The Exemplary Way: Leveraging the Quintessence
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Some tarot readers (notably Europeans) prefer to read with only the 22 trump cards, ignoring their exalted metaphysical archetypes and allotting them no more significance than the rest of us assign to the pip cards. They also frequently use the “quintessence” calculation to derive a fifth “synthesis” card from the four-card tirage en croix. As can be supposed, they have little use for esoteric symbolism.
Here is a spread that uses five four-card columns to generate a central row of five “quintessence” cards, together furnishing a broad overview of the querent’s circumstances. At its most complex it will involve interpretation of 25 cards to a greater or lesser extent, five primary factors and twenty built-in clarifying influences; but at its simplest (as in the example reading below) it will shrink to a five-card line with no clarifiers. This will typically occur when the narrative deviates from the middle way.
I’ve used an architectural motif to describe passing through a gateway on the path to resolution of the matter in question, with a set of spiritual and secular inputs that can contribute to “steering” the trajectory if and when they are brought into the picture. As a secondary narrative, there are also several alternate routes that can be taken to the goal, some plainly marked and some secret, some noble and some ignoble, that will be either heavily or lightly guarded depending on the cards occupying them. These are possible detours when the main stem of the layout is considered inauspicious, but there may still be complications.
Begin by shuffling the deck while concentrating on the question. Deal ten cards face-up in two parallel rows above a vacant middle region, then ten more cards in an identical pattern below the unpopulated zone. (See the photo.) These cards can be placed randomly in any order as long as you don’t move them after they’re down. Reversals may be used, although I omitted them in the example reading.
For each vertical four-card set, perform a numerical calculation using the face values of the cards (the unnumbered court cards will be “11” through “14”) to derive a “synthesis” card (or “quintessence”) that will always be a trump card. (This may require numerological reduction to come within the range of the 22 trumps, which can be done by: 1) adding together the digits of the total, a method known as “Theosophical reduction;” 2) subtracting increments of nine — or “casting out nines” — from the total; or 3) subtracting increments of 22 from the total, in each case repeating as many times as necessary to come within range. Place the identified trumps in the gap between the pairs of contributing cards.
Read the row of five trumps as the “Exemplary Way” or “Main Artery” for reaching the goal (the “sanctum”) at the “Inner Court” or “heart of the matter.” The two cards above each trump (“Spiritual Inputs”) and the two below (“Secular Inputs”) can be read as additional influences that affect the expression of the trump card from both a transcendent and mundane perspective. Elemental dignities can be used in this supplemental analysis.
If the “Main Artery” is ill-favored, the alternate routes can be examined to determine whether one of them is more conducive to advancement. Pick the one that offers the most straightforward development.
Here is an example reading for a situation that has been commanding my attention for a while now. (Note that I swapped reduction techniques a couple of times to avoid encountering duplicate trumps whenever possible, thus giving me two pairs of “numerological counterparts:” the Hierophant [5] and Temperance [14], and the Hermit [9] and the Moon [18].)
In this spread the “Exemplary Way” holds Strength; Justice; the Hermit; Temperance and the Moon (which as a duplicate I had to import from a second deck). It suggests “coming on strong” physically (Strength is empowered by the two adjacent Earth cards), but being sharply reprimanded for excessive zeal (Justice attended by two Fire cards) and having to take a more humble stance (Hermit) by “walking a fine line” in the situation (Temperance). However, the string of salutary elemental combinations ends “with a whimper” and the Moon as the “sanctum” card is ambiguous; the testimony of the “Main Artery” advises searching for a more uplifting way. Because the “quintessence” path is inconclusive, the formal structure of principle and modifying cards is voided and the new avenue of inquiry stands alone.
Both of the “lower roads” are being closely watched by stern male guardians (the Emperor; the Magician; the Hierophant; the King of Rings [Coins] and the Page of Wands) along with the Moon. Each trail ends in a display of ambitious self-gratification that is more selfish than morally defensible. There doesn’t appear to be much chance of “sneaking in the back door” undetected.
The cards above are a more agreeable lot. The “High Road” suggests a Medieval “passion play:” the 3 of Swords shows that the difficulties are clearly understood if no less daunting; the High Priestess is used to operating at this rarefied level; five gold coins will get her past the postern gate (she isn’t above “greasing the palm” when it suits her); the Page of Swords as her factotum can move about without drawing attention to himself; and the Sun implies a glorious reward for the effort expended once the “inner sanctum” is penetrated by the aspiring Priestess.
The upper “Secret Way” doesn’t have a lot of energy going for it other than the Star, and pursuing it may bring me to a dead end at the point of a sword (specifically, the Ace of Swords). Therefore, the “High Road” is the most honorable path here, and it is the one I should consider my best bet in accomplishing what I want to do.
Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on August 18, 2024.
