A deck of tarot cards consists of cards with images on them which are symbolic of various things. The meaning of each tarot card varies greatly though. The symbol on each card represents certain things such as misfortune, fortune, birth, death, and much more. The reading of tarot cards is believed to be able to reveal events and happenings within a person’s life.
The French suited tarot cards were the first tarot cards used, but they were not used for predicting the future. They were only for card games. Etteilla was the first person to use tarot cards to predict the future. The pack of tarot cards used contained 78 cards. Each card consisted of various symbols, and the meaning of each tarot card varied.
The various pictures and symbols on tarot cards are believed to provide a connection between the person reading the tarot cards and the collective unconscious. This is a spiritual connection, and it is present between each and every living thing in both the present and the past. Another definition of the collective unconscious is the spiritual power which is present absolutely everywhere within the universe.
It is not easy to interpret tarot cards. Firstly, one must remember the symbolic meaning of each tarot card. Practise is very important for tarot card readers. Knowing the symbolic meaning of each tarot card is not enough, the meaning of the card is dependent on the way the cards are laid out as well. It is not possible to decipher the meaning of a card in isolation.
Before you attempt to understand or comprehend the meaning of each tarot card, you must gain some understanding of the two distinct card groups. The first is the major arcana - this consists of 22 cards. The second is the minor arcana - this one consists of 56 cards. The cards in the major arcana usually symbolize matters of greater significance than the minor arcana. While the cards contained in the minor arcana tend to predict more everyday things and day to day stuff.
The cards included within the major arcana are The Magician, The Empress, The Hierophant, The Chariot, The Hermit, Justice, Death, The Devil, The Star, The Sun, The World, The Fool, The High Priestess, The emperor, The Lovers, Strength, Wheel of Fortune, The Hanged Man, Temperance, The Tower, The Moon and Judgement.
The meaning of each tarot card is very different from the next. As an example, The Magician is a sign of gaining control of the material world, while The Fool symbolizes a physical or spiritual journey, and possibly the beginning of a new life cycle. Wisdom and secret knowledge goes with The High Priestess, and The Empress signifies general well being, creativeness and security.
The Chariot symbolizes victory over adversity. Self control and courage is represented by Strength. The Emperor is a sign of worldly power, structure, authority and responsibility, and the Hierophand refers guidance, religious authority, ritual and routine. The Lover stands for harmony and union.
The meaning of each tarot card also depends on the card being upright or reversed. The meanings discussed are in the case of upright cards. The Hermit indicates caution and want of prudence. The Wheel of Fortune indicates effortless success, luck and good fortune. Justice indicates fair solutions to conflict. The Hangman suggests devotion towards a worthy cause. Death is indicative of a new life, a new beginning and major changes.
The Devil tarot card gives reference to physical things like money, and other material pleasures. Temperance signifies cooperation, combination, and coordination. The moon is a symbol for illusions or imagination, and The Star signifies healing and hope. The Tower stands for conflict, disruption, loss or major changes in life.
The tarot card The World refers to completing projects, or life events providing fulfilment and accomplishment, and The Sun signifies contentment and happiness. The Judgement represents joy which has been found in work or in a certain period of life. These are simply basic meanings, however the true meaning of each tarot card is much more complicated than this.
There are 4 suits within the minor arcana - and each of these 4 suits contains 14 cards. The suits are known as the Suit of Coins, The Suit of Swords, The Suit of Cups and The Suit of Wands. Included in the suit of Coins - for example - are the Ace of Coins, the 2 of Coins and so on up to the 10 of Coins. Then comes the Page of Coins, Knight of Coins, Queen of Coins, followed by King of Coins. The cards are different, and the meaning of each tarot card differs greatly.
The tarot card the ace of wands is representative of the start of new work, or creative flame. The 2 of wands stands for boldness and willpower. The 3 of wands represents cooperation of action in balance, and of willpower, and the 4 of wands leans toward achievement of goals following a struggling period. 5 of wands symbolizes opposition or even resistance, 6 of wands is all about being triumphant or of a victory at the end of a struggle, and the 7 of wands represents great courage or bravery during difficulties. The 8 of wands is a sign of rapid action and the 9 of wands indicates strength. The 10 of wands suggests oppression.
The princess of wands is another name for the page of wands. It indicates a very trustworthy person wanting to give joy to people surrounding him/her. Knight of wands will show a person full of energy, and the queen of wands stands for a generous, capable or fair person. King of wands is a sign of a very generous and kind man who has great love for his home and family. As can be seen the meaning of each tarot card discussed is not the same.
The Suit of Wands, Swords, Cups and The Suit of Coins include the card ace, and cards with numbers from two till ten. Also the page, the knight, the queen, and the king. Because the cards are all different in their meanings, to be an expert and accurately interpret the meaning of each tarot card, lots of experience is essential.
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