From: rap@HQ.Ileaf.COM (Roger Powell)
Subject: Re:  Need help/advice on designing my Tarot deck.
Reply-To: rap@HQ.Ileaf.COM (Roger Powell)
Organization: Interleaf, Inc.
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 92 18:24:50 GMT

In article <1992Aug18.195816.11481@lmt.mn.org> ciaran@county.lmt.mn.org (Ciaran Benson) writes:
> Phil Stephens writes;
> 
> >"Similarly, I don't see the 9 and 10 of swords as culmination of
> a journey, but as a rather painful awakening to the need for that
> journey: the truth cuts like a knife (my teacher's take; feel
> free to ignore this particular reality tunnel), and is still
> painful in the imagry of 3 swords thru a large heart, but becomes
> balance in two of swords."
> 
>   The 9 and 10 as beginning?  I like that -- gives a more hopeful
> interpretation on the 10 of swords, although for myself I will
> probably stay with what I've got, but this will lighten it
> quite a bit.
> 
>   I've also seen the 10 of swords as the outcome of zazen -- 
> complete separation yet complete union.  The attainment of
> the center, that which can not be named.  In this case, though
> it's usually an incomplete realization since the questioner has
> achieved the separation (cutting off), but hasn't regained the
> connectedness so important to being of but not of (sorry, not
> being clear, I'm sure -- hopefully you know what I mean).
> 

The 9 and 10 as beginning is an interesting way to look at the suits;
it certainly makes sense from a qabalistic perspective.

My take on the 9 and 10, though, is that they represent the point
where you've gone as far as you can go _within that suit_, and the
decay that sets in when you overapply the tools of the suit to
inappropriate situations; you've finally learned everything there
is to know about that hammer, and now you start trying to pound in
screws with it. So, the 10 isn't the end of the journey, it's the end
of one leg of the journey and indicates that it's time to start looking
around for alternate modes of transportation -- don't drive into the sea,
find a boat! In most suits, 9 represents the fulfilment of the suit, and
10 represents the overextension or stagnation of the suit; but with swords,
it's hard to see the 9 as any sort of fulfilment ... any insights on
the source of the difference?

> 
>   Thanks for the wonderful thought about the 9's and 10's, though.
> 

ditto.

>    Blessed be, Ciaran.
> 
>   "...And here, Queen Aphrodite, pour heavenly nectar into gold
>    cups, and fill them gracefully with sudden joy."  -- Sappho
> 
> 

Sing to me, O Muse, of golden Aphrodite....

   "Rise from the foam, O Star of the Sea
    Across the waves and over the lea
    Come from the far Cythereian shore
    Come to the echoes of drums of war
    Come from the temples on Cyprian heights
    Come on the breezes of warm summer nights
    Come with the swiftness of white-feathered wings
    Come to the shrine where Thy praises we sing
    Come wake the sleepers and set them free
    Come, Aphrodite! To me! To me!"  --Janus


Honey-sweet, smile-loving blessings,
--roger

rap@hq.ileaf.com
Interleaf has no official opinions on the 9 and 10 of swords, or on
any card in the Tarot, or on the proper appellations of the Goddess
Aphrodite.  All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

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