The Tarot of Historical Dates
Rider Wait Tarot Cards
Welcome to my blog! Here, I’ll explore the birth cards of significant historical dates—yes, you heard that right: birth cards!
A few months ago, I set out on this journey, starting with the birth dates of the Constitution and the ratification of the Bill of Rights. What was I thinking? It quickly turned into a massive knot of confusion! I wrote multiple drafts for these two pivotal dates, only to toss each one in a fit of creative despair. You know how that spiral goes: “I’m not good enough. I’m not a historian. Did I even major in Philosophy? And wait—do I remember anything about Greek and Roman mythology?”
For context, I spent 35 years in microprocessor design, which is definitely a left-brained endeavor. So here I am, trying to make sense of history through the lens of tarot cards. If that doesn’t sound like a challenge for my Guides, I don’t know what does! Buckle up for this wild ride through time and cards.
Now, let’s talk about what birth cards are and how they work. My inspiration comes from Aleister Crowley, a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and Paul Foster Case. Their works highlight that constellations exist not only in the cosmos but also in patterns that repeat throughout various aspects of life. Benoit Mandelbrot’s concept of fractal geometry exemplifies this beautifully. By sorting tarot cards into constellations, we can use birthdates much like astrologers do.
Archetypal tarot is a powerful tool for personal exploration and understanding. It utilizes the rich symbolism in tarot cards to reflect universal themes and human experiences. Each card in the Rider-Waite deck embodies specific archetypes—such as the Hero, the Sage, or the Innocent—that resonate with fundamental human experiences. These archetypes align with Carl Jung’s theories, suggesting that certain symbols recur across cultures and throughout history, representing shared human experiences.
The Major Arcana of the Rider-Waite tarot deck consists of 22 cards, each representing archetypal themes that mirror essential aspects of our lives. When viewed as a constellation, these cards tell a narrative of personal growth and spiritual development. As I’ve discovered, significant dates in astrology, much like those in history, possess inherent and timeless characteristics.
Decide for yourself by noting the cards that come up for the subject of each blog. In my next two entries, I’ll dive into the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
