Gate Cards (Rachel Pollack)

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Apr 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Rusty Neon	25 Apr 2003
Hi all ... Has anyone ever had a chance to review and work with the Gate Cards concept introduced by Rachel Pollack in _78 Degrees of Wisdom_? Is the concept of Gate Cards something invented by Pollack, or are there previous sources for the concept? Thanks in advance!

Astraea	25 Apr 2003
Rusty Neon, I am unaware of a prior source for Pollack's concept of "gate cards." In reading her book, the impression I received was that Pollack was repeatedly struck by the otherworldly nature of certain cards in the minor arcana, which seemed to lead one inward in peculiar and particular ways; her conception of gate cards appears to have been a reflection of that observation. Rachel Pollack is usually quick to acknowledge source material, so in all probability this is an original idea (at least, to her). I think that many of us have had similar feelings about some of the cards in the minor arcana, and Pollack gave words and shape to those sensations. There is just something mystical and magical about the Six of Swords, for example -- something that almost raises goosebumps, or calls to the more lyrical aspects of oneself. Each of Pollack's gate cards speaks, in some way, of a drama beyond the physical plane that is almost siren-like in its call. I have worked with the concept of gate cards and find it a valid and intriguing method of exploration. I understand gate cards as something like acupuncture points, through which we can gain access to wider streams of meaning. However, I believe that any card can be a gate card, depending upon where it falls in a spread, who the spread is for, and what the issue is. As in life, nothing in tarot is static. Just my opinion.

Belladonna	25 Apr 2003
Are we talking about using gate cards to explore further and expand upon generally accepted meanings for a particular card of the Minor Arcana? Or is it more like an astral projection thing? Please bare with me, I don't yet have the book!

Astraea	25 Apr 2003
Belladonna, in the book 78 Degrees of Wisdom, Rachel Pollack advances the idea that certain minor arcana cards are entryways to wider, deeper experiences than are customarily attributed to the minors; she calls those cards "gates." Pollack uses the RWS tarot to illustrate 78 Degrees of Wisdom; the depictions used in that deck are what gave rise to her understanding of particular cards as gates.

Inana	26 Apr 2003
Mmmmh this sounds interesting. There are a lot of these "gate cards"? Or they are not the same for all people, i mean, each person has his/her own gate cards?

lawguy51	26 Apr 2003
My take on Ms. Pollack's Gate cards is that they fall somewhere between the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. Sort of Minor Arcana on steroids! That certain cards are so rich in their symbolism as to open a pathway to a deeper meaning. In this way, they are more archetypal than most of the minor arcana cards which portray everyday experiences. Ms. Pollack suggest meditating on these cards to gain direct access to their more profound meanings. I've personally met the guy in the 3 of Wands. Nice chap! Lawguy51

lawguy51	26 Apr 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Inana Mmmmh this sounds interesting. There are a lot of these "gate cards"? Or they are not the same for all people, i mean, each person has his/her own gate cards? I could go back and count but let me guess that there are about 8. 3 of Wands, 10 and 9 of Pentacles, hmmm, 5 of Cups, 6 of Swords....that's all I can remember off hand. Lawguy51

Inana	26 Apr 2003
Thanks Lawguy, will take a look at these cards. Maybe I will buy the book, it sounds like an interesting reading.

lawguy51	26 Apr 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Inana Maybe I will buy the book, it sounds like an interesting reading. If you could only buy one Tarot Book, "Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom" would be the one I'd choose. Lawguy51

skytwig	26 Apr 2003
Astraea: Quote: Each of Pollack's gate cards speaks, in some way, of a drama beyond the physical plane that is almost siren-like in its call. You write so inspirationally; could you elaborate more on Polluck's and your own use of these gate cards?

Astraea	26 Apr 2003
Skytwig, I can't say it better than Lawguy, I think his definition is absolutely wonderful: they "fall somewhere between the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. Sort of Minor Arcana on steroids." Pollack doesn't specify methods or techniques for use with gate cards; her intention seems to have been to draw our attention to them, so that we could become aware of their different qualities and begin to feel our ways into their depths. They are rather like doors to the unconscious, which is why I likened them earlier to acupuncture points: they draw one in and activate energy. Of course, in a general sense, all tarot cards are doors to the unconscious, which is why I believe that gate cards can change, depending upon the reader, the querent, the cards' positions, and the circumstances of the reading. If all cards are doors to the unconscious, gate cards glow! When I studied 78 Degrees of Wisdom, Pollack's statements about gate cards resonated immediately, because the particular cards she mentions (and others that she doesn't) had already announced themselves: gate cards just feel different. My sense is that they do not remain the same, or pack the same "punch," all the time and in all readings -- just as, for particular needs, different acupuncture points are indicated as specific points of entry into the energy flow. Sometimes, the Six of Swords is just a lady in a boat, going somewhere for temporal reasons -- but at other times, she rides the barque to Avalon.

skytwig	27 Apr 2003
So, do the gate cards vary or are there 'standard' cards that indicate a gate? I find this absolutely intriguing and want to utilize it in my readings.....

Astraea	27 Apr 2003
Skytwig, Pollack's selections as gate cards are: Three of Wands, Eight of Cups, Five of Cups, Eight of Swords, Six of Swords, Ten of Pentacles, Nine of Pentacles, Six of Pentacles (and maybe 5; she is unclear on this point -- at least, to me); these are her "standards." I believe, however, that if one were to question her today, she might have expanded -- or honed -- her views on the subject. I urge you to read 78 Degrees of Wisdom if the subject of gate cards interests you, because Pollack's manner of expression and explanation of these cards -- and all cards -- is beautiful and enlightening.

skytwig	27 Apr 2003
Thank you, Astraea. I appreciate the information and look forward to reading the book... :)

baba-prague	28 Apr 2003
I have to admit that months ago when someone emailed me to ask why we had put a gate on to one of our work-in-progress cards I didn't have a clue about why in particular a gate might be important. So I read "78 degrees" and found the whole concept of "gate cards" really interesting and useful. However, I agree that there probably isn't a "standard" set of gate cards. Personally I find some of Rachel Pollack's easier to relate to than others - and we have just explicitly made our own "Seven of Pentacles" a gate card (though Pollack certainly doesn't) This was partly because of a reading I did recently for a friend in which this card seemed to be signifying a pause and reflection before quite a large step forward. Also the card just seemed to create itself that way and we didn't intervene. Maybe it's best to keep the concept of gate cards in mind when reading, but not to feel you have to keep to the cards that are specificed in "78 degrees". I have a feeling any Minor card can function as a gate in certain circumstances? It's up to you. Now - mirror cards anyone? I've been playing around with the concept of "Alice Through the Looking Glass" type cards - not so much stepping through a gate as stepping through a mirror into a transformed world. Or is it the same as a gate? Just a different way of thinking about it. Okay - hope that ramble added something in some way! Karen

skytwig	28 Apr 2003
Talk about mirrors, I am a Karen too! I love the idea of mirror cards, ones we step through to find deeper meaning within. The Moon would HAVE to be a mirror card. also the Queen of Cups in the Thoth deck. I have always seen Temperance as a mirror card, because I step through, straight to the unrestricted area of creativity; the splendor of all things possible.... Gate cards, yes, pause and consider. Mirror cards, opportunitity for such deep reflection that we are BEHIND everything!!! Wow, I love it! :joke: Splendiforous!!!! Another Karen :laugh:

baba-prague	28 Apr 2003
Karen! Glad you like it. I sort of feel I'm talking to myself here :-) I'm still working this one through. I've got very interested in the alchemical idea that everything has a visible and an invisible aspect (hence the "Black Sun" is the invisible aspect of the ordinary everyday sun). Then I read Angela Carter's "Alice in Prague" in which Alice comes not into Looking Glass World, but into Prague, and I've been thinking about this as a way of looking at some of the cards since. (I think I was marked for life by seeing Jean Cocteau's "Orphee" at the age of fifteen - by accident. He goes to the Underworld through a mirror - weird, haunting film) Anyway, like I say, not thought through yet. But nice to get a reaction! Karen!

skytwig	28 Apr 2003
And what about the mirror in Harry Potter; was that a grand concept or what? all that wishfull thinking actualized! And stepping through the mirror is like shattering our illusions and digging deep to what's behind those illusions!!! the Dark Mother, for instance, is the Goddess, Kali Ma, and she is everything the Tower card. Her work is explosive, she holds nothing back in her 'deliverance'. she, to me, is the mirror aspect of the tower card. As such, many fear the Tower, but if we embrace it, we come to exquisite Truth!!1 Years ago, I came to the conclusion the everything is backward to what it SEEMS! Illusion, illusion. The book, The course in Miracles mentions the concept, but the author (who is NOT JESUS, BY THE WAY.! I know Jesus. He does not write that poorly!) Sorry, I had a moment of rebuttal there; spiritual indignation.... anyway, the book does not understand the concept of Illusion at all. Illusion is actually true, whereas, the book creates a sense of untruth about it. All is True. All is Sacred, even the yucky stuff. It's what is behind it that intrigues me. When we go through the mirror, suddenly, it all makes sense!

The Gate Cards (Rachel Pollack) thread was originally posted on 25 Apr 2003 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.