Old English Tarot: 6 of Coins

In today's blog entry, Helen Howell continues her exploration of cards from the Old English Tarot by Maggie Kneen (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)

Old English Tarot

6 of Coins

by Helen Howell

This week’s card from the Old English Tarot is not too visually different from its more traditional brother the Rider Waite.  In the Rider Waite card we see a man holding scales in one hand (to address the balance) and giving coins from the other hand to a beggar who kneels at his feet (sharing, gifting). Of course the card is about sharing your wealth, addressing the balance, etc. It’s all about kindness and being generous with what you have, regardless of whether that be money, skill or knowledge, and in that act it creates harmony.

The Old English image shows us a similar balance. We have scales in the foreground; one side is loaded with money (wealth) and the other side with fruit (abundance.) Each balances out the other. The scales are coloured gold. A colour associated with the sun, gold can symbolise for us illumination, insight and understanding. Perhaps the hidden message in this is the understanding one gains in sharing, that the real gift is in the giving. By giving we address the balance and it reminds us that by doing such an act, we ourselves feel happier.

It helps to remember that it’s a number 6 card and I have found in tarot that it can often represent harmony gained after the disruption of the 5’s. In the Secret Power of Numbers (The Aquarian Press), Mary Anderson tells us that “happiness for this number is essentially sharing and harmony in relationships.”  This fits in perfectly with the Six of Coins.

The LWB says:
Generosity, charity, kindness, gifts
Reversed: Selfishness, avarice, bad debts.