Tarot and Medici Solitaire. Gallery of examples

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Figure 1.6.7. Six of Denarii. The interpenetration of various forms of finance, each flowing into the other. A unified banking system.71

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Figure 1.6.8. Six of Denarii: Online store.72

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The defining trait of the Six of Denarii is interpenetration—the cycle of Matters (or Finance).

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Seven of Pentacles

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How do you manage to create such magnificent statues?

I take a block of marble and cut away all that is unnecessary.

I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.

(Michelangelo Buonarroti)

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The Seven, in Kabbalah, signifies harmony, harmonization, a geometrically ‘perfect’ form, and the cutting away of all that is extraneous.

Thus, the Seven of Denarii embodies harmony, harmonization, a geometrically perfect form, and the cutting away of all that is unnecessary from Matters or Finance.

For example, it may symbolize a tea strainer or economy.

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Figure 1.7.1 The Seven of Denarii—a state of harmony, a geometrically perfect form, the removal of all excess from Matters. Any artificial object with a geometrically perfect form. Bricks, tiles, beams, pipes, angles, and so forth.73

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Figure 1.7.2 Seven of Denarii. Washbasin. Shower. Toilet. Sewage. Storm drainage. Trash chute. The removal of dirt and waste.74

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Figure 1.7.3 Seven of Denarii—severing all that is unnecessary from Matters. Oxy-fuel torch. Gas cutting. Conversely, welding is the 'reversed' Seven of Denarii—adding the unnecessary to Matters.75

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Figure 1.7.4 Seven of Denarii. Valves, gate valves, pressure regulators, shut-off mechanisms. Trimming away excess flow—be it gas or liquid.76

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Figure 1.7.5 The Seven of Denarii—removing every superfluous aspect from Matters. Laser cutting.77

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Figure 1.7.6 The Seven of Denarii. A protective suit severs the wearer from harmful, superfluous air, heat, or acid. Any pragmatic, utilitarian garment.78

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Figure 1.7.7 The Seven of Denarii—this is harmony, harmonization, the precise removal of excess from Finance. Discount, promotion, savings, cost reduction, 'holiday' price.79

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Figure 1.7.8 The Seven of Denarii embodies harmony, harmonization, a geometrically 'perfect' form—the cutting away of all that is superfluous from Matters and Finance. Diamond. In other words, a natural diamond that has had all excess removed and shaped into a geometrically 'perfect' form. Every natural gemstone, once polished and faceted by the jeweler. Jewelry gemstones are at once objects of Matters and of Finance.80

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The hallmark of the Seven of Denarii is the cutting away of all that is unnecessary from Matters (or Finance), and through this, achieving harmony.

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Eight of Pentacles

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Among the nouveau riche, a new fad has emerged: decorating aquariums in the style of the Titanic. So, three of them meet and start boasting to each other—whose aquarium is more impressive. The first brought everyone to his home and showed them an aquarium stretching across an entire wall, filled with exotic fish; and at the bottom lay rusty spoons, cups, and assorted odds and ends.

– I bought this at an auction in London; everything was salvaged from the Titanic!

Another says:

– That’s nothing! Come to my place!

There’s a glass cube the size of half a house, filled with all kinds of fish swimming about, and sticking out of the muddy bottom is a piece of the Titanic’s hull.

– It’s an exact replica; I ordered it from Cameron!

A third says:

– Guys, that’s all just poverty. Come to my place, and see what I had made for myself!

They arrive at his mansion and see this: ice floes floating in the pool, not a single fish, and at the bottom lies a frozen DiCaprio…

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The 8, in Kabbalah, is form plus form.

In other words, it is a conglomerate of forms—a composite form.

An artificial conglomerate of forms is known as a construction. A construction is typically composed of geometrically 'correct' forms.

From the perspective of the short-lived human, artificial constructions are often perceived as stable and enduring. In reality, this is not so, yet human perception either fails to notice changes or deems them insignificant.

Thus, the Eight of Denarii is a symbol of resilience, constancy, a mechanism or structure within Matters or Finance.

For instance, it may symbolize a house or a Swiss bank.

Figure 1.8.1 Eight of Denarii – resilience, constancy, the structure of Matters. An ancient castle. Primordial mountains.81

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Figure 1.8.2 Eight of Denarii. A blend of 'simple' liquids – a cocktail. A 'mixture' of structures – an old port city. The 'eternal' ocean, the sea.82

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Figure 1.8.3 Eight of Pentacles – the architecture of Matter. Fireplace. Stove. Hearth.83

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Figure 1.8.4 Eight of Pentacles – resilience, constancy, architecture of Matter. An old mill in the Netherlands. Windmill.84

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Figure 1.8.5 Eight of Pentacles – resilience, constancy of Matter. The 'eternal' sun above the head. The moon that is 'always' in the sky. The 'eternal' sky overhead.85

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Figure 1.8.6 Eight of Pentacles. Historical monuments marked by their great longevity. The Pyramids, Stonehenge, the Vatican, and so forth.86

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Figure 1.8.7. Eight of Denarii—resilience, constancy, the architecture of Matters and Finance. A venerable bank with a history spanning centuries.87

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Figure 1.8.8. Eight of Denarii—resilience, constancy, structure, and mechanism of Matters and Finance. Safe, bank vault.88

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A defining feature of the Eight of Denarii is that it embodies a stable, enduring, tangible (or financial) structure assembled from simpler elements. It can typically be broken down into simpler elements, and then assembled once more.

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Nine of Pentacles

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Perfection is not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

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The Nine, in the Kabbalah, is the final rung before reaching the Ten—transformation, a transition to a higher level. This moment defines the very essence of the Nine.

The Nine is completion, perfection, mastery—a certain ideal for its given level or class.

Accordingly, the Nine of Denarii signifies the completion, the perfection of Matters or Finance.

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Fig. 1.9.1 The Nine of Denarii – completion, the perfection of Matter. A beautiful sculpture, a home, a monument. Matter achieved in its ‘perfection’—beauty.89

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Fig. 1.9.2 The Nine of Denarii. Drinks, elixirs, and solutions of the finest composition. Matter brought to ‘perfection’—the ideal of taste, of quality. Collectible wines, rare spirits, the purest water.90

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Fig. 1.9.3 The Nine of Denarii. Combustion without smoke or soot—that is, combustion achieved ideally, 'perfectly.' For instance, the flame of an alcohol lamp or a gas stove. Or, as another example, the combustion of hydrogen—the outcome is water vapor, with no harmful byproducts.

A laser, a plasma cutter—exemplars of perfect instruments.

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Fig. 1.9.4 Nine of Denarii—the perfection of Matters. Pure air (for the Human). 'Beautiful' aromas, perfumes, fragrance.94

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Fig. 1.9.5 Nine of Denarii—the perfection of Matters. Metal objects of a ‘beautiful,’ perfect, streamlined form. Racing machine; aeroplane.95

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Fig. 1.9.6 Nine of Denarii. A modern coin or banknote. Essentially, it embodies the pinnacle of modern technology and protection against counterfeiting.96

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Fig. 1.9.7 Nine of Denarii—completion, the perfection of Matters and Finance. Precious stones and metals refined to perfection—jewels of the 'Premium' class. Jewelry crafted by a gifted Master. Not simply financial assets, but masterpieces of art and craftsmanship.97

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Fig. 1.9.8 The Nine of Denarii—completion, the perfection of Matter and Finance. ‘Perfect,’ chemically pure precious metals. Gold of 999 fineness, platinum, palladium, silver. At once both Matter and Finance.98

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The hallmark of the Nine of Denarii is the perfection of Matter—or of Finance.

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Ten of Pentacles

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After the first bottle of vodka, every shop teacher awakens as a marvelous singer.

After the second bottle—a wise statesman of global magnitude.

After the third—a nameless philosopher for all ages and nations.

And only the inevitable morning hangover mercifully saves the Universe from being overrun with geniuses.

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The Ten, in Kabbalah, signifies transformation—a transition into a new state.

Thus, the Ten of Denarii is transformation: a passage into a new state of Matters or Finance.

For example, chemical reactions and phase transitions in Matters. Transformations such as the conversion of currency or bank assets in Finance.

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Fig. 1.10.1 Ten of Denarii – transformation, metamorphosis, transition into a new state of Matters. The hardening of concrete or installation foam. The production of building materials. 99

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If transformation leads to the acquisition of a beneficial quality, this is the 'upright' Ten of Denarii.

If a beneficial quality is lost in the process, this is the 'reversed' Ten of Denarii.

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Fig. 1.10.2 Ten of Pentacles. Chemical reactions in liquids and apparatus. The kitchen—where foods and ingredients are transformed by specialized liquids and seasonings. Sauces, wine, spices, salt, sugar, and more. The art of crafting pickles, marinades, and sauces.100

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Fig. 1.10.3 Ten of Pentacles. The kitchen: the alchemy of heat and the preparation of food. Boiling, frying, baking, smoking, steaming, air frying.101

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Fig. 1.10.4. The 'Upright' Ten of Denarii—for example, the smelting of steel, cast iron, and non-ferrous metals. The production of glass from quartz sand. Blacksmithing. Transformation, transmutation, the passage into a new state of Matters.102

Processes of combustion, explosion, oxidation—these are the 'Reversed' Ten of Denarii, for they are chemical processes of breakdown, degradation of matter.

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Fig. 1.10.5. The Ten of Denarii is the transformation of Matters. The production of plastics from coal, oil, and waste. Polymerization of materials, construction mixes, and adhesives. Polymerization of epoxy resins, dental fillings. The manufacture of building components and insulation materials.103104

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Fig. 1.10.6 Ten of Pentacles. Pottery. The production of tableware, ceramics, bricks, and tiles.105

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Fig. 1.10.7 Ten of Pentacles. An athlete, sportsman, or bodybuilder transforming their body through sport.106

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Fig. 1.10.8 Ten of Pentacles – transformation, transition, and metamorphosis into a new state of Finance. The transition of Finance from one form of asset or currency to another.107

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The defining trait of the Ten of Denarii is transformation—a passage into a new state of Matter or Finance.

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Page of Pentacles

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A cemetery. A lavish grave of a nouveau riche, marked by a five-meter marble monument shaped like the latest model of a mobile phone.

Beneath the portrait, the inscription reads: "The subscriber is temporarily unavailable."

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The Page, in the Kabbalah, is a messenger, an envoy.

Accordingly, the Page of Denarii serves as a messenger, an envoy, a kind of indicator that Matter or Finance is ready to manifest at a specific point in reality.108

For example, it can symbolize transportation or delivery services.

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Figure 1.11.1 Page of Pentacles – messenger, envoy, an indicator that Matter is ready to emerge at a specific point in reality. Truck. Transporting earth, soil, gravel, water, milk, petroleum products, and the like.109

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Figure 1.11.2 Page of Pentacles. Cargo ship, dry bulk carrier, container ship, and so forth.110

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Figure 1.11.3 Page of Pentacles. The rain cloud, in its very bearing, signals its readiness to release the rain.111

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Figure 1.11.4 Page of Pentacles. The rumble, the smoke, the trembling of the earth, and the fiery glow from the volcano’s maw—all are messengers heralding a volcanic eruption.112

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Figure 1.11.5 Page of Pentacles. Locomotive, steamboat, aeroplane, helicopter. A warning whistle sounded before movement begins or just prior to arrival.113

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Figure 1.11.6 Page of Pentacles. Mail and order delivery. 114

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In the same way, certain markers may serve as the Page of Denarii, signaling the presence of Finance—the ‘scent of money, wealth, and prosperity’.

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At the same time, there exist several classes of such markers indicating the presence of Finance:

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False markers. All sorts of cheap, low-quality imitations of elite brands, famous companies, and services. Such markers correspond neither in form nor in substance. For instance, excessively thick, faux-gold chains flaunted by show-offs on social networks.

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‘Alien’ markers. Luxury goods and services briefly borrowed or rented. Such markers correspond in form, but not in substance. A limousine, jewelry, watches, a tuxedo, an escort, and similar items rented for a short time.

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Fashionable branded markers. Various types of designer, signature, and corporate brands that may serve as indirect indications that a human possesses a certain surplus of money. Branded items like these are typically more expensive than mass-market goods, which is why they are usually purchased by wealthier individuals.

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These are, in essence, expensive and high-quality items. For example, simple jewelry crafted from precious metals and stones. Luxurious natural fabrics and materials—such as cashmere, natural silk, pure cotton, linen, crocodile leather, and the like—are inherently costly, as are top-tier brands and products from the outset.

For instance, Rolex watches.

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All predators in nature blend into their environment, camouflaging themselves against the natural backdrop and surroundings. The most powerful markers of wealth are often understated, inconspicuous, yet expensive objects that mask their owner's affluence. For instance, certain brands and models of distressed clothing allow their wearer to pass for a hippie, an unemployed person, a vagrant, and so forth. In the same vein, platinum resembles cheap silver, even though it is more valuable than gold. Such camouflage can protect the wearer from the attention of beggars, thieves, opportunists, kidnappers, extortionists, and the like.

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Figure 1.11.7 Page of Pentacles. A refined ‘timeless’ bag crafted from exquisite crocodile leather. An emblem of wealth.116

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Figure 1.11.8 Page of Pentacles. Examples include Swiss watches, weaponry, medicine, real estate, citizenship, and education. As a rule, these are significantly more expensive, yet of exceptional quality. A signifier of affluence and prosperity.117

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A hallmark of the Page of Pentacles is that it serves as an indicator of the manifestation of Matters (or Finance).

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Lady of Pentacles

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A businesswoman sits in a bar. A man approaches her:

– Good evening! May I offer you my company…

– And why do you want to sell it?

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The Lady, in Kabbalah, is a person, an object, a center of influence around which the circle of attention of those nearby revolves. An object around which Matter or Finance ‘spirals’, ‘circulates’.

Accordingly, the Lady of Pentacles is the center of influence for Matters or Finance.

For example, she can symbolize an important object, building, landmark, or a significant client, a bank.

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Fig. 1.12.1 Lady of Denarii—center of the influence of Matters. Warehouse, shop, car lot, parking. All the cars revolve around her.118

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Fig. 1.12.2 Lady of Denarii. Seaport, river port. Cargo, cargo container. All movement and attention revolve around it.119

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Fig. 1.12.3 Lady of Denarii. Factory. Products on the conveyor. Gas station. Life revolves around her.120

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Fig. 1.12.4 Lady of Denarii. Airport. Aeroplane. Fuel truck. Cargo. All the movement swirling around him.121

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Fig. 1.12.5 Lady of Pentacles. Railway station. Platform. Metro. Terminal.122

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Fig. 1.12.6 Lady of Pentacles. 'Model.' A woman, a man, a child, an animal—all within the circle of attention. A person who surrounds themselves with attention.123

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A brief note on how to determine a person's suit in Tarot:

If the observer’s attention does not fundamentally shift, whether the person is clothed or not; if she captivates attention specifically with her body—with Matter—most likely this is the Lady of Pentacles.

If a Persona draws attention through their charm, allure, or emotions, it is most likely the Lady of Cups (Hearts).

If a Persona captivates attention by means of a concept, motto, idea, philosophy, or action—for instance, Lady Gaga with her dress made of pieces of meat—then she is the Lady of Swords (Spades).

If a Persona commands attention through a trend, fashion, probability, project, developmental path, or choice, it is the Lady of Wands (Wands).

Here, gender, race, and biological species are of no consequence. The Lady, in Tarot, may symbolize either a man or a woman. As well as inanimate objects, and even processes.

A demand for attention, a challenge—it is the 'reversed' Five, manifesting most potently in the elemental realm where its nature finds fullest expression.

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Fig. 1.12.7 Lady of Pentacles—the personification of Finance. A wealthy, influential client. A ‘moneybag.’124

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Fig. 1.12.8 Lady of Pentacles—the axis of influence in Matters and Finance. The New York Stock Exchange. The bank. Money, assets, and attention all revolve around them.125

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The distinguishing feature of the Queen of Denarii is her V.I.P. status in Matters—or Finance. And the spiral of life that whirls around them.

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King of Pentacles

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A traffic officer stops a 600-series Merc. The nouveau riche driver stops, yet does not leave the car. The officer, in turn, waits for him to approach. And so a minute or two passes in this fashion. At last, the window in the Mercedes glides down:

So, truly, which of us here needs the money—me or you?

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The King, in Kabbalah, is Law—the lawgiver, the Conduit of Power.

He is the vessel through which Power manifests, governs, or is transmitted into the world.

Accordingly, the King of Pentacles is the Conduit of Material Force or Finance.

In the material world, he might symbolize, for example, a crane at a construction site.

In the financial world, for instance, he may represent the principal form-shaping players in the market. For example, major world currencies—the dollar, the pound, the euro, and so forth.