The Deacon of the Minor Arcana

The Deacons of the Minor Arcana

Deacons, or decantes are the planetary associations that are used in astrology to denote the 30-degree period within each astrological house. They are used within tarot to associate planetary aspects to all 40 of the minor arcana cards. Each card is assigned to a decante, representing a 360 degree circle, divided by 12 which gives us the decantes. Each decante represents a 10 degree planetary association. The 4 aces of the minor arcana are given planetary associations. These Deacons are according to the Hermetic Golden Dawn. I am looking forward to comparing other systems of tarot and their deacons as well, as they may not all be the same for each deck.

Ace of Wands - Fire of Fire
2 of wands is mars in aries
3 of wands is sun in aries
4 of wands is venus in aries
5 of wands is saturn in leo
6 of wands is jupiter in leo
7 of wands is mars in leo
8 of wands is mercury in saggittarius
9 of wands is moon in saggitarius
10 of wands is saturn in saggitarius


Ace of Cups - Water of Water
2 of cups is venus in cancer
3 of cups is mercury in cancer
4 of cups is moon in cancer
5 of cups is mars in scorpio
6 of cups is sun in scorpio
7 of cups is venus in scorpio
8 of cups is saturn in pisces
9 of cups is jupiter in pisces
10 of cups is mars in pisces


Ace of swords - Air of Air
2 of swords is moon in libra
3 of swords is saturn in libra
4 of swords is jupiter in libra
5 of swords is venus in aquarius
6 of swords is mercury in aquarius
7 of swords is moon in aquarius
8 of swords is jupiter in gemini
9 of swords is mars in gemini
10 of swords is sun in gemini


Ace of pentacles - Earth of Earth
2 if pentacles is jupiter in capricorn
3 of pentacles is mars in capricorn
4 of pentacles is sun in capricorn
5 of pentacles is mercury in taurus
6 of pentacles is moon in taurus
7 of pentacles is saturn in taurus
8 of pentacles is sun in virgo
9 of pentacles is venus in virgo
10 of pentacles is mercury in virgo