Melanchollic
Giving in to Vague Generalizations
To illustrate this principle in action, I'll offer up M's Rule of Thumb #1-
Work your way from the outside in.
By this I mean start with the general and move toward the specific, but only penetrate as far as needed. If the generalized is clear, don't confuse yourself with the sometimes contradictory specifics. Keep it simple if you can, but have the knowledge to probe further if need be...
The first generalization I'd make would be on the nature of the suits.
EXAMPLE - A man asks about buying a vintage '65 Ford Mustang.
The card representing 'our man' is a COIN. The card representing 'the car' is a BATON. He is mildly enthusiastic, and the car mildly bad, most likely being a laborious effort. He wants the car, but is not that into it. He also may be 'fond of comfort,' meaning lazy (the number of the card would verify that). So, the car is probably a bad idea, because it will be a laborious undertaking that may not suit his casual interest and attitude.
Now, if we want to go a bit deeper, we can look at 'number'. Yet even here, start from the outside and work in.
Now all you bookworms out there will recognize this is Aristotle's Table of Opposition from The Metaphysics. Some may notice I've switch 'fluctuating' and 'stable'. I'll just point that out, and say, both ways have their pros and cons.
Now, I must say, that is a lot of goodies for the 'toolbox'. These can be used at opportune times, if the context is right.
EXAMPLES:
#1 "Will Sandy leave her rich boyfriend and come back to my loving, but unemployed, arms?" Sandy's significator is the 5 of COINS. The suit is comfy, the 5 is odd, thus indivisible (hard to divide)... Don't hold your breath.
#2 "Am I the only girl Mr. Wonderful is seeing right now?" Mr. W's significator is the 9 of CUPS, which is odd, thus singular. Yes, you're the only girl he's seeing, and he really enjoys your company (cups).
#3 "I have a big job interview next Friday. What's the best strategy for getting the job?" The querent's significator is the 6 of COINS, the interviewer's significator is the 9 of COINS. The interviewer's card is odd, hence direct and active, the querent's card is even, so he should probably stay passive and be submissive... Time to kiss some a$%#.
#4 "Surprise, surprise... My mother-in-law has stopped by for an unexpected visit! How long will I have to put up with her!?" Her significator is the 5 of Batons. It's odd, so it's fluctuating. She won't be around too much longer.
HOW NOT TO USE THIS!! - A NEGATIVE EXAMPLE
"Is Mary the gal for me?" Mary's significator - 3 of CUPS, hence male. "Sorry, but the love of your life is really a man!" We can't do this!! No. no, no... CONTEXT is essential.
So, without really considering any 'specific' meanings for our suits, or any specific 'numerological' meanings for our pips, we've still been able to answer a few questions with just generalizations. Of course, sometimes we'll have to go a bit deeper and pull out more specialized tools from the ol' toolbox (dignities, Picatrix, Iamblichus, the Kinks ).
By definition, generalizations are what would generally hold true, they are given greater weight and should be considered before specifics, which deal, obviously with a specific aspect of a situation.
It's kind of like those online maps, where you can zoom in and out. If you begin zoomed way down, and you don't know the general area, forget it. You have to zoom out get the overview and work your way down to the specifics of the thing.
So, there it is, for whatever its worth. M's Rule of Thumb #1 (Of many...)
Cheers,
Mel
Melanchollic said:
To illustrate this principle in action, I'll offer up M's Rule of Thumb #1-
Work your way from the outside in.
By this I mean start with the general and move toward the specific, but only penetrate as far as needed. If the generalized is clear, don't confuse yourself with the sometimes contradictory specifics. Keep it simple if you can, but have the knowledge to probe further if need be...
The first generalization I'd make would be on the nature of the suits.
EXAMPLE - A man asks about buying a vintage '65 Ford Mustang.
The card representing 'our man' is a COIN. The card representing 'the car' is a BATON. He is mildly enthusiastic, and the car mildly bad, most likely being a laborious effort. He wants the car, but is not that into it. He also may be 'fond of comfort,' meaning lazy (the number of the card would verify that). So, the car is probably a bad idea, because it will be a laborious undertaking that may not suit his casual interest and attitude.
Now, if we want to go a bit deeper, we can look at 'number'. Yet even here, start from the outside and work in.
Now all you bookworms out there will recognize this is Aristotle's Table of Opposition from The Metaphysics. Some may notice I've switch 'fluctuating' and 'stable'. I'll just point that out, and say, both ways have their pros and cons.
Now, I must say, that is a lot of goodies for the 'toolbox'. These can be used at opportune times, if the context is right.
EXAMPLES:
#1 "Will Sandy leave her rich boyfriend and come back to my loving, but unemployed, arms?" Sandy's significator is the 5 of COINS. The suit is comfy, the 5 is odd, thus indivisible (hard to divide)... Don't hold your breath.
#2 "Am I the only girl Mr. Wonderful is seeing right now?" Mr. W's significator is the 9 of CUPS, which is odd, thus singular. Yes, you're the only girl he's seeing, and he really enjoys your company (cups).
#3 "I have a big job interview next Friday. What's the best strategy for getting the job?" The querent's significator is the 6 of COINS, the interviewer's significator is the 9 of COINS. The interviewer's card is odd, hence direct and active, the querent's card is even, so he should probably stay passive and be submissive... Time to kiss some a$%#.
#4 "Surprise, surprise... My mother-in-law has stopped by for an unexpected visit! How long will I have to put up with her!?" Her significator is the 5 of Batons. It's odd, so it's fluctuating. She won't be around too much longer.
HOW NOT TO USE THIS!! - A NEGATIVE EXAMPLE
"Is Mary the gal for me?" Mary's significator - 3 of CUPS, hence male. "Sorry, but the love of your life is really a man!" We can't do this!! No. no, no... CONTEXT is essential.
So, without really considering any 'specific' meanings for our suits, or any specific 'numerological' meanings for our pips, we've still been able to answer a few questions with just generalizations. Of course, sometimes we'll have to go a bit deeper and pull out more specialized tools from the ol' toolbox (dignities, Picatrix, Iamblichus, the Kinks
). By definition, generalizations are what would generally hold true, they are given greater weight and should be considered before specifics, which deal, obviously with a specific aspect of a situation.
It's kind of like those online maps, where you can zoom in and out. If you begin zoomed way down, and you don't know the general area, forget it. You have to zoom out get the overview and work your way down to the specifics of the thing.
So, there it is, for whatever its worth. M's Rule of Thumb #1 (Of many...)
Cheers,Mel
