The Tarot and astrology are two of the most profound tools in Western esoteric tradition. While each system can stand alone, their fusion—especially through the Golden Dawn’s Kabbalistic framework—creates a symphony of symbolic meaning that enhances both astrological insight and tarot reading.

Let’s explore how these ancient systems intersect and enrich each other through the lens of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a 19th-century occult society whose teachings profoundly shaped modern Western mysticism.

The Tree of Life: The Kabbalistic Backbone

At the heart of the Golden Dawn’s system lies the Tree of Life, a diagram used in Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah) to represent the structure of the universe and the soul. The 22 paths connecting the 10 spheres (called Sephiroth) correspond to the 22 Major Arcana cards of the Tarot, as well as the 22 Hebrew letters.

Each path is also associated with a zodiac sign, planet, or elemental force, grounding the Tarot in the astrological world.

The Major Arcana and Astrology

In the Golden Dawn’s system, the Major Arcana is divided into three groups:

• 12 cards correspond to the 12 zodiac signs
• 7 cards correspond to the classical planets
• 3 cards correspond to the elements (Fire, Water, Air)

Here’s a breakdown of these associations:

Zodiac Sign Correspondences (12 cards)

Planetary Correspondences (7 cards)

Elemental Correspondences (3 cards)

Why is the Earth Element missing from the Major Arcana?

In the Golden Dawn’s Tarot–Astrology–Kabbalah system, the three elemental cards of the Major Arcana are as shown above but curiously, Earth is left out of the elemental trio in the Major Arcana. 

The Golden Dawn considered Earth not as a dynamic force, but rather as the result or product of the other elements interacting. In Kabbalistic thought, Earth represents manifestation, the final stage where energy becomes matter.

Because of that, Earth isn’t given a path (or Major Arcana card) of its own—it’s embedded in the structure itself rather than being a separate, active force.

Earth as the Element of Malkuth

In the Tree of Life, Earth is symbolized by Malkuth, the 10th and lowest Sephirah. Malkuth represents the material world, physical reality, and embodiment. It's not connected to a path like the other elements because it is the destination—the realm where all the other energies play out.

So rather than a specific Major Arcana card, Earth is often considered to be the entire realm where the tarot takes place and the framework within which all other elements manifest.

So, these Major Arcana assignments aren’t arbitrary—they reflect deep archetypal connections. For example, The Emperor symbolizes authority and leadership, aligning with the fiery initiative of Aries, while The Lovers explores duality and choices, mirroring the mutable air sign Gemini, etc.

Minor Arcana, Decans, and Timing

The Golden Dawn took it further by assigning each Minor Arcana card (2 through 10) to a specific decan—a 10-degree division of the 360° zodiac wheel.

Each suit corresponds to an element:

• Wands – Fire
• Cups – Water
• Swords – Air
• Pentacles – Earth

Each numbered card is then assigned to a sign and a planetary ruler. For example:

• 2 of Wands = Mars in Aries (first decan of Aries)
• 9 of Swords = Mars in Gemini (second decan of Gemini)

This makes the Minor Arcana incredibly powerful for astrological timing and personality profiling, offering nuanced insight when integrated with a natal chart or transits.

The Court Cards and the Zodiac

Court Cards are aligned with the four fixed elements and specific astrological modalities:

• Kings = Cardinal signs
• Queens = Fixed signs
• Knights = Mutable signs
• Pages (or Princesses) = Elemental Earth, seen as the grounding force of the suit

For example:

• Queen of Swords = Libra (Air + Fixed)
• Knight of Pentacles = Virgo (Earth + Mutable)

This system links personality traits and energies in readings to specific zodiac archetypes.

Final Thoughts

The Golden Dawn’s fusion of Tarot, astrology, and Kabbalah isn't just a historical curiosity—it's a practical, mystical toolkit. Understanding this tri-fold correlation adds depth to every reading, opening up insights into timing, character, spiritual path, and personal evolution.

Whether you're pulling a single card or mapping an entire spread, knowing these astrological connections can turn a good reading into a revelatory one.