The structure of the regular Tarot is based on the Fool’s Journey, and so it is with the Tarot of the Revelation, which depicts John’s enlightenment. The first card should be set aside, for John, like the Fool, has lost his conscious connection to God and is about to set out on a journey, but an inner rather than outer, worldly journey. [NB The Major Arcana follows the Marseilles Tarot numbering and the Minor Arcana are "pips" style.]
The pattern of three sets of seven is nearly perfectly revealed in the Book of Revelation. However, much relies upon the interpretation of each card and the chapter it comes from. In the Tarot of the Revelation, the first seven cards come from chapters 2 to 8, the next seven cards from chapters 9 to 15 and the last seven from chapters 16 to 22, a near perfect fit.
Cards 1 to 7 give John’s own opening, starting with his Oversoul’s description of the seven chakras and the need to regenerate them. Cards 8 to 14 represent the battle to raise mankind’s consciousness to Christ consciousness. Cards 15 to 21 describe the completion of this transcendence and the final manifestation of Christ consciousness on earth.
The significance of the pattern of three times seven will not be lost on those who study metaphysics, but I think there is a subtler underlying message. In spiritual work and many other disciplines, the initiate often has an early burst of enthusiasm, followed by a lull. Having reached a plateau in his understanding or a period of doubt and self-examination, he proceeds to become an adept and reaches the higher level; or else falls back to lower levels. These three steps are reflected in the Book of Revelation where initially John is enlightened, followed by the battle for mankind in which Archangel Michael defeats the monsters and finally the remaining people also experience transcendence. [An interesting point is that this may not be a permanent solution as the Beast is chained up for only 1,000 years, though aeons from ancient man’s point of view.]
The guarantee in the Book of Revelation is very powerful; with sincere study and practice, enlightenment will be given you. Phrases such as “I come quickly”, “like a thief in the night”, “I am waiting at the door” and “he who hath an ear to hear, let him hear” allude to the closeness of the experience. But equally certain is the “curse”, the stipulation in Rev 22:18-19, that there can be no deviation from the path of enlightenment.
The Fool’s Transcendental Journey
This septenary applies to both regular tarot and the Tarot of the Revelation; it gives the path of instruction for the student:
1 st seven = cosmic pattern for the perfect person
2 nd seven = the deeper struggle of the work on the physical plane
3 rd seven = the completion of the work on the superconscious plane.
The Fool 0 (Rev 1:9)
John, exiled on Patmos, depressed, isolated and weary. This card is set aside from the septenary.
Tarot of the Book of Traditional
Revelation Revelation numbering
numbering chapter
Magician 1 (1) 1
Emperor 2 (4) 4
High Priestess 3 (4) 2
Wheel of Fortune 4 (5) 10
Chariot 5 (6) 7
Moon 6 (8) 18
Temperance 7 (10) 14
Cards 1 to 7 explain John’s enlightenment, as given in chapters 1 to 10. He attains a spiritual level in the superconsciousness that leads to the opening and purifying of the seven chakras, with resultant mental, spiritual and physical effects.
[Notes on where to find the relevant passage in the Book of Revelation : Chapters 2-5 Explanation of the 7 chakras and emergence of Christ consciousness. Chapters 6-8, Opening of chakras. Chapter 7, the four controlling influences over the body. Ch 9-10 Trumpets represent the release of new power through John’s body. John eats the sweet and bitter book in Ch 10.]
Tarot of the Book of Traditional
Revelation Revelation numbering
numbering chapter
Empress 8 (12) 3
Devil 9 (12) 15
Justice 10 (12) 8 *
Strength 11 (13) 11 *
Hierophant 12 (13) 5
Tower 13 (14) 16
Death 14 (14) 13
(*Marseilles structure)
Cards 8 to 14 explain man’s poor spiritual condition, as described in chapters 11 to 18. John sees the conscious mind being born and saved from the animalistic instincts of the beast. People worship material and intellectual success. The Lamb (forces of the superconscious mind) defeats the beast and Babylon, material desires.
The souls of mankind are tested and purified on seven levels. This brings conflict and the collapse of social institutions, leaving Universal Truth to be realized. Through self-gratification, society is destroyed by its own hand.
[ Notes on where to find the relevant passage in the Book of Revelation : Chapter 11, John and the relationship of unenlightened mankind. Chapter 12, Soul of man and its relationship to subconscious emotions and self-will. Chapter 13 the world worships the intellect. Chapter 14, Sion represents the pituitary, men pray to God, leading to changes starting among men. Chapter 15, the 7 chakras in man are purified leading to guilt and “Smoke in the temple”. Chapter 16 the effects of misuse are shown and the Universal Truth is “crystallized”.]
Tarot of the Book of Traditional
Revelation Revelation numbering
numbering chapter
Hermit 15 (15) 9
Marriage (Lovers) 16 (19) 6
Judgement 17 (20) 20
Sun 18 (20) 19
World 19 (21) 21
Hanged Man 20 (22) 12
Star 21 (22) 17
Cards 15 to 21 explain the conflict that occurs when mankind opens the chakras to bring about the evolved man, as given in chapters 19 to 22. What happened to John now takes place in humanity, leading to the emergence of the Christ pattern. Only evolved souls are allowed to reincarnate, but after a period (1000 years) others may also do so. This results in their taking with them their unsatisfied ambitions and desires, recreating the previous conditions of plague and war. Eventually these conditions are also overcome, and the divine pattern is established, bringing paradise on earth; the New Jerusalem.
[ Notes on where to find the relevant passage in the Book of Revelation : Chapter 19, all repented men (144,000) evolve into Christ Consciousness. Chapter 20, after 1000 years the second group of souls revolts expressing their frustration, but all are purified and their deeds checked in the Akashic records. Chapter 21, Mankind rises to the new consciousness, a state of perfect control, free from limitation, except those who cut themselves off, who are thrown into the lake of fire. Chapter 22, the book represents the body; dire consequences await those who would take shortcuts to the new consciousness, but if one is sincere, the Oversoul comes quickly.]
is a director of the Edgar Cayce Centre in Japan; as well as completing a Master’s degree in Transpersonal Studies from Atlantic University, founded by Edgar Cayce, he is also a Tarot Master. He works in the pharmaceutical industry, has a degree from London University in Japanese and Chinese, a Ph.D. in Neuro-science and has lived more than 25 years in Japan. He is also the author of four other books including "Letters from an English Public School".
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