Tarot Card Basics
If you are new to tarot, you may be wondering what each of the cards mean and how they are used in a reading. Here is a basic explanation that will provide some clarity so you can better understand the cards and even get started doing your own tarot readings right away.
Tarot cards have captivated the human imagination for centuries, serving as entertainment, as a powerful tool for divination and for self-discovery.
Tarot was traditionally used as a divination tool to gain insight into present situations and future prospects. It can also be used as a tool for self-reflection and personal growth.
Understanding Tarot: A brief history of the cards.
Tarot cards dates back to the mid-15th century in Europe. Their origins are somewhat murky, but they are believed to have evolved from playing cards introduced to Italy from Egypt. Originally, tarot cards were created for the game of tarocchi, which was popular among the nobility.
By the 18th century, tarot began to take on a mystical and esoteric significance, notably with the work of philosophers and occultists like Antoine Court de Gébelin, who linked the cards to ancient Egyptian wisdom. This shift moved tarot from mere entertainment to a tool for divination and self-reflection.
Various decks emerged over the years, each with unique art styles and interpretations.
In the 20th century, tarot experienced a resurgence in popularity, largely thanks to figures like Arthur Edward Waite and his popular Waite-Smith deck, which is the one we will be using here. This deck introduced rich symbolism, making tarot more accessible for readings. Today, tarot is embraced by many, both as a psychological tool for introspection and as a playful exploration of possibilities.
Understanding the basics of Tarot can unravel their secrets and open up a world of insight and guidance. While their mystical allure may be intriguing, getting started and learning the cards can be intimidating at first. Let's dive into the essentials of Tarot so that you, too, can harness the magic within these remarkable cards.
Learning to Read Tarot Cards
The cards tell the story of human experience. This story is a metaphor for one’s journey through life. Each card echos an important aspect, shedding light onto the various stages of spiritual development. When placed together in a tarot reading or spread, they build a story with each card representing a different chapter.
The Rider Waite Tarot: A Deck of 78 Cards
A Tarot deck consists of 78 cards, each holding a unique symbolic representation. These cards are divided into two main categories: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards, numbered from 0 to 21, representing significant life experiences and archetypal energies. The Minor Arcana comprises the remaining 56 cards, divided into four suits—Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles—each associated with an elemental energy. Wands = Fire, Cups = Water, Swords = Air and Pentacles = Earth.
The Major Arcana Tarot Cards: The Fool's Journey
Tarot cards are different from ordinary playing cards because they include twenty-two trump cards, known as the Major Arcana, which are assigned various astrological and symbolic meanings. There are many versions of the deck, but the most iconic is probably the Rider Waite Smith deck which is the one we are exploring today.
The Major Arcana cards, often considered the heart of Tarot, depict a potent narrative known as "The Fool's Journey." This journey symbolizes the soul's progression through life's various stages and lessons. The story begins with The Fool card, number 0, which indicates the beginning of a new cycle. The cards narrate the Fool's experiences as they encounter archetypes like the Magician, the High Priestess, and the Emperor, among others. From innocence to wisdom, love to loss, the Fool's Journey encompasses a wealth of human experiences, offering profound insights into our own lives. The story ends with the World card, number 21, which indicates the accomplishment of a goal or lesson and the completion of a cycle.
Meanings for the characters of the Major Arcana are as follows:
0. The Fool represents new beginnings and the courage to take risks, embracing the unknown with a sense of adventure.
1. The Magician, symbolizes action, ambition, and the power of manifestation, reminding us that we possess the ability to shape our own destiny through our choices and actions.
2. The High Priestess embodies secrets, intuition, and the wisdom gained through learning and self-discovery. She represents the connection between the physical and spiritual realm.
3. The Empress The Empress embodies the natural world and creation. The realms of creativity, abundance, and the nurturing energy of motherhood.
4. The Emperor, in contrast, represents order, power, and the establishment of firm boundaries, prescribing structure and stability within our lives.
5. The Hierophant With the Hierophant, we enter a realm of unity, tradition, and institutional wisdom, highlighting the role of education and shared beliefs in our journey.
6. The Lovers The Lovers card tells a story of love and relationships, urging us to make decisions with both our heart and mind, seeking harmony and connection.
7. The Chariot Progress and determination take center stage with the Chariot, symbolizing the importance of staying focused and driven, even when faced with obstacles.
8. Strength encompasses the qualities of management, endurance, and inner resilience, reminding us of our own inner power and ability to overcome challenges.
9. The Hermit Delving into the wisdom of the Hermit, we encounter a path of analysis, solitude, and introspection, encouraging us to retreat from the noise of the world and connect with our inner selves.
10. Wheel of Fortune This card spins its way into our lives, representing the cycles of luck, fate, and destiny that shape our journey.
11. Justice, an essential card embodying decisions, balance, and the themes of legal affairs, reminding us of the importance of fairness and impartiality in our actions.
12. The Hanged Man, representing waiting, sacrifice, and stillness. This card reminds us that sometimes we must relinquish control and surrender to the unknown in order to gain a new perspective.
13. Death symbolizes transformation, change, and new beginnings. It serves as a reminder that even in the face of endings, there is always the potential for rebirth and growth.
14. Temperance, we encounter themes of negotiation, patience, and management. This card urges us to find balance in our lives and to approach situations with a calm demeanor.
15. The Devil, signifies restriction, addiction, and the allure of the material world. It serves as a warning to be mindful of our desires and to not let them consume us.
16. The Tower Its energy is marked by breakdown, changes, and illumination. Though its destruction may seem chaotic, it serves as a catalyst for our personal growth and ultimate transformation.
17. The Star, offering hope, guidance, and blessings. This card reminds us to believe in our dreams and trust in the universe's unwavering support.
18. The Moon delineating dreams, emotions, and illusions. It reminds us to navigate the depths of our subconscious and to trust our intuition.
19. The Sun, radiating growth, happiness, and recovery. Its warm energy encourages us to embrace joy and bask in our achievements.
20. Judgement, the past resurfaces, offering second chances and a chance for self-evaluation. This card prompts us to reflect on our choices and use our newfound clarity to forge a brighter future.
21. The World, embodying completion, success, and accomplishments. It signifies the culmination of our journey and the beginning of a new chapter.
When you encounter the Major Arcana cards in a reading pay close attention and try to discern what they mean. These cards usually indicate major life changing events that are happening. These are events which will have long term effects.
Detailed meanings for the Major Arcana cards here.
The Power of the Minor Arcana
While the Major Arcana is frequently associated with profound life events, the Minor Arcana explores the everyday aspects of our existence. The four suits of the Minor Arcana represent different areas of life: Wands symbolize passion and inspiration; Cups relate to emotions and relationships; Swords embody intellect and challenges; and Pentacles signify material and practical concerns. The cards within these suits provide valuable guidance, shedding light on specific situations, challenges, and opportunities we may encounter.
The 4 suits of the Minor Arcana: Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles. Representing different aspects of a person's life;
Wands: Fire - Spiritual growth
Cups: Water - Love, Friendship, Family affairs
Swords: Air - Wisdom, academic success
Pentacles: Earth - Finance, business endeavors.
Just like a deck of playing cards, each suit has 10 numbered cards. Each number represents a different meaning as follows:
(Ace) New Beginnings
Partnerships, Collaboration
Growth, Change
Stability, Standstill
Conflict, Struggle
Blockages, Routine
Completion, Understanding
Action, Transformation
Accomplishments
Endings
There are 4 court cards in each suit. The Court cards are Pages, Knights, Queens, and Kings. The Court cards represent ourselves, or people in our lives.
Court Cards in the suit of Swords
The Page is a youth or adolescent. Full of curiosity and fresh, new energy. Someone who is beginning their journey.
The Knight is a young man (or woman) of spirit, energy and action. He is evolving and seeking his place in the world.
The Queen is a maternal figure. She is a matriarch representing the divine feminine. Her energy is nurturing- fueling growth, creativity and self-expression.
The King is the archetypal father figure. He is masculine and mature. He symbolizes authority, control and mastery.
The King and Queen can both portray a man or a woman in a reading.
They represent masculine and feminine energy, which we all embody to various degrees.
How to Read Tarot Cards: Intuition and Interpretation
Tarot readings require a combination of intuition and interpretation. When drawing cards, it's crucial to tap into your inner wisdom and allow your intuition to guide you. Adept readers trust their instincts to form connections between the cards and the unique circumstances of the querent. Interpretation, on the other hand, involves assigning meaning to the cards based on their symbolism, position, and the context of the reading. This blend of intuition and interpretation creates a powerful synergy that unravels the mysteries Tarot holds.
Interpretations can be drawn from the imagery on each card, which is rich in symbolic meaning.
For example, 3 of Hearts could be interpreted in the following way;
Number 3 - Change is coming. In this case, stormy weather.
Swords - Knowlege, some knowledge, information or wisdom may cause distress.
The Heart - Symbolic of love, indicating a matter of the heart.
While it is useful to learn the card meanings for an in-depth understanding of the cards, it is also possible for anyone to begin reading the cards intuitively, without much knowledge, or education in tarot meanings.
The 3 of Hearts is a good example. An immediate understanding can easily be derived - This card can clearly symbolize the idea of heartbreak. Interpretations for all of the cards can be drawn in this way, based upon the universal understanding we share of symbolic meanings.
Using the cards in combination with each other can manifest infinite possibilities for interpretation.
Interpreting the Magician Tarot card
A magician conjures things up. He creates magic. The Magician in Tarot is about manifesting desires. It indicates that you can be a magician in your own life.
Interpreting the Strength Tarot card
This card signifies strength and willpower. When it appears in a reading it shows that the querant is strong enough to endure the situation.
Interpreting the The Sun Tarot card
The Sun is cheerful, energetic, full of joy. Imagine yourself as a child riding on a white horse, that is the energy this card brings.
Tarot card reading for The Magician, Strength, The Sun.
The Magician, with his infinity symbol above his head, represents the power of manifestation and the ability to harness our potential. It reminds us of the importance of using our skills and resources wisely to create the life we desire. Strength, symbolized by a woman gently taming a lion, signifies inner courage and resilience. It teaches us that true strength lies not in brute force, but in controlling our emotions and finding harmony within ourselves. The Sun, radiating warmth and vitality, represents joy, good fortune, and abundance. This card reminds us to embrace optimism, basking in positive light, and allowing ourselves to shine brightly. Together, these cards encourage us to tap into our inner power, embrace our strength, and bask in the warmth of life's blessings.
Read more How to do a Basic Tarot Reading>
Personal Growth and Reflection
Tarot readings, at their core, act as mirrors for self-reflection and personal growth. They provide an opportunity to explore our subconscious desires, fears, and aspirations in a safe and supportive setting. Through Tarot, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves, allowing us to make empowered decisions and navigate life's ebbs and flows with greater clarity. Tarot encourages introspection, helping us uncover hidden wisdom and tap into our inner strength.
As you embark on your journey to understand Tarot cards, remember that practice is key. Embrace the cards' symbolism, trust your intuition, and learn from each reading. Tarot holds a gentle yet awe-inspiring power, inviting you to delve into the depths of your soul and discover the guidance that lies within. May your explorations enrich your life and illuminate your path.
History of the Tarot Cards.
Tarot card reading is a divination technique used to provide insights on future prospects. It is not clear where the first Tarot decks appeared, but they have been present in European culture since the 14th century and became a staple feature in Italy in the 18th century. Tarot cards or Tarocchi was originally designed for things like card games or simple gambling, not as a tool for divination (although it has come to be used for this purpose).
In the middle of the 15th century, tarot cards fell into general use among mystics and occultists in Southern Europe. They are now widely used as a tool for divining wisdom and guidance, which can provide insight into the truth of ones higher self.
If you want to get start reading the cards and are looking for a deck to use, I highly recommend this beautifully recolored classic Tarot deck - The Radiant Wise Spirit Tarot
Further reading on the history and description of the tarot cards is available here in - “The Pictorial Key to the Tarot”, by A.E. Waite. Read the full text online.
You can Look up individual card meanings here