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| Universal Rider-Waite Tarot |
The Seven of Pentacles, in the astrological correspondence
system I follow, is linked to Saturn in Taurus. First
of all, what qualities does Saturn bring to Taurus? Well, Saturn is about
establishing and preserving, as well as about having integrity. In Taurus, that integrity could grow out of a
sense of loyalty or reliability, or perhaps through building (Taurus) or
establishing (Saturn) a safe and secure base – one that provides a sense of
stability. Saturn can also be about
traditional values, as can Taurus (through its association with the Second
House), as well as preserving the status quo, perhaps in order to maintain some
sort of approval or recognition within a social context. There
can be a tendency towards conservatism in this combination, as well as that
Taurean stubbornness (I like to call it tenacity!), linked to a Saturnian fear
of not being in control. Saturn wants to
achieve but Taurus can slow things down, and at its worst could impede progress
by not only stubbornness but also laziness.
At its best, progress is slow but sure; it’s steady, and often
self-reliant.
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| Sharman-Caselli Tarot |
Bu how does this fit with the Seven of Pentacles? This card
is often linked to the need to make a decision, depicted by the man on the edge
of two fields – one with a well-established crop, one lying fallow, or less
developed. It’s about the choice between
the familiar, the established, the ‘tried and tested’ – all very Saturnian –
and the promise of something new. Taurus
is represented by the idea of the crops; an achievement on one hand, something
that’s required hard work, and on the other, the fertility (symbolized by the
rabbit) of the yet-to-be-used soil. As
Juliet Sharman-Burke says in the accompanying book to the Sharman-Caselli
tarot, there’s no judgement here, merely an indication that this is a good time
to weigh things up – that we have choices. We can stick with what we know, or
branch out.
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| Thoth Tarot |
Whereas many other decks show a more Taurean image, in terms
of the earthy colours and the rural or agricultural scene, the illustrator of
the Thoth deck, Lady Frieda Harris, has chosen much darker colours, drawing on the
feelings of restriction perhaps that have been associated with Saturn. The word that Crowley chose for the card is
‘failure’, which can sound very harsh and depressing. I feel, however (as with many of the cards in
this deck) that it’s coming from the other direction but still bringing us to
the same point. Here we have fear of failing – if we stick to
what we know, we’re safe. Very Saturn in
Taurus! But notice the peacock-feather
effect of the background – this reminds us that fear, doubt, anxiety, and worry are all in the mind (birds and feathers
being symbols of Air, and hence to mental processes). We may run the risk of limiting ourselves to
old, tried-and-tested ways of doing things (Saturn again), fearing to take a
chance and exposing ourselves to something new.
But what if we do some very Saturn-in-Taurus hard work and find a way to
accept and let go of those negative thoughts? By doing so, we free ourselves
from any restrictions and can choose which direction to go.
Thoth Tarot, created by Aleister Crowley, illustrated by Lady Frieda Harris. Published by US Games Systems Inc.
Universal Rider-Waite Tarot, created by A.E. Waite, illustrated by Pamela Coleman-Smith. Published by US Games Systems Inc.
