Tarot Groups

In Lesson 2 you were told that the Tarot Keys can be combined in 112 different groups of nine Keys, each group containing nine cards numbered consecutively. This does not include the various possible “magic arrangements” such as we have been using in this course. In every group the numbers of the cards follow a certain natural order. The 112 combinations fall into eight groups of 14 combinations each. As given in the tables below, the first combination is the key to all the others in that group, as will be seen from inspecting the tables. No two arrangements are the same, and all represent slightly different shades of meaning.¶

As there are fourteen arrangements in each group, it is possible to use two each day for eight full weeks. One arrangement should be set up for the morning meditation, and the other should be used just before retiring. Here is material for your occult diary. See what you can do in the way of writing out meditations similar to those you have been receiving in this course.¶

You have by no means yet exhausted the possibilities of the Tarot. Just remember that there are no less than 1,124,000,727,777,607,680,000 possible arrangements of the twenty-two major trumps. To all intents and purposes, an infinite number of combinations. And every different arrangement has its own particular effect upon subconsciousness. This tremendous figure, moreover, indicates merely the number of possible ways in which all twenty-two Keys may be arranged. It would be practically impossible to reckon the various combinations that could be made by various subdivision of the major trumps.¶

Just as Tarot is infinite in its combinations, so are there innumerable ways to make use of it. The emphasis, up to now, has been upon yourself. It has been the aim of the courses of instruction concluded by this lesson, to put you in possession of the fundamental knowledge requisite for intelligent self-direction.¶

If you have worked persistently and faithfully with the material that has been put into your hands, you are quite another personality than when you first began this undertaking. New vistas have opened out before you. New experiences have come your way. Ideas which would have been hard for you to grasp have been made easier for you to comprehend. Changes have been made in your mentality, and transformations have been made in your body-chemistry. You are now better equipped to be of service to humanity.¶

If you have fallen behind in your occult diary bring it up to date by writing a summary of your present understanding of Tarot. Say what you have found of value in the study. Note any changes of consciousness it may have brought you. And be sure to include a statement of what you think the Tarot philosophy indicates as to the place which is taken in the world-order by enlightened men and women.¶

You may not see just why this last statement is required, but it is really very important. The Inner School invented Tarot to assist its members and others in the work which leads to the realization that one has a very definite place in the cosmic scheme of administration. Thus our work together has necessarily the same objective, and it is important that there be some record of your present understanding of the matter.¶