             Lesson Five:
           The Suit of Coins

THE cards of this suit correspond to the final letter of IHVH, to the
material world of objective forms, and to the element Earth. As the
things of this lowest of the four Qabalistic worlds have money-value,
Coins represent that value, as do the Diamonds of ordinary
playing-cards.  In the esoteric Tarot this suit is named Pentacles,
from the circular wax or metal plate, engraved with the sigils and
names used in an operation of ceremonial magic. In the Knapp Tarot each
card of the Coins suit bears a cube, the Pythagorean symbol of the
material world.


Ace of Coins

On the face of the small cube is a double vesica pisces, which also
resembles the mathematical symbol of infinity and rhythmic whirling
motion, the horizontal figure 8. This refers to the Qabalistic idea
that physical form is the result of a series of whirling motions
originating in the Primal Will--an idea practically the same as that to
which modern physicists have been led by their investigations into the
constitution of matter. The connection of the Ace of Coins with the
Hebrew ideas relating to the Divine Number 1 is shown by the crown over
the upper point of the pentagram, or five-pointed star.  Behind the
pentagram is a glory composed of forty rays, suggesting the operation
of the ten Divine Numbers in the four Qabalistic worlds; and intimating
also that the solidest physical forms are manifestations of the
whirling motion of radiant energy. Of this motion the pentagram itself
is another symbol, and its employment in various magical operations is
based upon mathematical formulas directly connected with the figure
itself, which formulas lead to mental control of the currents of the
Astral Light.

Time period

From the beginning of the sign Capricorn to the end of Pisces, from
December 22nd to March 20th.

Occult title

The root of the powers of earth.

Meanings

The power of will as expressed on the physical plane. Materiality in
all its phases, whether good or evil.  "The thing's that are Caesar's".
The power of the world-illusion. Material gain, wealth, contentment,
and the things, conditions, works, and so on, which contribute to such
gain.

Keyword

Materiality.


Two of Coins

On the face of the cube, surrounding a pentagram, is a zodiacal wheel,
corresponding to the Qabalistic attribution of the Sphere of the Zodiac
to the Divine Number 2. The faces on the two coins suggest polarity,
for one is male and the other is female.

Time period

First decanate of Capricorn, from December 22nd to December 31st, under
the rulership of Saturn.

Meanings

Harmony in the midst of change, alternation of gain and loss; change of
occupation; travel in quest of wealth; ups and downs of fortune; a
visit to friends.

Ill-dignified

It intimates discontent, foolishness in the management of resources,
restricted condition of material affairs due to bad management; the
Querent is probably too talkative and too suspicious. He is kind, but
inconsistent, and should avoid arguments.

Keyword

Fluctuation.


Three of Coins

On the face of the cube is the symbol of Saturn, for among the Divine
Numbers, 3 is called the Sphere of Saturn. Note that here, as in the
succeeding numbers, up to and including 9, we are dealing with the
spheres of planetary action, not with the planets themselves. The
sphere of a person's activity is in the field in which he works.
Similarly, the sphere of a planet's activity is the field of that
planet's operation.  Numerologists, and others accustomed to using
other numbers for the planets, should remember that we have very
ancient authority for these attributions. See Eliphas Levi's Dogma and
Ritual of Transcendental Magic, Henry Cornelius Agrippa's Natural
Magic, Knorr von Rosenroth's Kabbala Denudata, and other standard works
on occultism. In the Knapp Tarot the evil hexagram, with the black
triangle upward, is part of the symbolism, but it does not agree with
the meanings of the card.

Time period

The second decanate of Capricorn, under the rulership of Venus, from
January 1st to 10th.

Well-dignified

Construction; increase, growth; financial gain; the building up of
favorable conditions; gain in commercial transactions; rank or prestige
in vocation or business; beginning of matters to be perfected later.

Ill-dignified

Selfishness; cleverness in business, but lack of scruples; narrow and
prejudiced; too much ambition.

Keyword

Constructiveness.


Four of Coins

On the cube is the symbol of Jupiter, for among the Divine Numbers 4
represents the Sphere of Jupiter.

Time period

Third decanate of Capricorn, under the rulership of Mercury, from
January 11th to 19th.

Well-dignified

Opportunities for public service; an acute, sharp, penetrating, tactful
temperament; economy in the arrangement of material affairs; activity
in money-matters.

Ill-dignified

Dangers to reputation; troubles through changes not carefully
considered; desire for money, but unwisdom in its management; the
Querent will meet with sharp criticism.

Keyword

Management.


Five of Coins

On the cube is the symbol of Mars, for among the Divine Numbers, 5 is
the Sphere of Mars.

Time period

First decanate of Taurus, under the rulership of Venus, from April 20th
to April 29th.

Well-dignified

Labor, toil, the cultivation of the land; building, and plans
concerning it; some anxiety over money.

Ill-dignified

Toil unrewarded; loss of money; poverty; trouble for the Querent
through lack of imagination and foresight.

Keyword

Uncertainty; material trouble.


Six of Coins

The symbol of Sol on the cube alludes to the attribution of the Sphere
of the Sun to the Divine Number 6.

Time period

Second decanate of Taurus, under the rulership of Mercury, from April
30th to May 9th.

Well-dignified

Practicality and determination; discretion and diplomacy; gain by
letters, writing, speaking, travel, teaching, commissions, and through
advertising, study, books, and all things ruled by Mercury.

Ill-dignified

Loss through the same things.

Keyword

Prosperity.


Seven of Coins

The symbol of Venus alludes to the attribution of the Sphere of Venus
to the Divine Number 7.

Time period

Third decanate of Taurus, under the rulership of Saturn, May 10th to
May 20th.

Well-dignified

Slight gains, but of small account; much labor for small returns.

Ill-dignified

Something promising turns out badly; loss in speculation and
unprofitable employment; financial restriction; unrealized hopes and
wishes.

Keyword

Loss.


Eight of Coins

The symbol of Mercury on the cube refers to the Sphere of Mercury.

Time period

the first decanate of Virgo, under the rulership of Mercury, from
August 23rd to September 1st.

Well-dignified

Skill in the management of material affairs; industry; gain in
subordinate positions, through writings, clerical work or travel; gain
of ready money in small sums.

Ill-dignified

This card signifies avarice and hoarding; penny wisdom and pound
foolishness; meanness in money matters; loss through travel or
writings; the Querent is likely to be in difficulties with superiors
and also with inferiors; he may lose through trying to overreach
somebody else.

Keyword

Prudence.


Nine of Coins

The lunar crescent refers to 9 as Sphere of the Moon.

Time period

Second decanate of Virgo, under rulership of Saturn, from September 2nd
to September 11th.

Well-dignified

Reserve, discretion, caution, frugality; some worries over money-
matters, because of slow maturing of plans; gain through careful
investment.

Ill-dignified

Discouragement, troubles through theft and knavery. Occasionally, when
this card is especially Well- dignified, and other cards in the layout
confirm it, this represents inheritance, material gain, and much
increase of goods, corresponding to the positive meaning of Saturn in
Capricorn.

Keyword

Harvest.


Ten of Coins

The symbol on the face of the cube is a synthesis of the alchemical
emblems of the four elements, corresponding to the attribution of The
Sphere of the Elements to the Divine Number 10.

Time period

Third decanate of Virgo, under the rulership of Venus, from September
12th to September 22nd.

Well-dignified

Money through servants or subordinates; gain in matters connected with
medicine, drugs, food, nursing, farming or gardening; completion in
material gain and fortune, but nothing beyond.

Ill-dignified

Material success, but heaviness and dulness of mind; sometimes loss
through servants or subordinates; slothfulness.

Keyword

Wealth.


King of Coins

The Yod on the cube has the same meaning as on the other Kings.

Time period

From beginning of the last decanate of Sagittarius to end of second
decanate of Capricorn, from December 12th to January 10th. This period
combines the rulerships of the Sun, Saturn and Venus.

Well-dignified

A dark man, friendly to Querent, practical, steady, reliable. Good at
practical application. Things prosper and increase under his direction.
Slow to anger, but furious when aroused.

Ill-dignified

Selfish, animal, material. Has great power of solidifying all evil
forces directed against the projects of the Querent; but is
nevertheless somewhat stupid.

Appearance

Dark hair and dark eyes.


Queen of Coins

The visica piscis on the cube corresponds to the letter H of IHVH.

Time period

From beginning of last decanate of Aries to end of second decanate of
Taurus, from April 10th to May 9th.  This period is under the
rulerships of Jupiter, Venus and Mercury.

Meanings

A generous, somewhat ceremonious, great-hearted, charming, and graceful
woman. Probably possessed of considerable means, and friendly to
Querent.

Ill-dignified

Ostentatious, not too nice in morals, capricious, changeable,
superficial.  Likely to do Querent harm through foolish talk, exposure
of his plans, etc.

Appearance

Dark hair and dark eyes.


Warrior of Coins

The ankh on the cube refers to the letter Vau of IHVH.

Time period

From beginning of third decanate of Leo to end of second decanate of
Virgo, from August 13th to September 11th. This period is under the
rulerships of Mars, Mercury and Saturn.

Meanings

A younger man than the King.  Effective in action, with some power of
command; good mind; but somewhat heavy and matter-of-fact. Not original
or imaginative, but good at carrying out any plan that calls for
intelligent action on the physical plane.

Ill-dignified

Avaricious, mean, jealous, somewhat violent, and cruel.

Appearance

Dark-brown hair, dark eyes.


Servant of Coins

The symbolism of this card suggests bondage to material conditions, but
aspiration to higher things. the time-period is the same as that
governed by the Ace of Coins, or the three signs of the winter quarter,
ruled by Saturn, Uranus, and Jupiter- Neptune.

Meanings

A young person, or either sex.

Well-dignified

Has good sense in all practical matters, is friendly to Querent and
friendly in disposition generally, probably with some leaning to the
occult, or a touch of the psychic in the make-up. Generous, diligent,
compassionate.

Ill-dignified

Unfriendly, dull, wasteful, thoughtless, self-centered, and if
interested in the occult is so only for the sake of furthering selfish
ends.

Appearance

Dark eyes and rich brown hair.


Practice Work

Continue the practice of last week.  But now read the cards of all four
suits. In order to develop skill in interpretation read the first heap
as representing the morning, the middle heap as representing the
afternoon, and the third heap as representing the evening. For this
practice it is not necessary to formulate a question.

Keep a record of each morning's layout, and check the day's events to
see how close you came to what actually occurs. If more convenient, the
layout may be made at night. The main point is to record it and check
it.

