Once again, I must state that associations between this system and traditional tarot are not meant to be complete. I have some fundamental problems with the structure of traditional tarot (see The Spine of Tarot elsewhere on this site). But even with the discrepancies that exist, there are numerous coincidences in form to be seen between the charts just offered in this Personality Types section, and traditional tarot Icons.
1/9 - Cerebral (Clever, Encyclopedic type... or not... Confused, Idiotic)
It's not hard for me to see The Magician (1), or The Hermit (9) as the Clever, Cerebral type. Both have everything to do with the mind, being one of the more obvious examples of equidistant similarity within the number line... showing how the quaternary that we base our "Types" on is unfolded to create subjective icons. In my deck, I oppose the genius of The Magician with the stupidity of an Idiot (10 = 1+0 = 1), making him the subjectively bad representation of the Cerebral run amok. I then oppose the knowledge of The Hermit with the empty head of a Corpse (18 - 1+8 = 9). In a traditional deck a Wheel (1) lies equadistant from the sphere of the Moon (18 = 1+8 = 9). I see the Wheel as a representation of fate, the opposite to the Magician's will. I see the darkness of the Moon as an opposite to the light of the Hermit. The Hermit's mind is orderly and enlightened. The Moon is about lunacy and darkness.
2/8 - Perceptual (Poetic, Enthusiastic type... or not... Prosaic, Melancholic)
Even though I eliminate The High Priestess (2) and Justice (11 = 1+1 = 2) from my Major Icons, it's not hard for me to see both of them as representations of the Poetic, Perceptual type. Both have everything to do with vision. In some decks, Justice is blind. In other decks, Justice is giving back a perceptive glare of critical thought. In most decks, The High Priestess is veiled, and sits in front of a curtain designed to symbolize the obfuscation or occultation of mysteries not to be seen by the uninitiated, making vision and perception critical to that icon. And it's not hard for me to see the card of Strength as a representation of energy and enthusiasm, or the enthusiastic type. Most people see The Star (17 = 1+7 = 8) as a card of hope. To me, that makes it somewhat redundant to the card of Strength. In my deck I oppose the enthusiasm and inflated sense of hope with a Wraith who sucks the life force from you, and pours out your last bit of energy in front of you.
3/7 - Sensorial (Sensitive, Sympathetic type... or not... Severe, Sarcastic)
It's not hard for me to see The Empress (3) as the Sensitive, Sensorial type. She has everything to do with sensation, sensitivity, sensuality and feelings. She is kind and gentle. I also have no problem seeing The Chariot (7) as the Sensorial type. Not everyone agrees with the religious, spiritual associations I put with The Chariot and the idea of spiritual transport, but if you do, connectivity (or touching) spiritual forces fits this card perfectly. Across from the Empress I see The Hanged Man (12 = 1+2 = 3). Most people see The Hanged Man as a symbol of willing sacrifice. That's fine with me, his discomfort of his pain and suffering, whether willingly endured or not, is an appropriate opposite to the comfort and joy of The Empress, sitting on pillows in a field of wheat. Across from the Chariot I see The Tower (16 = 1+6 = 7). Sinners being struck down by the hand of God. A card of violence, equidistant from the The Hanged Man, the card of pain.
4/6 - Visceral (Valorous, Charismatic type... or not... Vulnerable, Sophistic)
It's really not hard for me to see the Emperor (4) as the Valorous, Visceral type. He is all about gut instincts, and basic thinking. The Emperor is heroic. He is confident and a charismatic leader. Equidistantly, charisma also plays in important role in The Lovers card, which sometimes shows lovers embracing and sometimes shows a man trying to chose a lover. The latter of the two, charisma would be vital, as would valour, in making an honest choice. Across from the Emperor is the card of Death (13 = 1+3 = 4). It is not hard for me to see degrees of vulnerability being expressed within this card, showing people falling to their knees and being cut down. Equidistant from all that, is another expression of vulnerability, in the perversion of the Devil (15 = 1+5 = 6). The Devil has an evil kind of charisma that leads weak people astray. A sophistic charisma. But visceral people find it hard to resist.
5 - Elemental (Eloquent, Diplomatic type... or not... Equivocal, Anarchistic)
It's not hard for me to see The Hierophant (5) as the Eloquent, Elemental type. Especially when I look at the Majors as two rows of nine. With the Hierophant at the center, negotiating and administrating the laws that keep opposing sides in agreement. He does not take sides, he is neutral. In him, integration of Mind, Spirit, Soul and Heart come together to form the essence of an elemental entity. In my deck I use a Wizard and a Witch to symbolize the two sides of the neutral elemental mind standing at the nexus of so-called "good" and "bad" influence. The Wizard is the governor of the subjectively good side, and the Witch is the troublemaker on the subjectively bad side.
Those are just a few examples of how traditional tarot icons might fit these "Types." I will try to add more in the future. In the mean time there are several other examples scattered around the pages of this site to look for in defence of the parallel nines approach taken by The Numerical Tarot, including an extensive comparison of The Numerical Tarot to the Rider/Waite/Smith tarot deck.
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