into explanations as we go through the tarot.

For now, we hope we are inspiring you to thinking about the inescapable importance of two in the nature of your life’s reality.

Enjoy the Royal Wedding.

Some weeks we may talk about the cards, history and more. As we go along things will change and develop, we’ll keep it interesting for you.

You are also welcome to join the Symbolic Living Forum for further discussion in the Tarot section where each card can be discussed with members.

Tarot Notes is written by Symbolic Living. © 2011. All rights reserved.

Stay tuned for our regular installments of Tarot Notes at Symbolic Living.

Please Click the Like and Tweet Buttons below to share with your online friends and followers.

More Related

• Three of Cups Tarot Minor Arcana
• Three of Wands Tarot Minor Arcana
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• Two of Swords Tarot Minor Arcana
• Wheel of Fortune. Tarot Contest Entry

When I first became interested in the esoteric, there were certain fields which I quickly realised had been so completely hijacked by a certain faction of the “New Age”, and thereby so utterly discredited it, that it was no longer regarded as much more than a curiosity for fools.

One such field was that of Numerology.

The “New Age” deserves to applaud itself for bringing the fullest potential of alternative systems of spiritual development to the Western consciousness. When it comes to Numerology, however, a great disservice has been perpetrated against a proud, historical tradition.

The roots of Numerology go right back to the very beginning.

From the earliest moment that humanity looked up and saw patterns in the stars, the drive to understand how such perfect order could possibly exist has been at the very centre of intellectual pursuit. Modern science owes everything to these early systems of numerical analysis: systems created in the hope of uncovering the logic, design and causative agent behind all natural phenomena.

It is no coincidence that all ancient systems of writing are number based.

The most urgent need to record and relay information begins with the herds-man. With no formal system of writing available, he essentially had to develop one of his own making. Archeologists have found more ‘tally-sticks’¹ than any other artifact in ancient Sumer, and studies have shown that the proto-writing of the Sumerian culture, which is thought to predate all other writing systems, was a natural development of this simple method of maintaining a count of livestock and goods.²

With the fall of Sumer, the Mesopotamian culture developed this simple accounting system further; as did the Babylonian culture which eventually displaced them; into the most widely used and historically significant writing system in the region. By 3,400 B.C.E. cuneiform included some one thousand, five hundred³ distinct symbols⁴.

Of all writing systems, cuneiform is the simplest in which to recognize the ‘tally-stick’ root of the written form. It is a short step from a notch cut in a piece of wood to the lettering system that we all know, comprising indentations in clay:

Cuneiform Letter on Clay Tablet⁵

Around 3,000 B.C.E. a distinct variant of cuneiform emerged that would become established as Hebrew. Although the Modern Hebrew characters have lost much of the immediacy of cuneiform, in relation to the root of language⁶, the fact that each character doubles as the figure used to represent a number bears its own witness.

This duplication of symbol was not lost on the Mystics of the Jewish faith.

The Kabbalah is the central esoteric teaching of the Jewish Tradition. Attempting to explain the relationship between God and His creation, it is, of itself, a thesis which places much emphasis on Creation as a process reflected in number. It is in this tradition that we first find the concept that man may begin to comprehend the inherent order that he observes within nature. The key to this understanding lies in developing ‘…full knowledge of the manner by which numbers develop, become active, aware and finally complete in an eternal cycle’. ⁷

The most detailed development of this concept is found in the various forms of Gematria. In these traditions, number exploration goes far beyond the contemplation of the basic cycle one through ten.

In these systems, the central hypothesis is that words, or phrases, which have identical numerical value, bear some relation to each other. Several systems have developed through the ages, but the purest form relies on the summation of the absolute numerical values⁸ represented by the letters (common symbol) which make up the word or phrase.

The premise of such an activity is that, by identifying words which are numerically equivalent, we can learn something fundamental about both words. The numerical resonance between words indicates a harmonic relationship between them. Such a harmony, particularly when accompanied by a synchronicity of meaning or general contextual usage, can be interpreted in various ways: which depends largely on the tradition, or bias, of the practitioner.

Irrespective, every discovery adds to a personal understanding of the inter-connectedness of everything, offers additional insight to the natural order of things and ultimately draws the practitioner towards the Creator.

The next important development takes us to Greece. What may surprise many, despite the obvious similarity between the names of the letters, is that the Greek alphabet is nothing more than a variation⁹ on Hebrew: the common root being Phoenician which predated them both. As with the Hebrew alphabet, the Greeks had no separate symbols for numbers¹⁰. It should come as no surprise, then, to discover that the Greeks had their own form of Gematria.

Isopsephia, as the Greek tradition was called, shared many of the concepts and beliefs with which we are familiar from Gematria. In its earliest form, as in the Judaic tradition, Isopsephia was applied exclusively to sacred texts.¹¹

Whether or not Pythagoras (500 B.C.E.) ever used the methods of Isopsephia is unknown. Indeed, no written records of his methods, beliefs or inspiration exist.¹² Everything that we know of him, and the mystery school he is credited to have formed, was written centuries after his death. Most of the writings make it very difficult to know what is true, and what is myth woven around the revered founder of what appears to be a rather odd cult¹³.

Pythagoras Teaching Music

From Raphael’s “The School of Athens”

What is generally accepted as the most, but not entirely, truthful account comes from Aristotle, reporting in his “Metaphysics”¹⁴:

1.   The Pythagorean school held that the principles of Mathematics are the principles of all things. i.e. by comprehending numerical patterns, we can understand the patterns of nature.

2.   The number 10 was particularly significant, represented in the form of the Tetraktys – a common symbol which graphically represented the emanation from the Creator to the Mundane. (Compare with the 10 Sephira on the Tree of Life within the Kabbalistic tradition).

Tetraktycs and The Tree of Life

3.   All is number: an idea which encompassed both the physical and invisible world, up to and including the soul. This was not considered a theoretical matter, but was viewed as a statement of fact. In this context, the belief that the soul, in particular, was number may be relevant later.

4.   All numbers are whole numbers, or simple fractions of whole numbers. In the Pythagorean mind, no other type of number could exist because it only whole numbers were capable of representing the forms of reality.

5.   From earlier sources describing the development of the Pythagoras myth, it is clear that “Pythagoras was obsessed with the “deeper meanings” behind numbers; the spiritual and metaphysical meanings of their relationships with each other and their transcendence beyond the universe at large.”¹⁵

From these observations, there certainly appears to be evidence that the relationship that Pythagoras had with numbers could have been described in terms familiar to those working within the system of Isopsephia.

In any event, it is worth noting that two discoveries attributed to Pythagoras have survived the scrutiny of history: his geometric proof of the theorem which now bears his name¹⁶; and the mathematical elements of his theory of music, harmony and scale¹⁷.

Despite the disparaging attitude of modern science towards many of Pythagoras’ other theories, many of the most important discoveries of the Middle Ages rely on Pythagoras for inspiration¹⁸.

Johannes Kepler made his discovery of the Laws of Planetary Motion whilst attempting to prove the validity of Pythagorean notions of the Music of the Spheres¹⁹ and the Sacred Geometry of Platonic solids which underpinned the structure of the Solar System.

Kepler’s Platonic Solid Model of the Solar System

Newton’s Theory of Light²⁰ relied on the same premise as the Pythagorean theory of light, which held that light was composed of particles. Newton suggested that the diffraction patterns which he studied were the result of these colored particles separating, according to their size, as they passed through the prism²¹.

Newton Splitting Light into its Component Particles

Around this time, as the world of science was making great strides forward, on the back of ancient mathematical concepts, the systems of Isopsephia and Gematria were being adopted by many mystery schools which began to spring up across Europe. In particular, the Rosicrucian²² and Masonic²³ Orders have at their heart, much symbolism which can only be understood by applying the logic and teachings inherent within these number systems.

Not until the late 19^th Century, when a similar wave of interest in occult truths swept society, did a significant advance occur in the field of numerical science.

Against a background which embraced the ideas of Theosophy; introducing many of the Eastern Traditions to the West; and The Golden Dawn; reinvigorating the Western Tradition; a little remembered music teacher, living in Atlanta City, came to some startling conclusions.

In her studies of harmony, Mrs L. Dow Balliett came to realise that the letter name applied to each note had the same vibratory qualities as the note itself. It was this simple observation, she later claimed, which led to her interest in the application of numerical science.

The handful of books which she published on the subject²⁴ essentially defined the modern method of relating names and numbers to acquire insight to the character and personality of the individual²⁵. Her ideas could easily have been quickly forgotten, but for the efforts of one of her students.

Dr. Julia Seton (Sears)²⁶ was an influential humanitarian, suffragette and lecturer in New Thought who toured the English speaking world extensively. It was she who brought Mrs. Balliett’s ideas to a world-wide public. She also wrote several essays on the subject, and it is her book “Symbols of Numerology” which is credited with giving the Science of the Vibration of Names and Numbers its modern name.

Dr Julia Seton Sears

(1862-1950)

Whilst Dr. Seton, and many other of Mrs. Balliett’s students, wrote influential books on the subject, it was Dr. Seton’s daughter, Dr. Juno Jordan who gave Numerology it’s scientific footing.

Turning her back on a career in dentistry, Dr. Jordan studied psychology and founded the Californian Institute of Numerical Research with the intention of testing and perfecting the system. The Institute continued for twenty five years, closing only when the research body had convinced themselves that the theory was robust, the methods accurate and the interpretational guidelines valid. The results were published in Dr. Jordan’s seminal work “The Romance in Your Name”²⁷.

Juno Jordan 1884-1984

The advent of the system represented a primary shift in emphasis in the field of Numerical Science in the West.

Historically, all of the Western systems directed their efforts towards uncovering the big answers. Numerology took the same principles and applied them at the personal level: effectively redirecting the focus of Numerical Science away from understanding creation and turning it towards understanding ourselves.

In this sense, Numerology has much more in common with Astrology than anything that Pythagoras may have been involved in. Clearly, the twelve key numbers (1-9 plus the 3 master numbers) may be considered in sympathy, if not entirely in harmony, with the twelve signs of the Zodiac: a science always directed toward self analysis and growth, rather than the rather tawdry ‘fortune telling’ device that it has become considered by the uninitiated.

Some have argued that the spectrum of numbers generated and utilized in a Numerological chart (there are no less than fourteen combinations required in order to generate a chart and to use it successfully as a tool towards self discovery) make the system too cumbersome. However, once the chart has been devised and interpreted, looking ahead is more akin to the study of biorhythms and is therefore much simpler for day to day application.

It is interesting to note that coming to Numerology too young is almost guaranteed to end the relationship early. The full value of the system seems to only become apparent later in life, when enough tests have been passed / failed that we can fully appreciate the reading before us. We have come to recognize for ourselves already, many of the things which Numerology has to say about us. With this in mind, it becomes clear that these aspects of ourselves which we do not recognize in our chart are the very aspects from which we can most powerfully learn as we move forward.

This in itself offers a clue to the real value of Numerology. Numerology does not tell us how to live our lives. Nor does it tell us our fortune. It cannot reveal lucky numbers. Nor can it indicate our perfect partners. As such, it offers much more than the ‘New Age’ allows it to.

Numerology is nothing less than a tool which aids us towards psychological self awareness.

Psychology is a complex field. Numerology takes that complexity, and by focusing on key psychological states, as applied to individual personality traits, opens the potential for dialogue on our strengths, which naturally aid us, and our weaknesses, which may have thus far hindered us. Such simple insight into our own character, allows us to move forward in full awareness of the true potential we harbor within ourselves.

It is, of course, important that this ‘self’ dialogue is an honest one, and perhaps explains why the system is more readily acceptable to those who have already lived a little. It is only through such honest appraisal, that our weaknesses can be turned into strengths, for even our weaknesses are a talent that can be nurtured. Dr. Jordon asks us to, “Discover our challenge. Do not attempt to overcome it – BECOME it”.

“All is number”, and the disharmonies that we face; psychologically, physically, emotionally; find their reflection in the dance of number which the Universe places before us. By offering some understanding of how our personal identity fits within the symphony, Numerology allows us to find a manner of living ‘in-harmony’ with the Universe as it unfolds around us.

I shall leave the final words to Mrs Dow Balliet:

“No talent can remain mute if it has been gained. No place can hold you that you have outgrown. ‘The Law of Nature is compensation’ – it will move you to where you belong. Deal only with yourself. Do not blame others. In-harmony cannot find you if there is no point of contact.”

Numerology provides a point of contact.

© 2009-2010 Written by Haruth for release on SymbolicLiving.com

This article is copyright protected.  Reproduction without written permission is prohibited.

Footnotes:

1.        Clay tokens marked as a “record of transaction” have been dated as early as 8,000 B.C.E.

http://www.denison.edu/campuslife/museum/cuneiform.html

2.        For an overview of this process visit

http://www.sumerian.org/tallysticks.pdf

3.        Adkins, Lesley, Empires of the Plain: Henry Rawlinson and the Lost Languages of Babylon, New York, St. Martin’s Press (2003)

4.        By the time the language became extinct around 75 C.E. the character set had reduced to some 500 symbols, mainly through elimination of homophones (symbols which represent the same sound), but also through the formation of logograms (a single symbol which represented an idea which previously required several symbols to convey).

http://xoomer.virgilio.it/bxpoma/akkadeng/cuneiform.htm

5.        One of the famous Armana Letters:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amarna_letters

6.        The historical development of the letter Aleph will help to demonstrate this point:

Cuneiform Proto-Hebrew  becomes Aramaic  becomes modern Hebrew א

For an appreciation of development of other Hebrew letters visit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Hebrew_alphabet

7.        Leonard Bosman, The Meaning and Philosophy of Numbers, 1932. Still available in reprint at Amazon.

8.        The following table indicates the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, their English equivalent, and the number represented by each.

9.        For details of the simplicity of the variation visit:

http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/4_history.html

For an overview of the alphabet family tree visit:

http://phoenicia.org/alphabet.html

10.     The following table indicates the 24 letters of the Greek alphabet, their English equivalent, and the number represented by each.

Note: there was once a sixth letter (Digamma) of value 6, but it fell out of use as did the letters with the values 90 and 900.

11.     Modern writers lazily refer to the Greek tradition as Gematria. In general terms, we can assume that any “Gematria” which focuses on the New Testament, e.g., should rightly be referred to as Isopsephia.

12.     This of course has not stopped every esoteric movement, which includes a mathematical element within their teaching, lay claim to being heir to the true teachings of Pythagoras!

13.     For an interesting academic summary of the theoretical aspects of the Pythagorean sect visit:

http://www.cs.utk.edu/~mclennan/OM/BA/ETP/index.html

14.     A good summary is presented at:

http://www.abu.nb.ca/Courses/GrPhil/Pythagoras.htm

15.     From:  http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/pythagoras/

which gives a very good history of the development of the myth of Pythagoras.

16.     Though it may be true that Pythagoras was the first to be able to mathematically prove it, the principle which bears his name was known in Egypt, Chaldea and China thousands of years before his time. For more information, visit:

http://www.arcytech.org/java/pythagoras/history.html

17.     Pythagoras musical theories were central to the scientific understanding of tone, harmony and scale. The theories which he developed remain in use today, and form the basis of modern tuning, chord development and tonal progression.

To see how the Tetraktys relates directly to music theory, visit:

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~matc/math5.geometry/unit3/unit3

18.     Read Richard Bloodworth’s short essay on Pythagoras’ contribution by visiting:

http://www.2b2b.org/docs/papers/PythagorasPhilos.pdf

19.     Music of the spheres discussed at

http://www.keplerstern.com/Music_of_spheres/music_of_spheres.html

20.     For information on Newton’s Theory of Light, visit:

http://galileo.phys.virginia.edu/classes/609.ral5q.fall04/LecturePDF/L20-LIGHTII.pdf

21.     From:  http://www.colorsystem.com/projekte/engl/08newe.htm

which gives an overview of the colour theory devised by Newton.

22.     For an interesting article which discusses Isopsephia as applied within the early Rosicrucian rituals and teachings visit:

http://www.rosecroixjournal.org/issues/2005/articles/vol2_22_29_mcdavid.pdf

23.     Albert Pike, Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Freemasonry, Charleston, 1871 (in which Pike asserts that the Cabala is the key of the occult sciences, with particular reference to the Scottish Rite).

Albert Mackey, The History of Freemasonry, 1881 (in which the key to Masonic Gematria is revealed as that published in the second book of Agrippa, “Three Books of Occult Philosophy”). The form of the Key, which cannot be readily extrapolated from any of the Keys published here, can be obtained by PM for those interested but unable to access a copy of either Agrippa or Mackey.

24.     The most influential of her many titles, modern reprints of which are available on Amazon, include:

“Vibration: A System of Numbers as Taught by Pythagoras” 1905

“Philosophy of Numbers: Their Tones and Colours” 1908

“Nature’s Symphony, or Lessons in Number Vibration” 1911

“The Day of Wisdom According to Number Vibration” 1917

“Number Vibration in Questions and Answers, a Textbook” 1920

25.     It should be well noted, that no such system existed before the time of Mrs L. Dow Balliet. Any individual, or organization, claiming otherwise is at best misinformed, and at worst deliberately misleading.

26.     Dr Julia Seton (Sears) short biography can be read at

http://cornerstone.wwwhubs.com/Julia_Seton_Sears.html

27.     Dr Juno Jordan, “The Romance in Your Name” is available in reprint at Amazon.

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