The interconnections of Tarot and astrology lead to interesting perspectives; you can literally see the images of astrological concepts and ideas which gives an additional dimension to the meaning of each individual Tarot card. Combining the symbolic language of Tarot and astrology is a rather new phenomenon. About a century ago. the golden Dawn Order developed a systematic model that formed this logical coming together.

The Golden Dawn Order was a Rosicrucian association in England devoted to occult studies. It was founded in 1888 but disbanded soon after 1940. The order tried to consolidate a variety of rich, esoteric 19th century theories, and Tarot cards played a part in its attempts.

Today’s, most commonly used Tarot decks were created by former members of the Golden Dawn Order; Pamela Coleman Smith and Arthur A. Waite, as well as Lady Frieda harris and Aleister Crowley. Without the Rider-Waite and Crowley Tarot decks, the rise in interest of Tarot in the last 20 to 30 years would be unthinkable.

In their conception of their cards, Smith/Waite and Harris/Crowley faithfully adhered, and with only minor differences, to the astrological classification that the Golden Dawn Order developed. In the Waite Tarot cards, you will find Aries in the “IV-The Emperor” card, Taurus in the “King of the Pentacles” card, etc. In the Crowley Tarot deck, almost all of the astrological signs have been incorporated.

The symbolic languages of Tarot and astrology have their own life, and when you view them as such you will then find meaningful connections. Tarot pictures would wither if you only need them as allegories or as illustrations of astrological philosophy. Astrological interpretations would diminish if they were used only as a supplement to Tarot symbols. Each symbolic language has it’s own logic, its own kind of awareness. The clearer their differences, the richer their common ground will be.

Most Astrological orders accept the following definitions:
Aries: I am
Taurus: I have
Gemini: I think
Cancer: I feel
Leo; I want
Virgo: I analyze
Libra: I balance
Scorpio: I desire
Sagittarius: I see
Capricorn: I use
Aquarius: I know
Pisces: I believe

In astrology, the sun and the moon are considered planets. The list of planets is presented from the center of our solar system outward. Our plant earth has been omitted here.

Sun: XiX – The Sun
Mercuury: I- The Magician
Venus: III The Empress
Moon: II – The High Priestess (The Priestess)
Mars: XVI – The Tower
Jupiter: X – The Wheel of Fortune (Fortune)
Saturn: XXI – The World (The Universe)
Uranus: XXII/0 – The Fool
Neptune: XII – The Hanged Man
Pluto: XX – Judgement (The Aeon)