Types of Trees found in Tarot:
Two
varieties of Trees are commonly found across Tarot Decks – The Tree which is
known as the “Tree of knowledge” and “The Tree of Life”.
Variations
of the Tree of Knowledge are the “Bodhisattva Tree” (under which Buddha had attained
enlightenment, just as Mahavira, the last Teerthankar, of Jain Philosophy had
meditated under a Tree in the forest to attain enlightenment). In Hindu
folklore, all the teachers and sages of antiquity are shown as sitting under a
tree or in a forest area while giving discourses to their
disciples/students/followers.
The “Tree
of knowledge” contains fruits (mostly five in number – representing the five
senses – and also representing the understanding and choice between good and evil),
depending on which fruit the Querent is most inclined to pick.
On the other hand, “the Tree of Life” bears 12
fruits which represent the twelve signs of the Zodiac. This Tree represents all
the possible choices/decisions which a querent can make/take in his or her journey
through life. This Tree also is an extension to the philosophical or religious leanings (Way of
Life or manner in which the person conducts himself/herself according to these
beliefs) that the querent subscribes to and helps the Querent to understand
his/her interactions in society in general or his/her place in Nature’s broader
scheme of things on a higher level.
The
Kabala Tree of Life symbolically represents the entire philosophy of the
creation of the Universe and, through 22 different pathways, the levels of
achievement/ enlightenment of the human
soul.
Norse
Mythology recognizes the Tree of Life as “Yggdrasil”. Native Americans believed
that trees have much power and energy, because of their size and age. They believed that when one sits under a
Tree, it would transmit energy, peace and tranquility to the person, which
destresses him and reenergizes him to begin anew, with more vitality.
In
Celtic folklore, are mentioned the stories of Oak and Yew trees : “Mag Mugna”
which could give three choice fruits – the acorn, the nut and the apple, its
girth was of 30 cubits, “Eo Mugna” a very tall tree again with a height of
about 300 cubits and a girth of about 30
cubits so large that about 1000 persons could take shelter under its shade and
“Eo Rossa” a Yew tree of similar virtue.
Even the
Celtic ancient language “Ogham” consisted of representations from various trees
: three groups consisting of 8 chieftain trees (alder, oak , hazel, vine, ivy,
sloe, furze, heath), 8 Peasant trees ( birch, quicken, willow, ash, whitethorn,
whin , apple) and eight shrub trees.
Thus, trees represented the vowels and consonants of the Ogham and were held sacred by the Celts
as reservoirs of ancient memory and harbingers of prosperity.
Archetypal characteristics of Trees:
Trees
have their roots firmly planted deep in the Earth and their branches extend
upwards towards the sky, symbolizing our link/connection to the Universe. They,
thus depict our inner selves which are constantly striving through the humdrum
of daily life to find its place in/connect with the Universe.
It is
also well known that trees breathe carbon dioxide and expel oxygen into the
atmosphere, while human and animal life is dependent on breathing oxygen. Thus,
Trees and Humans and animals have a symbiotic relationship with one other.
Shelter,
regeneration and strength are all traits of a Tree. Certain interpretations can
be drawn in Tarot from the type of Tree. For example, an evergreen tree can be
seen as representing something which is everlasting or permanent say, a job,
marriage or relationship etc.
Trees
also symbolize new growth and/or stages of life and death.
In Tarot:
The following are a few examples of
cards in Tarot which have Tree symbolisms.
In addition, trees may be found on random other cards depending on how
the Tarot Card designer intends to convey the meaning of trees. After a brief
description of some of these cards, I have placed illustrations with the
specific meaning of individual cards, to enable easy understanding of various
interpretations:
Two of Wands:
On
several Decks the two of Wands represented by two trees standing on a Hilltop.
The trees represent potential growth – both material and spiritual.
The road
upto the hill interspersed by bushes, foliage, does not present a clear path
for the Querent, because beyond those trees there are infinite possibilities. As
the querent cannot see what lies beyond the trees in the short term, he/she has
to choose the path very carefully and rely upon past experience, gut
feeling/instincts and judicious advice.
There is an urgent need to proceed
forward with a clear focus/vision as twos, as a trait, present duality or two
choices or two directions, one of which the querent must choose. He has to
decide whether to continue on the same path or choose the other one.
Twos
also suggest originality of decision making and the power to make a choice upon
which others are looking upon for the querent to make, say which of two jobs to
opt for, which of two persons to marry or choose as a life partner, whether to
stay in one’s domestic country or to go abroad etc. The decision taken now may
therefore, indicate a changed life-style, changed relationship, changed working
environment etc.
In the Elemental Tarot, this card is the “Two of Fire” (Wands). It is
titled “Flame” and at the bottom is mentioned “Ishtar”, the Mesopotamian
Goddess of Love.
In the background, two figures are racing
towards a young tree with two leaves, indicating the potential for growth. The
striped trunk is in the shape of a ladder representing aspirations and
ambitions of the two men as they race for climbing the ladder towards their
goals and success and be a part of the Tree’s perceived growth. A young woman
watches them in the foreground as if waiting to see which of the two men would
succeed in climbing the tree before making her choice on which one to join in
the business venture or marriage.
On the
other hand, a reversal of the two of Wands indicates postponement of taking the
choice which prolongs the period of uncertainty and stagnation both for the
Querent as well as the affected persons.
The Hanged Man:
The
Hanged Man is normally shown as hanging by one foot on a cross or a Tree. His
other leg is free and he rests it by bending it and placing it on the leg which
is thus strung up in an inverted “4”. His demeanour is one of a person in a
state of immobility rather than one who is in a state of discomfort. His hands
may be depicted as bound or free.
It is said that the Major Arcana (the 22 paths
which the Fool “or the Seeker” must tread in a lifetime), which is the journey
of the “Fool’s” life experiences, the Fool intent on finding a spiritual
meaning to his life’s mission, climbs a tree during his spiritual path, falls
down from a branch, entangles one foot in one of the branches and hangs upside
down unable to free himself loose.
In some
decks, coins fall out of his pocket while he is hanging upside down, indicating
that several expenses are devolving on him in his spiritual search, yet he does
not appear to attain his goals/desires, and can do nothing but to wait and
reflect/meditate on his present situation, gain from his experience and come
out of it a better and more experienced person. He is now able to find a
connection between the humdrum of daily life and his spiritual path and handle
his affairs more stoically and calmly, with an inner strength which he has
discovered within himself during this period.
In the Rider Waite Tarot, we see
an archetypal representation of the Hanged Man as described above, hanging
upside down from a cross made out of trees. He has a peaceful look on his face, content with his
present predicament as he has resigned himself to his present condition,
nevertheless looking forward to what the future holds for him with hope and
expectations.
He seems to have chosen the path of sacrifice so as to attain a
higher goal through meditation and positive planning and thinking. In other
words, he has sacrificed instant gratification for achieving a higher goal. It
is also a time for introspection for him whether he is leading a balanced life.
From the Tree he learns on how to keep his equanimity and ever strive to attain
higher goals, just as the tree grows upwards.
In the Elemental Tarot, the Hanged Man is suspended by one foot
tied to a cord between two trees. It is bright and sunny above the cord and
dark below it – the two shades representing the negative and positive sides on
which the Hanged man is required to ponder. He learns from the two trees that
no matter how dark and difficult the circumstances may seem, there is a silver
lining and ultimately, he will achieve his aspirations, provided he is willing
to replan and whole-heartedly pursue his goals.The key word that guides him in his contemplation is "Sacrifice" .
The Four of Cups:
Fours
represent the first solids as we move up the suit of the minor Arcana and
represent structure. The querent is bound by the structure presented by the
solid and can mean stability and dullness for him.
Trees are symbolically
deep-rooted, ( bound by structure and immobility (which the Querent is
experiencing), yet reaching out to the highest levels/elevations, literally the
sky, suggesting that for the querent “the sky is the limit” provided he taps
his inner resources carefully and systematically.
The Four
of Cups Card in the Waite Tarot shows a man sitting under the “Tree of
Knowledge” contemplating his destiny away from the humdrum of social life. Four
choices appear before him – three cups lying before him represent the
attractions of the World and the one appearing from behind a cloud represents
the attraction of the spirit and the inner self. Riddled with a time of uncertainty, he must
choose his future direction under the Tree .
The Lovers:
The Lovers card usually may
have an angel , a man and a woman or even a man standing between two women.
In the
Rider Waite Tarot, “Adam and Eve” are symbolized with one apple tree with
fruits in the picture along with a snake. The five apples on the tree behind
the woman represent the five senses. The snake is also a symbol of the senses
and here represents a tempter.
The Hindu concepts of “Maya” which indicates the
illusory nature of the material World (represented by the tree behind the
woman) and “Moh”, (represented by the tree behind the man) the desires and temptation
to nevertheless acquire possessions or wealth in the material World.
On the
other hand the “flaming tree” behind the man, represents the fires of passion
that burn within each of us and can cause spiritual imbalance in our lives if
we allow them to lead us astray. Both trees give the querent a vital lesson of
life, that of choosing between the “Good” or “Evil”.
The Card
also indicates that if a man is
contemplating marriage or planning to settle down, a woman will meet him
shortly or has already met him and their relationship will prosper and bear
positive results (just as the tree behind the woman is bearing fruits).
In the
Elemental Tarot, "The Lovers' card is called “Choice/Passion”. Here a young couple
stands with a tree between them having 12 branches with several fruits, indicating the multiplicity
of choices available to both of them as well as the potential results. The tree
trunk is in the shape of a striped ladder symbolizing acent or descent or
success or failure of their relationship. A red figure of a man standing behind the tree
represents a tempter. The right path has to be chosen by the couple, to achieve
their aspirations and make their venture a success.
Some
variations of this symbolism can include a flowering tree ( indicating the path
the querent wants/plans to follow but it is still in the initial stages of
planning to get out of the stability and dullness which dogs him).
The High Priestess:
The above is an image of the High Priestess in the Rider Waite Tarot.
Although
we see no trees on this Card generally, the High Priestess is herself
symbolically the “Tree of Life” (or the Principle of Life). She is considered
to be the central pillar of the three pillars in the Kaballah “Tree of Life”.
She holds the “Law” in her lap and presents herself as a Guardian of the portal
of life.
She provides the balance between the dark forces (night) and the light
(day) represented by the two pillars behind her on either side.
Everyone has to
cross the portals of life/knowledge only through her permission which is only
accorded when you are ready for assimilating the secrets of your life’s
journeys by balancing the inherent opposites in human nature.
The High
Priestess in the Elemental Tarot is transformed into the “Virgin” (a young
inexperienced woman herself).
She seems to have got lost in the Woods
(representing the trials and tribulations of life), has pricked a finger on a
thorny rosebud held in her hand (due to her inexperience), her hair is hanging
loose (release of unconscious emotions), in her desperation, she has forgotten
to read the book lying with its pages upturned in the wind, which may have
perhaps got her out of her predicament (learning from life’s experiences).
Yet she
has the protection of ten great trees which have sheltered her as she sleeps
(the guardians, trusted friends, colleagues, family and Nature itself). Below
her is mentioned the word “Receptivity” which she has in abundance and is
willing to learn from the environment and the great trees of "Knowledge" and "Life"
to guide her for she trusts them to
protect her while she sleeps.
The Fool:
This
card is called “Potential” in the Elemental Tarot. The Fool stands beneath a “Tree
of Knowledge” on an isolated island (symbolizing individuality, isolation and
safety) and looks up at the fruits borne by the tree (representing the symbols
of the five elements) . The branches indicate multiple choices available before
him in whichever field he chooses, but there is a condition, the Tree of
Knowledge sets before him , he must choose wisely and with careful knowledge,
so as to be successful in his goals.
Eight of Pentacles or Coins:
The Eight
of Pentacles or Coins is called “Mountain” in the Elemental Tarot. It shows a
figure in the foreground and two young palm trees growing on the distant hard rock
solid foundation on cubes on either side of him representing the rewards of his
hard labours.
Four gold coins each on either side of him represent the
manifestation of his material success and achievement. Below him is mentioned “Tai-yueh-Ta-Ti” (an
ancient Chinese Emperor).
The Knight of Pentacles:
The
Knight of Pentacles or Coins in the Elemental Tarot has been replaced by the “Daughter
of Earth”. She is shown here with a male partner, holding the sun in her hands
(capability to do anything under the Sun). A strong upright palm grows between
them, indicating the result of their hard work.
Below them is mentioned “Affaterim”
(The moon in Winter).
Five of Coins or Pentacles:
In the Elemental Tarot, the Five
of Pentacles or Coins has been replaced by the “ Quake”. A lonely woman sits brooding
over the loss of a dead plant in her hands, oblivious to the fact that a full
grown palm tree behind her is providing her shelter.
She sits on a cube
enclosing a five-pointed star (indicating change). Beneath her is the World
which lies before her with all its opportunities.
She only needs to look up
instead of downwards, and embrace the opportunities provided by the “Tree of
Life”under which she sits. Below her is mentioned “Ushas” (which is the name of
the Hindu Goddess of Dawn).
Queen of Wands:
The
Queen of Pentacles in the Elemental Tarot is called the “Mother of Fire”. She
sits calmly and wears the solar collar of authority and power. Behind her is a
giant pyramid forming a triangle of Fire. Nevertheless around the fiery
pyramids, four palm trees two on either side are growing. The palm trees
represent the fruits of germination of an idea which has been cautiously and
carefully implemented to fruition. Below her is mentioned the word “Festativi”
(The earth in Summer).
