AUTHOR’S NOTE: I realize that the title is misleading. This essay is not about the practice of ritual magic, nor is it a discussion of divination with the I Ching. I’m always looking for a reason to drag out my copy of Anthony Clark’s I Ching Pack with the hexagrams on the cards, and I just found out that Lon Milo DuQuette’s Tarot of Ceremonial Magick also has hexagrams on its court cards. It seemed natural to put the two together in a visual tableau. Some of the images are remarkably similar; most are not (except perhaps for the posture and facing of the figures).

The hexagram numbers on the court cards were derived from DuQuette’s Tarot Architect and they are identical to those mentioned in Aleister Crowley’s Book of Thoth, while the hexagram titles came from Richard Gill’s companion book to the I Ching Pack and the condensed “Judgements” (in parentheses) were paraphrased from the Wilhelm/Baynes translation of the Book of Changes. (I took some liberties in editing them for clarity of intent by borrowing details from the commentary on each one, particularly when deciphering what the ubiquitous and occasionally cryptic “perseverance” and “furthering” might mean.)

I have no idea how (or even if) this can be used in a practical way, but contemplation of the pairs could lead to some meditative insights on their combined meaning. It’s another example of the kind of metaphysical syncretism I enjoy bringing to bear on the tarot. (I have a much larger experimental table compiled by two Russian occultists that assigns hexagrams to most of the 78 cards, but it doesn’t agree with Crowley and DuQuette regarding the court cards.)

Knight of Wands: 51 – Turbulence (Arousal spurs action that brings success. Composure – profound inner seriousness – safeguards against external shock and terror.)
Queen of Wands: 17 – Following (Kind consideration inspires a loyal following. Supreme success comes with perseverance, as in “staying the course.”)
Prince of Wands: 42 – Expansion (Increase due to sacrifice of the higher to the benefit of the lower generates gratitude. It furthers one to undertake something.)
Princess of Wands: 27 – Seeking Nourishment (Perseverance in feeding and cultivating one’s superior nature brings good fortune. Pay heed to both the seeking and providing of physical and spiritual sustenance.)

Knight of Cups: 54 – Planning a Marriage (Undertakings bring misfortune. Nothing that would further.)
Queen of Cups: 58 – Truth (The joy and gentleness of inner firmness and strength. Perseverance in the pursuit of fairness and good will is favorable for success.)
Prince of Cups: 61 – Serenity Within (The right approach yields good fortune. Perseverance furthers steadfastness in surmounting obstacles.)
Princess of Cups: 41 – Reduction (Decrease combined with sincerity brings about supreme good fortune through embracing simplicity. It furthers one to undertake something.)

Knight of Swords: 32 – Loyalty (Duration as the persistence of inner and outer harmony; such perseverance furthers success. It benefits one to have somewhere to go.)
Queen of Swords: 28 – Excessive Weight (Preponderance of the great. The load is too heavy and there is a risk of collapse. Immediate corrective action promises success.)
Prince of Swords: 57 – Dedication (Success can be achieved through what is small when it is aligned with a greater power. Seek a “great man” [perhaps a mentor] who will respect and support one’s dedication.)
Princess of Swords: 18 – Repairing the Damage (Work on what has been spoiled achieves supreme success.)

Knight of Disks: 62 – Safety in Smallness (Success in small things. It is not well to strive upward. It is well to remain below. Small things may be done; great things should not be done.)
Queen of Disks: 31 – Attraction (Influence over others promotes success. Perseverance banishes the superficiality of idle inducements and furthers joint satisfaction.)
Prince of Disks: 53 – Growing Slowly (Gradual development brings good fortune.)
Princess of Disks: 52 – Stillness (Keeping still achieves a quiet heart. No blame.)