Playing to Strength, Caving to Weakness: Aspiration and Temptation in Tarot Reading
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Here is a spread that offers a “high road” and a “low road” for approaching the outcome of a reading; these are parallel routes, each with an itinerary that features either optimism for a successful arrival or pessimism over the risk of being detoured into failure. It could be useful when contemplating whether to become involved with another person or entity whose “moral fiber” and intentions are unknown. One could ask “What will this relationship bring me?” The reading employs a “prepared” deck that will take some effort to assemble.
The first step is to go through the deck and separate out: 1) those cards that fuel aspiration by evincing lofty values and fostering success through enterprise (including all of the “active-and-positive” Aces and court cards); 2) those that are neutral and therefore morally ambiguous in their testimony (including all of the “passive-and-negative” Aces and “honors”); and 3) those that traffic in opportunistic temptations, dysfunctional behaviors and unprincipled urges while courting failure as their constant companion. Group the hopeful cards in one sub-pack, with the ambiguous and inauspicious cards in the other. At the end of this essay I’ve provided a breakdown showing how I apply the distinction; this is my personal cut at it and I make no claims for its infallibility.
Shuffle the hopeful cards and deal five of them face-up from left-to-right in the “Aspiration” row. Then shuffle the other pack and deal five cards face-up from left-to-right immediately below the first set, populating the “Temptation” row. Reversals may be used to suggest an uncertain status in any of these positions although they will typically be more revealing for the “Temptation” cards, which often entail a “hidden agenda.” (In the example reading, I didn’t use them with the “Aspiration” cards since those are intended to reflect high-minded aims.)
Compare the “above-and-below” cards in each column, moving from left-to-right, and form a judgment regarding which one holds the upper hand in terms of potency according to its inherent nature as well as various forms of “dignity:” suit, number, element, rank, polarity, orientation, etc, all of which allude to a card’s degree of authority (aka “power profile”).
Total up the dominant cards in the “Aspiration” and “Temptation” rows to determine which path has a greater “pull” on the querent’s attention. If aspiration reigns supreme, the only cautionary note is one of succumbing to overconfidence. However, should temptation prevail, the advice would be to carefully weigh the pros-and-cons of committing to the “low road” since it may be difficult to abandon that course once engaged. Instant gratification followed by lingering disappointment is often the result of “taking the bait” but, by the time disillusionment sets in, bad habits may have become too entrenched to overcome.
The goal of the reading should be to appropriately recognize the seeker’s good intentions as expressed by “Aspiration,” while warning of the hazards of less-noble pursuits that may seem more appealing as shown by the “Temptation” scenario.
Below is an example reading to illustrate this situation. I used the Thoth deck because its on-board keywords speak eloquently to the ethical and psychological dimensions of a question or topic.
Analysis:
It appears that the “Aspiration” cards are holding the “high ground” here.
The Princess of Swords hints at values that are flexible, perhaps even chameleon-like, inviting experimentation. The 5 of Wands (Strife) reversed is not above “stirring the pot” in an antagonistic way
The Emperor can only mean ethics that are painfully upright to the point of stiffness. The Ace of Disks portrays a utilitarian moral stance in which “the ends justify the means.”
The 6 of Wands (Victory) represents “optimism writ large.” It implies refusing to take “No” for an answer. The Moon reversed can’t tolerate the overweening cheerfulness of the 6 of Wands and will take to the shadows to pursue its objectives.
The Ace of Wands indicates an unflappably upbeat attitude. The 8 of Disks (Prudence) reversed maintains a low profile but it is no less certain of its mission. It’s only waiting patiently for the right moment, perhaps when the Ace of Wands turns its searching gaze elsewhere.
The Aeon (Judgement) aspires to reach the next level of attainment by acting judiciously in all things. The Magus is prepared to do whatever it takes to realize his goals, including manipulation and deception.
As I see it, the “Aspiration” cards all dominate their category, with only the higher-ranking Moon flexing its muscles behind-the-scenes in the “Intentions” position of the “Temptation” row; that would be the one to watch for any flagrant malfeasance. The Magus would like to “get away with murder” but the “elder gods” of the Aeon are looking askance over his shoulder so there is little likelihood of that.
Here is my personal list of cards that symbolize “Aspiration” (strengths) and “Temptation” (weaknesses or moral ambiguities), offered as a “work-in-progress.” I managed to come up with a 50/50 split that doesn’t seem too far-fetched.
Aspiration/Enterprise/Moral Integrity
Fool
Priestess (High Priestess)
Empress
Emperor
Chariot
Wheel of Fortune
Lust (Strength)
Star
Sun
Aeon (Judgement)
Universe (World)
The Aces and court-cards of Wands and Swords*
Wands pips: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of Wands
Cups pips: 2, 3, 4, 6, 9 and 10 of Cups
Swords pips: the 6 of Swords
Disks pips: 4, 6, 9 and 10 of Disks
*I view these cards as diligent and perceptive, respectively.
Temptation/Dysfunction/Moral Ambiguity*
Magus (Magician)*
Hierophant*
Lovers*
Adjustment (Justice*
Hermit*
Hanged Man
Death
Art (Temperance)*
Devil
Tower
Moon
The Aces and court-cards of Cups and Disks**
Wands pips: 5 and 10 of Wands
Cups pips: 5, 7, and 8 of Cups
Swords pips: All except the 6 of Swords
Disks pips: 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8 of Disks
*These are not problematic cards as such, just impartial in their outlook and indifferent toward the “human condition.”
**I’m positioning these cards as “needy and corruptible.”
Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on September 9, 2024.
