Numbers show up in tarot in an assortment of ways. The simplest method of connecting numbers to tarot involves observing the number assigned to each card. Having a sense of that vibration will help lend meaning to the card that may not have been initially evident. This page is a personal exploration of the visual ways that numbers present themselves within each landscape. In other words, what may the number of symbols included lend to the meaning of the cards? Where possible, we will also share some very basic interpretations, but with anything, this is not meant to be conclusive. Use your own points of reference and intuition to extrapolate further.

Those who enjoy this exploration may also wish to check out 78 Connections where we connect visual similarities between pairs of cards.

This page is a work in progress :)

The Fool

  • 7 beads on The Fool’s belt (7 ancient planets, 7 chakras, 7 metals etc.)

The Empress

  • 12 stars on The Empress’ crown (the zodiac)

The Emperor

  • 5 gems on The Emperor’s crown (5 senses)

  • 4 ram heads on The Emperor’s chair (4 elements, 4 sides of a square, form)

The Hierophant

  • 5 trefoils on bottom of crown (5 senses)

  • 7 trefoils in middle of crown (7 ancient planets, 7 chakras, 7 metals etc.)

  • 3 trefoils on top of crown (3 states of consciousness)

  • 10 crosses (spheres on the Tree of Life)

The Lovers

  • 12 flames on the side of the male (the zodiac, 12 thoracic vertebrae, 7 chakras + 5 senses)

  • 4 fruits on the side of the female (form, the 4 elements)

The Chariot

  • 4 posts on the chariot (4 elements, form)

The Tower

  • 22 Yods (22 Major Arcana, 22 Hebrew Letters)

  • 3 windows on the tower (3 states of consciousness)

The Star

  • 7 small stars (7 ancient planets, 7 chakras, 7 metals etc.)

  • 64 star points in total (I-Ching, DNA codons)

  • 5 streams being poured on the land (5 senses)

  • 8 points on each star (Star of Ishtar - the Venus star)

The Moon

  • 15 Yods (The Devil OR if you take Yods at their value of 10, we can multiply to get 150 which is the number of days the waters from the Noachian Flood prevailed on Earth in Genesis)

  • 32 Rays on the moon (32 paths on the Tree of Life)

The Sun

  • 21 rays on the sun (21 Major Arcana minus The Fool)

Judgement

  • 7 lines emanating from the trumpet (7 musical notes, 7 chakras, 7 ancient planets, 7 metals etc.)

  • 2 mirror groups containing 3 figures each (6 pointed star)

10 of Pentacles

  • 10 Pentacles in the formation of the Tree of Life (10 Sephiroth on the Tree of Life)

King of Pentacles

  • 4 bull heads (sign of Taurus, The Emperor, 4 elements, 4 sides of a square, form)

Ace of Cups

  • 5 streams coming out of the cup (5 senses)

  • 26 Yods (Tetragrammaton)

Ace of Swords

  • 6 Yods (The Lovers - beauty, harmony, discernment)

Ace of Wands

  • 8 falling Yods (Strength - rhythm, life-force, vitality)