I'm opening this thread to continue a discussion that has sprung up about the Fixed stars and their possible relation to the TdM trumps.
If anyone else knows of other constellational (non-Zodiac) Trump assignments by any authors I'd love to know about them.
Scion
Although I don't believe that the so-called Behenian stars were the basis of the 22 Tarot Trumps, but I do believe that many comments made in this thread have truth and bearing upon the origin of the Tarot, especially in relation to fixed stars and constellations. I think the astronomical-navigation system that was the basis of the Tarot was in existence before the astrolabes pictured. - Lance
QUOTE=Scion;1116620]How about Spica (from Latin
spīca virginis "Virgo's ear of grain") for Trump III: The Empress?
Spica is associated with Demeter/Ceres and the various names of the star in different Mediterranean cultures connect it with the Virgin, Grain, Hips, and Feritility:
S[/QUOTE]
Spica is in the constellation Virgo, the Virgin, who in my opinion is pictured in the World card. - Lance
..
So I guess the cards maybe are a part of the image bought to mind. So like Kwaw said -The Star has elements of what is depicted around it on a celestial map- Aquarius and the Pisces Austrinus the fish all in one card. I am thinking that maybe these 22 Cards are a celestial map cut up into individual pieces..
~Rosanne
It is also my opinion that the 22 trump cards are from a celestial star map that was cut into individual pieces. Most of the images can be recognized, such as the Empress being represented in the celestial sky by the constellation Cassiopeia and the Emperor being represented in the celestial sky by the constellation Cepheus. - Lance
Alternatively the Moon could be seen as Cancer, with the two dogs Procyon and Sirius beneath; Procyon (the lamentor or weeper) being the 'root' star of the card [Procyon and Cancer being connected in star lore]; Sirius the crosser or travellor then connects into the Fool of which it is the 'root' star...? Regulus is perhaps the root star beneath Leo, placing Moon and Sun opposite Star / Delta Capricorni {tail of the goat} / Aquarius.
Bateleur as Spica is v. interesting, the relationship of the star to Virgo / Libra also links in perhaps to Justice.
Kwaw
The Moon as Cancer is logical as is the Sun as Leo. Sirius, the Dog Star, pictures Isis and the stars surrounding Sirius in the constellation Canis Major. The constellation Libra pictures the Justice card.
The Trump cards are spread all over the map (star map that is). Even the suits and court cards can be found in the celestial sky. In my opinion, the Queen is Cassiopeia, the King is Cepheus, the Knight is Perseus, and the Page is Andromeda. The Sword is Cygnus, the Wand is Draco, the Cup is Cepheus and the Shield is Hercules. The Trump cards picture the celestial Holy Grail. - Lance
Pleiades - not a star (as noted) but a star cluster. In Mythology, they were the "7 Sisters" (and now are seen as the logo of Subaru....). I've often heard that the star formation in "The Star" (in the Marseilles deck, it's 1 large star and 6 smaller ones) representing the Pleides
......
The Star card can also be seen picturing the large star Sirius, with minor stars surrounding it. The constellation Columba is next to Canis Major and may represent a bird in the Star card.
But it is important to realize that these were not the chief astrological stars, but the most important of the navigational stars: the ones which are used to indicate directions, as well as seasons, in the real world of the naked-eye navigators.
I have come to the same conclusion after spending decades of research into celestial charts and ancient writing systems, although my methodology and results were different. I believe that what we see in the Tarot Trumps is an astronomical navigation system that made it possible for those using it to sail or travel around the world. - Cartomancer (Lance Carter)
