The Math Suits In the Planetary metaphor, the two spheres that are adjacent to the negativity of the surrounding nothingness are also negative. Conversely, the two spheres that make up the tangible form are positive. An atom has a similar arrangement, the result of coagulating lines of force emerging from "nothing," to define "something." As "nothing" decays, "something" emerges. Two spheres destroy "nothing." Two spheres create "something." Like entropy in reverse! The Suit Signs for The Numerical Tarot are based on this positive vs. negative model, using the four operations of mathematics to signify positive and negative forces. 1/9 = Division - Negative - Synthetical 2/8 = Subtraction - Negative - Analytical 3/7 = Multiplication - Positive - Synthetical 4/6 = Addition - Positive - Analytical Read More...

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The French Suits The Numerical Tarot also uses traditional French Suit Signs, because of how well they illustrate and duplicate the positive/negative arrangement that is seen within the Math Suit Signs. 1/9 = Spades - Swords - Division 2/8 = Clubs - Staves - Subtraction 3/7 = Hearts - Cups - Multiplication 4/6 = Diamonds - Coins- Addition

The Tarot Suits Historically, Roses have occasionally been substituted for Cups. The Isomorphic Tarot uses Roses. With tarot suits comprised of round vulvic symbols and long phallic symbols, a male/female split is also implied. 1/9 = Swords - Spades - Male 2/8 = Staves - Clubs - Male 3/7 = Cups - Hearts - Female 4/6 = Coins - Diamonds - Female

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The Four Seasons In continuing with the positive insides vs. negative outsides aspect, the two negative seasons are positioned outside. The two positive seasons are positioned inside. In Spring, life is added. In Autumn, life is subtracted. In Summer life multiplies. In Winter, life is divided. 1/9 = Winter - Division - Negative 2/8 = Autumn - Subtraction - Negative 3/7 = Summer - Multiplication - Positive 4/6 = Spring - Addition - Positive Read More...

A planet with a Circumsphere, an Atmosphere, a Surface, a Mass and a Center or Axis. Pretty simple. Very universal. Very archetypal. These are just a few simple ways of putting meat on the bones of the skeleton we started with above. Of course, things like The Four Seasons and The Four Elements are usually thought of as circular. You are free to continue considering them that way. They are only placed upon this form to help illustrate the design of this grand model - an emanating "being" with positive insides and negative outsides. And indeed, so far, that's all we've done is use these four circles and a point to justify the arrangement of design elements for a deck of tarot cards. What about the actual icons and symbols that are being illustrated on each card? The icons and symbols of tarot are supposed to be archetypally inspired. How can four circles and a point help us understand the nature of archetypal influence? Let's look at a few models that do just that...

Coagulation and Emanation Some models describe individual parts. Some models describe the inward coagulation of matter around a central point. Some models describe the outward emanation of energy back into the nothingness from which manifestation emerged. The theoretical model of existence being put forth is not just a static arrangement of ideas, it is a living breathing thing with a structure that is isomorphic to that of humanity and the cosmos.

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The Isolation to Integration Spectrum The Planetary model represents lines of force that coagulate about a center, to create a manifest entity. At the center there is great density. At the periphery, there is less density. As component parts of an entity converge, intensity builds. As component parts of an entity diverge, intensity diminishes. This model acknowledges the relative intensity of any manifest entity, using component parts that converge and diverge. Component parts that are on the periphery are isolated and remote, meaning they don't even know of each others existence. As lines of force converge, parts that are still separated but adjacent to each other become relational. As parts become more proximal and assimilate, they start to take on a shape and reveal an organic form. As those parts become consolidated, the aggregate mass builds power. As consolidated parts become integrated and conjugate, power is fused. The theoretical model of existence being put forth is created from the outside in, by coagulating lines of force converging upon a central point with a mass of existence. A pretty simple and popular idea. Very universal. Very archetypal! 1/9 = Remote - Isolated 2/8 = Adjacent - Separated 3/7 = Proximal - Assimilated 4/6 = Aggregate - Consolidated 5 = Conjugate - Integrated Read More...

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The Apart-Together Model Component parts converging and diverging can be used to describe relative levels of social interaction that is seen within basic, fundamental, archetypal personalities. Personalities mixing it up at the core are highly social. Personalities standing at the periphery are not very social. 1/9 = Apart & Separate - 0% Social 2/8 = Separate & Together - 33% Social 3/7 = Together & Connecting - 66% Social 4/6 = Connecting & Intersecting - 100% Social 5 = Intersecting & Exchanging - Neutral Axis As pairs that relate, people on the periphery have relationships that are Antipodal, being physically Disparate, they live alone, solo, apart from others. People at the core have relationships that are Mutual, having parts in Common, they live together, as mates. The neutral Axis represents the Reciprocal nature or glue that keeps the Mutual Congruent. 1/9 = 0% Social - Antipodal - Disparate 2/8 = 33% Social - Relational - Opposite 3/7 = 66% Social - Identical - Kindred 4/6 = 100% Social - Mutual - Common 5 = Neutral Axis - Reciprocal - Congruent Read More...

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The Five Senses Like the human body analogy prsented above, the model of existence being put forth has five senses. Were we given these five senses in order to sense the five parameters of existence? Some people are more "tuned in" to one sense or another. Making these five senses useful in describing basic, fundamental, archetypal personality types that can be seen throughout all cultures of humanity. 1/9 = Hear - Thought - Cerebral 2/8 = See - Vision - Perceptual 3/7 = Touch - Feeling - Sensorial 4/6 = Smell - Instinct - Visceral 5 = Taste - Temper - Elemental Read More...

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Metaphysical Locus On a metaphysical level, we have five internal senses to guide us. Like our five physical senses, these too can be seen as basic, fundamental, archetypal stages that influence personality types. Like Chakras of the body, the Intellectual Mind contemplates the totality - the Frame. The Perceptual Spirit motivates and inspires - the Flow. The Sensorial Soul feels and senses - the Form. The Visceral Heart empowers and leads - the Force. The Elemental Core rules and regulates - the Function. 1/9 = Brain - Thought - Mind - Frame - (snake) 2/8 = Eyes - Vision - Spirit - Flow - (dove) 3/7 = Skin - Feeling - Soul - Form - (chalice) 4/6 = Guts - Instinct - Heart - Force - (crown) 5 = Core - Temper - Essence - Function - (cross) Read More...

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Chess The model of existence being put forth is, in theory, universal - a primordial source for archetypal influence throughout all of humanity, through all days and ages. So it is not surprising to see a popular game like Chess expressing the form of 4 circles and a point - whether intentionally or not. Compare this model to the Metaphysical Locus model above. Both with 4/6 royalty. Both with 3/7 spirituality. Both with 2/8 motion. Both with 1/9 containment or enclosure. 1/9 = Rook - Frame - (walled enclosure) 2/8 = Knight - Flow - (directional transport) 3/7 = Bishop - Form - (sacred body) 4/6 = Royalty - Force - (power base) 5 = Checkerboard - Function - (field of play)

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Color The model of existence being put forth is symmetrical in design. Numbers that are equally distant from the center, or midpoint, have qualities and characteristics that are similar. The difference between sides can be described in many ways. One way that is visual is by associating colors with the various numbers. Like all of our models, things arrange according to coagulation into, or radiance out from, a center. So, colors are arranged using relative levels of contrast. Black and White being the most antipodal of colors, occupy the outer sphere. 1/9 = White & Black 2/8 = Purple & Yellow 3/7 = Green & Red 4/6 = Orange & Blue 5 = Brown & Grey & Gold & Silver Read More...

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Levels of Perception As lines of force converge and diverge to create a manifest entity, they leave behind a form with awareness of its existence. But as we contemplate our existence, and the universe around us, we encounter complexities that point out to us severe limitations in our ability to reach outside of our sphere of existence. Some concepts are easy, some seem impossible. The diminishing returns of a contemplative mind seeking to understand the universe can be compared to a fractal design, with complexity increasing exponentially as we contemplate higher and higher concepts. A bell curve can also be used to describe the diminishing ease of perception that surrounds a contemplative mind seeking to understand its place in the universe. As a mind moves closer to its outer, negative sphere of containment, concepts like Infinity create a virtual boundary line of impossibleness that will contain even the most inquisitive mind. For a mind that deals with its inner, positive core, concepts like Substance and Being are much easier to comprehend. A contemplative mind is more likely to dwell on the easy than the difficult. Thus, within any given population, more minds will be found to be drawing their personality from the core than the periphery. 1/9 = Finality/Infinity - Frame - Cerebral 2/8 = Time/Space - Flow - Perceptual 3/7 = Reality/Fantasy - Form - Sensorial 4/6 = Substance/Influence - Force - Visceral 5 = Source/Being - Function - Elemental Read More...

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Physics The Planetary analogy is a good one. But not every planet has a watery atmosphere like our Earth. But... every mass of existence in the universe does have an invisible area - which lies just outside the mass - consisting of warped spacetime. This area of warpage accounts for the phenomenon of gravity. Gravity keeps things moving. Space, Time, Motion and Energy are all concepts that we equate with the "Atmosphere" stage of our model of existence. Beyond the spacetimewarp atmosphere lies the Event Horizon, which would be roughly equatable to what we are calling the Circumsphere. The mode that is constructed on this site may not be completely accurate to established scientific laws or theories, but even still, it remains usable as a reasonable facsimile of universal patterns. The idea being that, even if our model isn't exactly and mathematically true to our currently understood laws of physics, the patterns are. The patterns are universal, whether derived from elaborate mathematical calculations in a scientific laboratory, or springing from the imagination of a tarot enthusiast with no such capabilities. Universal = Archetypal = Trans-Cultural. Not Cross-Cultural... Trans-Culltural... as in not invented or owned by any one, single culture or mythology, but, at the same time, eminently visible in all cultures and mythologies across all days and ages. 1/9 = Event Horizon - FRAME 2/8 = Spacetime Warpage - FLOW 3/7 = Surface of the Mass - FORM 4/6 = The Mass - FORCE 5 = The Center - FUNCTION Read More...

Those are just a few models that we can use to help understand the archetypal influence of primordial patterns upon the human psyche... whether illustrated on little pieces of paper as a tarot deck or not. But wait, there's more! Amazingly enough, the same four circles and a point can also be used to describe events that unfold across time!

Progression Some models describe stages of development seen within events that happen over time. An event in time has a beginning, middle and end. Thus, passing through an event in time is theoretically identical to passing through a static entity that also contains a beginning, middle and end. Models that progress, follow a definite path that reveals a significant signature of nature. Models that progress use all nine numbers, from one end to the other, as opposed to models that emanate from the center out, using numbers equidistantly in pairs.

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A Significant Signature of Nature When the stages of the theoretical model being put forth are seen as steps of an event in time, intervals between stages are sometimes equal and regular, sometimes they are not. But whether equal or not, the signature is the same. Creativity, sex, pregnancy, death, can all be described with one pattern. In this model, a sine wave is used to suggest motion and dynamic interplay. 1: Explicit Origins 2: Compelling Impulsion 3: Advent Pause 4: Eventual Engagement 5: Pivotal Exchange 6: Inevitable Development 7: Issuant Pause 8: Propelling Expulsion 9: Terminal Domain Read More...

The Creativity Progression The answer hits you, like a lightning bolt out of the blue! That's it! Eureka. An idea comes in. Expression goes out. Lots of hard work in between. A spark from beyond inspires the creation of an idea - what if. Work begins to realize the idea. A foundation is poured. Experiments are performed. Deliberation builds to a critical mass. Realization leads to enlightenment and education - that's it! 1: Invocation - Thought 2: Revelation - Vision 3: Formulation - Feeling 4: Determination - Instinct 5: Experimentation-Accomodation - Temper 6: Deliberation - Instinct 7: Realization - Feeling 8: Illumination - Vision 9: Education - Thought Read More...

The Sexual Progression As a textbook progression of sexual encounter, arrival at orgasm follows a predictable path. Some steps happen instantaneously. Some take a while. Interest and attraction lead quickly to intimacy - the creation of an idea. In foreplay, a foundation is built. With intercourse experiments are performed. The rhythm of intercourse builds to a critical mass. Arrival at a point of no return leads to orgasm and resolution. 1: Interest - Thought - Frame 2: Attraction - Vision - Flow 3: Intimacy - Feeling - Form 4: Foreplay - Instinct - Force 5: Intercourse - Reciprocity - Temper - Function 6: Buildup - Instinct - Force 7: Arrival - Feeling - Form 8: Orgasm! - Vision - Flow 9: Resolution - Thought - Frame Read More...

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The Geometric Progression Every point radiates a sphere of influence. Every sphere of influence converges upon a point. Point and sphere are essentially the same. Macrocosm and microcosm are essentially the same. This model creates three physical dimensions, point and sphere in nine steps. 1: Point - No Dimension 2: Ray - One Direction 3: Line - One Dimension 4: Square - Any Direction 5: Plane - Two Dimensions 6: Box - Any Direction 7: Cube - Three Dimensions 8: Ball - Every Direction 9: Sphere - All Dimensions Read More...

The Cosmic Engine The theoretical model of existence being put forth is a living breathing entity. Like the lungs of a human, it consumes the fuel of infinity that surrounds it, converts it to its opposite and emanates its back, as a physical presence, through the same four stages. 1: Cosmic Fuel 2: Intake Manifold 3: One-Way Valve In 4: Combustion Chamber 5: Infinitessimal Point of Exchange 6: Combustion Chamber 7: One-Way Valve Out 8: Exhaust Manifold 9: Cosmic Waste Read More...

Those are just a few models that we can use to help understand a significant signature of nature that contributes to the archetypal influence of primordial patterns upon the human psyche... whether illustrated on little pieces of paper as a tarot deck or not. But wait, there's more!. Like the human body analogy that we have been following, the skeleton we started with has a spine.

	The Spine of Tarot The Significant Signature of Nature used a sine wave to suggest motion. When combined with the four circles and point of our original skeleton, a familiar symbol emerged as a byproduct of this association. This symbol is often used to suggest the importance of balance within a wisdom system, as well as our lives. We can't always achieve balance within our lives, but we should definitely look for balance within a wisdom system that is attempting to describe all of humanity and the cosmos. A wisdom system that does not possess and clearly display balanced opposites for every concept it puts forth is just a handful of opinions. A wisdom system that embraces opposites, and gives equal recognition to both sides of every coin is an objective system of wisdom. If you can't find a clearly defined opposite, positioned in a predictably systemic manner from the card you are currently examining, then you don't have a wisdom system, you have a handful of opinions. You can have wisdom without a system, a handful of opinions can be very wise. And a system doesn't guarantee wisdom. But wisdom with a system is more objective. A wisdom system that acknowledges that every side has another side, and gives equal recognition to both sides of every issue is the most objective. The Numerical Tarot is based on a theoretical model of existence with a spine that unites a series of opposites along a line of numbers. 1: Jinni vs Jinx 2: Muse vs Haunt 3: Beauty vs Beast 4: Hero vs Villain 5: Wizard vs Witch 6: Angel vs Devil 7: Saint vs Sadist 8: Lumina vs Wraith 9: God vs Ghoul The Numerical Tarot is simple, straightforward and obvious. It is also organic, and isomorphic to all of humanity and the archetypal influences of primordial patterns from nature. Balance, symmetry, contrast and consistency reign supreme in the design of The Numerical Tarot. Being able to predict with a reasonable measure of certainty what each card is about, based on a simple, logical and obvious design that is drawn from simple primordial patterns makes The Numerical Tarot a wisdom system with wisdom. Read More...

These are just a few of the many layers of knowledge that can be superimposed upon the very simple skeleton of four circles and a point, to help us understand the nature of archetypal influence upon humanity, whether illustrated on little pieces of paper as a deck of cards or not. You can use the accompanying links to read more about some of these ideas, if you are curious as to how any of them can explain anything about tarot symbols and icons. Or, you can continue with this brief overview by reading a BRIEF summary of some of those possible connections here...