The Active Tetrad represents the Fourth Cosmological Stage, in which the Intercourse of the Gods brings about the Four Quarters of the Heavens, of the Earth and of the Abyss. Thus does Enlil mate with His Mother Ki, to bring about the Organized Universe (so in the Sumerian "Epic of Gilgamesh").
Alternately, in the Babylonian "Enuma elish," Anu gives the Fourfold Winds of Enlil to Marduk, who has Four Eyes and Four Ears; He completes the creation, begun by His Father Ea, by "Squaring the Quarters" - fixing the Four Quarters of the Three Worlds: the Heavens, the Earth, the Abyss; He gives the Gods Their Stations, organizes the Circle of the Zodiac, and defines the Cycle of the Year.
So does Trivia (Hecate) negotiate the return of Persephone to Her Mother (the return, reciprocation and reconciliation of the Demeter-Persephone-Hades Triad), and thus stabilize the Fourfold Cycle of the Year.
The Tetrad is Fixed, Firm, Four-Square, a Solid Structure, the Unshakable Four Quarters, the Four Elements, the Four Powers or Qualities; it is the Complete and Stable Totality in a given Plane. The Quartered Square represents Earth, Natural Motion and Linear Change (Growth, Progress, Evolution, etc.), and the Quartered Circle represents the Heavens, Celestial Motion and Cyclic Change. Combined they are the Fourfold Root of all Being and Becoming.
For the Pythagoreans, the Tetrad was the first Actual Even Number, since the Dyad is only Potentially Even, and so not Even in the full sense. The Monad and Dyad are principles of Potentiality beyond the Odd/Even distinction. Thus, the Potential of the Monad and the Dyad are brought to Actuality in the Triad and Tetrad.
The Pythagoreans called the Tetrad Heracles, Justice, and Perfect Harmony (the Four Concords). They also called the Tetrad Hermes, for He was born on the Fourth Day of the Fourth Month, and He is the God of the Four-cornered Herm (Marker Stone), which gives stability to Boundaries, which defines the Four Corners of the Land, and which marks the Cross-Roads (Quadrivium). As Hecate is the Magician of the Three Ways (tri-via), so Hermes is the Magician of the Four Ways (quadri-via).
The danger here (as in all the Caters) is complaisance: we are too comfortable, and so we're reluctant to rock the boat and risk losing what we've achieved by undertaking new adventures.
Image: A cross formed of a yellow torch on the left, a blue torch on the right, a green caduceus above and a red keraunos (thunderbolt) below, all defining a warm, orange circle on a dark background. The torches face to the sides.
Commentary: In all the Fours, the fourth element stabilizes the configuration, providing a firmer support than the air, which established the original connection; stability is symbolized by the fourfold mandalas of the Fours. Red is the color of power, strength and fortitude (Cooper s.v. Colours); it is complementary to green (the color of inexperience), as earth opposes air (as firm earth supports ephemeral air). In the Four of Wands the fourth element is represented by the keraunos of Zeus, Lord of the Four Quarters. The warm circle, like a hearth fire, represents security and comfort in the midst of the surrounding darkness. The outward facing torches suggest a protective circle.
Image: A cross of four swords, points outward, hilts to center; yellow hilt on left, blue on right, green above and red below; all on a peaceful background of clouds and sky.
Commentary: The four swords form a stable, balanced configuration. The hilts are toward the center, where there is peace; the points are outward, protecting the peace. The background is also peaceful, although clouds (future troubles) are still visible.
Unfortunately, because of its stability, the relationship tends to be taken for granted, and so it may lose its excitement and become boring. Though the relationship is comfortable, its stasis sows the seeds of emotional dissatisfaction and prepares the way for future change. Though there may be little to complain about, there may be a feeling that something is missing. Solid Relationship.
Image: Four cups arranged in a cross, bases toward the outside, on a blue-green background. Yellow cup on left, blue on right, green above and red below.
Commentary: The mouths of the cups are toward the center, to represent the containment and mutual fulfillment of the relationship, although nothing is observed to flow between the cups, which bodes ill. The blue-green background suggests peace, but perhaps also coolness.
The Cater of Pentacles represents success, comfort, material well-being, and financial security. However, excessive attachment to comfort or possessions, fear of loss or failure, hoarding, miserliness, greed, and preoccupation with money, prizes or success all may retard growth. Material Security.
Image: On a brown background, four pentacles, each engraved with an elemental symbol, in a cross formation: yellow pentacle of fire on left, blue of water on right, green of air above, red of earth below.
Commentary: The four pentacles are in a (perhaps overly) stable configuration. The brown background represents fertile, but somewhat immobile, earth.
Return to Pythagorean
Tarot homepage
Send
comments about this page
Last update:
6 Sep 2022