THE EXHALTATONS OF THE PLANETS IN THE TAROT

Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2003

Subject: [tarotsalon] Exaltations in Tarot

Christine,

You asked me once about my views on the place of astrology in Tarot. The question came up when I was wondering about the scarf and apron worn by XIII. I had made reference to Scorpio, specifically the Moon Mansions known as the crown, heart, and tail of Scorpio. I see now in Kabbalah there are also the claws: 

 

Alcibene, the Claws: 12.51 Libra to 25.43 Libra (Kabbalist: Aiah)

Archil, the Crown: 25.43 Libra to 08.34 Scorpio 

Alchalb, the Heart: 08.34 Scorpio to 21.26 Scorpio

Axala, the Tail: 21.26 Scorpio to 04.17 Sagittarius.

 

One of the more interesting aspects of astrology for me has been the ancient assignation of houses of exaltation for the planets. Much of this information is, I am told, yet to be translated from the Arabic or Latin texts of the wise ones. But, from what little I could gather, exaltations, among other things, are said to be the original position of the planets on the Day of Creation. (My guess is that God created Mercury first, so She would have somewhere to stand, thus Mercury is exalted in Virgo, where it also has rulership.) In the Tarot there is an interesting possibility for the application of exaltations when we look at La Papessa.

The High Priestess is associated with the Moon, which has rulership in Cancer and is exalted in Taurus. 

 

Taurus is ruled by Venus, which is exalted in Pisces. 

 

Pisces is ruled by Jupiter, which is exalted in Cancer. If you are a lover of dovetailing correspondences, as am I, we can see that the possibilities here for elucidation are extremely potent. 

 

The Sun is, of course, exalted in Aries. 

 

And impatient Mercury also deigns, exultantly in Virgo, to share rulership with Gemini. 

Warm regards,

Peter