The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a rich and powerful tool, one that mirrors many of the teachings found in Neville Goddard’s philosophy on manifestation. In fact, the Major Arcana reflects the states of consciousness that Neville speaks about, while the four suits of the Minor Arcana correspond to the divine name of God. These connections are no coincidence, though it's important to note that the creator of the Tarot, Arthur Edward Waite, had his own interpretation of biblical stories. His perspective, while similar in many respects to Neville’s teachings, differs in its application. Nevertheless, many of the themes are strikingly aligned.
The Divine Name of God and the Four Suits
Each of the four suits in the Minor Arcana represents an aspect of the divine name of God, YHVH (Yahweh), as well as an essential part of the process of manifestation:
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Wands represent conscious awareness—the spark of thought and will that begins creation.
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Cups represent the subconscious mind—the emotional and imaginative reservoir where desires are seeded and nurtured.
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Swords are the nail or peg that binds Wands (conscious awareness) with Cups (the subconscious), allowing the conscious and subconscious to work in harmony and creating the pathway for manifestation.
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Pentacles represent the manifested reality—where desires are fully materialised into the physical world.
The Tarot as a Tool for Manifestation, Not Fortune-Telling
Herein lies the irony of the Tarot's use today. While it is often employed as a fortune-telling device, predicting external circumstances, it directly contradicts the very principles that Neville Goddard taught. Fortune-telling relies on the belief that the external world controls your destiny, that events are predestined or determined by forces outside your control. This is the very opposite of Neville’s teachings on manifestation.
Neville’s philosophy posits that it is the internal world—our thoughts, beliefs, and emotions—that shapes our external reality. Rather than waiting for external circumstances to dictate our fate, Neville teaches that we have the power to create and change our circumstances from within. The Tarot, when approached correctly, is not a tool for predicting what will happen to you, but rather a tool for manifesting what you desire by impressing your subconscious with the right imagery, beliefs, and emotions.
The Similarities and Differences Between Waite’s Interpretation and Neville’s Philosophy
While the Rider-Waite Tarot was designed by Arthur Edward Waite, whose understanding of the Tarot was influenced by Christian mysticism and esoteric traditions, many of the biblical themes embedded in the deck align with Neville Goddard’s teachings on creation. Waite’s imagery is rich in symbolic references to biblical stories and archetypes, much like Neville’s interpretation of biblical tales, though each has a different approach.
For example, Waite’s depiction of The Fool card draws upon ideas of innocence, potential, and the beginning of a spiritual journey. Neville Goddard would agree with this, viewing The Fool as the state of infinite possibility—the first step in the process of manifestation. However, Neville places more emphasis on the power of imagination as the driving force behind creation, rather than on the spiritual journey in the traditional sense.
Similarly, the Magician in Waite’s deck symbolises mastery over the material world, using the tools of the elements to manifest reality. Neville would interpret this as the conscious use of imagination and will to create what one desires in life—manifesting the unseen into the seen. While Waite’s symbolism draws heavily on external mastery, Neville would focus on the internal power of thought and belief as the true means of creating reality.
The Irony of the Tarot’s Popular Use
Here’s the irony that strengthens Neville Goddard’s teachings: when the Tarot is used for fortune-telling, it is misunderstood as an external source of wisdom or power. The cards are then seen as providing a glimpse into the future or offering answers that are outside the individual’s control. This approach directly contradicts Neville’s core principle that we are the creators of our destiny.
Instead, Neville taught that the Tarot can be a guide to aligning your inner world—your thoughts, emotions, and imagination—so that you can shape the outer world in the way you desire. The Swords represent the conscious mind, the Cups represent the subconscious, the Wands embody desire, and the Pentacles show the final manifestation. To understand these cards and their symbolism is to understand how you can actively shape and change your reality by mastering the connection between your conscious and subconscious mind.
Thus, using the Tarot for its true purpose—as a reflection of your internal state—is in perfect harmony with Neville Goddard’s teachings. The Tarot can guide you to recognise the states of consciousness that need to be altered in order to manifest your desires, but it does not predict what will happen to you. It helps you take charge of your life and actively create your own destiny.
Conclusion: The Tarot as a Tool for Manifestation
Both the Rider-Waite Tarot and Neville Goddard’s teachings provide profound insight into the process of manifestation. While the Tarot deck reflects themes that relate to the power of thought, emotion, and creation, it is important to approach it with the understanding that, like Neville Goddard’s teachings, the power to create lies within ourselves.
When used as a tool for reflection and transformation, the Tarot can be a divine guide to manifesting one’s desires. Just as the four suits align with the aspects of YHVH—the divine name of God—the Tarot offers a visual roadmap for navigating the states of consciousness that lead to manifestation. By using the Tarot in alignment with Neville’s philosophy, we recognise that the external world is simply a reflection of our internal beliefs and states of being.
In the end, the Tarot, when understood through the lens of Neville Goddard's teachings, is not a device for predicting the future, but a powerful tool for actively shaping and manifesting the life we desire. The irony is that while it is often used to predict the future, its true purpose is to help us create the future by recognising our inner power and using it to manifest our desires.
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