​The Holistic Tarot: Fours represent Stability

Four equidistant points in space create a square, symbol of solidification, foundation, stability, hard angles, tension, security, maturity, the four directions, the four elements, resolving conflicts by integrating needs, and organization. In the Osho Zen Tarot we discover the image of “The Miser” in the Four of Pentacles, a theme repeated in the Rider-Waite deck where we see a king holding tight onto his coins. IV-The Emperor in the Rider-Waite is the archetype of the male principle, shown in full armor while sitting rather stiffly on a throne which has bulls, sign of Taurus, carved on the arms and back, full of power and full of responsibilities, stable yet rigid at times. 

In The Tarot for Transformation we find the archetype of The Green Man, “the living intelligence of nature, shape-shifting into various forms” (Arlenea and Cori 25). Recommendations when pulling a Four is to create a positive discipline for one's self, with realistic expectations and support.

​The Holistic Tarot: Threes for Energy and Creativity

Threes in the Tarot represent the offshoot, creativity, expression, the trinity, focus, support, growth, and joy. One of the most iconic cards, the Three of Swords in the Rider-Waite shows a red heart pierced by three swords, rainy storm clouds in the background. This is the card of heartache caused by mental anguish, the story of every three way relationship. In The Housewives Tarot we see a frosted cake sliced by three serving knifes with the message of “any relationship that causes chronic heartburn should be sliced out of your life” (Kepple and Buffum 71).

 On a more positive note, the archetype of Threes is found in the Major Arcana cards: III-The Empress shows a woman in a floral gown lounging on a throne, a crown of stars in her hair, a large symbol of Venus planet of love and attraction. In the Daughters of the Moon we see a woman giving birth on top of an elephant, a snake winding about a branch above her. This is the card of potential, pregnancy and possibilities, the female archetype of the Great Mother and a time for rebirth. Holistic recommendations when pulling card with the number three is to find creative outlets, including play, sports, artistic, and musical pursuits.

​The Holistic Power of Tarot: Twos for Balance

The Twos in the tarot represent balance, assimilation, togetherness, lines of communication, analysis, bonding, opposition, the shadow, reflection, duality, polarity, and friendliness. The Two of Wands in the Rider-Waite deck shows a man gazing off into the distance, one wand firmly planted, the other in hand. He also carries a globe, thus traditionally the card of travel. In the Osho Zen Tarot we see an eagle flying above a canyon in a dusky sky. The card is titled "Possibilities" and there is the sense of gaining new perspective.

The archetype for Twos is II-The High Priestess in the Rider-Waite deck, a robed figure who sits between two pillars, one black, one white with the letters J and B carved on them. Digging into the esoteric, these are Joab and Boaz, pillars of wisdom at Solomon’s Temple. The High Priestess, a female archetype, moves from the male archetype of The Magician creating for himself to the duality of creating for others through ritual. Ritual is conscious transformation of energy, and in holistic terms this is the card indicating a need for ceremony, whether that be a rite of passage, wedding or a wake. The High Priestess is portrayed in the Osho Zen Tarot as “Inner Voice”, who “speaks not in words but in wordless language of the heart... (and) represents the clarity that comes from transcending all dualities” (Osho 6) . In holistic terms. Twos indicate a time to look at balance on all parts of life: diet, checkbook, work and play, left and right brain.

The Holistic Tarot: Aces, the Power of One

In the Tarot, Ones are a symbol of wholeness, integration, beginnings, the self, creation, source, wholeness, unit, point, one in the midst of all. Indeed the word "aloneness" can be changed to "all-one-ness". In the traditional Rider-Waite deck in the Minor Arcana we see a hand emerging from a cloud holding one of the symbols of the four elements, with a backdrop that has mountains in the distance, and Yods (tears of God) surrounding the symbol. In other decks we see more interpretations, such as in The Housewives Tarot where the Ace of Pentacles “reminds us that, before we can begin any endeavor, we need a sensible plan, fierce determination, and a heavy duty pair f latex gloves” (Kepple and Buffum 83).

Another archetype of Ones is I-The Magician, and in the Rider-Waite deck is seen with the symbols of each of the four elements in front of him, an infinity sign above his head. This is the card of discovering wholeness, integration, and combining all of parts of the psyche to co-create ones universe. In the Daughters of the Moon we see The Witch, holding her magic wand while stirring a cauldron. An owl, symbol of Athena, Goddess of Wisdom is perched in a tree, a reminder to check one's blind spots. Ivy, a tenacious plant associated with wisdom, curls around a solid oak, showing both solidness and flexibility. A cat sits close by, indicating a familiarity with the animal kingdom. Holistically, pulling an Ace indicates a time of starting something new or a time of integration.