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Cross-cultural vs. TRANS-cultural

The Numerical Tarot is based as little as possible on ideas that have gone before in the world of tarot.

A lot of theories about what tarot is, perpetuate historically unfounded associations to other systems and beliefs. Usually these associations generate a marriage of ideas that is not always a perfect fit. But people continue to believe in, and use these ideas, because... well... that's all there is out there that can be used to determine what profound meaning each card might have.

When tarot is traced back to its earliest known days, there is no evidence to prove any one of these associations as a definitive source of meaning for tarot. Historical evidence seems to suggest that these various systems of belief, while present in the milieu of the day, were developed as sources of meaning by latter-day occultists to give each card an intented meaning. THEY - the occultists - decided that the cards of tarot had profound meaning that came from one source or another. THEY decided what systems, beliefs and cultures would be associated with the tarot to determine these meanings. THEY decided what each system would say a card means. In short, THEY - the occultists - took what historical evidence seems to suggest might have been an innocent game, and made it into something THEY wanted it to be. THEY turned tarot into a deep dark occult mystery.

As each theory of tarot is put forth, assertions are usually made that try to at least imply some historical relevance - however unprovable. But even there, problems arise as competing 'experts' debate over which system or beliefs are the one true and correct association to tarot. Like the blind men examining the elephant, multiple variations come forth for each theory, each claiming to be the one. Each altering the appearance or structure of the deck one way or another to suit its own needs. And the confusion continues to this day. The Numerical Tarot is my two cents worth to add to this confusion. BUT...rather than perpetuate historically unfounded associations to existing systems, beliefs and cultures, The Numerical Tarot tries to present a completely different approach that is completely unique in form. And while it too remains as historically unfounded as any other systemic association in existence for determining possible meaning for a card, it should be understood that historical relevance is not its purpose.

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A Matter of Choice

In associating tarot to existing systems, beliefs and cultures, a lot of decks try to build a system of analysis that is as multi-cultural, or as cross-cultural as possible. They try to build out, with syncretic assimilation, to embrace as many ideas as they can - layering one upon the other, as far as their education will take them. Not every system they study fits the form of tarot. Not every system fits with every other system. What results is usually a heterogeneous amalgam of anthropological ideas with lots of interesting layers, but minimal amounts of consensus or clarity. In this approach, there is a lot of information to learn and memorize. There is also a lot of compromise required, as conflicts inevitably arise in the assimilation process. These imperfect blends then lead to debates and arguments that distinguish the occult world as the source of endless and perpetual mystery.

Learning tarot the cross-cultural, anthropological way is educational. It expands your horizons. You learn a lot about the differences and similarities between cultures throughout history. If pursued with vigor, and an iron-clad memory, an encyclopedic mind could result. Amassing a great wealth of knowledge about the icons, symbols and mythologies of a multitude of cultures is impressive. But I believe that, when it comes to tarot, too many people value quantitative knowledge over that of qualitative wisdom, and as a result do not offer much clarity of vision with their cross-cultural approach.

In contrast to this, The Numerical Tarot goes in a completely opposite direction. The Numerical Tarot is a system of logical analysis that is built upon an armature of ideas that attempt to be as TRANS-cultural as possible. What is the difference? To me, cross-cultural means: a heterogeneous amalgam of anthropological ideas from a multitude of minds, each with its own personal or cultural bias. While TRANS-cultural means: distillation of ideas to a homogenous essence that is so abstract in form that it can not be attributed to any one single mind, or cultural source - but at the same time, can be seen as the essence beneath them all. The approach taken by The Numerical Tarot attempts to be TRANS-cultural. In this way, it is reductionist. By that I mean that instead of compounding to heterogeneous complexity, it attempts to distill to a homogenous simplicity.

Unfortunately, it is usually the case that a reductionist approach is not well received in the world of tarot. When approaching tarot, most people prefer the study of cultural icons. They enjoy their comparative religions. They need a sense of history. But most importantly, they crave humanity. To many, reducing the romance of cultural icons, religion and history to intangible, abstract ideas is... well... dehumanizing - and therefore undesirable.

The big mistake that most people make, however, is in thinking that a reductionist approach means a complete and total abandonment of every cross-cultural idea they've ever taken the time to learn. Thus, the biggest obstacle facing a reductionist approach, is in getting people to let go of their anthropological bias long enough to see that there is more to a reductionist approach than dehumanization. True, a reductionist approach will not add much to your quantitative bank account of accumulated knowledge concerning the multitude of world cultures and their individual expressions of humanity. It will, however, stretch your imagination and cause you to see the icons and mythology of those cultures in a new and different way.

Thus it is that anyone studying tarot has a choice to make. They have a mysterious deck of cards in front of them. Which way will they go? The acquisitive way, building up their bank account of cross-cultural knowledge? Or the inquisitive way, building an abstract armature of TRANS-cultural wisdom upon which the entire universe can rest?

The acquisitive, cross-cultural way is the most common. If we go that way, we will at least be going with the flow. It's probably the easiest too, because it tends to deal with quantified, documented, factual information about historical icons, established mythologies and the behavior of humans across cultures. It may take us years of study to become an expert of any kind. But with an emphasis on memorization, the acquisitive, cross-cultural way is at least knowable.

The inquisitive, TRANS-cultural way, however, is the least common. If we go that way, we will definitely be paddling upstream against the current of popular opinion. For that reason alone it's probably the hardest way to go. But more than that, it is harder because it does not deal so much with quantifiable facts and historical documentation about cultures. The inquisitive, TRANS-cultural way deals more with abstract notions that require conceptual leaps of imagination - a.k.a. speculation. To take an abstract concept like "Apart and Separate" and see in that abstract, geometric juxtapositioning of ideas, the roots of a human icon like a Hermit (living alone, apart and separate) takes an intuitive kind of mind (see Why Abstract Patterns elsewhere on this site). To take an abstract concept like "Tangential Association" and be able to see how that might equate to the idea of touching, and then see how that might then equate to the sensitivity of a human icon like an Empress is special. To live in a world where "Apart and Separate" and "Tangential Association" have as much significance to understanding the world around you as any human icon from any human culture is unique. With an emphasis on conceptualization and isomorphic translation, the inquisitive, TRANS-cultural way is uniquely universal. And therein lies its true value.

Sometimes people will ask "what do I gain by seeing 'Apart and Separate' and 'a Hermit' as the same thing?" And the answer is simply "Universality." For those who can see these kinds of connections, and then see the armature of abstract ideas that is built by them, they will have a tool of decipherment that is unequalled in the world of tarot. What some call a Hermit might be called a thousand other things by a thousand other cultures. We can spend a lifetime learning all 1,000 names for "a person who is being influenced by, or expressing, the abstract idea of Apart and Separate" or... we can find significance in the isomorphic translation of those iconic human forms into fundamental, abstract, conceptual ideas that transcend all cultures and all times as ideal forms.

I believe there is great amounts of understanding to be found in a reductionist approach. I like to get to the bottom of things, and distilling to a fundamental, conceptual essence suits me just fine. But... one has to be comfortable with the non-human aspect of it.

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Upstream Downstream

Lots of people write books about tarot where they demonstrate an impressive background and knowledge of history, mythology, religions and cultures of everyday existence and how those things can be attached, through analogy and comparison, to the 22 trumps of a tarot deck. But what about the TRANS-cultural archetypes? What about the primordial patterns that transcend all those cross-cultural things? The All Things Are Numbers approach tries to address both these concerns equally. This study tries to encourage us to look UP-stream, toward the SOURCE of the transcendental patterns, as much as we look DOWN-stream toward cross-cultural expressions, like tarot images.

The All Things Are Numbers approach can used to compile a comparative relatable mythos out of a derivative cross-cultural shema of sophisticated complexity, diversity and variety just as surely as any other approach to tarot. It can also be useful for those interested in distilling to a definitive abstract essence using a formative trans-cultural model of straightforward simplicity, purity and unity.

The All Things Are Numbers approach can be used to compile a comparative relatable mythos out of a derivative cross-cultural shema of sophisticated complexity, diversity and variety just as surely as any other approach to tarot. It can also be useful for those interested in distilling to a definitive abstract essence using a formative trans-cultural model of straightforward simplicity, purity and unity. The degree to which any of us follows either path results from choice and preference. A lot has been said already about the cross-cultural possibilities of tarot. Look to this site for an alternative.

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The Handrail of History

History is important in the study of anything. But... sometimes it seems as though many of the people who study tarot are completely incapable of embracing any kind of thought or idea that does not utilize some historical reference as a means of establishing legitimacy. Because of the intense emphasis that has been forced into tarot toward ancient mysteries, many feel that ideas not relatable in some way to some ancient documents of long ago and far away are not really worthy of serious consideration as sources of meaning. To many, such ideas are completely indigestible to their mind if not embellished with historical references. Like wrapping a dog's medicine into a ball of hamburger meat to get them to eat it, ideas about tarot need to be wrapped in a ball of history in order to get people to bite. Thus, to coax someone like this across a path of reason laden with abstract metaphysical concepts that have no direct connection to ancient historical references is difficult to say the least (see Imagine a Reason to Believe elsewhere on this site). As soon as they begin to hear ideas that don't sound like ideas they've gathered from historical sources, many lose interest and fade away, or in some cases get hostile toward someone's lack of history. Without a handrail of history on which to steady their minds, many feel lead astray by wandering minds on a primrose path.

Some day this study of tarot might acquire as much knowledge of history (and mystery) as most tarot enthusiasts out there already, and incorporate all that knowledge into the ideas put forth so far in this study of tarot. But... for the most part, relating every idea to something someone else said years ago in ancient times is not the primary goal of this study on tarot. This study of tarot is devoted mostly to the abstract, conceptual, metaphysical, reductionist-type analysis of simple, archetypal patterns of nature that appear to be universal and completely TRANS-cultural. We shouldn't need history to become acquinted with these patterns. So... this study doesn't use history to acquaint us with these patterns. Instead, this study of archetypality uses logic and common sense reasoning, combined with intuition and speculative imagination, to draw these patterns in the mind of anyone interested in looking. For those who can relate these ideas to something someone said in some ancient text, some time long ago and far away, that is a bonus for them. I, personally do not require a handrail of history to navigate this terrain of ideas. Thus, once again, this site stands as an alternative.

For those who can let go of the handrail of history (and mystery), there are a lot of interesting ideas being presented in both logical and imaginal ways in this study of tarot. Some may have a hard time showing other people what they have found, because of the inability of other people to let go of the handrail of history (and mystery) and digest these ideas without having them wrapped in the ancient. But hopefully the ideas seen here will find their way into subsequent acts of assimilation and syncretism and the development of a personal philosophy. That would be satisfactory enough. Then... maybe, some day, someone might draw a tarot deck of their own in such a way as to include some of the major points, and major changes being put forth here! That would be way cool!!

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EXTRA CREDIT

If you are an artist, and feel like drawing a deck, I would be interested in collaborating with anyone. I am not wealthy, but if you have a style that appeals to me, I would gladly pay money to have you draw a deck with/for me. If you are at all interested, email me! Put something like "Tarot Artist" in the subject line, so that I don't accidentally delete you as spam!