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The Pope and the Tarot

The Pope and the Tarot

by Zarin

 

deathtarotIn 1907 Pamela Coleman Smith created the set of Tarot cards now referred to as the Rider-Waite Tarot. This is the “rectified” deck upon which the vast majority of modern Tarot readings are based. Well over 40 million of this Tarot deck have now been sold.

One of her most fascinating images is that of the Death card. A card with the number 13 on it.

Also there are the prophecies of St Malachy a 12th century CE Irish Archbishop, who reputedly created a list of all future popes.

This list was published in the late 16th century CE by Arnold Wion, a Benedictine monk. The current now resigned pope is named Benedict. Is this a coincidence?

There is great dispute over the authenticity of this prophetic list. And also its accuracy. However, the list of St Malachy does predict that Benedict the 16th would be the second to the last pope. He would be followed by someone called Peter the Roman. Moreover, this “Peter the Roman” would be the last Pope and would witness the eventual destruction of Rome. (Or possibly the Catholic Church?)

The fascinating thing about the Death card is that it essentially means change, completion, endings and new beginnings. And, of course, death as well.

This card has a Pope featured prominently in it. The papal figure appears to be praying to the figure of death. Directly approaching him. Does this suggest the Pope must embrace change? Or accept death for his church?

A woman and a child are in close proximity to the Pope portrayed. The child holds on to the robes of this Papal figure. The woman appears sad and dejected. Do these images suggest that the new Pope must protect children and include women into the priesthood? The most powerful issues now facing any new Pope. Strangely, all of the Roman Catholic Church's current problems are related to issues surrounding sex and sexuality. Something not once mentioned by Jesus of Nazareth. Moreover, since it is a key tenet of Catholicism that Jesus Christ was God. Surely Jesus would have mentioned a subject that would prove to be a paramount problem to his future church? Which the images on the death card suggest that the Roman Catholic Church must be willing to change its misguided, out of date attitudes towards women, sex and a celibate priesthood. Or see its strength in the world of moral representation die.

This is supported by the images of a king lying prostrate on his back behind the figure of death. His crown lies distant upon the ground touched by the left heel of the horse ridden by death. The Papal staff lies on the ground before the Papal figure. These images imply the loss of Papal authority and the demise of a both a ruler and a kingdom. The fallen Papal staff definitely suggests the resignation of a Pope in a year numbering 13.

The is also a small boat pictured sailing down the stream of time. Pamela has placed such images throughout other Tarot cards as well. She uses these signals to mark important images throughout her Tarot designs. Images that very few have actually noticed. Another very significant symbol, Pamela included, is a red plume coming out of a person's head. These red plumes are all related. Are they images of blood or of wisdom?

There is also the sun rising between two towers. This means that the new Pope must choose between two opposing sides of the current church. That he must choose between the past and the future. That the Roman Catholic Church must become a new light to rise up between opposing towers of opinion and rigidity.

The strangest image of all is that of a flag carried by the death figure. A flag that has a thinly disguised five pointed star on it. (Actually there are two of them with one hidden inside the other). This could easily be seen as a pentagram. The version chosen by Pamela Coleman Smith was chosen most likely to disguise it. And an upside down one at that. The upside down pentagram is originally associated with Aleister Crowley and his worship of the darker forces surrounding Baphomet. The upside down pentagram actually represents the goat face of Baphomet. She also made reference to Baphomet in her rendition of the Devil card number 15.

Is Pamela suggesting that the Roman Catholic Church has begun to secretly follow the philosophy of Baphomet? Or that there is a secret society within the church falling into worship of this dark satanic force?

Pamela did not choose to join Crowley when he broke away from the Order of the Golden Dawn to create his far darker philosophy of Thelema. Pamela remained a member of the original group lead by Madame Helena Blavatsky.

What is most surprising is:

How did Pamela Coleman Smith know that in a year numbering 13, a Pope would resign? Something that has not occurred in 600 years within the Roman Catholic Church. And that the new Pope now named Francis would be selected on the 13th day of the month? Moreover, the small ship depicted is traveling along a stream in the southwestern portion of the Death Card. Exactly where Argentina would be located? How did Pamela know that this church would be affected by issues concerning children and women? And that there were elements within the Catholic Church that seem to be following the tenets of an aspect of the fallen one? She does offer possibilities for the new Pope to consider. Suggesting there is hope that the Catholic Church's dogmatic rigidity could become more flexible. If only it will embrace change, endings and new beginnings.

Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck® reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902 USA.  Copyright ©1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.  Further reproduction prohibited.  The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck® is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

 

zarinI am a professional psychic. My mother and father were both gifted psychics, from whom I have inherited my various gifts and to whom I will always be grateful.

 

                                   

 

 

 

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