By Wayne Limberger
If you’ve been following my online posts at www.parsifalswheeldivination.com and have read any of my example readings, you’re already aware that I make extensive use of metaphor and analogy when interpreting the minor cards of the tarot, often bringing in shared cultural, social, historical and literary references. The Thoth tarot, my mainstay for many years, offered limited opportunity for such imaginative word-play, but the Waite-Smith deck is another matter entirely. Although I disagree with much of the folklore that has sprung up within the divinatory lexicon customarily used for these cards, I find that injecting my own free-ranging visual associations into the mix often takes off in intriguingly novel directions.
I started down this road with the uncanny resemblance between the RWS 10 of Cups card and the lyrics of the Beatles song “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”:
“In a couple years they have found their home-sweet-home
With a couple of kids running in the yard
Of Desmond and Molly Jones”
Since that time other notions have suggested themselves, and I decided to gather them into an organized list. Here is the first version that I consider “ready for prime time,” but it will definitely undergo refinement going forward. To fully appreciate some of my quirky connections, you will need to have at least a nodding acquaintance with the Beatles’ discography, classic rock song lyrics, common proverbs and homilies, Monty Python, Hieronymus Bosch and the philosophical ideas of Leibniz and Voltaire. Although you certainly won’t agree with all of them, hopefully they will provide stimulating food for thought.
RWS-Based Tarot Euphemisms
Ace of Wands - The “burr under the saddle” card (aka the “itch that needs scratching” card)
Two of Wands – The “one foot in the past, one foot in the future” card
Three of Wands - The “patience is a virtue”card
Four of Wands – The “enlightened self-interest” card (aka the “bring home the bacon” card)
Five of Wands – The “collision of competing ambitions” card (aka the “aggravation” card)
Six of Wands – The “pride goeth before a fall” card (aka the “overconfidence” card)
Seven of Wands – The “fight fire with fire” card (aka the “from the frying pan into the fire” card)
Eight of Wands – The “discretion is the better part of valor” card (aka the “strategic retreat” card)
Nine of Wands – The “bloodied but unbowed” card (1) (aka the “last stand” card)
Ten of Wands – The “slouching toward salvation” card (aka the “lookin' for a place to hide” card [2])
Ace of Cups - The “All You Need is Love” card (3)
Two of Cups – The “lovers' pledge” card (aka the “puppy love” card)
Three of Cups – The “three's a crowd” card (aka the “lovers' triangle” card)
Four of Cups – The “one big yawn” card
Five of Cups – The “take the best and leave the rest” card (aka the “ashes of remorse” card)
Six of Cups – The “Neverland” card, where nobody grows up (aka the“don't worry, be happy” card [4])
Seven of Cups – The “I don't know what it is, but I'll know it when I see it” card
Eight of Cups – The “poisoned well” card
Nine of Cups – The “fat, dumb and happy” card
Ten of Cups – The “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” card (3)
Ace of Swords – The “light-bulb moment” card (aka the “bright idea” card)
Two of Swords – The “mental block” card (aka the “horns of a dilemma” card)
Three of Swords - The “no pain, no gain” card (aka the “wrestling a porcupine” card)
Four of Swords – The “pause that refreshes” card (5) (aka the “lying down and avoiding” card [6])
Five of Swords - The “might makes right” card (aka the “kick in the pants” card)
Six of Swords – The “betwixt-and-between” card (aka the “unsettled mind” card)
Seven of Swords - The “false pretenses” card (aka the “conflicted intentions” card)
Eight of Swords – The “follow your heart, not your head” card
Nine of Swords – The “dark night of the soul” card (aka the “it's darkest before the dawn” card)
Ten of Swords – The “scorched earth” card (aka the “feelin' 'bout half-past dead” card [2])
Ace of Pentacles – The “ace in the hole” card (aka the “golden opportunity” card)
Two of Pentacles – The “if you see a chance, take it” card (7) (aka the “tipping point” card)
Three of Pentacles – The “plan the work and work the plan” card
Four of Pentacles – The “I, Me, Mine” card (3)
Five of Pentacles – The “beggars can't be choosers” card (aka the “Born Under a Bad Sign” card [8])
Six of Pentacles – The “embarrassment of riches” card (aka the “salving a guilty conscience” card)
Seven of Pentacles – The “unfinished business” card
Eight of Pentacles – The “perfectionist” card (aka the “nose to the grindstone” card)
Nine of Pentacles – The “Garden of Earthly Delights” card (9) (aka the “Hotel California”card [10])
Ten of Pentacles – The “Pangloss proposition” card (aka the “all is for the best” card [11])
References: (1) William Ernest Henley, from “Invictus;”(2) The Band, from “The Weight;” (3) the Beatles,
various; (4) Bobby McFerrin; (5) Coca-Cola slogan; (6) Monty Python, from the “Australian Table Wines”
sketch; (7) Steve Winwood; (8) Albert King; (9) Hieronymus Bosch; (10) The Eagles; (11) Voltaire. Also various
adages, homilies, platitudes and biblical aphorisms.