Suggestions on a book about the elements

[Jessica]

In Rachel Pollack’s 78 Degrees (1997 edition) she briefly mentions the elements when she covers each minor arcana suit.

For example, when talking about swords: “The more obvious problem shown in Swords is that of sorrow, pain, anger – the stormy side of Air.”

I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion of a book or resource that elaborates or discusses more in-depth the elemental correspondences with the minor arcana?

Discussion

[ACanadianGuy1967]

Lots of books about the tarot will mention the basic elemental associations but I’m not aware of any in-depth look. I hope someone can suggest a title!

The elemental associations are not always the same for every tarot deck out there. In many that are based on the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, swords are associated with air and wands are associated with fire. In some decks these two are switched.

The reason for this is that the Rider-Waite-Smith deck is based on beginner-level information taught in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (Waite was a member and used Golden Dawn teachings in devising his tarot). However, as explained in Francis King & Stephen Skinner’s book “Techniques of High Magic” (chapter seven) in more advanced Golden Dawn material it was taught that the sword and wand elemental associations should be switched. This resulted in the two differing association sets.

In the end it’s best to choose what associations make the most sense to you and stick with them. Just like it’s best to find a tarot deck that uses imagery that speaks most clearly to you rather than trying to work with one that you don’t feel any connection with.

[Ecaobia]

The Tarot Bible by Sarah Bartlett offers a wide spread of information, which happens to include elemental associations.

Quick guide:

Swords air
Wands fire
Pentacles earth
Cups water

[MageCats]

It might help to look into astrology’s houses and planets for inspiration. I do believe Waite tried to get the zodiacs/planets to be compatible with the minors and majors. Also, look into Benebell Wen’s Hollistic Tarot. She had a worksheet for elemental compatibility in Tarot.

Other than that, the elemental descriptions can be like a romantic flourish in the nuances of the cards