Exploring Infinity
Infinity is a a strange and interesting concept. It can be difficult to grasp, let alone pin down with words. Regardless, we can intuit it's meaningfulness. Whether you have an interest in the symbol, or its use in tarot, I think it's a universally noteworthy concept. And, regardless of what we know or don't know about the way it works, we sense there's something to it, worthy of exploration.
If you are a reader of the cards, then you’ve definitely noticed the symbol for infinity used a number of times throughout the deck. Far from an arbitrary artistic detail, the infinity symbol serves a purpose. But, what is it? What can the cards teach us about it and what can it teach us about the cards?
Infinity, also known as a figure 8 or technically called a lemniscate, appears on 3 cards in the RWS deck (though, it could be argued that it’s implied on others). Those 3 cards are The Magician, Strength and the 2 of Pentacles. It’s interesting to note that The Magician and Strength share a number of other commonalities such as their bright yellow backgrounds, floral garland, white dress, belt and commanding pose.
Knowing where infinity shows up in the deck is one thing. What is it really trying to tell us? There are lots of great resources out there that can describe to you what infinity means. But, can we make it a bit more personal? Can we know it in such a way that we can sense its essence - recognize it's presence? While we’ll probably only scratch the surface here, this is ultimately what we’re trying to achieve in this exploration - a way to know infinity for ourselves, in whatever way is possible.
Let’s start with this: We get that infinity is the idea of something going on and on. It can be simply represented by a circle, a fountain or the number 8. Beyond that though, how can we ground the concept of infinity in such a way that it becomes useful and adds to our understanding of the cards? First of all, I think it’s best to not think about infinity as a quantity or amount. What if instead, we regarded it as an expression or a response.
One way that's been helpful for me to understand this is to make it analogous to what happens in my own mind space. For example, if I imagine myself running in my mind, I have endless space to work with. I never run out; I can only choose to stop imagining. Mind space is infinite. My desire to spend all day imagining myself running, on the other hand, is limited...but, the possibility remains.
Or, maybe we can think of it like a ripple that comes into being when you throw a stone into a body of water. The ripple gets bigger and lasts longer depending on the force applied or the weight of the stone. That ripple will only cease when the force behind it wanes, and until then it is potentially infinite.
And further, perhaps, another way to understand it might be by its very nature. Infinity may be more visible than we think, appearing to us all the time in the guise of constant change, expansion and movement. Infinity cannot be held down in actual form though because form is finite. Energy and potential, on the other hand, are infinite, and that is why The Fool is 0 (or so we speculate).
If we did take the idea that infinity is an expression, what does it express itself in response to? Perhaps it is a natural by-product of cause and effect. Another possibility is to view it as a desire response. Infinity will continue to express itself as long as there is enough power (desire) behind it to keep it going - to maintain the momentum.
I guess in this way, infinity is like “forever” because it is endless in its potential. It never runs out. It is always laying in wait for when we want or need it. Perhaps also, as an expression, its fundamental properties must be considered impersonal and constant (forms change, infinity remains the same). It simply is - always - there - potentially - forever. Ready to be used or abused by whoever or whatever taps it, knowingly or not.
If we take all that and then look at The Magician and Strength in particular, I think we can really see the impact of that expression taking shape. Both Strength and The Magician are wielding a kind of power or control. The Magician has influence over the elements, as well as the higher and lower realms. Strength is demonstrating command over the beast. To do this, they must tap into a potent energy source to fuel their endeavor. This energy source is limitless, like the figure 8 implies, as it can be drawn over and over without ever lifting the instrument. The only thing that could stop this flow is them or, better said, their desire, their focus, their need - running out. But, the force is there regardless of whether they use it or not. The symbol is above their head, not attached to their physical form. This implies it comes in through the crown and doesn’t belong to the body. This may be much like the energy that surrounds us all, but at times feels so elusive. That energy also never runs out and you can’t ever take so much that it leaves others without. It is stable, sustainable and self-replenishing even if it feels elusive most of the time.
On the other hand, the 2 of Pentacles has an individual holding, balancing or juggling that same force. Perhaps this is to say that while we can use it, it is something that works better through us, not by us. Trying to do this may leave us feeling exhausted, depleted and in a constant state of flux.
But in the physical, that’s what we try to do, isn’t it? We try to grasp at something that simply is. We can’t just turn ourselves over and say - “okay, I trust you, work through me!” - we want control. So, maybe what these cards ask us is “how does infinity operate through me?” “How can I tap into its potential?” “How can I understand its influence and utilize it for the greatest good?”
I think some of that answer lies in our desires. The more desire behind something, the more force and the further we can push the field out. So long as it is wanted and needed, infinity responds and then makes space - makes room - gives more. I guess in that sense it could be said that we are both expressions of infinity and also workers of that same force.
I am not sure if this will assist anyone else in working with these cards, though this has been a helpful exploration for us! We’d also say that, like infinity implies, there are likely endless ways to know it. So, if this does resonate even in some small way, use it as a launching pad for your own inquiry too!
Until next time,
Julia & Tim