The intricate relationship between the 22 Hebrew letters and the 22 Major Arcana cards in Tarot has been a subject of profound study in esoteric traditions. This system transforms the Tarot from a simple divination tool into a complex glyphic "book of Thoth," encoding esoteric principles through symbolic imagery. One of the most influential figures in establishing these correspondences was Eliphas Lévi, a 19th-century French occultist. His system has significantly shaped modern Tarot interpretation, offering deeper layers of meaning to each card. For students of the Western Mystery Tradition, the Hebrew letters are not just language; they are energetic signatures that map creation itself. When tarot is overlaid on the Tree of Life, each card becomes a key to a specific spiritual current, a channel between sephiroth, and a tool for conscious ascent.
Eliphas Lévi's System of Correspondences
Eliphas Lévi proposed a direct correlation between the Hebrew alphabet and the Major Arcana, aligning each letter sequentially with the cards. This method assigns the first letter, Aleph (א), to the first card, The Magician, and continues in order through the alphabet and the Tarot deck. Notably, Lévi placed The Fool card at the end, associating it with the letter Tav (ת). This foundational work laid the groundwork for subsequent systems of attribution, which sought to refine and expand upon these initial insights.
The Golden Dawn Refinements
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn refined Lévi's system and changed some of the associations. This is the system most commonly in use today. The Golden Dawn's formalization builds on Lévi's earlier insights, viewing the tarot as a key to spiritual ascent. The 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet correspond to the 22 paths on the Qabalistic Tree of Life, and by extension, to the 22 Major Arcana of the tarot.
Traditional Attributions from the Golden Dawn
The following overview presents how the Major Arcana are paired with Hebrew letters and their paths according to the Golden Dawn system, which most decks (like the Rider-Waite-Smith) implicitly follow:
- The Fool — Aleph (א) — Path from Kether to Chokmah: Represents the primal breath and the unity of existence.
- The Magician — Beth (ב) — Kether to Binah: Signifies the vessel of creation and communication.
- The High Priestess — Gimel (ג) — Kether to Tiphareth: Embodies the camel, representing the journey across the desert of the unconscious.
- The Empress — Daleth (ד) — Chokmah to Binah: Symbolizes the door to abundance and nurturing energy.
- The Emperor — Heh (ה) — Chokmah to Tiphareth: Represents the window or vision, signifying structure and authority.
- The Hierophant — Vav (ו) — Chesed to Chokmah: The hook or nail, connecting divine wisdom to earthly understanding.
- The Lovers — Zain (ז) — Binah to Tiphareth: The sword, representing the cutting through of illusions to find harmony.
- The Chariot — Cheth (ח) — Binah to Geburah: The fence or enclosure, signifying the containment of power.
- Strength (or Lust in Thoth) — Teth (ט) — Chesed to Geburah: The coiled serpent, representing the hidden power of vitality.
- The Hermit — Yod (י) — Chesed to Tiphareth: The hand, signifying the work of the spirit and introspection.
- Wheel of Fortune — Kaph (כ) — Chesed to Netzach: The palm, representing the grasping of fate and the cycles of life.
- Justice (or Adjustment in Thoth) — Lamed (ל) — Geburah to Tiphareth: The ox goad, signifying the direction of force and fairness.
- The Hanged Man — Mem (מ) — Geburah: The water, representing the flow of consciousness and sacrifice.
Using Hebrew Letters in Divination
While the esoteric terminology provides depth for the practitioner, the application in client readings requires a nuanced approach. A student of the Western Mystery Tradition asked how the Hebrew letters and their correspondence to the tarot Major Arcana can be used in doing readings. Specifically, they inquired about Qoph being the Moon card and meaning the back of the head, and whether Hebrew letters are more related to the spiritual level than the material.
Integrating Qabalah Without Confusion
Rarely is qabalistic terminology used in readings, as it can become confusing for many querents. The goal is to make the guidance accessible. However, this does not mean the Hebrew letters are excluded. Instead, their influence is woven into the interpretation.
Developing basic card meanings based on Qabalah is essential. For example, the understanding of the Major Arcana is highly influenced by qabalistic and astrological correspondences. This creates a personal vocabulary for the cards that includes concepts derived from esoteric associations.
Practical Application of Metaphors
The metaphors derived from Hebrew letters can be expressed either consciously or unconsciously during a reading, as needed and pulled by the client. For instance, the Temperance card on the Tree of Life is the path of Samech, connecting Yesod to Tiphareth. Samech means "prop" or "tent peg." In order to hold the tent up, the peg needs to be hammered securely into the ground. This metaphor can be translated into a reading about stability, balance, and the need for a firm foundation in one's life, without ever mentioning the word "Samech."
Similarly, Qoph (associated with The Moon) relates to the back of the head, symbolizing the subconscious mind and the hidden aspects of the self. In a reading, this might translate to themes of intuition, dreams, or things lurking just beneath the surface of awareness.
The Broader Context of Qabalah in Tarot
The Hebrew letters are just one aspect of the Qabalah that influences tarot interpretation. Other aspects are equally relevant to a comprehensive understanding.
The Four Worlds and the Minor Arcana
The four suits as they apply to the four worlds are highly relevant to the understanding of the Minor Arcana. This framework connects the material reality (Assiah) with the divine (Atziluth) through the intermediaries of Yetzirah (formation) and Briah (creation). Understanding this helps in discerning the level at which a card's energy is manifesting.
The Sephiroth and Numbered Cards
The relationship of the sephiroth to the numbered cards provides a map of manifestation. Each number corresponds to a specific stage of creation, from the pure unity of Kether (The Crown) to the material manifestation of Malkuth (The Kingdom). This adds a layer of developmental understanding to the Minor Arcana.
The Three Pillars
Understanding the three pillars—the Pillar of Mercy (expansive), the Pillar of Severity (restrictive), and the Pillar of Balance (consciousness)—helps a great deal with discerning the energetic balance of any given card. This allows the reader to see if a situation is out of balance or if it is operating with harmonious flow.
Meditation and Pathworking
Working with and meditating on the Hebrew letters or doing qabalistic pathworking can influence the reader directly. This practice is similar to how Reiki practitioners use symbols for meditation to learn how to express the energy of each symbol. By meditating on the letters, the reader internalizes their energies. This spiritual experience influences intuitive readings, allowing the reader to pull upon a deeper well of wisdom, even if the specific terminology is not used during the session.
Conclusion
The integration of Hebrew letters with the Major Arcana forms a living map of mysticism. Far from being arbitrary symbols, they guide the practitioner through the levels of creation and consciousness. Whether following the classical Golden Dawn attributions or the visionary corrections proposed by figures like Crowley (who realigned Tzaddi and Heh for Thelemites), these correspondences deepen tarot from mere cards into keys of spiritual ascent. Each spread or meditation becomes a ritual journey on the Tree of Life itself. For the modern reader, this system offers a robust framework for understanding the cards on profound spiritual and psychological levels, enriching the guidance offered to clients while maintaining accessibility and clarity.