©Eric K. Lerner
Tarot
And Dilogun
Insights into Both Arts
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| The Fool depicted here in the Pierpoint-Morgan Visconti-Sforza deck. This is the oldest fully extant traditional tarot which dates back to the late 1400's. The Fool is the one un-numbered element among the major arcana in the tarot. | Eleggua, depicted in my drawing, is not unlinke Tarot's Fool. He is the messenger orisha who brings the wisdom of the Four Hundred and One Powers to us through Dilogun. In fact, it is Eleggua's face, not Orunla's, that graces the boards of Ifa diviners, because it is he who enables us to divine. |
"Which do you prefer? Tarot or Dilogun?" I'm often asked this, and I don't really have an easy answer. I love both. I associate different energies with each. Both are effective means of divination. Tarot began as a card game in Medieval Europe. Eventually, it gained popularity as a means of predicting the future. In the right hands it is a very accurate oracle that reveals specific situations and likely outcomes. While many people who read tarot have deep religious beliefs, Tarot does not express the philosophy of any particular religion. This differs from Dilogun, which originated with the Yoruba People of Southwest Nigeria. It is only practiced by Yoruba priests. (I myself am a priest of Obatala.) It is meant to reveal the will of effective deities, called orisha, as well as ancestors both genetic and spiritual. This is based on a religious conviction that powerful forces influence our lives and can be encouraged to act on our behalves. Practically, dilogun involves throwing sixteen consecrated cowry shells to reveal divine expression in the mortal realm. It expresses a relationship between the client and orisha. It’s a kind of contract. The seeker asks the orisha for guidance, and in exchange shows his faith in them by making offerings indicated by the interpretation of the shells. If a favorable outcome is revealed, the client is encouraged or prescribed to make some offering of thanks to the orisha or ancestors. Usually, this is not terribly expensive, consisting of some fruits, flowers, or other simple items consistent with the orisha’s tastes. However, this can differ in the case of bad fortune. A substantial offering may be requested by the orisha in order to turn around the negative energy.
In a tarot reading, I'm more or less the guy in the driver's seat. What I say reflects my ethics and sensitivity, and of course my ability to interpret what the cards mean. I also make it clear that what I say is only my interpretation. My client is certainly encouraged to seek other advice, particularly if sensitive medical, legal or financial issues are raised. But I honestly construe a dilogun reading to be a "voice of God." I regard myself strictly as being a messenger. There's no higher lawyer or doctor than the orisha by a country mile. Now I'm human, and I can get the message wrong. So certainly it's wise for the client to seek the advice of a doctor lawyer or appropriate professional. It feels like a breech of faith for me to make a disclaimer. If you're going to commit your life to the orisha, it does not make sense to question their voices. If a dilogun reading foretells an illness, I am obligated to mark specific eboses (sacrifices or offerings) to the orisha and ancestors and treat it as a fact.
Therefore, I don't recommend that someone who is not a practitioner of Yoruba religion seek a dilogun reading. Dilogun is a reflection of a very particular religion, culture and system of values. While its prognostication value can apply to anyone, its value can be undercut if the client doesn't understand the need for other rituals it may require. The only time I suggest a dilogun reading to an outsider is if there are extraordinarily difficult health or legal challenges being faced and he specifically asks for a means of divine intervention. Besides, I really do enjoy Tarot greatly. I'm blessed to be able to access more than one path to enlightenment. The orisha do a perfectly good job on their own of engaging someone if they wish for him to get involved in their worship.
I've recently added an article comparing aspects of the Tower Trump XVI, The Tower to the Oba Ka So legend, involving the great orisha Shango. I hope that by providing such an unusual perspective to illuminate an interconnectedness between all systems of esoteric wisdom. The similarities between the two are truly remarkable. Click here to read: THE TOWER: Thoughts on September 11, A King’s Downfall And Redemption
On these pages, I hope to provide information about both divinatory practices. I'm going to start with charts of the major arcana in Tarot and list correspondences for body part, illness, stone/mineral, plant, animal, magical power, vegetable drug, perfume, magical weapon and esoteric name correspondences as outlined in Crowley's masterwork 777. My next project is a chart of the major odu in the Ifa Corpus, to be followed by attribution charts for the Court and Pip cards in the tarot. If there are things you'd like to see, just let me know by e-mailing me.
Click here for the Tarot Correspondences Chart.
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