A pupil will occasionally inquire about significators in a tarot reading. Describe them. Do they have to be included in tarot readings? Do I need to choose them?
A card intentionally picked to represent the asker is known as a significator (or a person they are asking about). A significator may be necessary for some spreads, but they are frequently optional.
The age, gender, and astrological sign criteria are my preferred way to select someone (if known).
For instance, a youthful Gemini man would be the Knight of Swords while an Aries woman would be the Queen of Wands.
A different approach would be to select a card based on how the questioner appears. The Page of Cups might be a young boy with fair hair and blue eyes, while the King of Pentacles would represent an older guy with black hair.
Remember that sometimes the aforementioned rules are not difficult.
A man who could be the King of Pentacles might be acting more like a young man who is in love, in which case the Knight of Cups would be a better analogy.
Another piece of advice is that everyone is inhabited by male and female energy. Be prepared to bend gender norms. The Queen of Pentacles reversed appeared in a reading I once gave to a man. I began to describe a woman with black hair who wasn’t very practical and might have been clingy. He came up to me and said “I’m gay. BUT that perfectly sums up my boyfriend. I’ve seen Kings portrayed as female bosses, Queens as stay-at-home mothers, Pages as mature people acting immaturely, and Knights as young lesbians. Be flexible and avoid supposing that everyone will share your viewpoints “standard Court Card (See my piece on The Tarot and Gender Bending.)
Additional ideas
There are times when the Major Arcana or other cards might provide a more accurate portrait of a person.
For instance, The Empress is ideal for a woman who is expecting, whilst The Eight of Pentacles may be beneficial for a workaholic.
You could be required to select a card to represent a circumstance in some tarot readings. For instance, the Eight of Wands could stand in for a trip, and the Three of Cups is ideal for a celebration or a love triangle.
If you need a reading for someone who has passed away, you can use a card from one of the Court techniques mentioned above, or the High Priestess if you don’t know the person’s birthdate.
So, the question is, are they required? Choices vary from individual to person. For each reading, some readers use significators. I don’t. The correct card will most likely appear to represent the ENERGY the subject is transmitting (or needs) at the time of the reading, though I do have some spreads where I feel they are significant.
The best course is to experiment with them.
Check to see if they make sense to YOU or if they make sense in a specific spread.
Feel free to use them in your readings if you enjoy working with them.
You are free to skip them if they don’t.
In This Article...
What does the Celtic Cross’ Significator represent?
Listen as Brigit and her guests provide their finest advice and tactics for interpreting Tarot cards with assurance. Brigit Esselmont, your host, is now available.
THANK YOU
Before I start talking about the show for today, I want to extend a sincere appreciation to everyone who left a review on iTunes and provided feedback and comments. I want to show my gratitude to two people in particular.
American PinkMartini is the first. Who knows? This individual (I’m guessing a woman) It may be a man) says, “Brigit breaks down how to discover love into 7 easy steps in this podcast episode. I am even able to follow what she is saying as a novice. I’m grateful. I can’t wait to use what I’ve learned to begin my spiritual journey.
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LET’S GET INTO TODAY’S EPISODE!
I keep getting signals from my brain that this will be a brief episode, largely because I find significators… They simply don’t seem to bring much value in my opinion. But once more, I want to share this information with you so that YOU may test it out and decide whether it’s useful to you or not.
As a side aside, I believe that Tarot books and other related materials frequently feel the need to stuff their pages with advice on how to use Tarot cards. This idea of significators frequently arises because we desire to have a growing number of skills that we may impart to others. But whenever I choose a technique or a particular manner of accomplishing anything, I always ask myself:
“IS THIS GOING TO ADD VALUE TO MY READINGS?
Will it provide me with the intuitive understanding I require, or can I just do it more simply and reach the core of the issue that way? I just want you to keep that in mind when I discuss significators today: how will this benefit my Tarot readings? It’s undoubtedly about options, and it’s undoubtedly about what suits YOU. Let’s begin immediately.
WHAT IS A SIGNIFICATOR?
Look, usually the significator card is a single card that stands in for the client or the person posing the query for that reading. Now, in certain cases, it may genuinely be a representation of the situation you are referring to. So you might choose the Eight of Wands if you’re going to embark on a significant international journey. Or, if we’re picking it for the client, they might be embarking on a brand-new creative endeavor and selecting the Page of Cups to stand in for them. I’ll go into more detail regarding the actual card selection in a moment.
It normally isn’t covered in the reading. It is decided upon before the reading. Now, it can either be chosen at random or purposefully. This is often the purpose of a significator card. When choosing the card, keep the client or the circumstance in mind so that it will serve as their representation when you perform the Tarot reading.
For instance, the significator or the current circumstance is sometimes represented by the very first card in the Celtic Cross. You might choose that card at random in a Celtic Cross by treating it like any other card. Alternatelyand I believe this was the original intentyou deliberately pick that card, place it in the center, then chose cards 2 through 10 at random from the deck to complete your spread. That’s good to know, isn’t it?
ONE THING IS THAT IS REALLY PERSONALISES THE READING.
Additionally, if the client is unfamiliar with having a reading performed for them, it might really be extremely grounding for them. When working with a new client who has never had a Tarot reading before, it can often be helpful to just look through the deck and choose a card that best describes them. This can help them begin to recognize themselves in the Tarot deck and forge a connection. Oh, these cards do in fact signify anything to me. I can see myself in the cards. Therefore, it can be really beneficial in that sense on a sort of deeper subconscious level, and it enables the client to recognize themselves in the reading. They are included in this reading because of this visual clue. Once the significator is surrounded by all the other cards, they exclaim, “Oh yeah, that’s me! That is exactly who I am. Consequently, some persons require these visual clues to help them reintegrate into the reading. It is more concrete.
If you arrange the cards without providing a significator, it’s possible that the customer will just say, “Well, that’s just a bunch of cards therewhat are they? Therefore, it might be a useful strategy if you need to convey and help ground the customer in the reading.
DEPENDING ON HOW YOU CHOOSE A SIGNIFICATOR, IT CAN ACTUALLY ADD SOME EXTRA INFORMATION.
Therefore, it might be intriguing to discover whatever card your client chooses as their significator and what additional information that gives you as a reader about your client and what is happening for them. It might be a useful method for gathering that kind of data.
It can also be a useful technique to learn more about a client and their current situation. Even if you make a more rational decision regarding which card to chose, you may still delve deeper into that card and ask, “What else does this card reveal about where you are in your life right now?
The goal is essentially just to increase the reader’s and the client’s awareness as you read so that you can once again see the client in that reading.
DO YOU HAVE TO USE A SIGNIFICATOR?
You don’t, though. As I’ve already said, you should carefully consider whether it will enhance the reading or not. Sometimes it will make perfect sense, and other times you won’t understand it at all. So, the decision is entirely yours.
Now, as I also indicated before, a significator is a component of various spreads, most notably the Celtic Cross. Again, you have a choice as to whether the significator is chosen at random as part of the standard card arrangement or whether you deliberately choose it.
COURT CARDS
One of the most popular methods for selecting a significator is to simply glance at the court cards and select one based on the client’s age, gender, and element.
Consider that I am a 38-year-old woman with an earth element from Taurus. “OK, well, let’s choose then a Queen since that’s approximately my age range, and then for the earth sign, then that’s Pentacles, so I would choose the Queen of Pentacles,” is what I may say.
If my husband did it, we have a… Who is he right now? man, 41 years old, and a Libra. We might say that he is transitioning into the role of a king. And since Libra is an air sign, swords are king. If that served as his significator, that might be really intriguing.
What in the Tarot is the Querent?
A querent is defined as “one who seeks” and is derived from the Latin word qurns, which means “searching” and is the present participle of the verb qurere, which means “to seek, gain, or beg.”
Querent has come to mean “a person who challenges an oracle.” The oracle might simply be a method of divination, like the I Ching, that is used by the people who are asking the questions without the aid of any other human beings. Another option is to include a third party, such as a “fortune teller” who specializes in tarot reading or another type of mediumship and who is asked for assistance.
What Tarot card represents Scorpio?
“It should be noted that the death card does not actually portend death. Instead, it signals that a significant change is just around the corner. Scorpios are truth-seekers who you can always rely on for a root-cause investigation because they are not superficially focused. With these permanent indicators, prepare for a lengthy discussion about the “meaning of life.”
Sagittarius: Temperance
“Similar to their fellow mutable signs, Sagittarians are a blend of dualism. They are the zodiac’s explorers, constantly attempting to strike an alchemical balance between leaving home and traveling, waking up early and going to bed late. All of it is possible, but not simultaneously.”
Scorpio and the power of transformation
Scorpio, a passionate Water sign that is frequently linked to death, is symbolized by the scorpion in astrology. But not the kind of death marked by mourning and gravestones; rather, consider resurrection and constructive change!
Shuffle the cards while focusing on your question
Monahan advises beginning with a card shuffle while pondering the query you want to center the tarot reading around for a Celtic cross spread. You have two options: either keep the subject broad or get more focused with a question. A general query, for instance, may be, “How do I bring more abundance into my life,” while a focused query might be, “Am I going to get this job I’m interviewing for?”
Should the Tarot cards be shuffled by the questioner?
The Querent should shuffle the cards so that the cards can pick up on his or her energies. Cleanse the deck after the reading if you believe the querent has any negative energy associated with him. If you absolutely don’t want the Querent to shuffle, you should at the very least let him or her divide the deck into three piles after you’re done. The Querent should do this while quietly posing a straightforward yet significant query that will serve as the reading’s main subject. Ask the Querent to hold off answering this question until after you’ve finished the reading.
How are tarot cards purified?
Here are four simple steps to purifying tarot cards.
- Meditate. Simply unwind for a moment and get rid of all your thoughts.
- Pass each card through the smoke after burning sage.
- Place bay leaves within the deck of cards.
- And for protection, place a crystal on top.
What occurs once a Scorpio passes away?
You know, you can be a goth on the inside without using a lot of eyeliner or having sex in a cemetery. I’ve been preoccupied with mortality and the futility of life for years, but in a lighthearted way. My life fits me like a loose sweater! I’ll throw open my arms and start spinning and laughing like I’m in a shampoo commercial as the icy hand of death arrives pointing its bony finger at me.
We all have lives and pass away. You will forget everything you’ve ever done, spoken, or worried about. If you forget about yourself now, you might even return as someone else. I’m trying to suggest that the meaninglessness of life is what makes it so humorous. It’s funny, right?
Aries: Jet-Ski Accident
You best believe that when an Aries passes away, they’ll do it quickly. Their death is certain to be a tour de force exit; an Expiration Celebration, if you will, whether it occurs on a jet ski, motorcycle, or in the middle of some very quick rebound sex. They will pass away with the same enthusiasm and carelessness with which they lived.
Taurus: Buried Alive
Taurus individuals all adore their possessions. We are not entirely to fault. With their cherub cheeks, large eyes, and adorable trinkets, they have a really cute appearance. They accumulate things like germs on a first-grader, and to get rid of them, you might need a reality TV team or even an exorcism. Unless, of course, you’re too late and poor Taurus is discovered clutching a dead cat beneath a stack of dusty books & old cooking spoons.
Gemini: Hands Bitten Off
In astrology, each sign is ruled by a certain bodily part. Gemini’s hands are the problem. Geminis are very interested and want to touch objects to show their curiosity. They’ll grasp into the monkey house’s bars and have their hands torn off if you take them on a date to the zoo. You can read this article while they expire. Quickly, before their life support runs out. Due to their propensity for multitasking, Geminis enjoy listening to stories while bleeding heavily. They’ll likely be grateful for the diversion.
Cancer: Falling Of The Roof, Yelling, “I’LL FIX IT MYSELF!
You, Cancer, are far too independent. Although I am aware that you sincerely think no one is as capable as you are, the truth is that quite a few people are. In reality, there are a lot of people who are much better than you.
It’s likely that you’ll pass away while doing a task that you aren’t qualified to complete, such as patching a hole in your roof because “everyone is out to get you,” or taking mood stabilizers on your own prescription because “treatment is too expensive.” On the plus side, you can use the money you saved by playing Mr. Fix-It to cover your own funeral expenses.
Leo: Hair Stuck In Subway Doors, Mid-Flirtatious Gesture
Leo, despite what some people may say, you are not conceited. You just are really attractive, and you are aware of this. Remember how Narcissus drowned while gazing at his own reflection in the water? Beware of those wonderful looks though. It might have even been you. Not that nobody now takes the time to observe nature.
It’s more likely that you will cross an intersection while taking a picture or that you will flip that magnificent mane of yours over your shoulder and straight into the closing subway doors. Messy, yes?
Virgo: Dies of Undiagnosable Stress-Rash
Do you feel restless, Virgo? You are, of course! Nobody would likely be aware of it. You’re not the sort to have an emotional meltdown. Virgos don’t wear their emotions on their sleeves; instead, they manifest physically as rashes, migraines, or digestive problems. Instead of crying like a baby and throwing a fit, act like an adult and hold your feelings in and let them develop into cancer!
Libra: Murder-Suicide Pact
Consider Sid and Nancy, Bonnie and Clyde, and Romeo and Juliet. Despite the fact that they are all lovely, terrible tales of a love too precious for this heartless, heartless world, they all share one trait: everyone involved was crazy and in desperate need of counseling.
Actually, Libra, love is NOT all that you require. To avoid dying like a depressing sack of sh*t in a codependent storybook that only teenagers can identify with, you also need reasoning.
Scorpio: Just Suicide
Actually, nothing here is surprising. Scorpios are not unfamiliar with dying. In fact, throughout their lives, death (in one form or another) appears to follow them wherever they go. Whether it manifests as a loss, a near-death experience, or a personal transformation,
Scorpios aren’t frightened because they understand that dying means reborning. A Scorpio gets irrational waiting for Death to act, so they may have to take matters into their own hands.
Sagittarius: Climbing Everest, Like An Idiot.
There are things you can do without endangering your life, Sagittarius. I know you LOVE to travel and do wild things, so I’m not trying to sour your lemonade. You can travel to locations without fear of contracting typhoid, hemorrhoids in the forest, or cold.
Not that you’ll pay attention to me when you’re in the middle of your upcoming vision quest. No, you won’t be content until you’ve been starved to the brink of cannibalism so that everyone can enjoy the upcoming movie about you dying on a mountain. You bumbling goose. Even my rage with you has worn off.
Capricorn: Faked Death To See Who Shows Up To The Funeral, Results Cause Aneurysm
You need to quit caring what other people think, Capricorn. It will be your demise. Each of us wears a societal mask, but the problem about masks is that they are visible to everyone. You will receive the unwavering affection you need for sooner if you admit to being the acceptance-starved creature you are inside.
Alternately, you may fake your own demise in order to test your idea and live your entire life never believing anyone REALLY loves you. You will die as a result, no matter how many people attend.
Aquarius: Alone
Mother of mine is an Aquarius. After getting divorced, she watched the film “Frida” and decided that if she ever remarried, her future spouse would need to have his own home. That’s not how marriage operates, but who am I to dissuade a forward-thinking revolutionary artist like Nanny Baker from her matrimonial aspirations? I just hope she’s ready to die alone since I’m hoping to pass away before I turn 40.
Attention Aquarians: your prized independence will cause your life to become wild and free, much like that of a stunning stallion. It can also add a little loneliness to your demise.