Gentry/The Noemata/The Seventy-Eight Steps

The Seventy-Eight Steps and Their Exemplars

The Noemata rule over the Seventy-Eight Steps. Each of the Seventy-Eight Steps is occupied by an Exemplar, a single being who embodies (and lives in endless repetition) the particular lesson that step is meant to teach. Below is a list of each Step/Exemplar and the possible themes they embody. These themes are very brief and wide open to interpretation. Anyone playing one of the Noemata's Exemplars is encouraged to put their own spin on the ideas.

The Major Arcana

• The Fool: Beginnings. Taking the first step. Blind faith. Ignorance. Optimism.
• The Magician: Will. Power to manifest will. Having the right tools for the job. Awareness of self.
• The High Priestess: Reflection. The subconscious. Dreams. What's hidden within. Exploration of self.
• The Empress: Femininity. Receptivity. Creativity. Growth. Abundance. Fertility.
• The Emperor: Masculinity. Action. Forward-thinking. Stability. Structure. Power.
• The Hierophant: Priest. Teacher. Society. Community. Belonging. Identity within groups.
• The Lovers: The Heart. Free will. Choice. Passion. Love. Sex. Connection. Adventure. Imbalance.
• The Chariot: Progress. Movement. Momentum. Reigning in conflicting drives. Unity of purpose. Victory.
• Strength: Self-control. Awareness and integration of base animal nature. Courage. Perseverance.
• The Hermit: Self-reliance. Solitude. Introspection. Meditation. Being your own light.
• Wheel of Fortune: Chance. Change. Circumstances beyond your control. Luck. Karma.
• Justice: Balance. Objectivity. Unbiased evaluation. Fairness. Equality. Equilibrium.
• The Hanged Man: Sacrifice. Shift in perspective. Surrender. Suspension. Waiting.
• Death: Endings. Impermanence. Transition. Transformation. Death. Rebirth.
• Temperance: Moderation. Tempering. Strength through balance. Growth through endurance.
• The Devil: The Mind. Ego. Ambition. Distraction. Addiction. Obsession. Imbalance.
• The Tower: Realization. Change. Unraveling lies. Destructive truths. Finding the foundation.
• The Star: Hope. Healing. Help. Optimism. Light in the darkness. What we will wait or work for.
• The Moon: Secrets. Dreams. Illusions. Visions. Madness. Mental illness. Internal conflict. Instability.
• The Sun: Revelation. Understanding. Illumination. Clarity. Peace and well-being. Warmth. Joy.
• Judgement: Reward. Rebirth. Forgiveness. Reaping what is sown. Appropriate outcomes.
• The World: Completion. Mastery. Wholeness. Satisfaction. Independence. The end of a journey.

The Minor Arcana

Cups

Primary Themes: Water, emotions, love, fluidity, change.

• Ace of Cups: Beauty. A swelling of emotions. Infatuation.
• Two of Cups: Love.
• Three of Cups: Joy.
• Four of Cups: Satiety.
• Five of Cups: Regret.
• Six of Cups: Satisfaction.
• Seven of Cups: Imagination.
• Eight of Cups: Instability.
• Nine of Cups: Contentment.
• Ten of Cups: Success.
• Page or Princess of Cups: Evolution.
• Knight or Prince of Cups: Creativity.
• Queen of Cups: Contemplation.
• King of Cups: Inspiration.

Coins

Primary Themes: Earth, physicality, finances, sex, stability.

• Ace of Coins: Wealth.
• Two of Coins: Unity.
• Three of Coins: Gain.
• Four of Coins: Order.
• Five of Coins: Adaptation.
• Six of Coins: Well-being.
• Seven of Coins: Delay.
• Eight of Coins: Skill.
• Nine of Coins: Prudence.
• Ten of Coins: Prosperity.
• Page or Princess of Coins: Growth.
• Knight or Prince of Coins: Construction.
• Queen of Coins: Nurturing.
• King of Coins: Conception.

Wands

Primary Themes: Fire, passion, spirituality, creativity, will.

• Ace of Wands: Potency.
• Two of Wands: Dominion.
• Three of Wands: Enterprise.
• Four of Wands: Completion.
• Five of Wands: Endeavor.
• Six of Wands: Victory.
• Seven of Wands: Valor.
• Eight of Wands: Speed.
• Nine of Wands: Preparation.
• Ten of Wands: Oppression.
• Page or Princess of Wands: Transformation.
• Knight or Prince of Wands: Aspiration.
• Queen of Wands: Reflection.
• King of Wands: Innovation.

Swords

Primary Themes: Air, intellect, intuition, reason, self-delusion.

• Ace of Swords: Energy.
• Two of Swords: Peace.
• Three of Swords: Sorrow.
• Four of Swords: Rest.
• Five of Swords: Loss.
• Six of Swords: Change.
• Seven of Swords: Uncertainty.
• Eight of Swords: Conflict.
• Nine of Swords: Despair.
• Ten of Swords: Desolation.
• Page or Princess of Swords: Control.
• Knight or Prince of Swords: Action.
• Queen of Swords: Reason.
• King of Swords: Intuition.

Additional Resources

Any old resource on tarot will do, but here are a couple starting points for those who want to dig further:

• Gill Tarot Deck - Rainier's primary deck, a primary influence on the above definitions.
• Wikipedia
• Aeclectic.net