Tarot cards have been around for centuries, specifically since the 14th century , and originated in Europe. It is believed they emerged in the cities of Florence, Milan, and Bologna with the creation of a deck of cards called "Tarocchi." Today, they have their own illustrations and specific meanings for use as a divination tool.
Some people use these cards as a tool for reflection , meditation, or to learn about what life has to offer. Everyone should experience the magic of these cards at least once in their life, but always under the guidance of an experienced reader. Generally, their use opens a door to enlightenment, helping one reflect on their life and how to proceed.
What is the meaning of Tarot cards?
Reading Tarot cards allows for analysis, advice, and reflection on a person's life . To perform a reading, the cards must be interpreted in a specific order, as each card has a meaning that varies depending on the surrounding cards. Anyone can perform a reading, but for a more accurate and specific prediction, it should be done by a qualified, experienced, and highly intuitive person.
Tarot cards are known as arcana. The entire deck consists of 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. These cards are not limited to traditional readings; many people use them as a tool for personal reflection, to meditate on situations, or to inspire an idea that has arisen in their mind.
Major Arcana
These are the most important and relevant cards. They represent significant themes, as ancestral beings used these images to convey messages and communicate with people. Each card has a negative or positive connotation, requiring analysis for an accurate interpretation. For example, the Tower card's meaning is almost always negative. The meanings we can find are:
- The Fool (0): It represents impulsiveness or carelessness. It signifies adventure, innocence, risks, or beginnings.
- The Magician (I): symbolizes creativity, confidence, skill, manifestation.
- The Priestess (II): recreates mystery, inner wisdom and intuition.
- The Empress (III): It is fertility, motherhood, creativity, abundance.
- The Emperor (IV): power, stability, authority, structure.
- The High Priest (V): is the guide, tradition, spirituality.
- The Lovers (VI): represents relationships, love, union and making choices.
- The Chariot (VII): Control, success, determination.
- Justice (VIII or XI): balance, justice, responsibility, truth.
- The Hermit (IX): loneliness, wisdom, introspection about the person.
- The Wheel of Fortune (X): represents cycles, destiny and changes.
- The Force (XI or VIII): self-control, courage, patience.
- The Hanged Man (XII): Pause, perspective, sacrifice.
- Death (XIII): It is the transformation, the end or the rebirth.
- Temperance (XIV): It is harmony, balance, moderation.
- The Devil (XV): attachments, restrictions, temptation.
- The Tower (XVI): It is the sudden change, revelation, crisis.
- The Star (XVII): clarity, inspiration, hope.
- The Moon (XVIII): intuition, uncertainty, illusions.
- The Sun (XIX): vitality, success, joy.
- The Judgment (XX): rebirth, evaluation.
- The World (XXI): fullness, realization, completion.
Minor Arcana
They are also important in complementing the overall meaning, but with a somewhat lesser connotation. It is divided into different suits: coins, cups, clubs, and swords.
The Minor Arcana represent the time period in which the prediction will be fulfilled, as each suit represents days, weeks, months, or years. For example, each number in the suit tells us a great deal about the timing of the prediction.
Gold
They are finances, stability and resources.
From Ace to 10: it represents wealth, work, and material achievements.
The figures: people who stand in the way of these resources and whether they affect prosperity. Here you can find more about the meaning of the Minor Arcana.
The Cups
It represents creativity, emotions and relationships.
From Ace to 10: love, emotional happiness, intuition.
Jack, Knight, Queen, King: these are the emotional people who relate to that feeling.
Swords
It represents decision making, thoughts, overcoming.
From Ace to 10: difficulties, overcoming, thoughts.
Figures: These are mental struggles, the analysis of people.
Bastos
It is action, energy, passion.
From Ace to 10: these are the challenges, the effort towards creativity, the new beginnings.
The figures: represent leadership, inspiration.
The Arcana, interpretation “Yes or No”
Within this card spread, each card offers a relevant interpretation of the future. Its meaning will depend on the situation, as it can provide an interpretation beyond a simple binary answer. When a card doesn't clarify a specific answer, another card can be drawn for further exploration.
- The cards that represent a Yes: the magician, the sun, the star, the judgment, the temperance, the world, the empress, the chariot and the force.
- The cards that represent a NO: the hanged man, the tower, death, the moon and the devil.
How to interpret tarot cards?
Its interpretation is key depending on the situation and the request. Consultations are formalized with questions and the cards must be positioned depending on which cards accompany it in the same reading. Here are some examples that are taken into account.
- Must take into account the intention and the connection with the consultant, address all your concerns and adapt them to a logical interpretation depending on the situation.
- Pay attention to the symbolism: details count, such as the figures, elements and colors that appear.
- Analyze the position of the cards in the readingA card in the past can reflect events in previous events and cards in the future will interpret events to come.
- La Tarot reader intuition is also important. Tarot is also interpreted with knowledge and intuitive perception, which is worth more than many of the traditional meanings. It should not be forgotten that these cards are a powerful and versatile tool, combining intuition, symbolism and spirituality.
