Traditionally there are 56 minor arcana cards -- the Ace through Ten, plus the four Helper Cards. Esoterically, 56 was known as the god number, the masculine energy, the active energy, the force of the creation principal.

The 56 is the vibration of the natal number of the Celtic sun god, who was known as the son of Tara, the Earth Mother; his aura shot-out 14 feet in all directions from his head (the rays went out into the four directions evenly balanced).

When the fourteen minor cards of each Element suit (Ace through Ten and the Helper Cards) are laid out in each of the cardinal directions -- east, south, west and north -- we see the design of the Celtic Cross, which represents the energy vibration of the number 56. Thus, the number of the solar god becomes grounded into the earth plain.

The design of the minor arcana, the lesser secrets, the 56 vibration, the male number, then becomes representative of the phallic or the fertilization gods, activating the masculine principle of the life force here in physical world of action, and within the conscious mind.

It is important to take into consideration that each card in each suit represents a particular aspect of human consciousness or experience. In each of the Element suits, the Ones contain many of the same properties; the Twos are similar, as are the Threes, and so on, through to the Tens.

When the 56 concept of energy vibration is applied to the Element Suits it is represented through the numerological vibration of each card's number first and foremost, and secondly, through each card's astrological affiliation.

The science of numerology is based on harmonious vibration. The understanding of numerology is to find the inner harmony, which will enable each of us to vibrate at an equal pace with the vibration of our planet Earth.

The world travels at a rapid rate. Scientists have noted that the vibration of the earth increases at the rate of one hour a week, which means our inner vibration, will also continually shift.

The vibrations that govern the universe affect us all for we are all a part of it. As a part of the whole we are affected by every change in the universal rate of vibration -- and the rate changes every time there appears a different number in year, month or day, or in the case of Tarot, with every card.

The universal vibration is like a stage set for a play. We may read the whole play but we memorize only the lines in our own role. Numerology helps us to work with these natural vibrations rather than against them.

When the science of numerology is applied to the tarot cards, the number, which governs the card, gives deeper insight into the hidden meaning of the card, and can thus be used as an additional correspondence -- an important action for our role in the play.

The following is an easy reference for the basic constructive value of the numbers One through Nine.

One: Creation, originality, independence, courage, progress, ambition, positiveness, will power, leadership, pioneering, activity, force, raw energy.

Two: Love, service, gentleness, harmony, adaptability, charm, diplomacy, friendliness, rhythm, music, receptivity, cooperation, consideration for others, will, purpose, initial understanding.

Three: Artistic expression, joy of living, freedom from worry, optimism, inspiration, talent, imagination, good taste, sociability, friendliness, kindness, conception, beginning manifestation.

Four: Practicality, service, patience, exactitude, organization, application, devotion, patriotism, conservatism, pragmatism, dignity, economy, trust, worthiness, endurance, loyalty, production, mastery.

Five: Freedom, progress, versatility, understanding, variety, adaptability, mental curiosity, life experience, cleverness, non-attachment, sociability, change, discord, travel, adventure, companionability, surrender, release.

Six: Love, harmony, home, responsibility, adjustment, musical talent, sympathy, understanding, domesticity, guardianship, stability, poise, protection, healing, firmness, balance, idealism, conscientiousness, justice, burden-fearing, service to All, solution, exaltation, seeing.

Seven: Mental analysis, technicality, introspection, peace, poise, scientific research, spirituality, faith, trust, stoicism, refinement, wisdom, silence, “theories and fundamentals,” feeling, deepening, mystery.

Eight: Power, authority, success, material freedom, judgment, discrimination, executive ability, organization, leadership, management, practicality, thoroughness, dependability, self-reliance, control, the power to succeed, repose, consideration, retreat, ripening.

Nine: Universal love, sisterhood, brotherhood, charity, compassion, the Higher Law, artistic genius, selfless service, philanthropy, humanitarianism, magnetism, sympathy, understanding, romance, generosity, breadth of viewpoint, understanding before or beyond words, strengthening.

Each number's "key words" can be applied to the meaning of a tarot card, when the number of the card seems to stand out prominently to you, which would then have a significant interpretation in the spread.

The application of numerology to the Element suits can be taken a step further by applying the concept of mathematical or geometrical symbols, which tell the story of how numbers evolve, as well as adding the expression of the energy movement behind numerology.

GEOMETRIC EVOLUTION OF ENERGY

Aces are the number 1; they are a starting point, the beginning, a sharp point, and a sharp focus. They have no specific identify at the starting point other than being representative of the raw energy of each Element suit. Raw energy is neither good or bad, positive or negative - it's simply the beginning point. The suit element guides the raw power of its ace. The application of the raw energy will depend on the surrounding cards in a spread.

The ace divides, it becomes polarized as the 2, it's moving out from itself, and it’s developing on a conceptual level, on an idea level. The 2 becomes dimensional as the 3, it is now getting ready to be birthed.

The 4 which is the square; it brings stability, manifestation, representing boundaries that are being developed. This energy moves into 5, which is shifting, changing, releasing, and possibly destroying it so that as it builds into the 6 it re-stabilizes itself.

As 6, the energy becomes connected to solution, possibly seeing them. 6 is a number vibration of re-growth. Moving into the 7, the energy becomes more complex. It deepens; it could be developing the solutions that were provided in the 6. Most importantly 7 frees - it's a freeing quality and as it goes up into 8, where there is further development, more growth. However, the energy is also connected to the qualities of response or ripening and possibly the hint of retreat.

On an energy graph, the 9 moves into the highest point of development; moving into possibly the strengthening of the full understanding of the development of the other numbers.

The energy of the 10 is a new plane or a threshold, it's a new level of experience; it's the 1 or ace taking us back to the beginning. A 10 is a reflection of the ace at a new level of experience. As above, so below. The 10 and the Ace are reflections of each other.

To enhance this picture, the meaning of the numbers can be outlined as follows:

1. Raw power
2. Will, purpose, initial understanding
3. Conception, manifestation
4. Production, mastery, clinging to achievement
5. Surrender, release, destruction
6. Solution, exaltation, seeing
7. Feeling, deepening, mystery
8. Repose, consideration, retreat, ripening
9. Understanding before or beyond words, strengthening
10. Processing, moving to a new level.

LINEAR ENERGY MOVEMENT

By looking at the numbers One through Ten as a linear graph experience provides understanding into the movement of each numbers energy. At the 1, something begins. At the 2, it grows in intensity. At the 3, it grows stronger still. At the 4, it reaches its initial peak. At the 5, problems arise and the line graph sees its first dip. At the 6, the problem is solved and the line begins to move back up again, but at the 7, there is a deepening and the line graph will drop to its lowest position.

At the 8, real learning, which will have lasting results, begins to occur and the line graph shoots up above the position of 6 and 4. At the 9, the major messages and mysteries of the particular suit or issue at hand have been processed and understood. At the 10, the highest point on the line graph, there is an arrival at a new level or new way of knowing.

The theoretical meaning of numbers One through Ten is uniform in every tarot deck. Use this information to add depth to card interpretations by recognizing the energy movement or energy behind the card’s number value.

Author's Bio: 

Official Tarot Guide of SelfGrowth.com. Kisma entered the world of tarot at the age of 8, began formal studies at 16, and performed her first professional reading at 22. With over 40 years of tarot experience she is the creator of the Faery Wicca Tarot, and a world-wide acclaimed psychic and tarot master.

For more information on Kisma, visit her SelfGrowth profie at:
www.selfgrowth.com/experts/kisma_stepanichreidling.html

For more information the FAERY WICCA TAROT deck, online classes or readings with Kisma, visit:
www.faeryfaith.org/fairy-faery-faerie-marketplace/tarot

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Kisma Stepanich-Reidling, The Official Guide to Tarot

Additional Resources on Tarot can be found at:

Website Directory for Tarot
Articles on Tarot
Products for Tarot
Discussion Board
Kisma Stepanich-Reidling, The Official Guide to Tarot