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Evolution of a Deck Design: The Matrix |
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One of the first things I propose in my book is that the universe is binary, or dualistic. I can't prove that. I know there are other ways of looking at things. But in my speculative world of tarot-like wisdom systems, it is a simple enough pattern to start with. Yin and Yang. Absentia and Universe. Day and Night. Wax on, Wax off! Combinations of yin and yang halves, within yin and yang halves, are endless - like a branching fractal tree. Sorting them out, can be an interesting challenge. The Numerical Tarot deck is designed to address the problem of multiple sub-divisions of opposites.In my book, I employ a bit of paradoxical logic to describe how a beginingless beginning could come to be. Then, once things are off and running, it becomes a task of subdividing an ultimate pair of binary, or dualistic opposites, into finer and finer descriptions of this one simple idea. So in my deck, we see a design with an underlying structure to its form, derived from logical steps of thought. As this logical design evolves, we also observe how each stage of development is influenced by the various stages of our guiding model of existence, presented elsewhere on this site.In the construction of The Numerical Tarot deck, we actually use sub-divisions of an ultimate pair to create the various arcana of the deck. By taking a single number line, dividing it a select number of times, we create the six different number lines of The Numerical Tarot deck. In doing so, we observe the crossed influence of multiple divisions of yin and yang within the decks form, creating a matrix of overlapping yins and yangs which, when carefully sorted out, will bring supreme clarity to each card.To begin the evolution of The Numerical Tarot deck's underlying design, we will start with a plain number line. A plain number line that we will use to represent the ineffable concept of "absentia" - the diametrical opposite to the tarot "universe" we hope to create. We will then divide this number line three times, just as we do when creating other models seen elsewhere on this site. Our first cut then, divides this plain line into two separate lines, each diametrically opposite to the other. This creates for us the two lines of the Major Trumps.:-----THE ABSENTIA and THE UNIVERSE:A blank number line.
The "blank number line" represents the concept of "Absentia", the diametrical opposite to "Universe." In this primary duality of all creation, the absentia is characteristically not divided. While on the other hand, its diametrical opposite is divided - like so:-----1/9) POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE:
By cutting our blank number line, we create the Positive or Ameliorate (white) and Negative or Deteriorate (black) sides of The Numerical Tarot's Major Trumps. Like day and night, they are as opposite as can be. While at the same time, leading one into the other like the amelioration and deterioration of the seasons. In this way, we see how this first cut reflects the characteristics from the disparate nature of the 1/9 sphere of our model, or the 1 and 9 on The Apart/Together model (seen elsewhere on this site). In other words, the degree of separation between these first two halves reflects the essence of polarity and irreconcilable separation found in the numbers 1 and 9 in the Apart/Together model.
But right now, these opposites are static. We need to divide them again - like so:-----2/8) ACTIVE AND PASSIVE:
By cutting our deck a second time into active and passive, we create a pattern of extremes and in-betweens. The two sides of the Majors are no longer static. They kind of fit together like a Yin/Yang symbol, giving the deck the same kind of dynamic structure. This hierarchal subdividing also allows for associations to be made between different cards that is not possible in any other deck.This time, the characteristics of the 2/8 sphere influence how we view resulting sides. In this case, the difference between each side could be compared to that of dividing day (the ameliorate side) into morning and afternoon, an night (the deteriorate side) into evening and twilight. By dividing each number line of the majors at its midpoint, the 2/8 characteristics of entry and exit, found in the funneling action of The Funnel, Tunnel, Maze diagram, add additional detail to the basic concepts of positive and negative, creating yin and yang subdivisions, within each of the previous positive and negative sides.These are the first two cuts of of three, that will be made. After only two cuts we have established the positive and negative aspects of the Majors as well as the equidistant qualities of each of its two number lines. Having done this much we can now stop for a moment to observe an important pattern in this formation.In the first cut of this three cut process, the split between yin and yang was made horizontally to create two complete number lines out of one. In the second cut, we shifted our cutting action 90 degrees to create equidistant halves within each of our two lines. By shifting this yin and yang pattern 90 degrees we created 4 distinct qualities within our Major Trumps, and in doing so created a pattern of extremes and in-betweens. In the book All Things Are Numbers, a 90 degree shift pattern is used to represent the effects of a mobius band, upon opposites. Thus the idea of Major Trumps, consisting of number lines that run one into the other in an endless process of amelioration and deterioration, is reinforced as these opposite number lines are now seen as the two sides of a one sided journey the mobius band is known for.But there's more! The final cut will show us how and why the Minor Suits come to be viewed as a child to the Majors, repeating the numerology of the Majors with two cards in the Minors for every one in the Majors - like so:-----3/7) ANALYTICAL AND SYNTHETICAL:
With cut three, we differentiate between Analytical ideas vs. Synthetical ideas - or Tangible Quantitative ideas vs. Intangible Qualitative ideas. In doing so we duplicate the yin/yang qualities of extremes and in-betweens within each half of the now divided Majors, creating four distinctly different, but still inter-dependent number lines in our deck design. These four number lines are now thought of as "minor" to the Majors, but obviously, cut from the same cloth!In using the various models presented elsewhere on this site to determine the attributes of these four Minor Suit number lines (or two sets of two) we look to the 3/7 sphere of reality vs. fantasy to observe how analytical vs. synthetical perceptions can divide positive and negative into finer and finer subdivisions of opposites. In this case, each set of number lines in the Minors (either the two from the positive side, or the two from the negative side), has the same attributes for each of its two lines, rather than creating four different attributes for four different lines.Because each set is being cut from one half of the Majors, each set of Minor Suit lines will have a number line that represents either the analytical or the synthetical in perception, in either a positive, ameliorate vein or a negative, deteriorate vein. Elsewhere on this site, an analogy of a piano octave is used to illustrate the idea of analytical vs. synthetical, where analytical is compared to scales, and synthetical is compared to chords. In relating the number lines of the Minor Suits to the piano octave analogy, we can see how each set of the Minors represents both physical features or conscious thought, as well as non-physical features or unconscious thought - within the same range of numbers.And because this third division has been faithfully cut from the previous two it also carries on their attributes within its form. Therefore, in conclusion, we see how each set of the Minor Suits (either the two positive lines or the two negative lines) will represent the analytical or synthetical (3/7), in either a positive or negative vein (1/9), with equidistant similarities in each line (2/8)! To read a bit more on what is meant by Analytical vs. Synthetical, and how that might effect your perception of a tarot deck designed with this in mind, you might want to read this article from the NUMBERS section of this site.
By viewing the Minor Suits as a child of a the Majors, the Minor Suits repeat important ideas with greater specificity (two cards instead of just one).In the last step of this deck design, I choose to associate the four operations of mathematics with these fundamental subdivisions, and then associate those operations of mathematics with the four suit signs of traditional tarot decks.-----THE FOUR SUITS OF THE Numerical Tarot:
In creating suits signs for The Numerical Tarot, I decided that the four operations of mathematics described the subdivisions of the deck more clearly than representations found in traditional decks. In this arrangement, addition is considered a more analytical process of augmentation, while multiplication requires more synthetical, conceptual leaps of thought. Both belong on the positive or ameliorate side. Likewise, subtraction is also the more analytical, being the diametrical opposite of addition, while division again requires conceptual leaps.But how do the existing suits of traditional tarot come to be associated with each of these mathematical concepts? Well I could tell you that I associated the suit of Swords with division because swords divide. And that I associated the suit of Staves with subtraction because the subtraction symbol looks like a wand. Or that I associated the suit of Cups with multiplication because a chalice viewed sideways on looks like a multiplication symbol. I might also try to convince you that the coloration of suits in a traditional deck of playing cards into two red suits and two black suits lead me to conclude Coins (Diamonds) and Cups (Hearts), both red, to be positive, and Staves (Clubs) and Swords (Spades), both black, to be negative. But that would be silly. Or is it?What would happen if these kinds of associations were made? How would that alter our perception of traditional tarot decks? Personally, I think it improves them greatly! In fact, after making these arbitrary associations and superimposing my knowledge of the numbers over other decks, numerous correlations appeared that lead me to conclude a "fortunate" arrangement of suits. This so-called "fortunate" arrangement of suit signs is interesting, when viewing existing decks, but it is not important to the creation of the Binary Matrix just described. The Binary Matrix does not care if you call the suit of Addition the suit of Swords or Cups or whatever. The subdividing of numerology into a system of inter-related ideas is what's important here. If, however, you do choose to call the suit of Addition the suit of Swords, you will probably not see very many correlations between this system and existing tarot decks. However, if you accept the arrangement given above, you will!!-----The Matrix, Math, Suit Sign MandalaHere is a mandala you can use to meditate on some of the concepts put forth so far. To the left and right of the central grid of tiny squares, we see how a single line is divided into Majors (two bars) and Minors (four bars). When the four bars are divided again, to represent the moderate versus extreme variations of each card, we arrive at the tiny squares of the central grid. To the top and bottom of the central grid of tiny squares, we see a single line being divided left and right several different ways; in half, in thirds, insides versus outsides, etc. The grid in the center is the result of these combined influences: nine numbers, divided into four suits, with upright and reversed interpretations. Around the outside is a series of waxing and waning moon-like spheres bordered by the associated symbols of mathematics.
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In the center is a number line! It's divided once, twice, thrice etc. to create a matrix of possibilities for any one card in the deck. Waxing and waning spheres coincide with the ascending and descending operations of mathematics which become the four suits of the deck. |
All words and images Copyright © 2008 by Guy Palm
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