Tarot and Medici Solitaire. Gallery of examples

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Figure 1.13.1 King of Pentacles – Conduit of Material Force. Railroad. Autobahn.126

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Figure 1.13.2 King of Pentacles – Conduit of Material Force. Water supply. River.127

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Figure 1.13.3 King of Pentacles – Conduit of Material Force. Heating pipeline. Steam heating.128

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Figure 1.13.4 King of Pentacles – Conduit of Material Force. Ventilation. Air duct.129

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Figure 1.13.5 King of Pentacles – Law of Matters. Electric cable. Power transmission line.130

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Figure 1.13.6 King of Pentacles – Conduit of Material Force. Sovereign of his own body as a material vessel – an athlete, a gymnast.131

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Figure 1.13.7 King of Pentacles – Conduit of Financial Force. Dollar, euro, pound, and similar form-defining currencies.132

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Figure 1.13.8 King of Pentacles – Law of Matters and Finance. Oil pipeline. Gas pipeline. 'Black gold,' 'liquid money.'133134

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A distinctive trait of the King of Denarii is that he is the Law for Matters—or Finance. Power flows THROUGH him. It does not revolve 'around' him as it does with the Queen.

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Ace of Pentacles

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The new Russian plans to vacation in Cyprus.

First, his secretary arrives and walks with the owner of the five-star

hotel along the beach.

"What's this?"

"What do you mean? The seashore. Pebbles."

"Pebbles are wrong. The boss doesn't like them." Remove the pebbles, cover everything

with white sand.

But that's very expensive!

We’re paying! We want everything exactly as we wish!

By the next day, everything is covered with sand.

"What's this?"

But this is the sea!

What sea? It's a filthy puddle! In short, clean the sea and change its color,

the wave must come every thirty seconds and roll in for exactly fifty-five centimeters.

But you do realize, these are underwater engineering works—it's extremely expensive!

We’re paying! We want everything exactly as we wish!

And what's all this? What's with the noise and commotion?

– Are those seagulls? Do they always live here?

No seagulls. Remove all of them! Leave only two; let them walk together along the beach and under no circumstances allow them to fly.

But that's such environmental damage, not to mention training seagulls!

We’re paying! We want everything exactly as we wish!

After some time, all the work was done.

At last, the boss himself arrived. He checked into the luxury penthouse.

He walked to the sea over the clean, white sand and admired the two seagulls,

who strolled lovingly along the edge of the beach. He sat in a lounge chair and breathed in

He drew a full breath of the brisk sea air and said:

"My God! What beauty! Could you ever buy THIS with money?!"

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The Ace, in Kabbalah, is the primal source of Power, the manifestation of the Absolute—an irresistible force, a true force majeure.

An object or process in which Matter or Finance‘irresistibly’enters the world.

Accordingly, the Ace of Pentacles is the 'irresistible' power of Matter or Finance.

In the material world, this might symbolize, for example, a bulldozer or the Federal Reserve’s printing press. 135

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Attention!

The notion of an “irresistible” power is relative to the ‘caliber’ of the subject or the observer.

For an ant, an ‘irresistible’ force may well be the finger of an infant. For a mountain the size of Fuji, even a nuclear explosion is not always an ‘Ace.’

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Figure 1.14.1 Ace of Denarii – the Irresistible Power of Matter. Bulldozer, tractor, tectonic shift, earthquake.136

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Figure 1.14.2 Ace of Denarii – the Irresistible Power of Matter. Rain, downpour, snow, hail, tsunami, ocean.137

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Figure 1.14.3 Ace of Pentacles – the Irresistible Power of Matters. Sunlight, heat, volcanic eruption, thermal processes in the planet’s core. Sun.138

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Figure 1.14.4 Ace of Pentacles – the Irresistible Power of Matters. Wind, hurricane, typhoon, tornado, Earth's atmosphere.139

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Figure 1.14.5 Ace of Pentacles – the Irresistible Power of Matters. The Earth's magnetic field, protecting the planet from cosmic radiation.140

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Figure 1.14.6 Ace of Pentacles – the irresistible Power of Matter (for humans). Rhinoceros, elephant, bison, whale—any large, powerful animal, bird, or fish.141

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Figure 1.14.7 Ace of Pentacles – the irresistible Power of Finance. The 'printing press,' the source of world-shaping currency.142

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Figure 1.14.8 Ace of Pentacles – the irresistible Power of Matter and Finance. A vast, economically lucrative reservoir of exchange-traded assets—oil, gas, lithium, and other valuable minerals.143

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Attention!

Within our Solar System, the primary, and indeed essential, source of the Absolute’s manifestation is the star we call the Sun.144

All other manifestations of matter are, in one way or another, but consequences of its activity.

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The hallmark of the Ace of Denarii is its subjectively ‘irresistible’ power in Matters—or in Finance.

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Knight of Pentacles

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I fancied some tea… and so it began:

A roll, butter, sausage, cookies, candies…

All in all, that was quite a tea gathering…

About three kilograms, all told…

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The Knight in Kabbalah is the embodiment of being in the flow, attuned to the trend.

An object or a process where Power seizes the Stalker and carries them along in the flow.

Accordingly, the Knight of Denarii represents moving with the flow of Matters or Finance.

For instance, a bullet’s flight.

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Attention!

A distinctive trait of the Knight card is that the object remains motionless, just like the Knight. Yet, at the same time, it moves like the mount beneath the Knight.

It is this very contradiction that makes the card so readily recognizable.

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Fig. 1.15.1 The Knight of Denarii – being in the Flow of Matters. A passenger aboard a bus or in a taxi.145

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Fig. 1.15.2 The Knight of Denarii – being in the Flow of Matters. Surfing, kiting, windsurfing, rafting.146

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Fig. 1.15.3 The Knight of Denarii – being in the Flow of Matters. Balloon. Airship.147

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Fig. 1.15.4 The Knight of Denarii – being in the Flow of Matters. Glider, hang glider, paraglider, wingsuit.148

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Fig. 1.15.5 Knight of Denarii – being in the Flow of Matters. Arrow.149

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Fig. 1.15.6 Knight of Denarii – being in the Flow of Matters. Bullet.150

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Fig. 1.15.7 Knight of Denarii – being in the Flow of Matters. Soaring eagle.151

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Fig. 1.15.8 Knight of Denarii – being in the Flow of Matters or Finance. Broker. Fund manager. By profession, one must perpetually embody the state of the Knight of Denarii.152

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The defining trait of the Knight of Denarii is his motionless presence within the ever-moving flow of Matters—or Finance.

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Section 2 – Cups or Hearts

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Fig. ‘Cube of the Elements’153

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In the Classical Tarot deck, cards of the water element are represented by Cups or Chalices.

Fig. Cups in Tarot.154

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In the modern deck, their counterpart is Hearts.

Fig. Hearts in the modern deck.155

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The suit of Cups is linked to a shift towards the past, aligned with the element of water. The energetic quality of processes and events at the level of the Svadhisthana Chakra.156

That is why the suit of Cups governs emotions, feelings, and memories.

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Zero of Cups

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A cat wandered in from another room and, in passing, informed me that the Christmas tree had lost all its garland, half its ornaments, its senses, and had, for the most part, toppled over.

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Zero in Kabbalah represents a hidden, dormant potential, or something minuscule and insignificant.

Cups are emotions, feelings, and memories.

Thus, the Zero of Cups is the dormant potential of feelings, emotions, and memories. Or something minor among memories or emotions.

For example, it can symbolize any living creature whose potential lies dormant.

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Figure 2.0.1 Zero of Cups – the dormant potential of feelings and emotions. A weary, slumbering bear.157

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Figure 2.0.2 Zero of Cups – a sleeping dog.158

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Figure 2.0.3 Zero of Cups – a sleeping tiger.159

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Figure 2.0.4 Zero of Cups – a sleeping parakeet.160

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Figure 2.0.5 Zero of Cups – a sleeping fox.161

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Figure 2.0.6 Zero of Cups – a sleeping python.162

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Figure 2.0.7 Zero of Cups – a sleeping human.163

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Figure 2.0.8 Zero of Cups. A sleeping lion.164

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A patient under anesthesia, a person utterly exhausted and 'knocked out,' a stunned and unconscious living creature—all these, too, are examples of the Zero of Cups.

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The defining trait of the Zero of Cups is an absence of emotion—a lack of memories brought on by some manner of 'insensate' state.

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Ace of Cups

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To see Paris—and then die!

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In Kabbalah, the number One is an impulse—a push, a blow.

Cups are emotions, feelings, and memories.

Thus, the Ace of Cups represents an impulsive emotion, a sudden memory, the stirring of the soul.

For example, it may symbolize an impulsive kiss, a sudden cry, a dog's bark, or a leap of joy.

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Figure 2.1.1 Ace of Cups—impulsive emotion, stirring of the soul. Hands thrown up in joy.165

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Figure 2.1.2 Ace of Cups—hands lifted in a swell of feeling.166

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Figure 2.1.3 Ace of Cups – a surge of impulsive emotion, the stirring of the soul. The kiss of love.167

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Figure 2.1.4 Ace of Cups – a smile, laughter.168

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Figure 2.1.5 Ace of Cups – a leap for joy.169

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Figure 2.1.6 Ace of Cups – lifting a child into the air, swept up in overflowing emotion.170

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Figure 2.1.7 Ace of Cups – tipping back one’s head in laughter.171

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Figure 2.1.8 Ace of Cups – raising one’s hand in a joyful greeting.172

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The hallmark of the Ace of Cups is an impulse of emotion.

As a rule, the Ace of Cups is accompanied by the Ace of Denarii. This is owing to the fact that the impulse of emotion seeks expression through some form of action.

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Two of Cups

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Vanka was granted a trip to Paris by the collective farm. Vanka arrived and sat with Manka in the hayloft; Manka asked him to tell her about Paris.

So, I climbed the Eiffel Tower, looked to the left—my God!

Looked to the right—oh, for heaven's sake!

Looked straight ahead—oh, for heaven's sake!

Oh, Manka, why are you crying?

– How could I not weep, Vanya? Such beauty!

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The Two in Kabbalah signifies interaction.

Cups are emotions, feelings, and memories.

Thus, the Two of Cups represents an interplay of feelings and emotions, a deep immersion into memory.

For example, it can symbolize mutual smiles, laughter, wonder, joy, and other shared with someone emotions, feelings, or memories.

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Figure 2.2.1 Two of Cups – the interplay of feelings and emotions. Friendship.173

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Figure 2.2.2 Two of Cups – a smile meant for another.174

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Figure 2.2.3 Two of Cups – charm, allure, flirtation.175

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Figure 2.2.4 Two of Cups – immersion in memory.176

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Figure 2.2.5 Two of Cups – the interplay of feelings and emotions. Pair.177

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Figure 2.2.6 Two of Cups – interaction of emotions.178

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Figure 2.2.7 Two of Cups – the interaction of emotions.179

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Figure 2.2.8 Two of Cups – the interplay of feelings.180

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A hallmark of the Two is that emotions and feelings are always directed toward someone or something. When it comes to memories, a person is submerged in them, detached from reality.181

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Three of Cups

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– Why do you want to divorce your husband?

– We hold different religious beliefs.

– Could you be more specific?

– He refuses to recognize me as a goddess!

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Three in Kabbalah represents system, order, and arrangement.

Cups are emotions, feelings, and memories.

In this way, the Three of Cups is the system and order of feelings, emotions, and memories.

For instance, it may symbolize the art of acting, yoga (as a system for cultivating feelings), a diary, or an autobiography (as a system of memories).

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Fig. 2.1.1 Three of Cups – system and order of emotions and memories. The art of acting.182

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Fig. 2.1.2 The Three of Cups – a system, orderliness, emotion, and memory. Theater. Stage.183

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Fig. 2.1.3 The Three of Cups – a system, orderliness, emotion. Mime. Pantomime.184

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Fig. 2.1.4 The Three of Cups – a system, orderliness, emotion. A ‘singing’ cat, a dog, a singer. Sings in harmony with the music, following the system.

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Fig. 2.1.5 The Three of Cups – a system, orderliness, emotion. A model as an actor, embodying a particular emotion.185

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Fig. 2.1.6 The Three of Cups – a system, order, emotions, memories. The Peking Opera.186

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Fig. 2.1.7 The Three of Cups – a system, order, emotions, memories. Opera. 'The Phantom of the Opera.'187

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Fig. 2.1.8 The Three of Cups – a system of memories. Diary, autobiography.188

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A distinctive feature of the Three of Cups is emotions arranged in a certain order.

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Four of Cups

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The most effective, inexpensive, and reliable laxative is an unexpected encounter in the forest—face to face with an angry grizzly bear.

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The Four in Kabbalah embodies nature—naturalness and simple form.

Cups are emotions, feelings, and memories.

Thus, the Four of Cups signifies a simple, natural, 'nature-born' emotion—an involuntary memory.

For example, it can symbolize an involuntarysmile, laughter, surprise, joy, and other spontaneousemotions, feelings, and memories.

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Figure 2.4.1 Four of Cups – a simple, natural, organic emotion. Surprise.189

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Figure 2.4.2 Four of Cups – a simple, natural, organic emotion. Joy. Laughter.190

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Figure 2.4.3 Four of Cups – a simple, natural, organic emotion. The simple joys of life.191

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Figure 2.4.4 Four of Cups – a simple, natural, involuntary emotion. Laughter.192

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Figure 2.4.5 Four of Cups – a simple, natural emotion, an involuntary reaction. Laughter.193

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Figure 2.4.6 Four of Cups – a simple, natural emotion, an involuntary response. Joy.194

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Figure 2.4.7 Four of Cups – a simple, natural emotion, an involuntary response. Smile.195

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Figure 2.4.8 Four of Cups – a simple, natural emotion, an involuntary response. Rolling in the snow.196

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The distinguishing quality of the Four of Cups lies in its spontaneity, sincerity, and genuineness. Emotion moves on its own, serving no particular purpose.

Such sincerity is usually characteristic of children, truly 'open' individuals, and certain animals, like dogs.

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Five of Cups

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A group of girls gathered for a hen night. All night long, they shared jokes, amusing stories, and their dreams with one another…

By morning, Lieutenant Rzhevsky, mortified to death, tumbled out of the wardrobe.

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The Five in Kabbalah is a door, a gate, a portal, a storage, a source.

Cups are emotions, feelings, and memories.

Thus, the Five of Cups stands as a source, a storage, a portal for emotions, feelings, and memories.

For example, it may symbolize a fan, a singer, or an actor (as a keeper of countless plays).

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Figure 2.5.1 The Five of Cups—a portal of emotions and feelings. Saxophone solo.197

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Figure 2.5.2 The Five of Cups—a source of emotions and feelings. A wolf’s howl.198

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Figure 2.5.3 The Five of Cups—a portal of emotions and feelings. The gaze of a dog.199

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Figure 2.5.4 Five of Cups – a portal of emotion and feeling. The gaze of a cat.200

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Figure 2.5.5 Five of Cups – a portal of emotion and feeling. The gaze.201

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Figure 2.5.6 Five of Cups – a portal of emotion and feeling. The silent question.202

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Figure 2.5.7 Five of Cups – a source of emotion and feeling. The supporter. The devotee.203

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Figure 2.5.8 Five of Cups – source, storage, and portal of emotion and feeling. The ecstasy of joy.204

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The distinguishing hallmark of the Five of Cups is that it acts as a wellspring or repository of feelings, emotions, and memories.