 Newsletter of The Tarot School
http://TarotSchool.com ISSN: 1529-0565 Vol. 13 #5 / February 14, 2021
Tarot Tips Bonus
ORDER OF THE SUITS
 Brad asks… In most of the books I have read about the Tarot, the suits are presented in this order: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles (bearing in mind, of course, that suit names may vary). This is so typical that when I see a different order I'm always mildly surprised. So I'm wondering if suit order has any actual significance. Is it based on metaphysical, mystical, or occult concepts? Or, on a more mundane level, does it just reflect the rules of a card game? Is it a convention with no inherent meaning? Answer: There is method to the madness, Brad. The short answer to your question is that the suit order you mention comes from Qabalah. But let me take this opportunity to explain how it works... The suit order of Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles comes from the order of the letters in the unpronounceable name of God. In Hebrew, its original language, it is written as four consonants, Y-H-V-H (Yod-Heh-Vav-Heh). In English, with the addition of some vowels, this group of four letters has become the biblical Jehovah. In the world of western magic, it is known as the Tetragrammaton, the four-letter divine name understood to be the symbolic root of creation itself. It is also the root of the esoteric language of Tarot. There is a creation myth which says that the Divine created the universe by breathing each of these four letters in order -- a breath of Fire (Yod), a breath of Water (Heh), a breath of Air (Vav), and a breath of Earth (Heh). With each breath, one of the four Qabalistic Worlds came into being, each one an ingredient in the recipe for creation. The Four Worlds are described in the four suits of Tarot, symbolized by the four Aces. Here is a brief reference chart of some of the Four Worlds associations to help you see the connections: WORLD #1: • Breath of Fire (Yod) • World of Emanation • Suit of Wands • Family Member = Father • Energy / Strength • Will / Intention • Spirit • Intuition WORLD #2: • Breath of Water (Heh) • World of Creation • Suit of Cups • Family Member = Mother • Shape / Proportion • Meaning / Belief • Heart • Feelings WORLD #3: • Breath of Air (Vav) • World of Formation • Suit of Swords • Family Member = Son • Measure / Definition • Order / System • Mind • Thought WORLD #4: • Breath of Earth (Heh) • World of Manifestation • Suit of Pentacles • Family Member = Daughter • Substance / Inertia • Uniqueness / Freedom • Body • Sensation If you enjoy learning about these types of connections and associations, there's lots to know. We've found it extremely useful in our reading practice and fun, too. One way you can learn more is through our audio course, Pain-Free Qabalah for Tarot Readers. You'll find the details here: Pain-Free Qabalah for Tarot Readers mp3s https://tinyurl.com/Pain-Free-Qabalah Bright blessings,
Ruth Ann
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