The Hermetic Tarot
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The Hermetic Tarot by Godfrey Dowson is a masterpiece that
beckons tarot practitioners to explore the full spectrum of spiritual
divinatory work. Unlike many other decks, the Hermetic Tarot doesn’t merely
replicate the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) imagery; it delves into alchemical and
astrological references, making it a unique and powerful tool for
introspection.
Artistic Recreation of Esoteric Origins
1.
Origins: The Hermetic Tarot is
an artistic recreation of a mysterious, esoteric deck attributed to Mathers,
a member of the Order of the Golden Dawn.
2.
Black and White: The deck is
black and white only, but its highly detailed illustrations captivate the eye.
Each of the 78 cards is a canvas of
symbolism waiting to be explored.
Alchemical and Astrological Focus
1.
Golden Dawn Influence: As a
Golden Dawn study deck, the Hermetic Tarot’s card images are fundamentally
focused on alchemical and astrological
references.
2.
Elemental Dignities: Dowson
draws heavily from elemental dignities, Western astrology as interpreted by the
Golden Dawn, and the Qabalah.
3.
Symbolic Embeddings: Each card
features corresponding alchemical symbols for the four elements and
astrological symbols. For example:
o
In the Major Arcana,
the Key’s corresponding Hebrew letter appears on the
top left corner.
o
In the court cards,
the alchemical symbol corresponding with the classical element that the card
represents appears on the top left, and the symbol for the element
corresponding with the suit appears on the top right.
Practical Considerations
1.
Reading with Reversals: The
backs of the cards are illustrated with the Hermetic Rose
and hexagrams. While they are non-reversible, the
accompanying little white booklet provides
meanings for the cards in the “ill-dignified” position, suggesting that the
deck is intended for reading with reversals.
2.
RWS Compatibility: The Hermetic
Tarot’s anatomy aligns with the RWS, and many card meanings are transferrable.
Some imagery even echoes the Thoth Tarot, bridging different tarot traditions.
In summary, the Hermetic Tarot invites us to explore the mystical and
transformative aspects of the tarot. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or
a curious seeker, this deck offers a rich tapestry of symbolism to unravel on
your spiritual journey.
https://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/hermetic/