The “symbol of infinity”
is also called the “Lemniscate” (meaning “adorned with ribbons”). It normally refers to the destination of
certain closed curves having a resemblance to the figure “8” turned on its side.
This symbol is seen in several
Tarot decks in the “Magician” and the “Strength” cards – Strength being the
octave of the Magician card. In addition, this symbol is also seen on many
“World” (representing the perpetual motion of the Earth in the Universe and how
it may affect the querent) and the “2 of Pentacles/Coins” Cards.
The symbol is a kind of
geometrical representation depicting the perpetual motion/interaction of Energy
and Matter and their indestructibility. The English term “infinity” has been
derived from the Latin term “infinitas” which is translated as unboundedness”.
The origins/concept of
infinity can be traced to the times of Zeno of Elea (490 – 430 BCE), a
pre-Socratic Greek philosopher of Southern Italy, best known for his paradoxes.
Aristotle, Euclid, Archimedes et al were familiar with the term “infinity” and
had their own concepts/understanding of it. In Indian Philosophy, the Isha
Upanishad of the Yajurveda (200 BCE) and other well known Indian Mathematical
texts (400 BCE) the concepts of infinity and terms like “enumerable” (which can
be numbered), Innumerable” (asankhya – countless or innumerable) and “Infinite”
(ananta – without a beginning or an end) were worked upon by the philosophers,
sages and teachers of that time.
John Wallis is said to
have introduced the infinity symbol in 1655 (although it may have been used by
the ancient philosophers and Mathematicians in different forms in their
calculations/theories). One conjecture is that he derived it from the Roman
numeral for 1000 which is written as “C”, “I” and an inverted “C” and was used
in relation to the term “many”. He may have also developed it by working on the
letter “Omega” of the Greek alphabet.
In his treatise “De
sectionibus conicus”, Wallis has dwelt upon the sign of infinity to signify an
“infinite number” thus: “Esto enim (infinity) nota numeri infiniti”.
In Mathematics, the
infinity symbol is treated as a finite number even though it has an indefinable
Mathematical value. The symbol in its true form has no beginning and no end and
reflects the belief that in life and in the universe there is nothing but
unending continuum.
Infinity, thus, refers to
something “without any limit” and is basically a concept relevant in a number
of fields, predominantly, Mathematics and Physics and is used in Calculus, Real
analysis, Set Theory, Cantor’s Cardinality of the continuum, Geometry and
topology, particularly as classifying spaces, Fractals, Mathematics without
infinity, Physics, Theoretical Applications of physical infinity, Cosmology,
Logic, Computing, Arts and Infinite sciences et al (ad infinitum (J).
A
layman’s understanding of infinity:
In Mathematics, an
unimaginably large value is called infinity or is said to be at infinity. For
example, if you can think of /visualise any number in a straight line with its
origin as zero. Then, you extend this number from zero to the right forever and
imagine that infinity is at the end of that line – even then, this line has no
end. In another example, if you started at the origin of that line and spent
your whole life running towards infinity at a million miles per hour, and
somehow could live for that many years, then, you would be no closer to
infinity than when you had started. If you imagine moving to the right of the
zero, then it is called “positive infinity”. Similarly, if you imagine moving
to the left of the zero, then it is called “negative infinity”, however, both
figures essentially mean “infinity” only.
The word “infinity” can
therefore represent or mean “time” and “space” that has no end. Also, it can mean a “destination’ or “point”
which cannot be reached.
The
Ouroboros:
A
variation of the infinity symbol is the “ouroboros” i.e. a snake or a dragon
devouring its own tail, which represents the belief of an ending also being a
beginning and that, a beginning needs an ending in order to begin again.
Interpretations
of the infinity symbol in Tarot:
- When applied to the symbolic meaning during our studies/reading of Tarot Cards the infinity symbol, simply, connects us to the “infinite” and “eternal” nature of our spirit and our “thinking’ and “thought” processes.
- At a more basic level, in connection with our readings, it suggests that, before taking action on our plans, ideas, we should ponder over the effect of such an action which could snowball into a domino effect – a one-way street over which we may have no control – ad infinitum.
- Also, whether we have set our goals so high that no matter how hard we try, they would always be beyond our reach. Perhaps, it is a time to replan and rethink.
- There can be several interpretations for the infinity symbol, perhaps infinite in their number. For example. For couples, it is a romantic reminder of infinite love and understanding between the partners or spouses. For a family unit it symbolises the permanent love, care and protection of a family unit and so on.
- Infinity represents all time – past, present and future, centred in the present moment of “NOW”. Everything that ever happened is occurring now and everything that will ever happen is also governed by the collective actions taken now. Thus, we create our present from our past and our future from our present and the action taken now represents our Karma (Karma, in any case in Sanskrit means “Work” which can also be interpreted as “Action taken” or “contemplated to be taken”) and will shape our destiny.
- Thus, we may deduce that in interpretations of the symbol during a Tarot reading, infinity represents the endlessness of energies and, that, energies can neither be created nor destroyed but that they may continue without end through both light and darkness, happiness or sorrow, comfort or distress ,good or bad, and in the dynamic sequence of circumstances governing the Query, when a card having an infinity symbol appears, success will depend on the querent’s actions taken now and corrective measures taken while negotiating the way forward through obstacles, which may present themselves . The symbol is found on many Tarot Cards, both traditional and non-traditional.
Infinity
symbol in Tarot Cards:
The three cards i.e. Magician, Strength and the two of
Coins/Pentacles signify things that could impact the rest of our lives, hence,
the reason for the infinity symbol.
The
Magician Card offers life’s skills that can change the
way one deals with worldly problems and impact the rest of our lives.
The
Strength Card helps you through everything, though it is
difficult to acquire strength, but if one does acquire it, then it can make one’s
dreams come true.
The Two of
Pentacles teaches one to take care of oneself, one’s health or
finances, plans and projects and juggle one’s problems.
However, when the cards reverse themselves, there
is a need to be cautious. The logic here is that when the Card comes upright in
a Reading, the possibilities/duration are “infinite” whereas, the reversed Card
indicates “finite” or “limited” possibilities/duration.
Reversal of cards
signifies a period of confusion and inability to act. The Magician’s
intellectual connection has temporarily been lost, and he has to rely on other
attributes, like his charisma and instinct as he finds that his tricks are
going wrong or not falling in place. Similarly, the woman in the Strength card
may be losing her courage to tame the Lion – even though she has the skills to
do it, but she is weakened by her uncertainty and lack of confidence/will.
Similarly, reversal of the two of Pentacles could mean ensuing financial debts
or mismatching of assets and liabilities, leading to financial distress. However,
these difficulties are for a finite period of time, though possibly
undetermined at the time of the Reading, and shall be overcome by the Querent
with careful strategy.
The
Magician:
-
In several Tarot decks, the magician refers
to scholarly/spiritual knowledge.
-
In the Rider
Waite Deck - Above the Magician’s head is the archetypal sign of
infinity, like an endless cord forming the lemniscate. Interestingly, in this
image, there is also the “serpent cincture” or “girdle” or the “ouroboros” (the
serpent devouring its own tail), which is also an ancient symbol of eternity or
transmutation and transformation and in this image represents the eternal
nature of the spirit.
-
The Celtic
Cross Deck - among many things is a representation of endless spiritual
love. The curves of its design are based on the continuous essence of the
infinity symbol. Above the Magician’s Head is shown the symbol of Infinity
below which are symbols of the four minor Arcana suits.
-
In the Mythic
Tarot – the Magician is depicted by Hermes who is considered to be a
trickster par excellence and has limitless possibilities for the Querent up his
sleeve. The two serpents intertwined around the Wand (symbol of Fire suit)
portray the symbol of infinity.
-
In the Crowley
Tarot - Two of the three Magi cards show the sign of infinity, while
the third with its imagery suggest that the Magus is one with the infinite
universe.
-
In the Arthurian
Tarot – the red and white dragons of Vortigern form a sign of infinity
over Merlin’s head locked in their eternal fight depicting the eternal fight
between good and evil).
Some variations are also seen in
Tarot depictions of the Magician, where the Card does not show
the infinity symbol, but there is an implicit indication of the same.
-
In the Osho
Tarot - the Magician Card is called
“Existence” and depicts the Magician as a naked female figure viewed from the
back sitting on the lotus of perfection, gazing at the beauty of the stars .It
is as if she is one with the Universe, without any worldly trappings and can put
before the Fool (Querent) “infinite” possibilities.
-
In the Visconti
Sforza Tarot – This is the
Magician or Juggler Card from the Pierpont – Morgan – Bergamo Visconti – Sforza
Tarocchi Deck made by Bonifacio Bembo. Notice that all the suits of
the minor Arcana (secrets) are represented at his table. There is a knife (representing the suit of
Swords – Air), two coins and a white loaf (representing the suit of coins or
pentacles (Earth), in his hand he holds a rod or baton (representing the suit
of Wands or Staves – Fire) and a cup (representing the suit of cups – water).
This deck was one of the first few to be designed at a time in 1450 A.D.,. Although
it does not specifically indicate a lemniscate, by its imagery the Magician
card offers “infinite” possibilities.
-
In the Marseilles
Tarot - the curves of the Magician’s hat represent the symbol of
infinity.
-
The Magician Card invariably has the
symbols of the four Tarot suits i.e. Classical elements of Air, Fire, Earth and
water.
-
The Magician card points to the talents,
capabilities and resources at the querent’s disposal.
-
Depending on the card’s placement in
relation to other cards, the message is to tap one’s full potential rather than
keeping oneself in check, particularly when there is a need/restlessness to
transform the existing situation/circumstances. The card urges one to consider
the “infinite possibilities” and to rely on one’s intuition to bring about the
change/transformation, sometimes under the tutelage of a guide or a mentor.
-
Thus, we see that, the Magician gives you infinite
tools to make your dreams come true, although, he is often a “trickster “or
“illusionist”, but he helps you to learn from your experiences and acquire the
necessary skills to understand that, if, things are not falling in place, shift
gears and find the way forward to achieve your goals and aspirations.
Strength:
The Strength Card, like
the Magician has tremendous Powers - strength and courage. The Card teaches us
that when faced with a difficult situation, a creative handling of one’s
capabilities is called for instead of indulging in criticism and senseless
despair. Courage, strength and self-discipline are necessary to battle with the
situation. It is also a time when consolidating action is required not just a
semblance of action. There is an over-riding need to show leadership and take
charge of the situation.
-
In the
Waite Tarot – is depicted a woman, who has overcome a lion with a
quiet strength that has come from within. There is a lemniscate, the symbol of
infinity, representing her indomitable spirit under any difficult circumstances
at all times.
-
In
the Celtic Tarot - Here
a young woman draws apart the jaws of a beast (which is a Celtic equivalent of
a Lion), demonstrating her power over the uncontrolled forces of nature. She is
Celtic Queen Macha who had the strength equal to any man and in battle her gaze
was said to freeze enemy combatants with horror. Interweaving Celtic knots, in
which there is no beginning or end, reflect/symbolise the sign on infinity.
-
In the Mythic
Tarot - For a change from several other decks, this card shows a Man
Hercules or Heracles, a son of Zeus, the King of the Gods in Greek Mythology.
Here, he has conquered the Nemean Lion (one of the twelve tasks set out for him
by King Eurystheus) with his bare hands, displaying his immense strength and
courage. This card does not display the lemniscate, but shows tacitly, that with
a self-belief in oneself anything obstacle in one’s path can be achieved as
Hercules is the universal archetype of immense strength and courage and his
legend and exploits has endured for ages and will do so for several centuries
hence.
-
In the Visconti
Sforza Tarot - This Card is
called Fortitude . Like in the Mythic Tarot, here too, Hercules is depicted
wielding a club above his head. A crouching Nemean Lion is shown before him.
The lemniscate, has not been shown here as in the above Deck, but tacitly
indicates to the same qualities.
-
In the
Arthurian Tarot – the Strength card has been depicted by Sir Gawain,
who was Arthur’s nephew and Captain/Commander of the Knights of the Round
Table. His Celtic name was Gwalchmai (the Hawk of May). He wears round her neck
a magical token of Lady Bercilak, which protects him from harm. On his shield
he wears her interlaced knot which represents the symbol of infinity in Celtic
Art.
Two
of Pentacles:
Twos of a suit
characteristically, represent the conflicts inherent in Opposites and focus on
any pending decisions that are required to be made. In other words, Twos take
us from Principles and concepts to taking action and experiencing the
consequences, good or bad, of the action.
Thus characteristically, twos represent the need to
balance the material (work) with other important aspects/areas of life, such as
family, friends and our own physical and mental and spiritual well being, plans
and projects and managing one’s problems.
The two of pentacles, also, suggests that one should be
very careful in financial matters (juggling of coins). It also tells the Querent
that the skills that one gains in his investments now can give the person not
short term gains, but gains throughout his life or ad infinitum.
-
In the
Visconti Sforza Tarot - In the
two of coins, the scroll in between the two coins/pentacles, resembles a
lemniscate.
-
In the Celtic
Tarot - the intricate, interweaving knotwork shows the
duality of two eternal possibilities - gain or loss in equal measure, like the
obverse (heads) and reverse (tails) sides of a coin.
-
In the Mythic
Tarot - is shown Daedalus, who
had built the Labyrinth for King Minos of Crete and is the smith and craftsman
for the Gods in Greek Mythology, is shown at work in on his table. Below the
table on both sides are two pentacles having interlaced knots representing the
sign/symbol of infinity.
-
In the
Waite Tarot – there is a man dancing with two coins/pentacles, one
in each hand. A cord or rope passes around the pentacles and forms a large
lemniscate, the symbol of eternity/infinity.
-
In the Arthurian
Tarot - the suit of Pentacles is called the suit of stones. In this
card, a river splits into two in a snow covered valley. If one meditates deeply
on this card, one becomes aware that the river splits into two or more places,
before rejoining again, thus creating islands and symbols of infinity.
The World:
Notice that the World card in the Waite Tarot shows a wreath, perpetual in its depiction, representing the turning wheel of Life and achievement and is bounded on the top and bottom by two red "ribbons"(or the lemniscate) and indicating that nothing is constant/permanent in the perpetual motion of time and the Universe.
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