What Tarot Cards Represent

What do tarot cards generally stand for? As shamans like to say, “medicine around what is happening in your particular orbit: love, money, work, aspirations, and general life path” is what tarot cards are there for.

What do the tarot cards represent?

Despite their vastly different designs, all tarot decks share a few characteristics. Each one has 78 playing cards, divided into the main and minor arcana. The major arcana, which are the deck’s 22 trump cards, generally allude to bigger influences and disclosures when they are revealed during a reading. These cards stand alone without a suit and represent key occasions or people in a person’s life.

In contrast, the minor arcana refer to influences and issues that are more commonplace. Wands, swords, pentacles, and cups make up the four suits that these 56 cards are divided into. (Occasionally, tarot decks will use different terminology, such as “Pentacles for coins, but they are exact equivalents to the four original divisions.) A different aspect of life is represented by each outfit. Wands typically represent imagination and passion, swords intelligence, pentacles work and wealth, and cups emotion. Additionally, each suit is associated with a certain set of astrological signs, such as wands being associated with fire, swords with air, pentacles with earth, and cups with water.

Since we’re beginners, the meanings you’ll most frequently refer to are the functional definitions, albeit these meanings can be used when cards symbolize people and their zodiac signs. For example, a three-card spread with three pentacle cards strongly denotes a financial concern. (More on the various spreads will follow.)

While much of this is up to the deck’s owner and what resonates with them, there are a few conventions that apply to the majority of tarot readings. If you’re reading cards for someone else, you should ask them to provide you with a question or suggest something they’re interested in, and keep that question in mind while you shuffle the deckalso referred to as “removing the effects of earlier research and readings. (An illustration would be, “When will I discover love?” Am I pursuing the correct career? “How can I get through my block?

Then you could query the person you are reading for (also known as “cutting the deck, once more concentrating on the querent. Although some readers will cut the deck for the querent, we prefer this option since it gives the querent a chance to feel linked to the deck personally. In any case, you will draw the necessary number of cards for your spread and, if you’re reading for yourself, place them between you and the querentor directly in front of you.

How do tarot cards function?

Tarot card reading is a type of cartomancy in which practitioners are said to be able to predict the past, present, or future by using tarot cards. They create a question first, then deal out cards to answer it. There are 78 cards in a conventional tarot deck, which can be divided into the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. You can also utilize French-suited playing cards, as well as any other card system that links distinct aspects to specific suits (e.g., air, earth, fire, water).

Tarot cards: Are they revered?

What defines a tarot deck is a common question among tarot readers. Diane Wilkes, a tarot author, has coined a useful phrase to designate card oracles with tarot-based structures but loose enough adherence to the classic archetypes to not be considered tarot. She contacts them “taroracles.

There are numerous arguments and viewpoints on whether there is a “If there is one authentic tarot, which one might it be? Although there are significant variances across the three main tarot traditionsCrowley-Harris-Thoth, Rider-Waite-Smith, and Tarot de Marseillesthe fundamental idea of each archetype is pretty similar.

In contrast, many contemporary deck creators and writers give the Major Arcana cards new names. Chains or materialism turn become the Devil. Judgment develops “Rebirth. Death is transformed into “Transition” or “Release”. The Tower transforms “Experience in life. The Hierophant changes into “Faith.

Some deck designers might choose to substitute phrases that aren’t commonly used, like “with ones that are hierophant. This appears to me to be an unwarranted “downgrading of tarot. A novice tarot reader should not find it difficult to pick up a few new words.

Several deck builders believe “the darker images are softer. They might wish to appeal to tarot consumers and readers who would prefer not to see gloomy visuals or hear phrases like “death.

I believe that both of these questions can only have subjective responses. Tarot readers will differ in their perspectives. Perhaps what qualifies us to claim a title like that is having enough tarot knowledge to establish an opinion “expert in tarot.

The traditional titles and the darker cards appeal to me. When I encounter a tarot deck that seems diluted or obviously deviates from established archetypes, I grimace a little.

However, I don’t believe that such decks are detrimental to tarot as a whole. If they start with a non-traditional deck, I’m concerned that new readers might develop a distorted sense of tarot. However, I believe that non-traditional decks introduce some people to tarot who might not otherwise be receptive to the cards.

In the end, I believe that every tarot deck, even ones that I personally dislike, contributes to our community and the body of tarot knowledge.

In fact, the tarot’s archetypes are sacred. However, when an artist decides to express them in a novel way, there is no real harm done. Tarot will continue to be preserved historically and authentically as long as there are enough traditionalists in the globe.

Tarot’s capacity to serve as a consistent and ever-evolving source of creative and spiritual inspiration is attested to by the fact that certain individuals are motivated to produce a new generation of tarot art. Some decks are not my favorites. There are some decks that I don’t think are good. No deck, however, could be produced that would not, in some way, benefit someone’s experience with tarot.

What society are tarot cards a part of?

The sniper threatening Greater Washington, D.C. placed a taunting tarot card near the shooting scene with the words “Dear Policeman, I am God.” Where are tarot cards made?

In the late 14th or early 15th century, northern Italy is where tarot cards most likely first appeared. The Visconti-Sforza deck, the oldest surviving set, was made for the family of the Duke of Milan sometime around 1440. The cards were used to play tarocchi, a bridge-like game that was then quite popular among nobility and other leisure enthusiasts. The whimsical designs on the cards, from the Fool to Death, were reportedly inspired by the costumed characters that marched in carnival parades, according to tarot historian Gertrude Moakley.

What kind of religion are tarot cards?

Tarot cards are frequently cited as a component of New Age thought and practice along with astrology, aspects of Buddhism, paganism, and First Nations teachings in the eclectic scholarly approach to the New Age.

Can you interpret tarot cards for yourself?

It’s normal to be a little clumsy when you first start practicing the tarot. Tarot study is similar to learning a new languageit takes time to become proficient. But what happens if you no longer require the booklet and have intimate familiarity with the deck? Are you able to read yourself? No, except for a few rare instances. Simply put, it’s a horrible idea.

You see, the majority of us turn to astrology or tarot when we’re looking for clarity amid a period of ambiguity. In contrast to astrology, which is quite technical, our consciousness restricts our capacity to read tarot cards. Working with your personal interpretation of the cards, you are not constrained by short- and long-term cycles like the planets’ orbits. It might be tricky to go beyond your current circumstances while utilizing the tarot to better understand a trying scenario. Even if all the cards are spread out in front of you, putting them together requires such a broad perspective that it is all but impossible to fully understand the meaning of each card. Basically, any biases you already have will always be reflected in your tarot reading!

Questions you don’t really want answered

Even though it might seem apparent, it’s advisable to refrain from asking the tarot cards questions that you aren’t prepared to hear the answers to. That’s because answers to these questions can reveal information you’re just not quite ready to hear.

“Tarot can definitely come off as offensive if you’re not willing to hear the truth or consider an opposing opinion. Tarot reading Nicole Fortunaso

According to tarot reader and life coach Nicole Fortunaso, “tarot may truly come out as offensive if you are not willing to hear the truth of the problem or look at an alternate viewpoint.” She advises analyzing why you’re reacting the way you are in order to reflect on how to effectively address the underlying problem if you ask the question and aren’t satisfied with the response.

After a breakup

Draw one card for each of the following inquiries if you’ve recently broken up with someone and want to know more about the reason or determine whether you’ll get back together:

• How energetic is the partnership right now?
• What caused the divide in the first place?
• What do they really think of me right now?
• What do they intend for me right now?
• What kind of relationship will this be in the future?
• Which action is ideal for me to take right now?

When job searching

You can use this spread to explore what kind of career guidance the tarot can offer if you’re feeling uncertain about your career path or thinking about a new employment. Draw one card once more for each query.

• How active am I in my career right now?
• What challenge must I overcome?
• What is my calling in life?
• How do I move closer to this calling?
• What should I do to prepare for the upcoming month?

When deciding between two options

This spread can highlight the benefits and drawbacks of each option, guiding you toward the best decision if you’re using tarot to pick between two possibilities (two job offers, two apartments, perhaps a love triangle???). Getting the deal Per card, ask one question.

• What is the fundamental cause of this fork in the road?
• What is the likely result of choosing option A?
• What is the most likely result for option B?
• What more should I take into account that was overlooked?
• What’s the best thing I can do right now?

When something is off with a friend

If you’re concerned about the state of a friendship or feel like something is wrong but are unable to pinpoint the cause, you might be interested in seeing what conclusions and solutions this spread offers. Ask one question per card, once more, I repeat.

• What makes this friendship so crucial?
• What led to this sudden change in tone, and why?
• What has changed, in my friend’s opinion?
• What can I do to make this matter more urgent?
• What is the future of this friendship?
• What should I do at this moment?

How do angel cards work?

Mystical interests have never been so popular, whether due to memes or existential pique. We bug our parents for our exact birth time (because knowing your rising sign is the height of self-awareness), “manifest” our desires through meditation or visualisation (which, to some of us, looks like staring at the ceiling and Pinterest), and deliberately decide whether or not to consult a psychic out of fear that they might predict that something even tinier might go wrong for us in the future. However, as our spiritual armament grows, so does our capacity for independent judgment: Are there too many presumptions in astrology? When you don’t genuinely know what you desire, what good is manifestation? Is having a glimpse into your future even useful? Do you remain here with us? Whatever your stance on these issues, spiritual endeavors are empowering since information is always a powerful tool. Even whether that knowledge takes the form of checking someone’s natal chart as a crucial risk assessment or putting black obsidian under your pillow to get rid of hatred.

But empowerment is a struggle, and struggles may be draining or even painful. Sometimes, all we want is to be taken care of (especially in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic). Angel cards provide us access to the energies of heavenly beings that merely desire to comfort humanity and make it happy. Readings are more concerned with the interaction of energies (think “vibes”) than the overt symbolism of something like Tarot, despite the fact that decks vary in terms of their language and picture. But what are the actual applications of angel readings? Cynics, there are in reality six things: awareness of our divine selves, collaboration for spiritual growth in relationships, integration for the pursuit of meaningful work, alignment for the acceptance and appreciation of life’s natural cycles, and nourishment (eating food and thinking thoughts that fulfil you). Their ultimate goal is to inspire the inquirer.

How should my tarot deck be cleaned?

While rearranging the cards in the tarot deck is a good approach to purify and clear their energy, there are some circumstances in which you might wish to perform a more specialized ritual. If you’re just getting started with tarot, cleaning your deck can be an excellent place to start.

You might want to clean your tarot deck for a variety of reasons, including:

• beginning with a fresh deck
• readings for other people
• You think you need to recharge.
• Your card readings seem a touch “odd” or “disconnected”
• Your deck hasn’t been used recently.
• Your deck has been handled by others
• You think you’ve been utilizing your deck a lot. A LOT, especially for books with strong emotional content

Why should you cleanse or clear your tarot deck?

Tarot deck cleansing helps keep the energy flowing between you and your deck. Consider it as a little spiritual hygiene to maintain a strong and clear connection. It’s not necessary, but if you have any of the aforementioned symptoms, try a few of the energetic cleansing techniques listed below and note which ones seem to work the best for you.

How often should you cleanse your tarot deck?

This is another way of stating USE YOUR INTUITION: there are no hard and fast laws. Don’t stress if you don’t believe it is necessary for your deck. Alternately, if you like to cleanse them once per week or once per month, that’s great. If it feels appropriate to you, you can even place your favorite crystal on the balcony each night.

If you frequently place crystals on your deck and store it on an altar while not in use, you might not feel the need to cleanse it frequently because this quick ritual will likely be sufficient to keep your deck feeling nice.

There are numerous ways to cleanse your cards, just as there are numerous reasons why you might desire to do so.

Different ways to cleanse your tarot deck

Use holy smoke. Light a dried rosemary, lavender, cedar, sage, or palo santo cleansing wand until it begins to smoke. Hold the smoke a safe distance below the deck while holding the burning herbs in one hand and the deck in the other so that the smoke drifts upward onto the cards. Turn the deck so that the smoke covers it from all angles. Next, safely put your deck to the ground and put out the fire.

On the deck, set a selenite stone (or a black tourmaline or a transparent quartz). It works well to leave it like way for an hour, but I prefer to leave it overnight.

Set them on display during a new moon. The New Moon is energy of a blank slate; you can purify the deck by setting it on a window sill on a new moon night. At this moment, you can also make a brand-new intention for your deck.

Place the cards in a salty dish. A strong and stabilizing cleaner is salt. My preferred choice for a thorough cleansing is this. Allow it to sit anywhere from one to eight hours in a dry area.

Unorderly shuffle. Spread the cards out on the ground, then shuffle them around like a child playing in dirt. This method’s freedom and randomization serve as an excellent reset.

the shuffle and sort. Set up the deck in rows of seven cards across, commencing with the Major Arcana numbers 0 to 22. (see photo above). Next, arrange the cards, Ace through King, one for each suit, as follows: Swords, Pentacles, Cups, and Wands. View the deck in this configuration, then mix everything up (like the chaotic!) and shuffle it thoroughly.