Reading a Card's Elemental Distribution
There are a million different ways to slice and dice a tarot card. You can observe the direction the figures face, the clothes they are wearing, the landscape, the weather, the numerological meaning, or the astrological association. Many of these facets we know are intended in the design of the card and some, we can’t be so sure, but for whatever sticks out to the reader in the moment of reading - surely there is significance, whether originally intended or not.
One thing that’s become more and more apparent to us, especially as we journey through the 78 Connections exercise, is the elemental distribution that some cards seem to convey.
Let us demonstrate by examining the following cards from a standard Waite-Smith deck:
The 9 of Pentacles, 8 of Swords, 7 of Swords, 6 of Swords, 6 of Wands. We could continue, but if you look at just those you will begin to see what we’re talking about.
Notice on any of those cards stated above that the suit objects (swords, pentacles, wands) are held apart in some way. In the 9 of Pentacles, we see a stack of 6 Pentacles on one side and 3 on the other. In the 7 of Swords, we have 5 swords in hand and 2 left behind. In the 6 of Wands, we see 5 wands in the background and 1 held in the foreground by the rider. In all these cases, there seems to be an obvious delineation between sets. But why? Was it just a matter of the elements falling as they did with no thought to where or how? I’m not sure if ever it was a part of the overall plan, but it appears we can dig further into the card’s meaning if we do address the issue of distribution.
Let’s take the example of the 9 of Pentacles. Is it possible that we could learn more about the 9 by also examining the 6 and the 3? Below you will see all three cards pictured together - what do you think?
In the 9 of Pentacles, we have a central figure separated by two piles of coins. On the left side, we see 6 pentacles, which the figure lightly touches, and on the right, we see 3 pentacles forming something of a triangular shape. Perhaps it could be said that the energy of the 6 of Pentacles and the 3 of Pentacles play a role in the cumulative energy of the 9. The 6 of Pentacles speaks to balance, charity, reciprocity, and generosity. The 3 of Pentacles speaks to collaboration, artistry, and craftsmanship. Could it be that by means of these combined attributes we end up in the exalted, luxurious and comfortable position that is the 9 of Pentacles? Even though this appears a solitary figure of their own standing, that isn’t to say it didn’t take some degree of teamwork to get them there. In fact, if we explore the visual sameness between the 3 cards we see a lot of interesting things happening.
The same triangular formation in the pile on the right from the 9 pf Pentacles, looks much like the triangle of Pentacles in the 3 of Pentacles.
In both the 3 of Pentacles and the 6 of Pentacles, we see groups of 3 where 1 figure stands “above” the other two.
There is elaborate dress evident amongst a few of the figures.
The way the figure in the 9 of Pentacles poses is very similar to that of the figure in the 6 of Pentacles, even in the way their hand’s gesture and hold items.
There is a flower under the pentacles in the 3 of Pentacles (built into the structure) as there are many flowers on the dress of the figure in the 9 of Pentacles.
So yes, our 9 of Pentacles has certainly amassed a degree of wealth and privilege, but not by hoarding everything they have or playing to selfish means. The 9, if we apply this method, may enjoy the fruits of their labour because they know they are not the only benefactors. We can be both independent and a contributor.
Let’s take another example. The 8 of Swords stands in the middle of two groupings of swords. On one side we see 3, and on the other, we see 5. By this method, we would also now be looking at the 3 of Swords and the 5 of Swords. So could it be that part of the 8s conundrum lies in the combined energy of that 3 and 5 of Swords? Certainly, those two cards are heavy and often challenging. In the 3, we are pierced through the heart amidst a stormy background. In the 5, we see what looks like the remains of a battle in which, arguably, no one wins. These both may feel like impossible scenarios and as such, our figure in the 8 of Swords is blindfolded - a nod to their inability to see clearly what is happening and what to do about it, thus remaining stuck. And this sticking of pain, maybe it doesn’t have to be and that’s part of the message. It is more in the rumination and perpetuation of this state that allows it to endure.
Like the example previously mentioned, we can also observe some visual sameness in this grouping of 3.
The 3 of Swords and 5 of Swords feature cloudy backgrounds.
The roman numeral characters in the 8 of Swords contain both the V and the III, a literal combination of both the 3 and the 5.
The figure in the 8 of Swords is wearing a red gown, bound and blindfolded. While not exactly the same, we see the red repeated in the 3 of Swords with the heart pierced. So maybe not bounded, but certainly held down in another sense.
Water is in all three cards, though represented in different ways. Could the puddles in the 8 of Swords be remnants of the storm from the 3?
In the 5 of Swords, the “winning” figure holds 3 swords which may also connect back to the 3 of Swords. In this way, what have they actually acquired?
And finally, a third example to really bring the point home. Below you will see the 6 of Swords which appears divided into 2 and 4. Following the set formula, we removed the 2 and 4 of Swords from the deck and laid them on either side. So what is it that carries our boat passengers along? Interestingly, it may be in the combined energy of these two passive states represented in the 2 and the 4. Perhaps this journey is not one that came on spontaneously but rather, through quiet contemplation and deep knowing. There is neither excitement about it nor disdain - perhaps just an acceptance that this is what needs to happen now, and this movement will be the thing to rouse both the 2 and 4 from their more slumbered states.
As we did with the previous examples, below we have noted the visual similarities between the cards.
There is water both in the 2 and the 6 of Swords with land also visible in the distance.
All eyes are obscured to us for one reason or another.
Passivity seems to be the predominant state. Even in the 6 with the boat moving, 2 of the 3 passengers remain still.
Balance is a theme present among all the cards. In the 2 of Swords, the figure balances two swords, in the 4 of Swords, 3 swords hang in balance while the figure (or structure) lays praying. The 6 of Swords implies balance as the number 6 is one of harmony and reciprocity.
There are supporting, man-made structures in each scene. The stone pillar, the boat, and the casket.
So with these examples in mind, how could you apply this idea to some of the other cards listed that we didn’t explore? Or, are there any other cards in your deck, not listed, that also demonstrate this idea of distribution? And mostly, what may any of this add to our understanding of the cards, individually or even as a whole?
As always, there is so much to consider when reading tarot and so much further one could delve. We do hope this perspective may add additional depth to your readings or at least give you another tool to consider as you continue forward in your practice.
Until next time,
Julia & Tim