Tarot, 4 cards, strange combination Options

I drew four cards today, for guidance and advise.
There was no purpose, i just asked for 4 cards which would show me something i needed to know/understand.

I drew them in this order
The Devil
The ace of cups
The princess of wands
The knight/king of wands

The tarot deck used was the Crowley Thoth tarot.

I cannot make much of this combination of cards.

one theory i had:
The princess of wands, and the knight of wands.
Combined with the seed of water (the ace of wands)
Form the devil.

But it does not make much sense, as it is not really guiding or important.
I know the meaning of each card, but i want to know how this set combines, what is the result when trowing these 4 forces together??

Greetings!
How about:
Something not so good is happening between this couple...the couple could be friends, relatives or married/commited, the ace portraying an emotional bonding of high order and the devil could represent strife, or adversareal forces. hey! It was just 2 cents worth! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Its a good idea, but the devil does not represent strife in the tarot.

Perhaps the couple has a high emotional bonding as well as a lower physical material bonding.

It does make some sense. But its not the whole story yet.
I feel there is more to this, thats why i am searching.

Thanks for the reply, it is much appreciated

Uncertainty between two people, or two situations, or two entities is occuring - an uncomfortable friction that's about to recieve change.

This change is going to occur, probably for the better, because the underworld's routed with riches and wealth...

wait... that only works if it was the death card...

true, but still helpfull info. Just a little more is what i need to get the feel of this strange spread. To stimulate my imagination.

Just a quick note on card reading.....
The interpretation of the cards is done by the reader. If they think that the Death card portends death, that is what is. Whether it be Tarot or regular playing cards. The Devil can portray strife. There are literally hundreds of Tarot decks out there. Which one was used? Materialism, etc is just one of the Devils many interpretations. If you don't like the interpretation then find one that tells you what you want to hear... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mf_bookread.gif)

The Devil
The ace of cups
The princess of wands
The knight/king of wands

Maybe, maybe ....

The devil is a situation or outcome which you fear .... something you don't want to face ... the unknown ....

Linking it with the Ace Of Cups its maybe relating to a relationship or a friendship or certainly an interaction where you have heartfelt feelings for someone ...

The knight and the princess are the two people in the situation ... same kind of social standing ...maybe even same family but it doesn't have to be ...

Both of the suit of wands suggests the pair have empowerment or choice in their own destinies .... maybe both are in a rut in their interaction and the fear (the devil) is that you can see the both of them using their own choice of freewill and going their own seperate ways ....

Maybe both need a breathing space .... a cooling off ... or to spend some time doing their own thing to make their minds up ...

Maybe the fear is that they will find their own spaces and use the magic of their wand never to come back to each other again?

The Devil is 'the lord of the gates of matter' in the cabala ... path 26 ... The Path Of Ayin or the eye .... maybe you are the eye of the beholder and you are scared of letting that which you see actually develop?

It is a whole host of possibilities ... but I sense it is your fear which the devil refers to not being fearful for others ....

The ace of cups can relate to Kether and the feeding of someone's psyche to become the talisman animal of Kether ... the swan .... maybe the princess of cups is feeling a little lacking in confidence ... and is in need of some change in her life to become the swan ....???

The Princess of wands ... now Malkuth associates itself with the princess trumps ... the ace of cups and the princess of wands (and the knight of wands) are minor arcana cards ... so the cards themselves suggest this is a minor issue ... a minor worry or fear .... this influence of malkuth suggests you maybe someone's Guardian Angel ... have you a younger sister .. or a close female friend who you see as a sister? Does this person have a relationship issue ... one you have been viewing from afar as an observer???

mmmmm .... tell the person to hug an Oak tree for strength (no seriously) or burn the incense sandalwood ... both are associated with Malkuth and grounding ... maybe she needs open space and open air to think before a decision needs ot be made?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) making any sense or am I one million miles away .... just using intuition to write a tale like I always do with the tarot ...

the Knight Of Wands ... knights associate with Chokmah ... the supernal father ... is the issue with her father or a boyfriend who is the father figure .... Maybe your daughter (that is if you have a daughter????

?????

This post has been edited by Mr_Merlin: May 19 2005, 03:31 AM

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ac42.gif) very insightful and lucid Mr Merlin, i enjoyed your reply.
It adds much to the puzzle, the pieces are starting to fit, but not completely.
I still have to figure some things out, and piece them together. But i do have a big clue whats it about, and what kind of energies are at play now.

Just a quick note on card reading.....
The interpretation of the cards is done by the reader. If they think that the Death card portends death, that is what is. Whether it be Tarot or regular playing cards. The Devil can portray strife. There are literally hundreds of Tarot decks out there. Which one was used? Materialism, etc is just one of the Devils many interpretations. If you don't like the interpretation then find one that tells you what you want to hear...

That is not completely true. the above is solely personal belief or faith.
I personally do not believe the above to be true, and i often ask for others opinions to piece things together when doing readings.
Especially replies like the one from Mr Merlin provide allot of insight, they can be added up the the knowledge gathered already until a very precise and clear picture about the reading is formed.

Trough my own experience i have learned the tarot cards meaning to be set. And not depending on personal interpretation. However that is just my own modest belief, i have no solid evidence to prove that belief on so its just dogma.

Just a side note, I just don't like to read other peoples dogma. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bigwink.gif)

Greetings! Tough crap about the dogma...grow up!
I will reiterate. You ask for an interpretation of your card reading and you think that my approach/point of view is too dogmatic. LOL! That's fine! As the person performing the card reading it is you that should know its meaning. Haven't you heard what you'd like to hear? I suggest that you review any number of tarot decks 'interpretation' guides and see just how much they vary. That is the way with divinations. My viewpoint is no more dogmatic than any of the others. Perhaps you just didn't care for the manner in which it was presented or the person presenting it?
If, perhaps, I was a well known psychic or claimed to channel the voice of god, would you believe me any more? You will get many diverse viewpoints from the makers of the Tarot decks as to what each card represents or how the cards should be interpreted. All are 'dogmatic'. Hence it is you, as reader, to wend your way with the deck and your own feelings about each card to come up with the meaning of your spread. This isn't Instant Gratification Forum! Try Alectomancy! I had always thought that the Tarot should be treated as 'guides' to unraveling problems...
But you accuse me me of making my statement based solely on personal belief and faith yet go on to say that you ask others for their opinions (...? yet my own opinions are not valid...) and try to piece together the info. You like Mr_Merlins reply. I say 'Fantastic!!!' You have searched for what you wanted to hear and found it! Bully! Be of good cheer! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mf_popeanim.gif)

This post has been edited by bym: May 19 2005, 06:23 AM

Did you have any set intention when drawing the cards, by this I mean did you have a set idea about what the card would signify. For example I have done simple 3 card readings, drawing the cards to represent past, present and future.

I drew four cards today, for guidance and advise.
There was no purpose, i just asked for 4 cards which would show me something i needed to know/understand.

Thats why it is so hard, they are relevant for me and should guide me in some way. Yet i have to figure out what guidance they give me. What kind of advice.
I think it is magickal/occult advise about spiritual growth and development.

Right now i am piecing together what i have found and the insights provided by the people that have responded in this tread. I'm not done yet, since i decided to take this reading very serious, I may spend a lifetime figuring it out (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

Im intrested, i dont yet know enuf about tarot reading to give an interpritation but i have the thoth deck and also crowlys book of thoth. Does enyone here know of a detaild website on reading the thoth that can give me a head start/strat me off?

lol, the book of toth may be a bit much for the beginner.
I recommend this book
Understanding Aleister Crowley's Toth Tarot
by Lon Milo Duquette
isbn 1-57863-276-5

you can read it a little online
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1578632765...739#reader-page

Thanks for the link.
I have aleisters, the book of thoth. Is that a good place to start from?
I also have Learning the tarot by joan bunning but its for the rider-waite deck
and i find it confusing as the desingnes it shows are so diffrent.I also find it to
bland, the waite looks a bit dull in comparison to crowleys pack.

As i said, "the book of thoth" may be a bit much for the beginner.
That is why i recommended the other book.

Its a wonderfull book that will learn you more on the tarot in general, and on the thoth tarot.

"The book of thoth" is a verry good book, but written for an advanced student of magick. The book i reccomended will help you understand "the book of toth"

Oh, sorry i thought there that you ment the deck.
Ill have a think on it then and maybe order/buy it
from otakars.

Greetings ... It's been a while since you first posted this thread ... relating to the tarot card combinations ...!

Has anything developed in your life in the last few months which you can relate to the tarot card spread?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/insane.gif)

lol, the book of toth may be a bit much for the beginner.
I recommend this book
Understanding Aleister Crowley's Toth Tarot
by Lon Milo Duquette
isbn 1-57863-276-5

you can read it a little online
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1578632765...739#reader-page

My husband works with this deck, and might I say it is beautiful. The art is incredible as well as the indepth symbolism. Though, I'd say that working with this deck, the best book to use is "The Book of Thoth" by Aliester Crowley. His explainations of each card is incredible. Lon Milo Duquetts's book is very concise and explains the main points, but The book of Thoth seems to broaden on each card. ..but anyways ...Hehhe..sorry I don't mean to ramble.

The devil
The ace of Cups
The princess of wands
The king of wands

I've not had the privilage of working with this deck, so I'm going to give you my interpretations using the Rider Waite.
I'm using the
Devil
Ace of cups
The page of Wands
and the king of Wands

From my interpretations I'd say at the present moment you've been going through a time in which personal torment has been overwhelming in yourself. Seemingly a decision is abound that you've had to make or are pondering. There is a definite contrast in the devil and the ace of cups. Seeing this I percieve it being something like a movement from a dark place to that of a healthier lifestyle. Maybe a change in view of the surrounding enviorment. This exchange in perception would actually bring a part of you from a state of immaturaty or infancy to full fruition. I honestly see this as understanding dominance in yourself. Almost as if you feel that you are not in control of something and feel weak and powerless. The ace of cups stating that with the correct frame of mind and the proper application of your "practices" you'll be able to move beyond a certain state. That being stated by the page of cups, becoming the king.

This is only my interpretation of the cards and I only go by my intuitional vibes as you might say (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif). I haven't done any readings over the internet so, don't judge my expertise if this is way off, trust me I'm better in person. LOL.

I had always been taught that the Devil represents materialism, lust, or greed. In the context of the layout described, my instinct is to regard it as a warning against becoming selfish or greedy regarding a new romance.

As this thread is quite old, I also would be interested to know how the actual situation played out. I always keep a written record of my readings and like to review them after a few months for accuracy to see where I could have interpreted better.