The attributions of the Major Arcana to the Hebrew alphabet

 and the paths on the Tree of Life

by Serena Brink

The correct attribution of the major arcana to the Hebrew alphabet and subsequently to the paths on the Tree of Life is a matter of considerable debate, much of it confusing. To summarize the debate I have put the attributions of the following authorities into a table for comparison:

The Golden Dawn, Crowley, and Levi.

Their attributions of the major arcana to the Hebrew letters and the paths on the Tree of Life can form the basis for further reflection on the issue.

Some occultists state that there is only one true version that can be used successfully for pathworking.  If pathworking constitutes a major part of the use of Tarot for spiritual growth and insight, then making the 'correct' attributions becomes crucial.  Hulse supports the Golden Dawn version, and Gad supports the French occultist attributions.  Of course, it could be argued that the attribution of the Tarot to the Tree of Life is a forced one, and doesn't really work, in which case why read any further?

I have included a list of references that will help you gain insight into the debates.

Tree of Life diagram with the paths marked out.

Table of comparisons between the paths, Hebrew letters, and attributions of the Golden Dawn, Crowley, and Levi.  Major differences are in bold.

References.  These include annotations and quotes from relevant books.

I will add a section on Wirth, whose attributions are different to all of the above, once I have added an explanation to his attributions and the variations of it, reported in various texts.