If you were able to follow the train of thought proposed in the "Why Abstract Patterns?" section, this might help you (a teeny tiny bit) to see the usefulness of a patterns in nature approach.
People's use of language is subjective. Vocabulary is subjective. In my book I propose that things like "Numerical Etymology" (as I call it) can help with more precise speech when interpreting tarot.
Take the example put forth in the "Why Abstract Patterns?" section about associating the words Sensitivity, Love, and Caring with the "Together & Connecting" part of the Apart/Together model. Love is indeed about caring. Some people even like to include sharing in their descriptions of Love, saying that "Love is sharing and caring." And while I would agree that sharing and caring are both good things that any two people who love each other ought to be doing, The Numerical Tarot believes that to bring up the WORD sharing when talking about the Empress card (or any "3") is archetypally inaccurate.
Caring implies, a certain degree of empathy. Empathy is about feeling what other people feel. Feelings are rooted in sensitivity. Sensitivity is rooted in the "Together & Connecting" part of the Apart/Together model. Sharing however is a completely different concept that falls under a completely different number. Within the Apart/Together model, sharing was clearly associated with the "Connecting & Intersecting" part of that model. Sharing is an exchange; I have a part of you and you have a part of me. We overlap, sharing parts of each other with each other. We are married, or "Together, And Intersecting."
So within the structure of The Numerical Tarot, to bring up the concept of sharing when interpreting a "3" is archetypally inaccurate. Anyone who does so, is being sloppy with their choice of words, and in the process is helping to perpetuate the ambiguity that makes skeptics think that tarot is a bunch of bunk - that we are just making it up as we go. In this system though, we don't. A 3 means caring, today. A 3 will mean caring, tomorrow. And we won't talk about sharing until we see a 6. Let me amend that. A 3 means "Together & Connecting" today. And a 3 will mean "Together & Connecting" tomorrow. So the words we choose to describe this fundamental, abstract, archetypal pattern should be accurate to its essence at all times. This system demands it.
Now I know that a lot of you are probably thinking that all this precision is like a mental straight jacket to the intuitive mind. And to those who interpret the cards on intuition alone, it may be. But there is hope. Because the English language has a lot of words to use. Which means that even though we have a system that demands accuracy, we still have a million ways to accurately describe any one number's abstract essence.
The real reason this system looks like a mental straight jacket, is because you are on the outside looking in. You don't know the territory. It's all esoteric to you. It's like being overwhelmed by a new and complex computer program that is supposed to help you. But also like a new computer program, after you get to know the system you will find yourself using it like a virtuoso. You will intuitively pick the exact correct words for each number, because you will be working off an innate sense of THEE Model's form and meaning.
That's the theory anyway... : |
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Here is another example of how the "All Things Are Numbers" grid matrix organization of vocabulary can help reduce ambiguity in interpreting tarot icons.
After I conceived of the Minor Suits as this grid matrix of subdividing opposites, I had to go about filling in blank spaces with vocabulary that accurately described the essence of each number, with these overlapping influences in mind. Determining what any one number might mean was easy. Finding an antonym for that word, to describe that number's opposite on the Binary Matrix of Minors, was also easy (usually). But problems arose when I needed to find words that were not exactly diametrically opposite, but different in different ways. What do I mean by different in different ways? I don't really know. I am not a linguist. And I could not find any thesaurus that offered a proper definition for the type of words I was looking for, that could describe the position of each word, relative to the chosen word, to my satisfaction. So I set about inventing my own grammatical terminology to deal with this problem. The results of this effort can be seen elsewhere on this site - in the "Why Use Words" section of this tour.
Here is the problem I was confronted with, stated as clearly as I can describe it:
OK, let me see if I can explain this without getting too wordy and involved (Ha!).
One of the unique aspects of The Numerical Tarot is how it organizes interpretations with an underlying grid. The grid is designed to insure consistency, and make it easy to deduce the meaning of a card, based on how it compares to others on the grid. One card numbered 4 in one suit will have its opposite interpretation in another card numbered 4 in an opposing suit. What happens in the end is that for any one concept you can think of, there are several variations to consider (see Spectrum of Possibilities elsewhere on this site). In talking to others, I've often had to acknowledge the infinite subjectivity of "Good" and "Bad" in doing interpretations. But within my own subjective sense of what is good and bad, the grid being used in this deck attempts to sort out the good from the bad with the use of this matrix organization. The problem is in determining what to call the various types of words that oppose each other. Synonyms and antonyms do not cover all the variations that occur. Here is an example of what I am talking about.
One half of this deck is ameliorate or positive in design. The other half is deteriorate or negative. Not good or bad, just ameliorate or positive and deteriorate or negative - adding vs subtracting, rising vs falling, incremental vs decremental, emerging vs receding. So if you consider a concept like "strong" vs "weak," strong would be positive and weak would be negative. Strong and weak are antonyms in most people's minds. But what about someone who demonstrates too much strength? An overbearing pugilistic bully. That would be strength taken to an extreme that most people would consider "Bad." Likewise, weakness is taken by most to be "Bad." But what about a mild mannered person who does not demonstrate weakness, but is merely passive? The absence of applied effort would put this concept on the negative side, but not be "Bad."
Stong and weak are antonyms. In many dictionaries strong and pugilistic might be lumped together as synonymous when contrasted against weakness. I needed to invent a grammatical label to identify them as separate ideas, so that the idea of a spectrum of possibilities would come across when examining this deck design.
Pugilistic = bad ameliorate (a bully) (Lex Luthar)
Strong = good ameliorate (a hero) (Superman)
Passive = good deteriorate (a gentleman) (Clark Kent)
Weak = bad deteriorate (a victim) (Lois Lane, Jimmy Olson, Superman on Kryptonite)
See the symmetry? See the spectrum of relative intensity? Which ones are antonyms? What are the others called? What is the relationship of pugilistic to strong? What is the relationship of pugilistic to passive, or to weak, if strong is being call weak's antonym?
In this analysis however, you shouldn't focus too much on the "good" or "bad" of it all, just the idea of extremes and in betweens. The idea of a spectrum of possibilities from one extreme (bully) to anther (wimp/coward/victim) is what's important here. And then inventing a grammatical label to describe the relationship of that set of ideas.
I may not have used the best example, or the best set of words within my example. But the contrast of ideas is what's important. If the opposite of a coward is a hero (antonym) then what is the relationship of a bully to a coward? Also antonym? If it is also an antonym, what is the difference between a bully and a hero? Also antonyms? So the antonym for hero is both bully and coward? I wanted to be more precise than that, so that I could convey the idea of a set of ideas that describe this matrix organizational device.
It is important to acknowledge that each word represents a position on this gridded matrix pattern that attempts to employ a series of subdividing opposites within its structure. So the idea is that hero and bully are on the same "positive" side, being that they both represent a positive application of force. The pugilistic bully is an extreme application of force. The assertive hero is perhaps not as extreme, more of an in between. Likewise, in symmetrical fashion, the wimp/coward/victim represents a negative absence, or even pathetic lack of force, to an extreme. While a mild mannered gentleman would represent a harmless lack of force. An in between.
Maybe the "good" and "bad" of it all is getting in the way. Maybe you think the hero is an extreme? In which case being aggressive would be the extreme, and being assertive the in between. And maybe instead of cowardly, the extreme is ... permissive, and the in between is passive.
Aggressive = extreme
Assertive = in between
Passive = in between
Permissive = extreme
There, there is another set of words, based on the same numerical concept of force either applied (positive/ameliorate) or not applied (negative/deteriorate) with no "good" or "bad" implications. Is the opposite of aggressive, permissive or passive? If passive is the opposite (antonym) of aggressive, what is the relationship of assertive to passive? What is the relationship of assertive to aggressive? Maybe my vocabulary is not up to par. Can you come up with a better set of words that would describe the ideas of
extreme amount of positive force
moderate amount of positive force
vs.-----
moderate amount of negative force (or lack of force, or negating, divestive force)
extreme amount of negative force (or lack of force, or negating, divestive force)...?
The pattern is there, I can see it. But it is hard to describe. That's why I wanted to invent grammatical labels to use in the semantics of my tarot interpretation.
In the process of inventing my own terminology, my thinking was that it would be preferable to invent a word that uses the same root suffix as antonym and synonym, and just come up with a prefix that suggests the kind of translation that people should make. One idea I had was to call these words varonyms, because the idea is that each word is a variation of the other, along a spectrum of possibilities (see Spectrum of Possibilities elsewhere on this site). At the same time, varo- does not imply good or bad, or positive or negative. It also does not dictate how much of a move you must make. A synonym says move zero degrees from where you are and chose a word with the same core concept and same subjective intensity. An antonym says move as close to 180 degrees as you can subjectively determine and chose a word with the same core concept but completely opposite intensity. So here are the rules for determining a varonym:
With a varonym you don't move zero degrees, you don't move 180 degrees, you move in increments. Start with a word, then chose another word that utilizes the same core concept, but with an intensity that would make it subjectively better or worse than its partner (i.e. more or less life affirming). Not a diametrical opposite, as in an antonym, just more or less intense than the original, to a point where a subjective threshold of "goodness" or "badness" is crossed, or where "goodness" and "badness" are put into question. Here is another variation of the example we've been kicking around:
Bully - too much fight (force applied)
Soldier - necessary fight (force applied)
vs.-----
Passivist - no fight (force not applied)
Coward - not enough fight (force not applied)
Bully and coward are antonyms (both subjectively bad, and opposite in amerliorate vs. deteriorate sense). Soldier and passivist are antonyms (both subjectively good, and opposite in ameliorate vs. deteriorate sense). Solder and Hero are synonyms (both subjectively good). Coward and Wimp are synonyms (both subjectively bad). But with this new terminology, bully and soldier are now considered varonyms (both positive, but one to an extreme of the other). And passivist and coward are now considered varonyms (both negative, but one to an extreme of the other).
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At this point you may be asking "What does all this have to do with TAROT!!!?
I know that a large number of tarot enthusiasts study multiple sources to acquaint themselves with the intended meaning of each card in a tarot deck. But I also know that a lot of those same people abandon all that knowledge when doing a reading in preference for a highly intuitive, highly subjective approach - where each card is interpreted by its visual content, without much regard for intended, learned meanings.
Both of these techniques are very flexible. But they don't do much to reduce ambiguity, augment consensus, or increase credibility in the eyes of skeptics. The grid matrix organization of words and ideas being proposed here, is an attempt to reduce ambiguity, augment consensus, and increase credibility in the eyes of skeptics, with the definition of clear semantic referents. There is no switch-er-oo with this grid matrix organization. Every idea placed, has multiple companions that must also make sense to the idea in question. No card stands alone. Synonyms, antonyms and now...varonyms insure that our highly intuitive, highly subjective vocabulary is sorted according to a highly logical array. Subjective vocabulary is still flexible. But once a person's subjective sense is defined, intended meanings are mapped upon a logical grid and do not drift.
Within this system, you are still expected to apply a subjective mind and interpret. There is still plenty of room for intuitive, subjective and/or psychic interpretation within this extremely precise system, while still being precise. After reading my possible interpretations, you may not agree with the actual words I've chosen to fill the Moderate Positive, Extreme Positive, Moderate Negative and Extreme Negative positions of each number. But, if in using this system, we can all know what we are trying to describe, we might eventually arrive at a consensus and reduce or eliminate the ambiguity of tarot that threatens its credibility.
The unknown parts of Tarot give rise to all kinds of speculation. People mold Tarot into whatever they want it to be. I have molded it into this system. A system based on trans-cultural, abstract, fundamental patterns in nature that are indeed invented and owned by NO ONE. It covers a lot of ground, in a very clear and concise way. It is, in fact, isomorphic to humanity!
Why not make Tarot into something knowable? Answers instead of questions. Clarity instead of mystery. I say put aside the history, put aside the mystery and make Tarot into something better, instead of spending another 600 years wondering what a lot of long dead people might have meant.
That's the dream anyway... : |
Check out the "Why Use Words" part of this tour for more invented terminology that will aid in the semantics of tarot. And check out the "Spectrum of Possibilities" essay in the BOOK section of this site, for more on this extreme and inbetween pattern.
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Remember... this has been a painfully brief and horribly incomplete description of what I try to do in my book. There is certainly a lot more "evidence" if you want to call it that.
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EXTRA CREDIT!
Here is a list, showing multiple examples of how my Matrix system works at bringing cards together as SETS of ideas, rather than randomly scattered ideas. These are all VARONYMS!!!
Of course these sets of ideas are only possible if one accepts the unique arrangement of suits utilized in this unique deck. If you are not able to see Coins and Staves as opposites, or Cups and Swords as opposites, then all of this may seem crazy. But I encourage you to give it a try. Not every set will correlate to existing tarot decks, but if enough of them do, it might convince you to look again at the possibilities of another suit arrangement - a non-traditional arrangement.
For more examples of varonyms, go to the DECK section and see how I've used varonyms to create the character names for The Numerical Tarot!
If you want to know where the initial root words are coming from, check out the Keyword charts elsewhere on this site (you'll see that I'm not just making this up as I go!).
One of Coins and Staves
Coins - Incipiency - spark - extreme - pertinacity
Coins - Incipiency - spark - inbetween - volition - - like The Magician, also a 1?
Staves - Incipiency - nospark - inbetween - abeyance
Staves - Incipiency - nospark - extreme - procrastination
One of Cups and Swords
Cups - State - mindful - extreme - obstinate
Cups - State - mindful - inbetween - willful - - like The Magician, also a 1?
Swords - State - mindless - inbetween - artless - - like The Fool?
Swords - State - mindless - extreme - fatalistic
One of Cups and Swords
Cups - Presence - aware - extreme - conceit
Cups - Presence - aware - inbetween - identity
Swords - Presence - unaware - inbetween - naivete
Swords - Presence - unaware - extreme - obliviousness
Two of Coins and Staves
Coins - Motion - direct - extreme - marauding
Coins - Motion - direct - inbetween - navigating - - like the RWS 2 of Coins?
Staves - Motion - indirect - inbetween - wandering
Staves - Motion - indirect - extreme - meandering
Two of Coins and Staves
Coins - Action - flowing - extreme - provocation
Coins - Action - flowing - inbetween - motivation - - like the waves of water in the RWS 2 of Coins?
Staves - Action - not flowing - inbetween - restraint
Staves - Action - not flowing - extreme - resistance
Two of Coins and Staves
Coins - Motion - moving - extreme - impatient
Coins - Motion - moving - inbetween - active - - like the dancing man in the RWS 2 of Coins?
Staves - Motion - not moving - inbetween - patient - - like the man in the RWS 2 of Staves, standing, waiting?
Staves - Motion - not moving - extreme - stymied
Two of Cups and Swords
Cups - Relationship - open - extreme - exhibitionism
Cups - Relationship - open - inbetween - candor - - like the open gaze of the two people in the RWS 2 of Cups?
Swords - Relationship - closed - inbetween - disguise - - like the mysterious High Priestess, also a 2?
Swords - Relationship - closed - extreme - equivocation - - like the blindfolded RWS 2 of Swords?
Two of Cups and Swords
Cups - Balance - parallel - extreme - stagnant
Cups - Balance - parallel - inbetween - harmonious - - like the two in the 2 of Cups?
Swords - Balance - crossed - inbetween - dichotomous
Swords - Balance - crossed - extreme - rancorous - - like the crossed swords in the RWS 2 of Swords?
Three of Coins and Staves
Coins - Form - refined - extreme - perfectionism
Coins - Form - refined - inbetween - perfection - - like the artist sculpting in the RWS 3 of Pencacles?
Staves - Form - unrefined - inbetween - mutation
Staves - Form - unrefined - extreme - mutilation
Three of Cups and Swords
Cups - Bond - consolidated - extreme - delirium
Cups - Bond - consolidated - inbetween - joy - - like the three happy women in the RWS 3 of Cups?
Swords - Bond - afflicted - inbetween - solemnity
Swords - Bond - afflicted - extreme - sorrow - - like the sorrowful heart pierced with swords in the RWS 3 of Cups?
Four of Coins and Staves
Coins - Force - applied - extreme - workaholic
Coins - Force - applied - inbetween - boss - - like the seated businesman in the RWS 4 of Coins?
Staves - Force - not applied - inbetween - retiree
Staves - Force - not applied - extreme - lazy ass bum
Four of Coins and Staves
Coins - Force - applied - extreme - toil
Coins - Force - applied - inbetween - work - - like the seated businesman in the RWS 4 of Coins?
Staves - Force - not applied - inbetween - respite - - like the party going on in the RWS 4 of Staves?
Staves - Force - not applied - extreme - sloth
Four of Coins and Staves
Coins - Effort - additive - extreme - fortification
Coins - Effort - additive - inbetween - construction - - like The Emperor, also a 4?
Staves - Effort - subtractive - inbetween - demolition
Staves - Effort - subtractive - extreme - destruction - - like Mr. Death, also a 4?
Four of Coins and Staves
Coins - Effort - engaged - extreme - belligerent
Coins - Effort - engaged - inbetween - formidable
Staves - Effort - disengaged - inbetween - capitulating
Staves - Effort - disengaged - extreme - ineffectual - - like the victims of Mr. Death, also a 4?
Four of Cups and Swords
Cups - Power - have - extreme - cocky
Cups - Power - have - inbetween - confident
Swords - Power - have not - inbetween - tame
Swords - Power - have not - extreme - meek
Four of Cups and Swords
Cups - Power - expressed - extreme - bravado
Cups - Power - expressed - inbetween - bravery
Swords - Power - suppressed - inbetween - modesty
Swords - Power - suppressed - extreme - trepidation
Four of Cups and Swords
Cups - Commitment - expressed - extreme - imperialism
Cups - Commitment - expressed - inbetween - ambition - - like the seated businesman in the RWS 4 of Coins?
Swords - Commitment - suppressed - inbetween - abdication - - like the stone effagy in the RWS 4 of Swords?
Swords - Commitment - suppressed - extreme - indolence
Five of Coins and Staves
Coins - Exchange - orderly - extreme - regimented
Coins - Exchange - orderly - inbetween - coordinated
Staves - Exchange - chaotic - inbetween - competitive
Staves - Exchange - chaotic - extreme - antagonistic - - like the arguing men in the RWS 5 of Staves?
Five of Coins and Staves
Coins - Midpoint - balanced - extreme - conformity
Coins - Midpoint - balanced - inbetween - agreement
Staves - Midpoint - unbalanced - inbetween - eccentricity
Staves - Midpoint - unbalanced - extreme - disagreement - - like the arguing men in the RWS 5 of Staves?
Five of Cups and Swords
Cups - Core - solid - extreme - bureaucracy
Cups - Core - solid - inbetween - authority
Swords - Core - not solid - inbetween - heresy
Swords - Core - not solid - extreme - anarchy
Five of Cups and Swords
Cups - Union - stable - extreme - subjugation
Cups - Union - stable - inbetween - moderation
Swords - Union - unstable - inbetween - revolution
Swords - Union - unstable - extreme - rebellion
Six of Coins and Staves
Coins - Evolution - up - extreme - sprawling
Coins - Evolution - up - inbetween - growing
Staves - Evolution - down - inbetween - shedding
Staves - Evolution - down - extreme - crumbling
Six of Coins and Staves
Coins - Capacity - forward - extreme - attack
Coins - Capacity - forward - inbetween - advance
Staves - Capacity - backward - inbetween - retreat
Staves - Capacity - backward - extreme - withdrawal
Six of Coins and Staves
Coins - Capacity - in - extreme - pillage
Coins - Capacity - in - inbetween - reward - - like those obtaining alms in the RWS 6 of Coins?
Staves - Capacity - out - inbetween - atonement
Staves - Capacity - out - extreme - penalty
Six of Coins and Staves
Coins - Capacity - in - extreme - greedy
Coins - Capacity - in - inbetween - desirous - - like those obtaining alms in the RWS 6 of Coins?
Staves - Capacity - out - inbetween - generous
Staves - Capacity - out - extreme - wastrel
Six of Cups and Swords
Cups - Environment - in - extreme - addictive
Cups - Environment - in - inbetween - nurturing - - like the home sweet home in the RWS 6 of Coins?
Swords - Environment - out - inbetween - emancipating
Swords - Environment - out - extreme - debilitating - - like the rickety boat in the RWS 6 of Swords?
Six of Cups and Swords
Cups - Influence - in - extreme - coveting
Cups - Influence - in - inbetween - profiting
Swords - Influence - out - inbetween - spending
Swords - Influence - out - extreme - forfeiting - - like the refugees in the RWS 6 of Swords?
Seven of Coins and Staves
Coins - Approach - short pause - extreme - haste
Coins - Approach - short pause - inbetween - alacrity - - like the pause of appreciation in the RWS 7 of Coins?
Staves - Approach - long pause - inbetween - deliberating
Staves - Approach - long pause - extreme - hesitation - - like the pause of hesitation seen in the RWS 7 of Staves?
Seven of Coins and Staves
Coins - Approach - short pause - extreme - rushing
Coins - Approach - short pause - inbetween - arriving
Staves - Approach - long pause - inbetween - lingering
Staves - Approach - long pause - extreme - languishing
Seven of Coins and Staves
Coins - Realization - there - extreme - artifice
Coins - Realization - there - inbetween - triumph - - like the Chariot, also a 7?
Staves - Realization - not there - inbetween - odyssey
Staves - Realization - not there - extreme - tragedy - - like the Tower, also a 7?
Seven of Cups and Swords
Cups - Intimation - light - extreme - chimera
Cups - Intimation - light - inbetween - epiphany - - like the revealed imagination of the RWS 7 of Cups?
Swords - Intimation - dark - inbetween - phantasm
Swords - Intimation - dark - extreme - terror - - like the Tower... also a 7.
Seven of Cups and Swords
Cups - Intimation - light - extreme - figmentary
Cups - Intimation - light - inbetween - numinous - - like the numinous visions of the RWS 7 of Cups?
Swords - Intimation - dark - inbetween - strange
Swords - Intimation - dark - extreme - bizarre - - like the risky scheme of the man in the RWS 7 of Swords?
Eight of Coins and Staves
Coins - Energy - culminating - extreme - vehemence
Coins - Energy - culminating - inbetween - enthusiasm - - like the enthusiatic worker in the RWS 8 of Coins?
Staves - Energy - terminating - inbetween - lustration
Staves - Energy - terminating - extreme - exhaustion - - like the falling staves in the RWS 8 of Staves?
Eight of Coins and Staves
Coins - Energy - culminating - extreme - fever
Coins - Energy - culminating - inbetween - orgasm
Staves - Energy - terminating - inbetween - allayment
Staves - Energy - terminating - extreme - burnout - - like the emptying jars in the Star, also an 8?
Eight of Cups and Swords
Cups - Perspective - broad - extreme - unfocused
Cups - Perspective - broad - inbetween - panoramic
Swords - Perspective - narrow - inbetween - focused
Swords - Perspective - narrow - extreme - provincial - - like the restricted woman in the RWS 8 of Swords?
Eight of Cups and Swords
Cups - Space - broad - extreme - dissipating
Cups - Space - broad - inbetween - spreading
Swords - Space - narrow - inbetween - funneling
Swords - Space - narrow - extreme - choking - - like the wrapped woman in the RWS 8 of Swords?
Nine of Coins and Staves
Coins - Conclusion - graduated - extreme - extravagance
Coins - Conclusion - graduated - inbetween - augmentation - - like the Hermit, also a 9?
Staves - Conclusion - terminal - inbetween - abatement
Staves - Conclusion - terminal - extreme - death - - like the dead end behind the man in the RWS 9 of Staves?
Nine of Cups and Swords
Cups - Infinity - ordered - extreme - obsession
Cups - Infinity - ordered - inbetween - sanity - - like the ordered row of cups behind the man in the RWS 9 of Cups?
Swords - Infinity - chaotic - inbetween - confusion
Swords - Infinity - chaotic - extreme - insanity - - like the fear-of-dark seen in the RWS 9 of Swords?
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