Stupid question...

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 14 Jun 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

cricket	14 Jun 2002
...but I'm having a mental lapse. Just offhand, can somebody tell me which suits are associated with which direction? cricket, the one that REALLY needs to start the day over

Phoenix	14 Jun 2002
Swords - Air Wands - fire Pentacles - Earth Cups - Water In the celtic dragon Tarot, Lisa hunt associates fire with swords, and air with wands. But the ones I listed above seem to be the norm. Hope this helps!!!!!

Maan	14 Jun 2002
Hi Cricket not a stupid question because as you know there are no stupid questions only stupid answers ;) I think it depends on wich deck because when the fire is linked with swords in stead of wands the direction changes also. I use the swords are east wands are south cups are west pentacles are north But maybe some people have an other list:)

zorya	14 Jun 2002
this is certainly NOT a stupid question, but you will get at least three different opinions on this one. lol. we had a similar thread on suits and seasons in april, if i remember right. mine is not the majority opinion, but here goes anyway! east= wands= fire=spring (the sun rises in the east, the spark of spring.) south=cups=water=summer (nourishment and growth) west=pentacles=earth=autumn (the earths harvest and bounty) north=swords=air=winter (the bitter, cutting and changing wind)

Jeannette	14 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Phoenix ...In the celtic dragon Tarot, Lisa hunt associates fire with swords, and air with wands. But the ones I listed above seem to be the norm... Cricket: Phoenix's list does comprise the "norm," but it's interesting to see that an occasional designer will have a strong preference for the swords=fire/wands=air switch. Another popular deck that reverses the elemental attributions of these two suits is Ellen Cannon Reed's "Witches" tarot. Personally, I can understand why a few people feel the need to swap the attributions for these two suits -- there certainly is a lot of "fiery" history that is symbolically associated with swords in general. However, I still prefer the "standard" attributions, because of the association of wands with the torch, and the sword which, despite the fact that one of a "fiery" nature may wield it, is still an instrument which cannot generate "fire" on its own, but rather must "pass through the air" in order for its thrust to have effect. But I expect that the swords/wands attribution issue could comprise a thread unto itself, and probably already has... -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Phoenix	14 Jun 2002
I agree with Jeanette, I prefer the "norm" although, I don;t mind the swords/wands switch.

Liliana	14 Jun 2002
The switch usually occurs in Pagan decks beause, at least in Wicca, the athame (ritual knife) is fire and the wand is air. But I can go either way, doesnt matter too much. Just my athame is in the south on my alter, but when i order my cards swords come in the east lol (I arrange my decks majors, then in the order of a clockwise circle starting east, so swords, wands, cups, then pentacles) :THP

Maan	15 Jun 2002
Hi Liliana Not all pagan decks do that swithing thing ( luckely cause i can work with swords/fire and wand/air) The Robin Wood doesn't :) i wish i could get over it cause then i could use my Nigel Jackosn decks more often. Its just such a pitty :(

lunalafey	15 Jun 2002
N. pent. S. wands E. swords W. cups

Liliana	15 Jun 2002
Yep, not all pagan decks do but if it is done its usually a pagan deck :) :THP

Wisp Wings	01 Aug 2003
I found this site sometime back and like what her take on this all was. Even if you don't ascribe to the season/direction, overall it is a great site. A "by the way" if any one happens to know this lady or if she is on this forum, I would love it if the site would be completed. So much work and almost at the final pages (I would guess), run out of steam. Too bad. http://www.yellowknife.com/save-on/tarot/tarot01.htm

NiftyKracker	01 Aug 2003
For what it's worth, the Haindl Tarot makes the following associations: Cups = North = Norse/Celtic Mythology Swords = South = Egyption Mythology Wands = East = Hindu Mythology Pentacles = West = Native American Mythology (to me the most interesting choice) I am not entirely certain of the rationalization behind these assignations, but the gods and goddesses they chose from each culture associated with the direction made a lot of sense to me. I would recommend looking into the deck... perhaps reading the accompanying books by Rachel Pollack that I am currently trying to get through.

The Stupid question... thread was originally posted on 14 Jun 2002 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.