Raggydoll Posted October 18, 2018 Posted October 18, 2018 This is actually a response to Cookie[/member]. The conversation started about the so called 'Stage Cards' and then the concept of Gate Cards was also brought up. (You can find the original thread here: https://www.thetarotforum.com/using-tarot/rws-stage-cards/) The term 'Gate Cards' were introduced by Rachel Pollack in her book 78 degrees of wisdom (a real classic!) and here is a quote from her book where she explains it more in depth. (From 78 degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack) "If the Rider Minor cards serve us primarily as a commentary on ordinary life, they do not ignore or cut us off from deeper perceptions. On the contrary, the philosophical bias of the cards leads us always in the direction of ‘hidden forces’ giving shape and meaning to ordinary experience.. Much of the mainstream science is currently moving away from the notion that such forces as electro-magnetism are static and mechanical, and towards the image of them as dynamic and constantly creative. The Rider pack [a.k.a. the RWS deck] greatly encourages such awareness. But [it] does more than teach us this awareness. Certain cards, taken in the right way, can help produce it. Earlier, we considered the occult view that looking at geometric patterns will create effects in the brain. In a similar way joining ourselves meditatively to particular cards in the four suits will bring experiences reaching beyond the cards’ specific meanings. I call these cards Gates, because of the way in which they open a path from the ordinary world to the inner level of archetypal experience. Each suit contains at least one of these cards, the Pentacles containing the most. They all share certain characteristics: complex, often contradictory meanings, and myth-like strangeness which no allegorical interpretation can completely penetrate. By choosing certain cards to fulfill this function I do not mean to imply that no others will do so, but only that in my experience these cards in particular do act in this way. Sometimes the Strangeness of a Gate will lie on the surface, but in other cards it becomes apparent after we have analyzed the card intellectually. The best approach to a Gate card begins with a knowledge of the card’s literal and symbolic meanings. When we have taken those as far as they will go we will arrive at the path of Strangeness that lies beyond them.” She mentions the following cards as being Gate cards (in her opinion): Three of Wands Eight of Cups Five of Cups Eight of Swords Six of Swords Ten of Pentacles Six of Pentacles Five of Pentacles Ace of Pentacles So, now I am curoius to hear what everyone thinks about this and if you have any experience from working with Gate cards?
Raggydoll Posted October 18, 2018 Author Posted October 18, 2018 Here is a visual of all her examples of Gate cards
Catspur Posted October 18, 2018 Posted October 18, 2018 I have to say this is a concept that never really landed with me. There's a lot I like about Pollack's book, but she sometimes gets too heady, and, honestly, this is one of those times. Or maybe I'm just a super practical, low-key reader. But I never felt like I got an understanding of what "gate cards" actually meant in practical terms. It never became a concept that was useful to me. I'd certainly be interested in hearing someone else interacted with the concept, though.
Raggydoll Posted October 18, 2018 Author Posted October 18, 2018 I have to say this is a concept that never really landed with me. There's a lot I like about Pollack's book, but she sometimes gets too heady, and, honestly, this is one of those times. Or maybe I'm just a super practical, low-key reader. But I never felt like I got an understanding of what "gate cards" actually meant in practical terms. It never became a concept that was useful to me. I'd certainly be interested in hearing someone else interacted with the concept, though. I think this is something that will especially speak to those who do psychic/intuitive readings and/or who practice craft of some sort. I do get why this can seem abstract or vague but so does most of these things when you try to put them in words. They have to be experienced, it can’t just be figured out in theory. I don’t know if you’ve ever done work on trying to channel different energies or connect to archetypes (such as the majors of tarot). Or if you’ve ever tried any methods to trigger or strengthen psychic visions (especially in the context of divination and tarot). If not, then I sure get why this doesn’t make much sense to you and I really wish that I was able to explain it better.
Cookie Posted October 19, 2018 Posted October 19, 2018 This is actually a response to Cookie[/member]. The conversation started about the so called 'Stage Cards' and then the concept of Gate Cards was also brought up. (You can find the original thread here: https://www.thetarotforum.com/using-tarot/rws-stage-cards/) The term 'Gate Cards' were introduced by Rachel Pollack in her book 78 degrees of wisdom (a real classic!) and here is a quote from her book where she explains it more in depth. (From 78 degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack) "If the Rider Minor cards serve us primarily as a commentary on ordinary life, they do not ignore or cut us off from deeper perceptions. On the contrary, the philosophical bias of the cards leads us always in the direction of ‘hidden forces’ giving shape and meaning to ordinary experience.. Much of the mainstream science is currently moving away from the notion that such forces as electro-magnetism are static and mechanical, and towards the image of them as dynamic and constantly creative. The Rider pack [a.k.a. the RWS deck] greatly encourages such awareness. But [it] does more than teach us this awareness. Certain cards, taken in the right way, can help produce it. Earlier, we considered the occult view that looking at geometric patterns will create effects in the brain. In a similar way joining ourselves meditatively to particular cards in the four suits will bring experiences reaching beyond the cards’ specific meanings. I call these cards Gates, because of the way in which they open a path from the ordinary world to the inner level of archetypal experience. Each suit contains at least one of these cards, the Pentacles containing the most. They all share certain characteristics: complex, often contradictory meanings, and myth-like strangeness which no allegorical interpretation can completely penetrate. By choosing certain cards to fulfill this function I do not mean to imply that no others will do so, but only that in my experience these cards in particular do act in this way. Sometimes the Strangeness of a Gate will lie on the surface, but in other cards it becomes apparent after we have analyzed the card intellectually. The best approach to a Gate card begins with a knowledge of the card’s literal and symbolic meanings. When we have taken those as far as they will go we will arrive at the path of Strangeness that lies beyond them.” She mentions the following cards as being Gate cards (in her opinion): Three of Wands Eight of Cups Five of Cups Eight of Swords Six of Swords Ten of Pentacles Six of Pentacles Five of Pentacles Ace of Pentacles So, now I am curoius to hear what everyone thinks about this and if you have any experience from working with Gate cards? These Gate cards are an amazing concept....very esoteric/jung-ist. I have already read quite a bit on the internet about it ... there's quite a bit on Aeclectic as you'll be aware, and a couple of other sites i've found. I knew this was important when RD told me about it, and I think this is part of what people refer to when they say there's a lot that Waite hid about the cards from the public eye. I have a feeling that the "gates" are Kabbalah influenced, (someone on aeclectic forms this view too) as most of the cards that are listed are on the black pillar of severity (3's, 5's 8's ) and the rest are on the middle pillar. There is also one Ace which is ruled by Kether at the top and one 10 which is Malkuth at the foot of the tree. The 10 of pentacles also has the Tree of Life emblazoned on it. Also the suits of the cards go down the list in perfect order for The Four Worlds...from Atziluth & wands at the top to Assiah and pentacles at the bottom. And Waite was a huge Kabbalist, and although i found his book The Holy Kabbalah very hard going and full of religious dogma (however, tbf i think you have to be up with the scriptures to understand it...and i think it was probably beyond me) I certainly believe the cards to be full of imagination & intrigue. I'm seeing other comparisons with the Tree of Life even now as I write. I would like to hear other points of view on this concept. Although i'm yet to own the book, 78 Degrees of Wisdom i've started already on practical meditation for the 3/wands with some powerful results, i am also going to start a Gate diary. I was looking for a new angle to study RWS, and once again it was provided...with a big nod to synchronicity & a thank you to Raggydoll.
Raggydoll Posted October 19, 2018 Author Posted October 19, 2018 This is actually a response to Cookie[/member]. The conversation started about the so called 'Stage Cards' and then the concept of Gate Cards was also brought up. (You can find the original thread here: https://www.thetarotforum.com/using-tarot/rws-stage-cards/) The term 'Gate Cards' were introduced by Rachel Pollack in her book 78 degrees of wisdom (a real classic!) and here is a quote from her book where she explains it more in depth. (From 78 degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack) "If the Rider Minor cards serve us primarily as a commentary on ordinary life, they do not ignore or cut us off from deeper perceptions. On the contrary, the philosophical bias of the cards leads us always in the direction of ‘hidden forces’ giving shape and meaning to ordinary experience.. Much of the mainstream science is currently moving away from the notion that such forces as electro-magnetism are static and mechanical, and towards the image of them as dynamic and constantly creative. The Rider pack [a.k.a. the RWS deck] greatly encourages such awareness. But [it] does more than teach us this awareness. Certain cards, taken in the right way, can help produce it. Earlier, we considered the occult view that looking at geometric patterns will create effects in the brain. In a similar way joining ourselves meditatively to particular cards in the four suits will bring experiences reaching beyond the cards’ specific meanings. I call these cards Gates, because of the way in which they open a path from the ordinary world to the inner level of archetypal experience. Each suit contains at least one of these cards, the Pentacles containing the most. They all share certain characteristics: complex, often contradictory meanings, and myth-like strangeness which no allegorical interpretation can completely penetrate. By choosing certain cards to fulfill this function I do not mean to imply that no others will do so, but only that in my experience these cards in particular do act in this way. Sometimes the Strangeness of a Gate will lie on the surface, but in other cards it becomes apparent after we have analyzed the card intellectually. The best approach to a Gate card begins with a knowledge of the card’s literal and symbolic meanings. When we have taken those as far as they will go we will arrive at the path of Strangeness that lies beyond them.” She mentions the following cards as being Gate cards (in her opinion): Three of Wands Eight of Cups Five of Cups Eight of Swords Six of Swords Ten of Pentacles Six of Pentacles Five of Pentacles Ace of Pentacles So, now I am curoius to hear what everyone thinks about this and if you have any experience from working with Gate cards? These Gate cards are an amazing concept....very esoteric/jung-ist. I have already read quite a bit on the internet about it ... there's quite a bit on Aeclectic as you'll be aware, and a couple of other sites i've found. I knew this was important when RD told me about it, and I think this is part of what people refer to when they say there's a lot that Waite hid about the cards from the public eye. I have a feeling that the "gates" are Kabbalah influenced, (someone on aeclectic forms this view too) as most of the cards that are listed are on the black pillar of severity (3's, 5's 8's ) and the rest are on the middle pillar. There is also one Ace which is ruled by Kether at the top and one 10 which is Malkuth at the foot of the tree. The 10 of pentacles also has the Tree of Life emblazoned on it. Also the suits of the cards go down the list in perfect order for The Four Worlds...from Atziluth & wands at the top to Assiah and pentacles at the bottom. And Waite was a huge Kabbalist, and although i found his book The Holy Kabbalah very hard going and full of religious dogma (however, tbf i think you have to be up with the scriptures to understand it...and i think it was probably beyond me) I certainly believe the cards to be full of imagination & intrigue. I'm seeing other comparisons with the Tree of Life even now as I write. I would like to hear other points of view on this concept. Although i'm yet to own the book, 78 Degrees of Wisdom i've started already on practical meditation for the 3/wands with some powerful results, i am also going to start a Gate diary. I was looking for a new angle to study RWS, and once again it was provided...with a big nod to synchronicity & a thank you to Raggydoll. I had a feeling this would be for you, so I'm glad you liked it :)
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