The Chariot from the Rider Waite Smith Tarot Deck

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Succour, providence also war, triumph, presumption, vengeance, trouble.

A. E. Waite's Secondary Meanings

The Chariot. This is represented in some extant codices as being drawn by two sphinxes, and the device is in consonance with the symbolism, but it must not be supposed that such was its original form; the variation was invented to support a particular historical hypothesis. In the eighteenth century white horses were yoked to the car. As regards its usual name, the lesser stands for the greater; it is really the King in his triumph, typifying, however, the victory which creates kingship as its natural consequence and not the vested royalty of the fourth card. M. Court de Gebelin said that it was Osiris Triumphing, the conquering sun in spring-time having vanquished the obstacles of winter. We know now that Osiris rising from the dead is not represented by such obvious symbolism. Other animals than horses have also been used to draw the currus triumphalis, as, for example, a lion and a leopard.

Description

An erect and princely figure carrying a drawn sword and corresponding, broadly speaking, to the traditional description which I have given in the first part. On the shoulders of the victorious hero are supposed to be the Urim and Thummim. He has led captivity captive; he is conquest on all planes--in the mind, in science, in progress, in certain trials of initiation. He has thus replied to the sphinx, and it is on this account that I have accepted the variation of Eliphas Levi; two sphinxes thus draw his chariot. He is above all things triumph in the mind. It is to be understood for this reason (a) that the question of the sphinx is concerned with a Mystery of Nature and not of the world of Grace, to which the charioteer could offer no answer; (b) that the planes of his conquest are manifest or external and not within himself; (c) that the liberation which he effects may leave himself in the bondage of the logical understanding; (d) that the tests of initiation through which he has passed in triumph are to be understood physically or rationally; and (e) that if he came to the pillars of that Temple between which the High Priestess is seated, he could not open the scroll called Tora, nor if she questioned him could he answer. He is not hereditary royalty and he is not priesthood.

King of Cups from the Rider Waite Smith Tarot Deck

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Fair man, man of business, law, or divinity; responsible, disposed to oblige the Querent; also equity, art and science, including those who profess science, law and art; creative intelligence.

A. E. Waite's Secondary Meanings

Beware of ill-will on the part of a man of position, and of hypocrisy pretending to help.

Description

He holds a short sceptre in his left hand and a great cup in his right; his throne is set upon the sea; on one side a ship is riding and on the other a dolphin is leaping. The implicit is that the Sign of the Cup naturally refers to water, which appears in all the court cards.

Knight of Wands from the Rider Waite Smith Tarot Deck

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Departure, absence, flight, emigration. A dark young man, friendly. Change of residence.

A. E. Waite's Secondary Meanings

A bad card; according to some readings, alienation.

Description

He is shewn as if upon a journey, armed with a short wand, and although mailed is not on a warlike errand. He is passing mounds or pyramids. The motion of the horse is a key to the character of its rider, and suggests the precipitate mood, or things connected therewith.

Five of Wands from the Rider Waite Smith Tarot Deck

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Imitation, as, for example, sham fight, but also the strenuous competition and struggle of the search after riches and fortune. In this sense it connects with the battle of life. Hence some attributions say that it is a card of gold, gain, opulence.

A. E. Waite's Secondary Meanings

Success in financial speculation.

Description

A posse of youths, who are brandishing staves, as if in sport or strife. It is mimic warfare, and hereto correspond the divinatory meanings.

Four of Wands from the Rider Waite Smith Tarot Deck

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They are for once almost on the surface--country life, haven of refuge, a species of domestic harvest-home, repose, concord, harmony, prosperity, peace, and the perfected work of these.

A. E. Waite's Secondary Meanings

Unexpected good fortune.

Description

From the four great staves planted in the foreground there is a great garland suspended; two female figures uplift nosegays; at their side is a bridge over a moat, leading to an old manorial house.

Knight of Pentacles from the Rider Waite Smith Tarot Deck

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Utility, serviceableness, interest, responsibility, rectitude-all on the normal and external plane.

A. E. Waite's Secondary Meanings

An useful man; useful discoveries.

Description

He rides a slow, enduring, heavy horse, to which his own aspect corresponds. He exhibits his symbol, but does not look therein.

Three of Swords from the Rider Waite Smith Tarot Deck

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Removal, absence, delay, division, rupture, dispersion, and all that the design signifies naturally, being too simple and obvious to call for specific enumeration.

A. E. Waite's Secondary Meanings

For a woman, the flight of her lover.

Description

Three swords piercing a heart; cloud and rain behind.

Ten of Swords from the Rider Waite Smith Tarot Deck

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Whatsoever is intimated by the design; also pain, affliction, tears, sadness, desolation. It is not especially a card of violent death.

A. E. Waite's Secondary Meanings

Followed by Ace and King, imprisonment; for girl or wife, treason on the part of friends.

Description

A prostrate figure, pierced by all the swords belonging to the card.

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