Page 52 (part 2)

We divide our 10 cards into four packets: three packets of 3 cards each, and one packet formed of a single card, the 10th. When this is done we say-- The first packet of 3 cards, formed of the ace, 2, and 3, will have the same meaning as the Man , enterprise, commencement, the creation of some undertaking (enterprise, love, hatred, or money). The second packet, composed of the 4, 5, and 6, represents Woman , and all the ideas of negation, of reflection, associated with her; that is to say, the opposite of man, antagonism, opposition in any matter. The third packet signifies the equilibrium which results from the action of the two opposites upon each other, represented by the Young Man . Lastly, the Child , the absolute neuter, will be represented by the 10th card. Each of the 3 cards in these packets have the same meaning. The first card of these 3 packets will indicate the commencement; the second, opposition, antagonism; the third, equilibrium, which gives us the following general sequence in our 10 cards. KEY TO THE DIVINING TAROT. 1. Commencement of Commencement . 2. Opposition 3. Equilibrium 4. Commencement of Opposition . 5. Opposition 6. Equilibrium 7. Commencement of Equilibrium . 8. Opposition 9. Equilibrium 10. Undetermined: The card which follows will explain it. Thus the three words, Commencement, Opposition, Equilibrium, the synonyms of Thesis , Antithesis , Synthesis , or of Brahma , Siva , Vishnu , etc., suffice for the explanation of all the minor arcana of the Tarot. We need only add the words love, hatred, enterprise or fortune to each of the series, and we can define the meaning of every card without wearying the memory. This we will now do. SIGNIFICATION OF THE FOUR SERIES OF THE MINOR ARCANA IN THE DIVINING TAROT. SCEPTRES. Creation . Enterprise . Agriculture . KING. The King of Sceptres symbolizes a dark man, a friend. He generally represents a married man, the father of a family. QUEEN. A dark woman, a friend. Represents a serious woman, a very good counsellor, often the mother of a family. KNIGHT. A dark young man, a friend. KNAVE. A dark child, a friend. Also represents a message from a near relation. ACE OF SCEPTRES. Commencement of an Enterprise . TWO. Opposition to the commencement of the Enterprise . The Enterprise is commenced when an unexpected obstacle suddenly prevents its execution. THREE. Realization of the commencement of the Enterprise . The basis of the work is now definitely established, and the undertaking can be fearlessly continued. FOUR. Obstacles to the Enterprise . Nothing can be accomplished without obstacles. We therefore now find them appearing, and must prepare ourselves to overcome them. FIVE. Opposition to the obstacles. Victory after surmounting them . Six. Realization of the opposition . At last the obstacles succeed. Failure of the Enterprise in the midst of its execution. SEVEN. Certain success to the Enterprise . EIGHT. Opposition to its success . The Enterprise will only partially succeed. NINE. Realization of success . Success is continued. TEN. Uncertainty in the management of the Enterprise. CUPS. Preservation . Love . Instruction . Knowing the meaning of one series, we know à priori the significations of the three others. We shall however give them in order to facilitate the work. KING OF CUPS. A fair man, a friend . This card also represents a barrister, judge, or ecclesiastic.