Thank You!

I wanted to thank my friends and family for all the support they give me.  They never stopped me from exploring Tarot and Paganism.  They never made me an outcast for my new interest.  They never scoffed at my abilities.  Aly, Cat, Josh, Mom, and Dad give me endless encouragement.  They allow me to read their fortunes which are highly personal as Tarot readings bond two people on a deeply spiritual level.  They are wonderful listeners when I speculate about how Paganism is the base for most religions.  Truly, I could not ask for better supporters.   The Wheel of Fortune must have turned towards me because I am a lucky gal.

Numerology Tidbits

Frankly, I have never been extremely intrigued by numerology.  I have an aversion to all numbers which stems from my first grade teacher and her endless amounts of math worksheets.  On one humid summer day, my father taught me how to decipher the meaning behind a person's name by the way of Numerology and its chart. I find it amusing to translate names at a party or in my spare time.  It is also a great way to read people who are skeptical or afraid of pagan practices in Tarot because there is a scientific process.  You can use Numerology to analyze birth dates, love compatibility, life paths, etc.  Please view http://www.thedreamtime.com/Numerology/index.html extra styles of Numerology.

To use the chart you simply translate the person's first, middle, and last name into numbers.
Example: Evelyn would be 545375
Next the numbers must be added.
Example: 5+4+5+3+7+5=29
Now reduce it
Example: 29= 2+9= 11
It is rather easy.  I will use a fictitious name to show the entire process.
Rosalee Evelyn Mckinney
Rosalee: 9+6+1+1+3+5+5=30
3+0=3
Evelyn: 10
Mckinney: 4+3+2+9+5+5+5+7= 40
4+0=4
Final addition 3+10+4=17  1+7=8
8 is the symbol of eternal balance.  Yet, people of 8 can sometimes obsess over material objects.  Although, their obsession can hinder them it can also drive them to be powerful leaders in the business world.  http://www.squidoo.com/name_numerology yields the meanings for numbers.

Habitats of Tarot Cards

Briefly, Tarot cards should either be placed in a wooden box, a silk pouch, or under your pillow.  The wood and silk symbolically present the Tarot deck in glory; they are natural elements that imply that the cards should be respected.  However, you can choose to sleep with them so that your energy is always near the cards.  If no option appeals to you, you can create a unique home for them.  The main goal is to keep the deck safe from physical damage and negative energy.

New Decks

It is a definite possibility that you, successful Tarot reader, will be given a new deck.  Now, I know this is slightly alarming because your first pack has a myriad of memories and contains your energy.  You have grown with your deck.  Everything you learned in this blog and in other mediums, you practiced with your original deck.  Please remember that your friends and family want to support your talent.  Thus, they feel that a new pack will aid you.  If you are given a new deck, accept it gratefully.  Then, meditate with it as you did with your first deck. Moreover, you can place the pair together.  Two collections can occupy the same habitat nicely.

However, I could be wrong.  It may be you who desires the fresh or fancy decks.  You could have seen a beautiful deck with spectacular pictures, and wanted to purchase it.  That is acceptable to buy another Tarot gang, but do not forget that decks must be given as a present.  I would recommend leaving hints for your friends and family.  Overall, multiple packs are welcome if you treat them with equal reverence.  Please visit http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/topten.shtml to view special decks.

Reconnecting with the cards

Time has passed.  It has been many months since you read any fortune.  You fear that you lost the spiritual connection to your deck.  No worries.  The bond can be strengthened through meditation.  Usually this is the part where I explain the who, what, when, where, and why.  Today, I will change my process by explaining my first reconnection meditation.

I had been a month since I approached any Tarot matter.  I began to feel guilty because I started to believe that the Tarot cards were my friends and I would never stop communications with my friends.  I waited until the night appeared--I meditate before bed--and retrieved my cards from their wooden home.  I found relaxing music, and I sat on the floor with my deck.  They hummed and vibrated in my hand while I apologized for my absence.  The minutes raced by as I sat and embraced my inner peace.  I spread the cards across my carpet and looked at every individual card, then the cards as a whole.  Soon, I let my mind calm to release  all thoughts.  Two hours later, I felt bliss return to me, and the link between us grow.

Astrology Guide

Here are the match-ups.  See if you can find yours.  Please note that a woman should use the Queen to represent herself, a young man should use the Knight, and an older man should use the King.  Example: a female Capricorn should find her cards as the Devil and the Queen of Pentacles and a older male Taurus should find his cards as the Hierophant and King of Pentacles.  Again, teenagers can either be a Page or the proper gender version.

             Fire Signs

             Page of Wands represents the pure element of fire.

• Aries- The Emperor and the King of Wands
• Leo- Strength and the Queen of Wands
• Sagittarius- Temperance and the Knight of Wands

            Earth Signs

            Page of Pentacles represents the pure element of earth

• Capricorn- The Devil and the King of Pentacles  
• Taurus- The Hierophant and the Queen of Pentacles
• Virgo- The Hermit and the Knight of Pentacles

           Water Signs

            Page of Cups represents the pure element of water

• Cancer- The Chariot and the King of Cups
• Scorpio- Death and the Queen of Cups
• Pisces- The Moon and the Knight of Cups

            Air Signs

            Page of Swords represents the pure element of air

• Libra- Justice and the King of Swords
• Aquarius- The Star and the Queen of Swords
• Gemini- The Lovers and the Knight of Swords

Astrology and Tarot

To understand the relationship between the Tarot and astrology, I will use the book Your Guide to the Tarot by Janet Berres.  There are ten planets (with the addition of the sun, moon, and Pluto), 12 astrological signs, and 22 cards in the major Arcana.  However, I will ignore the cards equated with the planets and discuss the cards linked to the astrological symbols.  Each astrological symbol is connected to a Major and Minor Arcana card because of their similar qualities.  For example: The Emperor and the King of Wands depict Aries because both are dominant leaders who follow their own will which is the way of the Ram.  It is useful to use astrology during a reading because a card can symbolize a certain person the querent knows.

Composing a Spread

There is a copious amount of spreads such as the Celtic Cross and Astrological Wheel.  Please visit http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/spreads/ for other fantastic spreads.   However, one can find great joy in crafting their own spread.  Here are some rules to keep in mind before a layout is made

1. Make the layout for either general or specific questions.
2. Create a unique form that has a meaning for every card position.

• For example a traditional spread consists of three cards that are placed from left to right.  The card on the right signifies the past, the card in the middle represents the present, and the card on the right shows the future.

     3. Practice the new layout before it is employed for others.

The Week Spread

This layout uses seven cards which symbolize a day in the week.  The cards are set right to left.  The last card on the right is Monday, and the first card on the left is Sunday.  The Week Spread is interpreted like the Three Month Spread because the reading relies on the independent translation of the individual card. 
The Week Spread is extremely specific, so the reader must not give the querent hasty generalizations.

The Three Month Spread

The Three Month Spread is used for general readings about the future.  I recommend doing this reading at the end of a month because it will yield results for the next three months.  After the Tarot reader meditates, the querent should shuffle the cards until she is willing to learn what will happen.  The reader must lay three rows of four cards.  The cards need to be set from right to left.  Each row represents a month and each of the cards represents a week in the month.  Therefore, each card  is interpreted with an individual meaning instead of forming the judgment from a mixture of the cards.  This spread is wonderful for people who are new to Tarot, or who are skeptical.

Yes and No Readings

This style is used for specific questions that can be answered by a "yes" or "no."  The layout is a few simple steps:

1.  Ask the querent what he would like to know.
2. Meditate over the question with the querent until you feel that you are ready.
3. Have the querent shuffle the cards, so that he may leave his energy on the deck.

• Remind the querent to shuffle the card until he is prepared to know the answer.

     4.  Accept the deck when the querent returns it.
     5.  Draw three cards in succession from the top of the deck and lay them face-down from right to left in a row.
     6.  Flip them from right to left.  Two or more reverse cards mean "no" and two or more cards facing upward mean "yes."

This reading is very simple.  The reader does not need to interpret the cards unless the querent wants details about the answer.  I advise all readers to examine the background colors of the card.  Darker colors will symbolize negative energy; whereas, lighter colors represent positive energy.

   

Are You Ready to Read?

Congratulations!  You have learned many things, and now you can apply your knowledge.  There are three beginner layouts that I will show you how to create: "Yes" and "No"; Three Month Spread; and Week Spread.  However, I recommend that before each reading you find a table to use and meditate with your cards for a few moments.  When I meditate I imagine that all of my personality is drained, and that I become a completely empty vessel so the cards can work though me.   If you find a meditation aid, use it.  As it is imperative to prepare yourself prior to delving into the realm of Tarot, it is important to end a reading properly.  After you have revealed the interpretation,  you should cleanse the cards.  You can bathe them in incense by twisting the deck in the smoke.  If you do not enjoy incense or do not own them, you could mentally wash them.  When you spread the cards across the table, imagine that the energy from the previous reading floating away or disappearing like smoke.  I pretend that a bright light is flashing above the cards, and it becomes brighter and faster until the cards are clean.  The cleansing process should end when you feel comfortable.

Journals and the Seriousness of Tarot

After every session, the Tarot reader should write his results of divination in a journal.  A journal is a good way to check the accuracy of a reader because when an event occurs he can see if he had predicted it.  Another practical reason to use a journal is for reference and memory.  When a querent cannot remember whether he would receive a large check in the second week of November or in the last week of December, she can simply contact the reader and his mini summary of her reading.
Now I must remind all readers to be serious about this skill.  During a reading there should be quietness and tranquility.  Tarot is a trip to the realm of, quite briefly, magic.  Why taint it?  It is not a game to play on a boring Friday night, so please do not treat it as such.  Have reverence for a fascinating pagan art form.

Special Interactions between the Major and Minor Arcana

In a spread, one places the cards in a meaningful layout.  A meaningful layout assigns certain areas to specific issues.  An example is a layout called the Astrological Wheel where twelve cards are put in a circle.  Each card represents a daily life situations such as money, health, and family.  In all layouts, there are occasions when one card from the Major Arcana and one card from the Minor Arcana from  merge together to make a new meaning. This can also happen between two Major cards. When the synergy occurs, a reader must not ignore it.  I have chosen a few instances to exhibit the phenomenon. 

• The Four of Swords and the Strength                                                                                             The Strength card  sometimes reveals an arrival of a new pet.  The Four of Swords can disclose a physical death.  When these cards are next to each other in a layout, it means the death of a pet.

• The Chariot and the Sun/ Three of Cups                                                                                               The Chariot can show a physical movement like a car.  The Sun brings success and good luck.  The Three of Cups is the card of happy occasion.  When the Chariot meets either of the cards, it signifies a new car.

•  The Five of Swords/ the Seven of Swords and the Lovers                                                                   The Lovers is the card of romance.  The Five of Swords depicts that the querent is surrounded by lies.  The Seven of Swords says the querent is decieving someone else.  When either Sword collides with the Lovers,  a secret love affair is happening.

• The Hierophant and the Justice                                                                                                     Although the Heirophant typically brings marriage, it can mean divorce when it is beside the Justice for the Justice shows a decision to be made.

•  The Wheel of Fortune and the Lovers/ the Ace of  Cups                                                                  Of course the Wheel of Fortune implies that fate will steer the querent to paradise.  The Lovers card means love.  The Ace of Cups represents a new, beautiful romance. When the Wheel of Fortune is near either card,  fate has found the querent a lover; and they will receive luck and grace from above to make their relationship long-lasting.

I hope these few instances help you read the cards with better accuracy.  Yet, there are many different interactions.  The best book to find more interactions is Your Guide to the Tarot by Janet Berres which was my first book.  She is a wonderful author, and her examinations of the 76 cards of the Tarot are easy to comprehend. 

The Pentacles of the Minor Arcana

The Pentacle is the embodiment of Earth.  It is the coin, thus it was conceived by humans to purchase other man-made goods.  However this coin can be flipped to view the other side.  The new face of the Pentacle is magic.  In ancient times, pentacles were drawn on discs to initiate mystical formulas that manipulate the five senses of the body.  The astrological symbols of the Pentacles are Taurus, Capricorn, and Virgo.  The characteristics of them are reliable and practical.  Yet, they can become obsessed with material possessions.  Overall, Pentacles symbolize employment, money, and projects.

Additional factors
Animals of the Pentacle: the ox/calf (Apocalypse)
Season: Spring

The Minor Arcana: the Big Fifty-Six.

The Minor Arcana reveals the small secrets.  These secrets refer to specific people and events in everyday life; whereas the Major Arcana confesses general ideas and occurrences.  Please see the post with the  title: A "Crash Helmet" Introduction and The Learning Process for another review. There are 56 cards in the Minor Arcana, and each of the four suits contain 14 cards. Four are court cards(page, knight, queen, king) and the final ten are simply numbered from Ace to 10.  Each one has a wonderful meaning and fascinating history.  I cannot give the meanings of them, though.  The prospect of designing 56 meanings is dismal and very wasteful of time because there are other topics to cover.  I suppose that it is the time, lovely student, to seek out the information on the websites or books I have posted.  I would not worry about the creation of mistakes because there are 22 exceptional examples of deciphered cards for reference.  The 22 cards all contain the background information of the character and scene; the meaning; and the reverse meaning.  Remember, the reverse meaning occurs when the card is upside-down; whereas the usual meaning is used when the card is right-side-up.  It is imperative that you find these three factors to achieve a full understanding of the card.  I wish you luck, but I have full confidence that you will succeed.

The Swords of the Minor Arcana

The Sword represents aggression, battle, and intellect.  The Sword symbolizes air.  They are keen and swift.  Both the sword and air are powerful and defeat and enemy in seconds.  Gemini, Aquarius, and Libra are the astrological signs of air.  The children of air are prone to stages of depression because they are challenged by many obstacles.  However, they have all of the talent to conquer anyone or anything.

Additional factors
Animal of the Sword: eagle (Apocalypse).
Season: Winter
      

Apocalypse: Man, Eagle, Lion, and Calf.

Do you remember the four beings in the World card?
Those are the animals of the Apocalypse which to some people is the day of judgement and the end of the world as we know it.  In the book of Revelation in the Holy Bible, they surround the throne of God as it floats above the ground.  Each represent a different aspect of the animals on Earth.  The lion commands all beasts.  The eagle represents flying creatures.  The calf/ox is the leader of domesticated animals.  The man is the symbol of creation of material objects.  These animals also signify the four suits which is the next few chapters.
Please view http://www.oodegr.com/english/esxata/zwa1.htm#1. for more information about the Apocalyptic animals.

The Cups of the Minor Arcana

The Cups symbolizes emotions, love, and spiritualism.  Human emotions flow like water; it moves from one state to the next.  They have the ability to fill any vessel.  In astrology; Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio are represented by water.  Thus these are the signs of the Cup.  Many water signs are able to be calm, but many are prone to waves of emotion.

Additional fators

Animals of the Cup: water fairy and man (Apocalypse).
Season: Autumn
           

The Wands of the Minor Arcana

The suit of Wands signifies animation and rapid movement.  It is similar to the element of fire.  Fire is sways, crackles, and burns.  It reaches up to the sky, but crouches into the embers to avoid the wind.  Those of fire signs in astrology (Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius) are sometimes represented in the tarot by Wands.  The people of the Wand are known to be optimistic and sanguine. Wands also foretell enterprise or the pursuit of new ambitions.  This is shown by the fresh leaves that have sprout from the branch or walking-stick: it depends on how one views it.

Additional factors
Animals of the Wand: salamanders which were thought to live in fire and lions (Apocalypse).
Season: Summer
        
I, myself, am a Sagittarian and find a great kinship to the Wand.

The Minor Arcana:Suits

The Minor Arcana contains four suits like any deck of playing cards.  The Minor Arcana includes Cups, Wands, Pentacles, and Swords.  Of course, the playing cards have Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds, and Spades.  Now they will be examined.

1. The Pentacle pairs with the Diamond.  They symbolize financial matters because diamonds are an expensive jewel and the pentacle refers to ancient coins.
2. The Cup joins the Heart.  They represent emotions and sometimes love.  The Cup holds the emotions as they tend to ebb and flow like water in an ocean's tide.  The Heart is an archetype for feelings and love.
3. The Sword couples with the Spade. Here the Spade does not refer to a gardening tool. They are sleek weapons of battle meant to show conflicts in the future.
4. The Wand accompanies the Club.  They are also weapons and battle.  However, the struggle leads to growth as seen by the tiny new leaves that grow from the Club and Wand.

The Minor Arcana's Structure Compared to Playing Cards

The Minor Arcana is similarly structured like playing cards.  Both sets have an Ace, King, Queen, and Jack/ Knight. One obvious difference is that the child of the King and Queen is called a "Knight" in Tarot, yet in a deck of playing cards he is referred to as the "Jack."  Another small dissimilarity is that Tarot has an extra player called a "Page."   A page refers to a young man in medieval times who was an apprentice to a knight.   However, both groups are deemed  to be "face cards" or "court cards." Also, they exclude the Aces from this term.  The court cards of the Tarot usually represent specific people in the life of the querent ( the person whose life is examined through the reading).  On many occasions they symbolize the stages of an event.  The Page shows the start of the new happening.  The Knight indicates the action of an occurance.  The Queen reveals the stability or persistence of an affair.  The King shows the completion of an event.  It is important to be certain that the card refers to either a person or event.

                                                

The End of the Major Arcana

Hooray! I congratulate anyone who has read every card meaning.  Still, I am proud of all who have skimmed the posts. Therefore, relax and relish this lovely moment because you deserve it.  I know that it may appear it overwhelming.  To memorize all the meanings of the Major and Minor Arcana is no small feat.  Yet, I promise that anyone who truly desires to be a Tarot reader will find the process rewarding.  It will become simpler as you reread the information about the cards.  You will connect the picture to the meaning.  The first couple of readings will require a reference manual, and it is acceptable to check the meaning during a reading.  The main point is to correctly reveal secrets.  If you are unsure of a card meaning; check my guide, or any Tarot link and book on this blog. Another tip: follow your instincts because they will steer you in the right direction.  Thus, when a certain phrases forms in your mind, use it in your reading.
Please, silent student, remember that when you have a reading to be fearless. Do not be afraid that you will perform a reading incorrectly.  Please have confidence in you abilities. The only bad readers are readers who do not care about the beauty and wonder of the deck.  But, quiet reader, I know you are serious about Tarot or at least mildly curious.  I respect your qualities.  Curiosity is the instigator.  When one is intrigued, they yearn to learn.  Seriousness is the guide. When one is professional, projects are finished.  The product of curiosity and seriousness is an impenetrable force.  My admiration for you is limitless. Your eagerness propels me to write. My singular hope is that I have taught you something.  If you have learned anything new, please comment on this post.

Twenty-one: The World of the Major Arcana

The charming, divine goddess passionately moves in the dance of life.  She only wears a scarf, and she delicately holds two rods of power which attract energy from above (like the Magician).  In the four corners are the four elements(top left: air,water, fire, and earth). The wreath celebrates the graduation because the woman has achieved the super conscious.  She can apply and use her subconscious and conscious mind together to create.  There is balance between the material world and the spiritual enlightenment.  The journey and tasks have ended, so she reaps the benefits and glory.
Meanings: completion, reward, triumph, travel, arrival of the super consciousness, and freedom.
Reverse: fear of change, wariness of travel, blindness to the "big" picture, and success still to be achieved.

Twenty: The Judgment of the Major Arcana

The messenger angel Gabriel hovers above the coffins that float in the water of cosmic thought.  He awakens the dead with the beautiful music of his trumpet.  Men, women, and children are reborn in mystical exultation.  The man symbolizes the conscious mind.  The woman is the subconscious mind.  The child depicts the personality which stems from both of the areas of human intellect.  Their past has been eliminated.  Their antiquated beliefs have been destroyed.  It is a new season; a genesis.
Meanings: awakening, renewal, a change in attitude, a surprise, insight, and a change of goals through an emotional upheaval.
Reverse: weakness, fear, and destruction.