Rhymes for Tarot

[Mab]

I came upon 2 aide memoire rhymes from the writer and critic,  Grevel Lindop, which I thought might be of interest:

https://grevel.co.uk
 

A RHYME FOR THE TAROT

Rider Waite Pack

 

One’s the Magician, beginning his quest;

Two the High Priestess, a cross on her breast;

Three is the Empress, a goddess you see,

And Four is the Emperor, his orb at his knee.

The Hierophant’s Five, whose good prayers we receive,

And Six are the Lovers, fair Adam and Eve.

Seven’s the Chariot, pursuing its path,

And Eight is for Strength, who can tame the lion’s wrath.

Nine is the Hermit, who lives far from town,

And Ten is the Wheel, where we’re tossed up and down.

Eleven’s for Justice, he’s strict but he’s fair,

And Twelve the Hanged Man, with one foot in the air.

Thirteen’s an old friend, the black flag is his sign,

And Temperance Fourteen, adding water to wine.

Fifteen is the Devil, with souls on a chain,

And Sixteen’s the Tower: destruction and pain!

Seventeen is the Star, pouring spiritual light,

And Eighteen’s the Moon, bayed by dogs in the night.

Nineteen is the Sun, with the children at play,

And Twenty’s for Judgement, the Earth’s final day.

Twenty-one, the World Soul dances graceful and free,

And Zero’s the Fool: could that be you or me?

 

 

A RHYME FOR THE TAROT:

Marseille Version

 

 One’s the Magician, beginning his quest;

Two is Pope Joan, in her triple crown drest;

Three is the Empress, a goddess you see,

And Four is the Emperor, his shield at his knee.

Five is the Pope, who can pray for our souls,

And Six are the Lovers, whom Cupid controls.

Seven’s the Chariot, so drive it with care,

And Eight is for Justice, she’s strict but she’s fair.

Nine is the Hermit, who lives far from town,

And Ten is the Wheel, where we’re tossed up and down.

Eleven’s for Force, who can tame the wild beast,

And Twelve the Hanged Man – not perturbed in the least!

Thirteen’s an old friend, and the skull is his sign,

And Temperance Fourteen, adding water to wine.

Fifteen is the Devil, with souls on a rope,

At Sixteen the Tower falls, but don’t lose all hope!

Seventeen is the Star, pouring spiritual light,

And Eighteen’s the Moon, bayed by dogs in the night.

Nineteen is the Sun, and the child who’s at play,

And Twenty’s for Judgement, the Earth’s final day.

Twenty-one, the World Soul dances graceful and free,

And Zero’s the Fool: could that be you or me?

 

 

 

 

Edited August 31, 2020 by Mab
Unwanted plural

[TarotLyn]

Wow! Cool find. I'm saving them.

[Guest]

They are gems. Doreen Valiente wrote a poem about the tarot’s trumps, too. 

[katrinka]

I haven't seen that. It's a shame her books have become so hard to find.
 

[Decan]

I like that, it's a good idea! Actually in a few words we have the main vibe for each of the cards.