AUTHOR’S NOTE: In astrology there are three modalities (aka quadruplicities*) of four signs each, Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable, with one set of three in each of the four quadrants of the “natural” (or Aries-rising) horoscope. In one model, the Cardinal signs at the beginning of the quadrants convey “initiation,” the Fixed signs in the middle display “establishment” and the Mutable signs at the end deliver “crystallization” or “preservation” that is only temporary before the cycle repeats in the next quadrant. This scheme is carried out in the Golden Dawn’s “Chaldean” wheel of tarot-card correspondences.

In tarot terms, the Twos, Threes and Fours of the Minor Arcana are tied to the Cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, each card embracing one of the seven “classical” planets. The Fives, Sixes and Sevens are linked to the Fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, each card with an assigned planet. The Eights, Nines and Tens correspond to the Mutable signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces, along with the associated planetary “passengers.” The order of the planets is repeated in five sets of seven, with Mars receiving a “double-bump” in the last decan of Pisces to total 36. In all cases, the related signs and the on-board planets color the nature of the card’s interpretation if one chooses to use occult attributions. Personally, I find them to be useful supplements to my standard definitions.

The Sun energizes and illuminates everything it touches, so the 3 of Wands (Cardinal Aries), the 10 of Swords (Mutable Gemini), the 8 of Disks (Mutable Virgo), the 6 of Cups (Fixed Scorpio) and the 4 of Disks (Cardinal Capricorn) all benefit from its rays. (As always, this stimulus can applied to fair or foul ends depending on the nature of the card involved since the action of the planets is inherently amoral.)

The Moon imparts mystical depth and nuance to its associated cards, the 6 of Disks (Fixed Taurus), the 4 of Cups (Cardinal Cancer), the 2 of Swords (Cardinal Libra), the 9 of Wands (Mutable Sagittarius) and the 7 of Swords (Fixed Aquarius). Interpretation of the Moon is inconsistent across different metaphysical disciplines, variously meaning nurture, emotional well-being, public interaction and unconscious urges; here I’m relying on its esoteric symbolism.

Mercury brings mental agility and rigor into the equation, motivating the 5 of Disks (Fixed Taurus), the 3 of Cups (Cardinal Cancer), the 10 of Disks (Mutable Virgo), the 8 of Wands (Mutable Sagittarius) and the 6 of Swords (Fixed Aquarius). Mercury is neither sentimental nor meticulously ethical in its operation.

Venus bestows kindness and sensitivity upon the 4 of Wands (Aries), the 2 of Cups (Cancer), the 9 of Disks (Virgo), the 7 of Cups (Scorpio) and the 5 of Swords (Aquarius). The traditional values of “love and harmony” can be hard to find in some of these cards, so alternate meanings of venality and jealousy may pertain in some instances.

Mars delivers a sense of urgency to matters within its purview, inflaming the passions of the 2 of Wands (Cardinal Aries), the 9 of Swords (Mutable Gemini), the 7 of Wands (Fixed Leo), the 5 of Cups (Fixed Scorpio), the 3 of Disks (Cardinal Capricorn) and the 10 of Cups (Mutable Pisces). Mars wields its trademark “act first, think later” force of will without flinching.

Jupiter invokes a fair-minded and even-handed sense of justice in the 8 of Swords (Mutable Gemini), the 6 of Wands (Fixed Leo), the 4 of Swords (Cardinal Libra), the 2 of Disks (Cardinal Capricorn) and the 9 of Cups (Mutable Pisces). Jupiter takes the broad view and may be benignly neglectful of the details.

Saturn instills a powerful sense of purpose and tenacity in the 7 of Disks (Fixed Taurus), the 5 of Wands (Fixed Leo), the 3 of Swords (Cardinal Libra), the 10 of Wands (Mutable Sagittarius) and the 8 of Cups (Mutable Pisces). For good or ill, there is “staying power.”

It must be acknowledged that not all of the signs, decans and elements present the resident planet in its best light, and the cards don’t always accommodate its energy with grace and precision, so things can get messy, But they all receive the specified influence in full measure to do with as they please. Sometimes that makes for an uncomfortable relationship between mission (sign/decan), motivation (planet) and morality (card).

For example, the 8 of Swords is a “bad actor” but Gemini is noncommittal about its misbehavior while Jupiter cheers it on with boundless enthusiasm and little regard for inconvenient truths, which can be lost in the shuffle or swept under the rug. (Jupiter and Gemini are not on especially friendly terms since one is easygoing to a fault while the other can be nervously irritable, much like TV’s “Odd Couple.”) The 5 of Wands just wants to bust some heads, but Saturn has it by the scruff of the neck, scolding “Not so fast! Find the range before you start swinging.” (Saturn and Leo combined can be sternly autocratic.) If the decan can be said to represent the “venue” and the card signifies the “program,” the planet would be the “gatekeeper,” the “usher” and the “bouncer” rolled into one.

*The language can be confusing since there are three “quadriplicities” including four signs of each of the three modes, Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable, and four “triplicities” involving three signs of each of the four elements, Fire, Water, Air and Earth. It may be helpful to think of them as “three-over-four” and “four-over-three,” in each instance totaling twelve.