Card games have been a recurrent theme in the New World, present in both Doflamingo and Kaido crews. They help us understand the power structures of their respective side, with Kaido on one hand being all about numbers and raw power, while Doflamingo is more calculative and tries to use his members powers as meticulously as he can.
This gets interesting once you consider Kaido is presented as a knock-off Joy-boy: Everything he did felt like it came from a check-list of things Joy Boy achieved he had to replicate. Joyboy had an army of minks? I guess an army of low-quality fake zoans will do. Joyboy led 10 fighters from Wano against their oppressor? Well, Oni were the original inhabitants of Wano, so I guess the Numbers fit the definition. A giant elephant? Don't you see we have Jack?
It all became devoyed of its original meaning, and considering how much Oda loves to draw parallels, we can assume the same goes for Doflamingo : He is nothing more than a bootleg version of Imu. I'm not the first one to point their similarity, I assume most of you have already seen this picture by u/Wpiece that presents the ressemblance between the gorosei bowing scene and the Doflamingo family swearing allegiance to their young master.
https://preview.redd.it/the-gorosei-powers-can-all-be-deduced-from-tarot-card-v0-xuyvn2w25lrb1.jpg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=022b1228565a57122e2fcb2b3c2167cd229868ab
Since we know of the symbols of each Doflamingo family member, we can associate a symbol to every single gorosei. Moreover, thanks to Hawkins, there is no doubt that the Major Arcana is canon in the One Piece universe and that we can replace each symbol by their Tarot equivalent to decipher the lost meaning of their rank.
Taromancy is particularly elusive by design, so we'll only stick to broadly accepted notions in order to avoid any biais in our interpretation. In addition to the major Arcana, tarot contains the minor arcana, divded in four card suits, each composed of 14 cards associated to a way to rule as well as an elemental power. Since several versions of these elemental attributions exist, I'll go with the Egyptian Tarot that is presented on the japanese wikipedia :
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Wands - (Clubs) - Fire - Power through knowledge
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Swords - (Spades) - Wind - Power through Weapons
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Pentacles - (Diamonds) - Earth - Power through Trade
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Cups - (Hearts) - Water - Power through emotions and love
Now that this is clear, let's get into it and look at each individual gorosei in order to deduce their most likely powers. You'll see, a lot of things will make more sense as I explain them.
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn - Godhead of Science & Defense
Tarot cards : King of Wands (minor), The World reversed (major)
Elemental connection : The Mother Flame
Theorized Power : Mythical Zoan - Buru Buru no mi, model Minotaur
Reverse Character : Professor Clover
The latest arc gave us a lot of clues about what to expect from Saint Saturn, notably from the confirmation of his real name and the introduction of the Mother Flame. Before that, we knew very little about him except that he cried at Dr. Clover's death and was probably family related to him due to his similar nose shape.
https://preview.redd.it/the-gorosei-powers-can-all-be-deduced-from-tarot-card-v0-au46j9zuhlrb1.jpg?width=565&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4877c3f56b5bf9c9b7009c79662fbb6999f6938aThe name Saturn holds some relevancy to the major Arcana, as each planet is associated to a specific card. In most versions, Saturn is connected to "The World", the card of accomplishment and harmony. Nevertheless, once it's reversed it becomes the card of stagnation, enclosure, and lack of completion.
Saint Saturn is probably not an inventor but a keeper of secrets whose purpose is to keep an eye on the worlds technology, keeping any advantage for his own side. Since he only protects secrets and doesn't actually create anything, the Minotaur fruit fits him quite well :
It's the power to turn anything into a labyrinth, he can alter reality to prevent his enemies from reaching their initial destination or escaping him. They are forced to go through every single one of his soldiers and machines unless they can find the exact way out. (And the obligatory rule of a labyrinth is to have an entrance and an end point)
His power is probably the reason why seafaring on the Grand Line is so complicated and requires log poses, preventing islands from sharing their progress too easily. Now would be a perfect time for him to display the extent of his powers when the straw hats are supposed to escape from Egghead island.
In the minotaur myth, Ariane escapes using a red rope to find her way back inside the labyrinth. I can't see anyone doing that here, so we might have to go with the Ariane space program instead. In other word, the only way to escape Saint Saturn power range currently is to escape earth and go right to the moon! 🚀 🚀 🚀
Final match-up : Considering his relation to technology and Ohara, he should be the opponent of Franky and Robin. But, I could also imagine one of the vegapunks with them : Lilith. Outside of the obvious reason of avenging the vegapunks that are going to die in egghead, she has been introduced as a pilot, which means she could be able to manoeuver at full speed inside a Labyrinth. With the help of Robin as a co-pilot using her observation skills, and Franky to fight the enemies inside the maze, she could turn the fight into a remake of TRON and rush right at Saint Saturn for the killing blow.
Saint Marcus Mars - Godhead of Environment
Tarot cards : King of Swords (minor), The Emperor reversed (major)
Elemental connection : Wind & Thunder
Theorized Power : Mythical Zoan - Tori Tori no mi, model Thunderbird
Reverse Character : Knight of the sky Gan Fall
We don't know much about this character, except that he bears a striking resemblence with Gan Fall and can turn into a bird. Nevertheless, based on his name and tarot relation, it is quite evident that he is a tyrannical warmonger who rules the sky. Despite his calm appearance, he might have the most destructive power out of the five gorosei.
The most interesting thing is the tarot connection with Wind, which makes me think all we need to know about him can be found in Skypea. My theory is that he will be a combination of Gan Fall and Enel which will have to be faced without Luffy. In that regard, the most logical power for him comes from the native-american mythology : The legendary Thunderbird.
That power would grant him mastery over the winds and clouds of the World, allowing him to make navigation harder by creating the calm belt as well as storms where navigation is not desired. He decides which land gets rain and which land doesn't, explaining his association to environmental management. Alabasta current climate might be of his making, long before Crocodile schemes. Raijin island may be affected by his powers to hide precious knowledge or artifacts, not that it would dissuade Urouge from getting it, though.
His power might also be a key element in war to carry the mother flame where it needs to go, though we can expect him to use thunder as well. I wouldn't be surprised if Oda had this power in mind when he drew the eagle symbol in Germa 66 bird throne room (in addition to the nazi reference).
Final match-up : It turns out the best Strawhats to face Saint Mars are also the three one who faced Enel back in Skypea : Nami, Usopp and Sanji. While they stood no chance back then, Nami understanding of climate has greatly improved and she even has Zeus to defend herself or move through the sky. Sanji can now fly and tank shocks better than ever thanks to his modifed body. And as for Usopp, we can expect him to finally get a power-up in the future, or to shoot at the bird at insanely long distances with new variants of the firebird attack.
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro - Godhead of Finance
Tarot cards : King of Pentacles (minor), The Empress reversed (major)
Elemental connection : Earth
Theorized Power : Special Paramecia : Hoshi Hoshi no mi - the Star Star fruit
Reverse Character : Shimotsuki Kuina
This one is the most surprising and unexpected one of them all. You would think he would be related to war due to his sword, but he gets the title of wargod of Finance. Considering most of his dialogues have been around keeping the balance of power in check, we can expect his power to involve equilibrium and trade, but it's hard to imagine how it could work. This is where Tarot gives us some precise answers : Pentacles.
The Pentacle is a very widespread magical symbol of protection, known even in Japan where it is used to represent elemental balance. It follows the chinese conception of elements : Earth, water, fire, wood and metal all interacting with one another. Saint V. Nusjuro might use his sword to draw stars that turn into rings of protections from any element, depending on what he needs. You can easily imagine how powerful it is, as it allows him to create metal cages to imprison his enemies, water seals to limit devil fruit users, and even fire rings to threaten with incineration. The giant mountain range around Wano, Impel Down and the red line might have been the most consequential uses of his powers.
https://preview.redd.it/the-gorosei-powers-can-all-be-deduced-from-tarot-card-v0-d16oyje4morb1.jpg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7de93a07fa465db4379c5850ad34b62e04e0fc69But did you ever wonder why he has a "V" in his name? Well, when you start drawing a pentagram with a V, it means you're about to make the symbol of Baphomet. This is still about balance, but now you're trading souls and blood for powers of the Underworld. This power might allow him to transform into a demon, summon devilish creatures and bring back souls from the dead... But always for a heavy price. The slaves and inhabitants of Marigeoise might be nothing more than a reservoir of worthy sacrifices. In fact, it makes sense that the most extreme rituals such as redemption would require the heart of a close family member, forcing them to keep inbred relatives in proximity and making sure they would never want to leave. I think we'll definitely see a gorosei getting killed and return to life shortly after a bloody ritual, in a way comparable to Enel death.
In addiction, the name Venus has always been associated to femineity, and connected to the Empress card in Taromancy. When reversed, it indicates a lack of fertility and confidence ; his very masculine Wano name might hide some ancient insecurity from his distant past. This is something noteworthy as cross-dressing has been a recurrent theme of Wano, and gender inequality seems very integrated in their belief as we saw with Kuina's despair from being born a woman.
Saint V. Nusjuro might have been a woman with high ambition, but who was shamed by the wano citizens despite her efforts, growing insecure and resentful to the point of joining their enemy. In that regard, there might be some room to give Kuina's story a conclusion.
Final match-up : This is without a doubt a Zoro fight : It has Wano connections, cutting every material in the world, facing literal hell against a shapeshifter opponent and ghosts from the past... This feels like all Zoro previous fights combined into one. Brook would also be a very needed help to deal with the underworld powers at play, as his soul powers could disrupt rituals and his music appease the tormented souls forced into this. This also seems like a good fight for a Yamato return, as most of these themes are relevant to her as well.
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter - Godhead of Agriculture
Tarot cards : Page of Cups (minor), The wheel of Fortune (major)
Elemental connection : Water
Theorized Power : Mythical Zoan : yokai yokai no mi, model Umibozu
Reverse Character : Judge Vinsmoke
Other theorist have already pointed out the fact that the Hearts and Cups are always about hidden allegiances and treason, and how St Peter got executed by emperor Nero for his religious beliefs, so I'll try to bring something new to the table through the tarot perspective.
For a long time, quite a few people had this headcanon that he was related in blood to Sanji. This idea has been discarded after Judge was introduced, and even more now that we have Ju Peter real name... But in regard to the symbolic of tarot and his title, this idea might not be as silly as you think, this isn't just a meme.
Cups are all about emotions and loyalty, and so is the Vinsmoke family in a way. Judge is a character who couldn't deal with his own emotions, he ended up regarding them as a weakness that should be erased. He tried to suppress them from his 5 children, but he couldn't remove them all.
Just like Sanji, Ju Peter might also be that odd one out : Someone true to his moral values, protecting those he cares about in secret and feeding anyone he can without discrimination. As a result, he would need a power that allows him to control water and look over those in need of help. My guess would go for the mythical Umibozu, a creature that appears in the night and can suddenly change a calm sea into a tumultuous nightmare.
https://preview.redd.it/the-gorosei-powers-can-all-be-deduced-from-tarot-card-v0-ea04pbelorrb1.jpg?width=725&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=302ca76d42dcf27bcd7b7dd79c8ccf7c104a9792In japanese folklore, the Umibozu will demand sailors a barrel that he will use to drown them. This feels curiously reminiscent of chapter 2, where Luffy is already trapped by a gigantic whirlpool that forces him to hide inside a barrel to survive. We rarely have seen anything like this happen ever again in East Blue, and I actually believe this is the first display of Ju Peter's power to set Luffy toward the right direction.
He might also have been the one who created the knock-up stream on Jaya as an effort to protect the island from the inevitable destruction greed would cause it. This makes Mont Blanc Noland flashback makes so much sense : First he tried to kill him by forcing an earthquake, but failed. Once he realized he couldn't stop his outstanding navigation skills, he chose to hide the island in the sky instead. In the end both Noland and Kalgara had been right and wrong : There was no god, but there was still someone who had a right reason to stop him from what he was doing.
Other strange locations like Reverse mountain and Wano reverse waterfalls might also be products of his fruit, which seem to leave lasting effects wherever he acts. It is likely he also acted in more subtle ways to supply fresh water sources, even to the dried lands of Alabasta.
In Taromancy, Jupiter is often associated to the wheel of fortune. It seems to fit very well this idea of a character who deeply believes in fate, causing good luck for characters he believes in, until the wheel turns over and starts a new cycle. His luck will eventually run out and he will be discovered by Imu, but he'll smile, as he knows it will mean Dawn is finally back.
Saint Topman Warcury - Godhead of Justice
Tarot cards : King of Cups (minor), The Magician Reversed (major)
Elemental connection : Water
Theorized Power : Mythical Zoan : Kaba Kaba no mi, model Seth
Reverse Character : Fisher Tiger
Similarly to Vergo, Saint Warcury might also have infiltrated enemies in the past. In taromancy, Mercury is associated to the magician, a card that once reversed is synonymous of manipulation, trickery and greed. He might have been considered a good ally and protector of the ancient kingdom, but that was nothing but a ruse to achieve his plans. He is shown to care more about appearances than reality : he was displeased on how Aokiji didn't publically act like someone of his rank and also showed concerns about the departure of Jimbei as a shichibukai since he was a symbol of harmony between men and fishmen.
Moreover, everything about his name and position seem to be related to water. In japanese, Mercury is pronounced "Water Planet", and this doubled down by Oda by having his name be Topman "Wota"cury, or, Watercury. For that reason, we should expect him to also have a power related to water that would be thematically relevant to the ancient kingdom.
https://preview.redd.it/the-gorosei-powers-can-all-be-deduced-from-tarot-card-v0-j165xc9vesrb1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0fa075dd2b133d65d20a777e81f82a2aa143cfd9
While Warcury (on the right) look like some kind of boar or tentacle creature, he's more likely a hippo with a very big mustache. Nevertheless, the few mythical hippos that exist all come from Egypt. The most famous one is Taweret, a goddess of fertility, but there is another : Seth. He might not look like it, but he was sometimes considered as a male hippo by some. He is the god of chaos and ruler of the red land. This one feels more thematic, as he also betrayed and killed his own brother for power.
But how good would a hippopotamus fruit be, if its user can't swim? Well, real hippos can't actually swim either, they just hold their breath and push themself upward. He might lie and pretend to be the only devil fruit user unaffected by the sea, while he would actually float on the surface while using his mustache to propel himself in water, as classic One Piece rules go.
I imagine him as a competent version of Wapol, a massive gluttonous brute, with a power that confuse the minds of his enemies and make an ordered resistance difficult.
From his powers, he might have orchestrated disputes from other races who considered him a protector. The war of long-arms and long-legs might have all started because of him in an effort to blind them from the oppression caused by humans.
Final match-up : Since he's the god of Justice, it would be best for him to be faced by the races he oppressed. This feel like a fight for Jimbei and chopper, and probably a third character like Carrot, or a giant who is yet to be introduced. But it would work best with several armies at play, who couldn't help from attacking one another under the effect of his power.
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As for Luffy and Vivi, they would most likely be involved in the fight against Imu and couldn't take part in all of this. I won't delve into what his power could be as of yet as this theory is already long enough like this. This is my first one piece theory, so I hope it was interesting, thanks for reading.