08/05/2024
Great info!
In the we can read a deep level of the cards using what are called elemental dignities.
We reduce each card to one of the four elements; fire, air, water or earth, and compare pairs of cards.
The relationship of the two elements is considered as strengthening or weakening the significance of the cards.
A simple example would be two “fire” cards such as Wands would strengthen each other, likely for the worst, like a fire getting out of hand.
We can also read any card by looking at the pair of cards either side of it and considering how their relationship modifies the middle card.
In the illustration we have a WATER card between two FIRE cards.
We consider that the Fire cards get on, er, like a house on fire, so they strengthen each other.
But Fire is opposite to Water and weakens it, so their combination has a significant impact on the water, weakening it.
Imagine it is like fire turning water into steam, making it expand into a gas, lighter and more diffuse, easier to expand.
In our illustration, the impetuous fiery character of the Page of Wands combines with the strong opposition of the Nine of Wands.
Rather than being an absolute “downer” on the abundance and celebration of the Three of Cups, they weaken it by adding a fiery atmosphere.
Imagine a party where things seem likely to ignite at any moment, where some people are having to force a smile or more.
It could be a torrid gathering or an opportunity for abundance given with gritted teeth or with a side of reckless risk.
It might be more literally you’ve invited two people who have a hot take against each other to the same otherwise happy gathering.
When we consider the elemental aspects at play with each other, we get to read the undercurrent or general mood of the cards.