The original use of the Tarot, according to Jesse Weston, was

not to foretell the future in general but to predict the rise and fall of waters.

The cards

are analogous to symbols of the Grail castle and treasures of the Tuatha de Danaan. Both are connected with the embodiment of the reproductive powers of nature. (From Ritual to Romance. Pp. 79-80)

In Shang-era graves you will find masks and chariots at the south, containers at the north, armor at the west, and weapons at the east. The invention of four suits was based on the kings of the cardinal directions from the shi (liuren astrolabe).

In Chinese tradition the oldest king is of the east. He carries a jade ring, a spear and magic sword. The western king has a blue face and carries a type of guitar. Hong, the southern king, wields the umbrella of chaos made of pearls. Zhou, the northern king with the black face, carries a pearl and a white rat-like creature that can turn into a man-eating flying elephant.

Let’s look at a cross-section of Chinese, Grail, Celtic and Jewish traditions accorded to traditional tarocchi suits.

CUP

Chalice, goblet, river, cauldron, vessel, fish — water, emotions, subconscious. Mercury, the “hour-star” in Chinese astronomy.

For premodern Chinese north was associated with occultism, crucifixion, and cannibalism. The story of King Wen and his son is echoed in Greek lore with the tale of Tantalus.

Containers were placed at the north, the direction of down — for water always seeks the lowest spot — and the Yellow Springs, the land of the dead.

North for Celts was battle and strife. In their traditions the cauldron was concerned with feasting, the dead, and a water ritual. In Jewish lore, the container was the Kiddush cup. In Grail lore it was the chalice that held the blood of Christ.

WAND

Lance, baton, arrow, pipes, spear, rod, scepter, serpents, and clubs. Jupiter, the “year-star” in Chinese astronomy.

In Tarot lore this is fire, intuition, spirit, inspiration, career, creativity, passion, superconsciousness. Jupiter signifies the east to Chinese and weapons were stowed on the eastern side of a tomb. In Chinese tradition the oldest king is of the east.

For Celts this direction signifies prosperity. The wand symbolized Lugh’s magic spear, “Answerer,” or the club of the Dagda. For Jews the symbol is the yad. In Grail lore it is the lance of Longinus used to pierce Christ’s side during the crucifixion.

SWORD

Tree, bird, wind, lightning, air, thinking, change, judgments, intellect, conscious mind, and spades. Venus, the “great white one” in Chinese astronomy.

Venus signifies the direction of west, where armor was buried in Chinese tombs. To Jews, this suit indicated an iron blade or knife. In Grail lore this symbol was the sword of King David. For Celts west signified learning and judgment.

PENTACLE

Dish, circle, pentacle, coin, shield, stone, and diamond. Associated with the Earth, money, work, physical bodies. Mars, the “fitful glitterer” in Chinese astronomy.

Associated in Chinese lore with the direction of south, up, the land of the living. Associated in Tarot lore with the winter and north. Refers to the Seder plate in Jewish lore.

For Celts, south suggests music, waterfalls, art, creativity. The symbol was a recumbent stone (dolmen or megalith), or the Stone of Fáil. In Grail lore this symbol refers to a Seder plate, which Christians interpreted as the platter or dish used at the Last Supper.

Tomb orientation

In death your back was to containers (Chinese), disks (Tarot), and battle (Celts). You faced wands (Tarot), creativity (Celts), and masks and chariots (Chinese). Your left side enveloped words (Tarot), armor (Chinese) and learning (Celts). Your right side embraced cups (Tarot), weapons (Chinese) and prosperity (Celts).

Andreas Capellanus wrote that cosmic Camelot faced the cardinal directions. Arthur’s gate was at the east, the women’s gate was at the south, the west belonged to the dissolute, and the north “to those who love not at all.”