Środek is a deck of cards or symbols invented in the Invitcus Era during the Age of Intikilla by the Tesh culture in Marcwith. It was used, and in some cases still is used, to increase the accuracy of a Tesh's spiritual foresight, insight, or other duties of the traditional Tesh. In the modern era, it is more commonly associated with Tarot cards and used primarily for betting games.
History
The original creation of the Środek is often attributed to the Cult of Joros who were said to be powerful descendants of Tesh and Westerners. The tool became widely used by the Lē Gata Era, where is spread from Southern Marcwith to the rest of the continent and eventually to Asiri Asa. Although it is still used by traditional Tesh in Marcwith, few outside of this small community understand the difference between Środek and the more popular Tarot.
The structure behind Środek is based on the Old Echtoan faith with particular regard to synchronicity and sympathy. Although the cards had several functions, the mainstream has been to aid anyone seeking direction. The deck is a 'tool' the Tesh would use to strengthen the bond between their own conciousness and the sympathies that underlay all things in effort to successfully read the Sevenfold Soul of whomever came to the Tesh for aid. The cards reveal insight to aspects of the soul which are currently hindering or helping someone achieve a certain goal, enabling the creation of physical or spiritual remedy a person may need.
The Cards
While there is some debate among tesh which cards are original, a typical deck consists of 52 cards. Instead of numbers, however, the cards are symbols with specific meaning. Unlike Tarot, which it is often mistaken for, not all cards have varied meanings depending on the direction the card faces. Many of the cards are symbols relating to nature, such as elements, animals, and planetary motions. At least four cards are dedicated to phases of the moon while a similar number is attributed to man-made objects or actions.
Deciphering
The cards cannot be properly read without knowledge of a Saṁkētaya, the most versatile being the Sedmý Saṁkētaya. This determines which part of the soul each card represents and, in some cases, the layout of the cards themselves. Each Saṁkētaya represents aspects of the sevenfold soul as it interacts with the world, and the people, who surround it.
Spiritual, biological, and social spheres help to determine the reading of cards. Elements of earth, water, fire, and air, as well as hot and cold temperaments, masculine and feminine aspects, and even planetary movements are represented within the Saṁkētaya. Using this cipher, tesh are able to gain insight into portions of the mind and soul that are otherwise hidden even to the individual being helped. Some tesh will use multiple Saṁkētaya to complete a reading, while others may use the Sedmý in conjunction with other traditional tesh methods in the treatment of a client. conscious
The Sedmý Saṁkētaya is the most versatile of the Saṁkētaya charts and so the most commonly used in diagnostic treatments of clients.
The first card, set in the grounded elements, lays between the social and biological spheres. It is the coldest temperament of the soul, representing the physical body, the earth, personal karma, or the automaton. It is associated with the planet Abbathai and the seventh day of the week.
The second card, set firmly in the social sphere, is relevant to elemental earth, persona, astral energy and self-mastery. It is associated with the planet Tzeqdeq and the 5th day of the week.
The third card, set between the spiritual and social spheres, is related to elemental fire and the strength, vitality, and will to power of the individual. It is associated with the planet Madim and the 3rd day of the week.
The fourth card, set firmly in the biological sphere, is relevant to elemental water, and representative of animal natures, and sympathies between the dual nature of primitive knowledge and wisdom, values and creations, and cosmic unity and chaos. It is associated with the Sun and the 1st day of the week.
The fifth card, set in the lofty elements, sits firmly in the spiritual sphere. It is the hottest temperament of the soul, representing the intuition and feeling, fortunes, and the Self. It is associated with the planet Nogah and the sixth day of the week.
The sixth card, set in the element of air, is between the biological and spiritual sphere. It is the Shadow, the spirit and intelligence of the individual, and represents energy into element. It is associated with the planet Kokav and the 4th day of the week.
The seventh card lays at the center of all elements and natures. It is the true Ego, the universal spirit, the sympathy between all things, complete unity. It is associated with the moon and the second day of the week.