In some respects, the division of magickal endeavors into planetary compartments begs for a tarot scheme to be drafted around it and so this we have done.
The logic of placement dictated that we put some cards at each planetary station of our glyph figure and note what cards modified which planetary aspect. We chose to use a simple, weighted mathematical scale that assumed a card was giving to or subtracting from the planetary sphere into which it is played. We therefor felt that a direct correspondence (such as that obtaining between, say, the High Priestess and Luna) might be worth 5 points, while if the card is associated with an astrological sign (such as the Emperor's association with Aries) we gave it a 4. 3 points were given to/subtracted from those cards which shared elemental correspondence. Saturn, note, when addressed by the World/Universe card collects 5 for one correspondence and 3 for another, the only case in which this occurs. At least, these were our citeria for the Majors. In the matter of the Minors, we allowed the suit to dictate a point for elemental correspondences, 2 points for having the Ace (purest idea of the element) and 4 points for a sephirotic correspondence. The charts below can guide one in the assignment of points.
MAJOR TRUMPS: luna merc venu sun mars jove sat Fool 3 3 -3 Magus 5 -5 Hpss 5 -5 Emprss 5 -5 Empror -4 4 Heirphnt 4 -4 Lovers 4 -4 Chariot 4 -4 Strength 4 -4 Hermit 4 -4 Wheel -5 5 Justice 4 -4 H. Man 3 -3 -3 3 Death -4 4 Temprnce -4 4 Devil -4 4 Tower -5 5 Star -4 4 Moon -4 4 Sun 5 Judgmnt -3 3 3 -3 Universe -8* -8* ------------------------------------------------------- * -5 (for planetary correspondence) and -3 (for elemental correspondence) ------------------------------------------------------- Luna Merc Venus Sun Mars Jupiter Saturn CUPS: Ace 2 2 two 1 1 three 1 1 4 four 1 4 five 1 4 1 six 1 4 1 seven 1 4 1 eight 4 1 nine 4 1 1 ten 1 1 page/princess * * knight/prince * * queen * * king * * Luna Merc Venus Sun Mars Jupiter Saturn SWORDS Ace 2 2 two 1 1 three 1 1 4 four 1 1 4 five 1 1 4 six 1 4 seven 1 4 1 eight 1 4 1 nine 4 1 ten 1 1 page/princess * * knight/prince * * queen * * king * * Luna Merc Venus Sun Mars Jupiter Saturn DISKS Ace 2 two 1 three 4 four 4 1 five 4 1 six 4 1 seven 4 1 eight 4 1 nine 4 1 ten 1 page/princess * knight/prince * queen * king * Luna Merc Venus Sun Mars Jupiter Saturn WANDS Ace 2 2 two 1 1 three 1 1 4 four 1 1 4 five 1 4 six 1 4 1 seven 4 1 eight 4 1 1 nine 4 1 1 ten 1 1 page/princess * * knight/prince * * queen * * king * ** This figure may vary with the particular scheme used. In the scheme where court cards are held to indicate a certain person or anthropomorphic force this number would be zero. In the usual scheme employed, it would be a 1 by reason of elemental suit correspondence. It is possible to assign a higher number to court cards by reason of their affiliation with planetary sephiroth, but this we did not do, for it seemed to skew the resultant towards certain potencies and away from others. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The object of the tarot spread is multiple, and the result can be expressed as anything from a simple array of numbers (showing trends in various potencies of the situation/querant's psyche/whatever) to a complex depth-reading of events in transition. The layout will be simple enough to comprehend, and variations easy to design. Generally speaking, the cards are laid out in a sort of spiral commencing with Mercury (at the "top" of the spread) and moving around the circle clockwise to Mars. Saturn, Jove, etc. addressing the Sun after Luna. A series of up to seven such passes can create a a detailed reading as well as result in significant arithmetic results if that is what is sought.
Luna Merc Venus Sun Mars Jupiter Saturn 1 3 10 -2 2 4 0Venus stands out in a clear spike from the background and may suggest that something operating in the Querant's romantic life is particularly potent. The cards of that stack (Venus) should be examined closely for further clues as to the character of the event/energy. Not that Mars is not particularly elevated nor supressed, so it will probably not play a great role. From this simple exercise, much can be deduced.