The Minor Arcana
The Shared Meanings of the Sixes
by James Ricklef
Numerologically, the number
Six is about finding peace, balance, and readjustment after experiencing
strife and conflict, which, as we saw last time, is a recurring theme
in the Tarot’s Five cards. So the Sixes in the Tarot’s
Minor Arcana are concerned with things like finding harmony and experiencing
reciprocity in our lives. Indeed, in all of the Sixes, we get a sense
of give-and-take, and we find the advice to let things flow through
our lives instead of grasping at them.
The Six of Wands shows a man with a laurel wreath riding a ceremonially
decorated horse and surrounded by a throng of people - perhaps a
parade of some sort. We may wonder if these people are celebrating
the triumphant return of their hero or if they are setting out with
him on a quest. Both interpretations are valid, of course, and together
they imply that this card can be about either glory or optimism.
Also, both interpretations say that no victory is either won or celebrated
alone. In order to achieve something, we generally need the support
of others, at least to some extent, and our successes gain value
and meaning when they, in turn, provide support for others. In fact,
the true worth of our successes lies not in our material achievements
themselves, but in the connectedness with others that we discover
as we all strive together to fulfill our destinies.
In the Six of Cups we see a quaint courtyard setting in which one
child is offering a bouquet to another, and the innocent charm of
this illustration can help us interpret this card. The Six of Cups
may suggest a nostalgic longing for a simpler time, or maybe it shows
us the value of sharing with others our hopes and dreams as well
as our love and compassion. The secure setting depicted here provides
the further implication that there is a sort of sanctuary in love
that is shared freely and generously. Also, we may see the floral
gift in this card as representing a peace offering that begins the
healing process in a relationship. However, it may be the children
themselves who indicate the most valuable message in this card, for
they symbolize the advice to offer our love as a child does -- with
an open heart and without qualification or reservation.
There is an air of somber tranquility in the Six of Swords with its
depiction of two huddled figures departing in a boat for unknown
shores. They are accompanied by another figure who appears to be
a ferryman, calling to mind Charon the mythical character who ferried
souls across the river Styx to Hades. With that allusion in mind,
we may see this card as an indication of a passage out of troubled
circumstances. However, in addition to seeing these travelers as
retreating from conflict or adversity, it is important to note
that there are six swords thrust point down into their boat. This
implies that wherever we go, we take our thoughts, attitudes, and
beliefs with us. It is true that sometimes we must leave a difficult
situation behind in order to find peace and to gain a more objective
perspective. But the more positive the attitude we take with us,
the better are our chances of finding improved circumstances when
we arrive at our destination. As Marcel Proust said, “The
real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes
but in having new eyes.”
In the Six of Pentacles, we see a wealthy man handing out money to
a couple of beggars, which suggests interpretations such as generosity,
charity, and philanthropy. This card does convey the meaning of sharing
what we have with those less fortunate, but it also expresses a broader
sense of providing for the common good. Reciprocity manifests in
this card as the enlightened self-interest of altruism. There are
always benefits for the giver (in addition to the obvious ones for
the receiver) in any act of generosity, so this card advises us to
be a clear conduit through which the abundance of the universe circulates.
And on a deeper level, it also implies that our good fortune gains
meaning and relevance when we share it with others. Or, in the words
of Winston Churchill, “We make a living by what we get, but
we make a life by what we give.”
James
Ricklef is a professional Tarot reader, teacher, and writer. His
new book, “Tarot: Get the Whole Story,” explains
how to create your own spreads, and it presents a variety of spreads
which it illustrates using sample readings for well-known historical,
mythical, and fictional characters. For more information about the
author’s work, see his website: www.jamesrecklef.com
