Suits in daily life

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 12 Apr 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Inana	12 Apr 2005
This is based on a thread about the queen of cups I’ve found interesting. The point is to know better each suit and stuff related to them. Also can be of use if one wants to attune or connect better with one particular suit or element. What actions in daily life are related to each suit? What do the court families in their house, work or free time do? I’m starting with some ideas… WANDS – FIRE: -Go to the gym and practice some sport -Organize a big party -Do some role-playing games -Get a new an original haircut CUPS - WATER: -Read a novel or some poetry -Phone someone you don’t see since long time ago -Take a warm bath -Build or take care of an aquarium SWORDS – AIR: -Play chess or other strategy games -Read the newspaper or a non fiction book -Take part in a debate -Study and learn about a new subject PENTACLES – EARTH: -Enjoy a good traditional meal -Buy some nice clothes you need -Take a massage -Clean and put in order your house -Model something with some clay Your turn now… :)

jmd	12 Apr 2005
This may indeed be interesting, and may highlight the various ways the suits may be seen - and their overlaps. Batons Use a pen or brush - write, draw, paint; Work in the garden - plant some trees, prune them, etc; Assert yourself (sceptre) - make firm decisions; listen to music. Cups Visit a sacred site or attend Mass; Meditate and practice prayer; Read a sacred book; Celebrate a festival or personal achievement. Deniers Invest in stock; Balance your income and expenditure; Practice charity; Take Communion. Swords Fight for a cause; Engage in legal action; Involve yourself in politics; Engage in sport.

Inana	15 Apr 2005
Hi JMD! Thanks for answering. I just have one question, do you associate swords with fire?

jmd	15 Apr 2005
Mostly, I do not associate any of the suits with any of the elements, though this is not always the case. If a suit-elemental correlation is asked for, then I do tend to favour Swords with the element of Fire. Unlike, for example, El Gran Esoterico, which favours Swords with Water, or some authors who favour Swords with Earth, or what appears to be a majority that favour Swords with either Air or Fire, I tend to consider that the element and the suit are more distinct than intrinsically linked. In terms of my list above, I was not in the least considering the element, but rather reflected on the types of individuals using the implement depicted in its various guises.

theredfox	17 Apr 2005
Nice thread. I'd like to add that the suits could also be linked to 'problems', because you always have yin and yang, good and bad, light and dark. So to make Tarot philosophy more sophisticated, you have to integrate and incorporate both. Wands: hyperactivity, over-competitive, aggression, football hooligans. Cups: poor self esteem, no love, no confidence, addictions. Swords: poor academic achievement, learning difficulties, no intellectual stimulation. Pentacles: money, health, housing problems, physical violence, injury.

Fairawen	18 Apr 2005
Hm. I never thought about looking at the suits that way. Very insightful. *lol* Football hooligans? :P ~Fairawen~

theredfox	18 Apr 2005
Hehe yeah....guess the UK has got a big wands imbalance. We're famous for it! Seriously though - its a very aggressive and fiery thing.

Inana	19 Apr 2005
Theredfox, it was funny to see football hooligans linked with wands! :) Nice suggestions in the ugly side of the suits. JMD, I've never thought before to work with the suits without linking them to any element… but it’s an interesting idea to work with. Is this a personal view or comes with some type of Marseilles tradition? Now I can see how the wands come to gardening…

jmd	19 Apr 2005
It is rather that elemental attributions seem to arise later than the simply depicted four suits. After all, there is nothing to denote, as an example, a Sword with either Air nor Water (two common attributions) - but much to connect it with its usage, either symbolic (as in Justice or the ecclesiastical sword worn also by Emperors) or literal as implements of the warrior. One link that may be of interest is Jean-Claude and Roxanne Flornoy's Maitre Jacques pages.

Fudugazi	19 Apr 2005
I love the idea of linkig suits to activities - and using the implement, rather than elemental attribution for a change. And of course, Little Red Fox is quite right, the bad must be factored in. But if we are to use the suits as guides for life, I would not tell someone - "go and be a football hooligan in order to bring more wand energy in your life" ;) Here's my take: Batons Write - especially creatively Go for a walk Sweep the yard Do some drumming (with sticks) or play the flute Plant a tree or a climbing plant Cups Share a drink with a friend or give a drinks party Put out a cup of water for the birds, a saucer of milk for the hedgehogs Read about the Grail legend Go to a religious service, including a baptism or other services involving holy vessels Stop drinking alchohol Win a cup at sport Swords Take up fencing - with swords or words ;) Consult a lawyer, sue someone Make a just decision Marry a soldier and pass under an arch of swords ;) (what do you think of that as reading advice??) Be truthful, be honest Coins Make or spend money; save or invest Start a piggy bank for your child Give to charity Accept money Toss a coin Practice i-ching divination (with coins ;)) Win a medal at sport or in war

smleite	19 Apr 2005
Big life cycles (in material terms): Batons – growing up. Cups – friends and love affairs. Deniers – learning and developing skills. Swords – fighting for what you want. Batons – building a house. Cups – getting married (and pregnancy). Deniers – starting a living. Swords – defending what is yours. Batons – having children. Cups – raising a family. Deniers – sustaining a family. Swords – remaining alert and keeping a safety place in the world (for your family). Etc. Silvia

Inana	20 Apr 2005
Hi there! Nice ideas the suits on activities and life cycles! JMD, thanks for the link, I've found the site very interesting. I see connecting the suits only to its usage makes a lot of logical sense. What has surprised me is i've never considered before to forget about the elements. Maybe is time to me to spent a little more time in the historical forums...

The Suits in daily life thread was originally posted on 12 Apr 2005 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.