Usually, I respond to the messages personally, but lately I’ve been so busy and so much going on that I thought it would actually be a good idea to put some of those questions right here on the site.

That way, if anyone else has a similar question, they don’t need to wait for me to get round to checking and answering my email.

With that said, I recieved a question a few days ago from Leticia and asked her if it would be ok to put it up here, along with my answer, so that others could read it and hopefully it would help them. Leticia very kindly agreed (thanks Leticia) and so here is the first of what may turn out to many (or a few) Q&A about Tarot cards.

i am just worried that my ideas and thoughts are totally off the
mark, therefore giving the incorrect meanings of the cards~!

Considering I had the same worry when I first started my Tarot journey, I’m willing to bet there’s more than a few of you out there who are also worrying about it.  Anyway, here’s my answer.

Hi Leticia

Don’t worry. And more importantly, don’t try to rush your journey.

Tarot has been around a long time. The cards aren’t going anywhere. If you try rushing it, you risk not getting any benefit and will always be reliant on the ‘standard’ card descriptions.

All you need to do is look at each card and focus on it. Don’t read what anyone says the card represents. What do you thik it represents? How does it make you feel? Do you think it’s a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ feeling? Is it talking to you about money, or love, or family, or career…?

Once you have a feeling for the card, then check out what the books say. You’ll be surprised to find you’l usually be on the same wavelength.

If you’re not, (and I have found this to be the case with different Tarot decks), then go with your own instinct. Whenever you do a reading, you will come out with the cards that are right for you. This is because you develop a bond with the cards, not with the textbooks. They will respond to you and show you the right cards for what you ask.

A particular card might speak of love to you, but be described as representing money in the textbooks. However, if you do a reading seeking answers about love, that card will turn up in the reading. If you do a reading asking questions about money, it won’t.

Hope that makes sense.

Above all, like I say, don’t try to rush your journey. Remember, the Fool goes through many stages on his journey through life, and there are lots of journeys to go through. Tarot is only one of them. Enjoy it.

San

The images on the Rider Waite deck are very simple and so it’s not often that different people will attribute totally different meanings to each card. However, not all decks portray such simple images and this might mean they say something to you that they would not say to me, or to someone else.

In all cases, listen to what they say to you. I’ve definitely come to realise that listening to my own instincts on Tarot card meanings, gives a much clearer and more accurate Tarot reading than relying on someone else’s interpretation.

Plus, think of the time you’ll save not having to look up the meaning of every Tarot card.

 Related Posts:

• Tarot Card Meanings – The Magician
• Tarot Card Meanings – The High Priestess

The Empress is the archetype of Mother Nature, reflected in her natural and lush surroundings. Any new endeavours happening when this card appears will generally go well. But, just like children, they will need care and time to grow.

Whatever you are planning, whether it’s a new career, a house move, or a new romance, don’t expect it to just happen on it’s own. You need to put in the groundwork and pay attention if you want a successful outcome.

While the Empress is sitting in luscious surroundings remember this is the result of the work that has gone before and that continues to keep it that way.Beautiful gardens require tending daily to make sure they don’t become overgrown with weeds, or the plants don’t die from lack of water.

The same is true for our journeys through life. As the Fool reaches the Empress on his journey she is there to remind him to take care and not to expect his aspirations and hopes to come to him without some effort on his part.

When referring to people, the Empress usually reflects female characteristics such as nurturing, fertility, motherhood, etc. However, she can also be a reflection of the softer side of a man, or may represent his ideal woman.

If the Empress appears reversed in a reading, it’s a sign that you are blocking your endeavours. Perhaps you are too entrenched in the small details and unwilling to let your ideas grow outside of yourself. Remember that mothers can sometimes be too possessive and protective of their children and this can be equally true when we are making future plans.

When the High Priestess appears in a Tarot reading, it is a signal that some aspect of the situation is not all as it appears on the surface and you need to discover the hidden knowledge that lies underneath.

If you are not usually the type to take notice of your feelings and instincts, then perhaps now is the time to learn to do so. Maybe you are just beginning to feel that there is more to your world than the everyday routines?

Remember, that the Major Arcana of the Tarot reflect the Fool’s journey through life. The High Priestess is the beginning of his recognition that the universe has many aspects and not all of them can be seen with the naked eye.

It may be that something in your past life is affecting the current situation and you are unaware of its influence. You need to reflect deeply to discover the underlying issues before you can move on.

The High Priestess appeared in the reading that led me to start this site and certainly there was no reason on the surface why I would do so. But it has been a rewarding and learning experience for me and ultimately allowed me to move even further forward in my understanding of the Tarot cards.

If the High Priestess appears reversed in your reading, this is a warning that you are not listening to your inner voice. You are placing too much emphasis on the outer world’s assessments of your situation and relying on logical, rational thoughts.

Your unconcious mind is trying hard to tell you something, but you are not listening. It’s all well and good to attend to any duties and obligations you may have in this world, but you must ensure you leave time in your life for your own needs.

Related Posts:

• Tarot Card Meanings – The Magician
• Questions About Tarot Card Meanings

Anyway, I thought about writing about it myself, but the article was pretty good so I decided I’d just reprint it here.

Few things are as misunderstood as Tarot Cards. For all of the negative associations surrounding divination and Tarot Cards in particular, there is little direct connection between these negative ideas and the reality of working with the cards. Dispelling a few myths may prove useful to our examination of the validity of Tarot.

Myth #1 – Tarot Cards are “Evil”

The first, and biggest myth is that they are anti-Christian or “evil.” People who believe this tend to believe the cards “work” because they are infused with some sort of dark power. This myth, like all myths, contains a tiny grain of what used to be truth that has been twisted beyond recognition. In reality, it was the Christian church that in the middle ages stamped out Paganism, its chief competitor, by demonizing it and all things associated with it. People were told that their old horned fertility god (think of Pan) was the most evil being in all of creation, and the Devil was invented. Christianity is certainly anti-Pagan, and to the extent that Tarot cards are perceived as Pagan, many Christians feel compelled to condemn or ostracize Tarot cards and Tarot card readers without really understanding why.
Tarot Card readers, on the other hand, have no such beef with Christianity. Most of us don’t consider Tarot to be an element of our religion in the first place (though we may consider it of spiritual value) and can’t understand what all the drama is about. Some confusion often arises due to the inclusion of a Death card and a Devil card, two hot button items when seen through a religious lens. For now, it is enough to note that the Tarot interpretations of these symbols are not the interpretations that many people are used to.

Myth #2 – Tarot is a Scam

Another powerful myth is that Tarot is some kind of shifty scam, a Three Card Monty of sorts that by definition is a con game designed to use fraud to get people’s money. Sadly,
there are dishonest hustlers in every profession; doctors, lawyers, contractors, florists, you name it, there are unqualified people posing as qualified professionals charging money for substandard service or services that are never delivered in every industry and field. Tarot is no different, but is no more susceptible to infiltration by dishonest individuals than any other profession or service area.

The main argument, it appears, is that Tarot readers may present themselves as something they are not, “psychic,” or “fortune tellers,” that a skeptic may decide simply can not be “true.” At the heart of this issue is the difference between what being psychic means to different people who either claim it or perceive the claims of others. It all depends on your answer to the question, “What does it mean to be psychic?”

Myth #3 – Tarot Cards are Magic

Virtually no one who has any knowledge or experience with Tarot Cards believes that the cards themselves are magic. There is a superstition out there that no one should touch your cards except for yourself, and naturally collectors who spend hundreds of dollars on individual decks are going to hesitate before allowing anyone to handle them (especially since people are inclined to begin shuffling cards once they hold them!).

Some people believe that items can pick up and retain energy from different people or situations, and this applies to their Tarot decks as much as anything else. In my experience, most people who harbor any true anxiety about others touching
their cards are new to the idea of Tarot, and haven’t studied the cards or taken the time to
understand what Tarot is about. The example of a person who knows nothing about cars, kicking the tires on the showroom floor comes to mind. Tarot cards aren’t magic. They are cardboard.

Myth #4 – Tarot Readers are Witches

The truth is, some are. I’ve been surprised, however, by how many people still think that witches have some sort of religious connection to “Satan.” That isn’t true either. Regardless, there is no official religious affiliation for Tarot. Some Tarot readers are Jewish or Christian; others are something else, or nothing at all. In fact, there are many Tarot decks out there that are geared toward one religion or another, combining the symbolism and images of a particular religious tradition with the traditional meanings of Tarot to create something that illuminates both traditions.

Myth #5 – You have to be psychic to read Tarot Cards

Absolutely not! Anyone can read Tarot cards, it’s just a matter of memorizing some basic meanings and getting used to the different cards in the deck. Of course, some of us believe that everyone is psychic, but to examine such a notion, we would have to decide what it actually means to be psychic. Suffice it to say, for now, that for some people, Tarot feels as though it serves as a psychic tool.

In conclusion, we can understand what Tarot Cards are much better if we first understand what they are not. They are neither evil nor a scam, they are not magic in and of themselves and you do not have to be a witch or a card carrying “psychic” to read them. If we can establish that much, we are free to examine the beauty and power of this amazing tool.

Maybe you have talents and knowledge that you haven’t realised you can use in the particular situation to which you are seeking answers. If that’s the case, then you need to reflect because the chances are that you already hold the answer. Remember, the Magician isn’t referring to anything mystical, simply making use of the already proven laws of nature and reminding you to use these to your advantage.

You need to take close observations of what is going on around you and remain open and flexible to how you can manipulate these forces of nature.  Being adaptable to change will be necessary if you want the final outcome to be to your wishes.

The Magician is one of my favourite cards. Simply because he represents everything that I can be and/or do with my life. It’s a reminder to me that ultimately, if I choose, I have the power to change my world.

Whereas, the Fool has no idea of what he can become, and even if he did, he wouldn’t know how to do it, the Magician is fully aware of the power he holds. This is the strength he possesses.

If referring to a person, the Magician is most likely to represent a male personality, though not always so. Whoever it is though will be someone who knows how to utilise the skills and knowledge at their disposal, scientists, surgeons, engineers, inventors…

The Magician Reversed

If the Magician appears in your reading in the reversed stance, then you aren’t taking full advantage of all the skills and talents that you possess. Or maybe you are pretending to know more than you really do? If you need more training in a particular skillset in order to achieve your goals, then you need to apply yourself wholeheartedly to acquiring it. You can’t make use of something you don’t have. Not even with the help of the Magician by your side.

Some Posts That May Be Of Your Interest

Tarot Card Meanings – The Fool – I’ve already spoken about the meaning of  Tarot cards, in relation to the Major Arcana, which is where the Fool belongs. But as that was only a brief overview, and as my search stats tell me that people coming here are looking for a more  detailed explanation of each of …

How to Learn The Meaning of Tarot Cards – Learning the meaning of Tarot cards isn’t as difficult as you may at first think. I remember thinking when I first started my own Tarot journey that I would never be able to read the Tarot without my handy reference guide at my side. However, the best piece of advice I …

Major Arcana – The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards, starting with the Fool (0) and ending with the World, (21). Each card depicts a scene, mostly featuring a person or several people, with many symbolic elements present. The Major Arcana are usually regarded as relating to matters of higher purpose or deep …

Related Posts:

• Tarot Card Meanings – The High Priestess
• Questions About Tarot Card Meanings

Just don’t expect these to all be posted one after the other. I am a great believer that the meanings ascribed to each Tarot card as laid down in guide and text books are simply given to help provide a foundation. If you’re serious about taking your Tarot journey to a higher level, then I strongly encourage you to learn to listen to the cards yourself. Rely on your own judgement and you’ll find not only will your tarot card readings be much more accurate, but you’ll learn the meaning of tarot cards much quicker if you’re not constantly turning pages in a reference book.

The Fool

It’s fitting to start with The Fool because he’s the first card in the deck. He also appeared in the reading that led me to start this site in the first place so I guess it’s doubly fair that he should lead the way.

In the Rider Waite deck, The Fool looks as though he’s just about to walk off the edge of a cliff. Blissfully unaware of any danger ahead of him, he is setting forward on a journey with no concerns about how it might turn out.

When The Fool appears in a Tarot card reading, it’s a sign that the questioner is also about to set out on their own journey into a completely new phase of their life. It may that an unexpected opportunity will appear without warning, or perhaps a major decision needs to be made that will result in your life taking a completely different direction to that which it’s been heading up till now.

Either way, you need to simply ‘go with the flow’. The Fool is a reminder that sometimes we need to just get on with something instead of worrying about where it will lead or how it will turn out. Have faith and trust that this new direction in which you are heading is the right one.

Sometimes, as with anything new, there is a feeling of uncertainty. You may be confused and perhaps caught off your guard but don’t be put off by this. The Fool is letting you know that it’s time to move in a new direction and leave the past behind.

I’ve also had this card appear just before being asked very unexpectedly to go on a trip. It was through work, and while I do sometimes have to travel in relation to my job, this particular trip wasn’t related to my usual duties so I was quite surprised and more than a bit nervous as to the reasoning behind it. As it turned out, the trip was more beneficial on a personal than a work sphere. But do be aware that sometimes, The Fool can signify a physical journey that you may not have previously considered.

The Fool Reversed

Although some Tarot readers believe that a reversed Tarot card has a different meaning than it’s upright counterpart, I don’t subscribe to this view. However, the important thing once again, is that if you feel a reversed image is relaying a different meaning to you, then it probably is. Personally, I think if a different meaning was meant to be portrayed, the deck would have presented a different card.

If you do believe that a reversed card holds a different meaning, then The Fool reversed is signifying that you need to be wary of taking a risk, instead of advocating it.  You may be blindly optimistic in the face of mounting evidence to the contrary. Don’ t make any impulsive decisions as your judgement could well be clouded as this time.