The Tarot of the Spirit represents a distinct and spiritually advanced approach to the traditional 78-card deck, designed specifically for deep introspection and cosmic understanding. Created by Pamela and Joyce Eakins, this deck integrates Qabalistic principles, elemental correspondences, and archetypal wisdom into every card. Unlike standard decks focused primarily on fortune-telling, the Tarot of the Spirit serves as a tool for conversing with the universe of the soul. The vivid, abstract illustrations are intended to guide users beyond surface meanings into the metaphysical layers of the personal journey, making it ideal for meditation, shadow work, and spiritual alignment. This deck is considered a profound companion for those ready to evolve and embrace the greater mysteries of life.
The creators, Pamela Eakins, Ph.D., and Joyce Eakins, M.F.A., herald from an ancient lineage of Kabalistic Freemasons. As university educators, they have taught sociology, psychology, symbolic consciousness, comparative religion, art history, studio art, creativity, and cosmology. Their combined insights and talents have produced a compendium of psycho-active symbolism designed to liberate consciousness. The deck and its accompanying literature are described as a classic, standing out among the flood of Tarot decks available in the last few decades. Rachel Pollack, a noted authority, has praised the deck for its dramatic, beautiful paintings that illuminate the precise wonders of the Tarot's esoteric tradition.
Understanding the Structure of Tarot
To effectively utilize the Tarot of the Spirit, one must first understand the fundamental structure of the Tarot deck, which consists of 78 cards. This structure is divided into two primary sections: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.
The Major Arcana
The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards. These cards represent life's karmic and spiritual lessons. They depict a path to spiritual self-awareness, illustrating the various stages encountered during the search for greater meaning and understanding. In this way, the Major Arcana cards hold deeply meaningful lessons on a soul level. They guide the seeker through the universal themes of human existence, from the initial spark of The Fool to the completion and enlightenment of The World.
The Minor Arcana
The remaining 56 cards constitute the Minor Arcana. These cards reflect the trials and tribulations experienced on a daily basis. While the Major Arcana deals with grand spiritual arcs, the Minor Arcana highlights the more practical aspects of life and can refer to current issues that have a temporary or minor influence. The Minor Arcana is further divided into two distinct groups: the 40 numbered cards and the 16 Court Cards.
The Numbered Cards
The 40 numbered cards are organized into 4 Suits: Cups, Pentacles, Swords, and Wands. Each suit contains 10 cards, numbered from Ace to Ten. These cards represent various situations, events, and energies that individuals encounter day-to-day. The suits correspond to specific elemental and psychological aspects: * Cups: Typically associated with emotions, relationships, and water. * Pentacles: Associated with material matters, work, health, and earth. * Swords: Associated with intellect, challenges, conflict, and air. * Wands: Associated with energy, inspiration, creativity, and fire.
The Court Cards
Within the Minor Arcana, there are 16 Tarot Court Cards. These cards represent 16 different personality characteristics. They indicate that individuals may choose to express these characteristics at any given time. The Court Cards often represent people in the querent's life or different aspects of the querent's own personality. They add a layer of interpersonal dynamics and personal agency to the readings.
The Philosophy of Tarot of the Spirit
The Tarot of the Spirit is not merely a collection of images but a highly acclaimed work that combines the insights of Western Mysticism. The deck is designed to be a tool for liberating consciousness through the use of psycho-active symbolism. The goal is to join the creators in the Heart of the Mysteries, where concepts such as Beauty, Truth, Justice, Faith, Integrity, Courage, and Love are central. The deck encourages users to open their consciousness and claim their universal power. It is a journey into the mystery, intended to stimulate the mind to a higher level of consciousness.
The 20th Anniversary Edition of the deck includes a clear film overlay of the Tree of Life, further emphasizing the integration of Kabbalistic teachings. The Tree of Life is a central symbol in the Hermetic Qabalah, representing the divine process of creation and the path to spiritual return. By integrating this symbol, the Tarot of the Spirit aligns the cards with the sephirot and paths of the Qabalah, providing a complex system of correspondences for the advanced practitioner.
Core Meanings of Selected Major Arcana Cards
The following insights are derived from general Tarot symbolism associated with the Major Arcana, which forms the backbone of the Tarot of the Spirit's spiritual lessons. While the specific abstract imagery of the Tarot of the Spirit may vary, the archetypal meanings remain consistent with the universal Tarot tradition.
The Fool (Card 0)
- Upright: Innocence, new beginnings, free spirit.
- Reversed: Recklessness, taken advantage of, inconsideration. The Fool represents the start of a journey, a leap of faith into the unknown. It embodies the spirit of adventure and the willingness to trust in the universe.
The Magician (Card I)
- Upright: Willpower, desire, creation, manifestation.
- Reversed: Trickery, illusions, out of touch. The Magician is the master of the elements, representing the power to transform thoughts into reality through focused intention and skill.
The High Priestess (Card II)
- Upright: Intuitive, unconscious, inner voice.
- Reversed: Lack of center, lost inner voice, repressed feelings. She sits at the threshold of the subconscious, guarding the secrets of the esoteric traditions. She encourages trust in intuition over logic.
The Empress (Card III)
- Upright: Motherhood, fertility, nature.
- Reversed: Dependence, smothering, emptiness, nosiness. The Empress represents the creative force of nature, abundance, and the nurturing aspect of the divine feminine. She is the mother of all living things.
The Emperor (Card IV)
- Upright: Authority, structure, control, fatherhood.
- Reversed: Tyranny, rigidity, coldness. The Emperor establishes order and stability. He represents the masculine principle of structure, logic, and the rule of law.
The Hierophant (Card V)
- Upright: Tradition, conformity, morality, ethics.
- Reversed: Rebellion, subversiveness, new approaches. The Hierophant represents established institutions, religious dogma, and the transmission of traditional wisdom.
The Lovers (Card VI)
- Upright: Partnerships, duality, union.
- Reversed: Loss of balance, one-sidedness, disharmony. This card represents not only romantic relationships but also the harmony of opposites and the choices one makes regarding values and integrity.
The Chariot (Card VII)
- Upright: Direction, control, willpower.
- Reversed: Lack of control, lack of direction, aggression. The Charioteer represents the victory of willpower over opposing forces. It is the card of determination and self-discipline.
Strength (Card VIII)
- Upright: Inner strength, bravery, compassion, focus.
- Reversed: Self-doubt, weakness, insecurity. Unlike physical force, Strength represents the inner fortitude required to tame the beast within through compassion and patience.
The Hermit (Card IX)
- Upright: Contemplation, search for truth, inner guidance.
- Reversed: Loneliness, isolation, lost your way. The Hermit retreats from the world to find the light within. It is a card of introspection and seeking wisdom from one's own soul.
The Wheel of Fortune (Card X)
- Upright: Change, cycles, inevitable fate.
- Reversed: No control, clinging to control, bad luck. This card represents the cyclical nature of life and the turning of events. It reminds the seeker that change is the only constant.
Justice (Card XI)
- Upright: Cause and effect, clarity, truth.
- Reversed: Dishonesty, unaccountability, unfairness. Justice represents the law of cause and effect (karma). It calls for impartiality and making decisions based on truth and fairness.
The Hanged Man (Card XII)
- Upright: Sacrifice, release, martyrdom.
- Reversed: Stalling, needless sacrifice, fear of sacrifice. The Hanged Man represents the wisdom found in suspension and letting go. It is a card of voluntary sacrifice for a greater perspective.
Death (Card XIII)
- Upright: End of cycle, beginnings, change, metamorphosis.
- Reversed: Fear of change, holding on, stagnation, decay. Death is rarely literal; it signifies transformation and the end of a phase to make way for new growth.
Temperance (Card XIV)
- Upright: Middle path, patience, finding meaning.
- Reversed: Extremes, excess, lack of balance. Temperance is the art of alchemy and moderation. It seeks the perfect balance between opposing forces.
The Devil (Card XV)
- Upright: Addiction, materialism, playfulness.
- Reversed: Freedom, release, restoring control. The Devil represents bondage to material desires and addictions. It warns against selling one's soul for temporary gains.
The Tower (Card XVI)
- Upright: Sudden change, revelation, awakening.
- Reversed: Delay of destiny, avoidance of disaster. The Tower represents the destruction of false structures. It is a necessary, albeit shocking, event that clears the way for truth.
The Star (Card XVII)
- Upright: Hope, faith, purpose, renewal.
- Reversed: Lack of faith, despair, self-trust. Following the destruction of the Tower, the Star brings healing and inspiration. It is a card of spiritual guidance.
The Moon (Card XVIII)
- Upright: Illusion, fear, anxiety, subconscious.
- Reversed: Release of fear, repressed emotion, confusion. The Moon navigates the murky waters of the subconscious, highlighting the illusions and fears that cloud the mind.
The Sun (Card XIX)
- Upright: Joy, success, celebration, positivity.
- Reversed: Depression, sadness, lack of vitality. The Sun represents the ultimate clarity, vitality, and success. It is the light that banishes all shadows.
Judgement (Card XX)
- Upright: Reflection, reckoning, awakening.
- Reversed: Self-doubt, refusal of self-examination. Judgement calls for an assessment of one's life and the resurrection of the spirit. It is a card of absolution.
The World (Card XXI)
- Upright: Completion, integration, accomplishment, travel.
- Reversed: Lack of closure, lack of direction. The World signifies the successful completion of a cycle and the integration of the lessons learned.
Utilizing the Tarot of the Spirit
The Tarot of the Spirit is designed for those drawn to deep introspection. Its vivid and abstract illustrations are specifically created to stimulate the mind to a higher level of consciousness. Users are encouraged to use the deck for meditation, where the imagery can serve as a gateway to the unconscious mind. The deck is also suitable for shadow work, helping individuals confront and integrate the darker aspects of their psyche.
The inclusion of the Tree of Life overlay in the anniversary edition suggests that the deck is best utilized by those interested in the Kabbalistic path. It serves as a bridge between the Western esoteric traditions and the personal journey of the soul. By engaging with the "psycho-active symbolism," users can liberate their consciousness from limiting beliefs and access the universal power that resides within.
Conclusion
The Tarot of the Spirit stands as a testament to the enduring power of ancient wisdom applied to modern spiritual needs. Through the collaboration of Pamela and Joyce Eakins, this deck offers more than just divination; it offers a path to higher consciousness. By integrating the complex systems of the Qabalah and the universal archetypes of the Major and Minor Arcana, it provides a comprehensive tool for spiritual evolution. Whether used for daily guidance, deep meditation, or the study of Western Mysticism, the Tarot of the Spirit remains a classic and highly acclaimed resource for those seeking to enter the mystery and claim their universal power.