Tarot
1: Kether
כתר
Crown, the divine source of all creation
Correspondences:
Element:
Spirit (Root of Fire, Water, Air, Earth)
Minor Arcana:
Aces (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles)
Dignified Keywords:
Unity
Divinity
Potential
Description:
Kether is the primal spark of existence, the point of divine unity from which all creation flows. It embodies pure potential, the infinite light that seeds the elements represented by the Aces of the tarot suits.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Isolation
Disconnection
Formlessness
Description:
When imbalanced, Kether’s divine unity becomes inaccessible, leading to spiritual isolation or a lack of grounding. The potential of the Aces remains unmanifested, lost in formless chaos.
2: Chokmah
חכמה
Wisdom, the masculine force of creation
Correspondences:
Zodiac: Father of the Zodiac
Minor Arcana: Twos (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles)
Dignified Keywords:
Creativity
Will
Illumination
Description:
Chokmah is the dynamic spark of divine wisdom, channeling creative energy into the universe. It drives the Twos, representing the initial impulse of manifestation and the will to create.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Impulsiveness
Domination
Stagnation
Description:
When imbalanced, Chokmah’s energy becomes reckless or overly forceful, leading to domination or unchanneled potential. The creative spark of the Twos fizzles or overwhelms.
3: Binah
בינה
Understanding, the feminine womb of creation
Correspondences:
Planet: Saturn
Minor Arcana: Threes (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles)
Dignified Keywords:
Intuition
Structure
Receptivity
Description:
Binah shapes the raw energy of creation into form, providing understanding and structure. The Threes reflect its nurturing, formative power, birthing the potential of manifestation.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Restriction
Coldness
Stasis
Description:
When imbalanced, Binah’s structure becomes oppressive or overly rigid, stifling creativity. The Threes manifest as sorrow or stagnation, lacking warmth or growth.
4: Chesed
חסד
Mercy, the expansive force of love
Correspondences:
Planet: Jupiter
Minor Arcana: Fours (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles)
Dignified Keywords:
Generosity
Benevolence
Abundance
Description:
Chesed radiates boundless love and expansion, fostering growth and stability. The Fours embody its harmonious structure, offering security and celebration.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Excess
Indulgence
Stagnation
Description:
When imbalanced, Chesed’s generosity becomes wasteful or smothering, leading to excess or inertia. The Fours manifest as complacency or overabundance.
5: Geburah
גבורה
Severity, the force of discipline
Correspondences:
Planet: Mars
Minor Arcana: Fives (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles)
Dignified Keywords:
Strength
Justice
Transformation
Description:
Geburah brings discipline and necessary destruction to refine creation. The Fives reflect its transformative power, clearing obstacles to foster growth.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Cruelty
Conflict
Destruction
Description:
When imbalanced, Geburah’s severity becomes harsh or destructive, causing conflict or loss. The Fives manifest as strife or unnecessary upheaval.
6: Tipareth
תפארת
Beauty, the heart of harmony
Correspondences:
Planet: Sun
Minor Arcana: Sixes (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles)
Dignified Keywords:
Balance
Harmony
Illumination
Description:
Tiphareth is the center of equilibrium, radiating divine light and balance. The Sixes embody its harmonious energy, fostering victory and joy.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Ego
Imbalance
Disharmony
Description:
When imbalanced, Tiphareth’s harmony is disrupted by pride or ego, leading to disarray. The Sixes manifest as fleeting success or inner conflict.
7: Netzach
נצח
Victory, the force of emotion
Correspondences:
Planet: Venus
Minor Arcana: Sevens (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles)
Dignified Keywords:
Passion
Creativity
Endurance
Description:
Netzach channels emotional energy into creative and enduring pursuits. The Sevens reflect its passionate drive, inspiring persistence and vision.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Illusion
Obsession
Weakness
Description:
When imbalanced, Netzach’s passion becomes illusory or obsessive, leading to distraction. The Sevens manifest as delusion or lack of resolve.
8: Hod
הוד
Splendor, the force of intellect
Correspondences:
Planet: Mercury
Minor Arcana: Eights (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles)
Dignified Keywords:
Clarity
Intellect
Precision
Description:
Hod brings intellectual clarity and structured thought to creation. The Eights embody its disciplined mind, driving swift action and mastery.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Confusion
Overanalysis
Rigidity
Description:
When imbalanced, Hod’s intellect becomes muddled or overly rigid, stifling progress. The Eights manifest as indecision or obsessive detail.
9: Yesod
יסוד
Foundation, the astral plane
Correspondences:
Planet: Moon
Minor Arcana: Nines (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles)
Dignified Keywords:
Intuition
Dreams
Subconscious
Description:
Yesod is the foundation of the subconscious, where dreams and intuition shape reality. The Nines reflect its ethereal power, manifesting desires and insights.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Delusion
Fear
Instability
Description:
When imbalanced, Yesod’s dreams become illusions or fears, distorting reality. The Nines manifest as anxiety or ungrounded fantasies.
10: Malkuth
מלכות
Kingdom, the physical world
Correspondences:
Element: Earth
Minor Arcana: Tens (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles)
Dignified Keywords:
Stability
Manifestation
Grounding
Description:
Malkuth is the culmination of creation, grounding divine energy into physical reality. The Tens embody its tangible results, reflecting completion and stability.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Materialism
Stagnation
Disconnection
Description:
When imbalanced, Malkuth’s grounding becomes overly materialistic or stagnant, losing spiritual connection. The Tens manifest as burden or unfulfilled potential.
11: Fool
0. The Fool
Path:
Kether to Chokmah (1 to 2)
Hebrew Letter:
א
Aleph, Air
Dignified Keywords:
Beginnings
Innocence
Spontaneity
Description:
A leap into the unknown, full of potential and trust in the universe. The soul’s first step from divine unity into creation, embracing life with innocence and wonder.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Recklessness
Folly
Stagnation
A fall into chaos from thoughtless action or fear of moving forward. The spark of potential fizzles out, trapped by indecision or blind folly.
12: Magician
1. The Magician
Path:
Kether to Binah (1 to 3)
Hebrew Letter:
ב
Beth, Mercury
Dignified Keywords:
Willpower
Skill
Manifestation
Description:
Mastery of intention channels divine energy into reality. A bridge between spirit and form, wielding tools of creation with focus and confidence.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Manipulation
Ineptitude
Disconnection
Power misused or squandered, leading to trickery or failure. The link to divine inspiration breaks, leaving only scattered efforts.
13: High Priestess
2. The High Priestess
Path:
Kether to Tiphareth (1 to 6)
Hebrew Letter:
ג
Gimel, Moon
Dignified Keywords:
Intuition
Mystery
Wisdom
Description:
A guardian of hidden knowledge, she reveals the subconscious depths. The soul’s descent into balance is guided by inner stillness and divine insight.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Secrets
Detachment
Delusion
Veiled truths become deception or isolation. Intuition clouds, and the inner voice drowns in doubt or detachment.
14: Empress
3. The Empress
Path:
Chokmah to Binah (2 to 3)
Hebrew Letter:
ד
Daleth, Venus
Dignified Keywords:
Abundance
Nurture
Creativity
Description:
Fertile energy flows from wisdom to understanding, birthing life and beauty. She embodies care, growth, and the harmony of nature’s bounty.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Smothering
Stagnation
Excess
Smothering, Stagnation, Excess
Overbearing control or neglect stifles growth. The creative spark drowns in indulgence or withers from lack of care.
14: Emperor
4. The Emperor
Path:
Chokmah to Tiphareth (2 to 6)
Hebrew Letter:
ה
Heh, Aries
Dignified Keywords:
Authority
Order
Stability
Description: Order emerges from divine will, grounding chaos into form. He rules with strength and vision, building a foundation for lasting success.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Tyranny
Rigidity
Weakness
16: Heirophant
5. The Hierophant
Path:
Chokmah to Chesed (2 to 4)
Hebrew Letter:
ו
Vav, Taurus
Dignified Keywords:
Tradition
Faith
Guidance
Description: Wisdom flows into mercy through sacred teachings. A bridge to the divine, he offers structure and spiritual truth to those who seek.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Dogma
Rebellion
Stagnation
17: Lovers
6. The Lovers
Path:
Binah to Tiphareth (3 to 6)
Hebrew Letter:
ז
Zayin, Gemini
Dignified Keywords:
Choice
Harmony
Connection
Description: Understanding unites with beauty, balancing duality in love or decision. A pivotal moment of alignment with self and others.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Discord
Indecision
Temptation
18: Chariot
7. The Chariot
Path:
Binah to Geburah (3 to 5)
Hebrew Letter:
ח
Cheth, Cancer
Dignified Keywords:
Will
Triumph
Control
Description: Will harnessed through discipline drives toward triumph. Understanding fuels strength, mastering inner and outer forces.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Chaos
Defeat
Aggression
19: Justice
8. Justice
Path:
Geburah to Tiphareth (5 to 6),
Hebrew Letter:
ט
Lamed, Libra
Dignified Keywords:
Balance
Truth
Equilibrium
Description: Libra’s scales temper severity with beauty. Actions align with cosmic law, restoring harmony through impartial clarity.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Injustice
Bias
Disharmony
20: Hermit
9. The Hermit
Path:
Chesed to Tiphareth (4 to 6)
Hebrew Letter:
י
Yod, Virgo
Dignified Keywords:
Wisdom
Solitude
Insight
Description: Virgo’s purity guides mercy to beauty. A lone light shines inward, illuminating truth through quiet contemplation.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Isolation
Arrogance
Darkness
21: Wheel of Fortune
10. Wheel of Fortune
Path:
Chesed to Netzach (4 to 7)
Hebrew Letter:
כ
Kaph, Jupiter
Dignified Keywords:
Cycles
Fate
Opportunity
Description:
Jupiter’s wheel spins mercy into victory. Life turns with purpose, offering growth through inevitable change.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Misfortune
Resistance
Delay
The wheel jams, bringing loss or stagnation. Fighting fate stalls the cycle’s flow.
22: Strength
11. Strength
Path:
Chesed to Geburah (4 to 5)
Hebrew Letter:
Teth, Leo
Dignified Keywords:
Courage
Power
Compassion
Description:
Leo’s fire blends mercy with severity. Inner strength tames the beast, radiating resilience and gentle dominion.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Weakness
Cruelty
Fear
Power collapses into timidity or tyranny. The heart falters, unleashing chaos or cowardice.
23: Hanged Man
12. The Hanged Man
Path:
Geburah to Hod (5 to 8)
Hebrew Letter:
מ
Mem, Water
Dignified Keywords:
Surrender
Insight
Transition
Description:
Water’s flow shifts strength to splendor. Sacrifice opens the mind, revealing wisdom through release and reversal.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Stagnation
Martyrdom
Denial
Resistance traps the soul in limbo. Clinging or self-pity drowns the lesson.
24: Death
24. Death
Path:
Tiphareth to Netzach (6 to 7)
Hebrew Letter:
נ
Nun, Scorpio
Dignified Keywords:
Transformation
Endings
Renewal
Description:
Scorpio’s sting clears beauty for victory. The old dies, birthing the new in a cycle of profound change.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Fear
Loss
Stasis
Dread freezes the inevitable. The shell remains, blocking rebirth with refusal.
25: Temperance
14. Temperance
Path:
Tiphareth to Yesod (6 to 9)
Hebrew Letter:
ס
Samekh, Sagittarius
Dignified Keywords:
Balance
Alchemy
Patience
Description:
Sagittarius’ arrow blends beauty into foundation. Opposites merge in harmony, forging a steady path through moderation.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Imbalance
Haste
Discord
The mixture spoils with rush or excess. Disharmony unravels the delicate art.
26: Devil
15. The Devil
Path:
Tiphareth to Hod (6 to 8)
Hebrew Letter:
ע
Ayin, Capricorn
Dignified Keywords:
Bondage
Desire
Revelation
Description:
Capricorn’s chains test beauty against splendor. Facing shadow and temptation unveils the power to break free.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Enslavement
Ignorance
Excess
Description:
Denial tightens the shackles. Blind indulgence or fear binds the soul deeper.
27: The Tower
16. The Tower
Path:
Netzach to Hod (7 to 8)
Hebrew Letter:
פ
Peh, Mars
Dignified Keywords:
Awakening
Disruption
Liberation
Description:
Mars’ fire cracks victory into splendor. Illusions shatter, freeing the soul through sudden, transformative upheaval.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Ruin
Fear
Collapse
The fall overwhelms without insight. Chaos reigns, burying truth in debris.
28: The Star
17. The Star
Path:
Netzach to Yesod (7 to 9)
Hebrew Letter:
צ
Tzaddi, Aquarius
Dignified Keywords:
Hope
Healing
Inspiration
Description:
Aquarius’ waters lift victory to foundation. A guiding star renews faith, illuminating the path with serene promise.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Doubt
Despair
Dimness
The star fades into hopelessness. Cynicism or loss clouds the light of renewal.
29: The Moon
18. The Moon
Path:
Netzach to Malkuth (7 to 10)
Hebrew Letter:
ק
Qoph, Pisces
Dignified Keywords:
Intuition
Dreams
Subconscious
Description:
Pisces’ tides flow from victory to kingdom. Shadows whisper truths, guiding through instinct and the unseen.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Illusion
Fear
The moonlight twists into deception. Terror or fog traps the mind in delusion.
30: The Sun
19. The Sun
Path:
Hod to Yesod (8 to 9)
Hebrew Letter:
ר
Resh, Sun
Dignified Keywords:
Joy
Clarity
Vitality
Description:
Solar brilliance lifts splendor to foundation. Life radiates with truth and energy, basking in unshadowed glory.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Ego
Obscurity
Exhaustion
Pride blinds or the light burns out. Clarity fades into haze or depletion.
31: Judgement
20. Judgement
Path:
Hod to Malkuth (8 to 10)
Hebrew Letter:
ש
Shin, Fire/Spirit
Dignified Keywords:
Awakening
Renewal
Calling
Description:
Spirit’s fire rises from splendor to kingdom. A trumpet stirs the soul, igniting purpose and liberation through reckoning.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Guilt
Stasis
Denial
The call is ignored or burdens paralyze. Judgment festers into shame or inertia.
32: The World
21. The World
Path:
Yesod to Malkuth (9 to 10)
Hebrew Letter:
ת
Tav, Saturn
Dignified Keywords:
Completion
Unity
Fulfillment
Description:
Saturn’s seal binds foundation to kingdom. The dance of existence crowns the journey with wholeness and triumph.
Ill-Dignified Keywords:
Incompletion
Limits
Delay
Description:
The circle frays, stunting closure. Barriers or setbacks halt the final step.
Historical Context and Numbering Variations
Traditional Marseille Order (and Golden Dawn Influence): In older tarot decks, such as the Tarot de Marseille, and in systems heavily influenced by the esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn, the Major Arcana followed a sequence where Justice was card 8 and Strength was card 11. This numbering aligns with the natural progression of the cards as they were originally interpreted in European traditions, tying into astrological and Kabbalistic correspondences.
Justice (8) was associated with Libra, emphasising balance and order, and linked to the path from Geburah to Tiphareth (5 to 6).
Strength (11) was tied to Leo, symbolizing courage and inner power, and linked to the path from Chesed to Geburah (4 to 5).
Rider-Waite-Smith Switch:
In 1909, Arthur Edward Waite, with artist Pamela Colman Smith, published the Rider-Waite deck, which swapped the positions of Justice and Strength. Waite placed Strength as 8 and Justice as 11. His reasoning was partly philosophical and partly tied to his interpretation of the zodiac and the Fool’s journey:
Strength (8) as a lower number reflects the inner resolve needed early in the journey, aligning with Leo’s fiery energy.
Justice (11) as a midpoint card emphasizes equilibrium and karmic reckoning, resonating with Libra’s scales after earlier lessons are learned.
Kabbalistic Path Alignment
The Tree of Life’s 22 paths (connecting the 10 Sephiroth) are traditionally numbered from 11 to 32 (1-10 being the Sephiroth themselves), and each path is assigned a Hebrew letter and a tarot card in the Golden Dawn system. The card numbering affects which path each card occupies:
Golden Dawn (Justice 8, Strength 11):
Justice (8) = Path 19 (Geburah to Tiphareth, Hebrew letter Lamed). This fits Libra’s theme of balance moderating severity into beauty.
Strength (11) = Path 15 (Chesed to Geburah, Hebrew letter Teth). Leo’s strength bridges mercy and severity with resilience.
Rider-Waite Adjusted (Strength 8, Justice 11):
Strength (8) = Path 19 (Geburah to Tiphareth). Some argue this emphasizes taming inner conflict early on.
Justice (11) = Path 15 (Chesed to Geburah). This places balance as a later, reflective lesson.
Why the graphic uses Justice 8, Strength 11
The graphic follows the Golden Dawn system, which is the most common framework for mapping tarot to the Tree of Life in esoteric traditions. The Golden Dawn’s Kabbalistic tarot correspondences, developed by founders like S.L. MacGregor Mathers, adhered to the Marseille numbering (Justice 8, Strength 11) because it aligned with their astrological and Hebrew letter assignments:
Hebrew letter Teth (Strength, 11) means “serpent,” symbolizing power and transformation, fitting the Chesed-Geburah path.
Hebrew letter Lamed (Justice, 8) means “ox goad,” suggesting discipline and balance, suited to Geburah-Tiphareth.
In contrast, Waite’s switch was more thematic than Kabbalistic, and many modern tarot readers use RWS decks (Strength 8, Justice 11) without adjusting the Tree of Life paths, causing occasional confusion.
Conclusion
This graphic uses Justice as 8 and Strength as 11 because it’s rooted in the Golden Dawn’s Kabbalistic tradition, which prioritizes the Marseille order and its astrological/Kabbalistic logic over Waite’s later revision. If you’re working with a Rider-Waite deck, you might see the numbers swapped, but for Tree of Life studies, the Golden Dawn alignment is standard.