Tarot Lemniscate - Tarot de Paris

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 24 Jul 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

JPT	24 Jul 2004
...........................The Tarot Leminiscate – Tarot de Paris 2004 ...............................................Master Numbers .....................11––––––––––––––––-22–––––––––––––––––––33 ---------------------- 4.....3.....2....1....................12....13....14.....15 ------------------5 ............................................................................16 -------------------------01-------10---------11---------12--------21 ------------------6..............................................................................17 -----------------------7.....8.....9....10..................21.....20...19.....18 -----------------------------55----------------11------------165 --------------------------------------------Total 231 Background The above diagram resulted from a ‘hunch’ (in 2001) that the ‘10’ base numeric system of the Minor Arcana ‘Pips’ could also be discovered in the Major Arcana. (The Kabbalistic system of ‘10 Sephiroth / 22 Paths’ is known to me but not referenced). The instant that I ‘saw’ the sequence of ‘01-10—11—12-21’ I also ‘saw’ that the configuration of numbers produced a lemniscate – a symbol that is clearly suggested in the Major Arcana of the Marseilles, and Wirth and Waite decks. Over the past two years I have use used this diagram in my lectures and writings. However, it never occurred to me to add the numbers from 1 to 21 until a few months ago. Premise Bear in mind that the purpose of this exercise is to ‘see’ the numbers as icons — with the same intuitive approach that in employed in reading cards. It is not my intention to nullify all other conceptions of how the majors should be arranged. As you all know, the numbers in tarot are as important as the images. Tarot numbers are not merely units for calculation, they are packets of compressed information that can be ‘accessed’ and ‘nuanced’ using the combined efforts of the intuition and the intellect. Description The total addition of the numbers 1 through 21 equals 231. OK, so what? Wait, let’s try to ‘see’ past the ‘math’ and use a more graphic approach to ‘see’ the numbers as icons or numeric anagrams. The first thing of note is that 231 is comprised of the same numbers as the master numbers 11........22.......33 above. OK, maybe that’s a co-incide-nce, but let’s continue. Next, if you’ll remember, the Lemniscate diagram was born of the search for the ‘10’ base system as a key common to both minor and major arcana. It is generally agreed that '10' completes the minors and '21' completes (critical mass) the major arcana. Thus ‘10’and ‘21’ become the prime numbers of the whole exercise. And.......it is therefore interesting that the numbers from 1 - 20 add up to 210 (same numbers rearranged). Finally, in order to complete the addition cycle we add 210 + 21 to get 231. Now ‘see’ it intuitively: ............................................................210+21 is 21021 or 21-0-21 There’s no meaning per se, just another curiosity! Yet, no matter we do, we somehow ‘see’ 21! To Summarize: Let’s go back to the beginning concept of a base ‘10’ system and look at how it relates to the total 231. Once again, remember that this exercise remains in the context of tarot & numerology not math theory. Then ............231 minus 10 = 221 {10 is the ghost in the machine because as an icon it say: (1)All+Nothing(0)}. Finally, if reversed, as 221 + 10, we arrive at a very cryptic number sequence. Just remove the ‘+’ sign and we ‘see’ ...................................................................'22110' .........or.......... 22-11-0 From this final sequence we can reproduce all of the previous ones: >The core of the Lemniscate > 01-10—11—--12-21 >The Tarot Journey from ‘1 – 21’ that takes place against a background of ‘0 to 22’ (Divine Chaos). The middle ‘11’ represents the crossroads of the Lemniscate where we occasionally catch a glimpse of the ALL. >The individual units ‘22, the 21, 11, 1, 0’ are all there ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– About the Master Numbers...................11............................22............................33 1) Notice that the 5 and the 6 arcana represent the farthest points away from the center on the left side and the 16 and 17 on the right. The 'distance from the center’ adds an interesting aspect to the interpretation of those particular cards. 2) By adding the wayward 5 + 6 and you’ll get ‘11’ again – the first master number. 3) The second master number, '22' is above the '11' as its greater Hermetic complement. There’s not enough space to explain this except .......as above , so below. 4)) Next move to the right side and add the 16 + 17 to acheive the third master number - 33. Consider the implications of the 16(Tower) and 17 (Star) being so FAR away from the center (11 as the portal of the 0-22)? 5) In any case, what we ‘see’ is that the master numbers 11 - 22 – 33 are mysteriously present, and in their natural sequence, above the Tarot Lemniscate. Nuff said, but it is curious isn't it? *jpt

jmd	24 Jul 2004
I personally consider that the prominant reason why the Fool is left un-numbered it precisely to give us this summation of 231 - which is of course also the number of 'gates' which are formed by 22 letters, or, as indicated, the 21st triangular number (1+2+3+4+...20+21). The lemniscatory form of the Atouts, as you are undoubtedly also aware, has also been presented in an alternative form in Alfred Douglas's circa 1973 The Tarot: origin, meanings and uses of the cards - as well as other places. With the model you present, it also makes much sense to have that twenty-second card (by which I refer to the Fool) as overlapping card XI - Strength. There, each has not only an animal by there side, but there is a corresponding complementarity between the two cards which also arise. Anyhow, your deck is one I still wish to obtain, and look forward to one day looking at it in light of the particular correspondences suggested.

The Tarot Lemniscate - Tarot de Paris thread was originally posted on 24 Jul 2004 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.