The Key Phrase for the Ten of Cups is AN UNCONVENTIONAL AFFECTIONAL INTEREST.  We have to remember that these cards come to us from ancient history, and over the course of time, what is considered “unconventional” has changed. Even during our brief history as the USA, at one time it was considered against the law for couples of mixed race to marry and legal for Mormons to have many wives. Today, just the opposite is true:  mixed racial marriage is legal and practiced regularly, and polygamy is against the law.  Currently, American society is debating the issue of homosexual marriage, which, like mixed racial marriage may someday become legal nationwide.

What is unconventional depends upon one’s individual viewpoint. So, how do we determine what an unconventional relationship is?  When we’re reading for a querent, we simply say the word unconventional and most of the time the querent will know what is meant.  The querent may be involved in a relationship where one partner is much older than the other, one partner is married to someone else, the relationship is secret, both partners are of the same sex or belong to different races, or speak different languages…and the list goes on and on.

Some other interpretations for the Ten of Cups may be:

Avoid emotional crossfire  (a message of encouragement) 

Inconstant or changeable emotions

Numerous and unusual friends

Unexpected ocean voyage  (water signs)

Sudden love affair

Forgotten taxes  (reference to Scorpio)

For more information about The Egyptian Brotherhood of Light Tarot and studies in Astrology, Alchemy and Ancient Masonry, visit our bookstore at www.light.org.

New Business methods

A change in status

Alternation of working conditions

Variety of personal activities

Take initiative to maintain balance

Of course, many other interpretations are possible based upon the influences of Uranus and the element of fire.

Please note that often in Tarot, it is important when interpreting the cards to present with positive encouragement.  Take, for example, the last interpretation listed above:  Take initiation to maintain balance.  This interpretation implies that the changes ahead may not be for the best, but these are words you can use to encourage your querent to stay poised during what may be a difficult time.  As readers of Tarot, we are always striving to put forth the most positive and encouraging message without jeopardizing the implications of the card.

One of the books that I have referenced throughout this blog is Doris Doane’s Blending Astrology, Numerolgy & the Tarot.  This handy little book is a must-have for readers of The Brotherhood of Light Egyptian Tarot.  Look for it at the bookstore at www.light.org.

To recap, the 22 cards of the Major Arcana correspond to 12 signs and 10 planets.  The Major Arcana represents the powerful archetypal energies that influence spiritual growth in our lives.

The Minor Arcana correspond to the Decanates of the 12 signs of the zodiac.  Each of the 12 astrological signs occupy 30 degrees on a natal chart.  Each sign is further divided into three 10-degree constellations, e.g. 12 x 3 = 36 Decanates.  There are 4 Minor Arcana (Aces through 9’s) corresponding to each of the first nine Major Arcana; e.g. 4 x 9 = 36.  The Minor Arcana represent the mundane activities of everyday living but also contain inner, esoteric meanings and spiritual messages based upon the mythological stories relating to their corresponding constellations.                     

The four Tens in Egyptian Tarot, unlike other traditions, are NOT considered part of the Minor Arcana because they do not correspond to the Decanates but instead correspond to the Solstices and Equinoxes.  To put it simply, they correspond to the 4 seasonal changes.

Anchored by Major Arcanum X, The Wheel, or as it is called in many other decks, The Wheel of Fortune, the Tens relate to CHANGE.  The key words for The Wheel are CHANGE or DISRUPTION, whether it is for the good or the bad.  Because The Wheel is ruled by Uranus, a planet whose energy is erratic, the change or disruption indicated by The Wheel is sudden change, not change occurring over a long period of time.  Other properties of Uranus are ORIGINALITY and INDIVIDUALISM, characteristics also represented by the Tens within their suit.

Let’s look at the Tens of Egyptian Tarot as a group.  Notice that they do not have a Decanate signature in the upper right-hand corner.  Instead, they have the fixed-sign animal representing their suit and the four body parts of the Sphinx that appears in The Wheel.  The Lion signifies the paws of the Sphinx, the fixed sign of Leo, the element of Fire, the suit of Scepters, and the season of Summer.  The Bull signifies the body of the Sphinx, the fixed sign of Taurus, the element of Earth, the suit of Swords, and the season of Winter.  The Eagle signifies the wings of the Sphinx, the elevated expression of the fixed sign of Scorpio, the element of Water, the suit of Cups, and the season of Fall.  The Head of a Man signifies the head of the Sphinx, the fixed sign of Aquarius, the element of Air, the suit of Coins, and the season of Spring.

We will discuss the Tens individually beginning with next week’s blog.

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The key phrase for the outer meaning of the Nine of Swords is QUARREL RESULTING IN ENMITY.  Studying C.C. Zain is an opportunity to become familiar with vocabulary that has fallen from common usage. The word enmity means hatred, hostility, antagonism, and rancor.  Enmity may be obvious hatred, or it may be concealed.  Other outer meanings for this card could be:

Poverty overcome by wisdom 

Sickness of a loved one 

Discordant working environment 

Fixed mental attitudes bar achievement 

Letting go of old conditions 

The Nine of Swords represents the Taurus decanate of Virgo.  This decanate is symbolized in the heavens by a crown of twelve iron spikes called Corona Borealis.  Because Virgo primarily corresponds to the house of work, people born under this sign are most often happiest when they are in the service of others or working for a noble cause.  The tug and pull of this state of affairs, of course, is that those people who are engaged in such service are often asked to give up many things they would rather be doing.  In other words, sometimes our “noble cause” is just paying the bills!  The key word for the inner astrological meaning of the Nine of Swords is, therefore, RENUNCIATION, which means giving up, refusing, or renouncing.

The sign of Virgo governs work, illness, and servitude – experiences that are almost unavoidable in the human condition.  Zain write in Spiritual Astrology: The fruits of life, whether they be tares or wholesome grain, are harvested from experience.  What that harvest shall be is not determined by the nature of the experiences, but by the mental and emotional reaction toward them…In the final winnowing all except the golden grain of character is blown away as tares ad chaff.

Zain is saying that, no matter what comes our way in this human experience, it is up to us to glean character development from that experience by assuming a positive attitude toward it.  Each zodiacal sign has its own particular type of affliction; therefore, the crown called Corona Borealis has 12 iron spikes and pictures the reward of character triumphing over trials and tribulations.                   

One of the best stories depicting reward from affliction is that of the Biblical Job.  Job was a devout and prosperous man who gave constant praise to God for his many blessings.  He was, unfortunately the object of a bet between God and Satan but ultimately triumphed over all trails and afflictions bestowed to him by the Devil, and rewarded by God for doing so.   The spiritual text for the Nine of Swords, therefore, is:  He who would live the life of the spirit, here and now upon this earth, seen and known of men, must have fortitude (strength of character) in times of adversity. ___C.C. Zain

This is the last card in the series explaining the Minor Arcana of the Brotherhood of Light Egyptian Tarot.  In the coming weeks, look to this blog to explain the Tens, Horsemen, and Court Cards of Egyptian Tarot.

For online classes, books, and more information about The 21 Lessons of the Brotherhood of Light, the Church of Light, or Hermetic studies, please visit our website at www.light.org.

Money gained through inventiveness

Common sense to increase income

Further education to demand a higher wage

Unexpected gift from a friend

Remuneration based on mental activity

Ruled by the Aquarius decanate of Gemini and Ursa Major, also known as the Big Dipper, the key word for the astrological inner meaning of this card is REASON.  The Constellation of Ursa Major is huge in size, travels around the Pole Star, and symbolizes the immense power that may be welded by thought.  Those born under this sign accomplish great things through their mental activity.  They mainly rely on their talented minds and reason but must also cultivate a sense of idealism to counter what could manifest as a self-centered ego.                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The Greeks tell a story of an ancient race of giants who were called Titans.  These Titans were so confident in their strength that they stormed the gates of heaven.  Relying on the reports of the physical senses, which is Reason, the Titans believed that they could conquer the realm of heaven.  They were wrong, and they were defeated.  From this story, however, it should not be assumed that reason and the reports of the physical senses are without value or that the Titans did not serve a purpose.

Just as the two stars in the outer bowl of the “dipper” point directly to the Pole Star that symbolizes Truth, the power of reason lies in its ability to indicate the direction of truth.  Truth, though, is actually found in the unconscious or intuitive mind.

The most famous of the defeated Titans, Atlas, symbolizes the importance and role of Reason because in mythology he is compelled to forever support the heavens on his head and hands.  The spiritual message of the Nine of Coins is:  Reason points the way to truth and offers a valuable means by which the accuracy of the reports of the psychic senses can be tested.   __C.C. Zain (Spiritual Astrology)

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Passion supplanted by exalted love

A love of humanity

Search for Domestic Harmony

Strong desire for affection

Wisdom in the affairs of the heart

Change in domestic affairs

The astrological key word for the Nine of Cups is VACISSITUDES. This is a word hardly used anymore meaning Change, Alternating change, Mutation.               

This is the last decanate in the zodiac and is pictured in the heavens by the constellation of Cassiopeia, a Queen seated on her throne.  This Queen is the subject of two very different stories.  The Cassiopeia story that pertains to this card is that she gave her children a ram that bore the Golden Fleece and carried them to heaven.  We find, therefore, that those born under this decanate have eventful lives and may enter and succeed in a variety of careers.  As the last decanate of the zodiac, it tends to restate or summarize events and conditions we expect to find in all the other decanates, thus, the changes, mutations, or alternations.

To understand the spiritual message of the Nine of Cups, it is wise to focus on the Scorpio aspect of this card.  Scorpio rules the Eighth House of the Afterlife.  It is during the season of Scorpio that we celebrate Halloween, the time when the veil separating the physical and spiritual plane is at its most permeable.  The Scorpio decanate of Pisces marks the end of the zodiac and the completion of one full zodiacal cycle before transitioning into a new cycle.  This decanate also represents the highest and lowest astral spheres, a reflection of the eagle and the scorpion.

Cassiopeia, sitting at the end of the zodiac, removes a cloak that represents the physical body.  I her other hand, she holds a branch from the Tree of Life, symbolizing uplifting spiritual conditions.

After the soul leaves the physical body, it experiences the effect of the astral circuit that has been established.  This circuit may become like Andromeda’s shackle if attachments to the material world are too strong, or the circuit may become like the branch of the Tree of Life and uplifting spiritual conditions if the circuit is generated by tender love and unselfish affection.  The spiritual message of the Nine of Cups is:  Man may pass from this life to the next, even through death, with no greater break in his affairs than would be occasioned by leaving his acquaintances in one city and taking up his activities in another city amid a different group of friends.  __C.C. Zain (Spiritual Astrology)

In other words, the afterlife is similar to the one we lead now because we will be attracted to those with similar rates of vibration.

Even though this is the last decanate in the zodiac, there are still two remaining decanates to cover in this series –  The Nine of Coins and the Nine of Swords — before moving on to the Tens of Egyptian Tarot.

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The Tens in Egyptian Tarot relate to the four seasons and the concept of CHANGE, as will be discussed in a future blog.

The Nines in Egyptian Tarot are anchored by Major Arcanum IX, The Sage, representing in general, WISDOM AND PRUDENCE, hopes and wishes, and the benefits of friends and associates.  

A word about the number 9:  Our numbering system is based upon 10, and all numbers are represented by the digits 0-9.  The number 9 becomes the final single-digit number before new numbers must be represented by a combination of 0-9.  Because of this, 9 represents a limit, a boundary, or symbol of accumulative attainment. Such expressions like “a cat has nine lives,” “the whole nine yards,” “cloud nine,” “dressed to the nines,” “a stitch in time saves nine” are all variations of the highest degree, or nth degree, or maximum.  Nine equals three trinities (3 x 3 = 9) and as such has been considered representative of sacred principles taken to their ultimate expression.  The Chaldeans as well as many cultures around the world, both ancient and contemporary, believed 9 to be thrice sacred and symbolic of perfection, balance and order.

The Sage or in the Waite deck, The Hermit, like the number 9, is a little profound, too.  In the Hero’s Journey or the Fool’s Journey, he is the enlightened stranger who appears just in the nick of time to lend guidance to a battered and challenged hero.  Some of our favorite Sages are: Merlin, Glenda the Good Witch, the fairy godmother, and Yoda.  I’m sure you can think of many, many more.

Our first Nine in this series is the Nine of Scepters.  The key phrase for the mundane interpretation of the Nine of Scepters is WISE AND PROFITABLE FRIENDSHIP.  Other key mundane interpretations for this card might be:

Happiness from children

Success in the entertainment business

Discretion in speculation

Friends influence business

Original methods in business

The astrological interpretation for the Nine of Scepters is based upon the Leo decanate of Sagittarius and the key phrase is ILLUMINATION.   The third decanate of Sagittarius, the Leo-decanate, is picture in the heavens as Sagitta, the Arrow.  The arrow that Mithra shot against a rock producing water from a stone, it represents the soul piercing the illusions of matter.  Through this piercing, the importance of incarnate souls quenching its thirst at the fountain of Divine Consciousness becomes clear.

The spiritual message of the Nine of Scepters is:  True religion is the discernment of the Divine Plan and a Conscious Cooperation in its Fulfillment.  __C.C. Zain (Spiritual Astrology)

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Life’s limitations bring strength

Struggle to maintain balance

Frustration results from confining experiences

 Added responsibility brings worry

Disrupted routine of living

Both the astrological meaning and spiritual meanings of the Eight of Swords are symbolized by the vast constellation, Hercules.  In the human experience, very few of us get away without laboring.  Laboring in the fields, the office, the garden, the kitchen, cleaning, repairing, and culturing.  What better symbol to represent this very large portion of the human experience than the mightiest of all laboring men, Hercules.  He is best known for accomplishing twelve great, self-imposed labors.  The twelve labors of Hercules can be related to the twelve signs of the zodiac, wherein each sign contains a worst quality and a best quality.  Naturally, to move from the worst quality of a sign to the best quality of a sign requires a great deal of effort and practice.

Just as Hercules chose to labor, so each of us must take on the responsibility of manifesting the best qualities of each sign.  As the old adage claims, Practice Makes Perfect, and so it is with any endeavor from learning to play an instrument to learning how to maintain our tempers, change our bad habits, or make the best out of life’s little imperfections.  All of these goals require EXPERIENCE, which is the key word for the astrological meaning of the Eight of Swords.  By experience, we learn to feel satisfaction when we are doing the best that we possibly can and to recognize when we’re not living up to our own possibilities.   The Spiritual message is:  Perform conscientiously whatever work comes to thy hand, and because of thy experience, greater things to perform will be given thee.

To learn more about the Brotherhood of Light Egyptian Tarot, and the Hermetic tradition, visit our website at www.light.org.  This blog will resume the second week of January 2012 with a discussion of the Nines of the Minor Arcana.  Have a wonderful Holiday Season!