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A Closer Look at the Tarot
Fives
Jason Rath
Geburah and the Fives:
The number five represents matter developing rapidly. In a reading, the Fives indicate
increased activity or development of the matter at hand. Whereas Chesed was the beginning
of manifestation and the impulse to be active, activity itself is the keyword here in
Geburah. For the first time, matter or form begins to rectify itself. Geburah achieves
this through the constant destruction of inferior qualities and their appropriate
replacement. Thus, the Fives sometimes indicate a sad or upsetting matter, though usually
with rapid and harmonious resolution.
Geburah is "the mother made flesh, fierce and active"—Liber 777,
Aleister Crowley. Here motion and force are active, intelligent and aware. Five is a
number of destructive creation with spiritual intent. It is a concentration of the five
Elements, as symbolized by the Pentagram. Destruction or upset of established patterns
must take place before new growth may begin toward balance.
Geburah is a reflection of the supernal Sephira Binah. Nephthys, the Egyptian Goddess
of severity, belongs here in Geburah. Nephthys is the darker side of Isis the Mother,
attributed to Binah. Thus, Geburah
"shares a quality similar in nature to that of Binah, but much less pure as the
abstract spiritual force of Binah"—A Garden of Pomegranates, Israel Regardie.
Five, the number of Geburah is also the number of the microcosm (Man). The points of
the Pentagram symbolize the five Elements (Spirit, Fire, Water, Air, and Earth) in Man, as
well as his five extremities. Commonly, the five Elements are attributed to the five
letters of the pentagrammaton: Yod (Fire), Heh (Water), Shin (Spirit), Vau (Air) and
finally Heh or Yod (Earth). In The Island Dialogues, Lee Heflin presents an interesting
theory about the formula of the Tetragrammaton. He changed the traditional Tetragrammaton
from Yod Heh Vau Heh to Yod Heh Vau Yod, expressing the axiom `As above so below.' On page
89 he says: "In this form it now correctly reflects the creative formula fully
manifest. In this way Yod represents the seed that creates the opening—Heh
Vau—through which it becomes manifest. As the phase of its manifestation in the Yod
final, it assumes the seed form again to re-enact the formula with one difference, that it
has grown up in the process . . ..">
A fitting symbol to meditate upon when working with Geburah and the Fives is the
Pentagram. The uppermost point signifies Spirit, and governs the four Elements that make
up the rest of Man. The four Elements are in continual flux when not kept in check by the
intellect (Spirit). The Sword and others martial weapons are tools of Geburah. They
symbolize the individual's power to regulate and control the gross impulses of his nature.
The Sword specifically represents reason or force. One needs thoughts and actions, but one
must consider them before allowing them to manifest.
The Pentagram is a potent form that can be used to invoke (increase) or banish
(decrease) a particular Element within or around the individual. Man is unique in his
ability to think rationally. Through rational thought, Man is able to consider an act
before manifesting it. This is how Man controls the Elements. The Pentagram and Sword are
potent tools that represent this control. They help the magician draw upon the pure force
of discipline and strength. Geburah is the sphere of this restriction; without it the
Elements wander aimlessly, striving only to preserve their own natures. The might of
Geburah allows the individual to take control the Elements and instincts within himself
and his surroundings.
This control is not easily won; thus, the Fives symbolize difficulties of all kinds.
But it is the other cards in a reading that indicate eventual success or failure. The suit
(Element) of the Five indicates the nature of the problem. The Five of Pentacles would
indicate a material or financial problem. The Five of Cups would indicate a problem of a
relationship, friendship, or emotional nature; and so on.
Geburah is the sphere of initiations and lessons to be learned. The Fives thus
represent lessons and situations that we must address and consequently, difficulties and
struggle. If a Five appears in the `future' area of a Tarot layout, be aware of the
difficulties that (tentatively) lie ahead of you, or that act upon you presently. If a
Five falls in a portion marking the past, this indicates that you should look at the your
past struggles, to the lessons you have already learned. You may need to put these lessons
in better perspective.
Five of Wands
The fifth qabbalistic sphere, Geburah, influences the Five of Wands through the Element
Fire: Geburah of Yod, Horus acting as Osiris. The Five of Wands is Lord of
Strife—Geburah in the Archetypal World. The difficulties represented by the Five of
Wands often manifest as physical confrontations and other situations that lead to
excessive physical stress.
The Five of Wands and the four Fives in general, signify the passive force of Spirit
becoming active within matter itself. In other words, the spiritual or deep subconscious
forces that were previously dormant or passive, now gain power. The matter at hand begins
to initiate patterns of movement. You might say things are out of your hands—if they
ever really are. The inner skeleton of matter (Spirit) conflicts with this pattern of
movement or mode of action. The microcosm finds itself in a state of strife, even if one
unaware of the spiritual or subconscious influences.
This card cautions one against compulsively seeking out roles of importance. Do not
seek personal recognition for your great deeds. The cosmos is the only real power, it
governs us all. This card also indicates quarreling. The threat of things getting out of
hand is almost certain. The keywords here are conflict, contest, strife, violence,
cruelty, foolish strictness, unnatural restriction, disorderly actions, rage and
difficulty.
The two angels which rule this card are Yelayel (He who is strength) and Vahaviah (He
who is God the exalter). Saturn in Leo rules this card.
Incense Mixture for the Five of Wands:
2 parts Dragons Blood
1 part Myrrh
1 part Cinnamon
Five of Cups
Geburah influences the Five of Cups through the Element Water: Geburah of Heh. The Five
of Cups is Lord of Loss of Pleasure—Geburah in the Creative World. The lessons or
difficulties here are of an emotional or sexual nature. The Five of Cups often manifests
itself in the querent's life in the symbols in past life regressions.
This card indicates the loss of something loved or prized, often through the querent's
actions. The energies of this card manifest in jealousy and greed. The great power this
card carries can be used constructively by harnessing these powerful emotions, this rage,
and turning it into courage and thoroughness. These natures are also sympathetic with this
card.
Once when meditating on this car, I envisioned a small animal cornered by a more
powerful one. Death for the weaker seemed certain when all of a sudden the small animal
awoke from its fear and devoured the aggressive beast. Use the deep emotions you have to
overcome their cause. The keywords of this card are disappointment, loss of pleasure,
jealousy and discontentment.
The two angels that rule this card are Pahiliah (He who is a redeemer) and Livoyah (He
who is hastening to listen). Mars in Scorpio rules this card.
Incense Mixture for the Five of Cups:
1 part Benzoin
1 part Violet
2 parts Tobacco
Five of Swords
Geburah influences the Five of Swords through the Element Air: Geburah of Vau. The Five
of Swords is Lord of Defeat—Geburah in the Formative World. Notice that the
outpouring energy does not survive the tests of the Astral Plane. This is why the four
Fives represent problems, but not ultimate success or failure. Also the struggles or
difficulties represented by this card are often of an intellectual nature. They may
manifest as upsetting dreams.
This card indicates destruction or failure in the matter at hand. The forces of this
card are of an impulsive and sometimes thoughtless nature. This card does not indicate
outcome. Instead, it illustrates the ingredients of the matter at hand. What the creation
shall be is still uncertain. The keywords here are ruin, malice, lying, unstableness,
loss, defeat, avarice and anxiety.
The angels who rule the Five of Swords are Aniel (He who is master of virtues) and
Chaamiah (He who is hope to all). Venus in Aquarius rules this card.
Incense Mixture for the Five of Swords:
2 parts Tobacco
1 part Red Sandalwood
1 part Frankincense
1 part Cedar
Continued on page 36
Tarot Fives
Continued from page 16
Five of Pentacles
Geburah influences the Five of Pentacles through the Element Earth: Geburah of
Heh-final. The Five of Pentacles is Lord of Material Trouble—Geburah in the World of
Action. It represents lessons pertaining to the material aspects of your life, often
dealing with money and business.
This card represents financial upset, such as loss of income or job. Often a warning of
financial danger precedes the event. This card suggests that you are ignoring an obvious
warning of impending difficulties. You are seeing only what you want to see. By
recognizing this, you may avoid potential material ruin. Look at the entire picture when
making decisions that will affect your income and financial security. This card suggests
that it is a time to meditate on your material interests and not a time to make costly
decisions. The keywords here are close-mindedness, material strife, pettiness, loss of
money or income, poverty and labor.
The two angels that rule this card are Pooyael (He who is supporting all things) and
Mibahiah (He who is eternal). Mercury in Taurus rules this card.
Incense Mixture for the 5 of Pentacles:
1 part Dittany of Crete
1 part Saffron
1 part Dragons Blood
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