One (new to me) way of approaching numerology with the Tarot de Marseille

In his latest blog post, "Returning to the Tarot de Marseille", Jack Chanek mentioned an approach he's tried for assigning a general theme to each of the numbers in the pip cards. A kind of “implicit numerology” based on the trumps. He didn't mention an original source for this method, if such a source could actually be identified, but noted that Caitlín Matthews and Alejandro Jodorowsky both discussed it.

If you set aside the Fool and the World cards, you're left with two sets of ten cards: 1 to 10, and 11 to 20. You can pair these cards up, 1 with 11, 2 with 12..., and the resulting pairs can provide a thematic framework with which to consider the pip cards – 1 + 11 are reflected in the Aces, 2 + 12 are reflected in the Twos, and so on.

1 Magician + 11 Strength

2 Popess + 12 Hanged Man

3 Empress + 13 Death

4 Emperor + 14 Temperance

5 Pope + 15 Devil  (lol)

6 Lovers + 16 House of God

7 Chariot + 17 Star  (“Hitch your wagon to a star”)

8 Justice + 18 Moon

9 Hermit + 19 Sun

10 Wheel of Fortune + 20 Judgement

As you can see, these pairings seem to make some logical sense. I have my own ideas about their relationships and how those could be applied to the numbers, but I won’t state them here. I'd like to leave you clear to make your own connections. Jack did list a few ways these could be perceived – see his post if you're curious.

Have fun.

Random Reading - #60

This week’s RR is brought to you by Linda Goodman’s Star Cards.

Remember Linda Goodman’s “Sun Signs” and “Love Signs” astrology books? In the early 70s, my mother and I both had copies of her Love Signs book, Taurus and Scorpio respectively, and we often shared our thoughts, and a good giggle, over them. When I saw that there was a Linda Goodman deck, I had to get it. The deck is structured on Chaldean numerology.

The theme for this week is 4 Uranus: change and disruption. Much like the Tower in Tarot, the trick to dealing with it is to know it’s coming and plan ahead.

Entitled Discrimination and Analysis, number 25 is also known as Wisdom, and is related to 7 Neptune: mystery and illusions. Remain objective, watch carefully how things play out and call on your experience to see you through the upcoming changes.

14 Movement – Challenge, also known as Fluidity, relates to 5 Mercury: communication and trickery. It's possible for things to go in your favour, but you need to pay attention to what’s being said, remember to use discrimination, and beware of the unexpected.

You’re really going to have to stay on your toes this week.

Bottom card - 29 Grace Under Pressure: remain totally honest in your dealings, despite the possible actions of others, and have faith that everything will turn out all right.

Linda Goodman's Star Cards - text by Crystal Bush, art by Frank Riccio, published by Hampton Roads Publishing Co, 2000.