V

The Quaternary and the Elements of Tarot

When looking at The Numerical Tarot, you could say that The Quaternary is made up of the four cards left over, after this system whittles the Major Trumps down to only 18 (see The Spine of Tarot elsewhere on this site). But from the All Things Are Numbers perspective, there is no "left over." The Quaternary is simply another expression of the fundamental parameters of existence that govern this system of numbers.

Along with the four stages of the planetary model (discribed elsewhere on this site), there are several other fourfold models seen on this site that can also be used to help understand the characteristics of each corresponding number along a line... that is... when those fourfold models are are unfolded into a numberline form (see The Quaternary and The Court Card Matrix elsewhere on this site). One fourfold arrangement that might confuse some people a bit is the way this system relates the four elements of Fire, Earth, Water and Air with the traditional tarot suits of Coins, Cups, Staves and Swords. Traditionally, people define the character of each tarot suit by associating Fire with Staves, Earth with Coins, Water with Cups and Air with Swords. But I don't use Fire, Earth, Water and Air in the traditional way, as associations to Alchemy or Astrology.

In the All Things Are Numbers approach, elemental concepts are sorted using an allegorical model that is used elsewhere on this site to describe the various stages of our theoretical model - a planet! Thus, we see how Fire = The Fiery core of a planetary model. Earth = The Earthen surface of a planetary model. Water = The Watery atmosphere of a planetary model. And Air = The Enveloping Airy limits of a planetary model. In this scheme, Air contains Water, Water covers Earth, and Earth encloses Fire at its core. The enveloping Airy limits = definition of a reference frame. The Watery atmosphere = the flow of fluid dynamics, life cycles, and things into and out of the defined reference frame. The Earthen surface = the tangible, visible, corporeal form of existence. And the Fiery core = the substance of the life force of existence found within. Everything in the All Things Are Numbers world, and everything in The Numerical Tarot deck is based on this extremely simple model! But a planetary metaphor is just one convenient analogy.

Like an atom, the insides of this theoretical model are positive and the outsides are negative. Of course positive and negative don't mean good and bad, just charged or not charged, or incremental vs decremental, or investive vs divestive. Because this system is all about abstract concepts being labeled with numbers, this system has chosen to illustrate this positive and negative relationship using the four mathematical operations of Addition, Subtraction, Multplication and Division as suit signs. In this system, the two suits of negativity are Subraction and Division. The two positive suits are Addition and Multiplication.

Fire, Earth, Water and Air are a quaternary of elements that are roughly equivalent to the Force, Form, Flow and Frame model used elsewhere on this site to describe the fundamental parameters of a universal entity. Addition, Multiplication, Subtraction and Division are also a good fourfold model for describing the positive vs. negative aspects of these same fundamental stages of existence. In relating one fourfold model to the other, we can see how the positive side includes the fiery core, which is active (burning fuel), and the surface , which by comparison would be considered passive (a line of demarcation). Likewise within the negative side, the atmosphere is active (fluid dynamics), and the enveloping airy limits are passive (a final line of demarcation). Thus, if we were to associate active with analytical and passive with synthetical, the analytical process of ADDITION would equal the active fiery core or FIRE. The synthetical process of MULTIPLICATION would equal the passive surface or EARTH. The analytical process of SUBTRACTION would equal the active flow or WATER. And the synthetical process of DIVISION would equal the Limits or AIR.

Addition = Fire
Multiplication = Earth
Subtraction = Water
Division = Air

Those are two ways of describing the stages of our fundamental model of existence. But what happens when we try to correlate Fire/Addition, Earth/Multiplication, Water/Subtraction and Air/Division to the traditional suits of tarot? To many the fourfold nature of the Minor Suits of a tarot deck are a magnet that attracts any and all fourfold models out there. Some of these correspondences work well, some don't. Some work well with the suits, but not with each other. For those with a strong interest in correlating every fourfold model they find with the four suits of tarot, I can offer this analysis...

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The Numerical Tarot vs. Traditional Tarot

In the essay The Seasons, I offer an alternative to the traditional practice of associating every fourfold model that comes along to the four suits of tarot. But, for those who might find that alternative less than satisfactory I will present this alternative... the best possible rationale I can muster for associating Fire/Addition, Earth/Multiplication, Water/Subtraction and Air/Division to the traditional suits of tarot. I don't really have any rock solid rationale here, just intuitive notions.

In my approach, the four operations of mathematics are the suit signs of choice; two positive, two negative, with addition seeming more analytical than multiplication, and likewise with subtraction seeming more analytical that Division. In relating these abstract concepts to the traditional suits of tarot, I would suggest we look at decks with illustrated pips - most notably, the ever-popular Rider/Waite/Smith deck. In looking at the suits of the RWS deck, I would suggest we look for suits that look like they could be seen as mostly positive or mostly negative. It won't be easy, given how inconsistent each suit is in its display of images that look variously "light" and "dark" or "Smile" and "Frown" as I put it elsewhere on this site. But, to me, it is not hard to see the contrast between the suit of Swords and all the rest. The suit of Swords looks very dark and negative. Likewise, in determining what the other negative suit might be, Staves, to me, seems to have more negativity (or frowns) to it than the others (I'm talking visually... my initial response... separate from elaborate explanations of authored intent or other people's personal interpretations, or my own reasoned response).

In determining the negative suits, the next step would be to determine which of the two positive suits should oppose which of the suits that we have determined to be mostly negative. Personally, I see more interesting oppositions between Cups and Swords than anything else; the joy vs. sorrow the the 3s, the parallel harmony vs. crossed tension of the 2s, the friendship vs. alienation of the 6s, the dreaming vs. scheming of the 7s etc. With this in mind, the next step would be to see if we can determine any analytical vs. synthetical difference between the two suits that we have determined to be mostly positive and the two suits that look mostly negative. Personally, I see more synthetical ideas in the Cups and Sword opposition than in the Coin and Stave opposition.

By using our theoretical model of existence, with its positive insides and negtive outsides, and its firey core, earthen surface, watery atmosphere and airy limits, we can see how traversing an area is more analytical, and being a neutral line of demarcation is more synthetical. In this arrangement, the core and surface correlate to the positive insides, and the atmosphere and circumsphere correlate to the negative outsides. Also... the mass and atmosphere are considered areas to be traversed, while the skin of Earth and the limits of air are considered lines of demarcation that divide one area from another. The skin of Earth divides the mass from the atmosphere. And the Circumsphere divides everything inside from everything outside, as it marks the limit to the "sphere of influence" for any manifest entity.

Thus yielding the following result:

Positive - Analytical = Addition = Coins
Positive - Synthetical = Multiplication = Cups
Negative - Analytical = Subtraction = Staves
Negative - Synthetical = Division = Swords

When combined with previous conclusions about Fire/Addition, Earth/Multiplication, Water/Subtraction and Air/Division, the transitive properties of logic would dictate that we make the following associations:

Positive - Analytical - Addition - Coins with the Mass = Fire
Positive - Synthetical - Multiplication - Cups with the Skin = Earth
Negative - Analytical - Subtraction - Staves with the Atmosphere = Water
Negative - Synthetical - Division - Swords with the Circumsphere = Air

So... for those who want to employ all fourfold models in describing the suits of tarot, this system of analysis would dictate that, Coins = Fire, Cups = Earth, Staves = Water and Swords = Air. Pretty wacky huh? Changing Cups to not be Water will undoubtedly repulse a great majority of people devoted to traditional views. But... if they take the time to look at the qualities that are associated to the suit of Cups by way of other quaternary associations that I make, they will see a great many similarities to the essential meaning attributed to Cups and its traditional association to Water. Likewise, moving Water to the suit of Staves will seem ridiculous, as it douses the flames of Fire that are traditionally associated with that suit. But, to me, it makes sense, as I see one of the more important qualities of water to be the way it flows. Fluid dynamics define our atmosphere.

The line of demarcation that I call the Circumsphere defines a reference frame or context. The area I call the Atmosphere defines the flow of things into and out of that reference frame. The line of demarcation that I call the Surface defines the skin that touches the things that flow into and out of the reference frame. The area I call the Mass or Core defines the guts of the body whose skin touches the things that flow into and out of its reference frame. So...:

Line of demarcation = Frame = Air
Area = Flow = Water
Line of demarcation = Form = Earth
Area = Force = Fire

Or.. to put it in the same order as the other examples mentioned above:

Positive - Analytical - Addition - Coins - Mass - Area/Force = Fire
Positive - Synthetical - Multiplication - Cups - Skin - Line/Form = Earth
Negative - Analytical - Subtraction - Staves - Atmosphere - Area/Flow = Water
Negative - Synthetical - Division - Swords - Circumsphere - Line/Frame = Air

But all this rigamarole is just to seek out coincidences in form between my approach and a traditional deck like RWS. I only do that to help people who might want to make a transition, and to demonstrate to those who don't want to make a transition the possible benefits of a more consistent design, where the concepts, and presumably the subsequent illustrations, of each suit are more obviously balanced and contrasting in orientation (and also relate as parent and child to the Majors). I, personally, think that things like balance, symmetry, contrast and consistency are beneficial. They reduce ambiguity and project a clearer statement of intent. But alas, as so many ignore intent and make up meanings of their own from whatever illustrations cross their path and strike their fancy, this seems of little value to most tarotists. Unwavering devotion to tradition, history and mystery also seems to win out, causing inconsistent designs to be faithfully adopted no matter what. In fact, learning ones way around the inconsistencies seems to be part and parcel to the mystery that so many find so enchanting. Personally, I found all those inconsistencies, ambiguities, mysteries and malicious blinds to be disenchanting.

So my associations to tradition are more or less arbitrary personal choices of mine. In this system, the four suits of choice are actually Addition, Multiplication, Subtraction and Division. So, in this system, Addition = Core = Fire, and Subtraction = Atmosphere = Water. In the end, this system does not care if someone equate its suit of Addition with the suit of Coins, Swords or Cups or whatever. The subdividing of numerology into a system of inter-related ideas is what's important here. If, however, that person chooses to equate the suit of Addition to suit of Swords for example, they will probably not see very many correlations between this system and existing tarot decks. However, if they accept the arrangement given here, they will. And the arrangement given here associates:

I leave it up to each individual to decide if the suit of Coins (found in traditional decks) equates with this system's suit of Addition and its proposed associations to a Fiery Core. Take a look at the concepts put forth in the suit of Addition (and the Majors that equal those cards, and the Quaternary that equals those Majors). If they seem to resemble the concepts found in any particular suit of Coins, then Coins = Core = Fire. Likewise with the others. To witness just such an examination, go to the BOOK section and check out the Waite vs. Palm analysis.

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A Mental Adjustment

Of course, for those who want to accept the arrangment of suits to elements being offered here, it might require a mental adjustment to see elemental concepts attached to suits in a way other than that seen in tradition. But as mentioned above, this system does not use Alchemy or Astrology to explain concepts. I don't really know that much about Alchemy or Astrology, and don't really want Alchemy or Astrology to be associated to this system at all (even though I recently invented my own Alchemistic Recipe!). The arrangment of elements here, is based on a planetary model an nothing more.

In associating the elements to each other, I prefer to think about them in a linear fashion, as they help to visualize the idea of concentric spheres of containment that define a manifest entity. But I know that many like to view them in a circular format as well. In both cases, I have rearranged the concepts of Hot, Cold, Wet and Dry in a way that also violates tradition, but makes more sense to me when applied to the linear model of planetary stages of concentric containment. Air, adjacent to empty space, is dry and cold. Further in, Air contains the Water of an atmosphere. In the upper atmosphere, Water is cold and wet. As that water rains down on the Earth, it fills the oceans and moistens the continents of Earth, so that things can grow, it makes the Earth wet. Beneath the surface of the Earth, a geothermal furnace makes the Earth hot. Fire removes moisture and is hot and dry. The circle is complete... if one wants to view it as a circle. I usually don't.

In conclusion, it may have been noticed, that the only traditional association that remains intact with this arrangment is the association of Swords and Air. The other three are all shifted over one step. But, if we take the time to acquaint ourselves with the symbolic meaning of each stage of our theoretical model of existence, not only does each elemental association make sense, but associations to tradition might be seen as similar enough to make the mental adjustment with little effort.

In this arrangement, the suit of Cups does not equal water, but within this system, the 3/7 sphere of our model equals a sensorial soul and the idea of feelings and emotions... concepts similar to that of tradition. The surface of the Earth is where things grow. It's where we find life itself, nature and the sensitive souls who are infinitely connected to life. The suit of Staves equals water instead of fire, but whereas tradition associates the depth of water, and the unseen mysteries of the deep, to the concept of intuitition and the unconscious, here, the idea of water suggests flow, and the action, motion, and vision of a Perceptual Spirit navigating a path through life. The suit of Coins does not equal Earth, but I think a Visceral, fiery personality fits the idea of money and material matters even better. When examining the personality types that result from elemental associations, this idea of 4/6 Visceral types and materialism makes lots of sense.

There are in fact some traditional systems that switch the Earth association with Coins and the Fire association of Staves, making this system's Fire with Coin association not entirely out of the realm of tradition. If such an association were to be accepted, based on tradition, then, in fact, only two of this systems associations would need mental adjustment... the hardest of which will no doubt be the swapping of Fire for Water with the suit of Staves. For those who can manage this one mental adjustment, I think they might see the tarot a whole new way. I would urge everyone to give it a try, and examine how mathematical suits, traditional suits and elements are used throughout the rest of this system before making any final judgements. Traditionally, I believe the four elements to be utilized to an excessive degree. There are so many other quaternary concepts that one can employ to understand the nature of numbers along a line and suits in a deck. I would encourage everyone to seek out those many sources elsewhere on this site.

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EXTRA CREDIT

This was my best effort to rationalize an association of Alchemistically or Astrologically significant elements to the suits of traditional Tarot. If associations to tradition seem strained it is probably because of the radically different view of elements being compared. My approach attempts to be universal by examining how elements can describe things like the Earth itself, whereas Alchemistic associations are geared more towards a description of life on the surface of planet Earth. Thus, among other things, the concept of FIRE is made somewhat incompatible, as I put fire inside at the core of an entity, while alchemy puts it outside where it can be experienced in mundane ways by an observer. In putting fire outside the alchemistic uses of elements to describe the suits in ways that focus on how those elements interact in the presence of a human observer, while my universal design is meant to describe the body of that observer in spacetime and its firey passions of the heart, the sensitive skin of its surface, the space displaced by its aura or atmosphere, and the airy limits of its sphere of influence.

If this analysis of these incompatable views of elements, and their relationship to traditional suits, remains unsatisfactory, I would suggest reading an alternative idea - The Seasons -that dosn't even associate the elements to suits at all! It might make more sense to some.