The Tarot

I would like to thank Asia for all the input for this page

 The Tarot is one of the most common and popular tools, a psychological and philosophical system consisting of 78 cards divided into the Major Arcana (22 cards), and the Minor Arcana - four Suits, each containing four Court cards and ten Number cards. While references to playing cards appear in Europe from the mid-1300s, the earliest known deck dates from the 14th century (the Visconti-Sforza deck of Milan, Italy) In 1781 Court de Gébelin claimed that the symbols on the cards had ancient sacred and magical meanings. Soon they began being used for fortune-telling. Present day, a reading consists of shuffling the deck, drawing cards, arranging them in a pattern or spread, and interpreting the symbols in relation to a question or current life situations. The deck you choose is a personal one. In this section will give you a basic meaning for each card. The different spreads will be discussed also. This information will be coming from several different sources, two in particular, “The Tarot in Ten Minutes” by R.T. Kaser, and a deck  called “The Celtic Dragon Tarot” by D. .J. Conway and Lisa Hunt.  

The Basics

First off, you need to choose a deck. Find one that feels right for you. You may go through more than one deck before you find the one  for you.

The Major or first 22 cards (including 0 ) are called the “Trump” cards, and represent the major steps we take in our life.  Above, there is a picture of the first of the Major Arcana, “The Fool”. Below you will find a list of The Major Arcana cards, Their names, and a brief, generalized meaning to each card.

0) The Fool: This card represents an “unexpected change of direction” . For questions regarding a yes or no answer, this card would signify the answer “no”. If your deck has a “reversed” position meaning, in other words, if the card comes up, up-side-down, it means you will make an un-informed decision.

1) The Magician: This card represents self control, a desire to learn magic,. It refers to a “male” energy force. If this card is “reversed” or upside-down, in can mean that the person is spinning their wheels, running around a problem without focus or direction.

2) The High Priestess: If this card is drawn, it can represent an unknown future. It also implies you need to become more aware of what your “intuition” is trying to tell you. Reversed, it’s meaning can be determined as, “something isn’t feeling quite right”, something unexpected has or will occur.

3) The Empress: This card represents a feminine energy, goddess influence. You will receive unexpected blessings. It is about productivity, creativity, or a possible pregnancy. Reversed, it can signify, a turn of events not particularly in your favour. A disruptive ripple in the lake of your life so to speak.

4) The Emperor: Another male energy card. This is a “God” influence card. It represents power. A strong physical, (male) influence. Confidence, or someone who thrives in a structured environment. Reversed: It can mean “rules will change”, boundaries will be broken, which may turn in your favour.

5) The High Priest or Hierophant: This card represents your beliefs. It is about facing karmic issues. When this card comes up, it could signify a commitment being made, a promise, the person being represented will have high moral standards achieving a good, stable position in life. Reversed: Something is making you feel guilty. You’ve done something that will bother your conscious...

6) The Lovers: Emotions! Physical unions, a romantic encounter is coming. A new love will enter your life. Reversed: It can represent a temptation will be close at hand, an emotional rift, or physical separation from someone you love.

7) The Chariot: Balance. This card represents a person who tends to want to rescue people, wants to keep everything in balance- equal. Reversed: This cards signifies a battle coming, a “truce” won’t last.

8) Justice or Strength: This cards is about reaching a decision. You need to rely on your inner strength, and courage. A wrong will be corrected/righted... Reversed: You won’t come to a decision, a verdict will not be reached, but postponed.

9) The Hermit: This card represents solitude. It signifies the flow of time. It portends times spent alone, in thought, an inner journey will be taken. Reversed: You feel stranded, “too” alone, someone won’t show up as expected.

10) The Wheel: This card represents a change in fortune. Money is involved here. Risk and luck are in your favour though if reversed, it will not be in your favour. You either will be physically feeling great, or if reversed: under the weather.

11) Justice: This card suggests legal matters will need to be dealt with. There is a need to focus on the facts of the situation. You may be in a position to sign contracts or legal documents. The nature of these would be determined by the cards surrounding it. Reversed, this card suggests that a legal matter will be postponed, or delayed.

12) The Hanged Man: This card suggests a challenge to your “norm”. A suspension of activity, a need to look inside yourself a re-think the path you are taking. You are in a situation that requires you to make a decision. Reversed; a time of suspended activity moves forward. A time of self inflicted punishment ends.

13) Death: This card represents transformation. Something unexpected is coming your way and it will change you significantly. You may be receiving an inheritance of some sort. Reversed; The time of transformation ends. Someone sees you in a new light.

14) Temperance: Simply put- a time of harmony, “calmness” is at hand. You may feel more creative. Depending on the surrounding cards, you may need to persevere in a situation. Someone or something requires your patience, for it’s conclusion. Reversed; Impulsiveness, instant gratification. ends negatively.

15) Chains: (Sometimes referred to as The Devil)  Fear and indecision are blocking your way. You are stuck in a position that leaves you feeling weakened, or blinded to reality. You are wasting your energy on indulgences. You could be in a bad relationship which you are refusing to free yourself from. People are not being truthful with you. Reversed; Things turn your way- you feel a burst of energy, you “narrowly” escape a bad situation.

16) The Tower: This card suggests potential trouble coming. You may get into a heated argument with someone close to you. A period of frustration is at hand, where nothing will seem to go right for you. Reversed; Something shocks you, an act of God surprises you. Someone comes to your rescue, someone un-expected.

17)The Star: Personal and Spiritual growth is at hand. Allow your heart and mind to reach beyond what you are used to. If you do so, divine guidance will be available.  Reversed; you run out of energy to keep on “keeping on”. Your will power seems depleted.

18)The Moon: This card represents a period of intense dreaming. Messages, psychic awareness or experiences will surround you. “Dreamers” will be drawn to you. Reversed; There a secret enemies working against you. Someone is speaking badly about you, or being “two-faced”.

19) The Sun: Good things are coming your way- “dawn of a new day” so to speak. There are positive events a-foot. Good news is coming. Reversed. The opposite, negative events will have you feeling dismayed, a period of depression may be close.

20) Judgment; This is a card about facing karmic issues. It’s time to pay the piper, or receive your just reward. Reversed; There is a delay in your schedule. Expected news does not arrive.

21) The World: Very positive card, things will turn out going your way, wishes are granted,  you may feel the need to break away from old inhibiting paths or people, to begin a new journey in your life’s path. Reversed; you feel the need to move to a different location. A fresh start may be hampered in some way. A conflict needs to be resolved before you can start over again.

Short Readings

There are several short layouts you can do, for quick little insights. If your question requires a simple “yes or no”, The major arcana cards can be used in conjunction with The Fool and The World. The first ten cards, (1-10) are used in these readings. They will represent a specific person or event.

     To do a “yes or no” reading, gather The Fool, The World, and the first ten cards, The Magician, The High Priestess, The Empress, and Emperor, The High Priest, The Lovers card, The Chariot and Strength, (or eighth card). Include The Hermit, and The Wheel. You need to keep The World card, and The fool separated out in another pile.

     Take the pile of major arcana cards, and shuffle them, (upside down so you can’t see what the cards are), and think about your question. Keep it short and simple. Remember, this answer will be yes or no. Keep shuffling the cards until one jumps out, or falls out of the pile. Or, until they seem to stick together, and “don’t want to be shuffled anymore”. Put the pile down.

     Then take the other two cards and do the same thing. Shuffle until they “don’t want to be shuffled anymore” or one jumps out of your hands.

     Put that pile down, and turn over the top card of the first pile. Then take the second pile, and put it’s top card over the first.

     Here are the meanings:

“Yes or No”

The Trumps or major arcana:

The Magician... when crossed by The World.....means absolutely

                       when crossed by The Fool means........ possibly

The High Priestess.. when crossed by The World.. means...Probably

                    when crossed by The Fool...means...it could be

The Empress: when crossed by The World...means...certainly

                    when crossed by The Fool...maybe

The Emperor: when crossed by The World means...definitely

                    when crossed by The Fool...means.. perhaps

see the pattern?

The Hierophant: when crossed by The World....means... assuredly

                        when crossed by The Fool....means....hopefully

The Lovers:   when crossed by The World... for sure

                   when crossed by The Fools...means... not sure

The Chariot:  when crossed by The world...means... positively

                    when crossed by The Fool...means.. potentially

Justice:   when crossed by The World...means.... decidedly

             when crossed by The Fool...means.... uncertain

The Hermit:   when crossed by The World...means... eventually

                    when crossed by The Fool....means...not yet

The Wheel of Fortune:  when crossed by The World...means yes

                                 when crossed by The Fool...means... no

    Their are also the other suits. They are called the Minor Arcana and give a bit more detail to a reading. They help identify specifics.  

Minor Arcana

     Their are four “suits” to tarot decks referred to as the “Minor Arcana” as there are in playing cards. These suits consist of, The Wands, associated with the element of Air, Swords, associated with the element of Fire, the Cups, associated with the element of Water, and finally, the “Pentacles, or in some decks, “Coins” associated with the element of Earth. These suits offer further detail to the different steps in each life cycle. They clarify the small details surrounding which ever Major Arcana card they fall around.

     The first Ten Wand Cards can also be used to clarify the details for questions regarding your work or career. If you were to sit down to do a reading and received mostly Wands, you would then know the details could be related to this subject.

     The first Ten Cups, represent or signify the details regarding love and friendships.

     The first Ten Pentacles, or Coins, represent details regarding Money and Finances.

     The first Ten Swords represent tactics, or a strategy to use in any given situation. If you were doing a reading and received cards from the Wands, and Swords, then could would know that the strategies were work related. If you received Swords with Cups, then you’d learn how to attract or get away from a friendship or lover.

     The Kings and Queens represent People and or Places.  This becomes significant when doing specific types of tarot spreads, yet also can clarify whom or where you might be dealing with whatever other suit came up in your reading.

     The Page and Knight cards represent News and Messages you might be receiving. The suit would represent in what subject that news or message would be about.

     The Fool and The World are used for Yes and No questions. The Fool answering “no” or an un known possibility, The World, would be “Yes” or “Probably”.

A Quick Divinatory Meaning for Each of the Minor Arcana Cards

(as suggested by The Celtic Tarot)

The Wands: 

Ace: New beginnings; or cycles

2; Focus your will and energy

3; Planning and Partnership

4; Happiness, Rest; success

5; Obstacles; opposition

6; Success after hard work

7; Difficulties, competition

8; Movement, urgency

9; a pause

10; struggle, loss

The Page; Important news foreign places

The Knight

Sudden changes

Queen; reaping rewards social events

King; Ambition and leadership

Swords:

Ace; Decisions and activity

2; tension, indecision

3; Emotional upheavals

4; Rest, a pause

5; Slander, arguments and failure

6; Journey’s difficult choices

7; Bad feelings, snooping

8; restriction and fear

9; great sadness and loss

10; disruption, dark times

The Page; Impulsiveness, troubles

Knight; Misfortune, persecution

Queen; Learning Lessons

King; Opposition, obey the laws

Cups

Ace; Joy, fertility

2; love, friendship, commitment    

3; prosperity, success

4; old memories, dissatisfaction

5; negative events

6; reunions, unexpected gifts

7; day dreams responsibilities

8; lack of discipline

9; wishes are granted

10; goals are reached

Page message of love

Knight; Unexpected pleasant times

Queen; strong psychic feelings

King; Emotional events

Pentacles/Coins

Ace; Material success

2; harmony through changes

3; profitable skills satisfaction    

4; grasping at money

5; loss, unpleasant differences

6; just rewards

7; anxiety, progress stopped

 8; New skills; new opportunities

9; comfortably alone

10; property and business

Page; News of money

Knight; gains or losses

Queen future plans

King; Success in money and business

As mentioned earlier, the positive, or negative result of these cards will be represented by or implied by the surrounding cards in the reading. If you receive say “The Wheel” card followed by The Page of Pentacles, this would imply good news.

If you like the above tarot then each picture has a link back to the site where you can purchase this set. Otherwise, the links below have a wide selection of tarot for you to choose from.