Tarot Offers Another Window to the Future
Visual Medium Uniquely Assesses Life Attributes
Jul 3, 2009
Tarot has historically been a way to reflect on the qualities of one’s internal and external experience of life. It ties into a belief system that one’s individual life plan is interconnected to the web of life. The handling of the cards, through shuffling, is believed to transmit cosmic understanding. This transmission of universal knowledge is believed to be in the form of energy passing through the individual into the cards.
Cards Manifest Different Attributes
Tarot is a visual medium represented through a deck of cards. Each card represents information, such as the elements of air, fire, water, or earth. Each element has attributes. Air is related to the visual ability to read one’s environment and then process the information in an analytical and strategic way. Fire has the attribute of passion and is associated with intuition. Water is the internalized experience of dreams or visions and includes an emotional connection. Earth is a concrete element in the form of working, creating home, and making money. It is also related to learning through trial and error. Elements are also referred to as suits.
Major Arcana and the Cycle of Life
In addition to suits, there are major and minor arcana cards. The major arcana represent themes on a grander scale in one’s life, such as accomplishment, love, and justice. These themes occur in a linear cycle associated with birth, death, and rebirth. Each major arcana is interpreted based on its placement in a layout. The person reading the cards will take into account the questions of the person requesting the reading. There are twenty-two major arcana in a deck. If several major arcana appear in a reading, then it is thought to have more significance and longer-term relevance.
Minor arcana interface a numeric system of one to ten with the elements described above. Each number is given an attribute. Ones are active, twos are receptivity and eights represent change, for example. There are 40 minor arcana in a tarot deck.
Interpreting Tarot Layouts
The cards are put into a specific layout for interpretation. There are several accepted layouts in use along with numerous Tarot decks. Each position in the selected layout has specific meaning. The standard Motherpeace layout, for example, has a triangle of three cards at its center. The first card represents the essence of what the individual is experiencing. If a Son of Discs were in this first position then it is about someone “that knows what he wants and practices getting it,” The Motherpeace Tarot Playbook by Vicki Noble and Jonathan Tenney (Wingbow Press 1991). The card also could be reversed, manifesting the opposite energy, such as a fear of failure or uncertain goals.
The second card could be the Chariot, a major arcana in the Tarot deck. A major arcana indicates a life force acting on one’s life. The Chariot is associated with achievement through hard work. In the second position, it would indicate that success is about to arrive in the life of the individual whose cards are being read. The third card then would relay any potential obstacle or barrier to this occurring.
A total of eleven cards are contained in the core layout. Each position has a unique interpretation, including one’s hopes and fears, the past, the future, and the outcome.
Learning to Perform a Tarot Reading
Often, individuals turn to an experienced Tarot reader. One can also become adept at readings through books and practice. An experienced reader is very knowledgeable of the cards and how interpretation of each varies, depending on its position in the layout. You have the option of interacting freely with the reader, asking questions and providing information in relation to the reading. You may also remain more introspective.
Learning to perform readings gives one the opportunity to more frequently toss the cards. A more in-depth understanding of the cards, layout and various interpretations can bring a new level of appreciation for the Tarot.
Source: The Motherpeace Tarot Playbook by Vicki Noble and Jonathan Tenney (Wingbow Press 1991)
