The Hermetic Tarot ~ 13 May 2019

I finally ordered the Hermetic Tarot by Godfrey Dowson. Its black and white color drew me in and I love its symbolism. I have little experience with ceremonial magick but it’s always been interesting to me and it led me to Crowley’s Thoth Tarot early on in my Tarot study. From there, I found the Western Tattva/Enochian Scrying Tarot by Genaw and Cicero, a dual deck that has tattva symbols on one side and Hermetic symbolism on the other. Both sides provide the tarot reader with plenty of information for divination.

But today, I wanted to use my new deck for this reading. I also purchased the Paulina Tarot, but I’m waiting a bit to look at that one. For this reading, I’ll use three cards as general influences along with a significator providing the overall premise or outcome. I never know until I look at the cards which that will be.

Beginning with the significator, we see the 4 of Swords which Dowson titles the Lord of Rest from Strife. This is a card of balance, of opposites. Beginning at the top, we see two swords, their tips touching, while two more touch hilts below. In the center are four swords crossing in the center of a shield behind a 10-petalled flower while two fists rise up from clouds at the bottom of the card. This is a card of Jupiter in Libra and a truce of some kind has been reached. It’s time now to rest from the strife or conflict created from within or without. The three cards of influence will either describe the issue at hand or the direction to go. Let’s look at each one.

The Lord of the Wild and Fertile Land is the title of the Knight of Pentacles and represents the Fire aspect of Earth. The Knight rides forth on his steed in full battle attire, a hexagram appearing on both his shield and scepter uniting Spirit with physical matter. A winged stag appears above him observing the Knight’s actions. Abundance is evident with the appearance of ripened wheat along his path. The Knight of Pentacles is methodical and practical, responsible and trustworthy as he continues on his journey.

Next, we see the Ace of Cups titled the Lord of the Root of the Powers of Water. A hand reaches out from the clouds offering a chalice with water spilling forth into a pond filled with lotuses and lilies. The Ace of Cups reflects the free-flowing genesis of love and abundance. When it appears in a reading it suggests the beginning of or a change in emotional identity focusing on joy and contentment as well as psychic ability. In other words, this is a card of nourishment of both self and others.

Sorrow is the theme of the Three of Swords, titled the Lord of Sorrow. A card of Saturn in Libra, we see three swords, the outer two identical and curved, while the center sword remains straight as it tears apart the flower in the center. The outer swords serve to keep the drama in play as the hands that hold each one rise from clouds of deception or illusion. I don’t believe that I’ve ever seen this card drawn this way before, particularly with the addition of the three individual hands. In other decks, the conflict is implied; in this deck we see the individuals involved, or at least their hands. But the intention of the card is sorrow and grief born from conflict, specifically a drama triangle.

The significator of the reading, the 4 of Swords, suggests that we’ve experienced some conflict and need a new perspective. The Knight of Pentacles indicates that a new direction may be needed, but one that may be more practical and methodical. The Ace of Cups suggests that we not forget the impact of our emotional presence on the situation and asks us to replace animosity with love and compassion. We’re given an explanation for all of this in the 3 of Swords, suggesting we’ve been part of a drama triangle of some kind and it’s time to lay down our sword to reach a better outcome.

It’s awful to be in the midst of conflict, especially when it’s with people we care about. But sometimes, all we can do is step aside the chaos and create a new way forward, irrespective of the others involved. Allowing everyone to return to their corner as it were can be all that’s needed to reduce the conflict and create an opening for further interaction.

The Ace and the 3 give us the reason for the respite suggested by the significator, the 4 of Swords. It’s a time to heal the mind and to achieve inner balance.

Blessings to all!