Unillustrated pip card question

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 30 Apr 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

littleneptune	30 Apr 2003
Hi everyone... In light of all I've learned from my recent struggle with the RWS Sword suit I am considering trying a non-illustrated pip card deck (Marseilles maybe). I understand that the interpretation of the number cards is somewhat personal (ie. specific to the reader), but I'm wondering if there are any numerology "systems" that can be applied to the element suit cards 1 to 10 to get me started. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Dakini	30 Apr 2003
I recently received this in an email from a member(lady ginny)of another tarot group. I found it to be helpful. For the number cards in the suits try relating these values to the numbers: 1. (Aces) Plant a seed (This is why that aces are seen as new beginnings, new energies coming in). I WILL. (ENERGY CALLED FORTH TO CREATE) 2. See it sprout. I KNOW. (FORMING. DUALITY.) 3. Watch it bloom. I MAKE. (GIVING BIRTH TO THE CREATION. BLENDING) 4. See it bear fruit. I REALIZE. (SOLID, FOUNDATION, GIVING REASON) 5. Challenge. I BELIEVE. (UPSETTING PRIOR STABILITY. DISRUPTION.) 6. Begin anew. I CHOOSE. (RE-ESTABLISHING HARMONY. FAIRNESS.) 7. Begin to balance. THE PATH. (HIDDEN & BUDDING SPIRITUAL UNREST) 8. Attain balance. STRENGTH. (MASTERY & AUTONOMY: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF ERROR.) 9. Complete a cycle. WISDOM THROUGH EXPERIENCE. (COMPLETION., CRYSTALLIZATION. FULFILLMENT. PEAK EXPERIENCE. NEARING THE END. ON THE HOME STRETCH. THE FINAL STAGE.) 10. Begin a new one. CHANGES AND NEW CYCLES. ( THE FINISH OF A CYCLE. ENDING, FINAL TRANSFORMATION. PREPARING FOR A NEW CYCLE.) (Author unknown)

littleneptune	01 May 2003
Dakini--this systems seems both simple and comprehensive. Thanks so much for your input!

Dakini	01 May 2003
You are very welcome. Glad it helps. Blessings Dakini

HudsonGray	01 May 2003
So the 9's aren't 'near completion' and the 10's 'completion, time to begin anew'?

littleneptune	01 May 2003
HudsonGray--I did a little research on playing card (cartomacy) since reading Dakini's post and came across the 9's as being "completion, fulfillment, attainment"and the 10's as the END of the cycle and the transition into a new and different cycle. I think that's what is meant, perhaps Dakini can clarify more.

Sulis	01 May 2003
This certainly does seem to be very comprehensive, I`ve been using Thoth for a couple of months now and find the partially illustrated minors far less limiting than interpreting someone elses impression of the card meaning. I`ve been using Angeles Arrien`s `Tarot Handbook` for the last couple of weeks and really like the way she links the minor cards to the relevent major card, coming up with a system not unlike the one posted by Dakini. I think that this is what Thirteen does in the `basics` section as well. Why not try the Thoth deck if you`re looking for a deck which links the suit of swords with the mind. Love and light Crystalmynx xx

Nao	01 May 2003
Dakini, thanks for posting that! It's really very simple and yet quite helpful. You see the "growth" from one to another...and it helps in the understanding of numbers as well. I wondered the same thing as HudsonGray...about the 9 and 10 (near completion/completion/start anew). This brings up another topic I've been thinking about though- does anyone know how closely related cartomacy with playing cards is to tarot cards? I've often read that one derives from the other...but I've been thinking about how close it really relates to one another. This number thing just reminded me of it.

The Unillustrated pip card question thread was originally posted on 30 Apr 2003 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.