Lesson Five: The Suit of Coins THE cards of this suit correspond to the final letter of IHVH, to the material world of objective forms, and to the element Earth. As the things of this lowest of the four Qabalistic worlds have money-value, Coins represent that value, as do the Diamonds of ordinary playing-cards. In the esoteric Tarot this suit is named Pentacles, from the circular wax or metal plate, engraved with the sigils and names used in an operation of ceremonial magic. In the Knapp Tarot each card of the Coins suit bears a cube, the Pythagorean symbol of the material world. Ace of Coins On the face of the small cube is a double vesica pisces, which also resembles the mathematical symbol of infinity and rhythmic whirling motion, the horizontal figure 8. This refers to the Qabalistic idea that physical form is the result of a series of whirling motions originating in the Primal Will--an idea practically the same as that to which modern physicists have been led by their investigations into the constitution of matter. The connection of the Ace of Coins with the Hebrew ideas relating to the Divine Number 1 is shown by the crown over the upper point of the pentagram, or five-pointed star. Behind the pentagram is a glory composed of forty rays, suggesting the operation of the ten Divine Numbers in the four Qabalistic worlds; and intimating also that the solidest physical forms are manifestations of the whirling motion of radiant energy. Of this motion the pentagram itself is another symbol, and its employment in various magical operations is based upon mathematical formulas directly connected with the figure itself, which formulas lead to mental control of the currents of the Astral Light. Time period From the beginning of the sign Capricorn to the end of Pisces, from December 22nd to March 20th. Occult title The root of the powers of earth. Meanings The power of will as expressed on the physical plane. Materiality in all its phases, whether good or evil. "The thing's that are Caesar's". The power of the world-illusion. Material gain, wealth, contentment, and the things, conditions, works, and so on, which contribute to such gain. Keyword Materiality. Two of Coins On the face of the cube, surrounding a pentagram, is a zodiacal wheel, corresponding to the Qabalistic attribution of the Sphere of the Zodiac to the Divine Number 2. The faces on the two coins suggest polarity, for one is male and the other is female. Time period First decanate of Capricorn, from December 22nd to December 31st, under the rulership of Saturn. Meanings Harmony in the midst of change, alternation of gain and loss; change of occupation; travel in quest of wealth; ups and downs of fortune; a visit to friends. Ill-dignified It intimates discontent, foolishness in the management of resources, restricted condition of material affairs due to bad management; the Querent is probably too talkative and too suspicious. He is kind, but inconsistent, and should avoid arguments. Keyword Fluctuation. Three of Coins On the face of the cube is the symbol of Saturn, for among the Divine Numbers, 3 is called the Sphere of Saturn. Note that here, as in the succeeding numbers, up to and including 9, we are dealing with the spheres of planetary action, not with the planets themselves. The sphere of a person's activity is in the field in which he works. Similarly, the sphere of a planet's activity is the field of that planet's operation. Numerologists, and others accustomed to using other numbers for the planets, should remember that we have very ancient authority for these attributions. See Eliphas Levi's Dogma and Ritual of Transcendental Magic, Henry Cornelius Agrippa's Natural Magic, Knorr von Rosenroth's Kabbala Denudata, and other standard works on occultism. In the Knapp Tarot the evil hexagram, with the black triangle upward, is part of the symbolism, but it does not agree with the meanings of the card. Time period The second decanate of Capricorn, under the rulership of Venus, from January 1st to 10th. Well-dignified Construction; increase, growth; financial gain; the building up of favorable conditions; gain in commercial transactions; rank or prestige in vocation or business; beginning of matters to be perfected later. Ill-dignified Selfishness; cleverness in business, but lack of scruples; narrow and prejudiced; too much ambition. Keyword Constructiveness. Four of Coins On the cube is the symbol of Jupiter, for among the Divine Numbers 4 represents the Sphere of Jupiter. Time period Third decanate of Capricorn, under the rulership of Mercury, from January 11th to 19th. Well-dignified Opportunities for public service; an acute, sharp, penetrating, tactful temperament; economy in the arrangement of material affairs; activity in money-matters. Ill-dignified Dangers to reputation; troubles through changes not carefully considered; desire for money, but unwisdom in its management; the Querent will meet with sharp criticism. Keyword Management. Five of Coins On the cube is the symbol of Mars, for among the Divine Numbers, 5 is the Sphere of Mars. Time period First decanate of Taurus, under the rulership of Venus, from April 20th to April 29th. Well-dignified Labor, toil, the cultivation of the land; building, and plans concerning it; some anxiety over money. Ill-dignified Toil unrewarded; loss of money; poverty; trouble for the Querent through lack of imagination and foresight. Keyword Uncertainty; material trouble. Six of Coins The symbol of Sol on the cube alludes to the attribution of the Sphere of the Sun to the Divine Number 6. Time period Second decanate of Taurus, under the rulership of Mercury, from April 30th to May 9th. Well-dignified Practicality and determination; discretion and diplomacy; gain by letters, writing, speaking, travel, teaching, commissions, and through advertising, study, books, and all things ruled by Mercury. Ill-dignified Loss through the same things. Keyword Prosperity. Seven of Coins The symbol of Venus alludes to the attribution of the Sphere of Venus to the Divine Number 7. Time period Third decanate of Taurus, under the rulership of Saturn, May 10th to May 20th. Well-dignified Slight gains, but of small account; much labor for small returns. Ill-dignified Something promising turns out badly; loss in speculation and unprofitable employment; financial restriction; unrealized hopes and wishes. Keyword Loss. Eight of Coins The symbol of Mercury on the cube refers to the Sphere of Mercury. Time period the first decanate of Virgo, under the rulership of Mercury, from August 23rd to September 1st. Well-dignified Skill in the management of material affairs; industry; gain in subordinate positions, through writings, clerical work or travel; gain of ready money in small sums. Ill-dignified This card signifies avarice and hoarding; penny wisdom and pound foolishness; meanness in money matters; loss through travel or writings; the Querent is likely to be in difficulties with superiors and also with inferiors; he may lose through trying to overreach somebody else. Keyword Prudence. Nine of Coins The lunar crescent refers to 9 as Sphere of the Moon. Time period Second decanate of Virgo, under rulership of Saturn, from September 2nd to September 11th. Well-dignified Reserve, discretion, caution, frugality; some worries over money- matters, because of slow maturing of plans; gain through careful investment. Ill-dignified Discouragement, troubles through theft and knavery. Occasionally, when this card is especially Well- dignified, and other cards in the layout confirm it, this represents inheritance, material gain, and much increase of goods, corresponding to the positive meaning of Saturn in Capricorn. Keyword Harvest. Ten of Coins The symbol on the face of the cube is a synthesis of the alchemical emblems of the four elements, corresponding to the attribution of The Sphere of the Elements to the Divine Number 10. Time period Third decanate of Virgo, under the rulership of Venus, from September 12th to September 22nd. Well-dignified Money through servants or subordinates; gain in matters connected with medicine, drugs, food, nursing, farming or gardening; completion in material gain and fortune, but nothing beyond. Ill-dignified Material success, but heaviness and dulness of mind; sometimes loss through servants or subordinates; slothfulness. Keyword Wealth. King of Coins The Yod on the cube has the same meaning as on the other Kings. Time period From beginning of the last decanate of Sagittarius to end of second decanate of Capricorn, from December 12th to January 10th. This period combines the rulerships of the Sun, Saturn and Venus. Well-dignified A dark man, friendly to Querent, practical, steady, reliable. Good at practical application. Things prosper and increase under his direction. Slow to anger, but furious when aroused. Ill-dignified Selfish, animal, material. Has great power of solidifying all evil forces directed against the projects of the Querent; but is nevertheless somewhat stupid. Appearance Dark hair and dark eyes. Queen of Coins The visica piscis on the cube corresponds to the letter H of IHVH. Time period From beginning of last decanate of Aries to end of second decanate of Taurus, from April 10th to May 9th. This period is under the rulerships of Jupiter, Venus and Mercury. Meanings A generous, somewhat ceremonious, great-hearted, charming, and graceful woman. Probably possessed of considerable means, and friendly to Querent. Ill-dignified Ostentatious, not too nice in morals, capricious, changeable, superficial. Likely to do Querent harm through foolish talk, exposure of his plans, etc. Appearance Dark hair and dark eyes. Warrior of Coins The ankh on the cube refers to the letter Vau of IHVH. Time period From beginning of third decanate of Leo to end of second decanate of Virgo, from August 13th to September 11th. This period is under the rulerships of Mars, Mercury and Saturn. Meanings A younger man than the King. Effective in action, with some power of command; good mind; but somewhat heavy and matter-of-fact. Not original or imaginative, but good at carrying out any plan that calls for intelligent action on the physical plane. Ill-dignified Avaricious, mean, jealous, somewhat violent, and cruel. Appearance Dark-brown hair, dark eyes. Servant of Coins The symbolism of this card suggests bondage to material conditions, but aspiration to higher things. the time-period is the same as that governed by the Ace of Coins, or the three signs of the winter quarter, ruled by Saturn, Uranus, and Jupiter- Neptune. Meanings A young person, or either sex. Well-dignified Has good sense in all practical matters, is friendly to Querent and friendly in disposition generally, probably with some leaning to the occult, or a touch of the psychic in the make-up. Generous, diligent, compassionate. Ill-dignified Unfriendly, dull, wasteful, thoughtless, self-centered, and if interested in the occult is so only for the sake of furthering selfish ends. Appearance Dark eyes and rich brown hair. Practice Work Continue the practice of last week. But now read the cards of all four suits. In order to develop skill in interpretation read the first heap as representing the morning, the middle heap as representing the afternoon, and the third heap as representing the evening. For this practice it is not necessary to formulate a question. Keep a record of each morning's layout, and check the day's events to see how close you came to what actually occurs. If more convenient, the layout may be made at night. The main point is to record it and check it.